Chapter 533 - Cutting the Gordian Knot (2/2)

The dual ident.i.ty of a temporary lord and a Mage brought a considerable deterrent effect.

“It seems that you guys welcome me.” Roland laughed at himself and continued, “Tax officer, I want you to do your job and try to collect all the tax you can from this city, and I will send you more men. Remember, we don’t over-collect taxes, but we also can’t let people cheat on them. If someone refuses to pay, or pays less and dares to resist, you have the power to arrest them directly. If they are too aggressive and dare to resist, you can come to me and I will back you up.”

The construction of a floating city required a lot of materials, and without stable funds to buy magic materials, the construction progress would definitely be greatly affected. So the second thing Roland had to do was to make sure that the tax collection was going smoothly.

The tax official nodded sternly, then wiped the cold sweat off his head and said, “Yes, Mr. Roland.”

“As for you guys…” Roland looked at the merchants and found that their bodies were still shaking, so he smiled and said, “Don’t be so afraid, as long as you pay taxes properly, I won’t give you a hard time.”

The merchants shook even more severely when this was said.

Roland was stunned for a moment, then sighed helplessly. “As expected, merchants all die for money.”

He understood now. These merchants probably all evaded taxes, and when the steward invited them over, these people were panicking, worried that this might be an ambush. In the end, Roland talked about tax collection right off the bat, and they immediately a.s.sumed they were done for, and now with the words “die for money,” they were so frightened that they a.s.sumed Roland was the kind to kill to set an example.

There were even two fat merchants who had stains on their crotches.

“It’s my first day here, so I won’t do anything to you as long as you don’t think of getting rid of me.” Roland thought for a moment and continued, “But tax evasion is a crime, after all. It can’t just be left as it is, so I’ve decided to give you guys a chance. Within three days, go to the tax official, pay the tax in full, and then pay the twenty-percent fine on top of it.” Roland tapped the tabletop, and with the noise, the merchants all subconsciously cringed in fear. “This is what I’ve decided. Who’s for it and who’s against it?”

No one dared to speak out.

For some reason, even though Roland’s last question sounded very gentle and did not contain any negative emotions, after listening to it, they felt a chill all down their spines, as if there was a cold wind blowing hard at their backs.

Cold sweat flowed down their backs, which was sore and aching, but no one dared to move.

“Very well. Let’s put the matter of taxes aside for now.”

After these words, all the merchants were slightly relieved.

Roland placed several sheets of paper he had already prepared on the table, then the steward picked them up and gave them to all the merchants.

“I’m a Mage, and I need a lot of materials to study magic.” Roland’s gaze stopped on the tax officer for a moment before he said, “And you are to help me keep an eye on these magic materials, and if you find them, buy them for me. I will buy all the magic materials on this list at fifteen percent of the market price. I want quant.i.ty as well as quality.”

Hearing that Roland was asking for their help in buying goods, these merchants relaxed a lot more.

They could now sense that Roland didn’t seem to have much malice toward them, nor did he have that superior att.i.tude.

Back from a tour in h.e.l.l, the merchants didn’t dare to quarrel with Roland and said they would definitely help him find all the magic materials on the list.

Having the steward send the merchants away, Roland said to the tax official who was still sitting, “The money for the purchase of magic materials will be paid out of the tax, but don’t let this affect the development of the city of Motasos. Also, how much is the monthly tax revenue of the territory? You have to get me a list of the income and expenditure, understand?”

The tax officer nodded repeatedly.

After the tax officer left, the middle-aged soldier returned. He and other elite soldiers had easily captured the five military officers and escorted them to the main hall.

During the arrests, some of the troops saw their leaders being arrested and tried to resist, but they were suppressed without fanfare.

Looking at the five military officers who were tied up tightly, Roland was quite satisfied.

These hundred elites were as strong as he thought they would be.

At this time, Judson’s eyes were bloodshot and red. He stared at Roland and roared, “Roland, how dare you do this—if I die, the capital will definitely send someone to kill you too. Let me go and I will leave by myself.”

For Judson, the royal bloodline was probably the last of his cards to play.

Once used, it would be gone forever.

But it was better to be alive than to become a pile of yellow dirt.

“Send them to prison, and remember that their food must not be too bad, and they should be kept white and tender to sell at a good price.” Roland laughed. “If anyone comes to ransom them, each of them will cost a hundred gold coins to free, or else they will be locked away for two or three years.” The elite soldiers immediately stepped forward and dragged the five military officers, who had little ability to resist, away. Along the way, Judson’s extremely angry curses could be heard.

Roland looked at the middle-aged soldier. “Well done, and quick, too. Now you can tell me your name.”

“Fauci Doyle,” the middle-aged man said with reverence.

“Fauci, take your men and go seize the ‘property’ left by those five men.” Roland stared into the middle-aged man’s eyes as if trying to see through his nature. “Remember what I’ve said: more work, more pay.”

Fauci felt that Roland’s eyes were a little frightening, and immediately lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.