“It will fail. It will fall into the abyss to the point of no return.”
“Is this something a mere maid should talk about?”
Ines’ face hardened as if her smile had been faked by Bonifax’s anger. She snatched the documents in front of him and held them up. Then, she held them out in front of him.
“Is it time to argue about that? Face it. What does this mean?”
After meeting Princess Manisut, Ines had only one word in her head.
That was the foundation.
Most of what Angelina said was wrong, but that one thing was right. The Emperor absolutely needed a support base.
The most efficient way the royal family had used to maintain their position was to divide the existing nobles into two and wage war.
However, what difference would it make if they divided the black water soaked in greed in half and had them fight?
It was already rotten water. When power is concentrated on one side, the result is the same. It is just a mud fight.
Prime Minister Bonifax twitched his nose and lips as if he had something to say, but he could not open his mouth.
Ines continued, holding up the document.
“Central Bank.”
“...What?”
“If Lord Mondrae can handle this situation, designate the Mondrae Bank as the sole central bank of the Empire.”
If the bank she established were to be designated as the sole central bank of the Empire, it meant that the entire Empire’s finances would be entrusted to Ines.
All taxes would come and go through the Mondrae Bank. The settlement system for all payments would be controlled by Ines. It was literally like the finances were in her hands.
“Speak sensibly!”
“And take charge of it.”
“What?”
“I do not intend to turn all the nobles of this country into enemies. I do not intend to completely shake up the noble order, cause chaos, and cause them to taste bitter defeat.”
Ines put down the document she was holding and looked him in the eye.
The old man’s eyes had a completely different color than when he had entered. His eyes, which had not even shown contempt or curiosity toward Ines, were clearly filled with fear.
They did not show a mean face, but they were not enough to hide his impatience.
“That... what exactly does that mean?”
“A new country. A new Emperor has been born. Shouldn’t a new Ministry of Finance be born to match him?”
The person who currently held the most central role and authority in Keynes's Finance was the Duke of Manisut. Therefore, the high-ranking officials in charge of the administration of each department were also all in Manisut’s hands.
“I seek a complete change.”
“A complete change?”
“I will abandon the current Ministry of Finance. And I am giving the Prime Minister a chance to get out of that swampy water.”
Ines watched him swallow dryly and picked up her teacup again. She stretched out her body and crossed her legs. Then she glanced at his face over the teacup.
“Is there something you came here to say?”
On the contrary, Bonifax had completely lost his pace. All he could do was anxiously wait for her next words.
“It is as you said, Your Excellency. The world has changed a lot. So it is time to let yourself go with the flow of change.”
A completely new beginning.
That was exactly what Ines wanted.
Finance, one of the two rights that Carson was currently unable to control, was a department that especially required professional manpower.
Money was needed to handle administrative work, to guard the temple, and to train the military. So if this right continued to be in the hands of the nobles, it meant that other departments could easily collapse in some way. The minister in front of her was a necessary person. He still had a lot of authority to move the finance department. And he was a capable person. Ines planned to take Bonifax out and put her on her pedestal.
“Do you dream of absolute rule?”
He had been silent for a long time, but he finally spoke seriously to Ines. He had long since moved away from the attitude of treating a mere maid.
“No.”
“If that’s not what it means, then what is it?”
“What I want is not an absolute monarchy based on divine right and ignorant suppression of the people. Nor do I want a tyranny that terrorizes the nobles.”
“If so!”
“Centralized.”
A stable imperial family that recognizes a certain degree of autonomy for the nobles and their fiefdoms, but where all decisions and power come from the center.
“I will reorganize the bureaucracy under centralization. His Majesty wants to govern the provinces directly under the state. To do that, he needs several offices. The first of them will be the Ministry of Finance.”
That was exactly what Ines wanted.
Finance, one of the two rights that Carson was currently unable to control, was a department that especially required professional manpower.
Money was needed to handle administrative work, to guard the temple, and to train the military. So if this right continued to be in the hands of the nobles, it meant that other departments could easily collapse in some way. The minister in front of her was a necessary person. He still had a lot of authority to move the finance department. And he was a capable person. Ines planned to take Bonifax out and put her on her pedestal.
“Do you dream of absolute rule?”
He had been silent for a long time, but he finally spoke seriously to Ines. He had long since moved away from the attitude of treating a mere maid.
“No.”
“If that’s not what it means, then what is it?”
“What I want is not an absolute monarchy based on divine right and ignorant suppression of the people. Nor do I want a tyranny that terrorizes the nobles.”
“If so!”
“Centralized.”
A stable imperial family that recognizes a certain degree of autonomy for the nobles and their fiefdoms, but where all decisions and power come from the center.
“I will reorganize the bureaucracy under centralization. His Majesty wants to govern the provinces directly under the state. To do that, he needs several offices. The first of them will be the Ministry of Finance.”
And the new officials in the Ministry of Finance will become Carson’s solid foundation.
The foundation that the Duke of Manisut and his daughter claimed was nothing more than an illusion.
The foundation of the new imperial family will not be formed by family background or blood relations. It will only find its place through ability and effort.
“Are you trying to foster a new power? Do you think that there has never been such an attempt before?”
As he said, it was not that the imperial families throughout history did not try to create a new power to support them. However, their efforts failed every time.
Ines shook her head and laughed.
“I am not making such a grand plan, Your Excellency.”
Ines simply wanted to have people by his side who would work properly for the Emperor. However, if they had to be called a new power, as Bonifax said, then so be it.
“But if necessary, we must establish it.”
Ines had the power to do so.
That rising power would be a new power that would check the nobles, a foundation that would support the imperial family, and workers who would make the people live in a better world.
“So, be my man.”
“...”
“Your Excellency, didn’t you come this far solely on your own strength? Don’t you want to witness how the world will change when truly capable people rule?”
He closed his eyes for a while and fell into thought. The wait was by no means short, but Ines waited for his answer while maintaining her composure. And soon the Prime Minister’s mouth opened.
"I will follow your will."
He hadn’t even opened his eyes yet.
It was a feudal system that had continued for over a thousand years without a single waver since the founding of the Keynes Empire.
It was a bilateral contractual relationship that even the Gods could not break.
However, right now, in the small reception room of the imperial palace, the solidly built feudal system was on the verge of a generational change into a bureaucracy due to a maid.
Three days later, the Imperial Council was called.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Bonifax came to Ines, not where the nobles were gathered, late in the evening.
Ines had never completely trusted Bonifax.
But today’s choice showed that he had truly decided to become Ines’s man.
“He has expressed his intention to make Lord Mondrae a Count as soon as this matter is concluded.”
He spoke more leisurely than last time, sipping on the fragrant Yamanta tea.
“It was not in my plans.”
“But it is necessary.”
Ines knew very well why he had done such a thing. Mondrae was completely hidden. It was natural that this would be a source of anxiety for him.
“As you said, the Mondrae Bank has already taken over the market. It would not cause any major problems if the bank notes were exchanged for currency right away.”
“...”
“His Majesty has expressed his full support. So, unless something happens, Mondrae Bank will become the central bank, and the visible effects will be apparent soon. Then, the Swenden family will be the ones to properly save the empire.”
Ines smiled, pretending to be calm. However, it was not easy to remain indifferent in the face of the enormous events unfolding before our eyes.
“If I know, Duke Manisut will already know that the Mondrae Bank building was purchased in Swenden’s name.”
If he had intended to hide it, he would not have used the Swenden family’s name. Now, it was Manisut’s turn to move.
The situation was moving out of control. How on earth could he go to Carson’s side most moderately?
“You should show yourself now. No matter how much credit is more important than substance, how can you maintain trust without substance? Isn’t that right?”
Now that he had been appointed count, there was no way for Mondrae to not show himself to the public.
Ines smiled, lifting one corner of her mouth.
“How can the Minister of Finance not know the face of the head of the central bank under the Ministry of Finance?”
“That’s right.”
Manisut was an unpredictable person. It was not easy to predict how he would harm Swenden and Carson.
However, they had already drawn their swords against each other. Therefore, avoiding them was meaningless.
Ines’ eyes, about to confront each other, gleamed like a sharpened sword.
After that, Bonifax drank all of Yamanta’s tea without leaving a single drop and left.
Night had fallen in the palace, but the moon was unusually bright.
Ines sat on the window sill for a moment and looked out at the garden. It was almost the same view as from Carson’s bedroom.
Feeling the chill, Ines rubbed her arms and sat down at the dressing table.
“It’s still cold.”
Emma covered Ines’ shoulders with a shawl.
After making the bed, Emma stared blankly at Ines, who had been sitting in front of the mirror since earlier.
She blushed and rubbed her precious red jewel anxiously, wondering what she was thinking.
Her beautiful golden hair, which had just been combed, fluttered on her white shoulders. It was hard to believe that this slender woman in front of her was the one who had been confidently planning business with the prime minister.
“Shall I prepare the bed for you?”
“Ah...”
Ines flinched slightly, perhaps surprised by the small sound, and smiled faintly.
“Thank you, Emma.”
Emma blushed slightly at Ines’s attitude without realizing it. Her appearance had a majestic quality that gently pressed down on her opponent.
The foundation that the Duke of Manisut and his daughter claimed was nothing more than an illusion.
The foundation of the new imperial family will not be formed by family background or blood relations. It will only find its place through ability and effort.
“Are you trying to foster a new power? Do you think that there has never been such an attempt before?”
As he said, it was not that the imperial families throughout history did not try to create a new power to support them. However, their efforts failed every time.
Ines shook her head and laughed.
“I am not making such a grand plan, Your Excellency.”
Ines simply wanted to have people by his side who would work properly for the Emperor. However, if they had to be called a new power, as Bonifax said, then so be it.
“But if necessary, we must establish it.”
Ines had the power to do so.
That rising power would be a new power that would check the nobles, a foundation that would support the imperial family, and workers who would make the people live in a better world.
“So, be my man.”
“...”
“Your Excellency, didn’t you come this far solely on your own strength? Don’t you want to witness how the world will change when truly capable people rule?”
He closed his eyes for a while and fell into thought. The wait was by no means short, but Ines waited for his answer while maintaining her composure. And soon the Prime Minister’s mouth opened.
"I will follow your will."
He hadn’t even opened his eyes yet.
It was a feudal system that had continued for over a thousand years without a single waver since the founding of the Keynes Empire.
It was a bilateral contractual relationship that even the Gods could not break.
However, right now, in the small reception room of the imperial palace, the solidly built feudal system was on the verge of a generational change into a bureaucracy due to a maid.
***
Three days later, the Imperial Council was called.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Bonifax came to Ines, not where the nobles were gathered, late in the evening.
Ines had never completely trusted Bonifax.
But today’s choice showed that he had truly decided to become Ines’s man.
“He has expressed his intention to make Lord Mondrae a Count as soon as this matter is concluded.”
He spoke more leisurely than last time, sipping on the fragrant Yamanta tea.
“It was not in my plans.”
“But it is necessary.”
Ines knew very well why he had done such a thing. Mondrae was completely hidden. It was natural that this would be a source of anxiety for him.
“As you said, the Mondrae Bank has already taken over the market. It would not cause any major problems if the bank notes were exchanged for currency right away.”
“...”
“His Majesty has expressed his full support. So, unless something happens, Mondrae Bank will become the central bank, and the visible effects will be apparent soon. Then, the Swenden family will be the ones to properly save the empire.”
Ines smiled, pretending to be calm. However, it was not easy to remain indifferent in the face of the enormous events unfolding before our eyes.
“If I know, Duke Manisut will already know that the Mondrae Bank building was purchased in Swenden’s name.”
If he had intended to hide it, he would not have used the Swenden family’s name. Now, it was Manisut’s turn to move.
The situation was moving out of control. How on earth could he go to Carson’s side most moderately?
“You should show yourself now. No matter how much credit is more important than substance, how can you maintain trust without substance? Isn’t that right?”
Now that he had been appointed count, there was no way for Mondrae to not show himself to the public.
Ines smiled, lifting one corner of her mouth.
“How can the Minister of Finance not know the face of the head of the central bank under the Ministry of Finance?”
“That’s right.”
Manisut was an unpredictable person. It was not easy to predict how he would harm Swenden and Carson.
However, they had already drawn their swords against each other. Therefore, avoiding them was meaningless.
Ines’ eyes, about to confront each other, gleamed like a sharpened sword.
After that, Bonifax drank all of Yamanta’s tea without leaving a single drop and left.
***
Night had fallen in the palace, but the moon was unusually bright.
Ines sat on the window sill for a moment and looked out at the garden. It was almost the same view as from Carson’s bedroom.
Feeling the chill, Ines rubbed her arms and sat down at the dressing table.
“It’s still cold.”
Emma covered Ines’ shoulders with a shawl.
After making the bed, Emma stared blankly at Ines, who had been sitting in front of the mirror since earlier.
She blushed and rubbed her precious red jewel anxiously, wondering what she was thinking.
Her beautiful golden hair, which had just been combed, fluttered on her white shoulders. It was hard to believe that this slender woman in front of her was the one who had been confidently planning business with the prime minister.
“Shall I prepare the bed for you?”
“Ah...”
Ines flinched slightly, perhaps surprised by the small sound, and smiled faintly.
“Thank you, Emma.”
Emma blushed slightly at Ines’s attitude without realizing it. Her appearance had a majestic quality that gently pressed down on her opponent.
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