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Schools weren't uncommon, but they were mostly for the nobility, for those who could afford them. Books, knowledge—they were still symbols of class. If this king was truly doing this, he was breaking the upper class's monopoly on knowledge. It was an admirable goal.
"Economically, there's a Ministry of Finance. They're going to lower agricultural taxes and increase commercial and customs taxes. The State Council, the Secretariat, the Assembly, and the Supreme Court are all on the same level, each with its own power. The other ministries are under the State Council's authority."
'So, a true nation-state,' Issho thought, 'not just a collection of territories held by force like a Yonko's empire. Even if Jin were to die, the Winter Blossom Kingdom would continue to exist. His successor would still be a king.'
"Militarily," Hakugan continued, "a Ministry of Defense has been established, independent of the civil government, answerable only to the king. It's composed of four branches: the Navy, the Army, the Air Force, and the Reserves. And the military meritocracy is being expanded. All citizens of age are required to serve a one-year term in the reserves. The best will be promoted and can join the regular army."
"This military meritocracy... what does it entail?" Issho asked.
"I can answer that," Penguin chimed in. "It was first implemented on Drum Island. If you distinguish yourself in battle, you can be granted a title of nobility. You can also earn Merit Vouchers, get tax breaks, and even be granted land on other islands. There are five ranks of nobility: Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, and Baron, each with five levels. For example, if the kingdom goes to war and I kill ten enemies, I become a fifth-rank Baron."
"And how many do you have to kill to become a Duke?" Issho asked.
"It's not that simple," Hakugan laughed. "The higher you go, the harder it gets. Just becoming a Count is extremely difficult. At the very least, you have to command a victorious battle or reach a certain level of personal strength."
Issho nodded. The path upward was never easy. But it broke the restrictions of the old nobility. It gave everyone a chance to rise.
"And these ministers," he asked, "who are they?"
"They haven't been chosen yet," Hakugan replied. "The Speaker of the House of Lords and Commons will be elected by their respective houses. The rest will be appointed by the king. The first half of next year will be a probationary period, to determine who is worthy. You can even recommend yourself, if you have the ability, and be evaluated by the king."
Issho fell into thought.
No wonder it was causing such a stir.
Jin had announced the reforms, then left the highest positions vacant, telling everyone that the most capable would be chosen. The current mayors and other officials... who among them wouldn't be vying for a position? They would all be eager to implement the reforms.
And the public's attention had shifted from the reforms themselves to who would be chosen as the new ministers.
Who didn't want to make a name for themselves?
It was a brilliant move, a way to consolidate power, to extend his reach down to the village level.
'He really is impressive,' Issho thought. And more importantly, Jin was actually governing. He was putting most other kings to shame.
"Hey! You've got to see this! A delegation from the Ryugu Kingdom on Fish-Man Island is here!"
"What?"
"I heard the famous mermaid singer, Maria Napole, is here for the king's New Year's Eve party!"
"Really?"
"You didn't know? There's going to be a big concert at the music hall on the last day of the year. It's going to be broadcast live. A lot of famous artists have been invited."
The excitement outside was growing.
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Sea Calendar Year 1519.
The final month.
Five days remaining.
A delegation from the Ryugu Kingdom, escorted by the Sun Pirates, had arrived at the port of Hannabal. The city's residents had all flocked to the docks to watch.
Issho, along with Penguin, Hakugan, Shachi, and Bepo, also went to a nearby spot to "watch" with his Observation Haki.
In the reception area, which was cordoned off by security, Uta was excitedly standing on her tiptoes. "Is it really her?"
"Looks like it," Jin said, his eyes narrowing. Beside him were Mayor Enru, Gordon, and the others.
He had only been back from the New World for a couple of days when Jinbe had found him again.
King Neptune wished to establish friendly relations with the Winter Blossom Kingdom, to begin to mend the rift between humans and Fish-Men. He had also sent a number of specialties from Fish-Man Island, like pearls and coral, which were common there but were luxuries on the surface.
Jin suspected that the battle at G-5 had spooked them.
He had thought it over and had decided to invite a delegation from the Ryugu Kingdom to the New Year's Eve party, to pave the way for future diplomatic relations.
He hadn't just invited the Ryugu Kingdom. He had also sent invitations to Alabasta, Kilauea, and several other neighboring countries.
The party was ostensibly for entertainment, but it was really a way to showcase the "soft power" of the Winter Blossom Kingdom, both internally and externally.
Don't underestimate "culture."
With Jin at the helm, the Winter Blossom Kingdom was the hegemon of Paradise. Its culture would inevitably influence the entire region, winning him the "hearts and minds" of the people.
And when the time was right, the Winter Blossom Kingdom, with its sound system of government, would be held up as a "beacon" in the pirate world.
The definition of a free and democratic nation would be his to write.
Two three-masted sloops docked, one belonging to the Sun Pirates, the other the Ryugu Kingdom's royal ship, the Mermaid.
Jinbe was the first to disembark, followed by the first mate, Aladdin, the first prince, Fukaboshi, and two mermaids. One was the singer, Maria Napole, the other the proprietress of the Mermaid Café, Madame Shyarly.
Fukaboshi and Shyarly were in special bubbles that allowed them to move on land for a short period of time. The other Fish-Men remained on the ship. It was their first contact, and they were worried about any potential incidents.
"Wow! Are those real mermaids? They're so beautiful!"
"Just like in the stories!"
"The Fish-Men... they look so... fierce. Are they the same race?"
Jinbe approached Jin, bowed, and then stepped aside. Prince Fukaboshi was the official envoy.
"Prince Fukaboshi of the Ryugu Kingdom, at your service, King Jin!" the prince said, bowing deeply, his posture one of profound respect.
Behind him, Aladdin, Napole, and Shyarly also bowed.
"There's no need for such formalities," Jin said. "I've already arranged for your accommodations. You've had a long journey. Please, rest for a while."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Fukaboshi said. "We are at your disposal."
"Mayor Enru," Jin said with a smile, "please see to our guests."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Enru nodded, stepping forward to speak with the prince and Jinbe.
Jin glanced at Madame Shyarly, who had been staring at him. She quickly averted her gaze.
He remembered her. She was Arlong's sister, wasn't she? And a fortune-teller, with the ability to see the future.
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