When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

#595 - Constitutional Convention (Part 2)

Today is already May 25th, and this constitutional assembly has been going on for three weeks. With the arrival of the first rain of early summer, it has finally come to an end.

The rain pattered against the eaves of the Central Palace, and occasionally a wisp of rain flew into the room through the cracks in the window.

The brass chandelier swayed with dim candlelight, and white wax tears fell from the candlestick onto the table, leaving patches of scorching heat.

The three representatives sat solemnly, their eyes focused on the podium, whether nobles or commoners, their eyes were filled with excitement and solemnity.

Standing in the fishy smell of the rain, Hohen held the podium and was reading the fifth article of the newly passed "Sacred Charter".

"...Then we determine that the country's name is the Holy Principality of Thousand River Valley, the national flag is a black and red iris, and there are two capitals—Summer Green City (renamed from Feiliu Fort), the seat of the Autocrat, and the Holy See, the seat of the Grand Patriarch."

"Wow--"

"Good!"

"May the Holy Father bless us!"

The representatives of the three seats stood up one after another, applauding vigorously, accompanied by constant cheers.

The entire venue was shrouded in a solemn yet relaxed atmosphere, with representatives from various factions showing different expressions, some satisfied, some regretful, and some with faint unease.

When this fifth charter was passed, it meant that this constitutional assembly was coming to an end.

Several middle-seat public representatives could not help but reveal a trace of anxiety and unfinished business. Although they had delayed a lot of their work, they still couldn't let go.

The taste of power was really irresistible to them.

Raising his hands slightly, Hohen signaled the audience to be quiet, and at this time, Melia Tilli also stood up from the throne.

"Today, we stand at a turning point in history. Because after reading the fifth article of the 'Charter', on this war-torn land, we have jointly completed a great cause.

The first constitution of Thousand River Valley—the 'Sacred Charter of Thousand River Valley', is completed today!

It connects the will of the Holy Father with the order of the mortal world, unites the responsibilities of the nobles and the rights of the people, and marks the first time that we, Thousand River Valley, have determined the cornerstone of the country in written form.

From now on, every citizen, regardless of wealth or status, will enjoy basic rights to life and freedom on this land.

Every lord, whether noble or priest, will understand that their power comes from the common recognition of the Holy Father and the believers. Only by fulfilling their responsibilities can they enjoy authority.

Completing this charter does not mean the end of our responsibilities, but the beginning of new responsibilities.

We need to use the charter as a guideline, unite as one, and face future challenges, whether it is the threat of foreign enemies or internal divisions.

Therefore, today is not only the end of the first constitutional assembly, but also the convening of the first Council of State meeting."

All the representatives, except for Hohen's side, became energetic at the same time, and some even stood up involuntarily.

They were all waiting for that sentence, that extremely crucial sentence.

"The implementation of the charter requires suitable people to promote it." The speaker changed from Hohen to Melia Tilli, and her slightly magnetic voice sounded, "Today, we will discuss and determine the first batch of county governors of the Holy Principality of Thousand River Valley, as well as the job assignments of the central administrative organs."

That's what they were waiting for! The representatives' expressions became excited.

According to Article 3 of the "Charter" on the confirmation of government agencies, His Excellency the Autocrat appoints officials not based on bloodline but on talent and virtue.

In other words, if Melia Tilli wants to promote officials, either the Council of State recommends them, or they are promoted from the Council of State.

Originally, they were just leaders in a township or a small town or even a village, belonging to the closed-door dignitaries.

But now, they actually had the opportunity to get involved in the entire Thousand River Valley, which is hundreds of thousands of people.

However, Melia Tilli seemed not to see their eager eyes and was still reading slowly: "Don't bite off more than you can chew. I must ensure that every power is used properly and every responsibility is implemented by reliable hands."

Taking out a thick book from under the podium, Melia Tilli slowly opened it: "However, before allocating positions, we have to face a more critical issue—the finances of Thousand River Valley."

Suddenly, whispers broke out in the venue, and the faces of representatives from various factions changed slightly.

Only the monks in the Patriarchal Special Zone, who were independent of the Autocrat system, were watching the jokes with their legs crossed. Some even took out wine bottles, bread, ham, and cheese.

After Hohen swept across with unkind eyes, the monks immediately sat upright and put on heavy and solemn expressions.

"Therefore, I propose to start with the national finances of Thousand River Valley." Melia Tilli closed the book, her voice with a hint of coldness, "After all, if these are not clear, the so-called Thousand River Valley is just a castle built on the beach."

Through the collation and statistics of church accounts over the past month, a list of the total population and total arable land of Thousand River Valley, based solely on the accounts, was listed.

The Holy Principality of Thousand River Valley has a total of 860,000 taxable households, and the total taxable population should be more than 4 million.

The total taxable arable land is 49,322 square kilometers, which is about 73.95 million mu of arable land, which is theoretically enough to support more than 6 million people.

Under the sustainable bone-sucking rule of the priests and nobles, Thousand River Valley sent 60,000 gold pounds and 90,000 gold pounds to the Leia royal family and the Holy See every year, respectively.

The most ⊥ new ⊥ small ⊥ say ⊥ is ⊥ in ⊥ six ⊥ 9 ⊥⊥ book ⊥⊥ bar ⊥⊥ first ⊥ hair!

Due to the underreporting of local lords and knights and the corruption of intermediaries and tax farmers, the accounts in various places are actually only less.

According to the correspondence, investigation reports, and rough calculations of hundreds of accountants and bankers over the past month left by Duchess Barmanda of Kush.

Taking Hotam County as an example, 19,920 gold pounds were paid to the Leia royal family and 22,500 gold pounds to the Holy See the year before last, but its true theoretical taxable amount is about 200,000 gold pounds.

So the real effective tax revenue is only 20%, and 80% is either not collected, or it is embezzled or wasted by a small group of people.

As for where it is wasted, just look at the monasteries and manor gardens all over Hotam County, and look at the gorgeous clothes of the nobles.

In addition, there are the nobles' so-called pilgrimages, which are actually trips to the coastal areas for social interaction and travel every two or three years.

After two and a half years of natural disasters and wars, although the Leia Kingdom is facing a major enemy, Thousand River Valley must first reduce taxes and then collect taxes normally.

Even so, two and a half years of natural disasters and wars have an important result.

That is, it directly or indirectly killed and expelled a large number of tax intermediaries and corruption. Taking Langsand County, which has been thoroughly cleaned up, as an example.

The theoretical taxable amount of Langsand County is only about 60,000 gold pounds, and Hohen can collect a budget of 20,000 gold pounds by relying on the hundred-household area reform.

This is not only 20,000 gold pounds. The total tax revenue is estimated to be close to 30,000 gold pounds, but nearly 10,000 gold pounds are still placed in local monastic orders.

This is the result of Hohen killing all the intermediaries (knights, small lords, secondary contractors, tax-exempt monasteries, tax farmers) in Langsand County and directly collecting taxes.

Relying on efficient government efficiency, the Holy See Pope can achieve nearly 50% effective tax revenue in the special zone to which he belongs.

Under the premise of tax and rent reductions, the effectively used tax revenue may be more than before.

"Your Excellency the Autocrat, what do you mean?" A representative stood up tremblingly and asked.

"The 'Land Registration Act' may not be passed, but population and tax surveys should be done, right?"