Chapter 222 Tax Inspector

Father Hugo's prestige among the residents of White Bird Town was very deep, and he only said a few words, and the two or three thousand people gathered around the square began to disperse, and in less than half an hour, there were only dozens of idlers left in the square who had nothing to do.

"My lord, please come with me to the town hall and sit down. Father Hugo pointed to a three-story brick and wood house not far away.

The interior of the town hall was shabby, with a few worn desks in the hall on the first floor and an old sofa with a few patches.

"My lord, I usually live on the second floor above, the first floor is the office that handles the administrative affairs of Shiratori Town and the villages below, and the third floor is the storage room and warehouse, where there are still some treasures that have been accumulated in the past five years, so I will bring the account books to the lord to see. Daddy Hugo said.

"This is not in a hurry, Daddy Hugo, you first tell me about the situation on Hilois Island in the past five years, here I have to say sorry, because the family's old territory is on the border of the Northlands, and the transportation is inconvenient, so I have not been able to take care of the new territory of Hilois Island in the past five years. Lorist casually found a stool to sit down, and apologized to Daddy Hugo as he invited him to sit down.

"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 Northlands, the prestige of the roaring angry bear. The Northland is thousands of miles away from here, and there is a hostile country called the Principality of Madras in the middle, and it is indeed impossible to take care of the inconvenient transportation, and it is not the fault of the lord......" Father Hugo waved his hand again and again.

"Now there is no inconvenience, the family has built a port in the Northland, and this time I also took a direct boat. In the future, there will be no back and forth, and it will not be more than a month. Daddy Hugo, tell us about the situation here. ”

"Yes, my lord. Father Hugo thought for a moment and said, "I returned to White Bird Town in March 1765 because of the disbandment of the White Lion Legion, and I was fifty-three years old when I retired. At that time, the island of Shilovas was still a prince's domain, and I often saw His Royal Highness standing in the harbor looking in the direction of the imperial capital. Two years later, a messenger suddenly came, and it was said that His Royal Highness had regained control of the kingdom and had canonized the island of Hiloas to the Norton family.

Many of the people of the Second Highness boarded the ship and went back, and they took everything with them, even the garrison was disbanded, and the weapons and equipment of the garrison were taken away. The island of Hiloas was left unmanaged, and it became very chaotic. After a month, the town of White Bird became a garbage heap, no one cared about anything, there were fights and fights every day, and the residents could no longer live.

Then an incident happened, a small cargo ship came here to resupply, but the sailors on board found that there was no one to govern the place, and in three days they killed seven inhabitants and captured several women. When I found out that three sailors had broken into the next door neighbor's house and wanted to rape their mother and daughter, I couldn't help it, so I picked up my sword and killed the three bastards. So the people of the town followed me to eliminate the sailors on the small cargo ship, and elected me to be the mayor of Shiratori for the time being, and to manage Shiratori before the lord came.

At that time, I felt that since I had returned to my hometown, I should contribute to my hometown. So I reorganized the Shiratori garrison and restored order to Shiratori. He also arranged various duties in the town, such as sheriff, clerk, tax collector, accountant, etc. Adults, these desks you see are where they usually sit.

When the island of Shilowas was still a prince, the tax rate set by the Second Highness was 50%, and I didn't know what the rules of the adult family were, and I didn't have a place to ask, so I collected taxes according to the tax rate set by the second prince, and then paid the public funds and civil servants' salaries from the taxes, and all the account books listed the detailed income and expenses, and the adults could inquire at any time.

When His Royal Highness was here, in addition to the tax profit was 50 percent, there were only seven other taxes, namely the poll tax, the wine tax, the boat tax, the fishing tax, the land tax, the salt tax and the commercial tax. When the Viscount of Aslan first came to collect taxes, he was still in a decent manner, only collecting ten percent. But in the second and third years, it increased by 10 percent every year, and even forced the poll tax and liquor tax in the past.

Since the beginning of the previous year, Viscount Aslan has raised the tax to 50 percent, not only taking over the seven miscellaneous taxes, but also adding six additional taxes, which are said to be the restoration tax. I protested, but Viscount Aslan said that I was not an official appointed by the lord, but a mayor elected by the residents, which was illegal. I had no choice but to ask him to make a detailed bill for the tax and issue a receipt, so that he could pay the tax in full.

My lordship, in the past two years, according to Viscount Aslan's calculations, our taxes on the entire island of Hilohas have to pay more than five thousand seven hundred gold fords a year, which has almost doubled or more than ......."

"Wait a minute, Daddy Hugo, didn't you say that the annual tax revenue of White Bird Town used to be more than two thousand goldfords, and how did the Viscount of Aslan calculate the amount of more than five thousand seven hundred taxes?" asked Lorlist.

"Oh, that's right, my lord. It is correct to say that Shiratori Town is the administrative center of the entire Shilovas Island, and before His Royal Highness came, there were only three villages and one town on the Shirowasi Island. But after the arrival of the Second Highness, he was accompanied by nearly 4,000 people, half of whom lived in Shiratori Town, which doubled in size, and the remaining half built a village on the island to live there.

After the Second Highness left, he canonized the island of Hiloas to the lord, and most of the people who followed him left, and only about a thousand people were left who did not want to leave, and continued to live in that village. In the years that followed, many more immigrants arrived, and now the number of inhabitants of the island has reached more than 12,000. Since the beginning of the previous year, the tax has increased significantly to about 4,000 gold fords, plus the miscellaneous taxes set by the Viscount of Aslan, the total is about 6,000 gold fords, but we can't collect so many taxes at all, and according to the calculations of the Viscount of Aslan, we will lose more than 700 gold fords every year. Daddy Hugo explained.

"Why is it that there are more than 6,000 taxes, but you can't collect them and you have to lose more than 700 gold fords? What's going on?" Shi Fatzi interjected and asked, listening strangely to the side.

Father Hugo shook his head helplessly, and took a map of Shirois Island: "Lord Lord, you see, not far to the east of White Bird Town, there is a manor castle, called Wanghai Manor, which is the most beautiful place in the entire Shirois Island, every evening, under the sunset, the large beach in front of Wanghai Manor flashes with golden light, almost comparable to the platinum beach in West Degrad Province of the Duchy of Madras, but the area is much smaller, but it is also a good place to play in the water in summer.

This manor was originally the place where the Second Highness lived, but after the Second Highness left, it was occupied by several nobles of the kingdom, and they turned Wanghai Manor into a place for them to play and play, and we couldn't get close. When you come, you must have seen the richly decorated ships on the docks, which were used by the nobles to ride and transport their goods when they came to play.

And here, half a day's away from Wanghai Manor, this village called Farama, is the settlement of those people left by the second prince, they occupy the richest field on the island of Hilowas, but they have always refused to pay taxes, they claim to be the second prince's people, they have been born and died for the second prince, and whoever makes them pay taxes is disrespectful to the second prince. We have been unable to do anything about them.

Viscount Aslan didn't care about any of this, and he credited us with the taxes due from the Wanghai Manor and the village of Farama. We were helpless and didn't listen to any complaints, but then Hicked came up with an idea, and we organized a fleet of boats to fish, and then sold the catch to the merchants, so that the difference in taxes could be made up, and there would be money left to pay everyone's salaries and a little food and lodging allowance for the garrison......"

"My lord, that Viscount Aslan has been caught by us. Jim walked in and gave his respects.

"Where did you catch it?" asked Fat Shi.

"He took two of his retinue and tried to escape by boat. But the sailors on board had gone to the town's pub for recreation, and could not sail the ship. When I went to the dock to inform Captain Wilson, some sailors saw them on board, and I went over and caught them. Jim reported.

"Bring this bullshit viscount, I'd like to hear what he has to say to me. Lorist commanded.

"I protest, I'm a nobleman, you can't treat me so rudely. Jim went out less than a minute before he came in with a thin man in a noble gown, perhaps he had heard Lorlist's shit, so he behaved very viciously, grabbed the dress from Viscount Aslan's chest and pulled him into the room.

"Daddy Hugo, who is that Hicked you just mentioned?" Lorist ignored the loud protesting Viscount Aslan, and continued to talk to Daddy Hugo.

"My lord, Hicked is our clerk, he graduated from the Maupal Academy in the imperial capital and served as a probationary teacher of the academy. Later, when the Mopol Academy was destroyed in the war, he took his family to follow the Second Highness to Shiratori Town and became a steward in charge of cargo transportation. Later, when His Royal Highness's people left, he was reluctant to leave, so he stayed in Shiratori Town, and because he was proficient in the writing of official documents, I hired him as the clerk of Shiratori Town. Father Hugo replied.

"Oh, Daddy Hugo, you have done a great job, I am very pleased that the island of Hilois has your presence so that it does not fall into chaos, as a lord, I express my gratitude and respect to you, thank you for your efforts and hard work, the Norton family will not forget. Lorist stood up and saluted Father Hugo. Fat Smith, El, Pat, Jim and others who were still in the room also stood up and saluted Daddy Hugo at the same time.

"This, this, lordship, this ......" Father Hugo was at a loss, not knowing what to do.

Lorist waved his hand, signaling that he didn't have to be polite, then turned around and looked at Viscount Aslan, who had a pale face and a shocked face, and smiled very gently: "Viscount Aslan? I'm Lord of Hirowas, Norton Lorlist, and I'm glad to see you. ”

Lorist's smile gave Viscount Aslan the illusion, perhaps making him feel that Lorist was very talkative, just a bun from the border of the Northlands, and had never seen much of the world. The thin Viscount Aslan straightened his crumpled gown and raised his voice: "You are the Earl of Norton from the Northlands, as a nobleman, you must apologize and compensate me." Your soldiers have offended me rudely, which is an intolerable sin for the nobles, and you must punish your soldiers in front of me and obtain my forgiveness, otherwise I will accuse your Norton family of having no noble demeanor and despising the dignity of the nobles in the kingdom, and let your barbaric acts spread to the ears of all the nobles of the kingdom......"

"Ah, that's terrible, it's unacceptable......" Lorist exclaimed, turning to Jim, "are you the one who has offended the honorable Viscount Aslan?"

Jim strode up to Lorist, who stretched out his right hand and slapped Jim's face lightly: "You idiot, how can you let the respected Viscount Aslan appear in front of me in a well-dressed manner? You should strip him naked, smear him with horse manure, and drag him over, so that he will only beg to be given a ragged garment to cover his body in order to preserve his noble dignity, and not make any other excessive demands. ”

Lorist slapped Jim twice more on the face, "Remember this lesson? These two slaps are your punishment." ”

Jim cracked his mouth and smiled, "Remember, my lord, I won't make such a mistake next time." ”

Loris nodded: "Very good, stand aside." ”

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone in the room laughed, but Viscount Aslan was stunned.

"Protest! I want to protest ......"

Lorist walked over and slapped him hard, and the skinny Viscount Aslan turned one hundred and eighty degrees on the spot, his face was swollen, the corners of his mouth were broken, a mouth, several teeth fell out, and blood gushed out from the corners of his mouth. Then the dazed Viscount Aslan collapsed on the ground.

"Protest bird! Labor and management haven't settled accounts with you yet, but you called first. Let's talk about your sins first, first, labor and management are territorial nobles, and the title is earl, you are just an honorary viscount, whether it is status or status, labor and management are several times higher than you. You dare to point fingers in front of me, not only do you not show respect, but also dare to accuse labor and management of offending your noble dignity? Are you joking? You have the dignity of bullshit! In the eyes of labor and management, you are a ****!"

Lorist stretched out his right foot and stepped on Viscount Aslan's face: "Dare to protest to me!" You are provoking the glory and dignity of the Norton family, it has only been a few years, and it is a pity that the roar of the angry bear has been forgotten by the nobles of the kingdom. I think it's necessary for the nobles of the kingdom to remember what the fury of the angry bear is. ”

Viscount Aslan lay on the ground and danced with his hands: "May Fourth is hungry and has no successor to investigate the mine. I have a life tree......"

"Do you dare to talk back?" Lorist didn't hear what he was saying, and with some effort on his feet, Viscount Aslan let out a scream......

"By the way, where did you just go?" Lorist was so interrupted that he forgot what he had just said.

"Your Excellency, you have just announced the guilt of Viscount Aslan, first, he has disrespected you and provoked our Norton family. Schward next to him reminded.

"Oh, by the way, second, why did you come to my family territory to collect taxes? Who gave you the guts? Labor and management must hang all the members of your family......" Lorist scolded viciously.

Viscount Aslan, who was at his feet, suddenly fell silent, and in his right hand, he took out a small roll of animal skin tied with gold wire rope from the pocket of his clothes and waved it in the air.

"What is this?" Shi Fatzi grabbed the animal skin scroll, untied it, and sighed: "My lord, this viscount is really here to collect taxes, you see, this is the appointment letter of the tax inspector given to him by His Royal Highness the Second Highness." ”

Lorist kicked Viscount Aslan away: "Get up, labor and management have something to ask you." ”

He took the leather scroll handed over by Shi Fatzi and looked at it, which stated that the Viscount of the Imperial Court, Aslan Robiosen, was appointed as the tax inspector of the Earldom of Norton in the port area of the Kingdom of Antinac and the island of Hilowas. It is hoped that this official will be conscientious, loyal, honest, and conscientious, and dedicate his strength to the revival of the empire.

The lower part of the scroll bears the name of His Royal Highness Kerisenaugerero, dated May 23, 1768 in the Guelinthian calendar, and the signature and date are stamped with the seal of the regent of the Kingdom of Andinac and the private seal of His Royal Highness II.

"Ahh......h Instead of thinking that he was talking back, it was Viscount Aslan who was slapped and spoke clearly.

"You, you dare to do this to me! You Norton family just wait for the thunderous wrath of the Twenty-second Highness, the 300,000 army of the Twenty-second Highness will turn you and your Norton family into powder......" Viscount Aslan got up from the ground and covered his face, his resentful eyes staring straight at Lorlist.

"300,000 troops? hehe, I'm so scared, I didn't expect that you, the bullshit Viscount, would be so valued in the mind of His Royal Highness that he would send 300,000 troops for you to destroy our Norton family. It's scary. Since you said that His Royal Highness would send an army of 300,000 for you, is it because His Royal Highness was behind his back that you came to collect taxes, so you collected more and more taxes?"

"Didn't you see my letter of appointment?" Viscount Aslan was still stiff-mouthed.

"Hehe, since you are a tax inspector sent by His Second Highness, why did you run away in the square just now?"

"I didn't run away, I just went to the boat to get my letter of appointment as proof of my identity. It was your clan soldier who suddenly broke in and offended me. ”

"Yes, it doesn't matter if you are still arguing and pleading guilty, anyway, I will take you to the imperial capital in a few days to confront His Second Highness. See if he instructed you to raise the tax rate, and you'll find out then. El......" Lorist shouted.

"Your Excellency, please command. El stepped forward.

"You and Jim tied this shitty viscount to an outside hanger, stripped naked, and gave me thirty lashes. If he dares to beat our father Hugo three times, then we will pay it back tenfold. After beating, get some glue to coat him, and then get some chicken feathers and duck feathers to glue on. Don't forget how the Northlands are dealing with the crooks......" Lorist commanded lazily.

"Yes, my lord, I know that the Northlands custom is to parade with feathers on the liars, and we will take care of it. El replied.

"Yes, sir. "It's Jim.

Then the voice of Viscount Aslan sounded like a pig: "No! you can't do this! I am a nobleman, and I am the tax inspector of His Royal Highness......

...... (To be continued.) )