"There's something we'd like to ask you," Jia Tong said, still maintaining a degree of sobriety despite his excitement. "We businessmen all know that there's no such thing as a free lunch. What does the Peace Army need from us to get these benefits?"
“That’s right, we do have some requirements for everyone.” Li Jun’s words calmed everyone down, and each businessman started to calculate in his mind.
Chapter Ten: Blood Sea Soaring Dragon
Section 1
"We have three requirements. As long as you all meet these three requirements, the deal will be done." Li Jun also adopted a businessman's tone. "First, you must buy and sell at fair prices in Tonghai City. You must not hoard goods for profit or cheat the people and soldiers."
The merchants burst into laughter. They understood that Li Jun was warning them against being too cunning, as all merchants are known to be shrewd. But their laughter was interrupted by Li Jun's next words.
"The Peace Army will set up a complaint office to receive complaints from military and civilians regarding your business operations. If any of you violate Article 1, you will be punished tenfold."
The merchants began whispering amongst themselves again, and finally Zhuang Heng said, "That's fine. As the saying goes, harmony brings wealth. Our bosses here are all well-known figures in Tonghai City. They don't need to resort to underhanded means to make a profit."
Everyone agreed, and Li Jun continued, "The second point is that everyone must pay taxes according to their income, with a tax rate of one-fifteenth. What do you all think?"
The merchants fell silent, and after a moment Jia Tong asked, "What did the commander just say was the tax rate?"
"One-fifteenth tax." Li Jun repeated, then said with some helplessness, "Now that the world is in chaos, we must use this as the standard to determine the tax rate. This tax will be used as capital for the defense and public construction of Tonghai City. After the world is at peace, the tax rate can be reduced to one-thirtieth."
"No need!" the merchants exclaimed. Even in the most lenient times, merchants were always taxed at one-tenth of their income, sometimes even one-twentieth. Most of the time, the government collected taxes based on the number of shops, not profits. Li Jun's newly established standard of one-fifteenth tax had already excited them greatly.
“This tax rate is probably too low and not enough to support the Peace Army and the officials of Tonghai City,” Jia Tong calmly analyzed. “Therefore, if the Peace Army wants to raise the tax rate in the future, it would be better to say so now.”
Li Jun exchanged a glance with Jiang Tang. He wasn't actually an expert in economics; Jiang Tang had drafted all of this for him. He chuckled and said, "We don't expect to use this revenue to support the Peace Army right now. As for raising the tax rate, how about this: any future changes to the tax rate will require your consent before implementation. But those who dare to evade taxes will be fined tenfold. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Jia Tong's spirits lifted, and an idea that had been swirling in his mind suddenly took shape. He exclaimed, "I have a suggestion for this. From now on, fifteen representatives will be selected from among the merchants of this city. Major business matters and industry standards will be discussed and approved by these representatives. As long as more than eight of the representatives agree, it will be binding on the commerce of the entire city. What do you think, Commander Li?"
Li Jun's mind raced as he analyzed the situation. Jia Tong's suggestion, seemingly a supplement to his own, inadvertently shifted the decision-making power regarding tax rate changes to the hands of the businessman. This businessman appeared to be quite formidable.
But for Li Jun, who had the power to change the tax rate was not a very important matter. First, he did not want to change the tax rate of one-fifteenth of the total tax. Second, the army was in his hands, so what could these merchants do if he forced a change?
Jia Tong understood this as well, but he knew that gaining even a little power now was better than giving in to nothing. Therefore, he added urgently, "Of course, if a change in tax rates is indeed necessary, the Peace Army can explain the reasons to the delegates at the meeting."
“Okay!” Li Jun did not hesitate any longer. They did not expect that this bargaining over the second condition would determine the main form of local financial management in Tonghai City, and even in the entire Peace Army.
"Then, Commander Li, please tell us about the third point."
The merchants began to urge him on, and Li Jun said, "The third point is that none of you shall openly or secretly provide financial assistance to the Peace Army's opponents. Anyone who violates this rule shall have all his or her assets confiscated. During battles, you shall obey the Peace Army's orders. With your consent, the Peace Army may use your forces to fight."
This condition received almost no opposition from the merchants. In fact, if Li Jun's promises were fulfilled, the merchants would not only be willing to oppose the Peace Army, but would even be eager to take a large sum of money as compensation for the Peace Army in addition to taxes. Moreover, no one in the entire Divine Continent had ever discussed such matters with the merchants. Although the merchants, who had extremely low social status, amassed enormous wealth, they did not receive any political respect.
The agreement between the two parties was signed in writing. Afterwards, Jiang Tang did not forget to remind everyone: "You have all made the most profitable deal. On the second day after the Peace Army entered Tonghai City, Young Master Hua and Commander Li invited you to meet. This shows how much they value you. I hope you all make a lot of money and that your business grows bigger and bigger, so that you can pay more and more taxes, haha."
The merchants dispersed with smiles. Having received such lenient policies, all they had to do now was plan how to expand their businesses, while Li Jun had to prepare to deal with the sea monster.
Thinking of the serpent spirit in the sea, Li Jun felt a headache coming on. His experience on Jiaolong Island three years ago seemed to be still fresh in his mind. He could still bear the terror of the red dragon, but the thought of the seasickness he might have experienced while traveling by boat made him feel rather depressed.
"Commander, when shall we proceed with this deal?" Jiang Tang asked with unusual excitement. Li Jun realized that his excitement was somewhat inexplicable. Given his usual personality, he should be very afraid of things that involve risking his life.
“Go when you’re ready, Jiang Tang. You’re familiar with the sea, so we’ll be counting on you.” Li Jun decided to test him.
Sure enough, Jiang Tang's expression changed. "I...I'll go too?" he stammered.
"Of course, you're the most familiar with naval warfare, and you came up with this suggestion. If you don't go, who will?" Li Jun stared at him with piercing eyes, as if trying to see every change in his expression.
"Well... well... let's think about it some more... how about this, let's find Lei Hun and Tu Long Zi Yun first. With their help, we'll definitely be able to get rid of the Jiao Jing and make this deal."
"So that's how it is... It seems you're quite aware of how terrifying this dragon spirit is. Then why do you still want us to get rid of it?" Li Jun pressed further.
"This...this...I'll tell you the truth," Jiang Tang said with a wry smile, seeing that he could no longer hide it. "That dragon spirit lives on an island reef in the sea. Its cave entrance is exposed when the tide goes out. It has been ravaging the coast of Yuzhou for decades. The treasures stored in the cave, tsk tsk, just thinking about it is a huge business..." Jiang Tang seemed to be intoxicated by the dragon spirit's treasure in his imagination.
"Come on, don't get eaten by the dragon spirit before you even see the treasure!" Li Jun tapped him on the head, but in his heart he missed his comrades who had shared life and death with him: the peculiar mage Lei Hun, the intelligent cave-crossing female craftswoman Mo Rong, and Tu Long Zi Yun who possessed the bloodline of the Dragon Slayer Clan.
"Do you know where the three of them are?" Li Jun asked. He had been busy with military affairs lately and had no time to ask about these old friends. Thinking of this, he felt a little apologetic, but this apology quickly turned into self-mockery. When did he become so emotional? It all seemed to be because of those three years following the emotionally rich Lu Xiang.
"I don't know much about Grand Master Lei and that Dragon Slayer Ziyun, but it seems that the little girl Dongyue has returned to Yue Renling. When we parted, she seemed to have told me to visit her when I had time, as she was going to make a lot of good things." Jiang Tang recalled. Although he joined this somewhat uncoordinated team later, after a life-or-death battle with the dragon, he unconsciously became much closer to everyone.
"Mo Rong has returned to Yue Ren Ling..." Li Junxin's heart stirred. Yue Ren Ling and Yu Zhou are only about twenty days away. Mo Rong's talent in forging and mechanical engineering has an unparalleled effect on his grand plan that is gradually unfolding.
But the most pressing issue now is solving the immediate problem. The Peace Army soldiers, skilled in hand-to-hand combat, are clearly not up to the task of fighting the dragon demon in the sea. Moreover, he must leave some men to guard Tonghai City. If only a mage were here. Mages play an irreplaceable role in small team adventures; it was Lei Hun's magic that played a crucial role in the dragon-slaying battle.
"Are there any outstanding mages around here?" Li Jun asked Yu Sheng.
Yu Sheng turned his eyes to Hua Xuan. Hua Xuan's spirits lifted. Since joining the Peace Army, Li Jun had always treated him with great courtesy, but he had no way to repay him. Now was the time for him to do his part.
“The Magic Academy in Thunder City has outstanding mages. Chu Qingfeng, the academy's supervisor, is the only Taoist mage of the Immortal level (Note 1) in Yu Prefecture, and he has always been friendly to me. We can send someone to invite him over tonight.”
"A celestial-level mage!" Li Jun exclaimed in surprise. He hadn't expected there to be such a master in Thunder City. It was a pity he hadn't visited him during his time in Thunder City. However, judging from Hua Xuan's tone, he seemed quite confident in inviting him. He would have to ask him for some guidance.
Since learning the art of breathing techniques from Lei Hun, Li Jun realized that the source of both the abilities of martial artists and the magic of mages lies in the fundamental power of the universe, which Lei Hun calls "Prajna." Therefore, if he had the opportunity to discuss this with this immortal master, it would be extremely beneficial for Li Jun to fully utilize his abilities.
Therefore, Li Jun ordered Lu Xian and Wang Erlei to quickly send two messages through the communication system of the Kuer Camp. One message was sent to Leiming City, requesting Chu Qingfeng to come immediately in Hua Xuan's handwritten letter. The other message was sent to Yue Ren Ridge, inviting Mo Rong to come in the name of Li Jun and Jiang Tang. Both requests were somewhat presumptuous, but at this critical moment, Li Jun had no choice but to try them.
"Also, when fighting enemies at sea, we should prioritize using bows and arrows. Jiang Tang, there are many barbarians living here. Could we ask them for our help?" After making the arrangements, Li Jun asked Jiang Tang.
Jiang Tang slapped his forehead and said, "That's right, I forgot about that. Commander, we need to do some business again. How about we go and visit the elders of the local barbarians?"
"Very well, we can only show our sincerity by going in person. How about Mr. Hua and Mr. Yu go together as well?"
Hua Xuan and Yu Sheng naturally agreed. The results of this visit exceeded his expectations. When the Yi elders learned that Jiang Tang, a Yi, had become the treasurer of the Peace Army and had received a written promise from Hua Xuan and Li Jun that the Yi and ordinary people would be treated equally from now on, they immediately expressed their full support for the Peace Army. They recruited the best archers from their tribe as auxiliary troops for the Peace Army and sent a large ship that had been sealed away for a long time to help Li Jun.
Of course, the contributions of the Yi people were not without purpose. As a people of the water, water was their home. The appearance of the dragon spirit made it impossible for them to pursue their beloved seafaring. The young people could go far away to sail to safer places, but the older Yi people, who were attached to their homes, were unwilling to leave. Although they could catch some small fish in the coastal waters, they felt an extra longing whenever they thought of ocean voyages. It was a disgrace for the entire family if a Yi person had not completed an intercontinental ocean voyage in his life.
After gaining the support of the barbarians, Li Jun felt somewhat confident. In the days that he was waiting for the immortal Chu Qingfeng's reply, Li Jun had to work hard every day to strengthen the city's defenses. Meanwhile, the merchants in the city came to ask him every day when he could go out to sea to eliminate the dragon spirit, and even said that if the dragon spirit was not eliminated, all the agreements would be null and void.
Chu Qingfeng arrived in Tonghai City at noon on October 30th, eight days later. Accompanying him were all the teachers and students of the entire Magic Academy, a valuable force that Li Jun had not expected. Upon hearing the news, Li Jun, who was half-lying on the bed taking a nap, rushed out without putting on his shoes.