Tax Reform 7

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

The news that Lord Alden intended to abolish the tax farming system and impose an income tax spread like wildfire through the Northwest Bay.

These days, the Administrative Council or the Lord's Court would typically release information in advance when announcing new policies or regulations to gauge public sentiment.

"What? This is impossible!"

In a certain manor, Ferguson, a knight from the Grayman family who had withdrawn when Paul formed his new army, exclaimed in shock upon hearing his steward report the news he had learned from the town.

"Lord Grayman is not that kind of tyrannical lord; it must be a rumor."

Ferguson shook his head. Abolishing the tax farming system was one thing, but imposing an income tax on the wealthy seemed excessive—wasn't that just robbery?

"Someone must be slandering Lord Grayman's reputation. If I find out who it is, I will definitely not let them off."

Ferguson clenched his fists in anger.

However, Ferguson was uncertain because, according to a friend of his in the Administrative Council, Earl Paul Grayman had wanted to push for such reforms a long time ago, but he had been dissuaded by Steward Ford under the pretext that the conditions were not ripe.

At this moment, a servant came in to report, "Honorable Lord Ferguson, Lord Walter invites you to a banquet at his manor this afternoon."

"Old Walter?"

Ferguson was slightly surprised. He had just met with Old Walter two days ago; how could he be inviting him again so soon?

Could it be that the rumor was true? Did Earl Grayman think the "conditions" were ripe to push for reform? Was Steward Ford not going to dissuade him this time?

Old Walter must be inviting him to discuss this matter.

"Prepare my horse; I'm going over immediately."

Ferguson made the decision right away.

...

"Lord Grayman."

In the lord's mansion of Alden Town, Bernard placed a stack of envelopes on Paul's desk.

"They're all for you. Some are written in a personal capacity, while others are joint letters, from merchants and country gentry."

Paul raised an eyebrow and said, "Hmph, I know what they wrote without even looking."

He impatiently opened the envelopes one by one.

By the time Paul finished reading the last letter, he laughed and shouted, "Ha! Look, Bernard, I told you, everyone wants to cling to their little power and interests."

Bernard took a piece of paper from Paul's hand, which indeed contained pleas for Paul not to abolish the tax farming system or impose an income tax.

"Bernard, write me an open letter to respond to the issues raised in this joint letter."

"Yes, Lord Grayman."

Paul listed the key points that should be included in the reply.

"We must clearly explain the significance of our current tax system and how the funds collected are used in the following areas: First, for the construction and maintenance of public facilities such as roads, bridges, canals, and dams. These things are related to the interests of all the tenants, including them. Everyone uses the facilities built with tax money for their travel, irrigation, goods transportation… who hasn't benefitted from them? Second, for the salaries of public service personnel, such as the clerks at various administrative points, who handle population statistics, legal cases, various taxes…"

Paul paused, hesitated for a moment, and waved his hand, saying:

"Forget it; they probably wouldn't want to hear this."

"Third, for education and technological expenditures… uh… this doesn't need to be mentioned either; many people wouldn't understand or want to understand; fourth, for the construction of armed forces. A strong military is the basic guarantee for protecting all the people in the territory from external threats; they should understand this."

He summarized, "In short, we should focus on public infrastructure construction and military development. Anyone who opposes it is going against the interests of all the residents in the territory! And we must emphasize that the tax money is definitely not used for the personal enjoyment of the lord."

Bernard took up a quill pen and noted everything down on a blank sheet of paper.

"Lord Grayman, I will finish this open letter as soon as possible."

"Make several copies and post them on the notice board."

"Yes!"

Just then, a pungent smell wafted through the window of Paul's office.

"Ugh! What is that smell? It's disgusting."

Paul immediately covered his nose, and Bernard did the same.

This smell… reminded him of the experience visiting the nitrate fields built by alchemists—foul and nauseating.

They both turned their gaze southward through the window. Inside the castle, there was nothing unusual, but when their eyes crossed the walls and looked at the street outside the castle, they discovered a cargo cart had overturned on the road, spilling its contents everywhere. Two men dressed as carters were busy running around—one trying to right the cart, the other shoveling something off the ground.

The guards of the lord's mansion, responsible for vigilance at the castle gates, surrounded the two men, supervising their actions.

After a while, the guards bound the two carters.

"What's going on? Isn't it just an overturned cart? Is it necessary to bind them?"

Paul called out in confusion, "Bernard, go over there and ask what's happening, and find out why they're arresting those people."

"Yes!" Bernard responded and went.

Soon, the secretary returned with detailed information.

However, his expression was strange, and he hesitated as he said, "That cart… was a dung cart."

"A dung cart?" Paul's expression darkened.

"Yes, your guards plan to throw those two carters into prison for disrespecting the lord."

Paul raised his arm, "Just because they accidentally overturned their cart in front of my door? Absurd! You go tell them to release the men immediately."

"They can't be released!"

His guard captain, Victor, barged in without knocking.

"Why not, Victor?" Paul asked, puzzled.

Victor said angrily, "I believe this is a deliberate provocation against you; such a thing has never happened before."

"Deliberate provocation?"

"Yes, or perhaps a… warning! Lord Grayman, think about your upcoming tax reform." Victor reminded him.

Paul's heart tightened, and he suddenly felt that what his guard captain said made a lot of sense.

"Then you interrogate those two carters to see if there's anyone behind this; if it's just an accident, let them go."

Victor replied, "My lord, I will carry out your order, but I don't think we'll find anything useful. Anyone bold enough to do this likely hides themselves well; perhaps the cart was tampered with without the carters knowing. So I suggest…"

"What do you suggest?"

"I suggest that regardless of the results, you display these two carters' heads publicly to deter those behind it."

Bernard concurred, "Captain Victor's suggestion is very reasonable; I think you should consider it."

Paul did not respond immediately, just stared at the two men for a few seconds.

"I considered it, and the result is… no! Victor, interrogate these two men according to my previous order, and if you find nothing, let them go."

"Yes, my lord."

The guard captain bowed and accepted the order.

(End of the Chapter)

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Translated 4 Series, 1.65K+ Chapters and 2.01M+ Words.