Chapter 213: Heavy Taxation
Ulrich squinted his eyes and shook his head, then stretched out his hand and pressed it, signaling the others to listen to him.
"Baron Leon, with the achievements you have made in Eagle Claw Castle, Eagle Claw Castle should be your legal territory. Of course, that is what you deserve, and this is not a reward."
There is nothing to discuss about the fiefdom of Eagle Claw Castle. It was conquered by Leon, and no one will have any objection to it.
But killing thousands of Jatu, taking back the lost territory, and forcing the Kingdom of Ravenstern to apologize and withdraw its troops, it would be unreasonable not to reward such a merit. So everyone knew that the king had something else to say, and no one said anything.
"Originally, I should have promoted you to earl as a reward, but you took back Changhe Town a few days ago... Frankly speaking, considering your qualifications and age, being in charge of both Eagle Claw Castle and Changhe Town at the same time will cause a lot of unnecessary controversy..."
Ulrich shook his head and said, "So I let you choose for yourself, do you want a higher hereditary title, or do you want more fiefdoms?"
The king was indeed candid when he was sober.
It is normal for the king to have such considerations when a young lord in his twenties has made great achievements.
If too many titles are given, what will this young man use to claim credit if he makes more achievements in the future?
However, everyone present knew that Ulrich was probably not actually considering this question...
"Your Majesty, can you choose this yourself?"
Li Ang smiled broadly, showing typical symptoms of a villain who has achieved success, and even glanced at Godric with a squint: "So, I can become an earl?"
The greedy look was undisguised and looked very annoying, but the king smiled and said: "Of course, you won it yourself."
"Count? Huh..."
Godric snorted in dissatisfaction.
"Ahaha, becoming a count is not easy..."
Leon glanced at Godric sideways, smiled smugly, then covered his face with a grin, it seemed that his wound would hurt if he smiled.
"In that case, I think we can probably discuss it this way... Godric, I heard that your daughter is already in Eagle Claw Castle. I plan to transfer you to the position of Chief of Military Affairs in the Northern Region, and transfer your title from White Hart Castle to the Lord of Eagle Claw Castle. As for Leon, you will be promoted to Earl and serve as Chief of Military Affairs in the East. Changhe Town will become your territory, but you have to give up Eagle Claw Castle. Malbert, you will take over White Hart Castle as a reward for your father's contribution..."
Ulrich's smile deepened: "So I said that this matter needs to be discussed. This is also to resolve your conflict...Leon, do you have any objections?"
The king was very fair to Le Ang in exchanging the destroyed Eagle Claw Fort for the prosperous Changhe Town, and he could also be promoted to earl if outsiders were to judge.
As for Godric, Long River Town was once deceived by the rebels in his hands, so he was transferred from White Hart Castle to Eagle Claw Castle as a punishment, which seemed to be no problem.
Brunus did meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion, but he had already reached the top of the dukedom and could not be rewarded, so his son was appointed to White Hart Castle as a reward.
This arrangement does appear to be very fair.
But the problem is that this is not resolving the contradiction, but intensifying it...
This arrangement seems good for all three parties, but in reality it is bound to lead to struggle among the three parties.
Leon tilted his mouth towards Godric, his mockery was very obvious: "Your Majesty, of course I have no objection."
"Godric?"
King Ulric turned to his brother-in-law.
Godric's nose twitched a few times, and a fierce light flashed in his eyes: "Hmph... No problem, this is fair... But Your Majesty, I want to sue Earl Leon for not paying his debts!"
The Lord turned and glared at me.
"This is your private matter. Private matters should be resolved privately... Since you have no objection to my arrangement, then it is decided..."
King Ulric stopped Godric from asking for the debt in public, then nodded with satisfaction and stood up to adjourn the meeting.
"Wait... Your Majesty, can I speak?"
Malbert shook his head weakly and stood up. Originally, he was simply receiving the reward on behalf of his father, so the king did not ask him.
But in fact, he was the representative of Duke Brunus, and he was certainly qualified to express his opinion at the round table...
"you say."
Ulrich seemed quite amiable now.
"Your Majesty, with my military strength, I'm afraid it will be difficult to defend White Hart Castle..."
Malbert's eyes kept glancing left and right. It was obvious that he didn't think he couldn't hold on, but he just didn't want to get involved in the conflict between Leon and Godric.
Since he saw the Noldor elves appear in Leon's guard, Malbert naturally realized that whoever dared to take over White Hart Castle would be in danger - after all, it was normal for humans to die at the hands of the Noldor elves...
"Then you can learn from Leon and get some Noldor mercenaries to strengthen your military strength. Okay, that's it!"
It seemed that Ulrich didn't care whether Malbert was in danger or not. He would probably be happier if the three parties fought, so he directly terminated this "discussion".
Leon had a blank expression, Godric was furious, and Malbert was gloomy.
A few hours later, the imperial decree was officially announced.
Baron Leon was promoted to Earl of Changhe Town and concurrently served as Chief of Military Affairs for the Eastern Region.
Baron Godric became the Lord of Eagle Claw Castle, and the village of Biglen under Eagle Claw Castle was also granted to him. He also served as the Chief of Military Affairs in the Northern Region. There was no powerful lord in the Beibu Gulf now, so this was indeed the right arrangement.
Lord Malbert was granted the title of Lord White Hart.
After completing the enthronement, King Ulric met with Leon alone in the lord's hall.
"Count Leon... no matter what conflicts you have with Godric, I hope you can restrain each other and not affect the safety of the kingdom..."
Ulrich kept looking at Leon's swollen face, as if considering whether to mediate between the two.
After all, this kind of public fighting and slapping can easily turn into a life-and-death duel for the nobles, and is very likely to trigger a war.
The conflict between the two powerful nobles is a good thing for the king, but if a civil war breaks out, it will be unsafe. The king didn't bring many people with him...
"They are all trivial matters...just trivial matters, just a small dispute over money, Your Majesty."
Li Ang rubbed his face and shook his head sensibly.
"I'm afraid it's more than just a small dispute. I heard that you used to be inseparable from Godric's daughter, but now there are so many beauties around you, I'm afraid it will be difficult for your two families to get along... You'd better return the dinars to Godric, you are not short of money..."
King Ulric sighed. Hearing this, he seemed to want to control the situation. He probably felt that the situation should not escalate while he was still there...
After hearing Godric say that Leon was a rapist and seeing two stunning beauties beside Leon, the king knew that this was definitely not just a matter of money.
This is both an emotional issue and an economic dispute, plus the fact that they are occupying each other's territory. It is obvious that the conflict between the two families is extremely intense, and war may break out at any time...
Although the king did not care about their hatred, he certainly did not want to be dragged into the battle before he left.
"Your Majesty, I will certainly try my best to restrain myself. You saw that I didn't fight back today! But I really can't return the money to him... Alas..."
Li Ang also sighed: "I was trying to collect 100,000 dinars to pay you back first! Your gold seal is not in Changhe Town..."
The lord covered his face and looked up at Ulrich pitifully.
Ulrich's face twitched twice, and it seemed that he had a lot to say but was stuck in his mouth.
"I do have to take that money with me...but whatever you do, stay restrained! I'll go talk to Godric as well."
It seems that compared with the hatred between his lords, the king obviously cares more about the 100,000 dinars...
I don't know how Ulric talked to Godric, but he immediately set off to return to Sarleon that day after the conversation, and he also took away the 100,000 dinars that Leon had prepared in advance.
It feels like running away overnight.
Lord Malbert also couldn't wait to leave Changhe Town.
——It seemed that everyone was worried that a fight would break out in Changhe Town.
But Leon and Godric were toasting in celebration at the Changhe Express Company headquarters...
"You hit me too hard. Didn't I tell you not to hit me in the face?"
Li Ang was still rubbing his nose, and the redness and swelling on his face had not gone away yet.
"That's just right... Well, besides, this will be more effective, right? The king also said that I hurt your dignity and was worried that you would assassinate me..."
Godric looked at Leon's wound and smiled: "Are you sure Malbert is willing to give up White Hart Castle?"
"He is an extremely smart guy. He was not even willing to enter Changhe Town at first, let alone Bailubao now... He must know that no one in Bailubao will listen to him. Stationing troops in Bailubao is equivalent to providing you with free labor. At most, he will come to collect taxes once a quarter. Anyway, collecting taxes will give him a sum of money every year, and dividends will also give him a sum of money every year, so he might just exchange it for shares? He doesn't have to bear any responsibility..."
Li Ang raised his glass. "The east is safe now. The king will not trouble us again for the time being. At most, he will collect more taxes. Maybe we can live in peace for a while."
"I can retire now... I will live in Biglen Village, looking out over the inner sea of Lion Lake every day, fishing and hunting. That's really the life I've always dreamed of..."
Godric raised his glass and clinked it with Leon's.
…
A few days later, the kingdom's tax officer came to Changhe Town and informed Li Ang of the amount of taxes that the territory needed to pay to the kingdom.
The lord's fiefdom would have a predetermined amount of tax to be paid to the state. This was an obligation that the lord must fulfill. After paying the national tax, the remaining amount belonged to the lord. However, the king had no control over how much tax the lord would collect.
Anyway, it's the lord's own territory, so it doesn't matter what kind of trouble he wants to cause, as long as he pays enough taxes to the country...
Changhe Town is not a pioneer territory, so of course it does not have the preferential policy of one year of tax exemption. Moreover, Maixiang Territory also needs to pay taxes to the kingdom starting from this quarter.
However, the specific amount of national tax that each lord's territory must pay will not be announced publicly, because each lord's fiefdom has different circumstances, and the Kingdom of Fierce Lion will set .
For territories of the same population size, territories in safe hinterland areas must pay full taxes; but if war preparedness is required on the border, the tax can be deducted from the war preparedness - it is not tax-free, in fact, taxes must be paid, but a portion of it can be deducted locally with military defense expenditures.
For example, when Godric was in White Hart Keep, he should have paid about 15,000 dinars in taxes each year, but in fact he usually only paid 2,000 dinars, and most of the taxes were offset by city defense construction.
In general, the tax amount will be adjusted every year according to the specific situation, and will not be implemented with a fixed ratio. But in principle, it will still match a collection range, generally matching the population, and the annual national tax will be between one and two dinars per capita.
Some deductions are made in border areas, some reductions are made in disaster-stricken areas, and after adding some losses, what finally remains in the national treasury is basically around one dinar per capita.
The national taxes of various countries are roughly within this range.
But Li Ang's territory goes far beyond this range...
"…Maixiang Territory will be incorporated into Changhe Town. Earl Leon, the annual tax for your territory is tentatively set at 150,000 dinars…The tax payable this season is 75,000 dinars. Earl Leon, please pay this season's tax before January next year."
After reading a long paragraph of clichés and nonsense, the kingdom's tax collector announced a terrible tax amount to the lord.
The "each season" here actually refers to each harvest season, which is usually two seasons a year, April and October, and half of the tax amount is completed each season.
Normally the latest period for tax payment is July and January of the following year - sorting and transportation take time.
In other words, from now on, Leon will have to pay 150,000 dinars to Sarleon City every year, and it will start from this October.
You know, the total tax paid by the entire eastern region, including White Hart Castle and Brave Shield Castle, was only 200,000 last year...
In fact, the tax amount of 200,000 in the eastern region is not high. The entire eastern region has a population of about 200,000, and the average amount is one dinar per person per year, which is a very normal national tax amount.
But now, the tax required for Li Ang's direct jurisdiction is too high.
Although the jurisdiction of Changhe Town is large, it belongs to Li Ang's territory, which actually only includes the urban area of Changhe Town and the surrounding farms, Maixiangling, and Fletcher Village.
The lords in other places in the jurisdiction did not pledge allegiance to Li Ang, and Li Ang could not control them...
There are only about 8,000 residents living in Changhe Town, and there are more than 16,000 people living in the farms around Changhe Town. The current population of Maixiangling is close to 3,000, and Fletcher has less than 1,000 people.
Plus a remote Dark Falcon Castle - that place was used as a pioneer territory, and no national tax was required for a year...
In other words, the territory belonging to Li Ang has an actual population of less than 30,000 people, but has to pay 150,000 in taxes every year.
The difference between 5 dinars per capita and 1 dinar per capita is five times.
But the lord accepted it calmly - the king would impose higher taxes on him, which was expected and normal.
It's understandable that they take advantage of the rich.
However, what Li Ang didn't expect was that he was not the only one who had to bear such a heavy tax.
Not long after the tax collector left, Malbert arrived in Changhe Town.
Lord Malbert did not officially take over White Hart Castle. He did go to White Hart Castle and then immediately returned to Changhe Town to find the lord to discuss a business deal.
"You mean, you want to exchange White Hart Castle for my business in the northwest of the kingdom? Is this what you mean or what your father means?"
Leon looked at Malbert with some surprise.
He didn't expect that Malbert had such a keen sense of smell and made such a decision after only one trip to White Hart Castle.
"Of course it's my idea. After all, White Hart Castle is nominally my fiefdom..."
Malbert smiled and turned to look around the Lord's Hall.
"Don't worry, there's no one else here. Malbert, this is no small matter, are you sure you want to do this? I have to make it clear that those casinos and entertainment venues are not easy to manage. Moreover, after those stores are separated from my Maixiang International, their business may not be so good."
Leon was quite honest with Malbert and he always told the truth when discussing specific business matters.
Moreover, it is really difficult for ordinary nobles to make the decision to abandon a well-built castle. Malbert's mind is indeed quite flexible.
"I understand all this. I don't want the Maixiang International brand. My family has enough influence in the northwest region, so I will use the family brand. I just want those stores that customers have become accustomed to."
Malbert nodded.
"Are you sure you want to trade a territory like White Hart Castle for some shops?"
Li Ang once again looked up to this actor. Based on customer habits, he acquired existing stores and then established his own family brand in the region. This was a market merger and acquisition with modern business thinking.
His attitude towards Malbert was now more serious than towards the king.
"I know my own weight, Lord Leon. I can neither control those Noldor elves nor resist the attack of the Baccus Empire... I can only live in fear every day if I stay in White Hart Castle. It is better to change to something more tangible. I have visited most of the casinos opened by the Maixiang Company in the northwest of the kingdom. I know that they can definitely make much more money than I can in White Hart Castle."
Malbert didn't act this time and spoke very sincerely.
"But the king and the House of Lords will not agree to this deal... Malbert, you should understand the king's intentions."
Li Ang shook his head slightly.
"Of course I understand. I can even see that you and Lord Godric are acting together..."
Malbert smiled and said, "You acted very well. You almost fooled me. I didn't realize it until I arrived at White Hart Castle."
Li Ang curled his lips and said nothing. He could tell that he had been really beaten. Malbert was indeed a born actor.
"Lord Leon, to be honest, I don't dare to take White Hart Castle. It's not just a matter of military strength... Do you know how much tax the king set for White Hart Castle? Fifty thousand dinars per year! There are only ten thousand people in White Hart Castle. How can I collect so much tax?"
Malbert spread his hands and said no more about acting.
"White Hart Castle also charges such high taxes? That's the border!"
Li Ang was also surprised. The per capita income in White Hart Castle was also 5 dinars?
