After nearly an hour of bickering, Horn finally couldn't bear it anymore and forcefully called for someone to stop the chaos among the crowd.

After all, this was the first time the Central Assembly was convened, and many representatives were participating in an inquiry for the first time, so many of them weren't quite sure how to proceed.

This led to the elders leading them astray.

After all, the Holy Alliance was also a new country, with many things to learn from scratch.

Looking at the divided supporters and opponents of the Prohibition Order, Horn coughed and said: "Select a few people from each side to speak, don't be messy, three minutes per person."

The representatives and senior monks whispered for a while and quickly selected a few people.

Since everyone only had three minutes to speak, each side's opinions were quickly summarized.

Opinions that were impractical were eliminated within the factions themselves.

But it doesn't matter, they could still submit their opinions in writing afterward.

Monks specially tasked with compiling records would ensure that even the smallest opinions were not ignored.

The arguments against the Prohibition Order were nothing new.

First, the brewing and malt Workshop Masters believed that it was clearly stated when the Prohibition Order was implemented: everyone had to endure it to repay the Holy War Bonds.

The Holy War Bonds from 1447 to 1449 have all been repaid, so is there still a need for the Prohibition Order to exist?

Second, some senior monks from the Road and Bridge Bureau believed that the grain prices in the Leia market had stabilized or completely collapsed.

There's no room for maneuver; what to do with the excess grain?

Third, the citizen representatives believed that the monopoly was too corrupt, using the law to conduct a monopoly in practice.

The merchants colluding with monks to sell bootleg liquor were getting rich, making it hard to eliminate such entrenched interests.

Fourth, the farmer representatives believed that grain prices were too low and production too high; how could farmers' living standards be improved?

The opinions of those supporting the Prohibition Order were equally reasonable.

First, representatives of Workshop Masters other than brewing ones argued: low grain prices ensure the normal operation of laborers' food supply—what would happen if grain prices were too high?

Next, some senior monks from the Saint Plow Monastery and people from the Grace Market spoke.

They argued that it wasn't about not drinking at all, just drinking less.

The excess grain could be sent north for fur and support the Holy Alliance's leather industry.

Lastly, many monks from the Juanist Faction argued that alcohol was inherently bad, advocating for its complete prohibition.

The extra grain should be stored, and places in famine should be aided, not confined to within the Holy Alliance but extending outward.

Apart from the heated emotions outside, looking at these two groups alone, the issues they raised were indeed very valuable.

With the shrinking grain exports, the substantial revenues were decreasing, and the Holy Alliance couldn't always rely on grain exports.

Once its own grain security was ensured, what to do with the excess grain became the question.

Seeing Horn frown in thought, the representatives and cardinals held their breath, and even the audience in the hall spoke quieter.

After a while, Horn lifted his head: "I've heard all the representatives and cardinals' opinions.

The Prohibition Order from six years ago was a positive policy, but it's gradually becoming obsolete with changing circumstances..."

The faces of many supporters immediately fell; damn it, those drunks actually persuaded His Excellency.

"This issue will be documented in the memorandum, and an answer will be provided before the fiscal budget meeting." Horn finished his remarks loudly and asked the representatives with a smile, "Are you satisfied with my answer?"

"Satisfied, satisfied!" The representatives opposing the Prohibition Order were naturally beaming, especially the brewing and malt Workshop Masters, almost cheering and hugging.

But among the supporters, people from the Grace Market and the Saint Scythe Monastery were full of dismay, as this meant their financial freedom would be significantly reduced.

They had to come up with new ideas to increase finances.

"Your Excellency, I have an opinion."

Suddenly, a monk from Kasha County from the Juanist Faction stood up, with a look of loyal piety, fearless in making straightforward comments.

Horn assessed the monk, and Edwin immediately leaned in and whispered into his ear: "Krandorf Clarice, Abbot of Krandorf Monastery, from Kasha County..."

This Abbot Krandorf was a devout follower of the Juanist Faction, having supported several wars with his own money and resources.

He had even mortgaged his property to buy armor and personally escorted supplies to the frontlines.

However, despite his affiliation with the Juanist Faction, his views differed from Juanuo's; he advocated for a puritanical Holy Path.

In other words, a Puritan, an ascetic, quite conservative.

On one hand, he greatly revered and admired Horn's efforts in eliminating gambling and gangs.

On the other, he resisted relatively liberal and open environments, even excluding non-theological textbooks from primary schools and opposing women's education.

Accurately speaking, the climate in Kasha County was like this, considered the stronghold of conservative monks within the Holy Alliance at present.

When he spoke, it was as if the Archangel was saying something significant: "Your Excellency, the Prohibition Order should be canceled, but it should be replaced by a Prohibition Order.

People should only drink the wine made from the blood of the Saint Master on Sundays in church.

Drinking outside of Sundays will cloud the mind, numb the limbs, and corrupt morals, leading men to debase themselves and women to vice.

Why are modern people so morally depraved compared to ancient virtuous individuals? It's because of excessive drinking, corrupting morality; we should purify it instead..."

"Nonsense!" Before Krandorf could finish, a young Holy Father slammed the table, cursing with a heavy Falan accent.

"The longing for a better life is the practice of the Holy Path and a way to save the world. Alcohol shouldn't be banned, though not excessively consumed either.

Drinking or not and how much to drink is a personal choice; making the world better is the purpose of human existence..."

This time, without waiting for Horn's frowns, Edwin whispered: "Chai'an Pisi, from Falan, a monk from the Holy Path Faction, registered in Langsande County..."

If Kasha County was the stronghold of conservative Holy Path monks, then Langsande County across the river was the stronghold of progressive monks.

As they say, within a party, diversity reigns; at the inception of the Holy Alliance, although gathered under the banner of the Saint Father's Association, ideological stances were all over the place.

Previously, with the Leia people in conflict with the church, tensions were temporarily eased.

Once the external threat was gone, Holy Path monks gradually evolved into conservative and progressive factions over four years.

From the current situation, it seemed progressive monks sided with Horn while conservative ones opposed him.

But this wasn't the full truth; when the Prohibition Order was first introduced, both sides had reversed their stances with Horn.

At that time, conservative monks were the ones rallying for Horn.

With their support, the Prohibition Order could quickly take hold using Kasha County as a breakthrough, winning Horn enough strategic time.

Truthfully, interest groups within the Holy Alliance included not just these two monk factions.

Soldiers, gentry, merchants, citizens, Workshop Masters, rural folk...

How to manage the relationships among the various interest groups and have them perform suitable tasks at appropriate times?

This presents a significant challenge to the government of the entire Holy Alliance.

However, up to now, under Horn's suppression, the sides were only in benign competition.

After all, the cake hadn't expanded to its limit yet; what happens when it does remains to be seen.

"Could both of you pause for a moment and let me speak?" Horn's gentle words softened the sharp opposition between the two like a spring breeze.

They each fell silent, turning towards Horn, "Your Excellency, please speak."