Chapter 49: Hearthside Dialogue (First Update)

When Prince Masimilk left the hall, he felt his mind dizzy. This was not the effect of brandy. Although the prince's alcohol content was average, these few cups would not make him drunk. The reason for this effect was Schwab's words at the banquet. This insight that transcends the times made the prince look like a clear view of the sun, and he was full of hope for the future of the royal family.

"Devier, I think this Earl of Schwab is really a wise man given to me by God." Prince Masimirk said to his friends beside him. Devier, who was also incredible, was dumbfounded when he heard Schwab's suggestion. You must know that this is the wisdom and good strategy for governing the country that some elderly people cannot sum up.

"I feel the same way. The establishment of the Imperial Finance Department, the royal court, and the imperial team with the recruitment of mercenaries as the core, are all systems that have never been before."

"That's right, just as the Count said, to re-establish the authority of the royal family, you cannot rely solely on the princes. You must establish an authority and a central government. How do you describe the Count? By the way, it's like a person can only have one head." Prince Masimirk waved his fist excitedly, and his saliva flew around, looking forward with a firm look, as if his goal was there.

"But, Your Highness, if you want to implement this system, there will be great resistance. If you do not have experienced and informed nobles, it will not be easy to implement." Devire kindly suggested to his friends. From a private perspective, the prince Masimirk is his friend. From a political perspective, the Hanruowei family, as a great northern noble, has long been excluded from the center of the imperial political power. The one who truly dominates the power of the empire was the Duke of Bavaria, the Duke of Bohemia, the Duke of Silesia and many elected emperors. What the royal family can really control is only directly under the royal family territory. If this measure to strengthen the central government is implemented, it can be imagined how much resistance it will be encountered.

"I know, as I told the count, we must be patient, wise and determined to do this to complete this measure that concerns the fate of the entire empire." Prince Masimilk said firmly.

"Then, since this Earl of Stettin can come up with such a strategy, you must know how to do it. Your Highness, why don't you ask Count Stettin for advice?" Deviere thought for a while and said. After listening to Schwab's argument, Devi was very impressed and regretted that his father had lost the loyalty of such an outstanding vassal because of his partiality. Now Prince Masimilke has obviously become a loving talent. Instead of being suspicious, it is better to recommend Schwab on his own initiative. This will also give Schwab a favor and will also benefit the future development of the Han Ruowei family.

"Oh, do you think so?" The reason why Prince Masimilk did not mention it was because he considered Devire's idea as the heir to the Hanruowei family. Now that he took the initiative to recommend it, Prince Masimilk agreed with the flow.

Schwab finished his meal after being exhausted and returned to his room. The servant had already burned the fireplace and lay on a wooden chair covered with thick fur of wild beasts. Schwab thought about his words to Prince Masimilke. These measures seemed normal to him, but as an era where the feudal system was mainly based, it was as fascinating as a bell. However, he did not say the most important measure to dissolve the feudal system, namely the ethics order, because as the important basis of the feudal system was land. Although the ethics order was effective quickly, it was also the most likely act to arouse the angry of the princes. Schwab did not want to be Yao Cuo who was wronged.

"Mr. Schwab, His Highness the Prince is looking for a visit outside." Just as Schwab picked up a red-burned iron tongs and put it into a cup of ale, making the ale in the cup become hot.

"Oh, Your Highness Prince? Come in quickly." Schwab quickly asked William to let Prince Masimilke into the room. His Highness came to Schwab with great eagerness. The young attendant William hurriedly brought another wooden chair for His Highness Prince and placed it in front of the fireplace.

"Mr. Schwab, I hope you will not refuse my invitation." Prince Masimilk sincerely expressed to Schwab after he said his purpose.

"But, Your Highness, I am a vassal of the Duke of Han Ruowei. Is it inappropriate to become a member of your court easily?" Schwab was very surprised when he heard that Prince Masimilk wanted to hire him as a royal consultant. What position is this? In fact, Schwab, who does not understand the royal court system, does not know that this royal consultant is not something that ordinary people can hold. As a royal consultant, he can basically participate in all matters of the royal family and often serves as a general during war periods.

"Don't worry, I will talk about Duke Han Ruowei." Prince Masimilk said confidently.

"Then, okay, I agree." On the one hand, Schwab owed Prince Masimilk a favor, and on the other hand, from the perspective of his own development, there is undoubtedly more promising service to the royal family than to serve a local noble, so he agreed to Masimilk's request.

"Sir Schwab, if it were you, where should we start to revitalize the royal family?" Prince Masimilk couldn't wait to ask.

"Well, Your Highness, if it was in your grandfather's time, I would definitely recommend starting with the establishment of an imperial tax system." Schwab sat next to the fireplace and had a long conversation with Prince Masimilk, which felt a bit like Longzhong.

"Why is this? What are the differences?" Prince Masimilk asked curiously. Why is the king not implementing it now? You must know that everyone likes to catch money.

"That's because the prestige that Frederick the Great possesses is incomparable to anyone, and the tax system is to pay money from the princes' pockets. Without strong force and authority, it is impossible to suppress the princes'." Schwab explained.

"So that's it, so what should I do now?" The young prince looked at Schwab, who was also young, for some reason that he couldn't think of these principles.

"Now, the royal family is weak, and it is necessary to establish authority first. First, select people who are proficient in the law from the Imperial Academy to serve as judges, establish a circuit court system, and establish the royal prestige among various fiefs." Schwab heard Lao Lauke say that there were famous law schools in the royal territories. Although these secular scholars prefer to study the Bible and the aristocratic codes, there are also excellent legal talents among them. The reason why the princes are too strong is that they have supreme judicial power, military power and other aristocratic power in their own territory. Establishing a royal circuit court is to mix sand in the territory of the princes and collect some evidence of the princes in order to interfere in the affairs of the princes when needed and deprive the princes of the supreme authority in the territory.

"What you said is so wonderful." Prince Masimilk slapped his thighs and stood up excitedly, and the wooden chair and the floor made a harsh friction.

"But your Highness, don't be too happy too early. This is just the first step. The most important step is the second step, which is to establish a standing army centered on the royal family. You must know that the reason why the royal family becomes weak is because there is no effective standing army in his hands. If the princes do not fulfill their feudal obligations, the military source from the priests and marquis states will be exhausted, which leads to the reduction of the royal army. On the contrary, it becomes a vicious cycle where no one can check and balance the princes. Therefore, if this problem is not solved, everything else is empty talk." Schwab threw cold water on Prince Maximilk, which calmed down the prince who was determined to revive the royal family. Yes, it is because there is no army in his hands and he cannot even maintain his wife's territory. This has become a pain in Prince Maximilk's heart.

"Please continue, Lord Schwab." Prince Masimilk sat down, as serious as a primary school student. Schwab told these strategies he had never heard of from his royal teachers, and even his father had never thought of them.

"Okay, have you ever thought that in the past your grandfather could easily pull up a large army, but now why can't the royal family even maintain a standing army?" Schwab said.

"Because, let me tell you the truth, my close friend, Lord Schwab, the royal family has spent all their savings because of participating in the Eastern Expedition. It can be said that my father is now pursuing debt to survive in order to maintain the daily expenses of the royal family. Without money, how can he hire royal knights and build an army? The cost of those knights is very high." Prince Masimilk said with a bitter face. Schwab heard that the dignified king actually had to live by pursuing debt.

"So, why do you want to hire a knight? Since knights are so expensive, it's better to hire a relatively cheap mercenary." Schwab said.

"Yes, I think this is also a solution, but even so, we have no money." Prince Masimilk looked at Schwab depressedly. Schwab felt that his eyes seemed to those who wanted to borrow money, and quickly shrugged his shoulders, saying that his brother was also a poor man.

"I have a good idea." Schwab rolled his eyes. Isn't it just money? These foreigners are too straightforward. They are still called poor when they hold a golden mountain.

"Oh, what good will you do?" Prince Masimilk felt that Schwab was a treasure house, and his wisdom that poured out like a spring made him full of expectations.

"It's very simple, you sell official positions and titles." Schwab said with a smile. This is what the emperors in China like to do the most. In fact, selling official positions and titles is not as unbearable as the scholars said. But how to grasp this level depends on how those in power grasp it.
Chapter completed!