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It was a good thing.
More and more specialized talents were being born, and the system of science was slowly unfolding.
The Medici family provided generous sponsorships to institutions like the University of Milan and the University of Venice, encouraging more scientific research under both political and commercial influences. New theories, like flocks of birds, continued to break out of their shells.
Leonardo, having played enough with the children, reluctantly returned them to their cradles and sat back down beside her.
"Have you heard about the things going on with the old and new nobility?"
"I've heard," she replied, handing the letter to Dechio, who was waiting nearby. "I heard they fought during the meeting today?"
"It was an argument I encouraged," the prince said proudly. "An old count's hair was almost torn out."
Hedy had heard about this issue before.
And more accurately, this whole matter had been stirred up by her from the start.
When Niccolò discovered the situation, he genuinely expressed his admiration for both the teacher and his lover.
"They really make a great pair."
The new and old forces were developing simultaneously, and the related contradictions and conflicts had been quite apparent since the founding of the Empire.
When the Italian Empire was established, the old nobility had been stripped of many things due to the establishment of regional governments.
They still held their territories but no longer had the power to collect taxes and other rights. However, they enjoyed exclusive policies when investing in various industries and could even mortgage or sell parts of their property to take loans from the government.
The queen and her advisers were well-versed in the art of balance, making the old nobility feel that they had regained many benefits through various compensations. Compared to the meager rice in the hands of the farmers and the army, which was actually more of a burden, the nobility now had more opportunities to seize markets.
At the same time, the emerging merchants were doing everything they could to seize opportunities and wealth.
They were more sensitive and willing to endure hardship than the pleasure-loving aristocrats.
With the renewed prosperity of the market and order, the emerging class continued to grow stronger, and the influence of the lower house of parliament also steadily increased.
The old nobility wanted more privileges, the new nobility sought greater equality, and the queen needed them to fight among themselves.
She continually created opportunities for them to meet and discuss, and with remarkable foresight, she balanced the various powers, allowing them to check and influence each other.
Both the upper and lower houses initially thought they would stay out of each other's way, but gradually, the meetings grew longer, and the disputes became more intense.
Both sides began to realize the flaws and shortcomings in the existing laws, and each desired to introduce policies that would benefit them.
In the process, they unconsciously began to pay attention to the queen's inclinations and sought various ways to attract her attention.
Monarchy, policies, rules, innovation...
Many horses were bound together by this unceasing dispute, speeding ahead at a faster pace.
When Leonardo attended a meeting today, he immediately felt that everyone was staring at him as soon as he walked in.
The meeting hall of the Old Palace was resplendent with gold and grandeur, like a divine palace, yet the atmosphere was cold and severe, almost to the point of freezing.
According to the pre-arranged schedule, this meeting would discuss the issue of agricultural and handmade product export taxes.
Leonardo had not slept well the night before, disturbed by the children, and now he had faint dark circles under his eyes.
He hadn't even recognized the faces of the members of parliament when groups of people rushed to shake his hand.
