"So, Sagos lost some more population last month? We're losing people every month. At this rate, Sagos will soon become a ghost town. What do you say, Minister of Administration?" Munster said, looking at the Minister of Administration, Marifu.
"Well... I will try my best to control it in the future," Marifu said somewhat guiltily.Munster also sensed something was amiss and continued to press Marifu, "I have always focused my attention on training soldiers and have no understanding of what's happening in the city. I would appreciate it if you, the Minister of Administration, could explain the situation to me so I can understand what's going on."
"Uh..." Marifu was suddenly stumped by the question. He looked up at Kelida with pleading eyes, but Kelida remained silent, tapping the table.
Seeing that Kelida wasn't going to help him, Marifu knew he had to bluff his way through it. His small eyes darted around cunningly as he tried to figure out how to answer Munster's question.Jason watched silently from the sidelines, knowing the situation inside and waiting to see how Marifu would explain it to Minster. If Minster found out they had changed the tax rules without authorization, then Kellyda would surely be finished.
Thinking of this, Jason felt a surge of joy, and the tension he had felt earlier eased considerably.
"Well, it's probably because the bandits and robbers outside the city have significantly decreased due to our efforts in recent days, and some misers are unwilling to live in the city and pay taxes, so they choose to leave," Marifu said to Minster."Damn, he actually pulled that off! Not only did he avoid mentioning their tax increase, but he even managed to make himself look good. He's a real character!" Jason thought to himself.
"Is that really the case? Then it can only be said that Sagus didn't make their stay comfortable enough, otherwise they wouldn't be willing to leave," Munster said.
"I will urge Marifu on this matter, so you don't need to worry about it, Lord Munster," Kelida interrupted Munster, speaking in a stern tone.
Kelida was quite displeased with Munster's meddling."Of course, this is something for you, the city lord, to manage. I'm just here to expose some problems for you. After all, Lord Dawn instructed me to help you properly," Munster responded to Kelida.
"Alright, alright, is there anything else?" Kelida said impatiently, hearing Munster use Dawn to pressure him again.
Seeing that they were about to gloss over the matter, Jason immediately couldn't sit still and said to everyone, "I don't think the serious population loss in Sagus is as simple as the Minister of Administration makes it out to be, is it?"
As soon as Jason said this, the other three people all looked at Jason in unison.Munster asked Jason with interest, "So, the Deputy City Lord knows something more?"
"I only know this by chance," Jason said, glancing at Kelida to see her reaction. To his surprise, Kelida showed no sign of nervousness and was even smiling.
"Heh heh, just you laugh! You won't be laughing in a moment," Jason thought to himself smugly.
"Then, Deputy City Lord, please tell us what you know!" Munster said to Jason."Okay, that day I accidentally came across a squad of tax-collecting soldiers. From them, I learned that ever since you, brother, became the Lord of Sargos, Sargos has been collecting taxes once a month. I wonder if you know about this, brother?" Jason asked Kelida with a smile.
"Where did you hear such slander and nonsense, brother? That's absolutely not true," Kelida immediately denied.
Jason smiled triumphantly and said, "This really isn't hearsay. I witnessed it myself, and the tax-collecting soldiers told me so themselves."
"Empty words mean nothing. Do you have any proof, brother?"Kellyda asked Jason with a smile.
Following suit, Munster also asked Jason, "Vice City Lord, do you have any evidence? As long as you have evidence to prove what you're saying is true, I will investigate this matter thoroughly."
"That's easy! We can just go out on the street and ask the people!" Jason said with a flash of inspiration.
Munster nodded and said, "Yes! The Vice City Lord is right, we'll go directly and ask the people in the city, and we'll know if it's true or false based on their answers!"
Jason felt that he had a chance to directly bring down Kellyda with this matter, and he was secretly delighted.Having said that, Munster stood up and said to everyone, "Well then, everyone, shall we go out into the streets together?"
"Of course, no problem!" Kelida was the first to stand up and walk out of the hall.
Seeing Kelida so decisive, Jason felt a little unsure, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart for no reason.
Before long, in order to hide their identities and allow the people to speak the truth without being affected, everyone changed into ordinary people's clothes and came to the streets of Saggos.Munster took the lead and entered a tavern with a relatively high flow of people. Since it was morning, there weren't many people in the tavern. Seeing Munster and his group walk in, the shop assistant enthusiastically greeted them.
"What would you gentlemen like?" the shop assistant asked with a smile, leading them to a table.
"Just bring us a few side dishes," Munster said politely to the shop assistant after sitting down.
"Alright, please wait a moment!" the shop assistant said, about to leave.
Munster immediately stopped him: "Hey, wait a minute, I have some things I want to ask you.""What is it? Just ask," the shop assistant replied.
Munster smiled and asked the young man, "I'd like to ask you how taxes are collected in Sagus. We're a group of wanderers looking for a comfortable place to settle down."
Upon hearing Munster's question about taxes, the shop assistant trembled slightly, then swallowed hard and said, "We're the same as other cities in the Southern Territory. We collect taxes per capita every quarter."
Sen stood up excitedly and asked the shop assistant, "What? Are you sure what you're saying is true?""But I heard they collect rent here once a month."
The shop assistant shook his head repeatedly, saying, "No, no, that's not true."
"Haha~ Is this okay now?" Kellyda said with a smug smile.
"It seems the Deputy City Lord listened to someone's slander. I hope the Deputy City Lord will learn to distinguish truth from falsehood next time!" Marifu said to Jason with a smile on his face.
Faced with this situation, Jason didn't know what to do for a moment and felt extremely embarrassed.
"Damn it! What the hell is going on? Could it be that that family and those soldiers are in cahoots to deceive me?"
...
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