Protect Our Clan Leader

...

Taishi Ankang solemnly observed Wang Shouzhe.

However, Wang Shouzhe's face remained unflushed, his heart steady, still calm and composed.

"Why must it come to this, why must it come to this~" Taishi Ankang said helplessly, "Am I not allowed to quietly wait for my 'retirement and return home'?"

"Difficult." Wang Shouzhe admitted frankly, "Da Qian has only seven counties in total, and each Quasi Emperor's Son wishes to garner the support of the forces in each county to enhance their influence."

"For Kang Commandery Prince, Longzuo County is now a 'conquered area,' a staunch support camp of An Commandery Prince. Prefectural Governor himself is also quite close to the Wang family and Qian family, frequently lending support and assistance. Not to mention you wanting to raise a banner of neutrality, even if you proclaim your allegiance to Kang Commandery Prince, do you think Kang Commandery Prince would trust you? Would he accept you?"

"If you wait for Kang Commandery Prince to assume power, with his petty character like the Emperor's, you and your 'ordinary' martial family would certainly be the first to be suppressed and marginalized," explained Wang Shouzhe as he poured Spiritual Tea, analyzing, "On the other hand, An Commandery Prince His Highness is generous and broadminded; even if he ascended to power, he would not specifically trouble a neutral Prefectural Governor. But you cannot just bully such an honest person as An Commandery Prince, can you?"

"Unless you retire now and hand over such a powerful and lucrative position as the head of a county, stepping away from any worldly affairs. Otherwise, under the overwhelming tide of this global transformation, how many can escape the whirlpool of the Emperor's Son's conflict? At least An Commandery Prince and I, Shouzhe, still offer some kind of guarantee for our character. Prefectural Governor, if you do not team up with me, do you really want to switch allegiance to Kang Commandery Prince?"

"Alas~~" Taishi Ankang sighed deeply, "I admit, Shouzhe, you are right. We mediocre beings only deserve to follow the flow; who are we to escape the whirlpool of global conflict?"

Although he said that, his gaze toward Wang Shouzhe was still profound, his tone carrying a hint of reproach: "But you should have discussed it thoroughly with me, allowing me to slowly prepare myself mentally. To suddenly drag me onto the thief's... ship, this life is indeed too abrupt and thrilling."

"Sooner or later, you had to board," Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, "To avoid you, Prefectural Governor, hesitating and suffering internally, I simply took a firm hand and pulled you aboard. In the future, we shall share blessings and face difficulties together."

"Shouzhe, I thank you," Taishi Ankang said with mixed emotions.

"No need for thanks," replied Wang Shouzhe with a benevolent smile.

So be it, it seems I've already been firmly ensnared by Shouzhe's bandit ship.

Since it has come to this, let it be.

Taishi Ankang quickly adjusted his mindset, declaring indifferently: "Shouzhe, since we are now in the same boat, the matter of increasing the tax by fifty percent within, no, nine years, is now on you."

"If you handle this well, from hereafter I, Taishi Ankang, will follow your lead, allowing you to send me on any task. If you handle it poorly, you needn't worry about me quitting on my own; the Emperor will surely dismiss me. By then, the selection of a new Prefectural Governor... hehe~ you know~"

Wang Shouzhe could not help but glance sideways.

The Prefectural Governor had just joined the team and already passed the buck with such proficiency; could it be that he had a background as an army cook in his youth?

Alright, I'm not showing you some strength here, you don't know the capabilities of Wang Shouzhe.

Wang Shouzhe put down his teacup, the base gently tapped on the table, emitting a crisp sound.

This sound, as if flipping a switch, triggered a new phase.

Wang Shouzhe folded his hands, his voice slowly rising: "As I understand, Longzuo County's national taxes mainly come from three sources. Three hundred and twenty million mu of fertile land, about 100 Qian Gold for every ten thousand mu, totaling 3.2 million Qian Gold in national taxes. The ordinary grain fields of various Prominent Families, about twenty million mu, at 250 Qian Gold for every ten thousand mu, totaling 500,000 Qian Gold. Approximately six hundred thousand mu of Wang family's high-quality grain fields, 500 Qian Gold for every ten thousand mu, about 300,000 Qian Gold. Thus, the national taxes from ordinary farmland total about 4 million Qian Gold."

"This..." Taishi Ankang's eyes widened, "How... how did you come up with these numbers? They are pretty close, last year it should have been 3.8 million Qian Gold."

"Hehe~ Just a bit of careful investigation and calculation," Wang Shouzhe continued calmly, "Moreover, the major part of the revenue comes from Spirit Field taxes. Longzuo County has about 1.8 million mu of Low Grade Spirit Fields, about 1.8 million Qian Gold in national taxes, Middle Grade Spirit Fields about 120,000 mu, about 1.2 million Qian Gold, Top Grade Spirit Fields about 9,000 mu, about 900,000 Qian Gold, and Top quality Spirit Fields about 800 mu, about 800,000 Qian Gold. Hence, the national taxes from Spirit Fields total about 4.7 million Qian Gold."

"Additionally, there is the regular commodity transaction tax, about 4 million Qian Gold in national taxes, of which 1.8 million is from industries related to the Wang family In-laws Alliance and Qian Family Alliance, including Keep Achieving Commercial Firm, Changning United Manufacturers Department, and so on."

"The tax from breeding, fishing, and fisheries amounts to about 500,000 Qian Gold in national taxes, of which 270,000 is paid by the Wang family's fisheries department."

"Profound Martial product trade and flow taxes, given the high prices of Profound Martial products, are based on a ratio of one thousandth for national taxes, and two thousandths for county defense taxes, totaling 2.7 million Qian Gold in national taxes, estimating the total Profound Martial product capital flow in Longzuo County at nine billion Qian Gold!"

"Other minor items total about 1.2 million Qian Gold in national taxes," concluded Wang Shouzhe without even bringing out a ledger, he casually burst out a series of numbers, summarizing, "Last year, Longzuo County was supposed to pay around 17 million Qian Gold in national taxes."

Taishi Ankang looked at Wang Shouzhe in utter shock.

This fellow, although the figures were not completely accurate, the total was surprisingly close! If it weren't for Taishi Ankang who was the Prefectural Governor, he might truly not have known this data.