Chapter 520 Tax Reform
Everyone, except McLoon and Ford, were frightened speechless by Paul's "stepped tax rate".
Lord Graiman, are you sure you are not robbing money?
"Ahem!" Hansel asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, don't you think about this stepped tax rate anymore?"
Paul replied with great certainty: " This is my final decision. The tax rates at each stage are subject to discussion, but the stepped taxation method must be implemented.”
Seeing the unquestionable look on the lord's face, everyone understood that they could not stop the lord no matter what.
Looking at the different expressions of everyone, Myron Garnard, Earl of Bairding, stood up.
“In order to set a good example, Paul and I decided to set an example. Whether it is income tax or stepped tax rates, when the formal tax policy is introduced, they will be levied starting from the two of us. The specific details of the tax payment were posted on the bulletin board of each city's city hall. "
"Ouch!"
Officials from various departments were surprised. Lord Graiman set an example, and everyone didn't take it seriously. After all, in people's eyes, Paul's own taxation was nothing more than a left-handed tax, but it was different when Lord Myron Gardner joined in.
It was from this time on that everyone finally realized that Count Grayman was really working hard to build a strong and sound public finance system.
Paul asked, "Does anyone have a different opinion?"
No one objected.
Paul looked at his tax supervisor, "Okay, in that case, the specific content will be left to the tax bureau to study. I will convene everyone to discuss it when the draft is produced."
History Tiff Fielding stood up and answered: "As you command, Lord Grayman."
Paul then turned to his chief judge Thomas and said: "After the new tax policy is introduced, some people will definitely hide their true wealth and income in various ways. It is necessary to further improve the various legal provisions against tax evasion in the past."
"The Lord's Court will work closely with the Tax Department, Lord Graiman." Thomas agreed.
......
The meeting on tax reform lasted for more than two hours, and Paul announced that the meeting was adjourned when it was approaching the closing time set by the Government Affairs Council.
Paul returned to his office and sat down on the boss chair he had specially built. This chair is not simply made of hard wood, but imitates the design of his previous life, with the backrest and seat board It is stuffed with soft sponge, making it very comfortable to sit on.
Since no one else was present, he comfortably put his legs on the table in front of him, rested his hands on his head, and leaned lazily on the chair, imagining what would happen after the implementation of the new tax policy.
His secretary Bernard opened the door of the office and walked in, but Paul did not change his posture. Bernard was not an "outsider". He had already become a part of the castle like the old butler Philip.
"Oh, Bernard, would you like a glass of wine?"
"Thank you, Lord Graiman."
The secretary walked to the table where the wine utensils were placed , picked up the wine bottle, poured two glasses, picked it up, walked to Paul, and handed one of the glasses to Paul.
Paul took out a hand and took it, and their wine glasses touched slightly in mid-air, making a crisp sound.
They each took a small sip.
"Actually, Lord Grayman, I have always had questions about you."
"Oh, Bernard, since it has been all along, why didn't you ask earlier? , you are my closest partner at work, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.”
Bernard was very pleased to hear the count calling himself a partner. So he asked the question in his mind: "Do you want to be a [saint]?"
"Saint?" Paul was slightly surprised. He didn't know why his secretary asked this. What about him behaved like a saint?
“Yes, the kind of saint who is willing to give and burn himself.”
“Oh, Bernard, are you talking about an altruist?”
“ Altruism? Saints are indeed altruistic.”
"Then I really don't know what kind of behavior I have that can deserve such evaluation from you?"
"Let's see!" Bernard said matter-of-factly: "You are so eager... [ Searching for wealth, please forgive me for using the word "searching" to describe it, but in the eyes of many people, you are indeed unscrupulous, but..."
Bernard emphasized the but.
"Are you collecting money to amass wealth? No, you are not a miser, you have spent all the money in the treasury."
"You have spent all the money. Is it just for your own enjoyment? No, with all due respect, your material environment can only be described as shabby among the Aldo nobles.”
Bernard put down his glass and spread his hands.
“You invest a lot of money in road construction, technology research and development, educational development, and even generously lend money to private businessmen and factory owners at extremely low interest rates. What is this not a saint? This is not altruism What is it?”
After listening to the secretary’s words, Paul smiled and wagged his fingers with his free hand.
"Oh! Bernard, you are wrong, I am not as noble as you think. Saint? This kind of thing is too far away from the essence of my soul."
Burner Na was stunned and said, "You are being modest."
"Hoho, I am definitely not being modest, absolutely! Yes! No! Yes!"
"Then there must be a deep-seated reason driving you to do this."
"Indeed There is a deep-seated reason driving me to do this."
Paul answered him with a smile, "It is for my own material enjoyment."
Bernard was doubtful for a moment. The count was playing a trick on himself.
Lord Grayman, look at the various furnishings in this castle, are you sure you are enjoying it?
"I know you have doubts in your heart, but... I'm sorry that I can't fully answer your doubts now."
Paul looked at Bernard slyly, even somewhat mysteriously.
“However, the material enjoyment I am looking forward to is definitely something that the current world cannot provide. Yes, as a lord, I can instruct a large number of manpower to work for me with just one command. You can ask for various outputs in the territory at will, but this quantitative change has not yet reached the level of causing qualitative change."
In Bernard's increasingly confused eyes, Paul said: "The material life I expect requires more. This can only be achieved through a combination of various conditions, including science, technology, systems, ideas, and manpower - of course, high-quality manpower. All of them are indispensable, and the continuous integration of these things is required to achieve the kind of qualitative change I expect."
"That's why I work very hard to change the world. If I spend money and indulge in the current level of material life for one minute, the process leading to that kind of qualitative change will be slower for one minute."
( End of chapter)