living in 16th century england

Chapter 56 Brother Chapter 55 Can't stab yourself with a knife

Remnant of the Rebels, Lord of the Isles of Scilly, Matthew Hawkins?
Henry VIII was a little proud, this little braid is simply amazing.

Originally, he was really out to make sure his huge investment wasn't misused.Unfortunately, as the work of these "secret agents" deepened.All kinds of strange information of Hawkins Manor that are out of tune with the times have become the protagonists instead.

Can the princess decide the queen's daily life?Without Henry VIII's nod, would the Queen really move?
Unmarried men usually don't care much about having children.But it is different now, because in January 1510, when Matthew was still studying ship models at home, Queen Catherine had a miscarriage.

The second time the queen found out she was pregnant was at the end of May, which is why Matthew only saw the queen once.

And Henry VIII was quite cautious this time.

Then at this moment, he heard an unbelievable piece of news—Hawkins Manor, almost no babies died in a few years, and no peasant women died of puerperal fever.This is no secret here.

Many people often say that when there is more food, the population will increase.Has anyone tasted the horror logic and thrilling details?
How could it be possible for the kings, who attached great importance to the feudal hereditary system, to have no conditions and pay no attention to the raising of offspring?

In the 19th century, it was discovered that the infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate of those who prefer to go to the hospital are much higher than those of peasant women who give birth naturally.

It was a hilarious tragedy.The funny thing is, they paid someone to kill their wives and children.I even affirmed... and expressed my thanks.

People at that time may think that as long as it is "knowledge", it is right.Not so.In fact, it is the same in modern times. There are always some people who think that what others say or what the professor is saying is right.And pay for it.

Although Matthew didn't want to change history, his very existence had already changed history.Unless he is willing to be a self-cultivator with peace of mind, the kind that could risk his life at any time.

So he couldn't get into his former mansion.Because there is a rule in the Hawkins Manor that pregnant women do not see or contact any outsiders.

Walking plague, can you see it?
Henry VIII understood this very well, because his eldest brother died of sweating fever.During the Black Death in the last century, the sense of isolation had already emerged.

It can be said that a long illness becomes a cure.

England is also the first European country to issue a quarantine policy during a plague in history.Issued by - Cardinal Wolsey.

Just then, another servant reported: "My lord, we have found another cat. What are you going to do with it?"

Henry VIII said casually: "This one is kept in the palace, don't feed it too much. Remember, no one in the palace is allowed to kill the cat."

The attendant couldn't help but said: "My king, the church..."

Henry VIII glanced at him.

The attendant immediately fell silent.

Catholics believe that the Black Death is God's punishment.So not only did they fail to prevent it, but they also carried out "massacres within the scope of religion".Wouldn't there be a cutie who thought it was a mouse that killed it?
Religion also believes that cats are the incarnation of the devil Satan, trying to hunt and kill them.Cats were nearly extinct in Europe.

So it was not easy for Henry VIII to get a cat.After half a year, there are really only three or two kittens.

Of course, the meeting with the "secret chief" will not be in public. Henry VIII now needs to go to the front hall.

When he saw Matthew, he was admiring a painting in his room.

See this familiar back, felt hat and woolen coat.Henry VIII couldn't help showing a smile.

"This is the painting I am most satisfied with. What do you think?"

Matthew: "This expression is wrong, the painting is still so dull."

Henry VIII smiled and said, "That's right, I think so too, but the me in this painting seems to be..."

He couldn't find the words.

Matthew: "In motion?"

Henry VIII pointed his finger: "That's right, look at the hem of the clothes, it seems to be flying with the wind, and the cloak seems to be blowing in the wind. This Smith long sword seems to be about to stab the enemy... just a little Weird, but pretty good."

Matthew put his hands behind his back and stood on tiptoe: "It's not that it's weird, but people don't look calm and have dull eyes when they're in motion. It should be sharp eyes, even murderous. Maybe they're a little ferocious."

Henry VIII was not happy: "Murderous?... hideous?"

Matthew chuckled: "...ah no, it should be righteousness and righteousness."

Henry VIII was satisfied: "That's about the same. Speaking of... this artist,... I was really surprised this time. If the expression can be better, I think I should give him a little more salary."

Matthew: "This time, I actually have something to do..."

Henry VIII turned and walked towards his desk: "My trustworthy Baron, you are not going back to Plymouth, are you?"

Matthew went to the chair and sat down: "My king, what I mentioned to you last time...Greenwich Town, what do you think of this idea?"

Henry VIII smiled and said, "Of course I agree..."

Matthew was overjoyed.

"But you have to pay first."

Matthew was stunned: "...Watt?"

"No, no, my king, shouldn't you make some investments? How can you collect money in reverse?"

Henry VIII wondered: "Why should I invest? Liberty City has to pay."

Free cities appeared in England very early, with a history of hundreds of years.The Tudors turned the lord's free city into a "local unit".Because most of the lords received lunch boxes.

Matthew thought about it, and decided to persuade England's number one donor to pay from another angle.

"My king, because the traditional free city is actually a variant of the feudal lord, and I am different from them."

Henry VIII blew up when he heard it: "What are you talking about? Lord?"

Henry and his son were all about strengthening the centralization of power, and they were naturally distrustful of lords who had no loyalty at all.Hearing the lord is a conditioned reflex.

There are only some militias in the autonomous free city to maintain law and order. From a military point of view, there seems to be no possibility of rebellion.Unfortunately, the characteristic of the city is that it will naturally gather wealth.The local representatives of the city filled the parliament.Wealth can even be bought to buy force. In the end, the king had no power to restrain the chicken and was decapitated.

It is not absolute that if there is a knife, there is gold. This is actually an assumption-you have a knife.In fact...you can have a knife only if you have gold.Even if you are a robber, you need to earn a few shillings to buy one.This is the era of cold weapons where mercenaries are popular.

Matthew: "The city charter you bestowed, granting them a series of privileges, is actually a feudal contract. There is no essential difference from the lords."

"The lord's territory, the wealth that can be produced depends on the size of the territory. The city's territory..."

Hearing this, Henry VIII couldn't help saying: "It's only a few miles at most..."

Matthew said seriously: "No, the wealth of a city depends on the scope of trade, so the upper limit can be regarded as infinite. It has nothing to do with land."

Henry VIII was taken aback: "Infinite?"

Matthew gave an example casually: "As far as I know, pepper is produced in the far east. The wealth produced by the land is not comparable to this."

Henry VIII fainted.He never looked at the Borough in that light.

Henry VIII was stunned for a moment: "What's the difference between the Liberty City you mentioned and theirs?"

Matthew: "It is the people of England who create wealth. So cities should belong to England, not the so-called local councils created by businessmen. Cities should not be self-governing, and officials should not go through so-called elections, but be appointed by the king. Only in this way can Guarantee that the city belongs to the country, not to local tyrants."

Henry VIII's eyes widened in surprise: "Am I to appoint? Like a governor?"

Matthew: "It's similar, but it doesn't have as much power as the governor, it's just a mayor."

Henry VIII felt that this guy had lost his head?He had a strange expression: "... What good do you have?"

Matthew laughed: "In addition to customs taxes, this city can implement low tax rates. Most importantly, the land is now mine."

Henry VIII chuckled: "Since I appointed the mayor, why should I implement a low tax rate? And why should I offend those people in London?"

Matthew: "Because you have to have more money than them. If you want to do this, you must control the trade channels. Customs taxes seem to be easy and safe, but the royal family has to bear the cost of running the country. The more you If you want to make a difference, you will have less money."

Henry VIII: "... let the cities govern themselves, so that expenses may be left over."

Matthew: "...It's really easy to separate the seals."

Henry VIII was silent.He is not stupid, he saw through Matthew's plan to take over London and make profits at a glance.However, it is a great advantage that the power of the city belongs to the king.He can completely achieve "royal power to the countryside".

Matthew's self-governing free city is actually the view of the feudal system, not his invention.It is the view of some researchers hundreds of years later.He just happened to see it.It is just right to use it to fool Henry VIII.

The effect was remarkable. It took only a few minutes for Henry VIII to agree to Matthew's proposal to establish Greenwich Town.

However, the specific terms need to be carefully studied. Henry VIII decided to go into battle in person, and then find some royal family officials for advice.These people are attached to the king and obviously will not stand on the side of the merchants.

Matthew doesn't care, no matter how you research, that piece of land is mine now.What he wanted was to bypass those vampires in London and do inland sales in the most densely populated and richest areas of England.Without this layer of exploitation, it would be a big profit no matter what.

Not violating the royal power is one of his principles.

This is the door of the king's house.The nearest place is only two kilometers away from the palace.Without the support of the king, what a fart.

Henry VIII hesitated for a moment: "Should I cancel the autonomous city? This may lead to chaos and even violent resistance."

Matthew: "No, this is stabbing yourself with a knife. As you said, they are still loyal..."

Henry VIII thought, hell, why does this guy have a bunch of unexpected insights every time.Does it sound reasonable?Fortunately, a royalist.

Matthew: "Have you heard of boiling frogs in warm water? This kind of thing can only be done slowly."

Unexpectedly, Henry VIII said: "Do you want to raise your title? Then become a governor?"

Matthew: "..."

(End of this chapter)