naaapseattle #604 - Constitutional Convention (End)
#604 - Constitutional Convention (End)
Moss-covered tree trunks knelt on the ground, deep sword and axe marks etched into their surfaces.
Hoen bent down and picked up a broken arrow from the fluffy grassland. It bore a faint brownish-red rust, yet faintly emanated the aura of blood.
Looking up, a dozen rolling hills appeared before him. Between two verdant hills, the surface of a broken bridge hung over the cliff edge, still swaying in the wind.
Warm and intense sunlight shone on his straw hat. As he walked, the tips of the grass blades tickled his ankles, giving Hoen the illusion that he was still a farmer in the fields.
Only when he looked up did he realize he was surrounded by a circle of iron-clad guard monks, and armored cavalry were galloping back and forth on the main road.
This small area was filled with the songs of birds and the dance of butterflies, showing no trace of the desolation of the previous autumn and winter.
If no one mentioned it, who would know that a little-known great battle had once erupted here?
"Do you want to rest for a bit?" Not on horseback, Melia stood beside Hoen and asked softly.
Hoen didn't answer. He seemed unresponsive, staring blankly at the hilltop, as if afraid to take a step. It wasn't until Jeanne gently took his arm that he recovered from his daze.
Meeting Jeanne's worried gaze, he stroked her hand to reassure her, then turned to Melia and smiled, "No need, let's just go straight up."
Jeanne held Hoen's arm as they followed Melia, and the group began to climb the hill.
"How is the information gathering for 'Chronicles of Thousand River Valley' going?" Hoen asked Melia as they walked.
Melia's lips tightened beneath her iron mask, but she still replied, "We are still collecting historical materials. Many of our records are incomplete and must be extracted from other sources."
"Do we need to purchase them from outside?"
"Of course, but compared to the fortresses and waterways, it's not that expensive. It just takes time. Who knows, by the time the Laya Kingdom attacks, we might not have finished it."
"It's fine to repair it three hundred years after the battle," Hoen surveyed the once withered and barren hills. "By then, some things can be set in stone."
"Chronicles of Thousand River Valley" will be the first history book since the establishment of the Sacred Monarch State of Thousand River Valley, divided into three hundred years of ancient history and three hundred years of modern history.
Of course, another book, "Biographies of Thousand River Valley," is being compiled at the same time.
The former is a chronicle, while the latter is a biographical record. Therefore, the former must serve politics; it is not just a history book, but also a political book.
How well this book is written will basically determine the image of the imagined community of Thousand River Valley.
"Have all the county chiefs taken office?" Hoen continued to ask.
Melia nodded. "All eight county chiefs are in place. Catherine is the chief of Lower Riverford County. Except for Carl, the security officer of Niar River Township, the security officers of the other three townships are concurrently held by your presbyters.
For Kashya County, I appointed Martin as the chief. The priest of the Papal Palace is the security officer of Doc Township, where Little Pool City is located, and the security officers of the other three townships are mountain knights."
After the constitutional conference, Melia and Hoen quickly finalized the candidates for county chiefs.
The chiefs of Hotam County and the other five mountain counties are all mountain people, while Lower Riverford County and Kashya County are considered "neutral" by most.
As for Langsand County, it exists as a special zone directly under the Pope. After all, although Melia is the monarch elected by the representatives for life, the crown is traditionally bestowed by the highest clergy.
In terms of finance, in addition to land tax, tariffs and consumption taxes are collected as revenue for the monarch's central government. The city rents and redemption taxes of the citizens are combined into a city tax.
As for Langsand County, as a special economic zone, it manages its own tariffs and city taxes. The highest level of religious tolerance is practiced in this special zone, so alchemical products can be bought and sold freely.
Originally, the religious tolerance decree was intended to be implemented throughout Thousand River Valley, but Hoen believed it was too hasty and could easily cause adverse effects, so he rejected the bill and implemented it only in Langsand County.
"Now that the county chiefs are in place, are you going to start your permanent lease and hundred-household district reforms?" Just as he finished speaking, Melia suddenly pointed to the side.
Hoen looked over there and couldn't help but smile. There was a pile of pottery shards and various small utensils, many of which had grown moss and mildew.
They lay quietly in the cool shade of the trees, and the full sunlight shone on a brown and white pottery pot, which actually had a water-like reflection.
Jeanne looked at Melia in confusion. How did she know about these things?
"The hundred-household district reform should begin. I plan to promote it in Kashya County and South Mound County," Hoen calculated the days. "July, August, September, it should be completed by the end of September. In October, after the autumn taxes of Lower Riverford County and Hotam County are collected, we will take action."
The reform is being promoted in Kashya County because the upcoming sugar and grain trade's important export channel is the South Nauan River, and control must be strengthened.
The reform is being carried out in South Mound County now because after the grain harvest season, we must immediately begin dredging the river mouth of Great Marsh Township to open up the waterway from Cold Spring Fort to the Holy Machinery Court as soon as possible.
The reason for taking action against the Plains County after September is that Lower Riverford County and Hotam County are the key areas for land tax in Thousand River Valley.
The permanent lease and hundred-household district reform are likely to cause chaos, which may lead to a reduction in grain production, so it must be implemented during the agricultural off-season.
As for why not reform all at once, it is because Hoen really doesn't have that many people.
Thinking of this, Hoen suddenly turned to Melia and asked, "How is the army in Shattered Stone Plain?"
"They've all retreated and sealed off the border."
"Then can you smuggle some wool?"
"Of course," Melia shrugged. "The border line is so long, and there are so many mountain valleys that their blockade strength can't prevent it at all, but the price will be a little higher. How much do you want?"
"4,000 dan of raw wool. How much will it cost?"
"4,000 dan of raw wool?" Before Melia could say anything, Jeanne spoke first. "That's more than 200 tons. Our Holy Machinery Court can only process 150 tons at most. That's too much."
"Don't worry, I have a way," Hoen patted Jeanne's hand, then said to Melia, "I'll have Catherine ship the gold pounds over there. All the goods must arrive within 3 months, and no less than 1,200 dan per month."
"Okay," Melia took out her small notebook without looking up. "When the situation stabilizes, I'll have Hilvers, the chief of South Mound County, meet with you at the Holy Machinery Court."
As they were talking, the group stepped on the grass and walked up the hilltop.
Tender trees swayed neatly, and red, blue, and purple clover flowers formed a continuous expanse on the hilltop, dyeing the hilltop light pink.
Hoen turned to look at Melia, but saw her smiling. "Prince Condé erected a solitary grave for him. I rebuilt the tomb."
"Thank you," Hoen nodded his thanks to Melia, picked up Prince Condé, who was in a lantern-shaped glass jar, and tapped it. "You have quite the discerning eye."
Cicadas chirped in the sunlight, hoarsely and lingeringly. In the center of the sea of flowers, a marble tombstone stood firmly.
Taking a deep breath, Hoen slowly stepped forward. The fluffy sea of flowers stirred a wave. He walked up to it, and the tombstone read, "Here lies the last knight on the continent."
Beside the tombstone, there was actually a moldy rabbit leg, which looked like it had been there for more than ten days. He turned to Jeanne and smiled, "It seems we're a little late."
"Long time no see, teacher," Jeanne's eyes were smiling, but her mouth was drooping, and tears were already hanging in the corners of her eyes.
"See, someone always remembers you."
Putting Prince Condé's head aside, Hoen sat cross-legged in front of the tomb, while Jeanne sat down with her arm around his. Hoen then pulled out a bound booklet from his arms and placed it in front of the tombstone. It was the "Sacred Charter of Thousand River Valley": "Old Dangi, I've brought you a just nation that a just man can create. It still has many imperfections, but..."
Before he could finish speaking, the sea of flowers around them suddenly stirred a wave. In the sudden gale, flowers of various colors flew into the air, and the "Charter" was blown, its pages rustling.
As if someone was eagerly flipping through it.