episode_0103

“Why?”

I say this while looking at Theodora, who paused for a moment at my words.

“Wait a minute.”

Saying that, I take out a cigar from my pocket.

This is the item that will save me.

Knowing the original work, I know how much Theodora hates cigarettes.

Especially… cigars.

I heard that Valorant loved cigars and always hated the smell of cigars on his body.

“Huh?”

Seeing Theodora looking puzzled at my actions, I tried to control my excitement and cut the end of the cigar.

-Sprout

“Did you… smoke?”

Theodora frowns her beautiful forehead and speaks, and I answer.

“I originally didn’t smoke. Savinelli gave me a cigar as a gift so I decided to smoke one to relax.

With that said, I put a cigar in my mouth and hope that this gamble pays off.

She actually hates cigarettes, so it would be better to say she hates them.

Use magic to create a spark and set the cigar on fire.

“Tsu-eup…”

A savory yet rich scent.

It’s been a long time since I felt a strong aroma and deep body.

“Ha…”

I think as I blow out the smoke in my mouth.

Now that I think about it, you’ve quit smoking for quite some time, right?

I started quitting smoking because it was bad for my health.

I feel like I need to start smoking again.

If you’re going to say the reason… I guess it’s to live?

You start smoking unhealthy cigarettes again just to survive.

How ironic is this?

Theodora frowns heavily at my actions, covers her nose, and screams.

“You! Do you want to smoke in this atmosphere?! If you’re going to smoke, go outside and smoke!”

I act as I watch Theodora pushing me and stubbornly pushing me onto the terrace.

“Now… Let’s just smoke this for a moment and finish.”

I try to make a pitiful expression, but she doesn’t care and just pushes my shoulder.

“No! What are you doing?! You have no manners!”

I say that as if I feel unfair.

“No. What did I do wrong?”

-Tuk-tuk!

“Who gets to smoke freely in the newlywed room?! Can’t we just get out?!”

He tapped me on the shoulder and eventually…

-Squeak!

“Smoke as much as you want there!”

-Snap!

kicked out

“Ha…”

So I burn the cigar in my hand.

How much did it burn? I feel dizzy.

“Is it because it’s been a while since I published it? I’m a little dizzy”

Still, this is how I survived. what…

Let’s smoke moderately, cut off the end of the cigar, put out the light, and try to open the window.

-Click, click!

“Huh?”

Locked windows.

He says, knocking on the tightly closed window.

“Theodora! What do I do if I lock the window?”

“Hmph, I don’t know! Smoke as much as you want there and die quickly!”

After arguing for a while, I was finally able to fall asleep.

Even on the sofa.

***

The next morning.

From early in the morning, neutral figures were called to my office.

This is a natural order as it is necessary to involve neutral parties for tax reform.

Only then will it be passed by the Imperial Diet.

“Yes. What did you say you wanted to see? Archduke?”

Representative Pompey.

“I’m so busy, but you’re calling me here. It’s cumbersome.”

Mongke, the representative of Bairen city.

“Hehe, the shameless Grand Duke is calling me?”

And… Chairman Charles, who hates me.

In this way, three neutrals were called.

“I need to pass a bill through the National Assembly this time, but I think I might need some help.”

Pompey and Charles frown at my words.

“You can just get over it by collaborating with that proud emperor faction. Why did you call us who are marginalized?”

I say that with embarrassment.

“I guess that’s because the issue is an issue. I think there will be a lot of backlash from the emperor faction.”

In fact, it is an imperial faction comprised of large, medium, and small nobles. Even if Ioanes holds the position of leader, it is difficult to exceed half the number unless Epirus and Ezip vote.

“What kind of strange thing are you planning?”

I say those words with a soft smile.

“First, look at this. This is probably a bill that everyone here will like.”

As I put three bundles of paper on the table, Pompey stands up and says:

“Rather than listening to me, Won, or the Grand Duke, I think it would be better to play with my grandchildren at home.”

I sigh and say this at that sight.

“It’s nice to play with your grandchildren, but please take a moment to help the empire develop.”

Pompey snorts at my words.

“I have no intention of wasting my precious time like this, so please excuse me.”

Rep. Mongke catches him trying to leave like that.

“Hehe, you came here. You are not performing your duties as a member of the National Assembly. It’s not like Senator Pompey.”

At those words, Pompey speaks with an angry expression.

“Is it the duty of a member of the National Assembly to discuss national affairs with such a dirty dog?!”

Rep. Mongke says those words with a sly expression.

“Don’t you know that it is your duty to negotiate with the devil for the sake of the people of the empire and the citizens of your constituency?”

A dirty dog, a devil.

I guess this is referring to me?

With those words, Pompey sits down.

“Damn. If it’s a bill that doesn’t make sense, it will make me regret taking up my precious time.”

Saying that, I look at the bill.

I know that only negative things are attached to my image, such as that of a devil, a strongman, or a treacherous spirit, but…

A dirty dog… isn’t that too much?

When you’re thinking like that.

“Are you trying to reform taxes now?”

Mongke says without taking his eyes off the bill.

“Yes. I think we need to stop the nobles who are blocking the development of the empire.”

There is silence for a moment.

Realizing that everyone is silent as they look at the bill, he gets up and walks over to the cigar box.

-Sprout

Cut off the end of the cigar, put it in your mouth, and light it.

“Ha…”

It tastes good.

As time passed, enjoying the scent of cigars and coffee…

“Grand Duke… Do you really intend to pass this bill through parliament?”

Pompey speaks as if he is not trustworthy.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Do you know that this… if done wrong, could lead to a civil war?”

I nod my head at those words.

“I know.”

If the great nobles oppose this bill, a civil war will begin immediately.

Yoanes, you have decided to help me get the bill passed this time, but it is clear that the other imperialists will foam at the mouth and protest.

“But… why are you doing such a reckless thing?”

Charles asks with a look of incomprehension.

“That’s it. They are literally saying that the tax is too excessive, so they will put an upper limit on it.”

The Free City imposes reasonable tax rates, but most nobles are being taxed exorbitantly under ridiculous grounds.

The people who suffer the most from this will be the people of the empire who live under that noble.

People with some money or those who can read and write will run away to the Free Cities, but most of those who do not will live their entire lives in their fiefdoms.

You don’t have the ability to go to a better place, and if you have a family, it’s even more impossible, so you’d have to live a life of conformity.

Of course, this reason is nominal and in reality it is for the promotion of commerce.

One of the reasons why prices are abnormal throughout the empire is because distribution is difficult…

It makes no sense to tax 10% of the goods you have every time you pass through a gateway, castle, or city.

“The intention is good, but it is too dangerous. It’s not that we left the tax system alone because we didn’t know about it. If you do something wrong, the empire will inevitably fall into civil war. That’s just it.”

I shrug my shoulders at that.

“Civil war will not occur. I guarantee it.”

When a bill is voted on in parliament.

He will secretly reveal that Ioanes ate Epirus and Ejib.

So will the imperial faction handle the taxes, or will they watch as Ioannes devours the imperial faction? You’ll have to choose one of the two.

Then what… will they attack me or Ioannes?

Unless you’re a fool, you’ll go to war against Ioannes.

“How… can you guarantee that?”

I answer those words with a smile.

“Aren’t you saying that there is a way for me to pass this bill without thinking about a civil war?”

It’s not for nothing that I didn’t pass the bill to Congress even after it came out.

There are delays due to careful checking, but the more important thing is.

period.

I don’t know whether the great nobles will like it or not.

I think I might like it, but…

Just in case, they might not respond and start a war.

So, prepare safety devices like this.

I was just trying to pass this bill at the right time.

If a civil war broke out soon after Ioanes took control of Epirus and Ezip, it would collapse without help…

In a situation where a civil war is about to occur, Ioannis and the emperor faction fight and each other loses strength.

And I think it would be a good idea for me to devour them both when they both lose their strength.

-Clap clap!

“Good. cancer! If you’re a man, you have to do what you have to do.”

Rep. Mongke claps his hands and says.

“The current tax system is certainly unreasonable for the Free City and the people of the Empire. The old man was impressed by the Grand Duke’s intention to fix it.”

“Representative Mongke, don’t you know that this is not such a light matter?”

Pompey speaks in an absurd tone, but…

“But didn’t it have to be done someday? I will also do my best to help pass this bill through the National Assembly.”

I express my gratitude for those words.

“Thank you for saying that.”

Rep. Mongke smiles softly at my words.

“The Grand Duke is different from the rumors that always circulate. I only realized it today.”

Pompey appears to be dissatisfied with the situation and stands up with a bill.

“First, I will think about it a little more and decide whether or not to seek support from my friends.”

I think to myself as I see Pompey leaving like that.

This isn’t that bad…