Chapter 304 235. John“s Rantings.
***
At the same time, Quill and Taylor were in John’s office as Quill spoke first, "Milord, we need to make some changes in tax benefits to soldiers as we detected a Technical loophole which will give us problems in the long run and people may question our army in future if these policies are misused by certain black sheep or ignorants."
John nodded as he was going through the reports on the movements of troops at the borders, "Speak, no need to worry, I won’t be offended if I have to pass a decree and change some things even if it is related to our army. I am not someone who cares a lot about face in front of long-term consequences."
Taylor sighed as he came forward and spoke, "Milord, according to the recent parliamentary bill, retired Army servicemen would be getting an extra 3% tax benefit for life which includes businesses operated by them but there are various loopholes, many merchant families who have those retired veterans will certainly change the shareholding pattern of their business to directly take that 3% tax benefit. I suggest that Soldiers be given an extra 4% tax benefit only on new businesses or personal Income tax if they engage in services for a period of 15 years. As for other benefits, we can provide free transportation in public services like the Train after it is popularized or free funding from the state to them and their children when it comes to higher studies and research. I would like you to veto this bill citing technical loopholes meanwhile I will introduce a new bill consulting Quill to make it loophole-free and also satisfy the veterans. And I am sure this 4% extra Tax benefit will certainly satisfy veterans as opposed to the previous 3%."
John too nodded as he understood after looking at the bill and vetoed the bill with his stamp, "Okay, there should be no problem. a loss of face is always better in the view of long term interests. As for transportation, it would be all the state-funded transport services. I plan to bring in many other transportation services over the years so it would be better to word it that way. Tell Glenn that they should tone down this matter and sensationalize it when they get this news so that Parliament doesn’t get agitated unnecessarily, Just tell them that there are some technical modifications. Those big media house bitches on earth sensationalized every bit of news for more Trp and exposure of their agenda which ruined their reputation and irritated the common citizens who understood the truth much later."
Quill was quite confused as he spoke, "Earth? Big Media house bitches? Trp? what are these terms, Milord? The only I was able to understand was big media houses. As far as I am concerned only the Imperial Institute of Aelius and Sky times are the Biggest Media houses in this region."
John thought as he subconsciously ranted against media of his previous life, ’I almost exposed myself because of the ranting.’
John came back to his senses and spoke calmly, "Ignore my last line. You won’t understand it. I am just ranting. Just follow my previous orders. Meanwhile, Any news on Aelius."
Quill nodded as he submitted a report and spoke, "Lord Plato and Lord Joel have just arrived in the north-frontier city while they confronted Second Prince Bidder but nothing big happened and it was in control. According to the report of Ghosts, Lord Plato has reorganized their Dragon Knight squad before coming here and 2 of the Dragon Knights have been deployed at the Sky-Aelius-Bluesea Trijunction for patrolling while 4 Dragon Knights at the borders of Baron Mendez’s domain. For the same reason, I have agreed to let Marsh keep 1/10th to 3/10th of the southern army at the borders of Baron Mendez, some of our army personnel are in civilian clothes as requested by Baron Mendez to deceive Aelius and know their intentions. In short, he wants us to act as his eyes and ears. In return, Baron Mendez has agreed to provide tax benefits at his borders for our traders. Currently, 30 squads of the artillery regiment are over there and 20 squads of Infantry Riflemen are placed at strategic roads, hills and chokepoints. Each squad has 15 men each and currently, re-organization is being carried out by Chief of Staff, Grand Marshal, Lord Arlen. The small army at Dolores is being headed by Devil commander, Orlan on the recommendation of General Marsh as well as on the recommendation of the Teachers at National Defense Academy for the reason that he had best grades and he had most keen strategic and military mind when it came to using the geography, local, political and economic weakness of the enemy when in a war."
John nodded and spoke, "It looks like we need to be careful of those Dragon Knights in the future after these border countries create Rifles and other explosives. I hope the Ghosts can gain more information on their Dragon Knights of Aelius and Demon Dragon Hunters of Fire-abyss Kingdom. We should at least know the number of Dragons in their arsenal, their total flight time in one sortie, their total power and destruction capacity if possible and also their weaknesses. Ghosts should approach the Dragon Knight riders to get such info from them. The Ghost can try anything like Honeytrapping the Dragon Knights, Bribing, Bootlicking them or even try to get a position in their office. Our Ghost Businessmen in the name of getting a recommendation from them in local businesses and administration can also gain information from them subconsciously. Tell the Ghosts that should try to approach the ones that like to boast a lot as the ones who boast have loose mouths. We can at least get an idea of their actual aerial firepower. Anyway, let us go and invite our guests personally at the Purple Palace. The Official matters can wait for a while."
Quill and Taylor both noted down the details on approaching the Dragon Knights and Demon Dragon Hunters.
Quill sighed as he spoke with courage before leaving, "Milord, we need to postpone the announcement of Demonic agricultural accessories as this will create quite a panic among many countries. Master Melanie and Lord Fredric is of the same opinion. It seems they didn’t about it during the meeting and only realized after going through their work later at night."
John thought for a second and understood that it will increase the slaving of Demons and might create animosity among the commoner demons against Sky.
John nodded and spoke firmly, "Postpone it. Bring the papers for my signature. This deal can be done behind closed doors. Inform the founders and shareholders of Demonic Agricultural Accessories that they should not publicize any news about Demonic Accessories. We will only announce it when Agricultural machines are produced on a large scale as this will reduce the impact of these accessories. This is quite a pandora’s box as this will embolden the Radiant Church of their long-term plan to focus the slaving on other species and gain the support of humans."
John meanwhile murmured as he left to meet Aelius, "It seems I failed to grasp the impact of Demonic Agricultural Accessories as it didn’t concern the demons of The Sky. In the future, I need to be careful and think a bit before taking decisions even on the smallest matters."