Infinite Reincarnation – Arthur Hurt - Chapter 129



Only Noblemtl

Episode 129

24-Family

Arthur looked up and answered.

“There is a justification. Although commerce and industry have developed, there are still many people who live on the streets. The people will sing of His Majesty the King’s mercy and grace at the reduced food prices.”

At those words, the queen sipped her teacup, lost in thought, and then blurted out a word.

“But we can’t give up agriculture.”

Food was as important as strategic supplies. If the landed aristocracy that supported the agriculture of the kingdom of Skara were to fall, the kingdom’s shackles would be tied to the countries that imported food.

But that was the Queen’s idea, and Arthur’s idea was different. He had a card that could allay the Queen’s concerns.

“This time, we purchased a large amount of farmland from Mato Trading Company. It’s scattered here and there, but it’s at least as large as farmland under the direct control of the royal family.”

“… … Is it really that much?”

The Queen’s eyes widened and Arthur spoke.

“That’s why fiat money is dangerous.”

It was also evidence that it was becoming increasingly difficult for the greatly increased wealth of the Skara Kingdom to be supported by physical currency. The value of the currency fluctuates if someone deliberately shakes it… … The queen also realized the meaning and narrowed her eyebrows.

Arthur continued.

“I will dedicate that land to the crown.”

“Are you serious?”

The queen was surprised again. That much land?

Arthur continued.

“Although Mato Trading Company acquired a lot of farmland, Mato Trading Company is not a food specialist. Wouldn’t the farmland be more useful if it were in the hands of the royal family?”

“… …What do you want?”

The queen asked. Even if Arthur’s promise to donate farmland was half a bluff, if the royal territory increased by half from its current size, it would be enough to influence food prices and put pressure on the landed nobles. It would also make it difficult for foreign countries that exported food to the Kingdom of Skara to do business.

Yes. The landed aristocrats who were obsessed with land were not wrong. Land was the most important foundation of power, and it was not for nothing that land reform was included when a dynasty changed or reforms were carried out.

So it was a pity to donate it. However, it had to be kept in mind that the utility of the land varied depending on the owner.

Arthur was right when he said that the utility of the farmland secured by the Mato Trading Company would be maximized if it was transferred to the royal family. To be honest, the royal family could also be said to be a landowning class like the landowner aristocracy.

So the land in the hands of the crown would be a great window to block the interference of the landed nobles. Of course, the money business would also be protected, so it would be beneficial to the king, and it would be beneficial to Arthur and the company.

Of course, the window was also connected to the strengthening of royal authority, so if there was no return for such a gift, it would be shameful for the royal family. That is why the queen asked what he wanted.

Her gaze searched Arthur’s expression. The calm expression that was unusual for a semi-noble standing before a queen was very impressive.

“I want the right to issue currency.”

As Arthur opened his mouth, the queen frowned. She thought it was too much of a request. It was too much of a right to be given to a mere quasi-noble, or even to a company.

Arthur continued, seeing her expression.

“Many monarchs have tried to circulate paper money since ancient times. However, most of them were not successful, and even those who were successful did not last long. What do you think is the reason for this?”

“What is it?”

The reasons were varied: the economy was not yet ripe for accepting fiat money, the environment was not conducive to sufficient surplus production, or there were external factors such as war.

Frankly, from Arthur’s point of view, the foolishness and greed of those in power also played a part.

The reason why the monetary economy that was finally established collapsed was mostly due to the mistakes of those in high places. If there was not enough surplus production, fiat money could not even be dreamed of, but even under the condition that fiat money was introduced, it failed, so in the end, it was a policy failure.

But Arthur couldn’t say it exactly, so he took some medicine.

“Because dealing with money is not the domain of the monarch, but of the merchant. When dealing with something you don’t know much about, isn’t it natural that you will fail?”

“I don’t think I have the authority to say something so simple.”

The queen spoke, and Arthur responded.

“Then why did you have a council and a parliament and civil servants? The same goes for entrusting money. If the merchants manage the money and the sovereign rules over the merchants, wouldn’t he be doing what he does best? Then mistakes will be reduced.”

The queen was once again lost in thought at the plausible logic that followed from the previous statement. After a moment of thought, she asked.

“Why should I leave it up to you and Mato Company?”

This was the critical point.

“Because we are the best and the most prepared, especially in counterfeiting and in overcoming the initial difficulties of currency introduction.”

Arthur stated that immediately after the introduction of the currency, all branches of the Mato Trading Company would begin using paper currency, and that the use of the currency would be enforced on all those within the influence of the Mato Trading Company.

He also announced that he had developed various counterfeit prevention measures to prevent counterfeiting and that he would present them to the Queen as a top secret.

Yes, she was a queen, not a king.

The queen licked her lips at Arthur’s words and then went back into the room for a while.

“I will speak to His Majesty the King, but don’t expect much.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Arthur could see the certainty in her expression. He had told her not to expect anything, but she would do her best to persuade the King… … .

When Arthur returned from his meeting with the Queen, Zarran asked him:

“Can we really obtain the right to issue currency?”

“Well, I think the chances of success are about 70%.”

It was a judgment made after seeing the queen’s expression.

But Jaran still had difficulty being certain.

“Will Her Majesty the Queen be able to persuade His Majesty the King?”

“I’m sure I can convince you enough. No one will be harmed.”

At this point, the political and practical justifications for introducing paper currency have already been sufficiently explained to the Queen.

In order to keep business secrets, it was safer for the queen to step forward rather than the king himself. In the same context, it was acceptable to offer the technology to prevent counterfeiting to the queen rather than the king.

Of course, the queen herself will feel that this is a gift that will solidify her position as the king’s political partner, and this will serve as motivation for her to advise the king to proceed with this project.

“I’ve given you political and practical reasons, as well as personal gain, so I’m sure you’ll try hard to persuade me.”

Unless the queen was a fool, there was no way she would not act as Arthur expected.

“Wow~ You’re crazy, you’re crazy.”

Samuel stuck out his tongue at Arthur’s words, because it felt as if Arthur was manipulating the queen.

“What do you mean, crazy?”

“You’re crazy. I wouldn’t even dare think of such a thing.”

How could one come up with such an outrageous idea to use Her Highness the Queen to persuade His Highness the King?

But Jaran’s feelings were different from Samuel’s.

“It seems that even semi-nobles are still nobles. They’ve really adapted well.”

The idea of ​​an absolute monarch was actually not a very welcome one for the aristocracy.

Aren’t they essentially the ones who have political choices and have negotiated politically based on those choices? And of course, the subject of those negotiations includes the king.

Those who knew their nature well saw Arthur’s actions as befitting a nobleman, even if he was a semi-noble.

A few days after Cato proposed the credit money business to the queen, Arthur visited him.

“The Queen is calling.”

Arthur was not particularly pleased with Kato, who kept trying to involve Arthur in his love affairs, but it was not unusual for him, who was trusted with confidential matters, to come and fetch Arthur.

As expected of Viscount Cato Zeltny, who was trusted by the royal family, he did not ask Arthur any questions about why he was being summoned to see the queen.

Instead, I asked something else.

“Did that author have a girlfriend before?”

“I don’t know.”

“What was his reputation at the Tsururaz Salon?”

“I don’t know! When I was in Tsururaz, I never went to the salon!”

“Don’t be like that, okay? I’ll take you somewhere nice.”

He pestered Arthur to get information about his rival. When Arthur slightly raised his voice in annoyance, he paid no attention and even pretended to be friendly… …. Perhaps this was the strength of Viscount Cato Zeltny, who had established himself in noble society.

“Your Majesty, please visit that nice place often.”

Arthur pushed the squelching Cato away and stood in front of the queen again.

She said to Arthur with a satisfied smile.

“His Majesty the King has given his permission.”

“Your kindness is truly infinite.”

“Okay. For now, let’s first discuss how to proceed from now on.”

Arthur outlined the work to be done. First, he had to obtain permission for the design and unit of currency, then he had to produce the paper and printing plates on which to print, and then he had to check the wealth stored in the royal treasury.

The queen furrowed her brows.

“Wait a minute. Why are you checking the royal treasury?”

“To determine the amount of additional currency to be issued.”

When currency circulates within the country, there is no problem with its credibility because of the king’s authority, but when that currency flows out of the country, it becomes a problem.

Because it is a gold standard, if too much currency is suddenly demanded to be converted to gold and that becomes impossible, paper currency becomes just a piece of paper.

And even if the subject of such a demand was another country, it could become a pretext for war.

The queen felt the need to check the royal treasury after hearing Arthur’s explanation, but her expression was not easily softened as she was displeased.

Arthur waited silently at her expression. The credit currency business was credit first and credit second.

If you can’t verify the wealth of the royal treasury that will serve as the basis for your credit, you can’t even start.

The queen, having gathered her thoughts, opened her mouth.

“Are you checking it yourself?”

“Ah! First, we need to decide how many people will participate.”

Until the business reached an irreversible stage, it was necessary to demand secrecy, and naturally the number of participants was limited, especially since the amount of wealth in the royal treasury was a state secret.

Arthur continued.

“From the Mato Trading Company side, Jaran Park, the Eastern Branch Manager, will be participating.”

“You’re not participating?”

“I’m a former construction worker. I’m not confident in handling money.”

The queen smiled in disbelief at those words. How can you say all that you want to say to a semi-noble person who is so insecure?

Arthur relayed all the necessary business outlines and directions to Samuel and Jaran. It was right for them to take the lead in the work.

Although Arthur was the planner and designer of this business, he couldn’t do everything well.

For a project like this that required a large amount of simple calculations, verification work, and dealing with people, Samuel or Jaran, who had been using people for a long time and had their own organization, would have been a more suitable choice.

Moreover, no one knew that Arthur was the mastermind behind this. Even the queen thought that what Arthur was reciting was something that Zara had conceived and that Arthur was the messenger.

Arthur continued his speech and changed the subject before the queen could argue.

“As a printing press, I have made a test printing plate. I have printed some currency on a trial basis to obtain the permission of His Majesty the King and Queen.”

“Shall we see?”

Arthur took three pieces of paper out of the envelope in his bosom and laid them out side by side on the table. Each had a engraving of a flower, a building, and a person, and the numbers 1, 10, and 100 in the corners.

“oh.”

The queen let out a small exclamation of admiration when she saw the portrait. This was because the portrait was of the current King, Rai Ponidaia Pablek.