Hugo's father had great prestige among the residents of White Bird Town. With just a few simple words, the two to three thousand people gathered in the square began to disperse. In less than half an hour, there were only a few dozen idlers left in the square who had nothing to do.
"My lord, please follow me to the town hall," Hugo's father said as he pointed at a three-story brick and wood house not far away.
The layout of the town hall was very simple. There were a few old desks and an old sofa with a few patches on it in the hall on the first floor.
"My lord, I usually live on the second floor. The first floor is the office that handles the administrative affairs of White Bird Town and the villages below. The third floor is the storeroom, which is also a warehouse. There are some belongings that have been accumulated over the past five years. I'll bring the account book for my lord to look at," Hugo's father said.
"There's no hurry. Father Hugo, tell me about the situation on Syrovas Island for the past five years. I have to apologize. Because my family's old territory is at the border of the North, and transportation is inconvenient, I haven't been able to take care of Syrovas Island for the past five years. Speaking of which, it's my dereliction of duty as the lord. I'm really sorry for the people here." Loriste found a random stool and sat down. He invited Hugo's father to sit down while apologizing.
"My lord, please don't say that. I've been in the army for a long time, so I've naturally heard of the Norton family in the north. The north is a thousand miles away from here, and there's also the Madras Duchy in the middle. It's true that we can't take care of each other because of the inconvenience of transportation. This isn't my lord's fault … "Hugo's father waved his hand.
"There's no inconvenience of transportation anymore. The family has built a port in the north, and I'm taking a boat this time. It'll only take less than a month for me to go back and forth. Father Hugo, tell me about the situation here. "
"Yes, my lord." Hugo's father thought for a moment before saying, "I returned to White Bird Town in March 1765 because the White Lion Army was disbanded. I was already 53 when I retired. Syrovas Island was still a prince's territory at that time, and I often saw the second prince standing at the port and looking in the direction of the imperial capital. Two years later, a messenger suddenly arrived. It was said that the second prince had regained control of the kingdom and had conferred the Island of Sirovas to the Norton family.
Many of the second prince's men boarded the ships and went back. They took everything with them, even the garrison was disbanded. The garrison's weapons and equipment were taken away. There was no one to manage Syrovas Island, and it became very chaotic. Just like that, a month passed, and White Bird Town became a garbage dump. No one cared about anything, and there were fights every day. The residents could no longer live.
At this time, something happened. A small cargo ship came to the area to resupply. However, the sailors on the ship discovered that no one was in charge of the area and started to act wildly. Within three days, they killed seven residents and captured several women. At that time, I found three sailors breaking into the house of the next door to rob, and even intended to rape the mother and daughter. I could not bear it any longer, so I took up my sword and killed the three rascals. Thus, the townspeople followed me to eliminate the sailors on the small cargo ship and elected me as the temporary mayor of White Bird Town to manage White Bird Town until the feudal lord arrived.
At that time, I felt that since I had returned to my hometown, I should do something for it. Thus, I reorganized the garrison of White Bird Town and restored order in White Bird Town. I also arranged various positions in the town, such as sheriff, clerk, tax collector, accountant, and so on. Sir, the desks you see are where they usually sit.
When Sirovas Island was still a prince's territory, the tax rate set by the second prince was 50%. I do not know what the rules of your family are, and I have no place to ask, so I collected taxes according to the rate set by the second prince. Then, I used the taxes to pay for public funds and civil servants' salaries. All the accounts list the income and expenses in detail, and you can check them at any time.
When the second prince was still around, apart from the 50% tax, there were only seven other taxes: the poll tax, alcohol tax, ship tax, fish tax, land tax, salt tax, and business tax. Back then, White Bird Town's annual tax revenue was about 2,000 gold fords. The residents' lives were still passable. As long as they worked hard, they would not have to worry about not having enough to eat. When Viscount Aslan first came to collect taxes, he was still very modest and only collected 10%. However, in the second and third years, he increased the tax by 10% every year. He even forcibly took over the poll tax and alcohol tax.
The year before last, Viscount Aslan raised the tax to 50%. Not only did he take over the seven miscellaneous taxes, he also added six additional taxes. It was said that he was restoring the national tax. I protested, but Viscount Aslan said that I was not an official appointed by the lord, but a mayor elected by the residents. Thus, it was illegal. I had no choice but to ask him to list out the detailed tax bills and give me a receipt. Only then did I pay the full amount.
Lord, according to Viscount Aslan's calculations, we have to pay 5,700 gold fords in taxes every year for the past two years. That's more than double … "
"Wait, Father Hugo. Didn't you say that White Bird Town's annual tax revenue was only around 2,000 gold fords? How did that Viscount Aslan calculate the amount of 5700 gold coins? "Laurist asked.
"Oh, it's like this, Lord. To be precise, White Bird Town is the administrative center of the entire Silovas Island. Before the second prince came, Silovas Island only had three villages and one town. However, after the second prince came, nearly 4,000 people followed him. Half of them lived in White Bird Town and doubled the size of White Bird Town. The other half built a village on the island and lived there.
After the second prince left, he conferred the Silovas Island to the lord. More than half of the people who followed him left, leaving only 1,000 people who were unwilling to leave and continued to live in the village. In the next few years, many more immigrants arrived. Now, the number of residents on Silovas Island has reached more than 12,000. Since the year before last, the tax revenue has increased to around 4,000 gold fords. Including the miscellaneous taxes set by Viscount Aslan, the total revenue is around 6,000 gold fords. However, we can't collect that much tax at all. According to Viscount Aslan's calculations, we are losing more than 700 gold fords every year, "Father Hugo explained.
"Why is there more than 6,000 gold fords in taxes, but you can't collect it and are losing more than 700 gold fords? What's going on? "Fatty Shi, who was listening on the side, felt strange and interrupted.
Father Hugo shook his head helplessly and took out a map of Silovas Island. "Lord, look. Not far to the east of White Bird Town, there is a manor and castle called Ocean Manor. It is the most beautiful place on Silovas Island. Every evening, under the rays of the setting sun, the large beach in front of Ocean Manor shines with a golden light. It is almost comparable to the platinum beach in the Madras Duchy's Sidrgrad Province, but it is much smaller. However, it is still a good place to play in the summer.
This manor was originally the second prince's residence, but after the second prince left, it was taken over by a few nobles of the kingdom. They turned Ocean Manor into a place for them to play and play. We can't even get close to it. Lord, when you came here, you should have seen those beautifully decorated ships at the dock. Those ships are used by the nobles to travel and transport their goods.
And here, the village called Farama, half a day's journey from Ocean Manor, is the settlement of the people left behind by the second prince. They occupy the most fertile field on Silovas Island, but they have always refused to pay taxes. They claim that they are the second prince's people and have risked their lives for the second prince. Anyone who asks them to pay taxes is disrespectful to the second prince. We have never been able to do anything to them.
Viscount Aslan doesn't care about this. He also put the taxes that Ocean Manor and Farama Village should pay on our heads. We were helpless and didn't listen no matter how much we complained. Later, Hikard came up with an idea. We organized a fleet to fish and sell the catch to merchants. Only then did we make up the difference in taxes. There was still money left to pay everyone's salaries and give the garrison some food and accommodation subsidies … "
"My lord, we caught Viscount Aslan." Jim walked in and stood at attention to report.
"Where did you catch him?" Fatty Shi asked.
"He brought two attendants with him and wanted to escape by boat. But the sailors on the ship went to the bar in town to have fun, so they couldn't sail. When I went to the dock to inform Captain Wilson, a sailor saw them boarding the ship. I went over to check and caught them. "Jim reported.
"Bring this bullshit viscount over. I want to hear how he explains it to me," Laurist ordered.
"I protest. I'm a noble. You can't treat me so rudely." Jim went out for less than a minute and brought in a thin man in a noble's dress. Perhaps he heard Laurist talk about the bullshit viscount, so he acted very fiercely. He grabbed Viscount Aslan's dress by his chest and dragged him into the room.
"Father Hugo, who is this Hikard you just mentioned?" Laurist ignored Viscount Aslan's loud protests and continued chatting with Hugo's father.
"My lord, Hikard is our clerk. He graduated from Maupassant Academy in the imperial capital and served as a trainee instructor of the academy. After Maupassant Academy was destroyed in the war, he brought his family to White Bird Town with the second prince and became a steward in charge of goods transportation. Later, when the second prince's men left, he didn't want to leave and stayed in White Bird Town. Because he's proficient in writing official documents, I hired him to be the clerk of White Bird Town, "Father Hugo replied.
"Oh, Father Hugo, you've done well. I'm very pleased that Cilovas Island didn't fall into chaos because of your existence. As the lord, I would like to express my gratitude and respect to you. Thank you for your hard work and efforts. The Norton family will never forget it." Laurist stood up and saluted Father Hugo. Fatty Shi, Ell, Pat, Jim and the others who were still in the room also stood up and saluted Father Hugo at the same time.
"This, this, my lord, this …" Father Hugo was at a loss and didn't know what to do.
Laurist waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to be polite. He then turned around and looked at the pale and shocked Viscount Aslan with a very gentle smile. "Viscount Aslan? I've heard a lot about you. I'm the lord of Cilovas Island, Norton Laurist. I'm very happy to meet you. "
Laurist's smile gave Viscount Aslan the wrong impression. Perhaps it made him think that Laurist was easy to talk to, that he was just a country bumpkin from the border of the north who hadn't seen much of the world. The skinny Viscount Aslan straightened his wrinkled formal attire and raised his voice, "You are Count Norton from the North? As a noble, you must apologize and compensate me. Your family's soldiers have rudely offended me. To a noble, this is an intolerable sin. You must punish your soldiers in front of me and obtain my forgiveness. Otherwise, I'll sue the Norton family to the noble court of the kingdom for not having the demeanor of a noble and for looking down on the dignity of a noble. I'll let your barbaric behavior spread to the ears of all the nobles in the kingdom … "
"Ah, that's too scary. We can't accept the consequences …" Laurist put on an act and shouted. He turned to Jim and said, "Are you the one who offended the honorable Viscount Aslan? Come here, I'm going to punish you! "
Jim walked in front of Laurist with large strides. Laurist stretched out his right hand and lightly slapped Jim's face twice, "You idiot, how could you let the honorable Viscount Aslan appear in front of me with his clothes on? Look at him now, you've given him an inch and he wants a foot. You should have stripped him naked and covered him with horse dung before dragging him over. That way, he would only beg for a ragged shirt to cover his body to maintain his dignity as a noble. He wouldn't make any excessive requests. "
Laurist slapped Jim's face twice again, "Do you remember this lesson? These two slaps are your punishment. "
Jim cracked his mouth into a smile, "I remember, my lord. I won't make such a mistake next time."
Laurist nodded, "Very good, stand aside."
"Yes, my lord!"
Everyone in the room laughed, only Viscount Aslan was dumbfounded.
"Protest! I want to protest! … "
Laurist walked over and slapped him fiercely. The skinny Viscount Aslan spun 180 degrees on the spot. His face was swollen and the corner of his mouth was broken. When he opened his mouth, a few teeth fell out and blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. Then, the dizzy Viscount Aslan fell to the ground on his butt.
"Protest my ass! I haven't even settled the score with you, and you're already shouting. First, I'm a noble with the title of Earl. You're just an honorary Viscount. Whether it's status or identity, I'm several times higher than you. You actually dared to point fingers in front of me. Not only did you not show respect, you even dared to accuse me of offending your dignity as a noble? Are you joking? What bullsh * t dignity do you have? In my eyes, a Viscount like you is a piece of sh * t! "
Laurist stretched out his right foot and stepped on Viscount Aslan's face, "You still dare to protest! You're provoking the Norton Family's honor and dignity. It's only been a few years, but the Kingdom's nobles have actually forgotten the roar of the Furious Bear. What a pity. I think it's necessary to let the Kingdom's nobles remember what the Furious Bear's wrath is. "
Viscount Aslan lay on the ground and waved his hands, "The Year of the Five Four Hungry Heads Mine Survey. I, I, I, have the Tree of Life … "
"You still dare to talk back?" Laurist didn't hear what he said clearly. He exerted some force on his foot, and Viscount Aslan let out a blood-curdling scream …
"Oh right, where were we?" Laurist was interrupted and forgot what he was talking about.
"Sir, you were announcing Viscount Aslan's crimes. First, he didn't respect you and provoked the Norton Family," Shiwald reminded him from the side.
"Oh right, second, why the f * ck did you come to my family's territory to collect taxes? Who gave you the guts? I'm going to hang all your family members to death … "Laurist scolded fiercely.
Viscount Aslan, who was under his feet, suddenly quieted down. His right hand took out a small roll of animal skin tied with golden silk rope and waved it in the air.
"What's this?" Fatty Shi grabbed the animal skin roll and opened it. He clicked his tongue, "Sir, this viscount really came to collect taxes. Look, this is the letter of appointment from the second prince to him as a tax inspector."
Laurist kicked Viscount Aslan away, "Get up, I have something to ask you."
He took a look at the animal skin scroll handed over by Fatty Shi. On it was written that Aslan Robicson, the Viscount of the Court, was appointed as the tax inspector of Count Norton of the Port of Qilin in the Andinac Kingdom and the Island of Silovas. I hope this official will fulfill his duties, be honest, honest, and responsible, and contribute his strength to the revival of the Empire.
At the bottom of the animal skin roll was the name of the second prince, Crimson Oglesero. The date was the 23rd of May 1768 in the Galinthea General Calendar. The signature and date were stamped with the regent's seal of the Andenac Kingdom and the private seal of the second prince.
"Oh, I didn't expect Viscount Aslan to really be the tax inspector appointed by the second prince. I thought he was a liar!" Laurist suddenly remembered what Viscount Aslan had said while lying on the ground. What he meant was that he was the tax inspector appointed by the second prince, and he had the letter of appointment … He didn't think that Viscount Aslan was talking back to him. It was just that Viscount Aslan couldn't speak clearly after being slapped.
"You, how dare you treat me like this! You and your Norton Family can just wait for the second prince's wrath. The second prince's 300,000 troops will turn you and your Norton Family into dust … "Viscount Aslan crawled up from the ground and covered his face. He stared at Laurist with resentment.
"300,000 troops? Haha, I'm so scared. I didn't think that a bullshit viscount like you would be so important to the second prince. He actually mobilized 300,000 troops to destroy our Norton Family for you. It's too scary. Since you said that the second prince will mobilize 300,000 troops for you, then is it because the second prince ordered you to come here to collect taxes? That's why you collect more and more taxes? Speak! "Laurist roared, and Viscount Aslan immediately jumped in fright.
"Didn't you see my letter of appointment?" Viscount Aslan was still reluctant to admit his mistake.
"Haha, since you are the tax inspector sent by the second prince, then why did you run away from the square?"
"I didn't run away. I just went to the ship to get my letter of appointment as proof of my identity. It was your family's soldiers who suddenly barged in and offended me. "
"Is that so? It doesn't matter if you are still trying to deny it. Anyway, in a few days, I will bring you to the capital to confront the second prince. Let's see if he ordered you to raise the tax rate. Then we will know. El … "Laurist yelled.
"Sir, please give me your orders." El took a step forward.
"You and Jim tie this bullshit viscount to the hanger outside. First, strip him naked, then give me 30 lashes. He dared to hit our old man Hugo three times, then we will pay him back ten times. After that, put some glue on his body, and then use some chicken and duck feathers to stick it on. Don't forget how the north punished those liars … "Laurist ordered lazily.
"Yes, sir. I know that the north's custom is to stick feathers on the liars and parade them in the streets. We will do it properly." El replied.
"Yes, sir." Jim was very straightforward.
Then Viscount Aslan's voice sounded like a pig being slaughtered, "No! You can't do this! I am a noble, I am the tax inspector of the second prince … "
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