Chapter 166: Good night!
That night.
In order to welcome Sophia and Ethan, Marquis Domeric held a banquet in the manor.
The attendees were all family members near the imperial capital.
Since they were all close relatives and it was a family banquet, many people came with their children.
Therefore, the scene was very lively, with the sound of clinking glasses and laughing everywhere. It was not an exaggeration to say that it was very noisy.
However, although the cocktail party was very lively, many people may not have noticed that several protagonists were not present.
Now, in a study on the third floor of this circular manor, several important members of the Lawson family are sitting together.
Including a marquis, three earls, two viscounts, and Sophia and Ethan.
After Sophia introduced Ethan, the few people drank coffee and chatted casually.
At this time, a count named Egus suddenly changed the subject and said:
"My dear niece, I heard that you are promoting coffee?"
Sophia smiled: "Yes! My dear uncle, how do you think it tastes?"
"Not bad!" As he said that, Egus laughed awkwardly: "In fact, I was against promoting coffee at first, but I heard that you were going to promote it.
I tried it again and got addicted!"
"So, you are trying to praise my good vision in different ways?" Sophia replied with a smile.
"My dear Sophia, can't you take the initiative to ask me to be the agent of coffee in the imperial capital area?" Egus smiled bitterly: "I am your uncle, I can't kneel down and beg you!"
As soon as these words came out, except for the Marquis, the other people were not happy.
"You are the uncle?"
"Am I still your brother?"
"Do you want to eat alone?"
...
When the few people spoke, they were full of money and no longer had the elegance of talking and laughing just now.
For a while, the study was noisy.
Finally, Marquis Domeric shouted: "Enough! Look at yourselves, what are you doing with such a quarrel?
It's because there are no outsiders here, otherwise it would be a joke.
Also, you were the ones who opposed it at the beginning, and you are the ones who are fighting for it now, don't you feel ashamed?"
Hearing this, everyone became more excited.
"My dear cousin, face is worth a few prices, you name one, and I will sell it to you immediately!"
"I don't want it either, and buy mine by the way."
"That's a good idea! I don't want it either!"
...
Ethan, who was sitting quietly on the side, was stunned when he saw this scene.
He always thought that these great lords must be elegant and talkative.
It can be seen that they quarreled like street vegetable vendors for the coffee business that has not yet officially started, and their three views were really shattered.
When I was wondering how this matter would end, Sophia stood up.
"Okay! Uncles and uncles, the specific profit situation is not clear now, why bother arguing like this?
If you are really optimistic about the prospects of coffee, I will arrange for the financial officer Mr. Klotz to discuss with you in detail.
According to the old rules, the highest bidder wins.
If you want to form a partnership, you can only calculate based on one share of the profit."
When everyone heard this, they immediately regained their elegant expressions, drank coffee, and expressed their agreement.
Ethan saw the changes in these people's expressions.
It is really hard to understand how these people can be vegetable aunts in the previous second and presidents of listed companies in the next second?
When Marquis Domeric saw that the matter was finalized, he smiled and said to Sophia:
"We have read the letter you sent.
Although I admire your idea, to be honest, we do not recommend you to do this. The risk is too great!"
When Sophia heard this, her face suddenly became extremely serious.
"My dear uncle, the lord tax here is only 7%, so of course there is no pressure.
But my place is 11%, and this is only the national part.
Add to that the planned tax, you may not even know what the planned tax is?
This tax refers to the grain that is forcibly collected at a price far below the market price.
This tax accounts for about 73% of grain production.
Calculate how much grain we still have at our disposal?
The nobles of Maro City are almost driven to despair.
I don't want to pay taxes anymore!"
Sophia's uncles fell silent when they heard this.
And Ethan was confused.
What planned tax?
What does it mean to not want to pay taxes?
Rebellion?
It doesn't sound like it!
What does Sophia want to do?
...
Just when Ethan was thinking about it, Marquis Domeric spoke up: "What help do you need from your family?"
Sophia saw that Marquis Domeric seemed to support her, and she smiled.
"Hasn't the border been tense recently because of territorial issues?
I hope you will go all out to advocate for war, great uncle.
It would be best if we can fight, but even if we can't, we should ask the emperor to station troops at the border."
When Marquis Domeric heard this, a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.
"My dear Sophia, it turns out that you have already planned it.
But have you ever thought about how many families will be broken if a war really breaks out?
Many husbands will die on the battlefield.
What will you do with those orphans and widows?
What will you do if the country is burdened with a heavy financial burden?"
After hearing this, Sophia rubbed her eyebrows, and finally sighed and said: "Whether it succeeds or not, my share of the family's task distribution will increase by 10% in the future.
If it succeeds, I will add another 10% to the public branch of the family on the basis of the current basis."
Marquis Domilik did not reply immediately, but hesitated for a long time.
After thinking for a while, he said: "Forget about the family mission part. It doesn't matter whether you increase it or not.
But I hope that after you succeed, you can increase the public branch by 30%. After all, I saved you 73% of taxes."
"Uncle, please forgive me! This 30% has nothing to do with the 73% tax.
I have made some money from shipping in recent years. I have increased the stakes year by year. If I increase it by 30%, I will go crazy.
You don't want to drive me crazy like the duke!" Sophia replied in a calm tone but with a tough attitude.
"One and a half percent! It can't be less. Who told you to be the richest!"
"Is it wrong to be rich?"
"No! Just say whether it's okay or not!"
"Deal!"
...
Ethan was confused and seemed to understand, but he didn't understand at all.
Or, he didn't know what Sophia wanted to do at all?
However, he saw that these people used the country's military affairs as a stepping stone for their own profits.
This made Ethan feel very uncomfortable.
But what if he felt uncomfortable? He couldn't just shout "for the people" and kill all these people!
After the meeting, Ethan dragged his tired body to the room arranged for him by the family.
Just as he was about to lie down and rest, Sophia pushed the door open with a happy face, and then threw herself on Ethan.
Just when Ethan was at a loss.
"Pah!"
Sophia suddenly pushed Ethan away, slapped Ethan, and then put her head in front of Ethan's face, and said faintly:
"Good night! Remember to get up early tomorrow, we still have to take back your territory!"
After that, Sophia smiled slightly, got up from the bed, turned around and left...
