If Duke deposed the king right from the start, it would undoubtedly maximize the effect of establishing his authority, but this would also bring about another consequence - the division of power in the Stormwind.
Even if Duke puts Anduin Wrynn on the throne, he will still be suspected of "using the emperor to control the princes". If the status quo is maintained, it will neither touch the knights who are the core of the Stormwind, nor alarm anyone.
Duke was so easy to talk to that those guys who were ready to make a move had to stop. After all, with Duke's status and position, with such a huge foundation and external support, it would not be surprising even if Duke asked the Llane family to get out and he became the King of Stormwind.
Duke is taking a step back to advance.
Since they have given up on the most crucial royal power, they will definitely get enough money in other areas. All the nobles with a little political common sense understand this.
But no one expected that the bombshell Duke dropped next would be so shocking.
Like the most passionate orator, the Duke raised his hands high like a band conductor, stirring the hearts of the nobles.
"Everyone! Are you satisfied?"
Satisfied? Satisfied with what?
"You live in a castle that looks gorgeous but is actually built on quicksand, enjoying a prosperity that can be destroyed at any time and the taxes of your subjects, even if you will die and your clan will be exterminated within a few years. Even so, are you satisfied?"
What?
destroy?
Again! ?
Most of the nobles had makeup on their faces, but now, their faces under the heavy makeup were really as pale as they looked.
Death and extinction of the clan?
No! Of course not!
Death and the end of inheritance are almost the things that nobles fear the most.
"After three Dark Gate Wars, is there anyone who is still dreaming of eternal peace? If there is still one, then I would like to advise him - don't be naive! The demons of the Burning Legion have set their sights on this beautiful planet. There may be peace, but each subsequent peace will be extremely short-lived. If you don't want to be destroyed, then show your enthusiasm and your dignity as a noble, and prepare for war together!"
"War? Where is the enemy!?" As the leader of the Knights, Bolvar stood up without hesitation.
Duke waved his hand and stopped Bolvar. "No! Wait a minute! I came here this time to tell you that the era of relying on aristocratic status, sending soldiers and paying them, and then watching the soldiers fighting on the front line with an attitude of indifference while you safely hold a party in the rear is over!"
When Duke said this, every noble in the entire meeting room felt their hearts skip a beat. It was obvious that Duke was about to use his ultimate move.
"I hereby formally request that the Stormwind reform its tax system. From now on, all tax officials will be dispatched by the kingdom. Taxes will be divided into national taxes and local taxes in proportion. National taxes will be paid directly to the state and managed by the state. Local taxes will be collected by the lords for their daily expenses and for the construction of their territories. At the same time, all city entrance fees and tolls will be abolished."
"In terms of military, the number of private soldiers that nobles can legally own will be greatly reduced. The maximum number of private soldiers that a grand duke can have is 1,000, and so on. All the soldiers who are laid off and those who pass the physical examination will be incorporated into the national regular army, and the rest will be reorganized into local garrisons and supported by the national treasury."
"In terms of armaments, all mines are mined by the state, and guidance prices are set every year based on market prices to give economic returns to the lords. At the same time, the lords are obliged to allocate vacant land near the main roads for the state to build various military facilities according to local conditions."
Duke unleashed a series of combined punches in one breath, causing internal injuries to the nobles.
Every noble had a fainting feeling.
This is digging up the roots of the nobility!
In name, the tax revenue has not increased, but which noble does not have a private treasury? Every year, if the tax revenue is 10,000 gold coins, at most 3,000 will be reported, and then 3,000 will be paid to the king. Now that even the tax collectors have been replaced by the state, the private treasury will be destroyed immediately.
In the military, abolishing the private army system means abolishing military power. From now on, the soldiers of each family will only be at the level of a ceremonial guard, and they will not even be qualified to rebel.
In terms of armaments, the nobles who occupied the mountains as kings were forced into a desperate situation. In the past, those who had mines in their territories were like gooses that laid golden eggs, and they could make money without doing anything. Some lords even secretly refined the ore themselves, made it into weapons, and secretly sold it to the Hordes...
Now, no one can play tricks anymore.
With such a reform, the territory still belongs to the lord in name, but all the benefits and autonomy are gone!
It is simply the biggest subversion of the aristocracy!
A marquis named Layunali screamed on the spot: "No! Even you, Grand Edmund Duke, have no right to announce the abolition of the noble fiefdom policy! This is the aristocratic norm established since the time of Emperor Thoradin! This is the cornerstone of the entire aristocratic world!"
Duke did not answer directly, but smiled strangely: "Sir Marquis, have you ever seen a huge explosion that almost destroyed the world?"
"Uh... no..."
"I have seen it! I just went to the War of the Ancients ten thousand years ago and saw how the ancient continent of Kalimdor exploded and became today's Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms. Do you want me to show you some magical images?"
It's not a question of whether or not, but in fact Duke has already started demonstrating by just raising his hand.
"…"
"Well, I'm sorry to inform you that similar catastrophes will happen again soon. Your Excellency the Marquis, even if Stormwind City is likely to be swallowed by lava, you still want to tell me that the rules set during the reign of Emperor Thoradin, who destroyed the empire two thousand years ago, cannot be changed?"
"…"
"Even if the lava lord Ragnaros who is sleeping in the Burning Plains is about to wake up and turn the entire southern continent into a sea of fire and purgatory, do you still dare to say loudly that it is none of our business?"
The nobles turned pale, but didn't know where to begin their argument.
Duke's voice suddenly rose eight octaves: "Everyone! Times have changed! Relying on the military exploits of our ancestors and enjoying a thousand years of wealth and glory based on our merits is destined to be a dream! In the past twenty years, His Majesty Llane Wrynn, His Excellency Anduin Lothar, and I have done so much for this country and implemented so many reforms. Together with everyone, we have built the Kingdom of Stormwind into such a strong country, not to give you the capital to be corrupt."
"Corruption...?" Bolvar suddenly smiled bitterly. He had noticed the extravagance in the kingdom. But as a noble, he could not stop the nobles from living a luxurious life like before.
It was not until this moment that he realized how epoch-making Duke's reform was.
"The world is facing destruction! We don't need termites! Nobles who claim to be the elite of the kingdom! Open your eyes - you have no choice, either keep up with the changes of the times, or fall behind."
At this point, Duke's face showed murderous intent: "Of course! You can object! As long as you throw away the noble emblem on your chest and walk out of this door, your objection will take effect on the spot!"