Mystery Paradise: Wishing Power Demon-Chapter 274 - 273 Only Taxes Are Inevitable
Chapter 274: Chapter 273: Only Taxes Are Inevitable
Chapter 274 -273: Only Taxes Are Inevitable
“…Do you mean that the internal division of the kingdom is what caused Thistlefort to end up like this?”
In a simple inn, Leisk whispered after listening to Chaoyang’s narrative.
“It’s hard to say. However, I did search through the dreams of a dozing guard, and I can confirm that these people didn’t start out by setting up checkpoints and inspections at the entrance to the Inner City District.” Chaoyang continued, “For instance, this soldier was transferred to Thistlefort only after the City of Defense was engulfed in fog, with a very specific task: to purge the area of members of the Heretical Cult, to prevent more kingdom territories from being destroyed by the fog.”
“Judy mentioned this in casual conversation,” Ailuodi interjected. “After the fall of the City of Defense, the whole country was petrified by the destructive power of the Heretical Cult, and eventually, the royal army took the lead in this great purge. It seems that General Fales Ben was the one heading it, right?”
“Yes, but after the army withdrew, this unit remained stationed in Thistlefort. Previously, they did not partake in city management—the city was always governed by Earl Blinton, right up until the civil war broke out. This transition left a strong impression in the soldier’s memory, which is why I was able to capture it easily.”
“Ah, none of this is important… Since those praying to the Paradise Master are innocent, they shouldn’t be locked up inside.” Ailuodi stood up. “Why don’t I go rescue him right now?”
“Dawn is breaking soon; suddenly having one less person in the iron cage will definitely cause an uproar,” Chaoyang mused. “And there’s another thing that concerns me. He said that his wife and daughter were taken to a camp for women, but I didn’t sense this from the guard’s memories. If we are going to save them, it would be more appropriate to bring out his entire family.”
“So what do you suggest we do?”
“Hmm… Let’s split up.” He quickly made a decision. “You take Leisk and sneak into the Inner City District to find out where this camp for female relatives is. I’ll enter normally through customs, to meet with their inspectors—since I’m disguised as a merchant, I’ll inevitably have dealings with these people. Perhaps if we can entice them with a lucrative deal, they might change their minds and release Moge and his family.”
Ailuodi sat down again. “What if you are also mistaken for a spy?”
“The passage permit I forged is the same as Ryan’s and Farrelan’s, and I’ve even changed the point of departure to the New Continent; it’s not possible to have any collusion with the rebels, right?” Chaoyang smiled. “Besides, I feel that these people aren’t really looking for spies anyway. The rebels are already at the gates of the Royal City, and yet instead of immediately quelling the rebellion, they’re holed up in this borderland—the reason seems somewhat flimsy.”
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“I think so too. Their claim of catching spies is false—they’re actually plundering wealth,” Leisk nodded. “If we could bribe the judge, we could save ourselves a lot of trouble.”
“Then let’s do that,” Chaoyang concluded at last.
…
An hour later, when the entrance inspection resumed, Chaoyang, with his pre-prepared permit, smoothly joined the waiting queue.
From the looks of it, there were still quite a few people wanting to enter the Inner City District… even though numerous bodies hung not far away. The soldiers on patrol kept announcing that public executions were meant to deter traitors and members of the Heretical Cult and that no harm would come to those who had done nothing wrong.
The residents of the Outer City District sang the same tune; whenever the subject came up, they would blame the Heretical Cult.
Had it not been for Chaoyang’s conversation with Moge using the Dream Entering Technique, he might have believed their claims were true.
He also noticed something else—that people from outside seemed extremely keen on promoting this idea, not only coming up to engage in conversations with those entering the city but also eagerly introducing the business in the city, which seemed somewhat incongruent with their lower-class statuses.
About a quarter of an hour later, Chaoyang’s turn came for inspection.
He was invited by soldiers into a stone-built hall next to the city gate. The moment he entered, he sensed something odd. The hall’s layout didn’t resemble one for business talks; it looked more like it was prepared for interrogating prisoners. For instance, the seat offered to him was a solitary square table and bench, opposite which was a long table with three officers seated in a row. Soldiers with swords stood on both sides of the hall, creating a rather oppressive atmosphere.
They didn’t even prepare a cup of tea.
Chaoyang couldn’t help but grumble to himself.
This isn’t ancient times; the status of a merchant is quite high, especially those from big companies who have a significant presence. Their treatment is almost on par with that of minor nobility wherever high-level executives go. Beyond that, town development requires tax revenue and job opportunities, without which the economy won’t improve. When Chaoyang submitted his application to enter the city, he clearly mentioned his investment intentions. In other small towns, let alone the lord personally greeting him, at least a commerce official would be in charge of negotiations, but the military officers of Thistlefort seemed indifferent, which was truly unexpected.
Even the army needs funds for its existence, right?
“Mr. Zhao, please sit,” said the officer seated at the head of the table, examining his application, “You’ve come to Thistlefort to invest in a company here?”
“Yes… May I ask how to address you?” Chaoyang smiled, pretending not to feel the heavy atmosphere in the hall.
“You can call me General Kolo,” the other party replied with a forced smile, “Don’t try to cozy up to me; I’m not buying it. You just need to answer my questions straightforwardly.”
A gatekeeping reviewing officer dares to call himself a general?
Chaoyang shrugged, “Correct, I’m planning to set up a transportation service company and need to obtain the rights to use the railway and roads. Since the investment is substantial, I need to talk to the local person in charge. I wonder if Count His Excellency is available?”
“If Count His Excellency is interested in you, he will naturally meet with you,” Kolo put down the application, “How substantial is this ‘substantial investment’?”
“That… is a trade secret. If I’m not misunderstanding, your duty is only to review qualifications for entry into the city, correct?”
“How dare you!”
“You answer what we ask! Can’t you understand human language?”
The two military officers beside Kolo immediately slammed the table and scolded.
“I’ve checked your pass, and there seems to be nothing wrong with it,” said the reviewing officer, signaling his colleagues to calm down, “But precisely because it looks problem-free, it seems rather suspicious. When did the New World start investing in the Old Continent? Isn’t the former still in need of support from the latter? Out of caution, I must ask this key question. Moreover, judging by your attire, you don’t seem like someone who can come up with a large sum of money.”
“Carrying all the money on oneself would only benefit robbers and bandits.” Chaoyang pulled out a check from his chest—a correct, a forgery verified by Farrelan from the most reputable Risheng Bank of the Old Continent. “The amount on this check is one hundred thousand Serir. I believe it should be more than sufficient to cover the initial expenses of the company.”
The three men’s gazes immediately focused on the check.
When Judy was working at the newspaper, her salary for five years was merely five hundred Serir. One hundred thousand might not be a lot for a large company, but for the average person, it was an unimaginably large sum.
“It seems you indeed are a capable businessman.” Kolo lifted the corners of his mouth, “Thistlefort naturally welcomes a person like you. Nariscol, give him the fee schedule that needs to be paid to enter the city.”
The officer called Nariscol stood up and laid a piece of parchment in front of Chaoyang.
“In principle, we recognize your qualifications to pass through, and once you’ve paid this fee, you will be free to come and go from the Inner City District.”
