Whispers of the Gods

Chapter 138 Rudomir IV (2)

"It's a tradition in their family. The Korva family has never been like this." Rudomir reminded her, "My father ensures that all farmers and citizens don't pay more than [-]% of their taxes. Even in wartime or bad harvest season, he Nor will he embarrass his people."

"His people..." Sefferty smiled, "Your father sounds like a great king."

"He was a great king, and so was his father," Rudomir's eyes flashed visions of the past, the young king in the garden, the old king on the throne, and the stone king in the catacombs. "But sometimes being too great is not a good thing."

"why?"

"You won't understand." There was bitterness in his voice. "This is not something that can be explained with words. This is something that can only be known after witnessing it with your own eyes."

The man moved his eyes away from Sefferty's face, and looked down at the account book again, turning the pages faster and faster, and saw the end in silence.

"What is this reward for loyal courtiers and servants, and why is it costing so much gold?" he asked. "In the 574th year of the star calendar, five hundred gold coins will be awarded to the regent Sizmon Janikovigrich as a reward for loyalty."

"The Duke likes to reward his courtiers with his gold coins. I guess Sizmond must have told a good joke that day."

"This money can buy dozens of dwarves who are funnier than him..." Rudomir continued to turn the page, "In the year 575 of the star calendar, a banquet was held to celebrate the tenth naming day of wine taster Ales. Daily gold coins. If I remember correctly, Ales is..."

The visitors immediately came up and spoke at the same time, making him restless.

The banker smiled awkwardly and continued to look at Rudomir for an answer.

"Can I collect your taxes?" Rudomir asked.

"It's his horse, Your Excellency, you remember correctly." Sefty answered.

"I'll let someone arrange it for you."

"Forget it, keep your gold." Rudomir got up, "You are right, you saved my army from sacrificing a lot of lives."

"How much gold does Konrad owe you?" Rudomir had seen the Golden Table Bank in the account books. The Duke of Wilker's debt was as much as [-] Holy Days of gold coins, but he wanted to hear it from the banker himself. See if he can lie.

"I'm here to take back the land, not to hand it over." Rudomir resolutely refused, "Iron Crown City's debts have nothing to do with the Korva family, but I will reduce taxes on all your trade transactions, including iron ore exports. "

"You should have seen it when you walked into this castle. I have an army to feed and a war to fight." Rudomir looked at each of them, "And then you decided to find me and ask me to take over The debt of a city lord?"

"It's my honor, my lord." Sefty also stood up, bent her knees and saluted him as a lady. "With your permission, I have one more request..."

Rudomir sighed softly, he wanted to hand over Ironcrown City to his younger brother Leo, but now this mess doesn't seem to be suitable for him, at least until the problem of Ironcrown City is solved.

Rudomir turned and opened the door, and saw Yaroslav leaning against the corridor wall, fiddling with his dagger.

"My lord, I am Jail Vasciek from Swan Harbor, on behalf of the Vasciek family's Golden Table Bank." The man took off his hat and bowed to Rudomir, his ginger curly hair fell on his hairless face.

"Go ahead."

"What you mean... I understand." He replied thoughtfully, "His Excellency the Duke of Franchak does not have any debts. As far as I know, the economic situation in Weiqing City is better than here."

"If you don't mind, we also take over other methods, such as setting up a trading post here..."

"So, the Duke of Ironcrown City not only doesn't have much money left, but also owes a lot of debts?" Rudomir asked after closing the wooden boards on the front and back pages.

"Shut up first!" His voice made the fire tremble, and the noise in the hall also stopped, "One by one," Rudomir said, pointing to the goose-feathered green hat merchant on the far left, "you first Come."

"You are really good at breaking a girl's heart, Your Excellency." Sefferty looked down at him sadly, "Aren't you satisfied with my service?"

Rudomir interrupted Yarosla with a wave of his hand, "I just checked the account books, and I probably know what's going on. Did these people say where they came from?"

"I want to change rooms."

"Let's go."

Rudomir and his adjutant returned to the hall, looked around, grunted softly, and sat back by the fire.

"What's wrong?" Rudomir frowned slightly.

"I understand what you mean, Your Excellency." Sephti nodded knowingly with a smile, "You don't need to inherit these debts, but this may cause dissatisfaction among merchants, and worsen the relationship with the Governor of the Republic and the Emperor of the Holy Empire. I don't think it's a good way to introduce yourself to new subjects."

"Tell me, if Kondrade Welker is no longer Duke, and his family is no longer the lord of Ironcrown, whose head will this debt fall on?" he asked.

"Businessmen don't want to do business here, but they are happy to lend him gold." Sefty changed her seat and sat, "There are many creditors, merchants from Vivalia, banks from the Republic of Drax and Pallas Priests of the Holy Empire of Lathis."

"The best way to build a friendship is to write off the debt." Yarosla commented from the side, "Maybe you should consider this option."

Ludomir raised his eyebrows, "I hope the Domanche family doesn't owe you much money, otherwise you may come to me again later."

"Some people said they wanted to come to see you. They heard that Ironcrown City has a new owner, but Kondrade Welk seems to owe them a lot of money when he was the Duke, so..."

"Most are from Swan Harbor in Drax, and some are local merchants," Yarosla replied.

"My lord," he threw the dagger into the air and caught it again, then inserted it back into the scabbard at his waist, "the hall needs your presence."

"Fifty thousand holy yen, my lord, this year's interest is still deducted." Jair Vasichek said respectfully, "We have contacts with the Wilker family and the Domanche family, and we also hope to have a relationship with Cole." The Wa family has established the same friendly relationship, so we will not count the interest this year, I just came here to know if the Korva family intends to repay this debt?"

Seeing these visitors whispering hesitantly, he shook his head, "This is my best proposal and the only one. I advise you to accept it, otherwise you will return empty-handed."

After hearing these words, they reluctantly accepted the suggestion of the new owner of Ironcrown City, dragging their robes and leaving.

"Wait." Rudomir called to stop the green hat merchant. "How's the weather in Swan Harbor?"

The anticipation on Jarl Vasciek's face was dispelled by the question, "Same here, my lord," he replied, "maybe worse, if I were a saint, I might think that the saint was dying. "

(End of this chapter)