Chapter 303 - Chapter 303: Chapter 296 Ascending to the Top_1 (1/2)

Chapter 303: Chapter 296 Ascending to the Top_1

The Black Tiger Gang could confer the title of a first-class noble on no more than two hundred individuals. Such beings generally have one mandatory condition: their cultivation must reach the Spirit Qi Realm, or they must possess strength comparable to that of the Spirit Qi Realm.

For example, powerful Insect Masters or Beast Tamers, who may only be in the Innate Realm themselves, but have extremely formidable pets that can contend with the strong in the Spirit Qi Realm.

After accumulating merit, these individuals are also qualified to be conferred the title of a first-class noble.

Top-tier pill masters and plantation masters, if their cultivation is insufficient, would at most be made second-class nobles.

In any faction, even in the Nine Insect Gang, strength is revered above all else.

When the Black Tiger Gang confers the title of a first-class noble, it values not only strength but also merit. Because based on merit, one can measure a person’s contribution to the gang and loyalty.

Strictly speaking, Qin Niu certainly does not meet these two conditions.

The Black Tiger Gang Leader likely sees him as a talent and wants to win over his heart by bestowing grace.

This, coupled with the current urgent need to bolster morale, is why they need to set a few examples.

Qin Niu stumbled into making a great contribution, with strength that was also barely passable, and he himself was particularly young with limitless potential for growth.

And he had no interest in an official career.

He probably wouldn’t accept a government appointment,

So he was directly made a first-class noble instead.

“Thank you, Gang Leader, for your great favor. Qin Niu will surely be deeply engrained with gratitude and seek opportunities to continue making contributions to the Black Tiger Gang.”

Qin Niu bowed as he received the conferment document.

“Haha, well done, well done. The Gang Leader indeed was not mistaken about you.”

Lord Lu rarely showed a smile.

“As a first-class noble, there are less than a thousand conferees thus far in our gang, and of those alive today, just over two hundred people. With this status, all your lands are exempt from taxation, your descendants and family members exempt from conscription. There is no need to salute an official, and only the City Lord’s Mansion may judge you in the case of offenses. If participating in a trial, you may be offered a seat…”

The various privileges of a first-class noble were enough to make countless people envious.

Not to mention anything else, just the exemption of all lands from taxation and exemption from conscription for the family and individual themselves was a super privilege.

The land tax, which could be as little as ten percent or as much as thirty percent, was a heavy, long-term burden for many landlords and farmers.

Even a local influential family like the Yan Family had to pay their taxes honestly.

“The hundred mu of fertile land conferred upon you all belong to the public fields of the City Lord’s Mansion. Here is the land deed, specially selected to be the public fields nearest to Shuangfeng Village.”

Other than personal ownership, the remaining land all belonged to the wealth of the City Lord’s Mansion.

It could also be called public property.

However, the City Lord’s Mansion would not directly cultivate the land but rather rent it out, and then collect rent.

This was an important source of income for the City Lord’s Mansion.

Now comes the question: with the City Lord’s Mansion often needing to confer land to meritorious subjects, and having only so much land to begin with, could it run out?

In reality, it would not.

Besides some landlords and farmers who could be confiscated of their property for breaking the law, the City Lord’s Mansion also had a dedicated department for business affairs. When the land prices were low, the City Lord’s Mansion might buy a large amount of land from the people.

A hundred mu of fertile land was already a lot.

Counting one mu of fertile land as eleven taels of silver, that was a total of one thousand one hundred taels of silver.

Add on the deed tax, and the total price exceeded one thousand three hundred taels of silver.

An ordinary person, owning a hundred mu of fertile land, could directly become a landlord.

Up until now, Qin Niu had only one mu of inferior land.

Now he had received the conferment of a hundred mu of fertile land, which was indeed an honor for his ancestors.

“Thank you, Lord of the City, thank you, Lord Lu!”

Qin Niu took the land deed with both hands, his heart surging with emotion.

If only Old Man Liu were still alive.

Such a large amount of land would have been enough to make Old Man Liu grin from ear to ear.

“Right now, our Black Tiger Gang is still at war with the Nine Insect Gang and the Shennong Sect, and the outcome of the battle is uncertain. You should diligently cultivate, strive to enhance your strength, and try to contribute more when it’s necessary. Protecting one’s family and country is also the obligation and responsibility of every subject.”

Lord Lu admonished.

“This humble one will certainly keep Lord Lu’s teachings in mind.”

“You are now a first-class noble, ranking at the same level as Lu. There’s no need to belittle yourself any longer.”

Lord Lu said with a smile, offering a reminder.