Chapter 385: Chapter 380: The Executioner Chapter 385: Chapter 380: The Executioner “As long as the majority of the nobles comply, it would be more manageable.” Duke Muria tapped the table in front of him. “Every department should submit a list of the nobles who have ignored the new tax laws, who have not executed the orders that I have given. Include in your list their clan members, territory locations, their control over their troops, and resources.”

Upon hearing Muria’s request, the leaders of these secret agencies each handed in a roster they had prepared in advance, to a eunuch standing aside which was then placed on Muria’s table for his perusal.

Muria took a brief moment to skim through some of the rosters which were piled up high, finding that the records were incredibly detailed, even recording the biographies and deeds of the rebellious nobles.

“Well done, you’ve been thorough.” Muria nodded in satisfaction. After a moment’s contemplation, he decided to offer an incentive. “If you want your descendants to be outstanding, let your families move to Scarlet to live.”

“Only by legal means.” Muria added as he saw the thoughtful expressions of the intelligence leaders. The morality of those who lurk in the dark should never be overestimated.

“Duke Muria, most of us members of the secret agencies do not have any offspring.” said a dark guard leader who had already guessed that Muria wanted to give them benefits.

“Without offspring, then you should try to stay in the royal city when you’re not on duty. There’s enough for you to enjoy for your lifetime, the goods that will bless your descendants.”

Feeling that his advice was now clear, Muria waved his hand for the intelligence leaders to withdraw. He then summoned his personal maid, Mia, who was now in charge of the palace’s domestic affairs.

“Have your team organize the nobles’ information and then hand it over to the twelve cloud giant leaders. Let them distribute it among themselves and bring all these rebels back to the royal city. Those who resist can be killed on the spot.”

Muria spoke with a murderous tone; to those nobles who did not implement his new tax laws and refused to follow his orders, Muria considered them traitors. What was the point of being polite with them?

Now, as the ruling duke of the Lockman Kingdom, he was its supreme ruler. His orders, whether right or wrong, should be obeyed by all nobles and officials.

They could not merely refuse to implement them because they felt his orders were problematic or because they might harm their interests. Directly resisting him was absolutely unthinkable. Could that be something a subject was supposed to do? Something they should do?

Regarding the new tax laws, Muria knew that they might not be perfect. These were made in a short time with the consultation of many nobles and ministers and were based on the income data of various commoner occupations. Adjustments would certainly be needed after implementation.

For some noble lords, implementing the new tax law could increase their tax revenue. Conversely, for lords who regarded their citizens as nothing but a source of revenue, the new tax laws would significantly reduce their income and could even eliminate it entirely.

But, was this a reason to defy the king’s order? No. Even without tax revenue, noble territorial resources, merchant corps, manors… etc., there are simply too many other sources of income for a lord.

If they feel that their interests are harmed, they can defy the king’s orders. If their interests could reach a certain level, could they sell their own country outright? Betray their king?

If there were issues, they could’ve discussed it with him. Ignoring his tax laws, not implementing them—Was he not being respected? Did they see him as too kind, too easy to talk to, and therefore thought he wouldn’t retaliate harshly?

Muria felt that his political directives were reasonable. He was not pushing them to the brink of survival. For some particularly competent nobles, Muria’s new tax laws and political directives were almost harmless.

His two orders to weaken the rights of the nobles were largely obeyed and implemented, showing that he did not touch their core interests. Moreover, if most of the nobles could put up with it, why can’t these few?

“Young Master Muria, how do you plan to deal with the captured nobles who did not resist?” Mia, the dragonkin who had maintained her youthful appearance due to prolonged close contact with Muria’s increasingly rich Dragon Vein though she was nearing her fifties, asked.

“Strip them of their nobility titles, abolish their surnames, reclaim their territories, then hang them.” Muria answered without a change in expression.

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t your actions stir the other nobles…”

“Mia, it needs to be clear that they have all disregarded my commands. If I do not penalize them severely, if I show the slightest bit of compassion, the other nobles will follow suit. My future orders will then be nothing but empty words.”

A hint of coldness darted across Muria’s face, “In the end, I will be a joke with the title of ruling Duke, but no one to enforce my commands.”

“Young Master Muria, with the ten powerful Ancient Dragons supporting you, the situation you described will simply never happen! Don’t bully me with your assumptions; I have read just as many books as those heir apparents to the royal families.”

The golden-haired dragonkin maiden blurted out, “And then, Young Master, I don’t think you shouldn’t execute those nobles. I just feel that hanging them would make you appear too merciful, not enough to deter the other nobles.”

“So, you feel the punishment I’ve chosen is too lenient?” Muria cracked a faint smile as he asked somewhat awkwardly.

“Yes!”

“Alright, let’s do it this way. After the giant leaders bring those traitorous nobles back, you will be in charge of the execution. You will decide how they die. I only have one requirement – keep their bodies intact, as much as possible. I need to use them to intimidate those who think I am very compassionate.”

Muria looked at Mia with a gentle smile on his face. For this maid who had been with him since childhood, Muria naturally tried his best to satisfy her harmless requests.

“Young Master Muria, you are so good.” Upon hearing Muria’s promise, Mia, a dragonkin with a perfect figure development, hugged Muria who resumed dealing with his complicated official duties.

“Alright, enough kidding around now. Behave and organize the list of rebel nobles.” Sensing the full firmness pressing against his back, Muria took a deep breath, the light in his eyes flickered and he suppressed his body’s restlessness. He gently knocked Mia, who had her head on his shoulder.

“I understand.” Mia pouted a bit and looked rather disgruntled, but eventually, she picked up the list of nobles and went aside to sort them out.

The lists were submitted by five different intelligence departments. The content, personnel, and level of detail varied considerably and thus required a comprehensive organization and summarization.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read