Fighting violence with violence

Startled by the series of gunshots, the Tall Tax Official abruptly opened his eyes. As he sat up, he saw his colleague holding Pistol, and then two attackers, soaking in blood, came into view.

He instantly forgot the pain in his head and exclaimed in shock, "Shawn Met, you... you killed them?!"

"Yes." It was Shawn Met's first time killing someone, and he was still somewhat dazed. Instinctively, he took out Gunpowder and began loading. "We have the right to fire when attacked..."

The tall Taxation official remained extremely nervous. "But they... just died like that?"

Shawn Met suddenly stood up, forcefully pounding the Gunpowder in the barrel, and shouted excitedly, "Have you forgotten what the Inspector Commissioner said in his speech?"

The tall Taxation official was taken aback, but his hesitant gaze instantly hardened.

"We are selfless and Dreadnought Taxation officials, and we should not be intimidated by any threats!" Shawn Met raised his Pistol, repeating Robespierre's speech, "As long as we stand on the side of justice and the law, we must take up arms against any lawbreakers and make them tremble at the mere mention of our names!"

"Yes, you're right!" the tall Taxation officer nodded, then added, "We need to teach them a lesson..."

After his audience with the Crown Prince that day, Robespierre immediately went to the major cities to address the Tax Bureau officials and issue stern orders. The core message was simple. "Don't be afraid! If anyone dares to cause trouble, teach them a lesson they won't forget!"

Citizens who rushed to see what was happening were terrified upon seeing the two men exuding a menacing aura and the corpse on the ground, and they all ducked their heads and kept their distance...

Orleans.

A dozen men with menacing faces gathered outside the Tax Bureau building. Some carried wooden buckets filled with excrement and urine, splashing it onto the walls of the Tax Bureau. Others threw balls of fire at the Window Tax. These were stones wrapped in oil-soaked cloth, which could easily Ignition things inside the building after breaking the Glass.

These people have been coming almost every day lately, and they're getting increasingly arrogant.

The rioters, ignoring the usual warnings like "Your actions are criminal" and "Leave immediately," assumed the Tax Bureau were intimidated and became even more arrogant, shouting insults.

"I've warned you countless times, you scum! Since you still dare to stay here, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

"Adam Bonnet, Pierre, Kervès... I fucking know where you live. Get out of Orleans if you don't want to die!"

"You pigs, why aren't you quitting? Are you all tired of living?"

Just then, ten Taxation officers in black uniforms jogged out of the side door of the building, stopped thirty paces away from the rioters under their suspicious gazes, and then simultaneously drew their Flintlock Gun from behind their backs.

The group of thugs immediately retorted, their bravado masking their fear. "What are you doing? We're just protesting..."

Don't try to scare us!

However, their response was the command from the Tax Bureau Director Lemair: "Prepare—"

"Aim--"

A few thugs showed fear and prepared to turn and run, but most others, betting that the other side was just bluffing, threw the incendiary balls at the Taxation officer instead.

"Shooting--"

With a shout from Lemair, ten Charleville guns simultaneously spewed flames, and blood spurted from the bodies of three thugs, who fell to the ground.

The other thugs then realized what was happening and screamed in terror:

"They're going to kill us!"

"Run!"

Lemair, his face grim, raised his sword and pointed it forward, shouting, "These serious criminals who have repeatedly attacked the Tax Bureau must all be arrested. Anyone who tries to escape or resists must be shot on sight!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Taxation officials' ranks responded in unison, advancing a short distance before drawing their Pistol and shouting, "Get down on the ground! Don't run!"

Then gunfire erupted, and two more rioters fell to the ground, shot. Two others were shot in the arm. Their cries of agony echoed through the alley.

Without hesitation, the Taxation official switched to another gun that was already loaded with Ammunition and fired again.

No one dared to run anymore. They hurriedly lay down on the ground, trembling as they looked at the fresh corpses around them, their hearts pounding with fear...

at the same time.

Due to a shortage of manpower, the Tax Bureau in Bourges simply used a bomb to deal with the rioters...

Mannesse, Assistant to the Tax Director of Châlons, chased the attackers into their hideout, killing three of their accomplices and arresting one...

The Picardy Tax Bureau did indeed request artillery from the military, but before they could even use it, the mob surrendered...

Following Robespierre's nationwide address, the attackers against the Tax Bureau were dealt a heavy blow, their previous arrogance instantly extinguished.

It's not that the Taxation officials are particularly capable; after all, they've only undergone a few months of military training.

Mainly thanks to Robespierre's exceptional oratory skills, coupled with his group of Jacobin Taxation collectors, his passion for justice and the law was immediately ignited.

Coupled with weapons and equipment exceeding those of regular Infantry, they naturally swept away the rioters.

Paris.

Borolei, the tycoon of the Tax Farmers Guild, broke out in a cold sweat as he listened to his steward's report.

In the past ten days or so, 37 of his men who were sent to threaten government Tax Bureau officials have been killed and more than 70 have been arrested!

His family used to be involved in smuggling, and later, after making money, they moved into loan sharking and tax farming, so they had many ruthless thugs working for them. This is the source of his confidence to say that he would let the Taxation officials know what he's capable of.

Unexpectedly, his men, who weren't even afraid of the Anti-Smuggling Police, were slaughtered like stray dogs by a group of Taxation officials.

He was unaware that historically, it was Robespierre and the Jacobin who had wiped out Tax Farmers and smuggling tycoons like him.

Borolei felt a pang of regret. These men were "elites" cultivated by his Tribal Chief; they were not only bold and fierce, but also loyal and reliable.

This attempt to intimidate the Taxation officials resulted in the loss of over a hundred people, a devastating blow that will likely cripple the family's smuggling business.

Moreover, as the butler just said, the Tax Bureau was not only not intimidated, but also gained high morale and prestige due to the large number of arrests and killings of the attackers. It was almost as if he had sent people to help the government Taxation department increase its cohesion.

The butler glanced at Borolei's expression and cautiously said, "Sir, our people require a total of 620,000 Franc in appeasement funds. What do you think...?"

Those subordinates who were beaten to death or imprisoned would require him to pay for their affairs.

"Just follow the usual procedures." Borolei waved his hand impatiently, then asked, "By the way, have Anrol and Ruzard made arrangements?"