Your Emperor is Back!

Inside the Budapest Royal Palace, numerous professionals, led by Finance Minister Ernest, who were primarily responsible for tax reform, were receiving instructions from Laszlo one by one.

Under Laszlo's leadership, the reorganized financial institutions of the Kingdom of Hungary had established a well-functioning tax system within the royal domains.

The Royal Financial Committee, led by Finance Minister Ernest, personally appointed by Laszlo, was fully responsible for tax reform affairs.

This committee oversaw four major institutions: the Royal Treasury, the Tax Administration, the Mining Administration, and the Customs Administration.

Ernest served as the Grand Treasurer of the Royal Treasury, acting as the central financial institution managing the nation's financial income and expenditures.

Laszlo specifically assigned him dozens of professional accountants from Florence and Venice to serve as financial secretaries.

These individuals were responsible for handling his complex paperwork, introducing advanced double-entry bookkeeping into the Kingdom's financial system.

Additionally, some royal bailiffs trusted by Laszlo were appointed as Royal Auditors, responsible for overseeing local tax collection.

Local officials in all counties were required to submit financial reports to this committee quarterly.

Locally, tax officials directly appointed by the King were subordinate to the Tax Administration, responsible for collecting various taxes in each county and city.

A large number of lower-ranking nobles and wealthy citizens loyal to the Emperor were appointed as tax officials of the Kingdom, assigned to over sixty counties in the Kingdom of Hungary to carry out tax collection.

The Mining Administration was primarily established in important mining towns such as Kremnica, Pressburg, and Turda.

The basis for establishing this institution was not Laszlo's forcefully implemented new golden bull, but rather the golden bull of 1222.

That golden bull explicitly recognized the King's ownership of underground mineral resources.

Laszlo used this as a basis to implement new mining laws.

Royal mining officials were responsible for collecting mining taxes, allocating one-third of all mining output to the Royal Treasury.

This was a lucrative position, obtainable only by those deeply trusted by the Emperor.

Among them, for some mines directly managed by the Royal Family—primarily gold, silver, and salt mines—Laszlo boldly employed more professional German officials.

Production was increased by employing German miners and introducing advanced mining techniques.

This caused some controversy within Hungary, but now few dared to criticize the King's German heritage, so it did not cause any public outcry.

Regarding the sale of salt mines, Laszlo established salt warehouses in several towns near the salt mines to sell salt.

Merchants needed to purchase salt-selling permits from the Royal Family before they could participate in the transportation and sale of salt.

More importantly, export trade was handled by royal merchants recruited by Laszlo, primarily exporting to Poland, with profits typically multiplying several times over.

After all, the only large salt mine in Poland was said to be the dowry of a Hungarian princess many years ago.

The salt export trade with Poland not only involved economic interests but also held significant political and strategic value.

The last local institution was the Customs Administration, responsible for establishing customs stations at major ports across the country to collect transit duties on goods.

These customs stations were primarily located along the Danube River and major trade routes.

Trade hubs such as Pressburg, Budapest, and Timisoara all had customs stations, managed by customs superintendents.

Tax collection checkpoints were usually located in military garrisons, so customs superintendents needed to maintain close cooperation with the army.

Incidentally, Pressburg had become the new garrison for the Saxon Army.

Their presence in Hungary, besides intimidating the minor nobles of the Kingdom of Hungary for Laszlo, also carried the mission of combating smuggling, especially between Bohemia, Austria, and Hungary.

Although they shared the same monarch, there was still a distinction between "you, me, and them."

Goods crossing the border naturally had to pay a tax to the Imperial Family, which was also one of Laszlo's important financial sources.

No matter which direction goods came from, as long as they crossed the national border, they had to pay tribute to the Emperor.

Once such a system began to operate, it would not double the Kingdom of Hungary's currently meager tax revenue, but it would certainly achieve significant growth.

After the abolition of the turkey tax, the Kingdom of Hungary's tax revenue plummeted from nearly 700,000 florins to just over 400,000.

The resulting massive deficit forced Laszlo to implement large-scale military cuts.

Now, under the new tax system, Laszlo was confident that he could raise the Kingdom of Hungary's tax revenue once again.

However, the final effect still required time to verify.

After sending off this large group of officials who managed his money, Laszlo finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of anticipation.

But he knew very well that this was not the time to relax.

Even though those nobles appeared submissive in Parliament, once they were far from Pest-Budapest, they would surely curse, or even revile, him as a "dog Emperor."

There was no doubt about this; Laszlo knew exactly what those fellows were thinking.

They were currently cowering, appearing submissive, simply because Hunyadi had only recently died.

After some time, once these people seized an opportunity, they might stir up a storm in Hungary.

Laszlo was already prepared to counter any backlash.

With official matters concluded, Laszlo turned his gaze to Matthias, who stood quietly by his side.

"Is Lady Elizabeth willing to accompany you to Austria?"

Laszlo suddenly asked.

Matthias was caught off guard by the question, looking at the Emperor with a complex expression, and after a moment of hesitation, replied, "Mother said she does not wish to leave her homeland and plans to take my cousin back to Hunyadi Castle to reside, to accompany my father and… brother."

Laszlo understood; it seemed the old lady indeed harbored resentment.

Historically, after Hunyadi Laszlo was deceived by Laszlo V and beheaded in the streets of Budapest, Lady Elizabeth swore to avenge her son.

She personally worked to gather allies, using the prestige left by her deceased husband Janos to incite the populace, and ultimately succeeded in expelling Laszlo V.

Thereafter, she conspired with her younger brother to enthrone her second son Matthias, and during Matthias's still-young reign, she stabilized the Kingdom's political situation for him.

In the Kingdom of Hungary, where female political involvement was frequent, Lady Elizabeth could certainly be considered an important figure.

However, this time, the lady would probably never have the opportunity to avenge her deceased son.

Laszlo held the moral high ground and crushed Hunyadi head-on with his strength.

Even if Elizabeth, or even her brother Szilágyi, wanted revenge, they lacked the power.

The only thing to guard against was assassination, but the life-loving Laszlo almost never put himself in danger.

If all the people who wanted to kill him now were to line up, the queue would stretch from Paris all the way to Constantinople.

If anything were to happen to him, this seemingly glorious and vast empire would immediately crumble.

At that point, it would be uncertain how many would claim to be emperors and how many kings.

Setting aside these unrealistic thoughts, Laszlo did not wish to continue discussing this somewhat heavy topic.

He steered the conversation in another direction: "What have you decided about the matter I mentioned to you earlier?"

You are now of age to marry.

Matthias was first taken aback, not quite following the Emperor's sudden shift in thought, before realizing what the Emperor was referring to.

Not long ago, Laszlo had revealed to him his intention to arrange a marriage for him.

The intended bride was Ursula, the eldest daughter of Albrecht, the Margrave of Ansbach and Imperial Marshal, also known as Achilles.

Actually, this was also a small compensation Laszlo made to Matthias out of a slight feeling of guilt.

Historically, Matthias's original wife, Catherine, was almost burned alive by Laszlo in Kuttenberg and later sent to a lifelong convent, so she naturally had no chance to marry Matthias.

Therefore, Matthias, who had only recently come of age, was still single.

Introducing him to Marshal Albrecht's daughter at this time was also to help him accumulate some political resources and accelerate his "de-Hungarianization" process.

However, Matthias seemed unwilling to accept this favor; he replied humbly, "I appreciate His Majesty's kindness.

But the Margrave of Ansbach's daughter is of noble birth, while I am a relative of a criminal.

Such a marriage might harm your reputation and could also incur Marshal Albrecht's displeasure; I ask you to consider it further."

Matthias's excuse was indeed unassailable.

Indeed, Matthias was currently just his trusted confidant, holding no truly significant position.

And the power and glory of the Hunyadi Family had long since faded.

Now, the "Hunyadi" golden signboard was like something thrown into a mud pit, to be trampled by anyone who passed by.

Matthias, who chose to be transferred to Austria, was even considered a traitor by the Hungarian nobles and even his own relatives.

To restore the glory of the Hunyadi Family in another country was almost an impossible task.

Moreover, the Margrave of Ansbach, who hailed from the Hohenzollern, probably only thought of marrying into the imperial family.

Just a few years ago, he married his second wife, Laszlo's cousin, Anna of Saxony.

Marshal Albrecht, who had repeatedly served as Laszlo's henchman, certainly wanted to deepen his connection with the Emperor, not to have his daughter marry a Hungarian.

Forcibly arranging this marriage might indeed cause displeasure to the Marshal.

"All right, let's not bring this up again."

Laszlo did not persist either; given Matthias's status, he wouldn't have trouble finding a suitable marriage partner, but it ultimately depended on his own wishes.

"Hungary and a series of matters in the East are temporarily concluded; next, it's time to return to the Empire."

"You seem to be in low spirits?"

Matthias saw Laszlo's downcast eyes and was curious why the Emperor showed no joy at the prospect of returning to the much-missed Vienna.

Laszlo leaned back on the throne, closing his eyes wearily, his mind filled with the noisy scenes from the Hungarian Parliament.

"Endless struggles, unending journeys, it truly drains one."

Having just dealt with the Hungarian nobles, Laszlo found that he had to face the multitude of Imperial Princes again.

Although, to those people, he, the Emperor, was the true scourge.

However, constantly fighting with powerful figures from all over the European continent, even he, with his abundant energy, sometimes felt weary.

"You are tired, Your Majesty."

"Yes, but it's not time to rest yet."

Thinking of the unyielding "City of the World's Desire" in the distant East, and the Imperial Princes already trembling under his might, his fighting spirit was rekindled.

Early the next morning, after bidding farewell to the Hungarian regency court, the Emperor's mobile court, escorted by the Imperial Guard and the Austro-Hungarian Army, set off for Vienna.

Soon, this massive entourage returned to Vienna, and the Emperor and Empress's return was enthusiastically welcomed by the people of Vienna.

People had heard that the Emperor had quelled a large-scale rebellion in Hungary.

Although this matter had little to do with them, it did not prevent bards from using it to praise the Emperor's illustrious military achievements.

During Laszlo's long period of travel, Austria flourished.

Especially the Northern Italy territories, after several years of recuperation, had largely restored their former prosperity and began providing a large amount of tax revenue to Austria.

After a preliminary understanding of the general situation in the country, Laszlo concluded his first Privy Council meeting since returning.

However, several ministers did not leave; instead, they followed the Emperor out of the meeting hall and into the grand hall of the Hofburg Palace.

Laszlo gave a few instructions, and soon, an attendant led several guests before him.

Most of the old acquaintances were here.

The triumphant Archbishop Adolf, the Archbishop of Trier, the Count of Württemberg and his son, the Count of Nassau, and the Independent Army commander Gunter.

There was also a thin, haggard middle-aged man.

If Laszlo hadn't already seen the Elector Palatine, who was under house arrest in the palace, Laszlo would have probably mistaken him.

This was probably the Margrave of Baden, who had been imprisoned by the Elector Palatine for over a year after being captured in Seckenheim.

It seemed he had indeed suffered a lot, but at this moment, his face was beaming with the joy of harvest.

He had finally endured to the end; not only did he not have to pay a single florin to the Elector Palatine, but he now also gained the right to sit at the table and divide the spoils.

"Gentlemen, it's a pleasure to see you," Laszlo said with a gentle smile, "We finally reclaimed Mainz from the rebels, and it was all worth it."

Everyone nodded, deeply agreeing with the Emperor's words.

This cursed war had lasted two years, and some of those present had almost lost their lives.

Now, the hard times were finally over.

The Elector Palatine, and his disinherited nephew, were now all in their hands.

This time, if Palatinate wasn't carved up significantly, everyone present would be called great philanthropists by the Imperial Princes.

However, whether and how Palatinate's territory would be divided ultimately depended on the Emperor and the Archbishop of Mainz.

As for the two Baden brothers, namely the Archbishop of Trier and the Margrave of Baden, their contributions to the war were not significant, so their say was naturally less.

The Count of Nassau was in a similar situation.

However, as the brother of Archbishop Adolf, he believed he would certainly receive a good share in the end.

Although the Count of Württemberg was fickle, he ultimately provided assistance and could also get a share of the spoils.

The most unfortunate was the youngest of the Baden brothers, Bishop George of Metz.

After his capture, he was first severely beaten and then paid a large sum of money to the Elector Palatine.

Because he broke his alliance and withdrew from the war midway, he was scolded by the Emperor upon his return.

Now that the war was won, his figure was nowhere to be seen at the table for dividing the spoils.

Different choices led to different fates.

The princes present all cast eager gazes at Laszlo, much like a group of hungry children, looking expectantly at their parent, waiting for him to announce that dinner was served.