Each Takes What They Need

Mountain Territory, Hudson had just returned from Beda City, was surrounded by a group of minor nobles who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

The "repayment tax" has been implemented. No matter how much is levied, it's never a pleasant thing to have to pay money out of your own pocket, especially when it's an excessive amount.

"Earl, we can't let the Governor continue to act recklessly. This time, we've taken on a full 40% more of the repayment tax."

This matter was not discussed with the Provincial Noble Council; it was entirely the Governor's doing. If His Excellency the Earl is willing to take the lead, we are certain we can veto this illegal resolution at the meeting!

"The Earl is our great benefactor for making this possible, and he will be the next Governor..."

Watching the old man's animated performance, Hudson silently cast a magical shield around himself.

Even when you're trying to fool someone, you have to think it through first!

In theory, there is no problem with the Provincial Noble Council rejecting the Governor's resolution. However, the key issue this time is not only Governor Pierce, but also the high-level meeting in the Royal Capital.

At the time, the opposition at the meeting was merely symbolic. Why would Hudson cause trouble at this point and openly overturn the decisions made at the Royal Capital meeting?

No one likes someone who doesn't follow the rules. If someone were to do something that breaks the rules of politics, forget about vying for the next Governor; they'd probably struggle to even gain a foothold in the elite circles.

It's simply not worth risking one's political life for the benefit of a bunch of opportunists.

"Baron Leslie, it's too late to say anything now that the die is cast. Of the fifteen sheriffs in the province, only I have openly opposed it, and I can't change the situation at all."

If you are not satisfied with your share of the tax repayment, appeal to the prefectural governor's office, the Governor's Mansion, or even initiate impeachment proceedings in the Provincial Noble Council!

Hudson gave a perfunctory reply.

If appeals were effective, we wouldn't have gathered here. As a major tax-paying province, it's not surprising that the Southeast Province bear a high proportion of the tax burden, but there has to be a limit.

According to convention, the "repayment tax" levied on the Southeast Province should not exceed 10%, but this time it has been increased to 14%.

In the past, if more money and food were allocated than the normal ratio, there would be some compensation in other areas. But this time, not even a single bit of the spoils of war was delivered.

The extra levies were mostly paid by the great nobles, but this "major share" was relative to the total amount. If you break it down and look at it closely, you'll find that the reality is completely opposite to the theory.

Under the traditional tax farming system, taxation was levied from top to bottom, with the Governor and local prefects being the implementers. The lesser nobles, lacking sufficient say, inevitably bore the heaviest tax burden.

The fundamental reason why everyone went to the Mountain Territory was that they neither wanted to spend more money nor dared to openly challenge the Dalton Family.

"My Lord, we would like to launch an impeachment, but we lack a respected leader."

If you're willing to take the lead, we're sure we can...

Watching the elderly Baron Leslie put on his show, Hudson secretly shook his head. Typical petty aristocratic thinking; he hadn't grasped the situation.

Count Pierce's approach was a win-win situation.

By betraying the interests of the minor nobles at this moment, they not only won over several middle-class nobles in the province, gaining an advantage in the competition with the Coslo Family, but also laid the foundation for their own expansion over the next few decades.

Under the existing rules, how can everyone expand their fiefdoms if the minor nobles don't decline?

The vast territory that the Dalton Family now possesses did not fall from the sky, nor was it granted by the King all at once; rather, it was acquired through countless land consolidations.

At this time, if Hudson were to openly show his face, he would offend not only the Dalton Family, but also a number of middle-class nobles in the province, as well as some powerful and ambitious minor nobles.

Moreover, the way the Dalton Family operates is also profitable for Hudson.

The extravagance of nobles is not something that happens overnight, but rather a long-term process. During this period, various underhanded tactics are inevitably employed to fill the financial gaps.

I don't expect to acquire many treasures; taking the opportunity to buy some serfs to replenish the population of my territory should be no problem.

If you're lucky, you might even be able to recruit some talent. But annexing someone else's business is a blood feud that's irreconcilable.

With a little guidance, it would be perfectly reasonable for these losers to join his rival, the Dalton Family, in order to seek revenge and revive their family fortunes.

Land is inanimate, but people are alive. If you can't move the fiefdom, can't you move the people on it?

If he hadn't already planned things out, Hudson wouldn't have bothered wasting time talking to these people. Did they really think his earldom had such low entry requirements that just anyone could walk in?

"Baron Leslie, that's enough for today. I'm tired from the journey and need to rest now."

"Nelson, please arrange a banquet tonight to entertain our distinguished guests!"

After saying that, Hudson turned and left. This blatant disrespect left Baron Leslie speechless.

Today we're here to ask for favors, not to offend anyone. It's fine for high-ranking nobles to be a little arrogant and willful, but lower-ranking nobles must not be ignorant of propriety.

Fortunately, Hudson didn't go too far. Although he left, he left Nelson behind to handle the reception. Having the Earl's brother receive them was impeccable in terms of etiquette.

Back in the inner courtyard, seeing Melissa's visibly pregnant belly, Hudson immediately put on a smiling face and went to greet her.

They were gone for three months, and there were very few letters exchanged during that time. If this had happened in my previous life, there would have been a huge uproar, but now the courtyard was unusually harmonious.

Before he could even speak, Hudson was completely bewildered. Someone who shouldn't have been there had appeared.

Watching Melissa and Isabelle chatting and laughing, he felt something was off. A wife and mistress colliding is a recipe for disaster; not fighting is considered good manners.

"How was your trip to the Royal Capital? Did it go smoothly?"

Melissa's words brought Hudson back to his senses.

"We ran into a little trouble, but overall it went smoothly. What happened to you two?"

As soon as he asked the question, Hudson cursed himself for being stupid. He could have just pretended not to know anything; why did he have to bring it up?

"Isn't this all your doing? Now I'm cleaning up your mess, and you're not happy about it?!"

Melissa rolled her eyes and said.

Frankly, she was quite satisfied with her current life. Hudson's integrity was much higher than she had expected.

Aside from his lover, Isabelle, there seemed to be nothing wrong with him. However, for a young nobleman, this was hardly a problem.

She had prepared herself mentally for the arrival of a new group of women in her household after Hudson's Royal Capital to the capital, but nothing happened.

"I'm happy, how could I not be happy!"

Hudson quickly responded.

If they're already mixed up, then so be it. Isabelle is no pushover, and Melissa is no naive fool either.

When it comes to winning people's hearts, especially men's hearts, Isabelle is definitely better; but when it comes to playing tricks, even three of her combined wouldn't be a match for Melissa.

Aristocratic education is not merely about book knowledge and etiquette; it also involves practical skills, including the intrigues within the household. The higher the nobility, the more rigorous the education in this regard.

"Political marriages" are alliances between two families. But without some strategic maneuvering, how can one ensure that such marriages will have a substantial impact?

Through a combination of coaxing and deception, Hudson finally figured out what had happened.

While he was away, Isabelle approached Melissa and promised her that she would not have any children with Hudson for the next ten years.

This promise is practically meaningless. Isabelle, focused on her career and personal life, has absolutely no intention of having children right now.

The golden period for a knight's training is only a few decades. If you want to reach a higher realm and see the scenery, you can't waste time.

Anyway, she's a mistress, not the mistress, so she doesn't have any pressure regarding having children. Even if she never has children, no one will say anything about it.

Instead of living in constant fear, it's better to just confront them directly and show them you pose no threat. Otherwise, you might get killed one day without even knowing how.

Isabelle is no fool; she doesn't think that having the Hudson's protection means she's truly safe.

As the mistress of the house, Melissa has a lot of resources at her disposal. If she really wanted to kill her, she had plenty of ways to do it.

Of course, whether there were other stories behind this, Hudson neither knew nor cared to know. As long as the outcome is good, the process is often not that important.