Riding and Slashing

Chapter 152 Dangerous
Granting Leon's flag the right to tax exemption in the territory actually means that industries that use Leon's flag will not be taxed anywhere under Ulrik's direct administration.

That is to say, in Sarleon City and Changhe Town and other territories directly under Ulric, branch offices and shops do not have to pay taxes. As long as Li Ang's Griffon flag is planted, the tax officer is not qualified to manage it.

This is of course a valuable privilege, and it is indeed beneficial to both Leon and King Ulrik, so it is fine to say that it is compensation.

The king himself was in urgent need of funds, and it would be difficult to raise a large amount of cash for a while. If he could get [-] dinars from Li Ang, it would solve Ulrik's urgent need.

What is the concept of [-] dinars - a duke like Alma who owns a territory like Lion Lake City, if you only look at the tax revenue of the territory, it is only about [-] dinars a year.

The county of Lion Lake City has a combined population of 10 people, and almost every person provides one dinar to the Duke.

Of course, this only refers to the territorial tax that can enter the duke's pocket, and does not include his other private properties.

Although it seems that the per capita contribution of one dinar to the duke is quite low, the actual situation is that the common people in Sarleon Land need to pay more than ten dinars per year in taxes, which is already more than half of the per capita annual income. .

Because the duke also has to pay taxes to the country, and it is not the big nobles like the duke who directly collect taxes from the common people, but the duke's subordinates, the tax officials led by the knights.

The actual tax paid by most of the knights accounted for more than half of the income of the residents. After all, the knights had to support themselves and their followers, and they had to pay taxes to the superior lords.

One hundred thousand dinars per year is actually not much. If you really want to calculate it carefully, it is just the price of buying hundreds of thousands of sets of high-quality weapons and equipment.

If it is to buy horses, two hundred war horses or more than 300 draft horses, it will cost one hundred thousand dinars.

So don't think that grand lords like the Duke are rich. Although they have a large territory and strong strength, the corresponding expenses are also high, and they really can't come up with a lot of cash anytime and anywhere.

The king is not rich either. Although King Ulrik has recently expanded his direct-controlled territory, Changhe Town has just been brought under the direct control in name, and there is currently no income, so it can only rely on Sarleon City.

The area under the jurisdiction of Lieshi City is relatively rich. As the capital, there are nearly 40 people living in the surrounding area, and the annual income of the territory can reach 10,000+ dinars-this refers to the private income of the king, not the fiscal income of the country.

After all, the current countable population of the Lion Kingdom is only 200 million, and the residents of the king's direct territory account for [-]% of them, which is actually quite a large proportion.

Of course, it is incomparable to the period of the Pendor Kingdom...

Before the Pendor Kingdom suffered from the Red Death, the population of the capital circle was more than one million.

The sharp drop in population is mainly caused by the Red Death and wars that lasted for more than 100 years. Before the Red Death, the total population of Pendor Continent was almost 400 million. Now, the total population of the entire continent may only be 1000 million. about.

Therefore, Emperor Marius of the Bacchus Empire would promulgate the policy of hard labor if you don’t get married, just to increase the population.

The income of the king's direct territory is the king's private property, which is used for the expenses of the royal palace and his own direct territory, and also includes supporting some private troops-such as the imperial guards.

One hundred thousand dinars is one-third of the king's own annual income, and it is also a lot of money for the king.

The king's private property is not the same as the state's fiscal revenue.

Of course, the state’s fiscal revenue is greater than the king’s private income, which is maintained by the taxes paid by the nobles, that is, the taxes received from other noble territories.

This money is under the control of the Minister of Finance of the Kingdom and is used according to the annual budget. It is public funds, and the king has no right to use it at will.

For example, it is used for border defense and military important places such as Qicha Fortress, for disaster relief, road construction, maintenance of infrastructure throughout the kingdom, or for subsidizing border lords, building infrastructure, or for war and so on.

As a national knight order, the Lion Knights can also receive some subsidies from the state finances.

Of course, the main source of income for the Lion Knights is the tour fees handed in by the Lion Knights, but this is far from enough for expenses. King Ulrik himself will pay for some subsidies in order to ensure that the Lion Knights will support him. loyalty.

The state's finances are never enough, let alone satisfy the king's selfish desires. On the contrary, the king needs to fill some gaps with private property from time to time.

Since money is spent everywhere, the king is actually more short of money than the average great noble.

Ulrik knew that Li Ang's business was quite large. If Li Ang's caravans were fully tax-free on his territory, then the industry of Maixiang Company would definitely grow rapidly, which would actually quickly drive the overall economy of the area under its jurisdiction.

Although Li Ang's property is exempted from tax, it is actually of greater benefit to the king's own territory-after the business revitalizes, various transactions will increase, and Maixiang Company will operate more business in the king's direct jurisdiction, so other businessmen will also will come and go frequently.

The king can receive more commercial taxes from other merchants.

The rulers use the tax-free policy to attract investment. This method has been used throughout the ages, and it is actually quite reasonable.

Given the scale of Li Ang's business, exchanging [-] dinars for tax-free rights, or buying out all future commercial taxes in the king's direct jurisdiction, the price seems reasonable.

As far as the current situation is concerned, the total commercial tax paid by the branches and agents of Maixiang Company to the lords of various places in half a year has exceeded [-] dinars-although White Hart Castle and Maixiang are not Taxes are collected, but if the branch is opened in another lord's territory, it is necessary to pay commercial tax, and the tax amount varies from place to place.

But those branches are distributed in other cities and villages, and the business tax is handed over to the local lords, and cannot enter the king's pocket.

Of course, the commercial taxes paid in the area of ​​Lion City and Changhe Town belonged to the king. The total amount of these commercial taxes was nearly [-] dinars, and it was increasing month by month.

After careful calculation, it is indeed a good deal to invest [-] dinars at one time and then enjoy tax exemption for life.

Ulrik made a good calculation, and Li Ang was really tempted.

For others, this transaction may just mean paying taxes for three to five years at a time, and then being tax-free for a lifetime.

But it's different for Li Ang. It can be considered that the king gave the lord a huge profit...

After all, the king didn't quite understand what kind of businessman Li Ang was...

Maixiang International is a group company.

If you join the Maixiang Group, you can be completely tax-free in the jurisdictions of Lion City and Changhe Town...

Then Li Ang can even point to the map, separate out various industries, and directly sell the operating qualifications of the branches of the Maixiang Group in the duty-free zone, and sell them on an annual basis!
Just collecting operating fees and deposits every year can make the country rich...

When the Griffin flag can represent the privilege of tax exemption, Li Ang can bring most of the merchants in the country under his command!
In comparison, what is a hundred thousand dinars...

However, even though he was secretly happy in his heart, Li Ang still showed a dissatisfied expression...

"Your Majesty, this is a deal, not compensation. Of course I am willing to make a fair deal, but before that, I am more concerned about how to restore my reputation."

The lord looked very serious.

Ulrik was silent for a while.

Li Ang was right. The king arrested the man and put him back. Although it didn't hurt Li Ang, it did damage the reputation of a noble like Li Ang. After all, it meant that the king was suspicious of him.

"I will find a way to help you raise [-] dinars. But I hope you can give me the right to use the golden coat of arms - that is to say, in addition to exempting commercial taxes in your direct jurisdiction, I can also freely develop territories And conquest of rebellion. Only in this way can you show that you do not regard me as a traitor, but as a rebel, so as to restore my reputation."

Li Ang paid back the price for the deal.

In the Kingdom of Sarleon, the golden coat of arms represents the same privileges as members of the royal family.

This was a reasonable counter-offer, as the privilege of using the golden coat of arms was only granted to trustworthy and close lords, and it would indeed remove the influence of Ulrik's suspicion of treason.

The lord is always fair when it comes to deals.

Ulrik claimed to grant Leon's banner a "privilege that can only be obtained by the royal industry", so Li Ang simply countered it as "the same privilege as members of the royal family"...

The two logics are of course very different.

However, the sky-high asking price and paying back the money, the business is negotiated...

The golden coat of arms is not just tax exemption, it represents the power to rebel freely - the ability to independently attack hostile forces and directly occupy territories that have been captured independently.

Of course, it is limited to attacking hostile forces or rebels, and cannot provoke disputes at will, nor can it declare war on behalf of the country.

But this kind of freedom to fight against rebellion, and the authority to tacitly occupy territories that have been conquered alone is very rare. Currently, no nobles in the entire kingdom have this authority.

Only more than 100 years ago, when Alfred was the Duke of Sarleon, he had this privilege.

That's when he changed his coat of arms to a lion of solid gold.

Therefore, after he founded the kingdom of Sarleon, the coat of arms of pure gold was given this special meaning.

Ulrik naturally knew what the golden coat of arms meant.

"Do you want to obtain the authority to freely seek rebellion, so as to prove your loyalty? This is indeed a reasonable request. However, crusade against rebellion... how can there be any rebellion now?"

Ulrik hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

"Isn't Rainier a rebel? Isn't Eldred a rebel? I just want to contribute to the country. If there are traitors again, I will take the initiative to attack, and the territories captured by me are mine. All I want is That's all."

Of course Li Ang didn't give up, he also explained that he was thinking about the country, and clearly expressed that he did have selfishness, but this kind of selfishness was also due.

"But do you have the ability to fight rebellion?"

King Ulrik took a deep look at Li Ang.

"Didn't I kill two of them...you saw one of them with your own eyes."

Li Ang spread his hands.

"...Okay then, let's make a deal. I hope you won't die in the hands of the traitors. But you have to send one hundred thousand dinars to me within a month..."

Ulrik nodded in agreement, but there was obvious haze in his eyes.

He really needs money.

After all, he is the king, and if he can grant authority now, he will naturally be able to take it back in the future. Ulrik is not too worried about the little baron Li Ang.

Half a day later, Ulrik asked Grand Maester Igor to issue an announcement in King's Square in Sarleon City, allowing Li Ang to make the coat of arms into pure gold.

This color is indeed dyed with real gold, worth [-] dinars.

Grand Maester Igor read out the king's authorization in front of the officials of the House of Nobles with a blank face, and then hung the letter of authorization on the announcement wall of the House of Nobles.

After the announcement was made, Igor turned around and entered the tower of the Old Noble House, which was the private residence of the king, but Felina no longer lives in the garden.

"Your Highness, Li Ang has been released, and His Majesty the King has even protected his property. You may just have to wait patiently..."

On the top floor of the tower of the Old Noble House, Igor stood respectfully behind a young man with a gloomy complexion.

The young man was Aranric, only son of King Ulrik, Prince of the Kingdom of Sarleon.

The prince was only in his twenties, but he looked lifeless, pale, and seemed to be in poor health.

"Igor, this is not the result I want, you know..."

Alanrick stood at the window on the top floor, looking down at the busy crowd below the city, and said calmly.

"Your Highness, who would have thought that the Bacchus Empire would attack White Hart Castle at this time? Originally, I had already convinced His Majesty the King that Li Ang would indeed be designated as a traitor as you wished, but under the current circumstances, His Majesty the King You can't ignore the safety of the border..."

Igor looked at Alanrick's thin back and lowered his head.

"No, it is precisely the current situation, which is the best situation... Igor, if Li Ang died in Sarleon City at this time, what would the nobles think?"

Alan Rick turned his head and rubbed the arm that was supporting the edge of the window before.

It seemed that just such a movement could make his arms sore.

"Now the Bacchus Empire is attacking White Hart Castle. If Li Ang dies in Sarleon City at this time, the nobles will lose confidence in the king, Your Highness. They want to seize the vassal's property for their own selfish desires... If the conspiracy fails, they will be murdered." In this case, at least half of the nobles will stop obeying your father's orders, and the Sarleon Realm will inevitably start a civil war."

Igor glanced up at Alanrick's arm with complicated eyes.

On Alanric's arms, there were several clear purple blood spots, which were exactly the same as the blood spots on King Ulrik's body.

"Since you know, then find a way to kill him. Didn't you just help my father hire some adventurers, the 'Sword of the Griffin' adventure group... let the adventure group kill him, and the Blame it on my father."

Alan Rick squeezed his arms, and gave unbelievable instructions in an understatement.

"Your Highness, if you do this, those nobles may indeed oppose the king, but they may not support you!"

Igor raised his head in astonishment, he didn't expect the prince to give such an order suddenly.

"Igor, my uncle... Duke Brennus of Cliff Bay will support me; Duke Alma has a grudge against Leon, and I helped him a few days ago, so he will support me; If the king kills Leon, then Felina and Godric will also support me... the great lords of all factions, plus you, this is enough..."

Alanric twisted his wrist and walked to an easel.

On the shelf was a vivid oil painting of a seven or eight-year-old boy riding on a horse with the support of the king.

That boy was Alan Rick.

But when he was young in the painting, he looked much more energetic than his adult appearance now.

"Your Highness, your father's time is short, so you don't need to be so anxious. His Majesty the King let him go only in order to get a bigger property from him in the future..."

Igor seemed to want to persuade him.

"Ha, but that more property has nothing to do with me, Igor... You should know why my father is looking for the Noldo girl."

Alanric stared at the oil painting, his voice was as deep as hell.

"It is said that Noldor's bloodline will not be infected with many diseases... His Majesty did this for the future of the kingdom."

Igor didn't look up, his voice was low.

"The future of the kingdom? Ha! But what does that have to do with me? . . . I've got the disease! I have no future at all!"

There was a hint of madness on Alan Rick's face, looking at his arms, his hands clenched into fists.

Igor sighed deeply and stopped talking.

"Igor, my uncle...

You know I don't have a future, I'm already showing symptoms now...I can't wait!

But he didn't go to Nuo Duo girl for medical treatment, nor for me!It's that he wants to give me another brother!
Hmph...haha...I heard what the Three Prophets and him said in the secret room!He doesn't want me, who is doomed to be ill, to inherit the throne!He wants another healthy heir! "

Igor, what about me?And me? !
I just want to get my rightful throne!
Maybe I will die in ten years, but I am the heir to the kingdom!I can't be locked in a tower forever without a name!

You know, only I can give you everything you want, and you will become the Grand Duke!

You know, I will do better than my father... He can find a noble girl from the Noldor to continue his healthy blood, and so can I. The future of Sarleon will still be better!

Killing Li Ang, let the king be charged with murdering the nobles, and the nobles will definitely help me to the throne! "

Alan Rick gradually lost control, and there was even a fierce look in his eyes.

Igor looked up at Alan Rick and smiled wryly: "My child, this will lead to chaos in the kingdom!"

"So what? Uncle, I don't have much time to wait. If I don't do something, I'm afraid I will die before my father! I don't believe in those three witches! I don't want to live a long life, I just want to get I deserve it!"

Alan Rick's voice became more and more excited, but his expression became more and more lonely.

"Oh...I see...I'll make arrangements now, he's been under my surveillance all the time."

Igor frowned deeply and exited the room.

Alan Rick turned around again, looking at the opposite palace from the window at the highest point in Sarleon City.

"Father, maybe you are doing it for the future of the family, but it's not fair...not fair."

He murmured in a low voice towards the dome of the palace.

(End of this chapter)