The development of a city and the expansion of a power are never linear.
Just like Fosbairo, behind every step of development, there is a foundation laid in advance. Without these foundations, Fosbairo would not be what it is today.
Fosbairo, which had just absorbed a large number of immigrants not long ago and was expanding its industrial chain, had begun to accumulate strength again after experiencing rapid expansion.
It's time to keep a low profile again - Forsbarrow's standards have gradually become popular in the northern border, and then they should penetrate into the lives of every northerner.
However, the tree wanted to be quiet but the wind was not stopping. When Lux began to plan to accumulate strength, in the capital of Demacia, some people who did not like her finally found an opportunity and began to become active.
Although LeBlanc is a very patient guy, as this role-playing game begins, her patience is exhausted a bit too quickly - Jarvan IV is worthy of being a climber, and he is far more thoughtful than LeBlanc.
Lan's predictions were more careful. In this case, she rashly caused trouble for Lux, but she was destined to only cause trouble for herself.
In addition, in terms of relationships, Jarvan IV's persistence exceeded her expectations. Even if she tried her best, Jarvan IV did not have any other thoughts about her.
Note that "no idea" here does not mean "had an idea but exercised restraint because of morality", but "didn't even think about it".
This also directly led to the delay in the character played by Vladimir being able to appear on the stage, and the plot of the love triangle was delayed in unfolding.
Without the catalyst of the love triangle, although LeBlanc has become an important friend and partner of Jarvan IV, with this status alone, LeBlanc would not dare to rashly give eye drops to a powerful nobleman.
Then, just when LeBlanc's heart gradually began to gather, the opportunity came.
Taric returns from Shurima.
……………………
Taric's trip to Shurima took far longer than expected. If he hadn't occasionally sent letters back and was also a climber himself, Jarvan IV might have begun to worry about his safety.
Moreover, due to the delay in the early return of the investigators, the Shurima trade that Jarvan IV expected could not be launched, and the royal family's economy has gradually become somewhat tight.
Then, just when Jarvan IV was beginning to think about whether to give up Shurima trade, Taric returned.
With Taric's return, Lanf, who had won the trust of Jarvan IV, also joined the discussion circle about Shurima trade and participated (mainly as an observer) in several internal meetings discussing Shurima trade issues.
At the meeting, Tariq briefly introduced the geographical environment and power division of Shurima, and finally made the judgment that he believed that Shurima trade had great potential.
Jarvan IV naturally believed in Tariq's judgment. In his opinion, Tariq's three-year inspection was enough for him to understand Shurima.
If Shurima has no problem selling grain, then there must be no problem!
Therefore, Jarvan IV soon began to study with Barret the specific issues of Shurima trade - starting from the collection of grain, to warehousing, transportation, sales, etc.
Originally, Demacia's desire to sell food to Shurima had nothing to do with LeBlanc. She was not interested in Shurima, nor did she care whether the Shurima trade could succeed. She just wanted to provoke Jarvan IV.
It's just a relationship with Lux.
However, at this meeting, when talking about the collection and purchase of grain, several people were chatting, and the topic quickly came to commercial taxes.
In Demacia, there are no unified rules for commercial taxes. How much tax you have to pay for the circulation of goods depends entirely on the conscience and reason of the lords on the trade routes.
However, as a large agricultural country, Demacia did not have a large share of commercial taxes. Therefore, when consolidating the power of the nobility, Jarvan IV only stipulated the maximum proportion of land taxes and did not make any regulations on commercial taxes.
LeBlanc had studied Fosbairo specifically, and she was disappointed for a long time when she discovered that Fosbairo had almost no land tax and only paid a head tax to the royal family - she was catching up with Fosbairo at that time.
Ending the tax holiday, if there was a problem with Forsbarrow's first batch of taxes, she would definitely blow it up and turn it into an accident.
Unfortunately, because Forsbarrow's share of tax payments was pitifully small, and Lux had no intention of evading taxes, in the end LeBlanc did not dare to directly tamper with the tax books.
During this period, LeBlanc kept thinking about how to cause trouble for Lux and Forsbarrow, but there was really no trouble to be found there.
LeBlanc plays the role of Lanfo, and she really cannot do without Xiongdu - because after Jarvan IV discovered Miss Lanfo's political abilities, he assigned a considerable part of the tasks to her, and as a result, LeBlanc was prostituted for nothing.
Labor force, even the opportunity to travel to the northern border with the help of reserve bodies is gone...
In addition, Vladimir cannot be separated and now has a role to play. The only people they rely on now are the spies of the Black Rose.
As a result, LeBlanc and Vladimir, who were waiting for second-hand news in the capital, received the news that "Forsbarrow is impeccable."
Seeing that they could not find out any meaningful information about the trash under their command, LeBlanc and Vladimir finally had no choice but to hibernate temporarily and wait patiently for the opportunity.
And now, LeBlanc finally got her chance.
When Jarvan IV and Barrett discussed matters related to grain expropriation, Lanfu seemed to remind them inadvertently.
"What if Shurima trade becomes an important source of income and other nobles follow suit?"
Upon hearing this question, Jarvan IV and Barret both laughed.
"With the royal family's ability, if you want to sell grain to Shurima, you need to consider carefully. Other nobles do not have this ability."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "But what if they join forces?" Lanfu continued, "At least we must be prepared in advance."
"...Your reminder makes sense." After hearing this, Jarvan IV finally nodded, "To be on the safe side, it is best to set the standards in advance. Barrett, do you have any good ideas?"
"If you make a rule out of thin air, it may cause dissatisfaction." When talking about this topic, Barrett frowned slightly, "Moreover, the newly formulated rules require a plenary meeting of the noble council. It is too time-consuming to summon all the nobles.
.”
"It's not only time consuming." Jarvan IV couldn't help but frowned when he mentioned this topic. "If we do these things with great fanfare, I'm afraid they will never agree even if they don't know our fundamental purpose."
"Besides, we can't come up with a decisive reason." Barrett added, "So, maybe we can take a roundabout way."
"A roundabout way?" Jarvan IV blinked in confusion, "For example?"
"For example, raising the tax rate on selling grain abroad?" Naturally, Barrett focused on taxation. "You have to pay taxes when exporting grain, but the tax rate is very low, only one thousandth. Often,
Only as the ship's docking fee."
"We raise it?"
"It can be increased by three hundred times." Barrett opened his mouth with a crazy number. "It's just to change the tax rate in detail. We don't need to summon all the nobles. Just a meeting attended by more than half of the noble representatives is enough to change the tax rate."
Once it is settled, as long as it is settled, even if others want to sell the grain to Shurima, they will have to pay a heavy tax of 30%."
"It's a good idea." Hearing what Barrett said, Jarvan IV's thoughts gradually opened up. "There has always been a food shortage in the Principality of Valoran, and a lot of food on the market has flowed there. Improvement
Trade taxes on grain exports should also curb this situation... But to be honest, this tax rate is so shocking that I don’t have the confidence to pass it even at the representative meeting.”
"At this point, Your Majesty can take some small measures." After hearing what Jarvan IV said, Barrett finally showed a smile. "Put together a complicated document, preferably on the inheritance law.
Then we will look for detailed standards for a few days and propose them together with this one."
"The law of succession is destined to be impossible to change, so in the end the noble council will shelve it." Jarvan IV heard the song and knew its meaning, "will these be passed smoothly?"
"That's it."
Soon, Jarvan IV and Barrett reached some common views on the issue of trade taxes on grain exports.
And this is exactly what LeBlanc wants to see.
According to her understanding, a large part of Forsbarrow's income lies in their trade with the Freljord people. They sell grain to the Freljord people at crazy prices.
Although it is not known how the Forsbarrows managed to defeat those Freljordians, it is certain that the Freljord trade is an important purse for that noble paragon lady.
Once the trade tax on grain exports increases significantly, it means a big hole in the heavy money bag.
Although this may not bring any fatal trouble to Fosbairo, it will undoubtedly make Fosbairo dissatisfied with Xiongdu.
And, this is just the beginning.
People's dissatisfaction is accumulated. As long as it is provoked a few more times, conflicts will inevitably break out between the northern border and Xiongdu.
In this way, taking advantage of Jarvan IV's opportunity to establish and prepare for Shurima trade, LeBlanc used every opportunity to cause trouble for Forsbarrow.
Is it profitable for Forsbarrow to sell grain to the North?
Then raise the tax rate on grain exports!
Is Forsbarrow's fur industry profitable?
Then promote Shurima silks and fabrics and find competitors for fur!
Forsbarrow is the largest source of blue ocher in Demacia?
Then promote Shurima's red gemstones and create a red trend at the Arts Support Association!
…
…
All of the above, whether it was proposed by LeBlanc or what she guided Jarvan IV to think of, each one is very targeted.
But if we pull it out, each item is based on Tariq's notes, and the purpose of each item is to help the royal family monopolize the Shurima grain trade and maximize profits.
So, if Fosbairo suffered any losses from these regulations.
Sorry, that's just bad luck for you, we didn't take any notice of it.
Moreover, these were all passed by the Nobles' Council, and were almost no problem for other nobles - Fosbairo didn't even have a potential ally!
Once furs fell out of fashion and grain exports were heavily taxed, the demand for blue ocher began to decline...
I'm afraid I heard that Fosbairo, which is developing well now, will soon be brought back to its original shape!
And when that time comes, even a paragon of nobles will probably not be able to help but feel dissatisfied, right?
Even if Laxana is really loyal and won't have any dissatisfaction, it doesn't matter.
Because when the time comes, LeBlanc will make Jarvan IV aware of the impact she has had on Forsbarrow, and make him believe that Miss Laxana will be dissatisfied.
After all... once the seeds of doubt are planted, they are destined to take root and sprout.
