Chapter 19 Tax Increase? (Continued)

"Actually, for today's citizens of the kingdom, paying a little more tax doesn't have much impact on their lives." Antaoris spoke up again, how could he only let Cypros specialize in the former: " Just now, I specifically asked Burkes and the treasurer Archibides. Taking Turui as an example, ordinary citizens here own at least 20 acres of land, and the food they harvest every year can not only meet their own needs, but can also be obtained by selling them. About 300 to 700 drachmas (depending on the degree of harvest and changes in food prices), but this is not a large part of their income. Since Turii is the center of the kingdom, there are a large number of foreigners, housing demand is strong, and many citizens You can earn a talent or two a year just by collecting rent.

If the citizens of Turii are special, let’s take a look at the small town of Sikuli in Sicily. The population there is only less than 4,000. The main income of citizens is farming. Converted into money, there are at least 600 drachma, and this does not include the cattle, sheep, horses, chickens, ducks, pigs and other livestock they raise. In addition, don't forget that they often go to the workshop to help part-time workers during the slack season, and they can also earn a fortune.

So what do these citizens with a lot of wealth in their hands usually do? In addition to daily expenses and participating in military training, they also spend money to buy sports equipment and participate in various competitive training; spend money to watch games, and even buy a lot of 'Tino's Blessing'; drink a lot of wine and go to restaurants. Occasionally, I have to take a dip in the hot spring bath, and the business of the women's branch is also booming, and many citizens even buy slave women as concubines...

So how much tax do citizens pay for the kingdom each year? "Antaoris opened two palms and smiled contemptuously: "On average, I'm afraid there are less than 10 drachmas!" Maybe some people oppose the tax increase. If the people are already poor and the new tax is forcibly introduced, they will not only have grievances, but even riot, but the current situation in the kingdom is that the country is poor and the people are rich! Your Majesty and our officials are working hard to maintain the operation of the kingdom, stingy with every expenditure of the treasury, and even some public buildings have to rely on donations from the public to build... If this situation continues, the kingdom will be powerless due to the tight treasury Sustain, what good is it for the citizens? !

Over the past 20 years, many citizens have gone from impoverished exiles to wealthy and dignified Dionian citizens in this favourable environment that the kingdom has worked hard to create and maintain, and it is time for them to give back to their country! Even if the tax is increased by 5%, it will only make the citizens pay less than 50 drachmas. It is still a small sum of money for them, but it is indeed a great help for the kingdom, you say right? ! "

"Well said!" Davos once again praised, and once again glanced at the ministers with deep eyes, and said loudly: "Everyone, do you have any objections to the matter of 'adding additional taxes for the formation of a new border army'? ?"

"Your Majesty, I have no opinion." Seeing that Davos had clearly expressed his support, Lysias did not dare to stop him, and bowed to respond.

"I agree to increase taxes!" Hermon, Sedorum and other ministers also responded affirmatively.

"Okay!" Davos slapped the armrest hard and said, "Since we have all reached an agreement, then Antaoris and Cypros will take the lead, and Alexis and Archibides will assist in formulating a detailed plan. The tax increase bill, how much tax is collected? How is it collected? Where is it used? All must be written in detail so as to be able to respond to the questions of the elders.

Here, I would like to solemnly remind everyone that before the two bills of 'the formation of a border army and tax increase' have not been submitted to the Senate, no one must keep it strictly confidential and must not disclose it to outsiders. If the information is disclosed, I will find out who it is. Revealed, I will not be lenient! "

These last few words,

Davos's murderousness made the ministers feel chills, and they couldn't help reminding themselves to be vigilant.

Davos withdrew his awe-inspiring gaze, softened his tone, and said: "Alexis, I have thought about it carefully, the number of soldiers recruiting foreign freemen will not exceed two legions for the time being, after all, we have to take into account the citizens Don't let them think that we are going to replace them with mercenaries completely, and don't let them serve and do meritorious service."

After being reminded by Davos, Alexis suddenly understood what he had overlooked, and immediately responded convincingly: "I understand, Your Majesty."

In fact, Davos's concerns did not stop there. Knowing the history of his previous life, he is more worried that these recruited free people who are not loyal to the kingdom will gradually become privately owned, thus threatening the security of the royal family and the kingdom, so he must always be vigilant.

Then, Davos said: "Antaoris, Cypros, when you are negotiating how much tax to increase, don't just use the two legions I just mentioned as the benchmark, but set an appropriate height for the future. Leave enough leeway and try to get it in place at one time, otherwise in the future, when the finances are tight, we will have to increase taxes frequently, not only the Senate will be sad, but the people will also be uneasy.”

"Yes, Your Majesty." The two looked at each other and responded in unison.

Davos stood up from the wooden chair, straightened his body, looked at everyone, and said loudly: "Everyone, I still say that, the kingdom is developing, the environment is changing, the old traditions and laws may not be applicable to The new situation may become a hindrance instead. Therefore, as the elites of the kingdom, you manage all aspects of the kingdom. You must have flexible minds, sharp eyes, timely detection of problems, and timely eradication of ills, in order to ensure the long-term success of our kingdom. Prosper, please remember!"

Davos's sincere words aroused everyone's deep thinking.

"What time is it now?" At this moment, Davos felt a little sick in his stomach and asked Henepolis, the secretary beside the steps.

Henepolis glanced at the water clock in the corner of the temple: "It's past noon."

"Let the kitchen bring all the prepared lunches. You can't continue the discussion on an empty stomach."

"Yes."

After a while, the guards placed the small dining tables in front of the ministers, and then the servants brought large and exquisite pottery bowls, which were filled with steaming thick soup, and floating pieces of the same size. In the soup, there is a handful of thin and uniform thin dough, as well as countless tiny spices and vanilla powder.

This is a new delicacy introduced by Cristoya Restaurant in recent years. The flour is fermented, kneaded with water repeatedly to make a tough dough, and then sliced ​​into thin slices with a knife, and rolled out. Cook it in the water that has already been cooked, then pour it into the beef soup that has already been cooked, and add seasonings to eat... Because it is easy to make, smooth and refreshing, and delicious, you can also add accessories at will according to the diners' preferences, such as some vegetables , so it was very popular with the people of the kingdom.

However, the kitchen of the palace is headed by chefs invited from Cristoia Restaurant. Not only is the level of cooking extraordinary, but the selected raw materials are naturally the best:

Best quality wheat flour from Sikuli. Sikuli City is located at the foot of Mount Etna, and the land area is small. In the past, some people in Sikuli reclaimed part of the flat land on the mountainside. It was very hard to work up and down the mountain every day. The wheat that comes out is full of grains, tastes very good after being ground into flour, and because the output is scarce, it is expensive, so even if the Sikuli joined Dionia and regained new land, there are still very few people willing to He worked tirelessly to farm on the mountainside, and the wheat he obtained was basically bought out by the Cristoya restaurant to supply the royal family.

The one-year-old beef cattle from Grummentum in Lucalia - the best beef cattle in the Lucaria cattle recognized by the people of the Kingdom of Dionia, because there is a beef cattle just south of Grummentum city. The big lake-Lake Patusino, the lake water is extremely clear, and the lake shore is covered with green grass. The calves in Grummentum drink the lake water and eat the grass along the lake shore to grow up, so the meat is plump...

After the meeting for a long time, everyone was already a little hungry, but when they were seduced by the fragrance of the noodles, their appetites increased immediately. Not only did they finish eating the noodles and the noodle soup, some even asked for an extra bowl.

At least three times a month, the palace gathers various ministers to hold important executive meetings. Usually, it is a daytime at the beginning of the day. Lunch is provided by the palace.

After everyone finished eating, they rested for a while, and Heraclid, the minister of construction, said: "Your Majesty, there is a problem with the repair of Enona-Roman Avenue."

"what is the problem?"

"The West Dicinians in the mountains north of Campania obstructed our construction. Not only did we fail to provide labor and food as agreed, but the road construction materials we transported there were often lost... This greatly delayed our construction process. ."

"I remember that in the road construction agreement signed three years ago, the West Descenes also participated. Not only did they agree, but they also signed." Lycias interjected.

"Maybe this mountain race feels that the avenue passes through their territory, and there will be more people going from south to north, which will affect the security of the territory, so they regret it." Ancitanos said sternly: "Your Majesty, please allow me Send diplomats to Sidisini to protest and ask them to abide by the agreement and help us complete the road as soon as possible.”

"In the past, the Western Disinians were trapped in the narrow mountains of the two major powers of Volsi and the Campania Alliance. They were conservative and xenophobic, and they were very smooth. Just using words to condemn them may not have an obvious effect." Diver Si pondered and said: "Alexis, your Ministry of Military Affairs notified the Twelfth Legion (the army source range is in the eastern plains of Campania, and the military camp is built in Abella) to gather and go to the edge of the northern mountains of Capua. Carry out military training and increase the momentum."

"Yes."