Chapter 131 Paying Taxes

Since Derek became the earl, the bandits in the northern mountains have become semi-regularized.

Lloyd, the mountain wolf, can be regarded as clinging to a big thigh.

The status of both parties has been constantly changing.

This time, Lloyd received a new task.

In order to show his importance, Lloyd personally went out and ambushed with his men in advance.

"Boss, is your information reliable? How can there be such a detailed route? Are you trying to lure the tiger away from the mountain?" The simple mountain man Wood stretched his head and looked around curiously.

Lloyd wanted to kick this reckless man down. If you can't think, don't think.

Wood wanted to say something, but there was a burst of bird calls in front.

All the bandits became energetic. This was their secret code, which meant that guests were coming.

Not long after, a horse team of hundreds of people walked hard on the mountain road.

And they knew the rules very well, and they hung up the mountain wolf flag early.

"Brother, they have paid, are you still robbing?"

Mountain Wolf Lloyd has always been famous for his credibility, which is why this smuggling route is so prosperous.

In a sense, it is equivalent to cutting all taxes along the way, and only need to pay taxes to one lord.

Breaking the rules has a great impact on the mountain wolf.

But Lloyd seemed not to hear it. The rules are set there, and they will be broken sooner or later, just to see whether it is worth it.

And if it is done cleanly, no one will know that he broke the rules.

A little rumor can't affect the current mountain wolf Lloyd.

He has struggled for several years and can withstand this level of storm.

"Kill! Don't leave a single person alive this time."

When many bandits appeared from all directions, the robbed horse team was not too vigilant.

The leader of them tried to communicate: "We have paid the toll, misunderstanding, misunderstanding."

Mountain Wolf Lloyd's reputation is so good that he subconsciously forgets that he is a bandit.

As the bandits rushed closer and closer, the horse team felt something was wrong and rose up to resist.

But it was too late. They were in someone else's territory and were sold out by their own leader. Those who could break out of the siege were really gods of war.

When the fight was over, the bandits collected the spoils.

Lloyd looked through a few pieces of goods, all of which were armaments such as armor and weapons. It was a big business.

"Clean up the traces and send the goods away intact."

Although these things are good, they are not worth greed.

In comparison, the friendship in the humble days is more important.

Soon, Derek received the gift.

The weapons and leather armor with blood on them looked a little more fierce.

"Nothing is missing. It seems that the mountain wolf didn't reach out." Adrian said after checking.

"Lloyd has always been sensible. Let someone send some back to him, and find someone to sell the rest to Count Lovett." Derek quickly lost interest. This little equipment is no longer in his eyes.

At the same time, the fleet from Viscount Chavez also docked at Port Degan.

Obviously, they sent out the fleet early, otherwise they would not have arrived so quickly.

As the saying goes, as long as there is a 300% profit, merchants dare to risk the gallows to do it.

The North-South maritime trade, how much more than three times the profit?

If Derek agrees, they will do it. If Derek disagrees, they will try to do it.

However, the final result is satisfactory. Viscount Chavez personally guarded the port, and Raymond, the sheriff of Port Degan, and Andrew, the tax officer, were by his side.

When some messengers came down from the docked fleet, they quickly got in touch with Viscount Chavez's entourage.

The entourage came to the Viscount's ear, whispered a few words, and saw the Viscount smiling.

"My two lords, my goods have arrived. Please let us enter the port according to the agreement of the Earl."

"No problem. Once my tax officials have found out the types and quantities of the goods, we can enter the port immediately."

Andrew waved his hand, and a large number of tax officials in iron armor boarded the merchant ship.

Except for a few clerks holding paper and pens, the rest held crossbows and stared at the crew and sailors vigilantly.

Viscount Chavez's face twitched, and he couldn't help but complain: "Sir Andrew, is this necessary?"

Collecting taxes, why does it feel like fighting a war?

The tax officials that Viscount Chavez had seen, at most, wore swords and rode horses, and dared to collect taxes in a swaggering manner.

This Sir Andrew is too exaggerated.

Andrew smiled and replied politely: "Sir, I naturally believe in your credibility, but there will definitely be many merchant ships coming and going in the future, and there may be many people who take risks. The purpose of setting up rules in advance is to avoid regrettable things.

Our Earl said that in Augusta's territory, you can disrespect him as the Earl, but you can't not pay taxes. Killing people may not be a capital crime, but you will definitely not survive if you don't pay taxes."

Viscount Chavez refreshed his three views again. He didn't expect that there are such people who are desperate for money.

But this is good, isn't it?

Compared to a little tax, free trade is the most important.

Andrew saw his disapproving look and guessed what he was thinking.

He recalled what his nephew said, when the time comes, I will impose an embargo on you and confiscate it, and then impose special tariffs, and see if you can still laugh.

When the tariffs are cut, there will definitely be many people who take risks.

What? You said that the tariffs should listen to the advice of the southern nobles, which is the Earl's personal promise.

That’s right, I will listen to your suggestions, but whether I adopt them or not is none of your business.

Pay the tax first, and then go to the queue to protest, or go out to the east and complain to the count.

Viscount Chavez was still unaware of the sinister intentions of some people. He watched the tax officer check and collect four or five hundred gold coins in tariffs from each ship.

This number is huge.

However, the fleet was transporting a large amount of goods, and no taxes were paid along the way, and there was no need to pay the next tariffs. It seemed too cheap to think about it.

Looking at Viscount Chavez's smiling face, you can tell whether it is expensive or cheap.

The first step is perfect. Next, it depends on the influence of the Augusta family in the north, whether there is really no need to pay tariffs.

"Viscount Chavez, please explain the quantity of goods sent to various places, and I will issue you a certificate." Andrew urged again.

Viscount Chavez wanted to explore the way for the first time, so the goods were divided into several batches, some going east and some going west.

He even followed a caravan to the Holy Cross Kingdom in person, and sent his confidants to follow each caravan separately, wanting to see how the effect would be.

Andrew did not stop him. His nephew was no pushover and he had overcome all the obstacles in every aspect.