Infinite Reincarnation – Arthur Hurt - Chapter 153



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Infinite Reincarnation – Arthur Hurt Chapter 153

27-War Maniac

In Arthur’s view, the central bank was like a seatbelt for the economy, and the central bank governor was the component responsible for ensuring that the seatbelt functioned properly.

Arthur’s judgment was that just as one must be seriously injured in a car accident to appreciate and appreciate the necessity of a properly functioning seatbelt, one would only come to one’s senses if the growing economy of a kingdom were to suffer a major setback.

At those words, Jaran couldn’t answer easily and became lost in thought.

“Why are you doing that?”

“So, are you ready for war?”

The meaning behind those words is simple if you look at it simply, and complicated if you look at it complexly. In the simplest sense, it means that growing up is a feeling of responsibility.

If he were to abandon his important position as the head of the central bank for his own personal safety at a critical time, would he be properly prepared for war? Wouldn’t the kingdom suffer great damage due to his inadequate preparations for war?

But Arthur knew that the devil was in the details.

“Why are you worried about that, Mr. Zarn?”

“If the kingdom is defeated, wouldn’t it harm me and those around me?”

Jaran did not mention loyalty. He knew that Arthur had never shown loyalty to a kingdom or a king, so there was little point in bringing up such values. Rather, bringing up such practical reasons was more appropriate for the conversation.

Arthur nodded without denying Jaran’s logic. If the group I belong to loses to another group, I cannot be completely unaffected by it.

But that wasn’t Arthur’s point of view.

“But isn’t His Majesty the King taking steps to completely reduce the damage caused by the war?”

When Jaran heard that, he looked like he had been hit on the head with a hammer.

Arthur continued with a bitter smile.

“If you really thought you were protecting your kingdom and people from war, you wouldn’t be selling bonds to the central bank at such interest rates.”

If the king had felt a sense of responsibility for the signs of this war, he would have concentrated national power by asking for cooperation from the nobles and the bourgeoisie while making concessions. That would have minimized the damage from the impending war.

But the king chose to use the signs of war to strengthen his own power. It was clear what he was choosing between the security of his kingdom and his own power.

Ah, of course, if the king thought that Jim would soon become the country, then the king’s choice was not wrong. However, Arthur was more than willing to tell the king that if he really thought that way. Of course, not to his face, but behind his back.

The sense of responsibility of a grown-up was a virtue that was fully understandable and deserved to be acknowledged.

But if we look at the situation a little more closely, those who should be responsible did not feel responsible, and those who did not necessarily need to be responsible did feel responsible.

“Do you really think that if you don’t take responsibility and do something, we will lose the war or the damage from the war will increase?”

“… … Wouldn’t this be of some help?”

“Are you willing to destroy everything you’ve built up so far just to get that little bit of help?”

“that…….”

Arthur declared as Jarani furrowed her brows and trailed off.

“I think that pouring cold water on His Majesty the King’s intention to use war to strengthen his power is a way to reduce the damage of war.”

Fortunately, the nobles are not complacent and think that war will not break out, so they will gladly cooperate if the king gives up his greed and makes concessions.

But Arthur’s logic didn’t end there.

“If His Majesty the King’s intentions come true, the worst thing that could happen is that the nobles would rather wish for the war to become a bigger disaster.”

“Why?”

“To reduce His Majesty the King’s army and at the same time cause His Majesty the King another failure.”

If the King’s intentions are met, the Royal Central Army will become the King’s power base.

There was no reason for the nobles, who were trying to check the absolute power of the king, not to cut it down. Moreover, since there was a precedent where the absolute power of the king was shaken by the poor results of the war, there was no guarantee that they would not try to make it happen again.

“… … .”

Jaran did not object, saying that the nobles would never do something like that.

The nobility certainly thought differently from the commoners. Patriotism for the kingdom or loyalty to the king may be the same in form, but their meanings may be different.

“… … Okay, I see.”

At the end of the chapter, Jaran nodded. Following Arthur’s logic, he was convinced that cooperating with the king’s intentions would actually go against his own sense of responsibility.

But Arthur couldn’t let the conversation end there. The position of central bank governor was not one he could just step down from.

Excuses could be made, but careful coordination was needed to avoid His Majesty the King’s wrath while still leaving room for a return trip.

Arthur said.

“First of all, there is sufficient justification.”

Normal bond interest rates, and bond sales to the public. It was a plan that was sufficiently helpful in raising funds for war while hindering the king’s plan to strengthen his royal authority, so it was difficult to find fault with it except for the aspect of strengthening the king’s royal authority.

This will give Jaran the reputation of rejecting the King’s unilateral directives and sticking to the principles of the Kingdom’s economy, which will provide him with the justification to return to the position of central bank governor in the future.

The problem was how to avoid the king’s wrath.

“Let’s divide the currency issuance rights into shares and sell them.”

“You want to sell the right to issue currency?”

Currently, Arthur holds 30% of the currency issuance rights, Jarani holds 30%, Matou Trading Company holds 30%, and the Tsuraz Craft Guild holds 10%. Up until now, Arthur and Jarani had been able to discuss the amount of currency to be issued.

However, Arthur proposed a plan to return 39% to the royal family by taking 10% from each and 9% from the Tsuraz Craft Guild.

“There will be no great outrage if we nominate His Majesty the King’s little girl as the next central bank governor.”

“What about bond sales?”

“We just need to give them a clear reason. The nobles will take care of the rest.”

Jarani laughed bitterly.

“I was classified as a pro-royalist.”

“If we divide it into infinite categories, the division is the classification of humans.”

Humans are similar but not the same. What this means is that humans as a group can be classified into innumerable categories.

They say they are divided into the royalist, aristocratic, and neutral factions, but does that mean that the thoughts of those in each faction are the same? Do you think that the aristocratic faction is made up of only potential traitors who have no patriotism and harbor rebellious intentions? Even if they are neutral, do they really only think about political causes? Even if they are royalist, do they not have doubts about the king’s leadership?

Arthur continued.

“Consider it a rebellion for His Majesty the King.”

The king who tries to strengthen his power using war as an excuse, and the neutrals and nobles who oppose him. Isn’t it an ironic situation where if the king gets his way, it will actually be detrimental to the king?

So, there can be royalists who go against the king’s will for the sake of the king.

“I don’t want to hear people call me a traitor.”

“I have been to the salon with Cho-reng several times.”

When he was told that he would moderately influence public opinion, Jaran shook his head as if he could not stand it.

* * *

‘The central bank governor defied the king’s wishes and was forced to step down as central bank governor.’

‘The king was about to do something outrageous, so the central bank governor gave up his position to stop him.’

It was a rumor that had been circulating in the salon for some time. The situation was the same, but the tone was the opposite. So people’s attention was focused on what the king was trying to do, and information was gradually revealed.

Those who did not know much about economics defended the king, asking what was wrong with the central bank buying government bonds for fiscal purposes, but those who were interested in economics, especially fiat money, were terrified by the king’s audacity.

In particular, the royalist merchants of the bourgeoisie class who held a lot of scalonized currency were so shocked by the king’s plan to sell war bonds to the central bank that they felt betrayed, and some of them even contacted the aristocracy or neutrals to seek help.

As a result, the King’s intention to force the central bank to sell war bonds, secure finances, take control of the royal central army, and strengthen royal authority was thwarted.

“I am disappointed in the choice of the central bank governor.”

Arthur, standing stiffly before the queen, simply bowed.

Her sharp gaze turned to Arthur.

“Did you know, Lord Hurt?”

“yes.”

Arthur didn’t lie.

“But why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought it would be beneficial to His Majesty the King.”

At Arthur’s answer, the queen remained silent and looked at him, then opened her mouth.

“Who came up with that idea?”

It was obvious what he was talking about. He was talking about normalizing bond interest rates and selling them to the public, which would throw cold water on the King’s intentions.

Because of this, the king’s logic that he had no choice but to sell bonds to the central bank to finance the war completely collapsed.

“I’m going.”

Arthur spoke honestly.

Judging by her expression, the queen did not seem to think that the man who had been following the king’s orders without objection had suddenly changed his mind. Someone must have prompted him. And that person was none other than Arthur Hurt, the Viscount.

The queen spoke with sharp eyes at Arthur’s confession.

“What a disappointment.”

“If you listen to the story, you will understand.”

Arthur brought up the matter of his meeting with Count Stan. He did not go into detail, but said he had only conveyed the neutral’s position to the central bank president.

“I thought that in a situation where war was imminent, division of public opinion was actually dangerous.”

“These disloyal people!”

The queen clutched her handkerchief and tried hard not to raise her voice. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and her expression soon returned to normal. However, her gaze toward Arthur was not as friendly as before.

“If something like that had happened, shouldn’t we have discussed it in advance?”

Arthur laughed bitterly.

“Then would things have ended up like this? I probably wasted time and energy trying to seize the initiative.”

If the king knew in advance that the neutrals and nobles would try to sabotage his plans, would he just tolerate it?

It probably wasn’t. They probably tried to hurry things up by sending a stern warning to the two factions or by urging the central bank governor. Then, of course, the two factions will hurry up and the more they hurry, the more conflict will occur.

In normal times, Arthur would have just stood by and watched, saying, “Let them fight amongst themselves.” But now that war is imminent, it would be beneficial for everyone to quickly end the unnecessary conflict.

At those words, the queen’s gaze towards Arthur narrowed.

“Your Majesty the Hurt. You, you are not just a simple hand and foot of a grown man.”

“You are too kind. I have seen and heard a lot from helping you grow up.”

Despite Arthur’s humble words, the queen’s gaze did not soften. She began to have doubts. In fact, what if Arthur was not the hand and foot of Zarran, but the opposite? Then, where on earth did he start planning this? From the beginning of the introduction of Scalon?

The queen spoke with a stern expression.

“I think it will be difficult to see your face like this from now on.”

“I am sorry, Your Highness.”

Arthur was glad that the queen had declared their separation. Was he now going to shed his royalist label and return to being a barbarian?

Arthur, who thought so, had to stand before the king.

“This is the second time I’ve seen it, Your Majesty the Hurt.”

“Arthur Hurt sends greetings to the honorable one.”

Arthur entered the palace, using the etiquette he had learned from the courtier next to him, and internally groaned. He didn’t want to get involved, but he ended up getting involved. Is this what is meant to be?