Chapter 455: Meeting About Taxes

Translator: Exodus Tales  Editor: Exodus Tales

“Within these 2 years, the prime minister has run Gantian Mountain well.”

In a relaxed manner, he rode the horse forwards on the streets. The unceasing amount of shops on the side showed how prosperous the current Gantian Mountain was.

The pedestrians were moving like waves, similar to when he had left Gantian Mountain. However, Zong Shou knew that the rental from these stalls was 7 times that of before.

As for Gantian Mountain’s commerce tax, in just a short 2 years it had risen by more than 10 times.

Even without needing to go down the cloud ocean to hunt, it could support the 3 million army expenditure of Gantian Mountain.

In the past, the beast crystals and mind stones were mostly for self-use. They didn’t have much trade on the market. However, now that there are many martial cultivators in the country, beast crystals, mind stones as well as various kinds of medicine and beast leather were increasing in folds. So naturally, the commerce tax was also greatly increasing.

“This is because of the ruler. I have nothing to do with it!”

Renbo laughed out, his face filled with a mocking expression, “If it wasn’t for the few government decrees passed down by the ruler, how would Gantian Mountain look like it was today? Today just the xiantain experts that have entered our city registry have reached 80 thousand. However half of them are staying because of the ruler’s 9 true dragon sword technique books. At that time it shocked the cloud continent…”

Zong Shou felt a little gleeful, his eyes turning into a crescent moon shape. However, he knew that if it wasn’t for Renbo helping him deal with all these complicated administrative matters, Gantian Mountain wouldn’t have been able to become so strong.

That fellow was good at everything, only that he was too smart. A year ago he wanted to build the roads and wanted to collect fees for 200 years. In the end, this old man suppressed it to a 50-year limit, causing his future income to be reduced by 70%, how annoying.

“However no matter where I am I hear that I am a preposterous incapable ruler…”

“Scoff, what do those ignorant people know?”

Renbo scoffed coldly, his words filled with disdain, “Although our Gantian Mountain has 3 million troops, the lowest one is a martial master at the 5th chakra meridian. They also cultivated a support technique, their combat strength is far from that random army 2 years ago. As for the 3 million spiritual armor and weapons that the ruler instructed to buy and craft in secret, I just need half a year to prepare it. Any moment we would be able to exchange their gears, and also those blood cloud cavalry…”

When he said those 3 words, Renbo’s expression seemed a little weird. If he didn’t know that their Gantian Mountain was silently building such an elite army, he would think that Zong Shou was already satisfied, with no intentions to expand anymore.

Thinking about how this place wasn’t a place where they could speak at ease, Renbo paused, following which he said curiously, “When can your highness act?”

This was also the question that everyone in Gantian Mountain was asking. Others felt that Gantian Mountain was extremely weak after cutting down the army. However, anyone with a little status which could enter the true core of Gantian Mountain would know exactly how strong the current army was.

3 million martial masters might not be the opponent of that tens of million-strong army of Thousand City Alliance, but if they were equipped well with the various armors and weapons, they could fight 1 against 10!

In the entire Donglin Cloud Continent, how many powers can take out such a huge sum?

Even Lingyun Sect which had passed down for ten thousand years might not bear to be able to take out the money.

In Renbo’s eyes, if it wasn’t for Zong Shou suppressing it, their current soldier strength was enough to sweep both Yunxia and Blazing Flame City.

“Hehe, it’s best if we act weak. Since we have high moral ground we can prevent those sects from interfering.”

Zong Shou thought about it and shook his head. He felt emotional. Things in the world were just so weird.

A year and a half ago he was a ruler that everyone praised was intelligent and great. But a year and a half later, he was being linked to being preposterous and incapable.

At the corner of his eye, he saw a person which caused him to be startled. He looked towards the restaurant at the side, only to see a silver armored thin covered in exquisite masks looking over.

Why was this girl here?

After entering this era, Zong Shou had never seen her but in the future, ten thousand years later, she was like thunder in the ears.

The only female who was called a military god in the early parts of the god-emperor era.

The way she was dressed was the same as the books recorded. The silver-colored mask, grade 9 silver crafted snow pattern armor was also unique.

However, wasn’t she a capital commander in Great Shang? What was she doing here?”

Within the restaurant, another person looked over. That gaze was like when one was looking at a monkey, making him feel uncomfortable.

Zong Shou frowned and didn’t mind much. This girl was said to be loyal to Great Shang as such he had no way to pull her over. As for the latter, who cared who he was?

A bell also rang at the peak of Gantian Mountain, spreading all around the city.

Zong Shou retracted his attention as he looked towards Zhengang Peak.

“Ruler, it has begun at the Meeting Hall, do you want to go take a look?”

Zong Shou nodded her head slightly. When he was in the common people path palace, he would only return once every half a year. Naturally, he would go take a look at the Meeting Hall.

“Prime minister, what is the topic up for discussion today?”

“The matters up for discussion today are all large matters. One is to adjust the passed tax for xuanxing bamboo arrows. The 2nd is about Qianxue and Fanghui City wanting to be directly under Gantian Mountain. Hu Qianqiu and Chaiyuan have started debating 2 months ago, and it is said that they are ready to go all out against one another today.”

“Xuanxing bamboo arrow pass tax?”

Zong Shou’s brows rose, asking with curiosity. He also heard about the xuanxing bamboo which was a top material to craft spiritual arrows. One could carve a wind element formation and would be strong. It is really common in Donglin Cloud Continent, not only is the quality good, but there were only ten over production areas.

As for those 2 cities, it also made him feel weird. Those city lords didn’t want to be rulers of the land and want to go directly under him?

Speaking of which, this year, the number of cities directly under Gantian has increased to 40. He didn’t need to mobilize any troops, and that was weird.

“1/4 of the production of that xuanxing bamboo arrow is under the wind bear race. As for overlord country duke Hu Qianqiu, through trade, he has bought a lot of such arrows and earned a huge amount. Does the ruler understand?”

Seeing Zong Shou’s face light up, Renbo laughed, “Which was why those 2 people have been arguing. In the earlier periods, Chaiyuan raised a discussion item to say that he wanted to raise the pass taxes for the arrows. If they couldn’t earn money from purchasing arrows from the outside, they would naturally be able to protect their wind bear race industry. Originally vast country duke Chaiyuan wasn’t the opponent of the overlord country duke but this matter also involves the pill crane race which is why the His family is also involved within. The 2 sides joined hands and attracted a lot of discussions. Their support was more than Chaiyuan. As for Qianxue and Fanghui Cities, it is because of the welfare that the ruler has set up which only direct jurisdiction cities can enjoy. Along with how merchants are taxed as one group, within the 13 provinces, a small half wants to join our Gantian to benefit. What a bother…”

Zong Shou exclaimed and expressed that he understood. Thinking about half a year ago, what he saw in the Meeting Hall, he decided to prepare before entering. He turned around and looked towards Chuxue, “Xue’er go buy something nice to eat.”

Chuxue giggled when she heard that, tapping her small heaven and earthbag, “I have already prepared it, it is what young master likes the most.”

Zong Shou’s eyes were filled with praise and admiration, Chuxue knew what he thought about the best.

Making the horse speed up, not caring at all as he galloped quickly on the streets. Before the 3rd bell sounded out he rushed to Zhengan Peak.

The Meeting Hall here had been expanded by 3 times and it was all built by Tiegang stone.

The energy here also became thicker, its restriction towards true qi and soul power became even more amazing.

Usually, the meeting hall meetings will be chaired in turns by Hu Qianqiu and Chaiyuan.

However, since he had already returned so naturally, he held it, sitting solemnly right at the front. Below him, there were a total of 500 participants.

Before they began, Zong Shou swept the viewing stand, there were more people, around a thousand of them.

A smile appeared in his eyes. These viewers were beast crystals and mind stones.

An instant later they were startled. Not only was that teen young master there, but that silver armored teen was also there too.

Not talking about the latter, who he knew about, but the former’s identity was extraordinary.

Why did they come?

Not thinking much about it, Zong Shou picked up a hammer and smacked down heavily, signaling the official start of the meeting today.

Without needing him to say anything, there was an official who picked up the first topic and started reading it out.

As expected it was regarding the tax for the xuanxing bamboo. They wanted to raise it by a full 30%.

When the finished reading it out, Hu Qianqiu’s face sunk, “Country duke Chai what is your purpose for this? You are only allowing yourself to eat rice and not letting others drink soup.”

Chaiyuan didn’t blink at all, “The problem is that my wind bear race can’t even drink soup now!”

“Do you want to find a winner with my Hu family?”

“Do we have a choice!”

Hu Qianqiu scoffed coldly when he heard that, a sharp glow flashing in his eyes and he didn’t make a sound.

Chaiyuan also took half a step forward, following which he wiped his eyes with his hands, tears falling down.

“Today I, Chaiyuan, am here to describe to all of you about my hardships! 1 set of xuanxing bamboo arrow is worth 3 grade 3 beast crystals. To craft 1 needs half a day. Often 30% of the ingredients defect, and after being sold they are worth 10 grade 3 beast crystals. The profits are so small, but my wind bear race along with our servants have 120 thousand people. How can we depend on this business to survive? Today we can’t even earn this bit of money to survive!”

On Zong Shou’s side he had used his hands to cover his mouth, resisting the urge to laugh, “Prime minister, vast country duke used onions right?”

Just now he personally witnessed that Chaiyuan used onions to wipe on his eyes. Chuxue had turned her head around and laughed out.

Renbo coughed softly like he was used to this, saying with a flat tone, “His acting has always been good. In Gantian Mountain City he is praised by all.”

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