The city's taxes were an absolute major issue.
From the grain-gathering team, Chen Yu could sense the heavy burden the taxation policies enacted by the former officials of Hurricane City placed on its citizens.
He was curious to see just how far the corrupt underground could push taxation.
Upon learning Chen Yu wished to know the details, Klein recounted the truth in full. While he lacked the ability to resolve the city's internal divisions, he was intimately familiar with its situation.
Hearing it for the first time truly shocked Chen Yu.
"They even tax childbirth?"
Seated, Chen Yu, holding his cup, forgot to take a sip of water, his eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at Klein, fearing he was hallucinating.
Could he believe it?
In the former Hurricane City, citizens, from betrothal to marriage to childbirth, had joyous occasions that were each met with taxation, and the taxes levied were horrifying.
In the underground, most citizens' incomes ranged from 80 to 200 copper coins.
That was their monthly income!
Those with stronger abilities, capable of exploring the wilderness and fighting monsters, earned considerably more, but such individuals were not representative. Compared to Silver and Gold realm experts, the underground was filled mostly with useless wood and those just entering the cultivation threshold, the Black Iron.
Even Bronze level was considered a rare expert.
With such meager incomes, the city's heavy taxes still squeezed them mercilessly. For a betrothal alone, to get engaged and continue living in the city, one needed to pay 200 copper coins, equivalent to 2 silver coins in betrothal tax. Marriage required another 2, and childbirth a staggering 5.
From betrothal to childbirth, the taxes amounted to nearly 10 silver coins.
What was the annual income of the common people?
Their hard-earned money all flowed into the pockets of the city officials.
This was just a portion of the taxes; not to mention exit taxes, entry taxes, farming taxes, city repair taxes... there were over a hundred various cumbersome taxes.
Chen Yu listened, utterly amazed.
In his lifetime, he had never heard of such absurd taxation.
Let alone the citizens of the city, if Chen Yu lived in such a city, he suspected he would have raised the banner of rebellion long ago. Could the people be blamed for resisting?
It was too outrageous!
"Lord City Lord, these taxes are actually quite normal."
What Chen Yu found even more unbelievable was that Klein, noticing Chen Yu's shock, informed him that these taxes were normal.
Chen Yu seriously suspected he was hallucinating, setting down his cup and patting his ears a few times.
"What did you say, normal?"
"These are the taxation policies promulgated by the royal family of our Tatu Kingdom," Klein whispered softly. Chen Yu stared at him in utter bewilderment for a long moment.
???
The source was actually the Tatu royal family.
Just how corrupt had this Tatu Kingdom become to issue taxes to this extent? Did they truly not want people to live?
"So, all cities in the Tatu Kingdom have such taxation policies?"
"Yes."
"Even the more remote city-states?" Chen Yu asked, frowning. Klein nodded noncommittally, "Any city within the Tatu Kingdom operates under this taxation model."
For some inexplicable reason, Chen Yu seemed to suddenly understand something.
He finally understood why his own city-state had developed so rapidly. While a higher income might be a factor, it was more likely due to his city-state being free from such cumbersome taxes. Living in his city-state, the citizens could live more comfortably, more like actual people.
The smiles that bloomed on their faces were from the heart.
"Do you also believe these taxes are reasonable?" Chen Yu asked Klein, his gaze focused after a long silence. "I won't even mention other taxes, but just the childbirth tax and farming tax. Don't these two taxes directly impede the city's development? Citizens dare not have children due to lack of funds, and after contracting land for farming, the income from selling the grain isn't even enough to pay the taxes. Do you think these taxes are reasonable?"
"Of course, I don't think they are reasonable."
Klein looked up, his eyes filled with gravity and earnestness.
"I detest these convoluted taxes. I grew up in such an environment, and naturally, I have many opinions on these tedious taxes. But what can I do? Can I change the royal family's promulgation of taxation policies? I simply cannot."
Klein spread his arms, tilting his head back with a bitter smile.
"The kingdom's internal corruption has persisted for a hundred years; this turbidity has become the norm. Anyone who wishes to shake this foundation needs to pay a great price, and requires extraordinary courage and ability. Although I abhor this, I am also acutely aware that I am not that capable or powerful person. I wish to try and change things, but even if I were to do so, it would take years upon years, and I couldn't enact sweeping reforms."
"Is this also the reason you offered me the position of City Lord?" Chen Yu raised an eyebrow.
"Yes!"
Klein responded without the slightest hesitation, nodding in affirmation.
"I yearn for your city-state and believe you have the ability to turn this Fengqi City into a prosperous one. I am clear about my own positioning; if I were City Lord, I might not be able to do it well. But if I were to assist the City Lord, I believe I would do well. If you are willing, I would be happy to assist you in leading this Fengqi City to glory."
"Very well, then what do you think our first step should be?"
"Gathering the refugees!"
"Wrong!" Chen Yu shook his head forcefully, tapping the table. "The first thing we need to do is to change these damned taxes. First, we need to set up a table for the city's citizens to eat, to give them hope for the future, and to allow them to have a full meal."
"City Lord, these taxes are promulgated by the kingdom. If we abolish them, the kingdom will demand taxes from us..."
"That's none of my business."
Chen Yu pouted, his expression one of disdain.
"If they want taxes, let them demand them. Whether I pay them is my problem. The people in my city can't even eat, and I'm supposed to eagerly pay taxes to the royal city? Why should I be such a sucker? Don't overthink it. Solving livelihood issues is the biggest problem. If the royal family is going to demand money from us, it's good enough that they aren't demanding money from me."
"But the city's maintenance and operation also require funds..."
"I will find a way to get that money," Chen Yu said, his gaze focused. "What needs to be done now is to solve the livelihood issues; don't worry about anything else."
"So, you mean..."
"Abolish them!"
Chen Yu narrowed his eyes, licked his lips, and snorted.
"Abolish all these meaningless taxes. From now on, Fengqi City will undergo transformation under my leadership!"