Granting Leon's banner a domestic tax exemption meant that the property that used Leon's banner was not taxed anywhere under the jurisdiction of Ulrique.

In other words, on the territory directly under Ulrique, such as Lion City and Changhe Town, the branches and shops are not taxed, and as long as Leon's griffin flag is planted, the tax collector is not qualified to take care of it.

This is certainly a very valuable privilege, and it is indeed good for both Leon and King Ulrique, and there is nothing wrong with saying that it is compensation.

The king himself was in dire need of funds, and it was not easy to raise a large amount of cash for a while, and if he could get 100,000 dinars from Leon, he would be able to solve Ulrik's urgent need.

What is the concept of 100,000 dinars - a duke like Alma owns a territory like Lion Lake City, and if you only look at the taxes of the territory, it will be about 100,000 dinars a year.

The entire county of Lion Lake City has a combined population of 100,000 people, and almost every person provides one dinar for the duke.

Of course, this only refers to the taxes of the realm that can go into the duke's pocket, and does not take into account his other private estates.

Although it seems that the tax amount per capita to the duke is quite low, the reality is that the commoners of the Lion Realm need to pay more than ten dinars per capita per year, which is more than half of the per capita annual income.

Because the duke also has to pay taxes to the state, and it is not the big nobles such as the duke who collect taxes directly from the commoners, but the tax collectors under the duke, the knights.

The actual amount of taxes received by the vast majority of knights accounted for more than half of the income of the residents, after all, the knights had to support themselves and their subordinates, and they also had to pay taxes to the higher lords.

100,000 dinars a year is actually not much, and if you really have to calculate it carefully, it is just the price of buying hundreds of thousands of sets of high-quality weapons and equipment.

If you buy a horse, two hundred war horses or more than three hundred horses, you have to spend 100,000 dinars.

So don't think that a big man like the Duke is rich, although they have a large territory and strong strength, but the corresponding expenses are also large, and they really can't come up with a lot of cash anytime and anywhere.

The king is not wealthy, and although King Ulrik has recently expanded his direct jurisdiction, the town of Changhe has just been nominally taken under its direct jurisdiction, and has not yet made any profits, so it can only rely on Lion City.

As the capital, the surrounding area is home to nearly 400,000 people, and the annual revenue from the territory is more than 300,000 dinars - this refers to the king's private income, not the state's financial revenue.

After all, the current population of the Lion Kingdom is only two million, and the inhabitants of the king's direct domain account for 20% of them, which is actually quite a large proportion.

Of course, it can't be compared to the time of the Pander Kingdom......

Before the Red Death in the kingdom of Pande, the population of the capital area was more than one million.

The sharp population decline was mainly caused by the Red Death, which lasted for more than 100 years, and the total population of Pander Continent was almost 24 million before the Red Death, and now, the total population of the entire continent may only be about 10 million.

Therefore, Emperor Marius of the Bacchus Empire would enact a policy of hard labor if he did not marry, just to increase the population.

The income of the King's Domain was the King's private property, which was used for the expenses of the palace and his own domains, as well as for the maintenance of private troops, such as the Imperial City Guards.

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

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

The state revenue, of course, was larger than the king's private revenue, which was maintained by the taxes paid by the nobles, i.e. from other noble domains, and most of the time apportioned annually on a task-by-mission basis, according to the size of the domain.

This money is in the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the Kingdom and is used in accordance with the annual budget, which is public money and the King has no right to use it at will.

For example, it is used for the expenditure of border military important places such as the Seven Forks Fortress, for disaster relief, road repair, maintenance of infrastructure throughout the kingdom, or to subsidize border lords, build infrastructure, or for war, etc.

The Lion Order, as a national order, can also receive some subsidies from the state treasury.

Of course, the Lion Knights' main source of income is the fees paid by the Lion Knights, but this is far from enough, and King Ulrique himself will personally pay some subsidies to ensure the Lion Knights' loyalty to him.

The state treasury is never enough, let alone to satisfy the king's selfish desires, but from time to time the king is required to fill some gaps with his private property.

Because of the cost of money everywhere, the king was actually more short of money than the average nobleman.

Ulrike knew that Leon's business was quite large, and if Leon's caravan could be fully tax-free on his territory, then the industry of Maixiang Company would definitely grow rapidly, which would actually quickly drive the overall economy in the jurisdiction.

Although Leon's estate was exempt from taxes, it actually had a greater benefit to the king's own realm - as commerce was revitalized, all kinds of transactions would increase, and the more business the Mai Xiang Company would operate in the king's domain, the more merchants would come and go.

The king was able to receive more merchant taxes from other merchants.

The ruler uses the tax exemption policy to attract investment, which has been used in ancient and modern times, and it is actually quite reasonable.

With the size of Leon's business, the price of 100,000 dinars in exchange for tax exemptions, or the purchase of all future commercial taxes under the king's direct domain, also seems reasonable.

In terms of the current situation, the total amount of commercial tax paid by the branches and agents of the Maixiang Company to the lords in various places in half a year has exceeded 50,000 dinars - although Bailubao and Maixiang do not collect taxes, but the branches are opened on the territory of other lords, and the amount of taxes varies from place to place.

But those branches were distributed in other cities and villages, and the merchant taxes were given to the local lords, and did not go into the king's pockets.

Of course, the commercial taxes paid in the Lion City and the town of Changhe belonged to the king, and the total amount of these commercial taxes was already nearly 20,000 dinars, and they were increasing month by month.

Carefully calculated, a one-time investment of 100,000 dinars, and then tax exemption for life, is indeed cost-effective.

Ulrike played this abacus well, and Leon was indeed very tempted.

For others, the deal may simply mean paying taxes for three or five years at once, and then tax-free for the rest of your life.

But it was different for Leon, who could be considered to have given the lord a lucrative inheritance......

After all, the king did not quite understand what kind of businessman Leon was......

Maixiang International is a group company.

If you join the Mak Xiang Group, you will be able to do tax exemption in the jurisdiction of Lion City and Long River......

Then Li Ang can even point to the map, divide various industries, and directly sell the operating qualifications of the branches of Maixiang Group in the free zone, and sell them on an annual basis!

Every year, just collecting operating expenses and security deposits can be rich to rival the country......

When the griffin banner can represent the privilege of tax exemption, Leon can take most of the country's merchants under his command!

What is 100,000 dinars in comparison......

However, despite the secret joy in his heart, Li Ang still showed a dissatisfied expression......

"Your Majesty, this is a transaction, not compensation. Of course I'm willing to do a fair deal, but until then, I'm more concerned about how to save my reputation. ”

Lord Lords looked serious.

Ulrike was silent for a moment.

Leon had a point, the king had taken people and put them back, although he didn't hurt Leon, but it did damage to the reputation of a nobleman like Leon, after all, it meant that the king was suspicious of him.

"I'll find a way to raise 100,000 dinars for you. But I hope you'll give me the power to use the Golden Emblem - that is, in addition to being exempt from commercial taxes in your realm, I'm free to explore territories and crusade against rebellion. This will show that you do not see me as a traitor, but as a rebel, so that my reputation can be restored. ”

Leon paid the deal back.

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

This was a reasonable bargain, as the privilege of using the Golden Emblem would only be granted to trusted close lieges, which would indeed eliminate the impact of Ulrique's suspicion of treason.

The lord has always been fair when it comes to trading.

Ulrique claimed to have granted Leon's banner "a privilege only available to the royal estate", so Leon simply countered it as "a privilege equal to that of a member of the royal family......

The difference between these two logics is, of course, significant.

However, the sky-high price is landed to repay the money, and the business is negotiated......

The Golden Crest is more than just a tax exemption, it represents the power of free rebellion - the ability to attack hostile forces on its own, and to occupy independent territories.

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

However, this kind of freedom and rebellion, and the fact that a territory conquered by oneself can be occupied by default, is rare and does not currently have any nobles in the entire kingdom.

"Becoming an Immortal"

Only a hundred years ago, when Alfred was still Duke of Lion, he was granted this privilege.

At that time he changed his coat of arms to a pure gold lion.

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

Ulrik naturally knows what the golden coat of arms means.

"You want to be given free rebellious privileges as a way to prove your loyalty? That's a reasonable request. However, the crusade against rebellion ...... Where is there any rebellion now? ”

Ulrik hesitated and shook his head.

"Isn't Rainier rebellious? Isn't Eldred rebellious? I just want to contribute to the country. If there is another traitor, I will take the initiative to fight against it, and the territory I have captured will be mine, and all I want is that. ”

Of course, Li Ang did not give up, and explained that he was thinking about the country, and obviously said that he did have selfishness, but this selfishness should also be deserved.

"But do you have what it takes to crusade against rebellion?"

King Ulrik gave Leon a deep look.

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

Li Ang spread his hands.

“…… Well, deal, I hope you don't die at the hands of traitors. But 100,000 dinars, you have to send it to me within a month......"

Ulrike nodded in agreement, but there was a clear 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, and Ulrik is not too worried about the little baron Leon.

Half a day later, Ulrique had Scholar Ingor issue a proclamation in King's Square in Lion City, allowing Leon to make the heraldic pattern solid gold.

This color is indeed dyed with real gold, and it is worth 100,000 dinars.

Commenting on his face, Scholar Ingor read out the King's mandate in front of the officials of the House of Lords, and then hung it on the notice wall of the House of Lords.

After this announcement, Ingor turned around and entered the old House of Lords, the king's private residence, but Filina no longer lived in the garden.

"Your Highness, Leon has been released, and His Majesty the King has even sheltered his estate, so you may have to wait patiently......"

On the top floor of the tower of the old noble house, Yin Geer stood respectfully behind a gloomy young man.

The young man was Aranrik, the only son of King Ulrik and a prince of the Lion Kingdom.

The prince was only in his twenties, but he looked lifeless, pale, and did not seem to be in good health.

"Yin Gere, this is not the result I wanted, you know ......"

Aranrik stood at the window on the top floor, looking down at the busy crowd below, and said in a surging voice.

"Your Highness, who would have thought that the Bacchus Empire would attack White Deer Fort at this time? Originally, I had convinced His Majesty that Leon would indeed be convicted of traitor as you wished, but in the current situation, His Majesty cannot ignore the safety of the border......"

Yin Geor looked at Aranrik's thin back and hung his head.

"No, it's the best of the situation...... Yin Gor, if Leon dies in Lion City at this time, what will the nobles think? ”

Aranrik turned his head and rubbed his arm that had been holding the window edge before.

It seems that this movement alone can make his arm sore.

"Now that the Bacchus Empire is attacking White Deer Castle, if Leon dies in Lion City at such a time, the nobles will lose confidence in the king, Your Highness. Seeking to seize the property of a vassal for his own selfish desires...... Murder and murder without regard for the safety of the kingdom...... In this case, at least half of the nobles will no longer obey your father's orders, and the Lion Realm will inevitably start a civil war. ”

Yin Geor glanced up at Aranrik's arm, his eyes complicated.

In the crook of Aranrik's arm, there were several clear blue-purple blood spots, which were exactly the same as those on King Ulrik's body.

"Now that you know, find a way to kill him. Didn't you just hire some adventurers for my father, the 'Griffon's Sword' adventure party...... Let that group kill him, and I'll be able to blame my father for this. ”

Alan Rik pinched the crook of his arm, his mouth whispering incredible instructions.

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

Yin Geor raised his head in some shock, he didn't expect this prince to suddenly give such an order.

"Ingor, my uncle...... The Duke of Brennus of Craging Bay will support me; The Duke of Alma has a vendetta against Leon, and if I helped him the other day, he will support me; If the king kills Leon, then both Firina and Godric will support me...... The High Lords of all the factions, plus you, and that's enough......"

Aranrik twisted his wrist and walked over to an easel.

On the shelf is a vivid painting of a boy of seven or eight years old on horseback with the support of the king.

That boy was Aranrik.

But when he is young, he looks much more energetic than he is now as an adult.

"Your Highness, your father's time is short, you don't need to be in such a hurry. His Majesty let him go only so that he could get a bigger inheritance from him in the future......"

Yin Geor still seems to want to persuade him.

"Hah, but that more industry has nothing to do with me, Yin Geor...... You should know why my father went to the Noldor girl. ”

Aranrik stared at the painting, his voice low as if it came from hell.

"It is said that Noldor's blood does not suffer from many diseases...... Your Majesty is doing this for the sake of the future of the kingdom. ”

Yin Geor didn't look up, his voice low.

"The future of the kingdom? Ha! But what does that have to do with me? …… I've got a disease! I don't have a future at all! ”

There was a look of madness on Aranrik's face, and he looked at the crook of his arm, and his hands were clenched into fists.

Yin Geor sighed deeply and stopped talking.

"Ingor, my uncle......

You know, I don't have a future, I'm already having symptoms right now...... I can't afford to wait!

But he didn't go to the Noldor girl to heal, and it wasn't for me! It's that he wants to give me another brother!

Hum...... Ha ha...... The Three Prophets and what he said in the chamber, I heard! He didn't want me, who was destined to get sick, to inherit the throne! He's going to have another healthy heir! ”

What about me? What about me?!

I just want to get the throne I deserve!

I may die in ten years, but I am the heir of the kingdom! I can't be locked in the tower for the rest of my life!

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

You know, I'm going to do better than my dad...... He can find the Noldor noble girl to continue the healthy bloodline, and so can I, the future of the lion will still be better!

Kill Leon and let the king be charged with murdering the nobles, and the nobles will surely put me on the throne! ”

Aranrik gradually lost control, and even had a fierce glint in his eyes.

Yin Geor looked up at Aranrik and smiled bitterly: "Child, this will lead to chaos in the kingdom!" ”

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

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

"Alas...... I understand...... I'm going to arrange it, and he's always under my watch. ”

Yin Geor frowned deeply and exited the room.

Aranrik turned again, looking at the palace across from the highest window in the entire Lion City.

"Father, maybe you're in it for the future of the family, but it's not fair...... It's not fair. ”

He whispered towards the dome of the palace.