Chapter 303: 303, Taking action against neighboring small countries_1
The human world in “Evolution” is not limited to the three major empires led by Goldfinch. Just around the Goldfinch Empire, there are 10 large kingdoms, and 126 small duchies and city-states.
The situation for the other two empires is pretty much the same.
The strength of these kingdoms, duchies, and city-states is not that great.
In terms of the quantity of high-ranking strong individuals:
Slightly stronger kingdoms, such as the Kunke kingdom mentioned by the princess, have a seventh-tier legendary individual in power.
However, the kingdoms that rank lower have only a sixth-tier Sanctuary peak at best.
As for the duchies and city-states, a fourth-tier individual like Su Yu would be treated as a treasure should he go there.
The Goldfinch Empire faces the sea on its southeast, all these kingdoms, duchies, and city-states are distributed solely on the north and west sides.
Originally, these small countries were tributary states of the Goldfinch Empire, giving 10% of their annual tax revenue to the empire. In return, the Goldfinch Empire would protect their national security, preventing them from being destroyed by powerful external enemies.
This situation didn’t change until 30 years ago.
There was a civil war in the Goldfinch Empire 30 years ago, and the north was occupied by the Rebel Catter.
In consequence, more than half of these small countries threw their lot in with the rebel Catter, naturally cutting off the tribute to the Empire.
A few months back, when the princess chose to abandon Forest City and move to Orleans City, the Rebel Catter was in an absolutely advantageous position, and these small countries almost all chose to side with the Rebel Kalet.
Not long ago, in the decisive battle in Orleans City, many of the high-ranking rebels came from these small countries, willing to throw their lives away for the rebel forces.
Now that the Rebel Catter has been destroyed, it’s time to settle accounts with these small countries.
The princess sat in a principal seat, smilingly looking at Su Yu:
“Because of the war, our financial deficit is very serious. Roughly estimating, we have a deficit of 40 to 50 billion, and this figure is still expanding…Nemesis, I believe I still owe you a few million spiritual energy coins!”
“Hahaha, yes indeed,” Su Yu laughed.
Now, all the high-end military products produced by Aphi City were sold to the imperial troops, adding up to several million.
“However, Princess,” Su Yu said seriously: “Please let the part of the military expense you owe me slide. Additionally, I will provide the empire with the weapons manufactured by Aphi City free of charge for the next year to enhance the combat power of the imperial army!”
After all, the princess had given him a priceless [Goldfinch Plane Necklace]. If he didn’t show his gratitude, that would be too stingy.
“Thank you very much!” The princess laughed.
“The reason I told you about our financial situation is for you and Tina to take away as many funds as possible from these small countries when dealing with them.”
“Of course, these small countries’ citizens don’t have much money. It’s better to take from their royal families and the nobility, scrape it off mercilessly! Scrape them until they are begging for food, so they will learn their lesson.”
The princess hadn’t forgotten her initial spirit, still maintaining her character of loving the people as if they were her own children.
Su Yu nodded and promised: “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will strive to drain these small countries dry and make them understand the consequences of betrayal!”
However, after thinking about it, Su Yu felt that something was not right.
Therefore, he added, “But, if we confiscate the wealth of these small country nobilities, these nobilities will certainly raise taxes, shifting the cost to ordinary people in the end, and the ones who get hurt will still be the commoners of these small countries.”
Thoughtfully, Alyssa nodded: “What you said makes sense, I hadn’t thought of that.”
“If it were me,” Su Yu suggested, “while we are confiscating the wealth of these small country nobilities, we must notify them that they are prohibited from increasing taxes on the citizens for the next 5-10 years, and they can not plunder the citizens’ property to a large extent. Once we discover the above situation, the imperial army will once again besiege their city, we can then harvest another round.”
After thinking for a while, Alyssa replied: “Okay, let’s do as you say! As such, we can also get the support of the common people from these small countries, reducing the resistance we face.”
“Ding, your main storyline has been updated![Goldfinch Empire（86-95）/100].”
“Mission requirement: Together with [Tina Garcia], attack countries such as the Kunke Kingdom, Lu Man Kingdom, and Xi’er Commercial Federation, and confiscate a total value of 30 billion spiritual energy coins worth of wealth.”
“Mission progress: 0/30 billion spiritual energy coins.”
“Mission reward: [Princess Alyssa] will decide on her own, the more reasonably confiscated wealth, the more generous the mission reward.”
After bidding farewell to the princess, Su Yu headed towards the military camp outside the city.
In the military camp’s main tent, Su Yu met Tina who was dealing with military affairs, and informed her about the princess’s idea.
Upon hearing the princess’s decision, Tina’s eyes sparkled: “I was worried about the empire’s fiscal deficit a while ago. The wealth of the large nobilities in Maple City and Giant Rock City is not enough to fill this deficit. It seems that Her Highness the princess had a plan all along!”
Tina turned to her deputy: “Fiona, inform all the senior generals, staff officers and [Antondidas] to meet in the main tent in half an hour.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Fiona bowed respectfully, then quickly left to convey the message.
A few minutes later, a meeting to draft war plans was held in the military tent.
The empire’s generals, except those who really could not attend, all arrived.
As for Antondidas, he was still under the control of the princess, and his [Group Teleportation Skill] could play a crucial role in the future war. So, Tina also summoned him.
In the military tent, these generals looked surprised upon hearing the princess’s decision. They didn’t expect the princess to make such a bold decision.
But not a single one of them opposed it; indeed, these traitors should pay a price.
However, a high-ranking staff officer called Lance voiced his concerns:
“Sir Nemesis, naturally, I fully support Princess returning the disloyalty of these small countries. However, I find your suggestion of strictly forbidding these small country nobilities from raising taxes on citizens inappropriate.”
“Oh? In what way do you think it’s inappropriate?” Su Yu, stroking his chin, looked at him with interest.
“Here is the thing, Sir Nemesis.”
Lance sorted out his thoughts, and slowly said:
“Now, although we have recovered the entire territory of the Goldfinch, the domestic situation is still a mess. Compared to its peak, the current Empire has only a quarter of its high-ranking individuals.”
“At this time, our best bet would be to recover and maintain relations with neighboring countries, keep harmony, and avoid major conflicts.”
Su Yu’s eyes twinkled slightly: “So, what’s your perspective?”
Lance immediately replied: “My idea is to ask these small countries to immediately make up for all the tribute for the past 30 years, and as punishment, they must pay double.”
“Our army can go for a walk in the borders of these small countries as a symbol, casually seize a few towns. In this way, our losses are negligible and the achieved effect is the best.”