From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

"Public power overrides religious power"

It took Mr. Coggello a while to recover from Lawrence's decision. If Lawrence had said this in the Middle Ages, he would have received the excommunication verdict from the Holy See the next morning.

Although the Holy See at the end of the eighteenth century no longer had this power of life and death, as a very influential class, the priests could not be slaughtered by Lawrence like fish on the chopping board.

This is why Mr. Cogello always wants to dissuade Lawrence first. As the compiler of this draft, Cogello can be said to be tightly tied to Lawrence's reforms.

He did not want to face the hostility of the clergy and landowners because of Lawrence's radical behavior.

But when Cogelo saw Lawrence's unquestionable expression, he had no choice but to give up the idea of ​​persuading Lawrence, gritted his teeth and put himself and Lawrence on the same ship.

"I understand, Lord Governor"

Mr. Coggello sighed and arranged skillfully:

"There was originally a tax collection in April, but due to your succession, the tax collection could only be postponed to early May. I think we can test the new tax system during this tax collection."

Lawrence nodded slightly. There was still half a month before the beginning of May, enough time for him to implement a new tax system to the priests and the landowners in the eastern suburbs of Ajaccio.

"Okay, I will arrange it as soon as possible. In addition, as for the land measurement and population census you mentioned, I think a feasibility study needs to be done within the Ministry of Finance first, and then I will report to you."

After accepting that he had fully participated in Lawrence's reform, Mr. Coggello immediately became more capable. While writing quickly on his memo, he said to Lawrence:

"Do you have any other comments?"

Lawrence lowered his head and thought for a moment, considering the flaws in this process.

If there was anything else that worried Lawrence, it was the administrative efficiency with which Treasury officials carried out their orders.

While Mr. Coggero will no doubt obey him wholeheartedly as a minister, his men, his men, will inevitably suffer policy distortions in carrying out these orders.

Even when facing the landowners and clergy, these grassroots tax collectors and public officials are very likely to be threatened or bribed by them, causing Lawrence's reforms to become a dead letter at the implementation level, and even become small officials at the grassroots level. A tool for profit making.

“Real practical reform is not completed with the click of a mouse like in the game.”

Lawrence smiled bitterly to himself, and then said to Cogelo:

"Mr. Coggero, please tell your subordinates that this tax collection operation will be accompanied by soldiers from the patrol, and ask them to be prepared."

"Soldier from the patrol?"

Coggello realized it in a flash. Who in Ajaccio didn't know that the current patrol could be said to be Governor Bonaparte's personal armed force, so it was naturally self-evident that Lawrence sent the patrol to accompany him.

"Of course, I will tell them to ensure that this tax collection is foolproof."

Coggello wiped away a few drops of cold sweat from his forehead, and then repeatedly assured Lawrence that he was determined to make those tax collectors keep their hands clean after returning to the ministry.

After all, in the previous dozen years of tax collection, the hands of those officials responsible for taxation were full of oil and water.

After Mr. Coggello left, Lawrence sat in the empty study and thought for a long time.

His sudden attack on the priests this time was naturally not a whim, but a decision made after comprehensively considering the current situation of the priests and landlords.

The more important point is that Lawrence had anticipated this result long before the Duke of Choiseul appointed Bishop Ecobert to crown Louis XV today.

Bishop Icobar must have been extremely eager for this coronation opportunity. In his eyes, compared with this precious opportunity, the tax reform implemented by Lawrence undoubtedly seemed insignificant.

As long as he, the Archbishop of Corsica, stood on Lawrence's side, the complaints of the other priests would not be a concern.

"Anna!"

Lawrence shouted to his secretary:

"Have the guards bring Bishop Icobale to me."

"Oh ho ho Governor Bonaparte."

A few minutes later, Bishop Aiko Baier sat in front of Lawrence with a smile on his face, thinking that he was finally out of house arrest.

Since he had not left the Governor's Palace since April 1st, he was even wearing the purple robe that symbolized the status of a bishop. However, the expression on his face was no longer as solemn as it was in the parliament at that time. Instead, it was Wear a flattering smile.

Lawrence also smiled and looked at Bishop Icobel. Without talking to him, he directly handed him the summary of the tax reform draft on the table.

Bishop Aikbal took the abstract with some confusion, took out his glasses from his pocket, clamped them on his nose, and read them carefully.

"Oh God."

Bishop Aikbal took in the air-conditioning while nodding his head and said:

"This is really a bold reform plan."

Those who can become bishops in this era do not necessarily have deep theological knowledge, but they must have good economic acumen and political sense. After all, managing a diocese is actually no different from running a company.

This is the same as some monasteries that became business groups in Lawrence's previous life.

Bishop Aiko Baier quickly saw what the purpose of Lawrence's reform was.

But what puzzled him very much was why Lawrence would show this summary to himself. After all, no matter how the tax system changes, it will not be able to bear the burden on these faithful servants of God.

Lawrence took the summary back from Bishop Aikobel, and then said with a smile:

"This reform will be implemented on an experimental basis in a certain area, which I have decided to designate as the eastern suburbs of Ajaccio."

"Eastern suburbs?"

Bishop Aikbal was stunned for a moment, and the smile on his face froze a bit. He suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart, but on the surface he still maintained his smile and said:

"Governor Bonaparte, most of the land there is monastery land, and not many of it belongs to farmers. I'm afraid you won't get much effect if you test it there."

"Oh? Why can't it have any effect?" Lawrence stared at Bishop Aiko Baier and asked knowingly with an unchanging smile.

"Hehehe, there are very few fields belonging to farmers and landlords there."

Bishop Aiko Baier held on and said:

"As for the monastery fields, the harvests on them are dedicated to God. You know, God brings us the seeds of our crops, makes our crops sprout, and makes our crops abundant. Those harvests are humble for us as servants Just a pitiful reward for our Lord, as has been the rule for thousands of years."

“Is that an offering to God?”

"That's right." Bishop Aiko Baier swallowed nervously and nodded.

"Then I want to ask you a question."

Lawrence gradually stopped smiling, leaned on the back of his chair, looked at Bishop Icobel, and said slowly:

“Which is more important, God in heaven or the kingdom on earth?”

Thanks to "stellaris" and "Book Friends 20200830172803189" for their monthly votes and

Reward support from "Reader 1241697846398734336"

Thank you very much!