The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 83

83. An Irish Assembly of Three Estates (2)

—1189, Irish Territory—

1189, just 11 years shy of the 13th century!

Even I, pursuing my safe zone, have aged another year.

They say time flies for adults. It wasn’t just a 21st-century thing.

Even in the late 12th century, life was busy, and a year flew by. I felt like I was getting older.

Safe John’s body is in his twenties, but perhaps it’s a side effect of being reincarnated with memories of a past life?

Anyway.

Today, the Angelus [a Catholic prayer commemorating the Incarnation] rang again at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

—Dong,

—Dong.

“Lord, thank you for giving us a new year.”

“Please take good care of us this year as well.”

Everywhere, there were sounds of celebration for a new year in Ireland, safe from war.

Whether in the East or the West, the New Year was something to celebrate. The simple folk prayed and prayed that they would safely pass this year and be in a better situation next year.

The New Year was special, even for my mother, who had been effectively exiled to Ireland.

“Happy New Year, John.”

“To you too, Mother.”

My mother and I reconciled. Or rather, we made a deal.

Since all it takes to reconcile with my mother, who only dotes on Richard, is to give her benefits.

Then things work out on their own.

As expected of a dysfunctional family. If there’s nothing exchanged between mother and son, the relationship isn’t good.

After parting with my mother, I went to my beloved wife.

“Mary, I look forward to your help this year as well.”

“John, is there anything difficult this year besides the Assembly of Three Estates?”

Her words seem to have a bit of an edge. Well, even for the Duchess of Ireland, taking care of her mother-in-law is tough. Also, with the preparations for the Assembly of Three Estates, there’s more work to do, so it seems like she’s suffering a lot.

When you think about it, it’s all because of my father, Henry II, but I had to show a sorry face.

“Thanks to you, you’re going through a lot.”

“It’s not much trouble. Considering my life, this is exciting.”

“I’m grateful that you say so.”

After spending time with Mary, I thought while looking at the piles of paperwork I had to ‘process.’

I wish I had been born with more abilities like the protagonists I used to see in novels, but with my lacking abilities, there’s a lot to do to stay safe.

Of course, I have plenty of manpower for my great work. In Ireland and Mortain, I’ve appointed countless officials like a factory under the name of the Third Estate.

As the saying goes, imitation is the mother of creation.

Philippe, those cunning politicians who were monitoring our territory, started using conciliatory measures to prevent the outflow of talent.

Now they’re preventing their younger sons and bastards in their territories from going to Ireland.

But the first-rate talents are already members of the younger son club. The talents remaining in Europe or mainland England are only second-rate.

‘They should have treated people better sooner.’

As the world always is, the good things are taken first by the pioneers, and the remaining benefits are taken by the rest. The systematic and ‘rational’ benefits of using the Third Estate are what I’ve already taken.

But since other regions have belatedly started treating the younger sons without territories in their territories, it felt like the supply of talent for the Third Estate had become difficult.

Enough for Peter to smack his lips.

“Your Highness, there are no more people left.”

“That’s a shame. But the number of talents is limited. Send this letter to Switzerland.”

Peter, after checking the sender, asked me.

“Is there a need to overvalue him?”

“We can’t undervalue him either.”

Now that the supply of younger sons and bastards who will become my people is over, I need to build goodwill by interacting with undervalued promising nobles.

One of the reasons for the original John’s downfall was that he didn’t have the ‘goodwill’ to protect him, whether domestically or internationally.

So, I was thinking of building friendships with undervalued nobles.

As time passed, the person I invited came to Ireland.

“Count Habsburg. Thank you for accepting my invitation.”

“Isn’t it an honor in itself that a highly esteemed great nobleman has invited me these days?”

I smiled and replied to Count Habsburg, who was smiling brightly in front of me.

“Thank you for saying so.”

Even if I want to be humble, I have to do it at the right time.

Because if you show humility to someone who is obviously lower in ‘class’ than you, they might think you’re trying to screw them over.

For me, who is already planning a ‘huge logistics’ operation with Enrico Dandolo, contact with the rising noble Habsburg family, which occupies a region in Switzerland, is necessary.

The Habsburg family, which is currently the epitome of a rural noble family, only acting as the local boss of a city called Aargau, let alone Austria, has several possibilities.

I seem to be the only one who knows those possibilities.

But everything has its order. I didn’t bring up the main point right away.

“These are dishes made with products truly from Ireland.”

The dining table is also a symbol that shows the level of the region.

I made a ‘silent boast’ that Ireland, once called the island of rebels, has now become an island of abundance with a plentiful table made only with products born and raised in Ireland.

“Ireland is called the Canaan [a land of promise or plenty] of the younger sons. That saying wasn’t a lie.”

The seasoned Count Habsburg naturally accepted it. It’s quite the compliment.

The Canaan of the younger sons.

It means the land of opportunity for the unfortunate younger sons, but now it also has the double meaning of being a land that those younger sons work hard to make prosperous.

It feels good to hear such words directly.

“Haha… Thank you for saying so.”

After the meal, during the ‘conversation’ time enjoying cheese and wine, I said the main point.

“The reason I called Count Habsburg is that I want to hire veteran manpower who often live as mercenaries, even though there are no ‘farmlands’ or ‘livestock’ in your territory.”

Starting with those words, I slowly explained that mercenaries are needed in the transportation business that Dandolo and I are connected to, how they will be operated, and what will be given in return.

“So, you’re saying that you need to hire mercenaries from our region and also people who can properly raise livestock?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“It’s a matter with many things to consider. My territory is small, but it’s a complex place in its own way.”

Count Habsburg didn’t give an immediate answer and had a troubled look on his face.

Even though he’s just a rural count, he’s still leading a territory. So, his sense of responsibility must be great.

Ah, it reminds me of my days as the Count of Mortain.

Mercenaries are needed for me, whose business network is growing.

‘Hiring mercenaries is more cost-effective than lowering productivity with conscripts.’

Although medieval Europe is the age of knights, the main force will always be mercenaries, so I plan to hire mercenaries based on my enriched ‘wealth.’

I will buy mercenaries and bring the relationship between France and Switzerland, which often hires mercenaries, in advance.

I was trying to create a relationship where I buy mercenaries and Count Habsburg provides mercenaries.

Of course, to prevent the problem of Swiss mercenaries ‘fratricide’ [killing of one’s brother or fellow countrymen] that often occurred in medieval and early modern times.

I said to Count Habsburg.

“However, I will prohibit mercenaries of the same nationality from fighting. I have multinational mercenaries.”

I said it again.

Then Count Habsburg, whose expression was a little better than before, said.

“I’ll go back to my territory and think about it. I’ll give you an answer as soon as possible, so don’t worry.”

You can give it to me slowly. I’m not the one in a hurry.

* * *

After Count Habsburg left the territory, I am sparring with my son in the training ground.

—Clang.

“Son, you’ve become stronger than before.”

“Father, aren’t you being too much? Why aren’t you doing it properly? I heard that if you don’t want to die on the battlefield, you have to undergo harsh training close to actual combat.”

My eldest son, who was sparring with me with a blunt sword, said with a dissatisfied voice.

This is 100 percent Richard’s words. Our Richard is telling strange stories to a little kid.

Only I need to receive such inhumane training.

“You must have heard that from Richard. But James, the important thing is not to overdo it.”

“I want to be a hero like Uncle.”

“I love my son, so I won’t leave you in such danger!”

Not just anyone can become a human weapon like Richard!

Of course, I have no intention of making James an unfortunate eldest son like France’s ‘Louis XI’ and Joseon’s ‘Prince Yangnyeong’ [a Joseon prince known for being stripped of his title].

It’s difficult to educate him by matching him right in the ‘middle,’ not with unconditional love or unconditional exclusion.

But fortunately, my beloved son resembles his mother’s family, the Claire family, rather than my Angevin family.

At least he doesn’t seem like he’ll start a rebellion while saying, ‘I’m succeeding to the xx position, Father!’

“Playing is the best at your age.”

“Wh… What is that? That’s too difficult.”

Then Godfrey came and said.

“Your Highness, guests have arrived.”

“Ha, James, your dad is working hard to feed you like this. Enjoy playing while you can.”

“Tch, see you later!”

Anyway, the pleasant time with my son is now over.

If you invite someone, it’s natural for the host to come forward and greet them.

“As the host.”

I, as the owner of a large house called Ireland, began to greet the guests one by one.

The first guest I saw was.

“Richard, thank you for taking the time to come.”

“I have high expectations! My brother.”

It’s Richard, who got a cute niece a few days ago.

He named her Adelaide in the French style. This probably means that Richard still thinks of himself not as the Prince of England, but as the Prince of the Angevin Empire, which is no different from the Anglo-French Empire, and as a great lord of France.

‘Well, our brother can do whatever he wants.’

Of course, I liked him.

The fact that Richard, a great lord of a higher class than me, came directly was a clear intention to give strength to me, a political partner holding an international event.

I was quite moved to see Richard, who was even considerate, unlike his size.

Anyway, besides Richard, quite a few nobles came to Ireland, the land of peace ruled by Safe John.

Of course, from first-class countries like the Holy Roman Empire.

And from second-class kingdoms like the Kingdom of France.

Guests also came from Poland, which is lower in class than France.

Of course, even though I secretly divided countries by ‘tier,’ I showed fair kindness to everyone, whether they came from the empire or from underdeveloped countries.

“Welcome.”

I greeted the guests with different tones depending on their status and title.

No matter how low the class of the country is.

I have no intention of making enemies with countries that have curiosity by spending time and money.

And the last guest is.

“I have visited Ireland under the orders of His Great Majesty Emperor Alexios II. I am truly pleased that you welcome me so sincerely.”

“Governor, welcome. Is this your first time in Ireland?”

Because he is as precious as the first guest, I was more polite.

Ashikao, whom the newly recovered Eastern Roman Empire has newly appointed as the Governor of Bulgaria.

Such a big shot is coming.

Assembly of Three Estates.

He must be curious about what kind of future the three classes will draw in what way.

* * *

—English-controlled Irish Territory, Capital Dublin—

A public assembly that will surprise the world will take place at this moment.

For this solemn event.

I wore the purple robe that Emperor Alexios II of the Eastern Roman Empire gave me as a gift.

This is also a subtle implementation of the fact that I am just an Irish lord, but also a member of the royal family.

Now I seem to have become more like a royal.

“The great lords are entering.”

“The honorable people have entered.”

There were many people who wanted to see what I was doing.

“From now on, we will begin the historic First Irish Assembly of Three Estates.”

At Peter’s voice. Everyone took their seats.

The participating delegates divided into three classes.

And the noble people who came to observe what I was going to do.

Of course, the ultimate purpose of the Assembly of Three Estates is the ‘taxation’ issue for securing the budget is also very important, but since this is a historic event, there must be a special agenda.

I enjoyed the gazes of countless people looking at me with curiosity a little.

“Since the Assembly of Three Estates has been convened here, each will cooperate for the public good of their territory, and I will know that I am a great lord for the people with the glory of the divine rule given by God. Then the agenda is.”

I took out an agenda that I had not told my aides.