The position of special envoy to Trevero, which some people wanted without even setting conditions and acting as a meat shield, was an offer that made others angry just by being offered.
But there was nothing he could do about it. This was a situation that was caused not by a difference in subjective feelings but by an objective difference in grade.
Rather, Alfonso himself took it relatively calmly.
When Ariadne, who was not involved in the incident, learned that Alfonso had received an offer from Leo III to go to Trevero to meet Pope Louis, she could not hide her anger.
“Vergogna sul padre! (Aren’t you ashamed as a father?)”
Leo III was greedy, shameless, and completely abdicated his social role.
He was the worst in the way he treated his own son, he was terrible in the way he should have behaved as an adult, and he was even a failure as a good business partner.
“You were taken to the Kingdom of Gallico, then fled to the Kingdom of Yesak and raised the national prestige. You should be grateful, right? Why don’t you go to Trevero instead?”
Ariadne was truly angry.
“It’s because you’re scared to go! How can you be a father and say something like that to your own son when you know it’s so dangerous?!”
It would be hard to find someone more abusive than Cardinal de Mare, and it just so happened that his prospective father-in-law was one of them.
Even when his girlfriend was cursing at his father, Alfonso had nothing to say.
To be honest, he agrees with Ariadne's assessment of Leo III.
Ariadne raised her voice again.
“And you’re going to bring that up as soon as the Unaisola story comes up? Lie flat on your stomach and wag your tail, that’s what I’m saying!”
Alfonso simply smiled bitterly. Ariadne, unable to hide her anger, took out her quill and roughly scribbled something on the parchment.
0.35.
A single number appeared on top of high-quality yellow leather. It looked not only luxurious but also strange.
“What does this mean?”
Ariadne answered Alfonso's question.
“35 percent.”
Ariadne's tone was full of anger and resentment towards Leo III.
“Our last line of defense.”
It was still a bit confusing.
Ariadne realized from Alfonso's expression that she had been extremely unkind, so she tapped the seat next to her and told Alfonso to sit down.
Ariadne, ready to explain, opened her mouth calmly.
“His Majesty will certainly seek to promote Unaisola to a free city for his own benefit.”
Alfonso could not believe his ears. It was not because the title “His Majesty” had been omitted, but because he could not believe that he would gain additional benefit from it.
“More here?”
What more could one ask for when one can reduce the power of the feudal lords while also securing additional tax revenues?
“What else do you want from here? Is there anything you can take with you?”
“Gold.”
Ariadne gave a brief explanation of Unaisola's current tax rates. There were two main points.
The annual tribute paid to the Marquis of Guatieri is set at 580 ducats, which is 1/5 of the total productivity of the city, but that is a figure that was decided long ago, and the actual capacity of the city is now considerably higher than that, so that despite the ridiculously high tax rate of 1/5, the actual tax rate is not that high.
“Perhaps His Majesty will intend to raise Unaisola’s tax rate further.”
Alfonso shook his head.
“Even 15 percent of land tax is an absurd amount.”
The usual land tax varied from monarch to monarch, but was usually between 2 and 5 pun.
It was not because they were particularly merciful, but because they could pay taxes. The taxes that the people had to pay were not only land taxes.
“Because that is our Majesty Leo III.”
Alfonso tried to hold back, but he burst into a light laugh. Yes, that was our father, His Majesty Leo III.
“I don’t know how high His Majesty will raise it, but 35% is the Maginot Line that Unaisola can accept.”
In fact, the added value created by Unai Solar was three to four times greater than what was known to the public.
Considering this, even at a tax rate of 35 percent, in reality, only about 1 percent of income was paid in taxes.
“If we go beyond this, the city itself will be ruined by high taxes, and the people of Unaisola will not agree to pay taxes.”
Taxes are what we pay for the services that cities provide—safety, cleanliness, convenient transportation, a concentrated commercial district, a trained and highly skilled workforce—but beyond a certain point, they become unprofitable.
If people felt they could tolerate more inconvenient transportation and fewer excellent human resources, they would move elsewhere.
Unaisola's alternative and rival was the Republic of Porto, just to the north.
“If you can come to an agreement with His Majesty for up to 35%, then do so.”
Ariadne spoke in a heavy voice.
“If His Majesty wants a larger sum than that... we’ll probably have to find another way.”
Alfonso soon had the opportunity to quantify his father's specific greed.
“I’ll go, Trevero.”
Leo III smiled silently at the second option that presented itself to him.
His only enemy lately has been trying to be a bit too easygoing. There are probably some strings attached to this.
“Instead, take Unaisola away from the Marquisate of Guatieri and make it a free city loyal only to the King.”
Then that's right. Leo III's smile grew deeper.
Alfonso's demand was a kind of bill for his father's desired trip to Trevero that could not be done bare-handed.
Cesare, who is incapable of sending things for free, or Alfonso, who is bound by a price.
There was no perfect option that satisfied everyone, but the more choices, the better.
Leo III smiled and asked before discussing the deal his Prince had made.
“Why do you want to set Unaisola free?”
It was a trap of sorts. Alfonso did not fall for it foolishly. To reveal his true intentions, here is truly something a twelve-year-old boy Prince would do.
He is also a beloved boy Prince who has a strong bond with his father.
Alfonso, who was neither of the two, answered with a gentle smile like a plaster statue.
“As I told you before.”
Alfonso, without so much as a lick of his lips, presented to his father the advantages of seizing the merchant cities from the Marquisate of Guatieri and making them independent: the additional taxes the central government would collect, the central government would become stronger, the central government would provide military defenses that the feudal lords, the Marquises, could not provide, and this could be used as an excuse to increase naval power.
“...All for the advancement of the Etruscan kingdom and the everlasting glory of His Majesty Leo III.”
Leo III did not believe a word his now-grown-up son said. He smiled faintly, a smile that was very similar to his son's, but from a much more vile angle.
"I see."
That's nonsense.
His younger son chose the merchant class as his support base.
An overflowing gold fleet and a galley fleet that could be called up as warships in times of emergency. Not a bad choice. But.
'You stood in the wrong line.'
If you have to choose between a noble and a merchant, it's obvious that you should choose a noble.
While the merchants had maritime resources that could be called upon in times of war, the great aristocracy had a trained military force ready to be called upon at any time.
They had control of the land and were responsible for food production and the defense of the territory.
No matter how much the merchants are in charge of logistics, if there is no food to carry, they are just empty ships.
'Click click click.'
But Leo III was not pleased with his son's tantrums. Alfonso had gained too much weight since his visit to Yesak.
It was already a slightly annoying silence. He would be grateful if he did something stupid like this.
“You have a point.”
The King smiled with the utmost mercy.
“If Unaisola is designated as a free city... it will be a great encouragement to the merchants who have newly become faithful subjects of the monarch.”
The tone and pronunciation were also affectionate and encouraging.
If someone with little experience had heard these words from Leo III, he would have thought that the King was also actively supporting the establishment of free cities.
“But...”
The old rabbit's main point always came after that word.
“Establishing a free city would anger the nobles. There would be strong opposition.”
The King's eyes became wrinkled. His voice dropped meaningfully.
"Very."
Alfonso just silently watched the King.
He never asked in confusion, "Then what should we do?" or revealed his cards by asking, "What does Your Majesty the King plan to do?"
Leo III quietly licked his lips. His son's negotiating attitude was better than he had thought.
'You've been through a lot on the battlefield, haven't you?'
Alfonso's experience aroused conflicting feelings in Leo III.
While he was satisfied that his successor was smart, he was also somewhat uncomfortable with the fact that a young and big guy was acting so stiff in front of him.
How great would it be if you kept your good negotiating attitude and bowed down to me and acted so nicely?
The King finally got up and spoke his mind.
“So we need to set aside a separate expenditure for appeasing the great nobles. How much is Unaisola paying the Marquis of Guatieri each year to secure autonomy?”
Alfonso opened his mouth slowly. He couldn't believe that the King was really talking about gold.
“580 Ducato at regular price, about 1/5 of the current production capacity.”
When Leo III heard that, he smiled and folded his eyes into crescent moons.
“Let’s do 35 percent.”
But there was nothing he could do about it. This was a situation that was caused not by a difference in subjective feelings but by an objective difference in grade.
Rather, Alfonso himself took it relatively calmly.
When Ariadne, who was not involved in the incident, learned that Alfonso had received an offer from Leo III to go to Trevero to meet Pope Louis, she could not hide her anger.
“Vergogna sul padre! (Aren’t you ashamed as a father?)”
Leo III was greedy, shameless, and completely abdicated his social role.
He was the worst in the way he treated his own son, he was terrible in the way he should have behaved as an adult, and he was even a failure as a good business partner.
“You were taken to the Kingdom of Gallico, then fled to the Kingdom of Yesak and raised the national prestige. You should be grateful, right? Why don’t you go to Trevero instead?”
Ariadne was truly angry.
“It’s because you’re scared to go! How can you be a father and say something like that to your own son when you know it’s so dangerous?!”
It would be hard to find someone more abusive than Cardinal de Mare, and it just so happened that his prospective father-in-law was one of them.
Even when his girlfriend was cursing at his father, Alfonso had nothing to say.
To be honest, he agrees with Ariadne's assessment of Leo III.
Ariadne raised her voice again.
“And you’re going to bring that up as soon as the Unaisola story comes up? Lie flat on your stomach and wag your tail, that’s what I’m saying!”
Alfonso simply smiled bitterly. Ariadne, unable to hide her anger, took out her quill and roughly scribbled something on the parchment.
0.35.
A single number appeared on top of high-quality yellow leather. It looked not only luxurious but also strange.
“What does this mean?”
Ariadne answered Alfonso's question.
“35 percent.”
Ariadne's tone was full of anger and resentment towards Leo III.
“Our last line of defense.”
It was still a bit confusing.
Ariadne realized from Alfonso's expression that she had been extremely unkind, so she tapped the seat next to her and told Alfonso to sit down.
Ariadne, ready to explain, opened her mouth calmly.
“His Majesty will certainly seek to promote Unaisola to a free city for his own benefit.”
Alfonso could not believe his ears. It was not because the title “His Majesty” had been omitted, but because he could not believe that he would gain additional benefit from it.
“More here?”
What more could one ask for when one can reduce the power of the feudal lords while also securing additional tax revenues?
“What else do you want from here? Is there anything you can take with you?”
“Gold.”
Ariadne gave a brief explanation of Unaisola's current tax rates. There were two main points.
The annual tribute paid to the Marquis of Guatieri is set at 580 ducats, which is 1/5 of the total productivity of the city, but that is a figure that was decided long ago, and the actual capacity of the city is now considerably higher than that, so that despite the ridiculously high tax rate of 1/5, the actual tax rate is not that high.
“Perhaps His Majesty will intend to raise Unaisola’s tax rate further.”
Alfonso shook his head.
“Even 15 percent of land tax is an absurd amount.”
The usual land tax varied from monarch to monarch, but was usually between 2 and 5 pun.
It was not because they were particularly merciful, but because they could pay taxes. The taxes that the people had to pay were not only land taxes.
“Because that is our Majesty Leo III.”
Alfonso tried to hold back, but he burst into a light laugh. Yes, that was our father, His Majesty Leo III.
“I don’t know how high His Majesty will raise it, but 35% is the Maginot Line that Unaisola can accept.”
In fact, the added value created by Unai Solar was three to four times greater than what was known to the public.
Considering this, even at a tax rate of 35 percent, in reality, only about 1 percent of income was paid in taxes.
“If we go beyond this, the city itself will be ruined by high taxes, and the people of Unaisola will not agree to pay taxes.”
Taxes are what we pay for the services that cities provide—safety, cleanliness, convenient transportation, a concentrated commercial district, a trained and highly skilled workforce—but beyond a certain point, they become unprofitable.
If people felt they could tolerate more inconvenient transportation and fewer excellent human resources, they would move elsewhere.
Unaisola's alternative and rival was the Republic of Porto, just to the north.
“If you can come to an agreement with His Majesty for up to 35%, then do so.”
Ariadne spoke in a heavy voice.
“If His Majesty wants a larger sum than that... we’ll probably have to find another way.”
***
Alfonso soon had the opportunity to quantify his father's specific greed.
“I’ll go, Trevero.”
Leo III smiled silently at the second option that presented itself to him.
His only enemy lately has been trying to be a bit too easygoing. There are probably some strings attached to this.
“Instead, take Unaisola away from the Marquisate of Guatieri and make it a free city loyal only to the King.”
Then that's right. Leo III's smile grew deeper.
Alfonso's demand was a kind of bill for his father's desired trip to Trevero that could not be done bare-handed.
Cesare, who is incapable of sending things for free, or Alfonso, who is bound by a price.
There was no perfect option that satisfied everyone, but the more choices, the better.
Leo III smiled and asked before discussing the deal his Prince had made.
“Why do you want to set Unaisola free?”
It was a trap of sorts. Alfonso did not fall for it foolishly. To reveal his true intentions, here is truly something a twelve-year-old boy Prince would do.
He is also a beloved boy Prince who has a strong bond with his father.
Alfonso, who was neither of the two, answered with a gentle smile like a plaster statue.
“As I told you before.”
Alfonso, without so much as a lick of his lips, presented to his father the advantages of seizing the merchant cities from the Marquisate of Guatieri and making them independent: the additional taxes the central government would collect, the central government would become stronger, the central government would provide military defenses that the feudal lords, the Marquises, could not provide, and this could be used as an excuse to increase naval power.
“...All for the advancement of the Etruscan kingdom and the everlasting glory of His Majesty Leo III.”
Leo III did not believe a word his now-grown-up son said. He smiled faintly, a smile that was very similar to his son's, but from a much more vile angle.
"I see."
That's nonsense.
His younger son chose the merchant class as his support base.
An overflowing gold fleet and a galley fleet that could be called up as warships in times of emergency. Not a bad choice. But.
'You stood in the wrong line.'
If you have to choose between a noble and a merchant, it's obvious that you should choose a noble.
While the merchants had maritime resources that could be called upon in times of war, the great aristocracy had a trained military force ready to be called upon at any time.
They had control of the land and were responsible for food production and the defense of the territory.
No matter how much the merchants are in charge of logistics, if there is no food to carry, they are just empty ships.
'Click click click.'
But Leo III was not pleased with his son's tantrums. Alfonso had gained too much weight since his visit to Yesak.
It was already a slightly annoying silence. He would be grateful if he did something stupid like this.
“You have a point.”
The King smiled with the utmost mercy.
“If Unaisola is designated as a free city... it will be a great encouragement to the merchants who have newly become faithful subjects of the monarch.”
The tone and pronunciation were also affectionate and encouraging.
If someone with little experience had heard these words from Leo III, he would have thought that the King was also actively supporting the establishment of free cities.
“But...”
The old rabbit's main point always came after that word.
“Establishing a free city would anger the nobles. There would be strong opposition.”
The King's eyes became wrinkled. His voice dropped meaningfully.
"Very."
Alfonso just silently watched the King.
He never asked in confusion, "Then what should we do?" or revealed his cards by asking, "What does Your Majesty the King plan to do?"
Leo III quietly licked his lips. His son's negotiating attitude was better than he had thought.
'You've been through a lot on the battlefield, haven't you?'
Alfonso's experience aroused conflicting feelings in Leo III.
While he was satisfied that his successor was smart, he was also somewhat uncomfortable with the fact that a young and big guy was acting so stiff in front of him.
How great would it be if you kept your good negotiating attitude and bowed down to me and acted so nicely?
The King finally got up and spoke his mind.
“So we need to set aside a separate expenditure for appeasing the great nobles. How much is Unaisola paying the Marquis of Guatieri each year to secure autonomy?”
Alfonso opened his mouth slowly. He couldn't believe that the King was really talking about gold.
“580 Ducato at regular price, about 1/5 of the current production capacity.”
When Leo III heard that, he smiled and folded his eyes into crescent moons.
“Let’s do 35 percent.”
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