The so-called nobles were, of course, only relative to the commoners.
On Earth, the obvious class division had long been eliminated, but in Sines, which was still a semi-feudal and semi-slave society, there was still an extremely clear and obvious class division.
At the very top were the nobles.
Slaves had no human rights and could even be killed at will. Compared to the commoners, the nobles not only enjoyed respect on the surface, but also enjoyed a higher status. To be more specific, they enjoyed many privileges.
For example, the nobles could be an official, the nobles could be exempted from part of the business tax, the nobles could own private carriages, the nobles could not kneel in front of His Majesty the King, the nobles could …
In short, there were a lot of privileges that only the nobles could enjoy. There was a clear division between the nobles and the commoners, making it so that the nobles were naturally a level higher than the commoners. In terms of status, they could completely look down on the commoners.
Although the nobles had a stricter class division, compared to the commoners, it was a completely different world. Therefore, no matter who it was, once they obtained the status of nobles, they would do everything possible to raise their status as nobles. At the very least, they would try their best to keep their status as nobles. Only then would they be able to keep their privileges as nobles.
In the history of Sines, there had always been nobles who violated certain taboos and were forcibly stripped of their status as nobles. There had never been a single noble who would voluntarily give up their status as nobles.
It was probably only in those fantasy romance novels that young girls loved to read that the male protagonists of nobles would be willing to give up their status as nobles and go against the wishes of their families to be together with the commoner girl that they fell in love with.
In reality, if a noble did this, even the young girls who loved to read such novels would definitely scold that noble for being an idiot.
Even if it was the dream of a noble, it was still the dream of almost every commoner girl. But if the noble lost his status as a noble, what was the point of this dream?
Therefore, no matter how one looked at it, it was impossible for a noble to voluntarily give up his status as a noble because it meant that he would be giving up on the privileges and benefits that came with being a noble.
Unless this person was an idiot.
But … was Xu Yi an idiot?
As the New Flyer's chairman, he had single-handedly created the New Flyer and developed the New Flyer into a first class company in the Lampari Kingdom in less than four years. Moreover, he had single-handedly created and perfected the magic machine industry, affecting the entire Banta City. He had turned the small and remote Banta City into the economic center of the kingdom. For a person with this kind of ability, who would dare call him an idiot?
However, Xu Yi did something that everyone thought was very stupid.
He actually took the initiative to propose to the Kingdom's Noble Parliament, voluntarily giving up his noble status!
This news came from the « Banta Times » and was confirmed by the « Lampuri Weekly », causing everyone to be stunned.
No one would think that Xu Yi was an idiot, but no one could understand why he would voluntarily give up his identity as a noble. So … why?
Why would he do that?
"I've said it a long time ago, I don't care about this noble status at all. It's fine if I give it up, it isn't that big of a deal." Xu Yi replied with a faint smile.
Seveni looked at Xu Yi for a while as her eyes filled with doubt.
"I know that you don't care about your noble status, but Xu Yi, you have to admit that this noble status has brought many benefits to you and the New Flyer, right?
At least because of your status as a viscount, you can have such a large piece of land, allowing you to place most of the New Flyer's factories in your territory. This has saved a large amount of money for the New Flyer.
Could it be that you didn't tell me this before? "
"Un, it is indeed like this." Xu Yi gave a slight nod before changing the topic.
"But Seveni, have you ever thought about it? My noble status, this territory, and the benefits it brings to the company, where did it all come from?"
"Is there a need to ask?
Of course it's because of you ….. "Seveni suddenly stopped.
She suddenly thought that the reason why Xu Yi could become a rare noble from a commoner after the Lampari Kingdom was all because of Lampuri Thirteenth's recognition of him.
After that, Xu Yi went from baron to viscount, even giving him a piece of land that surpassed normal standards, while also allowing him to keep his merchant status. This was all because of Lampuri Thirteenth's recognition of him.
When Lampuri Thirteenth was still alive, of course there wasn't a problem.
However, the problem was that Lampuri Thirteenth was no longer here.
"But you don't need to give up, right?" After thinking about it, Seveni was still confused.
Seveni was still a bit confused, "Not mentioning anything else, you've lost your noble status and the Falling Rain Valley can't be considered your private territory. You won't be able to enjoy the benefits of a private territory and your New Flyer will be directly managed by Banta City, which will be a very big problem."
Seeing the worried look on Seveni's face, Xu Yi revealed a smile.
"Alright, in order to not make you worry, I'll tell you the truth. Actually, this is an agreement I made with his majesty Eric through City Lord Kamado. Un ….. it can be considered a deal."
"Deal?" Seveni slightly knit her brows.
Seveni knit her brows, "But I don't see what benefits you or New Flyer will gain from this deal."
"If it's benefits ….. If I say that our company has real free trade rights, what would you think?"
"Real free trade rights?
Specifically? "Seveni asked in a confused voice.
"To be specific, it's that our New Flyer can freely trade with other countries and we don't need to report to the kingdom's parliament or the business department.
When our company trades with other countries in the future, it will be much more convenient. "
Seveni tightly knit her brows, "Isn't this supporting your smuggling?"
Xu Yi immediately glared at her, "Hey, your highness, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't speak whatever you want.
Although we don't need to report to the business department every time, our company still needs to report to the business department every once in a while. Moreover, there isn't a single gold coin less in tariffs, so how can this be considered smuggling? "
Seveni rolled her eyes at Xu Yi, "I don't believe that you'll be honest after spending so much effort to obtain this condition."
Xu Yi laughed, "I think that his majesty Eric wouldn't believe it either, but he still agreed to my condition. Why do you think that is?"
"Of course it's because the conditions you gave him were too good." Seveni gave a deep sigh.
Seveni gave a deep sigh, "Xu Yi, I don't know what you're thinking about, but I have to warn you. If you lose your noble status, you'll lose the best method to protect you and New Flyer in the kingdom.
If ….. I'm saying if, if big brother Eric wants to do something to you or New Flyer, it will be much easier compared to before. "
Xu Yi gave a shrug, "You think that he would really have scruples with his noble status?
Don't forget, when his majesty was still here, the Royal Parliament took away my noble status. If they were to do it again, I think that they wouldn't have any psychological barriers. "
Seveni was silent for a bit before asking, "The deal between you isn't that simple. I think ….. whether it is you or Eric, you won't be willing, right?"
Xu Yi nodded with a faint smile, "Of course.
If it was just for our New Flyer to obtain free trade rights, this deal wouldn't have any meaning to me at all.
So other than giving up my status as a noble and returning my territory to the Royal Parliament, allowing the Frestech Chamber of Commerce to enter Banta City's management system, I have also reached other agreements with his majesty Eric. "
Seveni looked at Xu Yi and after thinking for a bit, she asked, "Based on your words, this part of the agreement should be related to Banta City's magic machine industry?"
"Yes.
My request to King Eric was to cancel the special tax on magic machines and treat the magic machine companies the same as the other companies of the kingdom.
At the same time, I requested the Royal Parliament to continue promoting the development of the magic machine industry, it would be best if they could maintain the preferential policies they gave Banta City before. "
"He agreed?" Seveni was a bit surprised.
"Why wouldn't he agree?" Xu Yi revealed a smile.
"I have already conveyed the message clearly through Lord Kamado.
The kingdom needs money, this is understandable, but squeezing the magic machine industry like this isn't a long term plan. As long as the magic machine industry continues to develop, the kingdom can obtain the greatest benefits from this.
King Eric isn't an idiot, how could he not understand this simple logic? "
"It isn't that he doesn't understand, he just can't do it."
Seveni gave a sigh, "The people behind him are forcing him too much.
Xu Yi, for them to agree to this condition, you must have paid a very large price, right?
Just taking New Flyer into Banta City's management is far from enough. "
"Of course it's not enough." Xu Yi nodded with a smile.
"Those greedy fellows only care about benefits, so I'll give them the greatest benefits.
I have already reached an agreement with his majesty Eric, so we will be cooperating with the kingdom's magic machine industry management department. We will be transferring our Frestech Chamber of Commerce's magic machine technology to the ten companies that the management department has designated. "
Seveni looked at Xu Yi in shock, "Are you crazy?"