I will be crowned king

At the order of Ludwig Franz, the "Deputy Chancellor", several figures appeared in the commotion. They struggled to squeeze through the crowd, left their original positions very carefully, and stood where the police on Whitehall Street had specially designated Around the special seats reserved for "representatives of the nobility".

Among them, the representatives from the southern provinces were the leader - in addition to the largest number of people, many representatives also lined up for a long time to enter the park due to Ludwig's careful arrangements. As soon as they arrived at the scene, they immediately heard the speaker The representatives of the nobility were asked to come out. It was not clear what was going on. The representatives with noble backgrounds naturally left the original team. It was also inexplicable that they did not understand why the eyes of other representatives were so hostile.

Even so, there are still very few representatives willing to join the ranks of the nobility.

"Lord Viscount Bogner, this seems a little different from our original plan."

Hiding in the crowd, a young nobleman in rich clothes and a panicked expression approached Bognar and lowered his voice desperately: "It doesn't mean that the main force represented this time are all wealthy families from various provinces. They will definitely stand. Come to us..."

"Quiet!" Bognar, with a stern expression, directly interrupted the young noble's whisper: "Where do you think this is? This is the National Assembly approved by His Majesty himself. It is a matter of great importance. Please be serious and don't let you." His family was brought to disgrace."

"What the nobles from the provinces want to do is their freedom, but we are a wealthy family in Clovis City and a barrier to protect His Majesty. We must respond to all the people who are loyal to Your Majesty no matter when and where. You set an example, do you understand?"

Looking at the group of young people behind him who were frightened by him, Viscount Bognar remained calm and didn't say anything, but he felt equally unsure in his heart.

Of course he knew why the nobles from other provinces were unwilling to join, because the two sides had long been no longer on the same journey.

Unlike those provincial nobles who have spent most of their lives hiding in castles and manors in the countryside, living behind closed doors, the wealthy families in Clovis City have long been sublimated: plantations, assembly line factories, overseas trade, bank loans, company stocks... even the most conservative The wealthy families in the royal city have long relied on more than just land for their livelihoods.

Of course, changes in the economic foundation have also brought about changes in concepts and cognitions. Although the two parties still have close ties with each other by blood, the relationship is just a matter of mailing a few letters and entertaining each other during holidays. The relationship between the two parties is quite cordial. .

But when these provincial nobles came to Clovis City, the situation was completely different.

The enthusiasm and friendliness they imagined did not exist at all. What greeted them was only the cold eyes and indifference of the royal family. Coupled with the unfamiliarity and understanding of city life, they soon realized that they were incompatible with each other.

On the contrary, it was Sophia Franz, the "alternative" Minister of War, who made the provincial nobles feel a little warmer... Although the girl was about to have cooperation and mutual use written on her face, this sincere attitude gained a lot. The second identification of few people.

Under the pitiful thick barrier between each other, the nobles from other provinces would rather stand on the side of ordinary representatives than join forces with the wealthy families of the royal city.

Viscount Bognor secretly sighed in his heart... He was clearly the leader of a faction that was proclaimed by His Majesty Carlos II and was determined to reform, but now he has become a royalist among the wealthy families in the royal city. Even the former conservatives and The reformists have also completely merged, and are currently known as stubborn and conservative in the public opinion of Clovis City.

The situation was developing so fast that even I could not keep track of it. The so-called "innovation" was just a concept every day; when I came to my senses, the only thing I could continue to insist on was "defending the royal family". .

And all of this seems to have started when a certain general returned from the New World...

"In the name of His Majesty, the first duty of the National Assembly of this country is to establish the legitimacy of the representative identity and the limits of the parliament's power." Ludwig said solemnly:

"This parliament will adopt a fair voting method. All proposals must be approved by more than one-quarter before they can be discussed, one-half will be included in the reference list, and two-thirds will be passed immediately and take effect; everyone can follow their own ideas Voting, no geographical restrictions..."

While he was speaking, the Whitehall Street policemen in charge of security in the stands immediately took thick leaflets and began to gradually distribute the contents of the speech to the crowded parliamentarians.

It should be said that the Citizens' Assembly was used as a reference. Ludwig's process was quite rigorous. It not only completely corrected various problems that occurred during the Citizens' Assembly period, but also made further improvements to facilitate the adaptation to a larger scale and greater impact. A stronger National Assembly.

Especially in terms of voting... The citizens' assembly votes according to the communities and streets to which they belong, and Ludwig deliberately downplayed the aspect of origin to prevent some provinces with a large number of people from joining together or forming cliques. to interfere in the kingdom's affairs.

"...As for the first important task of this parliament, it is to form the Privy Council and finalize the kingdom's taxes this year." Ludwig said solemnly: "As we all know, the Holy War has just come to an end, the cold winter is about to pass, and the kingdom is in dire straits. It’s time to revitalize the economy and regroup…”

Ludwig talked about the economic difficulties of the kingdom and how much it cost to ensure the national economy and people's livelihood. In short, it was not easy and it required people from all walks of life and provinces in the kingdom.

What he said was concise and easy to understand - at least he thought so - the representatives in the stands couldn't help but frown, until a voice took the initiative to interrupt him.

"Excuse me, Lord Ludwig, who is in power in the Kingdom of Clovis and has been appointed as the Speaker by His Majesty..."

William Cecil, who was standing near the front row but surrounded by ordinary people's representatives, suddenly said coldly: "The meaning of your speech just now is to tell all the representatives present, and then let the representatives tell our folks in my hometown that this year Is it necessary to raise taxes?”

The moment he finished speaking, Anson noticed that Ludwig's expression on the stage suddenly turned murderous.

The representatives in the stands were also in a commotion. If there was anyone who didn't understand just now, of course everyone has realized it now - it turned out that His Majesty agreed to form a parliament just to raise taxes? !

"The speech of His Excellency William Cecil is really laughable." Ludwig, whose eyes were like swords, said with a chill in his voice:

"It is obviously a good thing approved by His Majesty, but how come it immediately turns into a bad policy that abuses the people and harshly criticizes the ministers when it comes to your mouth?"

"Oh, I'd love to hear the details."

Facing the opponent's almost murderous gaze, the naval captain who took the lead was completely unafraid, even arrogant.

"Why did I say that the first task of the National Assembly is to finalize taxes, and why did I tell everyone present about the difficulties of the kingdom this year and the past year?" Ludwig sneered, and his confident posture was obviously prepared. :

"It's very simple, because this is His Majesty's trust - His Majesty wants the National Assembly to discuss tax issues, which means that the power of setting taxes and collecting taxes is completely entrusted to you and even the entire Parliament!"

"And I want to tell you about the difficulties of the kingdom, so that everyone can understand the real situation and know the price the country needs to pay to maintain normal operation. If you don't know these important things, who should the representatives decide how much tax to levy this year? Is it in the best interest of the kingdom?”

His words immediately resonated with the representatives of the nobles in the front row - most of the nobles who could come here had held official positions in the Privy Council, so they naturally understood the truth best.

Even the representatives from other provinces who were angry just now showed signs of relief, as if they really felt that the other party's words were taken for granted.

"This Ludwig is really powerful in power..."

Laura Fula, who was hiding behind Anson in the stands, couldn't help but sigh and muttered in a low voice: "It's obvious that taxes are going to be raised, but you can still say it legitimately, as if you are thinking about everyone."

"Of course, this is the first ruler of the Kingdom of Clovis, the speaker appointed by His Majesty." Anson couldn't help but smile: "If he can't even do this little thing, he is no longer Ludwig. "

"Well, that's right...he is still your former boss..." The girl nodded vigorously: "You will definitely say good things about him."

"What about you? You seem to admire him a little?"

"Worship? Uh...a little bit, just a little bit."

Fula thought about it seriously: "But this guy is too arrogant and belongs to the type that Fabian has the most trouble with. As for William... he should not be Ludwig's opponent."

"Then I might be exactly the opposite of what you think."

Lowering his voice, Anson glanced around: "I think Colonel William has a good chance of winning. Things probably won't develop as Ludwig expected."

"Oh, why?"

"because……"

Just when Anson was about to answer, William broke the silence again, not giving any face to this "comrade-in-arms" during the Holy War.

"Well said! What a wonderful speech. Just listening to your words is enough to make us ordinary representatives shed tears. Thank you for your grace." The naval colonel said with a smile, which was not at all what he claimed. Tears of gratitude:

"It's just that I have to ask one more question. If His Majesty is going to entrust the power of taxation to us humble subjects, do you also want us to personally give orders to the tax collectors and take the last copper from the pockets of our relatives back home? ?”

"Dear Colonel William Cecil, as a member of the mayor's family of Northport, you are neither humble nor ordinary." Ludwig replied coldly:

"As for worrying about doing evil with your own hands, there is no need to worry. The Privy Council formed by the National Assembly will take over this mission."

"That is to say, do you think that the power of the Privy Council to tax comes from the National Assembly?" William Cecil was still reluctant: "I don't think so, if the National Assembly does not approve it, the Privy Council cannot levy taxes from the people. Tax?"

"I do not understand what you mean."

Ludwig narrowed his eyes slightly: "It is the responsibility of the National Assembly to establish taxes, but this responsibility is given to the Assembly by His Majesty. Please understand the connection between the two."

Not only Ludwig didn't understand, but other representatives present also seemed confused, and only a few of them showed thoughtful expressions.

"Does he know what he is talking about?" Fula Laura was completely confused: "What does the National Assembly have the power to tax? Isn't this a responsibility entrusted to the Assembly by His Majesty?"

"No, that's not the case at all."

Anson said calmly: "William Cecil...he is competing with Ludwig for the initiative in this parliament."

If he had some doubts just now, now he was completely convinced that the naval colonel did not represent himself at all. It was not his own intention to say these words exactly, but Sophia Franz!

If you guessed correctly, the two people must have reached some agreement in private, which made William willing to represent Beigang and sound the "attack horn" of the entire National Assembly to Ludwig and Oskar, who were still trying to control the situation. The royal family of Telia opened fire.

"You don't understand what I mean, okay, then I'll make it clearer."

William Cecil smiled, opened his arms, and suddenly turned to face the surroundings: "Delegates present, with your majesty's permission, the National Assembly will from now on have the tax power of the kingdom; our Lord Speaker said, we only need It’s fine to make a decision, but is it really true?”

"Who constitutes this National Assembly, who will decide to impose taxes on the entire kingdom, and who do we, this National Assembly, represent?"

"Among the more than 5,000 representatives present, some of you may be nobles, some may be businessmen, you may have servants, or you may be tenant farmers, but we all have a common identity, and that is the people of Clovis!"

"As representatives of tens of millions of people in Clovis, we come here with the expectations and high hopes of our relatives back home to decide the kingdom's annual taxes. On what basis?" The naval colonel raised his hands. It is a pair of rough hands that once pulled the cable and turned the rudder:

"Because we also pay taxes for the kingdom and dedicate our only property and blood and sweat to the kingdom; we pay taxes...the people who pay taxes determine the taxes of the kingdom."

"This is the essence of the matter, nothing else." William Cecil turned around again and looked at Ludwig, who was about to kill someone: "Those who pay taxes to the kingdom belong to the Kingdom of Clovis. The people, their elected representatives, decide how much they will contribute to the kingdom.”

“Your Excellency has made excuses and claimed that all this is a gift from His Majesty... I do not deny that I am also a person who has sworn allegiance to the Kingdom, but I have described the National Assembly as a tool used to shirk responsibility and quell mob protests. I will never tolerate this!"

"His Majesty has shown his kindness and allowed his people to decide how much tax they will pay in the coming year; we, the National Assembly, should naturally do our best for the people who elected us." The navy captain said solemnly:

"Now, let's get down to business!"