Bulgarian Empire

Chapter 19: Raising Taxes

"Well, Your Highness, educators have to eat too! Have you noticed that Bulgaria has not been adequately funded for education since independence? Basically, the funding has been in arrears for each government, and some time ago, you happened to pay back the unpaid salaries."

Ferdinand exclaimed, "What a revelation! It is fitting that they have put their notice on my head."

"However, they are just what I want. It is not easy for the university to get involved, and now that I am the nominal rector, it is not as easy to interfere."

Ferdinand, who had figured out the reason, naturally would not continue to refuse. However, Ferdinand also knows that he is only a titular rector. It is impossible to devote all his energy to the university. He should leave the usual management of the university to others.

"Karl, call Chekhov back and tell him I said yes." Ferdinand said with a smile.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Karl said and went out the door.

In a few moments, Chekhov walked in to greet Ferdinand.

"Well, for God's sake, I agreed to do the rector post. However, with the rest of the faculty, it will be left to your Ministry of Education. In addition, doing a good job of enrolling students in the second half of the year!" Ferdinand said in a serious tone.

"Yes, Your Highness, we in the Ministry of Education will do our absolute best, by God I can swear!" Chekhov assured him.

Ferdinand nodded in content and said with a smile, "Well, tell us about your plans?"

Chekhov pondered a little and said, " You know, Your Highness, that Bulgaria is establishing a university for the first time and lacks of the related expertise. Our Ministry of Education plans to hire talents in running the university from the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires. It same as well as some teachers!"

Ferdinand pondered for a moment, thinking: "It seems that the Liberals have a good impression of the Central! Russia's education itself is not good, so it's normal to ignore it. It's not good that Britain and France didn't mention it either!"

So in mind, Ferdinand is not to say it directly, which is not politically correct.

"Report your plans to me as soon as possible. That include as the faculties of the University of Bulgaria, the major divisions and the number of students enrolled, all together!" Ferdinand looked at Chekhov and said.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Chekhov said firmly.

"Well, go and get to work!" Ferdinand said as he looked at the glowing Chekhov.

"Yes," Chekhov said and left the palace.

On the other hand, the Sofia government building was now abuzz with noise. Stambolov shook his head helplessly and slapped the table hard.

He said, "For God's sake, stop arguing, all of you! It's all because of the damn money, you can't turn it out even if you argue!"

Seeing the crowd quieted down, Stambolov continued, "Bulgaria's financial situation, you all know. If we do nothing, we can balance the budget, but is that possible?"

"If we're not going to do anything, what do we need us now? Instead of fighting over the budget here, you guys should be thinking about how to get the money!"

"Let's think about it and take out a loan from a foreign bank!" Minister of Industry Wilson suggested.

"No, the bankers are not charities. They will definitely take advantage of the fire and pay a big price for fear. Besides, with such a big funding gap, what will we take as mortgage?" Minister of Economy Mihail objected.

"Then raise taxes!" Minister of Interior Ionas proposed.

"It will never work! The economy at home is in the crapper and the capitalists are having a hard time!" Stambolov objected.

He knows very well that the capitalists support the Liberal Party to come to power, so raising taxes on them now will be self-sabotage!

"Your Excellency, I also know that the capitalists are having a hard time. I mean that the peasants can be taxed!" Ionas explained it.

"This~" The crowd fell into silence, and no one objected directly.

After a few moments of time, Stambolov said, "Why don't we call a ministerial meeting and discuss it!"

"Yes!" The crowd said in unison.

Everyone knows that raising taxes is not a good thing to do and being scolded is certain. The peasant class is not much in terms of influence, but the feudal landlords, although weak, are not soft.

The bottom indeed decides the head. When facing the financial crisis, as in history, the knife is still cut to the peasants.

Historically, Bulgaria has increased the burden on the peasants in order to develop the industry. Land annexation intensified, and many peasants went bankrupt and lost their land, forcing them to go to the cities to make a living.

Naturally, wives and children were left behind, and blood and tears were spilled all over Bulgaria. Although a large number of laborers moved into the city has promoted the development of the industry. However, the new working class has not benefited from it. They work up to 14-16 hours a day but get less than half of the salary.

It also provided the basis for the development of communism. The last defeat of the World Wars fuelled civil conflicts and gave rise to the proletarian revolution.

Ferdinand, who knew the causes and consequences, naturally had to think twice before acting. Although he urgently needs to develop the industry, Ferdinand is still worried about the butterfly effect because it triggers bad results and finally decided to have a limited intervention.

The cabinet submitted a bill to raise taxes which Ferdinand directly vetoed. He had already made up his mind that no matter what, he could not bankrupt a large number of farmers as in history.

"Your Highness, now that the government is in financial crisis, we have to resort to this measure!" Stambolov said unhappily.

"I know! But for God's sake, I can't agree to it! You know, the moment this bill passes, it means thousands of families will go bankrupt, their wives will be torn apart, and the cries will drown the whole of Bulgaria!" Ferdinand said with dignity.

"No, Your Highness. It's not as bad as you think. The peasants' lives will be a little bitter in the following days, but they have to be sacrificed for the development of Bulgaria. Besides they can still go to work as workers, it won't be as bad as you say!" Stambolov growled.

Ferdinand said with a sneer, "Really? Please don't take me for a fool! If we go by the new tax law you have made, the next thing will be a lot of land mergers and a lot of farmers going bankrupt. Don't tell me Bulgaria can provide so many jobs?"

"By then a large number of farmers will have lost their livelihoods. By then the capitalists can still continue to cut wages and make workers work overtime with impunity, right, Stambolov, my Prime Minister?"

"Remember you are the prime minister of Bulgaria, not the capitalist one! A competent government must take into account the interests of the majority of the people, or we will face an endless stream of enemies. Bunch of people who are dying of hunger will demand justice from you with their lives!"

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