"I believe that by then, you will not complain about the Empire occupying too much of the overseas trade share. Instead, you will thank the Emperor for his wise decision that brought you a divinely granted opportunity. After all, we use the same currency and are in the same market, which is equivalent to being completely unguarded against you. You can freely siphon off the wealth of the entire Vortex Sea."

"As long as you are willing to be the first to make a small change."

Looking at the blueprint slowly unfolding before him, Edward couldn't help but hold his breath.

If someone else had said the same thing to him, he probably wouldn't take it seriously, but this was, after all, the renowned Mr. Colin.

Even if it's just for the sake of 200 million gold coins, he must consider the weight of these words with caution.

It might be true.

At least, it was worth listening to.

"So, Mr. Colin... what exactly is the change you mentioned? We can't possibly just drive those people into the city."

"That would be too crude," Luo Yan shook his head and said with a smile, "We have a more elegant method. For example, you could amend the land tax laws, changing the clause that taxes are paid by the nominal owner to being paid by the actual user."

Edward shook his head and said.

"This is meaningless. Those tenant farmers have no money in their pockets, and ultimately, it will still be the Nobles who bear the burden."

Although he looked down on those commoners from the bottom of his heart, it didn't mean he didn't understand them.

On the contrary, he not only understood them but knew precisely down to the copper coins in their pockets.

Luo Yan had already anticipated he would say this, so he smiled and continued.

"So, this small change will not face any opposition, correct? Because for the Nobles who actually use the land, it makes no difference."

Edward showed a look of interest.

"And then? Surely, you wouldn't propose something meaningless."

"Indeed," Luo Yan nodded with a smile and eagerly continued, "The first law is merely paving the way for what we will do next. Since the taxpayers are the users of the land, next, we must allow the Nobles to voluntarily relinquish this obligation. For instance, allow the Nobles to sell the actual usage rights of the land while retaining their titles, and the Duchy's laws will ensure the rights of the actual users are not violated by the owners."

Upon hearing this, Edward fell into deep thought.

If the previous law was merely trivial, then this law had already begun to touch the soul of the Campbell Duchy.

In the vast majority of countries on the Aus Continent, land is tied to titles.

The citizens of Thunder City are able to own their own property because they are actually borrowing land from the Royal Family.

It is for this reason that this city has the position of Governor, akin to the Royal Family's steward.

On these lands, although the authority of the Royal Family is limitless, it is far removed from ordinary people. Just like Edward himself, even if short on money, he would ask the Andes Family for help rather than send tax collectors door to door himself.

But it's different for the Nobles; their titles inherently possess limitless power in legal terms, and the Royal Family cannot establish an additional property right that overrides their unlimited power.

If he did so, the outcome would be chaos.

The Nobles would unhesitatingly sell the land to wealthy merchants like the Andes Family and then, like breaking wind, retract the original promise in the name of Saint Sis or attach all sorts of unreasonable terms, extorting a fortune from those rich folks.

In the end, only he himself would be left with his dignity in shambles.

However, obviously, Edward couldn't say this.

After pondering for a moment, he tapped his index finger on the table and obliquely said.

"This will affect the interests of the Nobles."

Luo Yan nodded slightly, acknowledging his concerns, but offered a different perspective.

"Generally, yes, but not for the Campbell Duchy. For instance, a distinguished Noble like Baron Ges can see the benefits of money and does not limit his vision to land. More importantly, the accumulation in Thunder City over the past six months, and the Royal Family's foundation on this land, provide conditions for him to no longer rely on the land."

"And what we need to do is merely give them an opportunity to relieve themselves of traditional obligations while retaining their honor."

Under the traditional feudal system, Nobles had the obligation to provide life security for farmers, which did not contradict their exploitation. Just like humans eat meat and thereby have the duty to support sheep.

And dismantling this ancient contract is the first step he aims to take.

The sheep of the Campbell Duchy will become a man-eating creature.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Colin actually praised him in front of the Duke, and Baron Ges, who had been listening in confusion, suddenly showed an expression of delight, as if he had understood.

Initially, Edward did not understand, but after pondering for a moment, a hint of realization gradually surfaced in his eyes.

So that's it.

Even the far-sighted rural Nobles knew where the real benefits were, so how could businessmen like the Andes Family, who have been in trade for generations, not know?

Duke Edward's own sister wanted to build a refugee camp outside Thunder City but was thwarted by land issues, let alone those without an army.

They are not foolish but indeed quite shrewd and naturally know that the authority of the Royal Family might not hold after going down to the countryside, so they would not even consider renting land from those Nobles. Besides, those lands wouldn't be profitable anyway.

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