Chapter 65: Marcus’s Reforms

Chapter 65: Marcus’s Reforms

Chapter 65. Marcus’s Reforms >

“The first thing we need to do is to reform the tax system.”

The senators, who had been listening calmly to his explanation, jumped up.

“Tax reform?!”

“That’s too sensitive a matter, even for you!”

“I know. That’s why I suggest we try it out for a year as a pilot project. First of all, we have to abolish the special tax that is levied on the provincials, and strictly enforce the legal tax rate.

We also have to lower the tax rate for items that are too high, to reduce the resistance of the citizens. We have to revise the law so that we can check the excessive abuses of the tax collectors from the governor’s level. In other words, we have to focus on operating the system transparently, rather than simply collecting more money.”

The biggest cause of tax evasion was ultimately the resistance to taxes.

The high tax rate and the opaque tax system were the main culprits that increased this resistance to an extreme degree.

However, the senior senators who believed that increasing taxes was beneficial for Rome showed a sour reaction.

Especially those veterans who had been governors of provinces frowned openly.

“I understand your intention, but things don’t always go as you wish in this world. That’s a common mistake young people make. Fair and transparent system operation is good, but what’s more important is securing revenue.”

“I fully agree with your opinion. The most important thing is securing stable revenue. That’s why I’m making this proposal.”

Lucullus raised his eyebrows and retorted.

“Are you saying that more taxes will be collected if we do as you say? Even though you lowered the tax rate?”

“Absolutely. The current provincial tax rate in Rome is not high at all, but it changes when special taxes are included.

On top of that, due to the abuses of the tax collectors, the actual tax rate is much higher than it should be in many cases. So naturally, the provincials try every possible way to avoid paying taxes. As a result, the reality is that we don’t even get as much taxes as we should.”

Marcus handed over a detailed report on the tax situation to Lucullus himself.

Lucullus and other veterans sneered as they read down the report.

Marcus’s words were not wrong at all.

In fact, most places paid less than they should have.

“Really.”

“Yes. That’s why I think we need a system improvement that reduces the resistance of taxpayers as much as possible. If revenue increases, it will also be easier to implement various policies to prevent the downfall of self-employed farmers, who are the backbone of Rome.”

“But that’s based on the assumption that revenue will increase. What if we do as you say and next year’s revenue decreases? How are you going to deal with that? Even if we restore the system to its original state, who can compensate for the cost and loss incurred in the meantime?”

“I’ll compensate for it.”

Marcus answered nonchalantly.

The square became silent as if a mouse had died.

Lucullus stuttered and asked again.

“You, you’ll compensate? How?”

“If revenue decreases compared to this year, I’ll fill in twice the difference in the treasury. I believe that would be enough compensation for the loss.”

“Heh... Are you so confident about that?”

Lucullus glanced at Crassus behind Marcus.

There was no sign of movement on his face, whether it was something they had already discussed or not.

Lucullus and other veterans also closed their mouths as if they had never opposed it.

What more could they say when he said he would fill in with his own money if taxes were collected more or less?

Considering Crassus’s wealth, he could easily compensate even if revenue was halved.Yôur favorite novels at n/o(v)el/bin(.)com

If revenue actually increased, they could continue like that, and if not, they could go back to how it was before.

The less taxes were collected, the more Marcus would have to pay, so there was no loss for the Senate.

Above all, if they lowered the actual tax rate and revenue increased, they could please the citizens while also achieving their goals.

There was no reason not to try it once.

Of course, Marcus was confident that revenue would increase.

The reason was simple.

Especially, Marcus praised the Senate for leading Rome until now.

He also did not forget to mention the contribution of the citizens who supported them.

It was an effective speech that won the favor of both classes.

The applause and cheers that shook the square lasted for several minutes.

Some of the elders came up to the podium and praised Marcus’s composure and thanked him for his hard work.

The senators who had no idea of Marcus’s true intentions soon gathered together and started a meeting.

The tribunes were sweating to calm down the citizens who shouted to legislate the reform bill right away.

Surprisingly, it didn’t take long for a conclusion to come out.

Consul Silanus went up to the podium and raised Marcus’s hand with a bang and shouted.

“Considering the aspirations of the citizens, we will implement the reform bill as soon as possible!”

“Wow!”

“Long live the Senate! Long live Silanus!”

The citizens stomped their feet and cheered.

They couldn’t believe that the conservative and stingy Senate made a decision so quickly.

Silanus said that the Senate was always on the side of the citizens and would prove it with their actions in the future.

Some of the citizens who hated the Senate felt ashamed for a moment.

The Senate thought that the citizens were nothing but a nuisance and that they only cared about gaining power.

The citizens began to accept that the execution of Catiline was an inevitable thing.

It was all according to the Senate’s plan.

The reason why they accepted the reform so easily was because there was some kind of agreement behind the scenes.

Everyone agreed that there was no time more urgent than now for reform.

The first and second reasons were as mentioned before: the social consensus and the improved financial situation. But the most important thing was the third reason.

The day before the assembly, Cicero and Crassus, who had received Marcus’s request, fanned the sense of crisis among the senators.

They had a very good opportunity.

It was the existence of Pompey, who had finished reorganizing his province and was preparing to return.

“If Pompey returns, we will inevitably have to make a choice. Whether to submit to the shining war hero and let him lead the political situation, or to curb Pompey’s arrogance. We don’t have much time left to choose.”

Cicero was personally close to Pompey, but protecting the order of the republic was a more important issue than that.

The other senators’ thoughts were not much different.

Their mood sank as they thought of Pompey, who was returning with great military achievements.

Pompey’s existence was a tremendous pressure on the current Senate.

If he decided to rule Rome as he pleased, how could the Senate stop him?

The senators’ faces darkened at the thought of what might happen.

Crassus came up with a clever idea here.

“We have shown enough authority and power by executing Catiline. But Pompey has not only authority and power, but also the full support of the people. We need to win the support of the people in order to confront him.”

“How can we get their support? The citizens are almost afraid of us now.”

“It’s a simple matter if we settle Catiline’s problem and pass the reform bill. Then the citizens will forget about Catiline’s rebellion and praise the name of the Senate. That’s how crowds are.”

“Well, passing the reform at this time might distract the citizens’ attention from Pompey.”

“Yes. So I hope you attend tomorrow’s assembly with an open mind. If you hear any useful opinions, act as if you accept them actively. I’ve reviewed them and there’s nothing unreasonable, so don’t worry.”

Having raised their sense of crisis and expectation appropriately, it was only natural that Marcus’s proposal would be accepted.

But the Senate was not just sitting back and feeling proud of their achievements.

They received a report that Pompey’s army had left the east and started to return, as Crassus and Cicero had warned.

The wind that shook the era had not stopped yet.

Whether it would turn into a fiercer storm or end as a gentle breeze depended on what choice Pompey and the Senate made.

< End of Chapter 65. Marcus’s Reform >