Tax Rebate Policy

The gates of Blackwater City opened wide, and the crowds and vehicles that had been trapped and stagnant for several days due to the siege surged out like water bursting its banks.

However, the Northern Alliance Army soldiers responsible for taking over these city gates ignored the torrent.

They didn't seem to care about people's freedom of movement; as long as people and convoys didn't cause trouble, they could pass through the city gates at will.

Meanwhile, the merchant caravans, who could no longer contain their anxiety, left Blackwater City and rushed to the port.

They had only one thought in their minds: to load their goods onto the first ship to depart as quickly as possible so that they could continue their trading journey.

Victor stood on the city wall, looking at the bustling scene below and on the dock, and nodded with satisfaction.

Gaita, who was standing to the side, said, "Viscount Victor, the value of Blackwater City lies in its geographical location. By water, it is situated on the main stream of the Blackwater River, and one can travel north or south along the waterway to the Northern Three Commanderies and the Southern Four Counties. By land, it is backed by the Central Six Commanderies, and across the river are the Eastern Four Counties. It can be said that it connects most of the territory and population of the Grand Duchy."

It can be said that the entire Grand Duchy, in terms of trade and personnel exchanges, is inseparable from this place.

"Once you capture Blackwater City, you can advance into the Central Six Commanderies of the Grand Duchy's heartland, and cut off the Duchy's army's supply lines and retreat. Victory is practically within reach."

"It's all thanks to you and Geshilton, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to take this place so easily."

Gaita and his companion, Geshilton, were delighted to hear this, but Gaita still said respectfully, "You flatter us. Faced with your army, the rebels of Blackwater City are as weak as two or three-year-old children. Even if they resist, they won't last long."

Geshilton nodded in agreement with Gaita.

Seeing the two trying to deflect credit for their work, Victor shook his head. "Don't be so cautious. Blackwater City is very important, and taking it is a great achievement, but it's nothing to me. What's meant for you will be yours, and no one can take it away."

Hearing this, the two exchanged a glance and breathed a sigh of relief, receiving a guarantee from Victor that gave them a sense of absolute security.

"This time, with your help, the impact of the siege on Blackwater City was minimized. Apart from blocking the trade routes for a few days, there were not many casualties."

But what follows is also very important and requires your joint efforts. I am aware of the current situation in Blackwater City. Ultimately, due to the Civil War, caravan activities have decreased by half, and trade taxes have dropped even more.

My demands are not high. Before autumn arrives, I hope that Blackwater City's commercial tax revenue will reach 70% of the same period last year, and I must ensure that grain prices in the city remain stable during this period."

This statement surprised Gaita and Geshilton. The request seemed a bit too demanding, considering there were still two months until autumn. However, the Civil War was not over yet, and trade routes in many places were basically cut off. Even if they had money, they couldn't buy goods and commodities. Asking for trade taxes to be restored to 70% of last year's level was really asking too much.

"You can rest assured about that. I won't leave you with unfulfilled goals without doing anything. I've already written to the noble territories in the Eastern Region, asking them to prepare a batch of in-demand goods. After all, their territories have been cut off from trade for a long time due to the war, and many goods are piling up."

"Furthermore, Geshilton, I have an important task for your Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce. You need to communicate with the Great Merchant Guilds in the city and work together to secure the goods sent from these territories. However, you can't drive down prices too much; ideally, both sides should make a profit, since the nobles are currently running out of resources."

"This!"

Geshilton was in a bit of a predicament; the Great Merchant Guilds were all profit-driven individuals, and they weren't so easy to communicate with.

"I won't let them work for nothing. I will implement a Tax Rebate Policy, taking 50% of the commercial taxes collected and distributing it to each chamber of commerce proportionally based on their ranking in terms of the total value of goods purchased."