41 Episode 9 How to properly make heavy taxes (1/2)

”What do you think, Lucanos? What's the reaction?

The extremist priests are protesting, but ...... they have been subdued. Some of the Orthodox are unhappy, but there are no signs of any major action. The Alexandrians seem to be taking a favorable view.

And the infidels, the heretics?

There's been no significant movement.

Good.

And Hercule sips his tea with satisfaction.

Tea with cookies is wonderful.

While Hercule was enjoying the aroma of the tea, ......

”Your Majesty!

”What the... Carolina?

”Tell us what it is. ...... I don't know what's going on anymore!

Carolina said, confused.

That's just as well.

After holding a council to unify the doctrine, narrowing it down to a single orthodoxy, and even kicking aside the prior emperor Hadrian's conciliatory measures to show his conservative stance, ......

It is that tremendously tolerant and innovative edict.

It was understandable that Carolina was confused, and in fact the nobles, clergy, and even pagans and heretics of the Lemurian Empire were confused.

”Okay, let me explain to you ...... the religious policy of our country so far, do you understand?

...... is to unify doctrine and national opinion.

”Very well. Great, great, great.

Hercule pats Carolina on the head.

Karolina has a complicated expression on her face. You're making fun of me, aren't you?

The Lemurian Empire was originally a polytheistic state, but ......

The Lemurian Empire was originally a polytheistic state, but it lost its centripetal force during the civil war. The emperor then turned his attention to Messianism, which was growing in power at the time, and made Messianism the state religion.

Messianism is a monotheistic religion dedicated to a single god.

Therefore, its centripetal force was tremendous.

One god means only one justice, which means that the emperor is the greatest, and it was a good way to affirm the emperor's right.

However, the problem was that there were various factions within Messianism.

Therefore, successive emperors organized councils, sometimes eliminating conflicting patriarchates, to unify their doctrines.

This is orthodoxy.

But ......

But from the time of Hadrian, it became more difficult.

This is the existence of the Alexian school.

The Alexandrians are very numerous. ......

They were so numerous that even if the Council rejected them, they could not be eliminated.

In addition, the provinces of Misrule and Suria, where there were many Aretheans, were important military and economic centers for the Empire.

The emperor could not afford to lose the support of the citizens of these regions.

Therefore, Emperor Hadrian tried to unify the doctrines by issuing the ”New Orthodoxy” and to refine the Messianic doctrines by issuing the ”Decree of Destruction of the Holy Image”.

But they failed.

In other words, ......

It is no longer possible to unify the doctrines.

That is, it is no longer possible to unify the doctrines, unless one separates the territories.

So Hercule thought.

”What, Hercule?

Are you saying that the Alexandrians won't abandon their doctrine?

Hercule, that's because you're trying to force them apart.

Think of it the other way around. ”It's okay to admit it.

So, Hercule decided to go for the ”Let's just admit the Alectarians, it's too much trouble” strategy.

In addition, other heresies and paganism are also safe as long as they pay a per capita tax.

This is a clone of the I'm-ism.

Pay the jizya, and we'll forgive you.

And so it goes.

Isn't there a lot of opposition to ......?　The orthodox extremists are at .......

I fired the radical Patriarch Alexandria. Patriarch Orontia, also a radical, surrendered to me. You can't do anything without a leader.

”...... You didn't go to Alectia to execute the Patriarch from the beginning!

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here.

It's true that the flames in the Aletheia library were unexpected and I was really upset.

I'm not sure what to say.　I'm not sure what to do.　Don't they have any objections?

”No. I made a secret agreement with them beforehand. We had a secret agreement. The Patriarch of Lemuria and the Patriarch of Lemuria will be allowed to make friends with the Western heretics in exchange for not complaining about my policies. In addition, I've granted him the right to the throne, even if it's ”honorary,” and I've stipulated that the decisions of the council must be made with the joint names of the princess maidens (mediums). ...... That old woman is a tricky one.

In fact, the Patriarchate of Lemuria is located within the nation of the Warbeasts of the West.

The Patriarchate of Lemuria is actually located in the Warbeast Nation of the West, because Lemuria was part of the destroyed West Lemurian Empire.

The city cannot be moved.

That is why the Lemurian Patriarchate is soft on the West.

The Patriarchate of Lemuria is therefore lenient towards the Western faction, because it is afraid of being invaded if it is hostile.

Hence, ......

It is impossible to intervene in the religious policy of the Lemurian Empire with a big face.

The other reason is that they wanted to collect taxes in addition to doctrinal unity. If you are dealing with pagans, you can't be blamed for taking a little tax money. Now we have the money to expand the military.

”Is it going to work?　Tax dodging is ......

What do you think Article V of the Imperial Decree requires you to report your name and address?

Pagans and heretics can go to ...... if they want to seek the protection of the laws of the Lemurian Empire.

If a heretic wants to seek the protection of the laws of the Lemurian Empire, he must report himself.

What about rebellion?

”It's a per capita tax 'according to your wealth'. It's a per capita tax based on wealth. Besides, ...... all the discrimination and persecution will be abolished and people will be able to practice their religion freely.

No one would be stupid enough to revolt.

Hercule thought.

He also thought that it would be enough to kill them if they did.

In fact, it would be easier if the potential terrorists rose up in force as soon as possible.

Besides, this per capita tax is also a way to recover taxes that were missed.

”Missed?

Karolina tilted her head.

Hercule played with Karolina's long ears as he gently and carefully explained.

Carolina, do you think a heathen or a heretic can be a government official?

”No, I don't. ......