Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Looking at the crowd on Royal Avenue, Laurist asked Duke Kenneth, "Didn't you say that His Majesty is going to levy a thirty percent tax on the merchant guilds? All the merchant guilds have left, so why are there still merchant shops here? "
Duke Kenneth laughed, "You're wrong, Locke. The tax doesn't refer to the merchant shops, but to the merchant guilds that have their headquarters in the imperial capital. His Majesty wants to levy a thirty percent tax on the total annual sales of these merchant guilds, which is why they're forced to move their headquarters to Fandinath City.
As for the merchants and shops that were set up on this royal street, they were all backed by an aristocrat. The only tax they collected was a 10% consumption tax and nothing else. After all, His Majesty can't just take money from the pockets of his subordinates, right? Being willing to pay a ten percent tax is already a sign of respect for His Majesty.
Not to mention, His Majesty often asks us to offer a sum of money to show our loyalty to the Crimson Royal Family. If it weren't for the fact that Royal Avenue is the busiest and most prosperous street in the imperial capital, it would indeed be profitable to open a merchant shop here. That's why we can still tolerate His Majesty's constant exploitation. It's just like throwing a few bones to stray dogs. It's fine as long as we can get a few mouthfuls of meat soup to drink. "
Laurist shook his head. It had to be said that His Majesty had a deep prejudice against merchants. Just like a traditional noble, his impression of merchants was that they were rich. Besides, he always felt that merchants making money within their sphere of influence was like taking money from their own pockets. That was why he always wanted to scrounge some money from merchants to make up for his losses.
As a result, the merchants were dissatisfied with and despised His Majesty. They thought that he was a greedy king and a vampire lying on top of the merchants. Laurist found it hard to imagine how the Second Prince had come up with that thirty percent tax. This was practically chasing all the merchant associations that had set up shop in the Imperial Capital out of the Imperial Capital. Even the original ten percent tax would be gone.
How stupid could His Majesty be? Once again, Laurist confirmed that His Majesty's business knowledge was still at the most basic stage of watching merchants do business, trading with cash, and then collecting taxes. This level of skill was really trash. No wonder he came up with the so-called stationing land tax, losing the big picture for the small. Therefore, it was normal for the second prince to lack money the more he needed it.
At last the carriage stopped in front of a shop with the words "Snow Salt Company" engraved on its lintel. Given Duke Kemus's preferences and temperament, the five connected shops were naturally decorated in a very luxurious and extravagant manner. However, the Snow Salt Trading Firm was a large general store. Most of the products they sold were snow salt, glassware, snowflake paper, and other products produced by the Norton Family. Of course, there were also some fashionable and sexy women's clothing that Duke Kempis had hired people to make.
Lollister, Duke Kempis, and Ross the Ferocious Tiger alighted from the carriage and entered the shop. While Duke Garmus was chatting with the steward of the trading firm, Loriste sized up the entire Snow Salt Trading Firm. He could not help but praise Duke Garmus's business talent for managing such a messy trading firm that could still generate more than a million gold fords a year.
Duke Garmus quickly finished chatting with the steward of the trading firm, and then brought Lollister and Ross to the back of the shop. The back of the shop was a large courtyard with two entrances. Duke Garmus explained that this was the trading firm's warehouse and the dormitory for the guards on duty at night. Currently, the guards of the Snow Salt Trading Firm in the imperial capital consisted of eighteen Silver-ranked Swordsmen, enough to protect the warehouse and the trading firm at night.
"Safety at night?" Ross the Ferocious Tiger was a little confused as to why Duke Garmus emphasized this.
"Yes." Duke Garmus nodded. He said that at the end of last year, three trading firms on Royal Avenue were robbed by a group of thieves in the middle of the night. The goods listed in the shops and the warehouse in the backyard were all plundered, and the case had yet to be solved.
The only fortunate thing was that the thieves did not kill anyone. They only robbed the trading firm after knocking out the guards, and then swaggered away with all the valuables stored in the warehouse in their carriages. The second prince had already dismissed two of the patrolling officers in charge of order and security in the imperial capital for these three cases, and it seemed that the third officer in charge of these three cases would step down soon, because he still could not find any clues about the thieves.
When Duke Garmus received the news, he immediately sent more Silver-ranked guards to the imperial capital, and that was how the Snow Salt Trading Firm was safe.
"How stupid. It's obvious that the thieves have already left the imperial capital after they succeeded. How could they still be caught in the city …" Ross the Ferocious Tiger commented.
Duke Garmus nodded, "I think so. The three trading firms that were robbed were not large, and the security at night was very lax. Perhaps they did not expect that there would be thieves targeting them in the imperial capital, which has always been safe. That's why they were so unlucky. "
"What is the scope of the three trading firms' business?" Lollister asked.
"The Lemando Trading Firm deals in gemstones and jade wares. The Pistachio Trading Firm deals in gold and silver wares, while the White Rose Trading Firm deals in high-grade crystal accessories … "Duke Garmus had a flash of inspiration," I understand now. Those thieves were obviously after money, which is why they targeted the three trading firms. The three trading firms all deal in expensive and easily convertible goods … "
Duke Garmus was still walking towards the back, turning into a small path beside the warehouse. In front of him was a large courtyard, with a small side door open. After entering the small door, he discovered that it was a very luxuriously decorated mansion.
"This is where I stay every time I come to the imperial capital. The main door over there leads to the main street of the noble district. However, I usually don't come here from the Snow Salt Trading Firm. This time, I'm just showing you the way. " Duke Garmus said to Ross the Ferocious Tiger, "Why don't we hold a welcoming ball here to celebrate your promotion to a great swordsman? I'll find you a few good dance partners, and you can stay here tonight … "
Ross the Ferocious Tiger grinned happily, "Sure, whatever you say."
Laurist was very unhappy. As the Sword Saint of the Kingdom, his every action had to be befitting of his status. It was obvious that he could not come and fool around at the ball that Duke Garmus was holding, especially when he had to bring his family along.
"You can just bring Ross the Ferocious Tiger here to look for a house. Why must I accompany you?" Laurist complained that Duke Garmus was wasting his leisure time reading books.
"Don't forget that your Norton family has a ten percent share in the Snow Salt Trading Firm. As one of the owners, you can't possibly not know where your own trading firm is located in the imperial capital, right? "Duke Garmus replied.
Hmm, his words were so righteous and reasonable that Laurist was speechless for a moment.
Next, Duke Garmus began to instruct his servants to prepare for the ball that night. At the same time, he introduced and selected the noble ladies and young ladies to Ross. The two discussed enthusiastically, but Laurist was bored. Thus, he greeted them and returned to the Snow Salt Trading Firm in front.
The flow of people in the shop was not bad. It was bustling with activity, with people entering and leaving from time to time. However, Laurist realized that there were still many people looking, and very few people actually buying the goods. After watching for a while, Laurist left the shop and stood on the steps in front of the shop, looking at the bustling crowd on the Royal Avenue.
If he had known this would happen, he would not have agreed to come with Garmus. Now, Laurist felt a little regretful, and was wondering if he should call a carriage to send him back.
Huh? What's going on over there? Something seems to have happened. There's a huge crowd, and it seems like there's something interesting to watch. Laurist's interest was piqued, and he walked towards the crowd nearby.
"Esteemed and beautiful ladies, my humble master sincerely invites you to attend the ball that he's holding tonight. Please accept this invitation and these gifts. His Excellency the Earl will be very happy to welcome you ladies with your presence … "
This was probably some kind of noble trick. It seemed like Duke Garmus's personality was similar, using balls to seduce women. However, Laurist looked into the crowd and was furious. He parted his hands, and the crowd in front of him flowed to the sides like a wave, revealing a small path in the middle.
In the middle of the crowd stood Princess Silvia and Laurist's four concubines. There were also four guards with gifts of various sizes hanging from their bodies. Yes, their hands were also full of gifts. The four guards stood in front of Princess Sylvia and the others with angry faces. They glared at a middle-aged man who seemed to be a very polite manager, and two servants who were holding a gift bag behind him. Their eyes were burning with rage.
This seemed to be an invitation that the middle-aged manager had given to Princess Silvia and the others, but Princess Silvia and the others ignored it. They wanted to leave, but they were blocked by the crowd. The middle-aged manager took this opportunity to respectfully raise the invitation high above his head with both hands, looking as if he would not get up if Laurist did not accept it. Just like that, there was a stalemate.
Laurist walked in through the gap in the crowd, took the invitation from the middle-aged manager, and tore it into pieces without even looking at it. He then waved his hand at the four guards who were about to bow and said, "That's enough. There's no need to bow when you have so many gifts on you."
"Locke, why are you here?" Princess Sylvia and her four maidservants immediately became lively. They surrounded him and began to chatter about the good stuff they had bought.
What a headache, these five prodigal women. Laurist asked, "Where are the children?"
"They are playing in the sand and the pool in front. My godmother and Pat are watching over them. It's fine," Princess Silvia said. Princess Sylvia said, "By the way, Loke, I just bought you a new deerskin cloak. It's very soft, and the style is very nice. Why don't we go to the shop again? You can try it on first …"
"You, how dare you tear up my master's invitation? You, are you insulting our Lord Earl?" A hoarse voice sounded from the side. The middle-aged manager who had respectfully presented the invitation was now red in the face, glaring at Laurist with fire in his eyes.
"Scram!" Laurist scolded softly. "Get out of my sight while I still have some patience. Otherwise, I don't mind destroying your bullsh * t Duke's entire family!"
"How dare you!" What Laurist did not expect was for the middle-aged manager to scold him even louder. "How dare you say such rebellious words in front of everyone! Are you trying to rebel?! Do you know who our family's Count is? You wouldn't dare to kill our Duke's entire family even if you had the guts. So many people have heard what you said. Just wait to go to jail, have your land confiscated, and be stripped of your title! "
Oh, oh … Laurist did not expect this honest-looking middle-aged manager to be such a sharp-tongued person. He seized on Laurist's words and made him look like a rebel. He even said that he would be thrown into jail, have his land confiscated, and be stripped of his title. This was not just any kind of arrogance …
"Hehe, I really don't understand who your Duke is. Is killing his entire family an act of rebellion? Preposterous! "Laurist sneered.
"Of course, my master is Duke Wexas. Everyone knows that his father is His Majesty the King. If killing his entire family isn't an act of rebellion, then what is?" The middle-aged steward proudly boasted. He really wanted to see the remorseful expression on Loriste's face. Then, Loriste would beg for mercy and let go of the words he had said due to his carelessness …
"Hehe, I was wondering who it was. He's just an illegitimate child. Do you think that your Duke represents the Chrison Royal Family? You don't know your place. I'll let you off this time. Scram!" Laurist waved his hand casually, as if he was shooing away a fly.
"What's wrong with you guys? How did you get entangled by this kind of person?" Laurist turned around and asked Princess Silvia and the others.
"Your Highness, we don't know either. We were just going into the store to pick things up, and this person suddenly ran out and said that his Duke wanted to invite us to a ball. We ignored him, but he's been pestering us for a long time … "Fina and Carrie complained to Laurist in a small voice.
"You … How dare you be so rude! How dare you slander the Chrison Royal Family? This is a heinous crime … "The middle-aged manager was still recklessly piling up charges on Laurist.
"Your Highness, we're here. What happened?" Padt barged into the crowd with a dozen guards. One of the guards that accompanied Princess Silvia and the others had run off to inform them.
"Nothing much. Kill this man," Laurist pointed at the middle-aged manager. This was the downside of being a Sacred Swordsman. Laurist felt that killing the middle-aged manager was a great honor for him. He actually had to trouble a Sacred Swordsman to do it himself. That middle-aged manager was really lucky! Fortunately, Padt and the others had arrived.
"Yes, Your Highness." Padt unsheathed his sword and walked toward the middle-aged manager with a sinister smile …
"You, you still dare to commit murder in public …" The middle-aged manager suddenly realized that he seemed to have kicked an iron plate. He turned around and wanted to flee, but unfortunately, the crowd of onlookers was densely packed, and he had no way to escape.
Padt strode forward and grabbed the middle-aged manager's collar with his left hand. With a twist of his wrist, the middle-aged manager fell to the ground. Then, he raised the longsword in his right hand.
The middle-aged steward, who had been used to being on the ground, shivered. "Spare me …"
"Stop! Who dares commit murder in the imperial capital?! " A loud shout came from outside the crowd. It seemed that a group of patrolling police had rushed over, but they were blocked outside the crowd.
Padt had never heard of it. Of course, he would ignore the patrolling police even if they were in front of him. He would only ignore them if Laurist did not shout for him to stop. With a flash of the sword, the middle-aged manager's head was separated from his body. Blood sprayed out from his neck and dyed a large part of the street red …
Clatter and screams rang out, and the crowd of onlookers retreated like a receding tide. None of them had thought that they would really be killed, and the scene of a beheading scared them so much that they retreated backward. Finally, the patrolmen at the periphery of the crowd became the frontline.
The leading patrolling police was a bearded man. When he saw the corpse on the ground, he roared, "Capture them. Kill anyone who resists!"
More than ten patrolling police blew the bamboo whistles in their mouths and charged at Laurist and the others while waving their longswords and other weapons …
…
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