Chronicles of Ryan the Wizard

Crewe Fernando absent-mindedly sat at the huge round table in the royal meeting room, looking at the gorgeous chandelier on the ceiling, listening to the imperial finance minister Luke reading a large article about the imperial tax revenue last year, but he thought about it. Link up.

Crew Fernando was crowned at the age of 20 and became Fernando XIII in order. This year is the tenth year.Over the years, the government of the empire has almost been controlled by the imperial finance minister Luke and the imperial state minister Chad. In many cases, Fernando XIII is just a symbol of a country.

This kind of day makes it difficult for the ambitious Fernando XIII to accept. Fortunately, his father, Fernando XII, left him with the Orlando general. Although this pious and holy knight married Luke’s eldest daughter, he was very dear to the royal family. Loyal, and with the blessing of the god of war and the trust of his majesty, he became the highest military commander of the imperial capital, commanding the most powerful army of the empire, the Royal Knights.Since the establishment of this powerful cavalry unit two hundred years ago, it has not failed.

Originally, the Imperial Finance Minister Luke and the Imperial Secretary of State Chad restrained each other, and there was Orlando, the head of the Royal Knights, and the highest military commander in the imperial capital. In the past ten years, the empire has been in a smooth climate, politically smooth and harmonious, although there are still rebellions such as Sanat from time to time. All were eliminated one by one by Orlando.

But in the heart of the young Fernando XIII, he was always holding a breath. He boasted that he was healthy, energetic, had time and was able to restore the glory of his ancestors, and fulfilled Fernando I’s unfulfilled wish: "The North Conquer the Orc Tribe , Completely resolve the invasion of the orcs to the south; the south devours various lords and no longer allows them to segregate", making the Holy Alliance Empire established by Fernando I a truly unified empire of the entire continent.

So, after several years of preparation, Fernando XIII began a series of plans. First, he selected and reused competent personnel from the Royal Athletic Competition, and then let the Royal Academy secretly cultivate what it needs to govern the country. Talents in all fields are gradually promoted and hired.At the end of last year, Fernando XIII seized the opportunity and used a dispensable excuse to vacate the imperial finance minister Luke, promote all the talents he has cultivated in the past few years, and take over the imperial tax collection. .

In the eyes of this young Fernando XIII, everything needs money at the beginning, and as long as he controls the source of the economy, he can do his best.He has even made a comprehensive and huge plan, ready to unfold one by one in the next few years, hoping that this plan can achieve his wish within ten years.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?" Fernando XIII was distracted thinking about his huge plan, and he felt that his sleeve was being pulled. He recovered and saw the royal wizard Catherine Landi sitting next to him. Gently pulling on his sleeve, Fernando XIII looked at her with questioning eyes, and he heard Luke's slightly displeased voice saying: "Your Majesty, you are distracted!"

Fernando XIII's face blushed. During this time, he was a little overwhelmed, and he was often immersed in his beautiful design. He had been wandering like this many times.

"Master Luke, Your Majesty has been busy with government affairs these days, and there is a lack of rest. Please forgive me." Catherine Randy, who was appointed by Fernando XIII as her magic consultant, explained to Luke in a low voice, which resolved the embarrassment. atmosphere.

Luke frowned slightly, and then immediately resolved. Although he knew that Catherine Randy was just trying to resolve Fernando XIII’s distractions, after all, he was facing the ruler of the empire, so he couldn’t speak too deeply. , Too heavy.So Luke picked up the wooden cup in front of him and took a sip of the water in it.In the huge plan of Fernando XIII, saving money is a very important part, including only drinking water during the royal meeting.

Luke took a short break for a few seconds by drinking water, and gave Fernando XIII time to adjust his mind, and then said: "Your Majesty, I just read last year's income. The tax revenue of the imperial capital was 9 million the year before. Last year it was 8 million; the tax revenue of Sunrise City was 8 million the year before last year; it was 6 million last year; the tax revenue of Sea Breeze City was 18 million last year; it was 15 million last year; the total tax revenue of the chambers of commerce and business alliances of various cities in the south led by Liberty Paradise was 22 million, which was only 19 million last year. The tax revenue of lords in various places was 12 million last year. Last year, it was, um, less than 1 million. Of this, Seck City had just recovered without any tax, and an extra 350,000 was spent."

When Luke didn’t read a set of numbers, Fernando XIII’s expression turned pale. After Luke had read all the taxes of the empire last year, Fernando XIII bluntly asked: "How much was the total taxes last year? ?"

Luke hesitated slightly before reading a number: "49 million."

"Damn it!" Fernando XIII stood up and slapped the table vigorously with his hands and said: "Luke! As the Minister of Finance of the Empire, how do you explain this? 49 million? That's not enough money. With normal expenditure of the empire, what is there to talk about'conquering the orcs and integrating the south'?"

Luke closed his mouth tightly without answering.Chad, who was sitting on the side, didn't change his face, but he smiled in his heart. His old rival Luke was reprimanded by His Majesty, which is always a happy thing.The royal mage Cerine Landi participated in such a meeting because of the favor of Fernando XIII. She was very self-aware, and basically only listened to it from beginning to end.As for the dozens of other officials present, they were not as good as Luke and Chad in terms of status and status. Seeing his majesty's anger, they all buried their heads deeply, lest his majesty suddenly vent their anger on him.

Fernando XIII did not care about the behavior of other people. He stared at Luke closely, and he was even more angry when he saw Luke deal with him with such uncooperative attitude.His shouts echoed in the empty royal meeting room: "It is 20 million less than the year before, 20 million, which is enough to build another Royal Knights! What is going on? Ah, I understand. , It must be corruption, damn it, these greedy guys who can't finish killing, I will let people investigate this matter! Luke, I know that many of your tax officials are not clean, you must give me an account!"

There was a trace of anger in Luke's eyes, but he was immediately suppressed. In the face of the supreme ruler of the empire, Luke would remain sensible.Luke stood up slowly and adjusted his mood. After Luke stood up, he calmly said to Fernando XIII, who was furious, "If you insist that I give you an explanation. , Please remove my empire’s finance minister. As for the tax collectors under me, maybe they are a bit greedy, but I can guarantee that they will only corrupt more than one million a year at most."

"Very good!" Fernando XIII gritted his teeth and pointed his finger at Luke's nose and said: "Luke, you admit that you are embezzled. Very good! Do you think I dare not kill you?"

"Your Majesty, as the supreme ruler of the empire, you can kill anyone you want to kill." Faced with Fernando XIII's accusation, Luke replied calmly: "But I must remind you, first, I just It admitted that my subordinates were corrupt, not that I was corrupt. Second, last year's tax was not collected by me and my subordinates."

As soon as Luke's voice fell, the entire royal meeting room was suddenly quiet, and even the furious Fernando XIII closed his mouth.That’s right, it was the Fernando XIII who took away Luke last year and took away the tax collection power that originally belonged to the Minister of Finance, which led to this situation.No matter how unreasonable Fernando XIII was, he could not punish Luke with this incident.

"Anyway, the taxes of the empire have shrunk drastically. As the Minister of Finance of the empire, you have an unshirkable responsibility!" How could the young and victorious Fernando XIII publicly admit that his impatience caused this before his subordinates? This is a serious consequence, and his heart is also a little angry. If Luke confessed and accepted his reprimand humbly, and satisfied Fernando XIII’s vanity for power, maybe this matter will slowly be remedied, but now Luke confronted himself with a tone of neither humble nor arrogant, so Fernando XIII said: "Now I announce that I will be removed from the post of Minister of Finance of the Luke Empire, and I will take the post myself!"

"As you wish! Your Majesty." Luke calmly accepted Fernando XIII's order. He did not change his expression. He slowly stood up, bowed slightly to Fernando XIII, and said, "I will obey you. I am now a civilian and have no right to appear in the royal meeting room. Please allow me to retire."

After saying this, Luke took a deep look at Fernando XIII, then turned and walked out.

Fernando XIII looked at Luke with a sullen face. He did not expect that his own order would be accepted so calmly by the other party. In order to hit Luke severely, Fernando XIII thought about it and added another command: "In view of the substantial reduction in taxes in the Empire last year, starting tomorrow, Victor will no longer serve as the Royal Chief Magician, nor will he teach at the Royal Academy of Magic. The Empire will give Victor a monthly subsidy of 250,000 gold coins and 150,000 magic materials. Subsidies cancelled!"

This sentence caused Luke walking at the door to tremble slightly. With the pleasure of revenge, Fernando XIII raised his head high and looked at Luke from top to bottom. He even Hope to see Luke begging for his expression.But Luke just stopped for a while, didn't look back, and continued to walk out of the royal meeting room.

Fernando XIII watched Luke walk out of the room, and then turned his gaze to Chad, who was sitting at the round table. The latter looked at Fernando XIII with a very respectful attitude. This action made Fernando XIII's vanity unprecedented. Satisfied, from now on, he expelled Luke and conquered Chad with this. From now on, the true rule of the entire empire will officially belong to him.

Fernando XIII looked around and said in a majestic voice: "Now, let's discuss how to deal with this financial crisis. I think..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

There was no discussion and no objection. Fernando XIII smugly worked out a series of plans according to his own wishes, while the other people in the royal meeting room buried their heads lower, or followed Chad’s appearance, showing their faces. With a respectful look.