King of Creation
Chapter 1816: Chapter 1801: Annual Tribute
In the main hall of the government office in Haiyuan City, Ye Zhen sat in the central seat, with the Deputy Envoy Liuu Feng of the Second Route Wind Patrol sitting to his left.
Meanwhile, the Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan, Guo Zhang, and Prime Minister Xuy Shi sat on the lower right side beside Ye Zhen.
This situation appeared somewhat strange, considering the most exalted status should belong to Guo Zhang, the Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan.
Yet, judging by seat arrangements, he did not even match the Deputy Envoy Liuu Feng of the Second Route Wind Patrol.
The honor of establishing an enfeoffed nation is the reward most coveted by every prince and noble, signifying the true ascension as the ruler of a country.
However, ultimately, it depends on strength.
Without formidable strength, they are at the mercy of government offices ruling over them, resembling subordinates.
It’s precisely because Marquis Haiyuan was established only seven or eight years ago, with foundations too shallow, that Ye Zhen could assert such dominance, unlike over a century-old enfeoffed nation.
Of course, Ye Zhen’s strong stance today mainly relies on reasoning and exploiting the vulnerabilities of Marquis Haiyuan.
"Commander Ye, the previous incident was truly a misunderstanding. We beg Commander Ye for forgiveness."
As he spoke, Prime Minister Xuy Shi presented a brimful jade plate with both hands.
"Commander Ye, this is the control command token for the Ancient Teleportation Formation in Haiyuan City, and command talismans for the Spirit Stone Warehouse of the Ancient Teleportation Formation in Haiyuan City.
There are also ten years of historical transaction ledgers for the Ancient Teleportation Formation in Haiyuan City, along with command tokens and talismans for the garrison formations guarding the Ancient Teleportation Formation in Haiyuan City," stated Prime Minister Xuy Shi.
Upon seeing the handed-over command tokens, ledgers, and talismans, Guo Zhang, the Monarch of Marquis Haiyuan, felt a pang of regret.
Ye Zhen signaled Liuu Feng to take over for verification, and the Prime Minister spoke again.
"The recent incident was truly a misunderstanding. To make amends to Commander Ye, Marquis Haiyuan specially prepared a gift list, and we hope Commander Ye would kindly accept it." As he spoke, Prime Minister Xuy Shi presented another gift list.
The gift list was lengthy, and the included items appeared quite valuable.
Ye Zhen carefully reviewed it, with the top item being ten High Grade Thought Spirit Pills, one thousand Mid-grade Thought Spirit Pills, and ten thousand Low Grade Thought Spirit Pills, valued at over two hundred and ten thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones.
Next were ten Water Attribute High Grade Attribute Spirit Stones, one thousand Mid-grade Attribute Spirit Stones, and ten thousand Low Grade Attribute Spirit Stones, also valued at approximately two hundred thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones.
The third item was Spirit Stones: one hundred Supreme Spirit Stones, two hundred thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones, among others, valued likewise at nearly three hundred thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones.
Thereafter were various precious minerals, heavenly materials, earthly treasures, spiritual medicines produced in Marquis Haiyuan, amounting to nearly a hundred types.
Lastly, there were rarer luxury goods: one hundred pounds of top-grade Jade Silk, ten sets of Palace Hundred Flower Tableware, and so forth.
Having reviewed the gift list, Ye Zhen nodded slightly, finding it quite satisfactory.
In total, the gift list was valued over a million High Grade Spiritual Stones, constituting a substantial tribute.
"Commander Ye, this gift list is solely for this year. From now on, such a gift will be delivered annually. We hope Commander Ye could provide some care for Marquis Haiyuan in future," proposed Prime Minister Xuy Shi.
"No problem," Ye Zhen replied.
Prime Minister Xuy Shi rejoiced upon hearing Ye Zhen’s response, "Commander Ye indeed has great magnanimity. Then, about our Marquis Haiyuan’s senior ministers..."
At this point, Prime Minister Xuy Shi smiled wryly, "Many senior ministers are preoccupied with duties. Without their handling of affairs, our Marquis Haiyuan would fall into disorder."
Ye Zhen did not rush to agree, tapping his fingers on the table in front of him, slowly saying, "In North Sea County, we have several caravans and a fleet traveling back and forth with the North Sea. In the future, they will frequently dock at Marquis Haiyuan."
"Well..."
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Xuy Shi smiled awkwardly, but noticing Ye Zhen’s displeased expression, he hurriedly replied, "For Commander Ye’s caravans, Marquis Haiyuan will exempt all commercial taxes.
However, a tax exemption quota must be pre-agreed upon, and each passage will undergo standard inspections."
Seeing Ye Zhen’s furrowed brow, Prime Minister Xuy Shi promptly explained, "Setting a tax exemption quota is a common practice among many enfeoffed nations.
Because without a tax exemption limitation, many small caravans would latch onto tax-exempted caravans, causing significant losses to the enfeoffed nations.
Of course, we trust that Lord Ye would never do such a thing.
Yet, everyday management of caravans must be handled by the steward below. Without a tax exemption quota, there might be loopholes exploited by subordinates.
However, considering the future expansion of Commander Ye’s caravans, once the tax exemption quota is exhausted, the tax on Commander Ye’s caravans and fleets will only be levied at eighty percent.
But this eighty percent levy cannot exceed the original tax exemption quota....
Additionally, Lord Ye’s caravans and fleets will have priority in clearance."
Prime Minister Xuy Shi’s detailed stipulations were meticulous, earning Ye Zhen’s admiration; Prime Minister Xuy Shi of Marquis Haiyuan indeed proved talented.
"If so, let it be as Prime Minister Xuy suggested," agreed Ye Zhen.
Though Prime Minister Xuy Shi of Marquis Haiyuan offered numerous details, he greatly facilitated Ye Zhen’s requests.
Based on current conditions, Ye Zhen estimated that North Sea County would save tens of thousands of High Grade Spirit Stones annually in merchant taxes, which was quite favorable.
Especially the prioritized customs clearance can make Ye Zhen’s fleet trade even faster.
"Then those officials of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom..." Prime Minister Xuy Shi spoke once more.
This time, Ye Zhen did not answer Prime Minister Xuy Shi but ordered Liuu Feng to hand over a list to the King of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, Guo Zhang.
"Commander Ye, this list?" Guo Zhang was somewhat puzzled.
"Marquis Guo, among the officials of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom who were detained, most can be released after paying a small fine, but the few on this list must be severely punished," Ye Zhen said.
Upon hearing this, the King of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, Guo Zhang, was stunned. Ranked first was their Great General of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, and second was the son of their Prime Minister Xuy Shi.
"Commander Ye, but our Great General of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom..."
Ye Zhen waved his hand, directly interrupting the King of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom Guo Zhang, "Marquis Guo, for some charges, I can turn a blind eye, but for others, I cannot ignore them."
Upon hearing this, both Xuy Shi and Guo Zhang’s expressions hardened.
"Not only does the Great General of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom secretly possess the forbidden weapon Flame Spirit Burst Demon Crossbow, but we also found the Sky-Breaking Dragon-Slaying Crossbow in his arsenal.
I must report this, otherwise, if someone above investigates, even I cannot bear the responsibility."
The King of Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, Guo Zhang, wanted to say something, but Prime Minister Xuy Shi intervened, ultimately making Guo Zhang sigh deeply, thus tacitly accepting Ye Zhen’s approach.
"Besides, Prime Minister Xuy’s second son has committed misconduct and forcibly seized civilian women, and he must be severely punished. Additionally, the officials involved in wrongful cases in the Ministry of Justice must also be punished according to the law..." Ye Zhen said.
"I am ashamed! We will certainly punish them according to the law," Prime Minister Xuy Shi said.
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhen slowly nodded.
The Heavenly Patrol Department only has the authority to inspect, not to handle cases, and these pointed-out officials, except for the Great General of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, must be dealt with by the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom itself.
By saying this, Ye Zhen is essentially applying pressure.
The pressure is for upholding justice and also for intimidation, to highlight the presence of their Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy.
With the King and ministers of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom giving Ye Zhen a satisfactory explanation, the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom’s Ancient Teleportation Formation case was concluded.
The gains were quite pleasing, even greater than Ye Zhen originally anticipated.
Especially the annual tribute of one million High Grade Spiritual Stones from the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom.
As long as Ye Zhen continues patrolling the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, this tribute will keep coming.
No wonder those Wind Patrol Envoys in charge of the enfeoffed nation are so wealthy; Ye Zhen found the answer today.
Of course, this tribute is not solely for Ye Zhen but belongs to the entire Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy.
According to the rules, Ye Zhen can take half of this tribute, while the remaining five hundred thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones will be distributed according to different positions, basically ensuring everyone gets a share.
Even more delightful to Ye Zhen was that after auditing the accounts of the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom’s Ancient Teleportation Formation, they found out that its income was much more than they had estimated.
Most Ancient Teleportation Formations, after deducting the cost of teleportation, have an annual income of around ten million High Grade Spiritual Stones, with 70% handed over to the national treasury. The Wind Patrol Envoy would typically get about three million High Grade Spiritual Stones.
However, due to its coastal location, the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom’s Ancient Teleportation Formation has an annual income as high as fifteen million Spirit Stones due to frequent trade; with recent maritime stabilization, the income is increasing annually.
Under these circumstances, after handing over 70% to the national treasury, there is still a surplus of around four and a half million High Grade Spiritual Stones.
This surplus of four and a half million High Grade Spiritual Stones is typically divided, with half belonging to Ye Zhen and the other half shared among the various officials of the Heavenly Patrol Department.
Basically, Ye Zhen could enjoy a personal income of over two million High Grade Spiritual Stones.
Including the annual tribute from the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom, Ye Zhen personally garnered nearly three million High Grade Spiritual Stones this year.
If it were any other Wind Patrol Envoy, these three million High Grade Spiritual Stones might end up being less than a million in their own hands.
The reason is simple.
Other Wind Patrol Envoys must also send annual tributes to their superiors, and even the Chief and Deputy Envoys of the Patrol Office require gifts.
This is customary.
Sending gifts in such a way will leave little in one’s own pocket.
But for Ye Zhen, there’s no need to curry favor with the West Patrol Xio Qiangu, nor give gifts to the subordinates of the West Patrol Office.
These nearly three million High Grade Spiritual Stones are pure earnings.
However, this conflict with the Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom once again exposed the North Sea County and the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy’s shortcomings in strength.
Their overall strength is still lacking, and they have no sharp-edge force.
But with these nearly thirty thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones, Ye Zhen can finally execute a plan that he had always been unable to implement due to lack of resources.

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