Free Web NovelChapter 437: Chapter 434: Not Demanding the Yellow Robe
Bart and Caroline might have different ideas, but most people in the Meeting Room would likely follow Rorschach’s lead, including the unlucky Valon.
Yet Rorschach had only asked a question, its premise completely neutral. If he had said, "the Royal Family that has given us so much support and help," most would have chosen Bayern. If Rorschach had used "great" to describe the Empire, they would have been loyal subjects of the Empire. If he had mentioned a "progressive Valois," they would have leaned toward Valois... though they might first urge Mr. Rorschach to be cautious, it wouldn’t be entirely unacceptable.
Haase was the first to grasp the implication. ’The correct answer is the last option!’
’Does Rorschach intend to make himself a king? Should I persuade him to take that next step?’
Haase did a quick economic calculation. Statistically, the population and material resources influenced by their group had reached an extreme level, far more formidable than the Guilds of the past.
It wasn’t that Rorschach had used any devious or forceful methods. Integrating the Glass Guild and the Metallurgy Association was just the beginning. Even if the other Guilds hadn’t been dealt a fatal blow, their production capacity and ability to mobilize material resources had been left far behind by the new form of enterprise. It was Rorschach who had made the pie bigger, making the original slices seem minuscule and insignificant.
This was a situation the Prince and King at the time had never anticipated. And now, they were still unwilling to face the power of "material" wealth, priding themselves on bloodline and their right to rule.
He controlled nearly all the nation’s steel production and was involved in half of its food production. Through the Autonomous Committee, he directly or indirectly managed a third of the population—the segment with the highest proportion of workers and, foreseeably, the highest future level of education. The birth of a "merchant prince" was not out of the question.
And he was still young, and a powerful Caster...
At this thought, Mr. Haase’s breathing quickened. He began to daydream. ’If I have a seat at the table today, what position could I get tomorrow? What kind of minister could I be? Or, following the trend from Valois, perhaps a commissioner of some sort...’
But the merchant had misjudged him. Rorschach was not the type to wait for his subordinates to present him with a yellow robe, only to put it on, grin, and exclaim, "You’ve all put me in a terrible spot!" He intended to discuss the future openly and honestly in this meeting, making it clear to everyone what they would do next.
He had posed the question to first gauge everyone’s thoughts and attitudes.
Before anyone could state their position, Rorschach told them about the Prime Minister’s "small electoral district reform." When they heard the Prime Minister had promised to designate a separate electoral district centered around Kempson-Lansite, the others’ eyes grew fervent. This was easy to understand. The "Special Zone" was ultimately a temporary designation, at risk of being revoked by the King at any time.
If the Special Zone became an electoral district, the situation would be completely different. It would be recognized by the Empire and permanently established, legal and legitimate.
"The Lord Chancellor has promised me that our Southwest District can be recognized by the Empire as a Free State. However, he seems to have gotten something wrong. I have no intention of running for office, so what’s the use in telling me? That’s why I called this meeting today. I’m just here to relay the Lord Chancellor’s words and ask what you all think."
"Some of you here are already members of the Autonomous Committee, and others will surely be elected in the future. So I’m asking for your opinions. Are any of you willing to represent us and occasionally attend meetings in the Imperial Capital?"
’So he chose the Empire...’ Mr. Haase was both disappointed and pleased. Now he thought the Free State proposal was quite good. ’Yes, very good...’
Valon remained unfazed. He simply confirmed his earlier suspicion—the Bayern Royal Family was in for it!
’Could becoming a Free State be decided by just a word from the Prime Minister? To make it happen, obstacles would have to be removed. And the biggest obstacle within the kingdom... is the Royal Family, of course!’
Others also realized the Royal Family was the obstacle. They stole glances at "the kingdom’s famous Prince Consort," but Bart was just grinning foolishly.
’Well, that settles it. If the Prince Consort has no objections, why should we worry about the Ludwig Clan?’
A cheerful atmosphere once again filled the Meeting Room.
"But will the Royal Family agree?" someone asked. With that, most everyone’s attitude became unified.
"Valon, come give everyone a report." Rorschach invited the unlucky gentleman to take the stage. That Valuva social butterfly certainly had the looks for it; his pale face even gave him a touch of sickly, "aristocratic air," an image that made the female director of the glass factory’s eyes light up.
Valon’s report, however, was grim. The previously cheerful crowd’s smiles faded.
"...The Empire has used this war to substantially deepen its control over the Southern States. Most members of the Duma River Alliance have sided with the Empire and are now subject to additional war taxes. The Bayern Kingdom’s trade environment continues to deteriorate."
"According to incomplete statistics, textile exports are down 41%, glass exports have ceased, liquor exports have ceased, and iron ore imports are down 12%..."
"Aside from our own steel, processed foods, and Basic Level alchemy products, the only sectors showing growth are wool and cotton."
"However, while raw wool exports have increased, exports of finished goods like yarn and blankets have decreased. This indicates that manufacturing is shifting to other regions of the Empire. Based on orders from Balderom Logistics, most raw material customers are northern factories. As for cotton, it’s a transit trade from Southern Valois through Bayern to the Empire..."
In other words, Bayern’s influence over the Southern States had greatly diminished. The Empire had consolidated the southern market, abolishing the unreasonable transaction taxes and transit tolls that other Southern States imposed on the northern regions. Consequently, Bayern’s manufacturing sector, outside of Rorschach’s own industries, lost its previously distorted advantage.
This meant that regions dominated by traditional handicrafts would likely face a difficult year.
On top of that, spring planting and military conscription were causing labor shortages. The combined pressure led to a wave of defaults and bankruptcies among workshops in the Munich and Newren regions, even causing headaches for the Tower of Secret Techniques behind the banking association.
"First, we must have a sense of crisis. Our current prosperity is built on war. The proportion of our transaction volume coming from the Empire Army is growing larger and larger, which is not a good thing." Rorschach glanced at Caroline and continued.
"Ultimately, the fruits of our laborers’ work should be enjoyed by them first, allowing our own people to live prosperous lives."
"As our prosperity grows and theirs wanes, the people who are loyal to the Royal Family and the old system will change their minds. Everyone yearns for a better life. To win them over, we have to do better. Once we have the people’s support... our neighbor, the Valois Kingdom—oh, it’s a Republic now—is a perfect example."
"Therefore, don’t just focus on those few representative seats. Do your jobs well and develop the Special Zone further. Only then will we have the confidence to promote our ways to the rest of the Kingdom. That’s all I have to say."
After the meeting, two voices spoke up at once. "Rorschach, can we talk privately..." It was Caroline and Bart. Caroline immediately said, "You two talk first. Rorschach, I’ll wait for you at the Mage Tower."
So Bart and Rorschach were left alone. Rorschach spoke first. "Sorry, Bart. When I used Valois as an example in the meeting, I didn’t mean we should send everyone from the Ludwig family to the Gallows..." ’The Gallows hasn’t been introduced in Bayern yet, after all.’
"It’s fine, I don’t mind." Bart truly didn’t. His eyes were shining. "Actually, the Prime Minister already spoke with me. Afterward, I started thinking... Look, in the northern electoral district of Wertzburg, Amelia and I have a pretty good reputation, right?"
’Who praises themselves like that? How strange... But he’s not wrong.’ Rorschach could only nod along. ’Yeah, yeah, sure.’
"A Princess whose wedding was witnessed and given the Blessing of the entire city—if she ran for office, wouldn’t she be incredibly popular in Wertzburg? And if the Royal Family really falls, her status could still win her the favor of Royalist supporters."
Rorschach hesitated. "You have a point, but that’s assuming the King and the Prince are both..." ’No country in this world grants the other half of the population the right to vote, though there are Queens.’ ’And for the Princess to become the last hope of the Royalist Faction, the Royal Family would have to be down to just the Princess...’
"I know. Amelia and I are of the same kind. For her sake, I’m willing to do anything, even if she doesn’t know about it," Bart said with determination.
’Is this guy trying to be a "mad dog" too?’ Rorschach thought he was getting a little carried away.
