Chapter 139: Which is more important, God in heaven or the kingdom on earth?
Public power overrides religious power..."
It took a while for Mr. Coggero to recover from Lawrence's decision. If Lawrence had said these words 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 18th 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 closely tied to Lawrence's reforms.
He did not want to be hostile to 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. Coggero sighed and skillfully arranged:
"Originally, there was a tax collection in April, but due to your...succession, the tax collection can only be postponed to the beginning of 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 the 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. Coggero 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 the process.
If there was anything else that worried Lawrence, it was the administrative efficiency with which Treasury officials carried out their orders.
Although Mr. Coggero will undoubtedly obey him wholeheartedly as a minister, his men, his men, will inevitably have policy distortions in carrying out these orders.
Even when facing those landlords and clergy, these grassroots tax collectors and public officials are very likely to be threatened or bribed by them, causing these reforms of Lawrence to become a dead letter at the implementation level, and even become a small official at the grassroots level.
Tools for profit making.
"Real practical reform is not completed with a click of the 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 team, and ask them to be prepared."
"Soldiers 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 obvious that Lawrence had sent the patrol to accompany him.
"Of course, I will tell them and make sure this tax collection is flawless."
Coggello wiped 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.
Naturally, his sudden attack on the priests this time was not a whim, but a decision made after comprehensive consideration of the current situation of both the priests and the 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 be of no concern.
"Anna!"
Lawrence shouted to his secretary:
"Have the guards bring Bishop Icobale to see me."
...
"Oh haha...Governor Bonaparte."
A few minutes later, Bishop Aikobel 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
Wearing 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 Aikobel 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.
Therefore, 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 him. After all, no matter how the tax system changes, it will not be paid to them, the faithful servants of God.
Lawrence took the summary back from Bishop Aikobel, and then said with a smile:
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "This reform will be implemented experimentally in a certain area, and I have decided to designate this area 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 fields there are monastery fields, and not many of them belong to farmers. I'm afraid you won't get any results if you try it there."
"Oh? Why doesn'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 this an offering to God?"
"That's right." Bishop Aikobel 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 Aikobel, and said slowly:
"Which is more important, God in heaven or the kingdom on earth?"
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