Chapter 523 Tax Reform 7
The news that Lord Arda wanted to abolish tax farming and introduce income tax swept across the northwest bay like a whirlwind.
When the current Government Administration Council or Lords' Court promulgates some new policies or new regulations, they will basically release the news in advance to gauge the public's opinions.
"What? This is impossible!"
In a certain manor, Fergus, a knight of the Gleiman family, but who withdrew when Paul formed a new army, heard his own When the steward reported the news he had learned from the city, he screamed in surprise.
"Lord Grayman is not such a cruel lord. This must be a rumor."
Fergus shook his head. It makes sense to abolish the tax farming system, but imposing income tax on the rich is a bit excessive. This is not Are you robbing money?
"Someone must be slandering Lord Graiman's reputation. If you let me know, I will never spare him."
Fergus clenched his fists bitterly.
But Fergus was unsure, because according to his friends in the Government Affairs Council, Count Paul Grayman had wanted to promote similar reforms a long time ago, but was dismissed by Director Ford as being immature. Reason to persuade.
At this time, a servant came to report, "Dear Mr. Fergus, Mr. Warren invites you to come to his manor for a banquet in the afternoon."
"Old Warren?"
F. Gus was a little surprised. He had just had a gathering with Old Warren the day before yesterday, so why did he come to invite him to the banquet so soon?
Is that rumor true? Does Count Grainman feel that the "conditions" are ripe to promote reform? Didn’t Director Ford persuade him this time?
Old Warren is asking himself to discuss matters.
"Saddle up the horses for me, I'll be there soon."
Fergus made his decision immediately.
......
"Lord Graiman."
In the Lord's Mansion in Lake Town, Bernard placed a stack of envelopes on Paul's shore.
"They are all addressed to you, some are written in private names, and some are joint letters, some from businessmen and some from squires."
Paul raised his eyebrows and said, "Huh, I don't need to read it. I know what they wrote in the letter."
He opened the envelopes one by one impatiently.
When Paul finished reading the last letter, he shouted angrily and laughed: "Ha, look, Bernard, let me just say, everyone wants to keep their little power. and interests."
Bernard took a piece of paper from Paul, and it was true that the words on it were to persuade Paul not to abolish the tax farming system and not to impose an income tax.
"Bernard, write an open letter for me to respond to the various issues in this joint letter."
"Yes, Mr. Grayman."
Paul listed the replies one by one. The main points that the content should have.
“To clarify the significance of our current tax system in detail, the money we collect is used in the following aspects: First, the construction and maintenance of public facilities, such as roads, Facilities such as bridges, canals, and dams are related to the interests of all territorial residents, including them, including their travel, irrigation, and cargo transportation...who has not used the facilities built with tax money; the second is public service personnel Salary expenditures, such as administrative offices at all levels, population statistics, lawsuits, various taxes..."
Paul stopped, hesitated for a moment, waved his hand and said:
"Forget it, forget it, it goes without saying. I guess they don't like to hear it."
"The third is education and technology expenditures... uh... It goes without saying. I think many people understand They don’t want to understand; the fourth is the construction of armed forces. Strong force is the basic guarantee to protect all the people in the territory from being coveted by outsiders. They should understand this."
He concluded: "In short, just take it. To make a big fuss about the construction of public infrastructure and armed forces, anyone who opposes it is against the interests of all residents of the territory! And it must be stated that the taxes collected are definitely not used for the lord’s personal enjoyment.”
Bernard took a quill pen and wrote down one by one on the white paper.
"Lord Graiman, I will complete this open letter as soon as possible."
"Print a few more copies and put them on the bulletin board." "Yes!"
At this time, a pungent smell drifted into Paul's office through the window on the south wall.
"Holy shit! What a smell! It stinks."
Paul immediately covered his nose, and Bernard did the same.
This smell... reminded him of the feeling when he visited the saltpeter fields built by the alchemists. It was smelly and disgusting.
They all cast their eyes southward through the window. There was nothing unusual inside the castle. When they looked over the wall and looked at the street outside the castle, they found a carriage with goods rolled over on the road, and something was scattered on the ground. Two people dressed as coachmen were looking at it. They were busy moving around, one person was trying to right the carriage, and the other was shoveling the ground with a shovel.
The guards of the lord's palace who were on guard at the entrance of the castle surrounded the two people and supervised their movements.
After a while, the guards tied up the two coachmen.
"What's going on? Isn't it just a truck that rolled over? Are people tied up?"
Paul cried out strangely, "Bernard, go there and ask what's going on and find out why they want to arrest people."
"Yes!" Bernard left in response.
After a while, the secretary came back with details of what happened.
But his expression was very strange, and he said with some hesitation: "That car... is a dung truck."
"Dung truck?" Paul's face didn't look good either.
"Yes, your guards are going to put the two coachmen in jail for disrespecting the lord."
Paul raised his arms, "Just because they accidentally overturned the car at my door. ? Ridiculous! Go tell them and let them go immediately.”
“You can’t let them go!”
His guard captain Victor broke in without knocking.
"Why, Victor?" Paul was very puzzled.
Victor said angrily: "I think this is a deliberate provocation by someone. This has never happened before."
"Deliberate provocation?"
"Yes, Or... Warning! Lord Graiman, think about the tax reform you are about to make." Victor reminded him.
Paul's heart tightened, and he suddenly felt that what his guard captain said was very reasonable.
"Then go and interrogate the two coachmen to see who was behind the scenes. If it was just an accident, let them go."
Victor said: "My lord, I will carry out your order, but I don't think anything useful can be found in the trial. The people behind the scenes who dare to do this must be hiding themselves well. Maybe the car is passive." What tricks are being used, and the two drivers don’t know about it, so I suggest..."
"What do you suggest?"
"I suggest that no matter what the result is, you will ask these two questions. The driver showed his head to the public to deter those behind the scenes."
Bernard echoed: "Captain Victor's suggestion is very reasonable. I think you can consider it."
Paul. There was no immediate response, and he just stared at the two of them for a few seconds.
"I have thought about it, and the result is... No! Victor, interrogate these two people according to my order just now. If you can't find out the reason, let them go."
"Yes, my lord."< br>
The captain of the guard bowed to accept the order.
(End of this chapter)