Before the envoy could protest, the doors swung open as if the guards had been waiting for their cue to do so and with a gesture of their spear, “Respected envoy, this way to the stables.”

As the envoy was led away with some intimidating tactics by Kaisenberg and his guards, the doors swung itself close and Edward Black sat back in his chair, sighing loudly.

“My liege, where on earth do I dig up 30,000 gold coins?” Edward Black asked, clutching his own head and Count Boulevard drank an entire goblet of wine and some.

“I hope he chokes on his chicken and dies tonight, in all due honesty.” Count Bouelvard replied and Edward gave another loud and long sigh.

“There’s no need to pay tributaries for me this year. I think you will need it.” Count Boulevard said right after but this lifted nothing off Edward’s shoulders. As a sign of respect to his liege, minor bannermen will give gifts to their liege, though this did not exempt them from taxation by the royal family. Every year, Lord Black gave 300 coins to Count Boulevard but honestly, that was a drop in the ocean compared to 30,000.

“Milord, the tax collector Johannes is here to see you.” A guardsman announced.

“Don’t worry, we will sort it out somehow with something that does not involve you sending all your men out to start robbing.” Count Boulevard said, as if in jest.

Johannes Trove has just returned from his inspection tour of Lord Black’s territory and it was his duty to help Lord Black collect taxes. In the past, Lord Black’s father could wait till the next day to hear the tax report, but now, in Edward Black’s time, if a merchant was going to donate even 50 gold coins, Lord Black would wake up at midnight if the merchant so requested.

A short, stout man with a massive beard that reached his chest walked in, his arms muscular and his stride was long and confident. In his sling bag were parchments sticking out of it.

“Milord, your servant, Johannes Trove is here.” Johannes said respectfully, first bowing to Lord Black before turning to Count Boulevard.

“Thank you, Johannes. Please, tell me you have good news.” Lord Black said, as he always has for the past few years as the house got increasingly destitute.

“Come now. Johannes, let’s start by reminding us of last year’s tax income and expenditure. Summarize please.” Count Boulevard said, sitting back in his chair and folding his arms.

“Certainly, milords. To begin with, last year’s tax income or in the year 205, the total tax income of Ludium, Everett as well as Black Bay Village totalled 3211 gold coins, with the greatest expenditure being that of taxes to King Carmine, followed by the pay of retainers. If I may add, this meant that the sections neglected were—“

“No, please… I know full well what I ignored…” Lord Black said in a pained voice and Johannes coughed, as if triumphant.

“This year, in the year 206, as ordered by Lord Black, I have conducted a preliminary inspection of likely income via taxes with the reason of the surprise inspection as unexpected, given by Lord Black…”

Sometimes, Lord Black wondered if Johannes took the chance of announcing tax results as a way of shitting on him.

“In the areas of Ludium and Everett, the total number of gold coins we expect is 2520, a drop from their contribution of 3200 the previous year.”

Lord Black’s heart sank. Count Boulevard sighed deeply, genuinely sympathizing for Lord Black. Count Boulevard was slightly lucky as he was always able to fall back on the fact that he had contributed men to the King’s campaign and he was still tax exempt for a year.

With that, Lord Black made to stand up and leave, his hopes and dreams crushed. Now, he had to think of a proper way to rob his own citizens without his own head ending up in a chopping block manned by an angry citizen.

“An unexpected development has occurred in Black Bay Village and by my calculations, the tax income will be that of 3466 and is expected to rise further.”

Count Bouelvard spat out the wine he was drinking and Edward Black who was already halfway across the hall and nearing the exit turned around, as if not believing what he was hearing.

“The tax income is primarily from the Development Tax that was implemented. Due to massive developments of the area, the taxes are calculated accordingly. Roland, the town chieftain has produced a clear accounting of the books thus far and the gold is already ready and waiting for collection.” Johannes said, rolling up his scroll.

“How can… How can Black Bay Village have so much funds to… No… Nevermind… I… Tell me what happened there.” Edward Black said, quickly moving back to his chair. At this point, even Count Boulevard had leaned forward, making sure to catch every word that Johannes will be saying.

Then, Johannes launched into a story of what he saw, which were massive agricultural fields , massive herds of animals and rows upon rows of neatly lined up buildings, inns and shops.

To Johannes, the city lacked higher levelled expenditure, but due to the taxation levied on development, the amount that Black Bay Village had to pay was accordingly high as well. On places such as Ludium and Everett, the main sources of tax came from trade taxation as well as income taxation.

However, Black Bay Village had not yet have that applied to them due to their supposedly extremely small population.

However, Johannes found out that Black Bay Village had accepted the refugees fleeing from the Wars of the Six Kings and Five Princes and put them to work and given them a steady income.

Not wanting to overstep his authority to inspect the income of the average worker in the area, Johannes had merely inspected the taxation that was possible to be levied from development alone.

“Was Black Bay Village ever this advanced?” Edward frowned, scratching his head to think about anyone who could possibly fund such a large endeavour.

“My liege, this was made possible by the founder of The Guardian’s Bakery, Lawrence Carstein. Jacob, whom I believe milord has met, said that Lawrence Carstein was funding everything.”

Lord Black stared at Johannes blankly for a moment.

“I think you found your road out, Edward.” Count Boulevard said loudly, standing up to stretch and yawning as he left the halls, with a vaguely annoyed Johannes and an Edward Black who was positively beaming.