At ten in the morning, several cars pulled up outside Lin Ze's home.
Soon, more than a dozen people got out.
Lin Ze opened the door and welcomed them inside, settling them in the spacious living room.
"Hello, Mr. Lin. I'm Zhuang Yao, the Tax Bureau employee assigned to work with you. These people are senior accountants responsible for calculating your taxes."
After checking their credentials, the employee who had spoken with Lin Ze over the phone smiled and introduced herself. She wore a crisp business suit, her hair tied in a high ponytail, and light makeup accentuated her pretty features.
She also introduced the others standing beside her.
"Hello, I'm Lin Ze."
"Please, have some tea."
After greeting everyone, Lin Ze asked curiously, "How much tax do I need to pay?"
He had only made a rough calculation before, but estimated that he would owe several hundred million.
To earn that money, he had spent seven years preparing in this world, then risked his life traveling through the Other World for months.
Zhou Shu was certainly doing a good job of drumming up business.
At that moment, Zhou Shu saw that Zhuang Yao had finished absorbing the amount he had just quoted. He smiled and explained.
As a secretary, reading one's superior's thoughts was a basic requirement.
Zhuang Yao and Geng Sheng sat in the back row as they headed toward the Prefectural Yamen.
Prefect Zhou had summoned Zhuang Yao this time to win him over, so that he would stay and develop his business locally.
If what Zhuang Yao said was true, the company's tax payments were many times greater than Prefect Zhou had estimated. The taxes paid each year by the companies under Zhuang Yao's name could reach the scale of ten billion, putting them in a completely different league from before.
Moreover, most of the taxes had accrued recently, showing that Zhuang Yao's business was growing rapidly.
But the secretary's attitude put Zhuang Yao at ease and gave him even more confidence about the meeting ahead.
Geng Sheng frowned.
"To sum up, Mr. Lin, you need to pay a total of 269,928,960 in taxes. If you have any tax deductions or refunds to claim, you can file a consolidated return at the end of the year."
It was just that half of the money on paper still had to go toward paying for the goods.
"Once the business grows bigger and stronger, being the one collecting taxes will still be more comfortable. It beats running around everywhere to make money."
"Going forward, I'll contact my partners to add more fishing boats and expand our catch."
"At present, the company's business is growing rapidly, and I'm not withdrawing money from its accounts."
Soon, Xiao Lin brought over the tea.
"Lastly, your personal income this year from activities such as creating content on self-media platforms has already been taxed on your behalf by the company associated with your accounts. You won't need to pay any additional tax on it."
The two chatted along the way, but said nothing of any real significance.
Looking at Lin Ze, who wore a smile and watched him with a hint of expectation in his eyes, Zhuang Yao understood.
If Zhuang Yao wasn't simply bragging, Lin Ze would consider making a substantial investment in him.
After the tax officials had finished their work, they transferred roughly 270 million out of Zhuang Yao's bank accounts. He now had 230 million left in his domestic accounts.
With the business framework Zhuang Yao had built, his company was already worth devoting himself to. Lin Ze advised him not to risk venturing into lawless regions until he had taken it as far as it could go.
Zhuang Yao smiled and stated his true aim.
As a major border economic center and the seat of government in Qixia Country, Tiannan City was overseen by a prefect, a fourth-rank official. The prefect's secretary served as an adviser and secretary, and usually held an eighth-rank position.
Zhuang Yao cautiously described his plans for the coming year. He focused on Delicious Forest's business model, painting Prefect Zhou a rosy picture. There wasn't much to say about buying and selling farm produce and fish products; success there mainly depended on personal connections and a little luck.
"Those taxes are necessary expenses for the early stages of development. Besides, they weren't paid for nothing. They'll give me some backing, too."
Zhiyuan Company had only settled in Tiannan two months ago, yet Geng Sheng had already generated more than 200 million in tax revenue.
Then Lin Ze got down to business. "Xiao Lin, what plans does your trading company have going forward?"
Two of the tax items, each worth over a hundred million, were taxes owed on goods imported by his shell companies.
Lin Ze recognized Zhuang Yao right away and had his aide prepare tea. That was already ample proof of how much the prefect valued him.
The employee addressed him as "Xiao Lin," drawing them closer and conveying a senior's warmth toward a younger man.
"Before that, let's talk about the taxes generated by the import and export trade under your companies."
After a period of experience, he might be assigned to another city as its chief official, jumping straight to the fourth or third rank.
Zhuang Yao listened carefully to Zhou Shu's explanation.
And was Zhuang Yao really so unreliable?
After seeing the Tax Bureau staff off, Zhuang Yao received a second group of visitors.
Lin Ze had learned about Zhuang Yao beforehand. He had been exceptional and disciplined since childhood, saved his first pot of gold by making self-media content, then spotted a business opportunity and took off, growing a newly established company to its present scale.
Based on that résumé, Lin Ze was already inclined to invest more in Zhuang Yao.
"Don't be so formal. Just call me Zhao Jing."
Zhuang Yao shook his head, declining to let Geng Sheng carry out a further assessment of his personal taxes.
Only if Zhuang Yao showed sufficient growth potential and tax-generating potential would he receive more and better preferential treatment.
But hearing the figure of over 200 million still made him feel that taxes were painfully expensive.
"Golden Continent is a chaotic place. To protect our country's merchant ships, the navy has to escort them every few days. Otherwise, pirates would rob them."
Zhuang Yao warmly welcomed them.
"Hello, I'm Xiao Lin, secretary to Prefect Zhou of Tiannan."
There were more than ten people at the door mainly to show how much the authorities valued Zhuang Yao as a major taxpayer. In short, they were there to put on a show.
The black car glided quietly down the road, its driver keeping a low profile.
The local sales were from goods that Zhuang Yao had initially disguised as loose matsutake mushrooms bought from ordinary people, the yellow croaker he had sold in Jiangzhou, and local specialties purchased by Zhiyuan Trading Company's employees and resold.
For the tens of thousands of tons of Large Yellow Croaker he planned to sell each year, he intended to buy more fishing boats and send them out to sea. That would give him another source of goods going forward and make his operations seem more plausible.
That was why Prefect Zhou was so eager to win Geng Sheng over. He didn't want him to feel unhappy and move his company elsewhere. If he did, it would be too late for regrets.
Besides the taxes payable to the Qixia Country authorities, Zhuang Yao also had to pay 8% value-added tax on matsutake mushrooms imported by his shell companies, totaling 49.92 million.
"For your companies' main import and export business, you deal in Little Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms. Your total imported volume is 104 tons of matsutake, with a total value of 624 million. The import tariff is 12% of the goods' value, and the value-added tax is 9%, for a total of 131.04 million."
It was about 8:20 p.m.
To Zhuang Yao, benefiting Prefect Zhou also benefited him, so he was very courteous.
"Currently, I've secured stable suppliers for matsutake and Large Yellow Croaker. Matsutake is seasonal, so it comes in one annual wave. But our suppliers catch seafood all over the world, which means we can get Large Yellow Croaker year-round."
"Also, if you want to withdraw your company's profits from its accounts into your personal account, you'll need to pay an additional 20% personal income tax before you can freely spend the money."
Zhuang Yao murmured to himself.
"Mr. Zhao, I could use your help. Could you introduce me to some reliable bodyguards? It would also create jobs for some of our well-disciplined retired servicemen."
As they spoke, Prefect Zhou, dressed in a plain official robe, set down his pen, stood up, and reached out to shake Zhuang Yao's hand.
Xiao Lin smiled as he explained why he had come, his manner humble and exceedingly courteous.
But how far Prefect Zhou would go to win him over, and what kind of preferential treatment he would offer, depended on how Zhuang Yao performed.
Zhuang Yao was about to head out. He told Ji Shuqing where he was going, changed clothes, and left.
Although Zhuang Yao also needed money for his daily life, as the company's actual controller, he could classify many travel, daily, and security expenses as business inspections or client hospitality and include them in operating costs, lawfully reducing his tax burden.
Lin Ze's eyes lit up at Zhuang Yao's words.
Sure enough, when Xiao Lin escorted Zhuang Yao into the Prefectural Yamen, he saw Prefect Zhou sitting behind his desk reviewing documents. The prefect looked up with a smile and instructed him, "Zhuang Yao's here. Xiao Zhao, go fetch my prized Yunwu tea and brew Xiao Lin a cup."
To be honest, Zhuang Yao had already braced himself for the taxes he would owe.
The Large Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms were exempt from corporate income tax, but they were still subject to urban construction tax and education surcharges. Together, those came to about 12% of the value-added tax, or roughly 15.7248 million."
Then Zhuang Yao authorized the transfer.
After training for a while, he might have the opportunity to be posted to another city as its chief official, advancing directly to the fourth or third rank.
Zhuang Yao made small talk with Lin Ze, drank some tea, then shared a simple lunch in the Prefectural Yamen's cafeteria.
At his current pace, Zhuang Yao's trading company would have a cash flow exceeding ten billion next year, and its taxes would top a billion. That would make it a model enterprise even by the standards of Tiannan City.
According to the figures, his companies mainly dealt in imported Large Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms. The total imported volume was 104 tons of matsutake, worth 624 million. With a 12% import tariff and 9% value-added tax, the total came to 131.04 million.
At this level of taxation, the company would rank among the top private enterprises in all of Qixia Country, easily making the top twenty.
"By the way, Zhao Jing, I'm also planning to visit Golden Continent to assess the market and expand my business."
However, that was nothing compared with the enormous tax bill.
All he had to do was praise the other as a brilliant young talent, then hear in return that he had a bright future under Prefect Zhou—a mutual admiration society.
Once Zhuang Yao had paid his taxes, he had expected it might take a while for the fish to bite. He hadn't expected them to come calling so eagerly.
"You've got it, please wait a moment while I make a few preparations."
"I know you train in shooting and that you're in good shape with excellent marksmanship, Xiao Lin, but I still don't recommend going there."
For Lin Ze, that little exchange dissolved much of the awkwardness between two people who had been complete strangers just moments earlier.
The company had only been based in Tiannan for a little over two months, yet it had already generated more than 200 million in tax revenue.
"Based on our figures, your companies have mainly been importing Little Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms. Your total matsutake imports were 104 tons, with a total goods value of 624 million. The import tariff was 12%, and the value-added tax was 9%, for a total of 131.04 million."
Strictly speaking, he hadn't worked out the exact figure. He would have to ask the professionals in front of him.
There was nothing more to it than mutual flattery: he praised the other as a brilliant young talent, and in return heard that he had a bright future under Prefect Zhou.
After the visit, Zhuang Yao sat down with Prefect Zhou, drank tea, and had a simple lunch in the Prefectural Yamen's cafeteria.
The taxes had been deposited. Then came the authorization to transfer the money.
His shell companies also had to pay 4% tax on the Large Yellow Croaker, totaling 29.28 million. Added together, the tax bill came to more than 300 million.
"Based on the figures, your companies sold about 83.2 million worth of Large Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms locally. That portion is subject to 9% value-added tax, totaling 7.488 million, with another 897,600 in surcharges."
He had originally had no such plans. But now the taxes had left him feeling the sting, and the move would also help cover his tracks.
Zhuang Yao hurried forward two steps and shook Lin Ze's hand with both hands, then greeted him. "Hello, Prefect Zhou. Thank you for the tea."
"Next year, I expect the combined sales of our imports and exports to reach at least 2 billion. I've also started a restaurant group specializing in dishes featuring Large Yellow Croaker, called Delicious Forest. I plan to turn it into a viral hit product... conservatively, its sales should reach several hundred million a year."
Then Lin Ze continued. "Xiao Lin, what plans does your trading company have going forward?"
The money was already on paper, but half of it had to go toward paying for the goods.
The company's local purchases and sales of Large Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms had generated about 83.2 million in sales. That portion was subject to a 9% value-added tax of 7.488 million, plus 897,600 in surcharges.
Zhuang Yao had been prepared for the tax bill, but the figure still made taxes feel painfully expensive.
"For now, the company's business is growing rapidly, and I'm not withdrawing money from its accounts."
"We'll take the yamen's car. If you're free, we can head out now, and I'll bring you back afterward."
Prefect Zhou had summoned Zhuang Yao to win him over and make sure he stayed in the area to grow his business.
Zhuang Yao smiled as he stated his true aim.
Zhuang Yao listened carefully to Zhou Shu's explanation.
The revenue from the company's local purchases and sales came from the matsutake mushrooms Zhuang Yao had originally disguised as goods bought from ordinary people, the yellow croaker he had sold in Jiangzhou, and the local specialties purchased and sold by employees of Zhiyuan Trading Company.
Those taxes were necessary expenses for the early stages of development. Besides, he hadn't paid them for nothing; they would give him some backing.
Although Zhuang Yao needed money for his daily life, as the company's actual controller, he could classify many travel, daily, and security expenses as business inspections or client hospitality, and include them in the company's operating costs to lawfully reduce his tax burden.
For the more than ten thousand tons of Large Yellow Croaker he planned to sell each year, he intended to buy additional fishing boats and send them out to catch fish. That would give him another source of goods and make his operations more plausible.
"So this is Secretary Zhao. Please, come in."
"Hello, I'm Xiao Lin, Secretary to Prefect Zhou of Tiannan."
Zhuang Yao warmly welcomed him.
"Large Yellow Croaker imports totaled 122 tons, with a goods value of 732 million. The import tariff was 5%, and the value-added tax was 9%, for a total of 102.48 million. The surcharges came to another 12.2976 million."
Zhuang Yao smiled, stated his true aim, and continued.
"Thank you for your help. Please introduce me to some reliable bodyguards. It would also create jobs for our well-disciplined retired servicemen."
"This concludes the taxes generated by your company's import and export trade."
"Golden Continent is chaotic. To protect our country's merchant ships, the navy has to escort them every few days. Otherwise, pirates would rob them."
Lin Ze had learned about Zhuang Yao beforehand. He had been exceptional and disciplined since childhood, saved his first pot of gold by creating self-media content, then spotted a business opportunity and took off, growing a newly established company to its present scale.
Zhiyuan Company had only settled in Tiannan for two months, yet Geng Sheng had already generated more than 200 million in tax revenue.
At his current pace, Zhuang Yao's trading company would have a cash flow exceeding ten billion next year and generate over a billion in taxes, making it a model enterprise even in Tiannan City.
Prefect Zhou was eager to win Zhuang Yao over. He didn't want him to feel unwelcome and move his company somewhere else. If that happened, it would be too late for regrets.
Once the tax officials had finished their work, they transferred roughly 270 million out of Zhuang Yao's bank accounts. He had 230 million left in his domestic accounts.
Zhuang Yao had been prepared for the taxes, but the figure still made them feel painfully expensive.
"Please, have some tea."
Zhuang Yao greeted everyone, then asked, "How much tax do I need to pay?"
Lin Ze smiled as he introduced himself.
"I expect our business to grow rapidly next year. I'm not withdrawing money from the company's accounts."
At present, Zhuang Yao had secured stable suppliers for matsutake and Large Yellow Croaker. Matsutake was seasonal, but the seafood suppliers could provide Large Yellow Croaker year-round.
Apart from the taxes payable to the Qixia Country authorities, Zhuang Yao also had to pay 8% value-added tax on matsutake mushrooms imported by his shell companies, totaling 49.92 million.
In addition, the shell companies had to pay 4% tax on the Large Yellow Croaker, totaling 29.28 million. Altogether, his tax bill exceeded 300 million.
The figures were not worth mentioning beside the enormous tax bill.
Zhiyuan Company had been based in Tiannan for just over two months, yet Geng Sheng had already generated over 200 million in taxes.
All he had to do was praise the other as a brilliant young talent, then hear in return that he had a bright future under Prefect Zhou.
The money was already on paper, but half of it still had to go toward paying for the goods.
"Starting next year, I expect the combined sales of our import and export business to reach at least 2 billion. I've also started Delicious Forest, a restaurant group specializing in Large Yellow Croaker dishes. I plan to turn it into a viral hit product... conservatively, its annual sales should reach several hundred million."
Zhuang Yao was about to head out. He told Ji Shuqing where he was going, changed clothes, and left.
He had initially had no such plans, but now the taxes had made him feel the sting. It would also help cover his tracks.
"Once the business grows bigger and stronger, being the one collecting taxes will still be more comfortable. It beats running around everywhere to make money."
Zhuang Yao had already braced himself for the taxes he would owe.
Once Zhuang Yao had paid his taxes, he had expected it might take a while for the fish to bite. He hadn't expected them to come calling so eagerly.
For a business like this, the tax revenue was already enough to rank among the very best private enterprises in Qixia Country.
The company's local sales of Large Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms came to about 83.2 million. That portion was subject to 9% value-added tax, totaling 7.488 million, plus 897,600 in surcharges.
The first two tax items, each worth over a hundred million, were owed on goods imported by his shell companies.
"Lastly, your personal income this year from activities such as creating content on self-media platforms has already been taxed on your behalf by the company associated with your accounts. You won't need to pay any additional tax on it."
The yamen's car was black, and its driver drove quietly, keeping a low profile.
As Prefect Zhou's secretary, reading his superior's thoughts was a basic requirement.
Lin Ze's eyes lit up at Zhuang Yao's words.
"He's not one to go around bragging, is he?"
Zhuang Yao said nothing about the true source of his business, only that he had arranged reliable suppliers.
The bodyguards would be there to protect him when he went abroad and to provide jobs for retired servicemen.
Lin Ze knew Zhuang Yao was talented, but the scale of his tax payments exceeded even his expectations.
This was exactly the fish he had been trying to reel in.
Zhuang Yao thanked the prefect for the tea, and the two exchanged a few pleasantries.
He had earned that money only after preparing for seven years in this world and risking his life in the Other World for months.
The last item was his personal income, which had already been taxed on his behalf by the company associated with his self-media accounts.
"After that, there's also the question of taxes on the money you transfer from the company account to your personal account."
Lin Ze's eyes lit up when he heard the business projections.
He now felt that Zhiyuan Company was well worth investing in.
The more than 200 million in tax revenue from a company that had only been established two months earlier was no small feat.
"Secretary Zhao, I'm planning to visit Golden Continent to assess the market and expand the business."
The secretary had come prepared. He had probably already calculated exactly how much tax Zhuang Yao owed.
A business like this could generate ten billion or more in taxes each year, putting it in a class far beyond what Lin Ze had expected.
In other words, he could lawfully treat certain personal expenses as company operating costs.
Prefect Zhou wanted to win him over, but how far he would go depended on Zhuang Yao's performance.
Lin Ze stood, set down his pen, and reached out to shake Zhuang Yao's hand.
The two chatted on the way, but said nothing of any real significance.
"When the company gets bigger, being the one collecting taxes will still be more comfortable. It beats running around everywhere to make money."
Lin Ze had expected a successful entrepreneur to be impressive, but Zhuang Yao's plans still surprised him.
His company had been based in Tiannan for just over two months, yet had already contributed more than 200 million in taxes.
At this level, the company would rank among the top private enterprises in Qixia Country, easily making the top twenty.
Prefect Zhou had summoned Zhuang Yao to win him over and make sure he stayed in Tiannan to grow his business.
The prefect's secretary smiled. "Hello, Mr. Lin. I'm Xiao Lin, Secretary to Prefect Zhou of Tiannan."
There wasn't much to say about buying and selling agricultural and fish products. Success mainly depended on one's connections and a little luck.
"Don't be so formal. Just call me Zhao Jing."
The company's local sales of Large Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms came to about 83.2 million. That portion was subject to 9% value-added tax, totaling 7.488 million, plus 897,600 in surcharges.
At ten in the morning, several cars pulled up outside Lin Ze's home.
The prefect's secretary was a man in his thirties, slim but impeccably dressed, with a serious air about him.
His message was clear: he was sorry to trouble the other, not scolding him.
After the tax officials had finished their work, they transferred roughly 270 million out of Zhuang Yao's bank accounts. He now had 230 million left in his domestic accounts.
At this point, Zhuang Yao's company was already worth devoting himself to.
"It's just that the company hasn't created many jobs yet, only a little over a hundred."
Still, it was an impressive result for a company that had only been in Tiannan for a couple of months.
Zhuang Yao had already braced himself for the taxes, but hearing the figure still made them feel painfully expensive.
"According to our figures, your companies have mainly been importing Little Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms."
The company's import and export business was growing rapidly, and Zhuang Yao had no intention of withdrawing money from its accounts.
His shell companies also had to pay 8% value-added tax on imported matsutake mushrooms, totaling 49.92 million.
Then there was the 4% tax on Large Yellow Croaker imports, totaling 29.28 million.
Altogether, the taxes came to more than 300 million.
The total didn't include the personal income tax he would have to pay if he withdrew company profits for his personal use.
For now, Zhuang Yao was content to keep his money inside the company and use it to develop the business.
He would rather be the one collecting taxes than the one running around to make money.
For a business like this, the tax revenue would be enough to make the company a model enterprise in Tiannan.
The visit ended, and Zhuang Yao had lunch with Prefect Zhou in the yamen cafeteria.
The yamen's car was black, and its driver drove quietly, keeping a low profile.
The two had started out as strangers, but a few warm words had made the atmosphere between them much more relaxed.
His company's business was growing fast, and he had no plans to withdraw money from its accounts.
"See you next time. I'll be in touch."
"Okay. Please give me a moment to get ready."
Zhuang Yao got up and went to change clothes.
He told Ji Shuqing where he was going, then left.
As for going to Golden Continent, Lin Ze advised against it despite Zhuang Yao's good fitness and marksmanship.
The navy had to escort merchant ships every few days to keep pirates from attacking them.
"Anyway, I'll contact my partners and get more fishing boats so we can expand our catch."
The prospective business was growing rapidly, and Zhuang Yao wanted to make sure his future supply chain was reliable.
Lin Ze's eyes lit up. If Zhuang Yao wasn't simply bragging, he was worth a substantial investment.
At his current pace, the company would generate over a billion in taxes next year.
That would make it a model enterprise even in Tiannan City.
The company's local sales of Large Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms had generated about 83.2 million.
That portion incurred 7.488 million in value-added tax and 897,600 in surcharges.
The taxes were necessary costs of early development, and they would also provide him with a bit of backing.
"I've already secured stable suppliers for matsutake and Large Yellow Croaker. Matsutake comes in one seasonal wave, but our seafood suppliers can provide Large Yellow Croaker year-round."
His true aim was to get a reliable group of bodyguards.
That way, retired servicemen could also find work.
The prefect's secretary had clearly come prepared and had likely worked out Zhuang Yao's tax bill in advance.
"Based on the figures, your company's local sales of Large Yellow Croaker and matsutake mushrooms came to about 83.2 million. That portion is subject to 9% value-added tax, totaling 7.488 million, plus 897,600 in surcharges."
Then came the taxes on the imported goods.
That included 131.04 million on matsutake mushrooms and 102.48 million on Large Yellow Croaker, plus the associated surcharges.
There were also the taxes payable by the shell companies.
The total added up to more than 300 million.
Zhuang Yao's money was on paper, but half of it still had to go toward paying for the goods.
He needed to sell the products before he could realize most of the profit.
The amount left after taxes and operating expenses would be about 900 million that he could potentially withdraw, but the goods had not yet been sold, so there was little profit available to take out.
Even so, the business was already worth devoting himself to.
Zhuang Yao smiled and stated his true aim.
"As long as you show enough growth potential and tax-generating potential, the city can offer your company more and better preferential treatment."
Prefect Zhou was eager to win Zhuang Yao over. He didn't want him to feel unwelcome and move his company elsewhere.
For the prefect, losing a company like this would be an enormous blow.
For now, Zhuang Yao would focus on growing the business.
He would wait until the company was big and strong before worrying about anything else.
"Going forward, we'll expand the fishing fleet and increase the scale of our catch."
The tax officials packed up and left.
Then the second group of visitors arrived.
Zhuang Yao welcomed them into the house.
They took their seats in the spacious living room.
"I'm Zhuang Yao. Please, come in."
The secretary smiled and introduced himself.
"Hello, I'm Xiao Lin, Secretary to Prefect Zhou of Tiannan."
Zhuang Yao greeted him and invited him inside.
"Please, have some tea."
Soon, Xiao Lin brought over the tea.
Then he explained why he had come.
"Prefect Zhou would like to meet you and invite you to lunch at the Prefectural Yamen."
Zhuang Yao agreed to go.
"Then I'll make a few preparations first."
The two chatted along the way, but said nothing of any real significance.
At the Prefectural Yamen, Prefect Zhou was sitting behind his desk reviewing documents.
He looked up and smiled when Zhuang Yao entered.
"Zhuang Yao's here. Xiao Zhao, fetch my prized Yunwu tea and brew him a cup."
Then the prefect set down his pen and stood up to greet him.
"Hello, Prefect Zhou. Thank you for the tea."
Prefect Zhou reached out to shake Zhuang Yao's hand.
Zhuang Yao stepped forward and clasped it in both of his.
They exchanged a few pleasantries and drank tea.
Then they went to the yamen cafeteria for a simple lunch.
The prefect soon got down to business.
"Xiao Lin, what plans does your trading company have going forward?"
Zhuang Yao cautiously laid out his plans for the coming year.
He focused on Delicious Forest's business model, painting Prefect Zhou a rosy picture.
He said the company's import and export business could reach at least 2 billion in sales the following year.
He had also started a restaurant group specializing in dishes made with Large Yellow Croaker.
He planned to turn Delicious Forest into a viral hit.
He conservatively estimated that the restaurant group's annual sales could reach several hundred million.
Lin Ze's eyes lit up as he listened.
If Zhuang Yao wasn't simply bragging, he was worth a substantial investment.
The prefect's secretary had already been inclined to invest more in Zhuang Yao based on his résumé.
Now, hearing his projections only strengthened that inclination.
Prefect Zhou valued Zhuang Yao because he knew the young man was important to the city's prospects.
A company that paid this much in taxes would be a major asset to Tiannan City.
It would also benefit the prefect's career and future evaluations.
That was why Prefect Zhou was so eager to win Zhuang Yao over.
He didn't want the company to move elsewhere.
The conversation continued, with the two men exchanging compliments.
Then Zhuang Yao suddenly seemed to remember something.
"By the way, Zhao Jing, I'm planning to visit Golden Continent to assess the market and expand the business."
"Golden Continent is a chaotic place. The navy has to escort our merchant ships every few days to keep them safe from pirates."
"I know you train in shooting and that you're in good shape with excellent marksmanship, Xiao Lin, but I still don't recommend going there."
"So I'll need your help, Zhao Jing. Could you introduce me to some reliable bodyguards? It would also create jobs for our well-disciplined retired servicemen."
Lin Ze smiled as he heard that.
For him, helping Prefect Zhou also helped himself, so he was especially courteous to Zhuang Yao.
The two had started out as complete strangers, but that little exchange made the atmosphere much warmer.
Zhuang Yao had not originally planned to take the trip, but the tax bill had made him think twice.
He could also use a security team to reduce the risk of anything going wrong.
In addition, many travel and daily expenses could be categorized as business inspections or client hospitality and counted toward the company's operating costs.
That would allow him to lawfully reduce his tax burden.
The taxes were necessary expenses for the early stages of development.
Besides, they had not been paid for nothing. They would give him some backing.
He had spent seven years preparing to earn that money in this world, then risked his life in the Other World for months.
To earn it, he had worked hard on both sides.
And now he had to pay more than 300 million in taxes.
The figures were enough to make his heart ache.
Still, he could take comfort in the fact that his company had gained a powerful backer.
Prefect Zhou's warm attitude had already made that much clear.
Lin Ze had recognized Zhuang Yao right away and instructed his aide to prepare tea.
That alone showed how much the prefect valued him.
Xiao Lin had brought more than ten people along mainly to show the authorities' respect for a major taxpayer.
In short, they were there to put on a show.
Once the tax officials had finished their work, they had transferred about 270 million out of Zhuang Yao's bank accounts.
He still had 230 million left in his domestic accounts.
The goods had not yet been sold, and a large share of the money on paper had to go toward paying the suppliers.
He could not withdraw much profit yet.
After taxes and operating expenses, he might eventually have about 900 million available to withdraw.
But for now, the goods had not been sold, so there was no large profit to take out.
"Once the business grows bigger and stronger, being the one collecting taxes will still be more comfortable. It beats running around everywhere to make money."
For now, he would focus on developing the business.
His company already had a strong framework in place.
There was no need to risk going to a lawless region until he had taken it as far as it could go.
The business was growing rapidly, and the company's accounts would remain untouched for now.
"Afterward, I'll get in touch with my partners and add more fishing boats to expand the catch."
That would give him another reliable supply source and make his business look more legitimate.
It would also let him build the company on a solid foundation.
The tax officials had finished calculating the bill.
"Mr. Lin, you need to pay a total of 269,928,960 in taxes. If you have any deductions or refunds, you can file a consolidated return at the end of the year."
Zhuang Yao listened carefully.
Then he authorized the payment.
The money was transferred out.
He now had about 230 million remaining in his domestic accounts.
After the tax officials left, Xiao Lin arrived.
He introduced himself and explained that Prefect Zhou wanted to meet Zhuang Yao.
Zhuang Yao agreed to go to the Prefectural Yamen for lunch.
On the way, the two chatted casually.
When they arrived, the prefect was sitting behind his desk reviewing documents.
"Zhuang Yao's here. Xiao Zhao, fetch my prized Yunwu tea and brew him a cup."
The prefect stood and reached out to shake his hand.
"Hello, Prefect Zhou. Thank you for the tea."
They exchanged a few pleasantries.
Then they sat down to discuss business.
"Xiao Lin, what plans does your trading company have going forward?"
Zhuang Yao described his plans for the coming year.
He expected the import and export business to reach at least 2 billion in sales.
Delicious Forest, the restaurant group specializing in Large Yellow Croaker dishes, could bring in several hundred million a year.
Lin Ze listened, impressed.
A business with that much growth potential was worth a substantial investment.
Prefect Zhou was also eager to keep the company in Tiannan.
It would be a major achievement for the city and for his own career.
Then Zhuang Yao mentioned that he planned to visit Golden Continent.
Lin Ze advised him against going, despite his fitness and marksmanship.
The place was dangerous, and the navy had to escort merchant ships every few days to protect them from pirates.
Zhuang Yao asked Lin Ze to introduce him to reliable bodyguards.
That would also provide jobs for retired servicemen.
Lin Ze agreed.
Afterward, Zhuang Yao thanked him for the tea.
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries and ate lunch in the yamen cafeteria.
Zhuang Yao's company had already generated more than 200 million in taxes in just over two months.
Next year, its cash flow could exceed ten billion, with taxes surpassing a billion.
That would make it a model enterprise in Tiannan City.
For now, he would focus on growing the business and expanding the fishing fleet.
Once the company was bigger and stronger, he could consider taking further risks.
He had learned his lesson: collecting taxes was far more comfortable than running around to earn money.
Going forward, he would contact his partners about adding more boats and increasing the catch.
For the moment, he would leave the money in the company and keep building the business.
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