153 Episode 25 Division and Rule (1/2)

After the meeting with Cecilia, Hercule began the post-war process in earnest.

The anti-Lemurian forces had already been wiped out from the territory of the former Bulgaron Kingdom, leaving only those who had pledged themselves to Erucule, at least on the surface.

Now, the question was how to govern, and Hercule decided to establish a dual system of governance.

The reason for this was that it would be inconvenient to unify the nomadic and agricultural peoples.

It was not only nomads who lived in the Bulgaron Kingdom, but also many farmers.

And Hercule had intended to settle the old Bulgalon region with the colonists.

These farmers would be ruled in the same way as the Lemurian Empire had been ruled, that is, on the basis of land, and would be ruled centrally by bureaucrats sent from home.

Since most of the former Bulgaron region was originally a province of the Lemurian Empire, it was divided into provinces based on that division, and some areas that did not fit that division were either absorbed as part of the province or a new division was established.

On the other hand, Hercule decided to rule the nomads on the basis of people.

In other words, it is the same way as the traditional Bulgarian Kingdom.

In effect, Erkül will take the position of King of Bulgaron, and the autonomy of the clans and their participation in the war in case of emergency will remain the same.

But not everything is the same.

”You must pay your taxes. That is the law of Lemuria.

Hercule gathered all the Bulgaron chiefs in the throne room and said so.

Their expressions were not very cheerful.

It was no surprise, but they had never paid taxes before.

The Kingdom of Bulgalon is a confederation of clans.

The internal affairs of the clans are decided by the clans, and no matter how powerful the Kotormir clan is, they do not collect taxes or tribute from other tribes.

But the Lemurian Empire was different.

But the Lemurian Empire was different. As a centralized state, it was only natural for the Lemurian Empire to collect taxes.

”But, Your Majesty. We can't afford to pay taxes. ......

”When did I ever give you permission to speak, Teritel Chief?

Hercule blamed the Territorial Chief for his objection.

At the same time, he used the magic of Awe to intimidate the Territorial Chief.

The Territorial Chief's face turned pale.

In the Kingdom of Bulgaron, the king and the clan chiefs are allies and friends, not lord and vassal.

As such, they could say whatever they wanted at meetings and not be blamed for it.

So, out of habit, he opened his mouth.

But ......

I'm a friend of yours. I'm not your friend, I'm your lord and master. The Emperor of the Lemurian Empire is God's agent on earth, ruler of all the lands of the world, the Messianic world. He is absolute. I say again.　I am your master and your keeper, and you are my slaves and my dogs. Keep in mind that there is a greater difference between you and me than that.

By using the word ”dog”, which the Bulgurons hated, Hercule made them understand their position.

He continued.

I did not gather you here to listen to your opinions, nor to gain your approval. I have gathered you here not to listen to your opinions or to gain your approval, but to inform you of my decision. Normally, you, who are no more than viceroys of your provinces, would not have an audience with me, much less receive such orders directly from me. You should be honored to kneel before me here in front of me. You will listen to the orders I give you and carry them out. If you do not wish to do so, take your bows.

Hearing Hercule's words, the Bulgurons realized once again that Hercule, the Emperor of Lemuria, was an existence on a different level from their own.

It was certain that they would be oppressed.

The clan chiefs felt their eyes darken as they thought about the future.

Hercule said to them.

However, I do not expect you to have the money. Therefore, until a monetary economy is established, payment in kind will be permitted. As for the tax rate, we will allow you to make some adjustments later. There will be no taxation for five years, and for another five years, taxation will be at the discretion of each clan.

When Hercule said this, the clan leaders looked surprised.

When Hercule said this, the clan leaders looked surprised, and the gloomy expressions on their faces became a little better.

You will be subject to military service in addition to your normal taxes. The bureaucrats will explain the specifics to you, but ...... each clan will form a battalion, and you will be conscripted as soldiers in consecutive numbers. The battalions will be used as administrative units and will be taxed, so be prepared for that.

This is what Hercule ordered.

For example, clan A has 600 people who can endure military service.

Clan A with 480 people, Clan B with 480 people.

Clan B. Clan C.

Each of these clans has a battalion.

In order to construct a battalion for each clan, A has five, B has four, and C has one.

This is done in order so that the burden on each clan is as fair and equitable as possible.

This is the way it is.

This is the number of people who can endure military service.

In other words, the number of people in a battalion rises if you include the families of the soldiers, such as children, women, and the elderly.

The clans that can't maintain a battalion, or those that don't have enough people to begin with, will be asked to merge.

When Hercule said this, the weaker clan leaders looked at each other in disbelief.

This meant that their positions could be overthrown.

But because they were weak, they could not defy Hercule.

”Also, each clan is to send a certain number of Bulgaronian children to study in Nova Lemuria.

This was a move to spread Messianism and Lemurian culture among the Bulgars.

It also meant that the Bulgaron children would be made into bureaucrats and watchmen to monitor the movements of the Bulgarons.

In addition, Hercule informed the clan chiefs of his detailed ruling policies.

The chiefs were disgusted by the detailed regulations, but there was one thing that made them happy.

This was the liberalization of business.

Until now, the Kingdom of Bulgaron and the Lemurian Empire had been separate countries, and there had been certain restrictions on their trade.

However, since they were now subjects of the same country, Hercule decided to remove all such restrictions.

This would increase the movement of merchants from both sides.

This was a great blessing for the Bulgurons, for whom trading activities were indispensable.

...... Of course, Hercule did not liberalize trade out of kindness.

The goal was to integrate the economy of the Bulgurons into the economy of the Lemurian Empire so that they would not be able to secede even if they wanted to.

The Bulgaron Kingdom died because of the economic blockade of Hercule, that is, because it was economically dependent on the Lemurian Empire. ......

None of the clan leaders were aware of this, and were quite happy to become more and more dependent.

And the final question is: ......

Now, let's move on to the matter of the treatment of the Kotormian clans, which I'm sure you're all wondering about.

Hercule said with a grin.

I'm nervous.

And so it should be.

Only the Lemurians and the neutral Bulgarons had been invited to this meeting, not the Kotormians.

”First, those who resisted until the end were killed or captured and sold as slaves.

Those who resisted until the end.