Battle Report and Spoils

Upon hearing Victor's words, Geshilton's expression immediately changed from one of unease to one of disbelief. He asked, "Sir, is what you're saying... about the Tax Rebate Policy, true?"

Geshilton had never heard of such a policy in his more than ten years of business experience, and Victor's words left him somewhat bewildered.

"Of course it's true. Although I can't come up with much money right now, I think I can guarantee my credibility!"

The specific distribution criteria will take some time to determine, but I guarantee that at least 50% of the commercial tax revenue will be used as subsidies for the various chambers of commerce."

"Of course, your credibility is beyond question."

I will contact other chambers of commerce immediately to organize discussions on this matter and work together to restore trade routes and commercial activities in Blackwater City.

50%! Hehe!

After saying this, Geshilton turned and left, running down the stairs along the edge of the city wall. He was probably too emotional, as he stumbled and nearly fell along the way.

Gaita watched Geshilton's retreating figure, then turned to Victor: "Viscount Victor, your 'Tax Rebate Policy' is truly remarkable. Just looking at Geshilton's performance, it's clear that none of the other merchant guilds could refuse this offer."

No sooner Gaita finished speaking than Victor retorted, "Don't call me that!"

This startled Gaita, but when he saw Victor smiling at him, he suddenly realized what was happening and immediately changed his address, saying, "My lord!"

Victor nodded, signaling him to continue. Gaita's face flushed with excitement; he knew he had officially joined Victor's ranks. "My lord, isn't taking out half the commercial tax at once too much?"

According to previous records from Blackwater City, summer and autumn are the peak seasons for caravan activities. In previous years, the monthly trade tax revenue could reach four to five thousand gold coins. Blackwater City's trade tax revenue was also the largest source of revenue that Wright County contributed to the Grand Duchy's treasury.

If commercial taxes were to recover to 70% of their original level, that would be at least three thousand gold coins, no small sum. Wouldn't it be a waste to give it away to these merchant guilds for nothing?

"After I conquered Blackwater City, it will still be handed over to the Northern Alliance Army in the future. However, according to the promise I made to Count Colt, I can enjoy all the profits from Blackwater City until the end of this year."

"Trade in Blackwater City is severely affected by the war, so commercial taxes must be very low!"

"Yes, last month we only received a little over 700 gold, less than 20% of what we used to receive. That might be a considerable income for an ordinary nobleman, but it's far too little for a great noble like you."

"That's right. If commercial taxes were restored to 70-80% of their original level, even if I gave half of it to those chambers of commerce, I could still achieve a doubling of commercial taxes. Only what you get in your hands is truly yours."

Moreover, the reason why trade activities have basically come to a standstill is because the chambers of commerce lack confidence in the market. They are not short of money, but they are just afraid to spend it. Someone needs to help them build confidence and entice them to continue to carry out trade activities.

With the promise of Tax Rebate Policy, the Great Merchant Guilds in Blackwater City will certainly resume trade and purchase large quantities of goods that have been stockpiled in the noble territories in pursuit of maximizing profits.

We can also obtain a large amount of commercial tax from these transactions, and then distribute the tax to various chambers of commerce, which will further stimulate them to carry out commercial activities. In this cycle, the market will naturally be able to recover and prosper."

After listening to Victor's words, Gaita understood Victor's deep consideration, but he also had another question, "My lord, why don't we directly attract those merchant guilds to trade by reducing or exempting commercial taxes?"

"We want to build their confidence. By directly exempting them from taxes, aren't you just exposing our predicament?"

And isn't giving money more attractive than paying less?

Hearing what Victor said, Gaita realized what he meant, and he admired his newly appointed lord's talent even more.

"My lord, what are the specific criteria for this Tax Rebate Policy? May I take a look?"

Gaita was very curious about this standard; he had never seen anything like it when he was in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Governor's Mansion.

However, he received an unexpected reply, "You will set this standard. There is only one principle: to ensure that both parties can have sufficient profits and the maximum possible tax revenue."

Gaita was somewhat stunned. Victor patted him on the shoulder and said, "You've been handling specific tasks for so long, I believe you can do it well. You can try it first, and I'll help you revise it after you've finished."

After seeing Gaita, Victor also left the city walls and returned to the inner city, but he did not go to the Governor's Mansion.

After entering Blackwater City, he did not take up residence in the Governor's Mansion, but instead chose the Blackwater City garrison's barracks as his base.

Blackwater City, as a major transportation and trading center, is garrisoned year-round, with up to a Duchy Legion stationed there at times. Therefore, the camp here is large enough to easily accommodate the troops brought by Victor.

Shortly after Victor returned to the camp, the scribe approached him. "My lord, the battle report is ready!"

Victor immediately asked, "What are our losses?"

"The chances are slim. A dozen or so men who were part of the attack on the enemy Cavalry fell off their horses because they were charging too fast. Two of them were seriously injured, while the rest were all slightly injured and can recover!"

In addition, some soldiers were injured while suppressing the city's garrison, but none of them were seriously injured, and none of them even affected their combat capabilities!

"Very good. Although a battle broke out, the number of casualties is indeed the same as a bloodless surrender."

Victor was quite satisfied. He had captured this important town at a minimal cost, with Blackwater City suffering virtually no damage. He would also have six months to generate revenue through commercial taxes.

The clerk continued his report, "Of the more than 3,400 Duchy Army in Blackwater City, nearly 1,800 were captured, more than 1,200 surrendered voluntarily, and more than 300 died in battle!"

These prisoners of war are currently being placed throughout the city to repair damaged facilities, and they are being guarded by the soldiers who voluntarily surrendered.

"What was the name of the Battalion Commander who led his troops in a defection?"

"My lord, his name is Pansilgon. He personally killed another garrison Battalion Commander. He and his troops have been assigned to oversee the work of the captured soldiers, keeping them busy and preventing them from having any unfounded thoughts."

Victor thought the arrangement was excellent. The scribe continued, "Our troops have taken over all the city gates and walls, and we can now say that we have complete control of Blackwater City."

Under Mr. Gaita's leadership, the Governor's Mansion handed over a large amount of supplies to us. After inventory, we found we had gained a great deal."

Hearing this, Victor also became serious. Blackwater City was, after all, an important supply line for the Duchy's army, and the supplies prepared to supply hundreds of thousands of troops must be considerable.

"The amount of military rations is not much, only about 800 tons, which is only enough for our army and prisoners for two months. If the main force of the follow-up legion arrives, it may only be enough for half a month."

"My lord, if we want to meet the army's needs, we'll need to send some more military rations to Blackwater City."

Victor had anticipated this, having witnessed Governor Krick's act of burning down the granaries, and naturally knew that there wouldn't be much military rations in the city. "No problem, I will write to the Golden Sunflower Territory, and then several thousand tons of grain will be transferred over the Blackwater River, which will be enough to meet the needs of the army."

"Besides food, what else is needed? I'll let the Golden Sunflower Territory know!"

"Apart from food, other supplies are plentiful, enough to support our legion's needs for a year."

This included enough weapons and equipment to arm a full-strength Duchy's Regular Legion, as well as a large quantity of cloth and furs, enough to provide winter clothing for an army of 50,000."

Victor knew that this was probably preparation for the Duchy Army to march north and attack the Three Counties of the Northern Frontier after winning the Civil War.

"Other materials, including raw materials such as iron and wood, were also abundant, with a total value exceeding that of gold."

In addition, we also acquired a large number of artisans, over a thousand in total, and a vast array of already-built weapons workshops, many of which were relocated from Notting County and York County, presumably for logistical support for the Duchy's army."

Victor seemed to remember something. "York County? Could it be Haiden City?"

The clerk quickly replied, "Yes, my lord, at least a third of the artisans come from Haiden City!"

These craftsmen are all highly skilled artisans; sending them back to the territory will be of great use.

Victor found it all quite amazing. When he and Alex burned down Haiden City destroyed, so he drove the craftsmen out of Haiden City homes to prevent them from perishing in the fire.

Unexpectedly, less than a year later, these craftsmen ended up in his hands. If he hadn't led people to drive them away back then, his gains might have been greatly reduced.