"It's simple. Even after exempting agricultural taxes, we still need a large amount of grain, but our funds have other uses. So, we need to buy a lot of grain, but also save costs."
Roland took out paper and pen and started calculating.
"If we buy grain entirely at market price with cash, we'll go bankrupt before Sofia even attacks. Issuing empty checks isn't an option either, as it would be like giving farmers IOUs for their grain."
"If we do that, the farmers won't hate the tax collectors, they'll hate us."
Despite the worries, Roland's humorous words made Alina laugh out loud.
Since her father's death, it had been a long time since she laughed so heartily, not even when she executed the rebel Marco and reclaimed power.
Perhaps it was Roland's presence that made her feel secure, or maybe her long-suppressed emotions needed release; once she started laughing, she couldn't stop.
