The matter of cutting off people's financial routes has never been smooth sailing. Accustomed to tax exemption, the slave traders were naturally in a very unhappy mood when they suddenly had to be taxed.

However, the lord had the right to levy taxes, which was a common practice in the mainland. Even if there is someone behind him to support him, there is no way to come out and interfere in the internal affairs of Xueyue Ling.

The five major families in the Northland even dare to take 30% of the transit tax for bulk materials. Lord Hudson only levied a thirty percent slave tax, which is not high by any means.

The arms can't reach the thighs, and ordinary businessmen can endure it. The big deal is that the next time you trade slaves, pick some slaves with high profits.

Anyway, they all wear many hats, and in addition to being slave traders, they also have the identities of smugglers, pirates, and arms dealers.

It's all a profiteering business, and the profits of the slave trade have dropped somewhat, but it still doesn't affect everyone's wealth.

However, for a few big slave traders who were mainly engaged in slave trading and engaged in smuggling on a part-time basis, the losses would be great if they were taxed now.

"What should I do now, Xue Yueling suddenly introduced a slave tax, which suddenly reduced such a large part of the profit, and the task arranged by the family is afraid that it will not be completed this year!"

Erican couldn't help but complain.

The Orc Empire's trading can make huge profits from every transaction, but not everyone can do these transactions.

The great nobles have the ability to organize the supply of goods, and naturally make a lot of money.

These smugglers with a slightly weaker background, the forces behind them do not have such strong organizational and coordination skills, and if they want to come in and get a piece of the pie, they can only take the goods from Master Hudson.

With one more middleman to make the difference, the profit will inevitably shrink. Of course, no matter how much it shrinks, the profits are still very lucrative.

Looking at what everyone is doing, you can know that Hudson's hands are not black, and it has not affected everyone's wealth.

The only problem is that the same smuggling trade is not the same for different commodities.

It's time to test the relationship background again, and the most sought-after and lucrative goods are finally taken by the guys with connections.

They are all members of the aristocratic group, but their background is a little embarrassing.

"Children of the nobles of the Northland", this noble status that once made them proud, although it has not fallen to the point of being shouted at by everyone, is no longer welcomed in the kingdom.

Even if they contacted the Northland nobles who served under Hudson through their connections, they only got a ticket.

Special treatment, that's pure dreaming. There are so many big forces in the kingdom, and they don't have the treatment that they can't enjoy, how can it be their turn?

Fortunately, several of them are active in the orc empire all year round, and all kinds of business are clear.

The pure smuggling trade can't compete with the resource tycoons, so they simply specialize in the slave trade. The rest of the business should be regarded as earning some pocket money.

Relying on his rich experience and familiarity with the rules of the Orc Empire, this business soon became bigger and stronger.

One-fifth of the orc beauties in the entertainment venues of the whole continent were sold by a few of them. The Colosseum, which is spread all over the continent, is also their customers.

It can be said that the most profitable business in the slave trade was done by them.

The high-end business is doing well, and the low-end is not letting go. Every time you enter the orc empire, you come back with several boatloads of slaves.

In the slave trade, it can be regarded as a few of their brothers. In just over a year, he has amassed hundreds of thousands of gold coins.

For the family behind them, this piece of trading is already the most important source of wealth for the family.

Now that Hudson has taken 30 percent of their sales by decree, their profits are bound to shrink dramatically.

"There is no way!

Marshal Hudson wants to levy taxes, and no one can stop them. Our business is so big that there is no way to avoid taxes.

Unless the slave trader returns, he no longer enters the port of Crescent, and trades directly at sea, or goes to another port.

There is a crescent port in the Near East, and the islands that can dock and supply off the coast are also under the control of Marshal Hudson, and we cannot avoid them.

Even if you can avoid it, the buying and selling of so many big nobles in the kingdom are paying taxes in a proper manner, and we come out to be the first bird, you should be able to imagine the consequences! ”

Casarosa replied angrily.

The rule that strength determines the right to speak applies everywhere. Their brother has made such a big business that it has long attracted people's attention.

If something out of the ordinary is done again, competitors will report in a wave every minute. Once they face the Snow Moon Collar, the family behind them can't protect them.

"Humph!

He's crossing the river and demolishing the bridge!

If it weren't for the fact that those of us who got up early and were greedy late and brought a large number of slaves to the Near East, how could the Snow Moon Territory develop so quickly?

Now that he has bought enough slaves and no longer needs these cheap laborers, he ...... directly"

Before Erican finished complaining, Casarosa hurriedly interrupted: "Shut up, my stupid cousin!

If you get tired of living, you can jump into the sea by yourself, and don't drag us to die.

If you can't hold back the words in your heart, then think more about your wife and children at home. Don't toss your own little life, and cause them to suffer with it.

As for the family, they complained at most. Really let them come out to organize a series of tax resistance, and one by one they were immediately coaxed! ”

Money is important, but life is even more important. There are things you can think about, but you must never say them.

"The wall has ears", even on a ship. No one dared to guarantee that none of his subordinates were greedy for wealth and wealth, and they turned around and reported them.

Report tax evasion in Crescent Harbor, which is a direct share of 50% of the tax evasion, and the lord's palace also provides lifelong safe shelter.

Behind the back, what is the crime of criticizing Lord Hudson, although the lord's mansion did not say it, but normal people know that once someone is poked out, the matter will definitely not be small.

Even if Hudson didn't care, his men couldn't let them go. Targeted by the people of the Snow Moon Collar in the Near East, that is the question of how to die.

"Casarosa, what do you mean by waiting for those families to come out?"

Erican asked, uncertain.

If you don't have enough backstage to resist taxes, you can't take the lead, and it's dangerous to even get involved.

"You're such an idiot!

The lord's right to tax was given by the gods. Whoever dares to provoke is a challenge to the entire aristocratic system.

Don't forget, the taxes on our side of the Northland are much higher than those of the Snow Moon Collar. Smashing the pot of the Snow Moon Leader is also smashing the pot of the fiefdom lords of the kingdom!

Who would dare to set this precedent?

Even if someone does something, it will only be done in secret. Whoever crosses the line on the bright side will die!

With this skill, it is better to explore new routes and find a way to avoid the Snow Moon Lord's sphere of influence. ”

Casarosa rubbed his forehead and said.

He was really tired. Casarosa really couldn't understand why his uncle Yingming I actually gave birth to such a stupid son.

Everything else is fine, whether it is doing business or dealing with people, it can be properly arranged, but once it encounters political problems, it will be in the water.

The situation in front of him is very obvious, Lord Hudson has just issued a decree, and the bureaucrats in Xueyue are opening their eyes to brush up on performance.

Whoever sends it at this moment will not end well. Regardless of the identity behind it, now they all have a common identity as "slave traders".

Although the aristocracy liked to buy slaves, it did not affect the contempt for slave traders in the slightest. In terms of status, it is lower than ordinary businessmen.

Going out with this identity, it is a despised existence. If they were really caught, it would be absolutely impossible for the family behind them to admit their identity, and they couldn't afford to lose that person!

In short, they can't participate in the behavior of doing things on the surface. You can only find a way to reduce your losses in the dark.

Rather than hoping that the slave traders' boycott would work, it would be more important to expect the nobility of the Near East to come out in protest.

It's just that this is even more unrealistic, the life and death of the nobles in the Near East are in the hands of Lord Hudson. How did the five major families in the Northland trap and kill a group of small and medium-sized nobles back then, and how can Hudson trap them now.

Cooperate well, everyone is still good friends. Jump out and do it, sooner or later there will be an accident on the battlefield.

……

As soon as the tax collection order came out, the work of the territorial anti-smuggling team suddenly became busy.

The slave traders did not dare to resist taxes on the surface, but secretly evaded taxes, which was full of tricks.

For example, arrange in advance for empty ships to enter the port to purchase supplies and supplies, and slave ships will be parked directly in the open sea.

Another example: with the help of night cover, borrowing from undeveloped no-man's land to avoid the eyes of the tax department.

There is also the use of magic potions, directly disguising slaves as humans, in a vain attempt to get by.

……

All kinds of tax avoidance methods, that are endless. If you can't think of it, there's nothing they can't do.

However, although the work of collecting taxes was difficult, the slave trade began to shrink. Cheap orc slaves, who used to make a profit by moving in volume, are now less and less popular with slave traders.

Affected by taxes, the price of orc slaves in the Near East has skyrocketed by 30%, and proper wool is out of sheep.

The cost performance has decreased, and it is inevitable that the volume will fall. Fortunately, there are already a lot of slaves in everyone's hands, and the labor shortage is not as severe as before.

At this stage, everyone is mainly based on animal husbandry, and the construction of some aristocratic castles that came in the early stage has entered the end, and there is no need for so much labor in the later period, and second-hand slaves have been resold in some areas.

Under pressure to push for slave taxes, Hudson originally thought that he was going to have a big killing, but he didn't expect it to end up uneventful.

But it's normal to think about it, and the fact that slave traders who are blinded by interests can't see the situation clearly, doesn't mean that the people behind them can't see clearly.

The high proportion of orc slaves will seriously affect the national defense and security of the Near East. Now that the situation in the Orc Empire has changed, Hudson is taking precautions in advance, and it is impossible for the high-level of the kingdom not to support it.

The great nobles have accepted the reality, and the others will not have the courage to come out and die unless they think their heads are in the way.

Hudson took back the energy he had been scattered and put it back on the defense of the Near East.

Although it is not known what is happening inside the Orc Empire, the cooling of the civil war is an indisputable fact. Even if Hudson instructed the intelligence services to secretly provoke a conflict, the two camps chose to refrain from it.

However, under this strange change, the Seven Clans Alliance, which was secretly in contact with the kingdom, also showed great enthusiasm and invited the kingdom to send troops many times.

Whether he wanted to use this to put pressure on the four royal families, or set a trap and wait for the kingdom army to drill into it, no one could figure out.

If you don't know, you don't mix, this is Hudson's usual style. It doesn't matter if it's a pie or a trap, just don't touch it.

It has only been two short years since the end of the continental war, and the Alpha Kingdom can only say that it has breathed a sigh of relief, and it is far from the time when it can use troops externally.

The kingdom is still like this, the productivity is backward, and the internal situation of the orc empire, which has broken out in civil war, is estimated to be not much better.

The loss of the orcs Hudson is not clear. Anyway, the number of inbound slaves counted by Guangxue Yueling has exceeded the one million mark.

Using this data as a template to extrapolate, the population lost by the Orc Empire is at least eight million.

The actual loss of population will only be greater, after all, these slaves are young men and women selected from prisoners of war, and they can be kicked out if they are wounded, not in accordance with human aesthetics, and not strong enough.

Training, large-scale military training, is constantly staged in the land of the Near East.

In addition to the kingdom's standing army, a number of aristocratic private armies were also incorporated into the reserve and included in the scope of training.

However, this is just the beginning. A training plan for all the soldiers has been taken out of the dusty cabinet.

"Now is not the time, the population of the Near East is too small. If there are millions of young people, they can be converted into millions of soldiers immediately, and they can be regarded as truly gaining a firm foothold! ”

Hudson said to himself.

The number of new immigrants in the Near East is already high. In just two years, the local population has exceeded 570,000, and it is still dominated by young men and women.

Originally, there could have been more, but because of the large import of orc slaves, the kingdom found that it was cheaper to recruit serfs to work on the front line than to use slaves directly.

The serfs suffered heavy casualties, and the noble lords behind had to protest. No matter how big the loss of orc slaves is, it is only an economic problem.

In the kingdom, it is not illegal to kill orc slaves, and only the slave owner needs to be compensated for the corresponding losses.

If there is a reason, even the loss can be compensated. There is no law in the kingdom that can protect the safety of orc slaves.

As the core of the Near East, the development speed of the Snow Moon Collar is even more rapid.

Half of the 570,000 people in the Near East live in the Snow Moon Territory, including 200,000 immigrants and 30,000 Kingdom garrisons.

It is too far from the expected million young men and one million soldiers.

"Jacob, why did the number of immigrants who entered the Near East drop last month?"

Hudson asked with concern.

It stands to reason that the monthly influx of people into the Near East should be a gradual increase. After all, with the continuous improvement of infrastructure, it is able to accommodate more people to live.

In addition, the Near East is in a period of rapid economic development, and there is plenty of incentive to send migrants to the Near East.

Even the most down-and-out little nobles, using their networks, can find a way to get a population of 800 people.

With a loan from the Development Bank of the Near East, they are more than capable of paying for resettlement.

"Lord Duke, the slowdown in immigration is mainly due to the decline in the demand for labor.

Perhaps due to our influence, the noble lords everywhere followed suit and developed animal husbandry, and the demand for labor was limited.

Due to cost considerations, coupled with the fact that they still have a large number of slaves in their hands, there is not much demand for immigrants in the short term.

In fact, it's not just them, it's even the Snow Moon Collar. It's just that we still have fishing and salt industry, which absorb a lot of labor.

In order to increase jobs, the Ministry of Administration has decided to develop the wool textile industry and meat processing industry, which is expected to create thousands of jobs.

But that's still a drop in the bucket. In order to solve the employment problem, we also provided serf leasing services to urban business travelers.

Now that the water conservancy project has been basically completed, the next step is to wait for a large number of cash crops to be planted, and then develop a supporting processing industry. ”

Jacob said with a look of embarrassment.

I really have done my best, and in the agricultural era, the only thing that can accommodate a large number of laborers is agriculture.

Other handicrafts that rely on agriculture can absorb extremely limited labor.

What can the Snow Moon Collar develop?

The answer is: a lot!

However, at present, all of them are not suitable, and what can be developed in the short term is still the primary processing industry that relies on agriculture and animal husbandry.

It's not that Hudson can't make a good product, it's that there is no matching market. Regardless of what is produced, once industrial production is started, there will be overcapacity if you are not careful.

Passing through the pre-industrial era originated in the cotton textile industry, and then superimposed on the dividends of the Age of Discovery, the situation is completely different now, how to promote the upgrading of productivity, Hudson is also confused.

Follow the study and turn the orc empire into a cotton field, which doesn't seem to be very reliable. Not to mention whether it can be planted or not, this proposal alone is very anti-human.

Regardless of the low selling price, these products were dispensable to the self-sufficient feudal aristocratic economy.

Without promoting the development of productive forces, these troubles will indeed be gone. But how to defeat the orc empire has become a thorny problem again.

With the existing productive forces of the Alpha Kingdom, no matter how much they mobilized to the limit, they did not have the strength to completely defeat the orcs.

The combined national strength was not enough to support the expedition of the kingdom's army, which determined the offensive and defensive trends of both sides, which Hudson could not change by himself.

"In the name of the command of the Near Eastern Front, an announcement was issued:

Remind the noble lords to control the ratio of orc slaves and lords in their territory, and beware of these orc slaves when the orcs invade.

It is officially recommended that the number of orc slaves should not exceed one-half of the number of lords. More than the noble lords, please replenish the number of immigrants as soon as possible! ”

Hudson ordered without changing his face.

On this issue, Xueyue Ling is a representative of serious excesses. The number of orc slaves was as high as 400,000.

If the population were to be replenished according to this ratio, Hudson would need to replenish more than half a million people to be able to fill the hole.

Not kidding, he was going to do it. If there are no jobs, then create jobs.

The lack of mineral resources does not mean that the entire Near East region is lacking in minerals.

As far as Hudson knew, in the past two years, the noble lords in various places had successively discovered gold, silver, copper, iron, coal and other minerals.

Regardless of whether the reserves are abundant or not, at least there are mines. Where there are mines, there is a foundation for the development of corresponding industries.

Gold, silver and copper ore, in particular, can be used directly to mint coins when mined. Not only do you not have to worry about sales, but you can also alleviate the kingdom's money shortage crisis.

(End of chapter)