"Could some of the taxes be reduced or waived during the initial period?"
As soon as Bennett said this, the hall fell silent.
Some secretly mocked him for being crazy. There had been neither a natural disaster nor a man-made calamity, so why would anyone ask a lord to reduce taxes?
Others secretly rejoiced that Bennett, the fool who had stuck his neck out, had voiced what they wanted to say.
Some people who knew him well began to worry for him.
Paul stared motionlessly at Bennett, making him feel a chill run through him. I haven't left a bad impression on the lord, have I?
The lord finally spoke. "What's your name?"
Bennett answered nervously, "Ben... Bennett. Bennett Todd. Uh... I'm a ship merchant from Franklin Harbor."
Paul nodded. "Oh, Mr. Todd. That's an excellent proposal. In fact, it's one of the measures to support commerce that I was about to announce."
Mayor Theodore and Old Counselor Peter exchanged a glance, immediately recognizing the question in each other's eyes. Had the earl not mentioned anything like this to them beforehand?
Paul cleared his throat and continued, "As for the specific methods of reducing or waiving the taxes, the Government Affairs Council will have to discuss them before a decision can be made."
Seeing that his proposal coincided with the lord's intended measures, Bennett let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Lord Greiman."
He gratefully thanked Paul, then sat down.
The merchants in the hall became excited as well. It seemed the lord had truly made up his mind to support them. They looked gratefully at Paul, and many had already secretly resolved to make a big move.
Paul felt depressed. *Damn it, how did I forget a measure that could whet the merchants' appetites? Someone else brought it