When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Chapter 815: The Expansion of the Council of State’s Powers and the Pope’s Bill of Ten Thousand Votes

"One of the main reasons for the fight between the nobles and the commoners is the unfair differences between the nobles and the commoners..."

"Crash-"

"From today on, both nobles and commoners are believers of the Holy Alliance rather than two different groups..."

"Crash-"

"For example, surnames and clothing that were only allowed to be used by nobles are no longer limited to nobles, and the use of titles such as 'Sir' or 'Master' is no longer allowed..."

"Crash-"

In the Constitutional Hall of the Cathedral of Florence, there were waves of applause.

Sitting behind the long table in the center of the altar, on either side of Horn were Madeleine and Catherine.

These two are in charge of the Papal Palace and the Advisory Council. The former is the administrative body of the Holy League, and the latter is about to become the representative body of the Holy League.

In an era without railways and telegraphs, if one wanted to obtain fiscal revenue efficiently, representative institutions were an inevitable requirement.

Almost every minute, after Horn finished speaking, Madeleine and Catherine would lead the way in standing up and applauding.

The delegates sitting in the auditorium in a semicircle stood up and applauded as if doing squats, then sat down, stood up and applauded, then sat down...

"Regarding the eligibility election, after everyone's discussion, His Holiness the Pope decided to pass the "Elections Law for Educated Citizens" which is more in line with the current situation."

Once again, Madeleine and Catherine took the lead, leading the representatives to stand up and applaud.

Although everyone stood up and applauded, the noble representatives and merchant representatives were visibly disappointed.

Neither the estate voting system proposed by aristocratic representatives nor the property voting system proposed by merchants passed.

But on the other hand, they were glad that the other party's bill failed to pass.

Although we didn’t get the biggest piece of the pie, fortunately our competitors didn’t get all of it either.

Although the "Educated Citizens' Election Law" was most beneficial to the citizens, the nobles and merchants were not completely excluded from the Senate.

The law provides that all educated adult citizens have the right to vote or be elected.

The so-called "educated adult citizens" are actually eligible to vote only if they meet the following conditions:

First, you must have obtained a primary school diploma or above recognized by the Holy League, or passed the Holy League’s annual literacy test.

Second, citizens who are sixteen years of age or older and registered in the household register.

As for the qualifications for election, in addition to the above two items, nomination and approval by the local priestly order is also required.

Although the districts have been divided into 100 households, Horn does not have a mind tower due to lack of manpower.

The old aristocratic forces were eliminated at the high level, but among the centurions and wandering monks at the lower level, the old ideas of the aristocracy and their representatives were still a major problem.

Many citizens still have the inertia of the times in their hearts.

Compared to blacksmiths, they would rather vote for "more reliable" bankers, nobles or scholars.

It is foreseeable that in the future nobles and wealthy merchants will still be able to occupy a seat in the Advisory Council.

After all, fighting a war still depends on their money and effort.

Therefore, Horn specifically mentioned during the internal meeting of the Holy Fathers that "reform is like sawing wood, sometimes moving forward and sometimes moving backward, but the cuts are getting deeper and deeper."

"Okay, most of the things have been agreed upon." Horn closed the agenda book in his hand. "From now on, the Council of State will be chaired by Speaker Catherine, and the affairs of the Papal Palace will be managed by Chief Cardinal Madeleine."

Madeleine and Catherine stood up at the right time and bowed slightly to the representatives present.

This time the delegates applauded while sitting down.

"Both Brother Madeleine and Lady Catherine have multiple duties, which is not in line with the existing rules." Horn said to the two and also to the other representatives, "But after all, this is a wartime state, so you two should take care of more work."

"No no."

"Where."

The two waved their hands repeatedly, showing a humble gesture. "In addition, since Ms. Catherine is not suitable for holding both central and local positions at the same time, the mayor of Rapid City and the county governor will also enter the selection and appointment process.

I hope you will supervise this process in a fair, just and open manner. I have expanded your power, and I hope you will not abuse it."

Holding a white porcelain teacup in his hand, Horn looked meaningfully at the representatives present.

These representatives were so eager to jump up and show their loyalty.

"I will never betray your Majesty's trust."

“Absolutely fair and open!”

Since we are still in a state of war, the current Advisory Council is still a temporary Advisory Council.

After the war is over, the situation returns to stability, and the wartime state is lifted, the Advisory Council will be dissolved and new elections will be held.

The current Advisory Council is very different from the past; its power has expanded greatly.

After clearing out most of the remnants of the feudal nobility, Horn officially expanded the functions of the Council of State to oversee the administration of the monks and elect members of the Supreme Court.

To put it simply, the Senate could only make suggestions, suggesting that Horn should revoke the position of a certain monk or that Horn should appoint a certain chief judge.

But now, they can directly revoke or elect, and Horn has a veto power of 10,000 votes.

Although it is just a change from the right of consent to the right of veto, it is a huge step for the power of the Council of State.

Because this means that their previous direct investigation or mobilization of resources for review was not in compliance with regulations, and that was what Horn should do.

After the power of the Council of State was expanded, it would be completely legal to do so.

They have the right to know.

This is essentially the same as the "Educated Citizens Electoral Law", both of which use the urban middle class to suppress the old merchants and aristocrats.

Needless to say, after expelling the aristocratic forces, the merchant group that was originally a friendly force was also included in Horn's list.

Unlike the emerging merchants engaged in industry and commerce, the "merchants" here refer specifically to merchants who rely on guild monopolies and family workshops.

Horn courted entrepreneurs who relied on workshop/factory production and new technologies.

However, his current attitude is only suppression, and guild merchants are still an indispensable part of the production process.

The delegates, whose powers were expanded, reciprocated by passing the Pope's Ten Thousand Votes Act.

The act provided that Horn, as pope, would have 100,000 votes in any situation requiring a vote.

This is also a manifestation of the absolutism of the Holy League as a state - the power of the rulers overwhelms the representative institutions.

Sitting on a high seat, Horn looked around and felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.

Three years after the founding of the Thousand Valley, although the Thousand Valley Monarchy itself had perished, the Holy Alliance had successfully transformed into the country that Horn had envisioned.

If the Qianhe Valley of three years ago was a newborn, then the Qianhe Valley of today is probably a child of seven or eight years old.

The moment it truly becomes an adult is the moment when the Holy Union truly stands firm, and the moment when the country of the Holy Union is truly established.

The war against the Leia people is a war to establish a nation.

In order to establish their country, the Dutch fought a war with the Spanish for eighty years.

War is the best way to strengthen national character, which means that war, the most violent act, can enable people to quickly recognize reality and the difference between ourselves and the enemy.

At least judging from the current panic public opinion in Qianhe Valley, this method is effective.

If you don't realize that the Leia people are enemies, then why panic?

"In the next period of time, I will focus on military affairs, and I will leave the government affairs to you." Horn stood up first and looked around. "Who else has questions?"

The representatives shook their heads or gave fawning smiles.

“Then…” Catherine also stood up and knocked on the table with a small wooden hammer, “The meeting is adjourned!”

(End of this chapter)