This Holy Knight is So Despicable!
Chapter 102 - 96: Giving You a Big Gift_2

Chapter 102: Chapter 96: Giving You a Big Gift_2

Lette gave a thumbs-up: "Sign your name, then sit down."

The envoys present were dumbfounded, they were just puzzled about why Lord Wright would have Lord Taylor accompany him in the meeting.

Oh! So it was to put on such a poor act?

Too poor indeed!

But despite being poor, it was a deadly blow.

Although Lette’s meaning wasn’t explicitly stated, those competent enough to serve as envoys aren’t fools.

Today, at this table, there are only two options.

Either accept the gift.

Or sign your name.

This is essentially forcing everyone to take sides without openly saying so.

It’s quite simple, the envoys present do not fully possess the rights or responsibilities.

They only came to discuss the increase or decrease of the Holy Tax, without the authority or right to decide whether their nation should side with the First Empire or the Church Court.

Yet, Lette’s cunning lies in not asking these envoys to do anything beyond their capabilities.

I don’t need you to pick sides, I just need you to testify that Vanessa, representing the First Empire, attacked the Pope Palace.

With all these envoys testifying and signing, even if the First Empire wants to deny and cut ties with Vanessa, I’m afraid it wouldn’t work.

Using these people to bind Vanessa and the First Empire tightly together, leaving no room for maneuver on either side.

And if they do this, it would deliver a fierce blow to the First Empire.

Getting blood on their hands is not merely taking sides; it’s more potent than taking sides.

This is everyone’s allegiance today!

The circulating board made its round, and everyone signed it, all bowing their heads, with a somewhat gloomy atmosphere.

Lette handed the circulating board to Taylor, showing a bright smile.

"Now, we are all family, so why don’t we talk about some joyful topics?"

"For the next three years, I intend to exempt everyone from the Holy Tax."

As soon as these words came out, almost everyone looked at Lette with horror, hardly believing their ears.

The entire Holy Tax for the next three years is an astronomical figure, and it’s just waived like that?

However, soon everyone calmed down.

These people were experts and clearly understood that pies don’t fall from the sky. Since Lette waived such a large amount of money, he would surely recoup it from elsewhere.

He is not someone who suffers losses.

"But!"

Hearing Lette say this, the crowd immediately showed an expression that said, "As expected."

"I ask everyone, after returning, to persuade your Imperial Family about this proposal for me."

Lette clapped his hands, and the same group of nuns came in with silver trays. Some envoys became nervous, but fortunately, this time the trays only carried documents.

Although they didn’t know what the proposal meant, in light of the three-year tax exemption, everyone present read it carefully from beginning to end.

After reading it, they understood why the Church Court qualified to waive this three-year Holy Tax.

Simply put, if this matter is successful, the benefits gained would render the Holy Tax negligible.

Most importantly, the proposal hardly had any victims, and everyone could benefit greatly from it.

Plus, with the tax exemption, future finances will greatly improve!

"Transport the elves’ grain to the Barbarian Tribe, then sell the barbarians’ ores to the Dwarves, and then sell the dwarves’ iron creations to the Human nations.

At the same time, the elves’ grain can serve as emergency reserves for disaster relief in various countries...

Most importantly, the newly developed trade routes could also benefit civil trade associations.

This proposal will greatly foster the continent’s commercial development!"

The old veteran envoy applauded continuously; he had started his career in commerce and later married a destitute noble, successfully ascending to high-ranking positions in the kingdom, serving a long time as the finance minister.

It was only after retirement, enjoying leisure at home, that he took on the envoy role to travel around.

He held high hopes for the bright future depicted in this proposal.

"But Lord Wright, the Magician Foundation you mentioned and the control of magic items...

I’m afraid it won’t be easy to achieve, right?"

Lette smiled slightly: "As the saying goes, something that is easily achieved is not a dream. Something that is easily abandoned is not a promise.

Only by working together can we create a bright future!"

Upon hearing these platitudes, the people present showed troubled expressions.

Lette shrugged, generously indicating: "You don’t have to be troubled; this activity is voluntary.

If you don’t participate, that’s fine.

But don’t mention tax exemptions to me.

I’m not threatening you, we will proceed as usual with taxes.

Furthermore, your country will not be considered for this business cooperation.

The dwarves’ forged ironware, the elves’ magic scrolls, potions, and the barbarians’ protective talisman ores.

You will have to negotiate these yourselves.

However, I already told them.

They can either do business with the Church Court or with you.

So I think they won’t sell to you.

Of course, you can engage in trade with other countries, but if we discover any transactions, the involved country will also be kicked out of this circle.

Oh, three years...

Perhaps, it won’t even take three years!

The national strength of a non-participating country compared to those that have joined this plan.

That... right.

But rest assured, if there are conflicts between member and non-member countries, the Holy City will not favor the member countries.

We will treat everyone equally, disregarding it."

All those who still harbored little schemes were dumbfounded.

Then what are we playing?

Doomed!

If you don’t catch this express train, your country will face an army armored with dwarven craftsmanship, holding exquisite weapons, and carrying an array of elf-made magic scrolls and potions at that time.

They will have endless military rations! And they might even equip some barbarian war totems.

By then, no matter if you’re a major or minor country!

Manpower and territory are no longer key factors influencing victory, money is!

Either hop on the train together or wait to be divided and devoured by other well-fed countries.

This proposal is more wicked than the previous two-choice dilemma. For it leaves no room for choice.

When the people looked at the young man in the prominent seat at the conference table again, their hearts were filled with awe.

Perhaps earlier it was because of his illustrious deeds of killing without batting an eye, but now it was the real and palpable fear.

In the hands of his mentor, His Holiness Pope Paul III, the Church seemed like a benevolent elder.

But in Lette’s hands, the Holy Light Church suddenly became a cold and ruthless power machine.

He can play the cards in his hand in a way that maximizes benefits, leaving no space for the enemy.

"You may take these documents back for your Imperial Family to see, but there’s one point everyone needs to understand."

Lette said, raising the proposal in his hand: "This proposal has a deadline, meaning countries cannot deliberate indefinitely, it won’t be available after the deadline.

Also, the quota for the first batch of pilot countries is limited; if you sign up late, you’ll have to wait for the next batch."

"Wait! We want to participate!"

"We want to participate too! Lord! Please be sure to reserve a spot for us!"

"We’ll participate! No need to ask any Imperial Family! I am a member of the Imperial Family!"

Lette waved his hand: "Registration will begin after Holy Presence Day. This matter is of great importance, it is better for everyone to make ample preparations.

After all, it’s not entirely without risk.

However, if there are difficulties, you can seek help from the local Church Court branch. After Holy Presence Day, we will strengthen branch construction."

One of the envoys trembled all over: "You...you mean, increasing the troops?"

"It can also not be increased, but by then, issues like chaotic magic mages or caravan robberies will be left to your own handling."

Interested?"

The envoys shook their heads frantically.

"Very well, today’s meeting ends here, everyone, please leave."

Lette patted Taylor’s shoulder: "Call in the representative of the Dwarf Clan’s delegation."

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