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Chapter 17: Su Wanxi, Are You Crazy?:
Strength was everything!
This was a timeless truth, unchanged across eras and places.
Indeed, if Zou Qihuang wanted to forcibly seize the Su family, he wouldn't need to sit here and negotiate. A stealthy, forceful takeover would leave the Su family defenseless. The only condition was that the City Lord's Office must approve.
Chapter 17: Su Wanxi, Are You Crazy?:
Strength was everything!
This was a timeless truth, unchanged across eras and places.
Indeed, if Zou Qihuang wanted to forcibly seize the Su family, he wouldn't need to sit here and negotiate. A stealthy, forceful takeover would leave the Su family defenseless. The only condition was that the City Lord's Office must approve.
After all, irrational killing and chaos are prohibited in this peaceful empire unless permitted.
In Lei Province, all authority rests with the City Lord's Office, which meant Lei Ying. If Lei Ying gave the nod, the Zou family could act. However, unless absolutely necessary, Lei Ying preferred to avoid such drastic measures, hence the negotiations.
“Lady Su must understand that all cities in the empire must contribute a portion of their income to the national treasury,” Lei Ying began, speaking slowly. “The income each city contributes to the treasury comes from taxes on subordinate powers. Over the years, the Su family’s contributions have indeed declined.”
Hearing this, Su Wanxi’s eyebrows knitted slightly. Yes, the City Lord's Office collected taxes on all local powers, and indeed, the Su family’s declining fortunes had affected the city's revenue.
In Lei Province, all authority rests with the City Lord's Office, which meant Lei Ying. If Lei Ying gave the nod, the Zou family could act. However, unless absolutely necessary, Lei Ying preferred to avoid such drastic measures, hence the negotiations.
“Lady Su must understand that all cities in the empire must contribute a portion of their income to the national treasury,” Lei Ying began, speaking slowly. “The income each city contributes to the treasury comes from taxes on subordinate powers. Over the years, the Su family’s contributions have indeed declined.”
Hearing this, Su Wanxi’s eyebrows knitted slightly. Yes, the City Lord's Office collected taxes on all local powers, and indeed, the Su family’s declining fortunes had affected the city's revenue.
However, giving up the northern region was out of the question. It was the last stronghold of the Su family.
“I understand your concern, Lord City Lord,” Su Wanxi responded firmly. “Thus, the Su family is willing to increase our contribution from thirty percent to seventy percent.”
Zou Qihuang’s expression changed instantly. “Su Wanxi, are you crazy? Seventy percent? How long can your family survive under that burden?”
If seventy percent were taxed, the Su family would barely have any income left. Su Wanxi was willing to strip her family to the bone to keep their foundation.
“I understand your concern, Lord City Lord,” Su Wanxi responded firmly. “Thus, the Su family is willing to increase our contribution from thirty percent to seventy percent.”
Zou Qihuang’s expression changed instantly. “Su Wanxi, are you crazy? Seventy percent? How long can your family survive under that burden?”
If seventy percent were taxed, the Su family would barely have any income left. Su Wanxi was willing to strip her family to the bone to keep their foundation.
How long could she possibly hold out?
Did she really believe that holding onto this piece of land would allow her daughter to turn things around?
Su Wanxi’s expression remained unchanged as she looked at Lei Ying. “Seventy percent should be satisfactory, right?”
Lei Ying also frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected her to make such an extreme offer, turning the existing thirty-seventy split on its head.
“Hmph! Even if you raise it to seventy percent, it’s still far less than what my Zou family pays!” Zou Qihuang snapped. “This still won’t increase the City Lord’s revenue.”
“If you’re willing to sacrifice so much, fine!” he continued. “As long as the Su family’s annual contribution matches my Zou family’s thirty percent, neither I nor the City Lord will say another word!”
It was clear he intended to crush the Su family completely.
Su Wanxi’s expression remained unchanged as she looked at Lei Ying. “Seventy percent should be satisfactory, right?”
Lei Ying also frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected her to make such an extreme offer, turning the existing thirty-seventy split on its head.
“Hmph! Even if you raise it to seventy percent, it’s still far less than what my Zou family pays!” Zou Qihuang snapped. “This still won’t increase the City Lord’s revenue.”
“If you’re willing to sacrifice so much, fine!” he continued. “As long as the Su family’s annual contribution matches my Zou family’s thirty percent, neither I nor the City Lord will say another word!”
It was clear he intended to crush the Su family completely.
The Zou family’s thirty percent of revenue was more than the entire income of the Su family combined. He didn’t believe Su Wanxi could possibly match it.
Even giving seventy percent to the City Lord’s Office would leave her family broke. If she handed over all their revenue, how could she agree to that?
“Lady Su, the contributions from Lei Province to the national treasury have indeed declined over the years due to the Su family’s situation,” Lei Ying said. “Other cities are contributing more each year, while our contributions have dwindled. This reflects poorly on me before the Emperor and among my fellow City Lords.”
This issue indeed existed.
“Lady Su, the contributions from Lei Province to the national treasury have indeed declined over the years due to the Su family’s situation,” Lei Ying said. “Other cities are contributing more each year, while our contributions have dwindled. This reflects poorly on me before the Emperor and among my fellow City Lords.”
This issue indeed existed.
Contributions to the national treasury were increasing everywhere else, showing that other cities in the empire were thriving, while Lei Province’s decline made Lei Ying look incompetent. If this continued, the Emperor might very well replace him.
Su Wanxi lowered her head slightly. She knew that the City Lord had summoned them for a reason and that this issue wouldn’t be resolved easily.
Su Wanxi lowered her head slightly. She knew that the City Lord had summoned them for a reason and that this issue wouldn’t be resolved easily.
After a moment of silence, she swept her sleeve and stood up.
“Fine! As Master Zou wishes, whatever amount the Zou family contributes, the Su family will match. Seventy percent, a hundred percent, even if the Su family has to pay out of our own pockets, we’ll make up the difference!” Su Wanxi’s voice echoed in the hall, leaving Lei Ying and Zou Qihuang speechless.
“Su Wanxi, you…” Zou Qihuang gritted his teeth, unable to finish his sentence.
“Fine! As Master Zou wishes, whatever amount the Zou family contributes, the Su family will match. Seventy percent, a hundred percent, even if the Su family has to pay out of our own pockets, we’ll make up the difference!” Su Wanxi’s voice echoed in the hall, leaving Lei Ying and Zou Qihuang speechless.
“Su Wanxi, you…” Zou Qihuang gritted his teeth, unable to finish his sentence.
This woman was ruthless!
She was willing to go to any lengths to protect her family’s foundation. Did she really believe so strongly in her daughter, betting everything on her?
“Now, Lord City Lord, are you satisfied?” Su Wanxi turned to Lei Ying, her voice steady.
Yes, she believed in her daughter!
“Now, Lord City Lord, are you satisfied?” Su Wanxi turned to Lei Ying, her voice steady.
Yes, she believed in her daughter!
Even if it meant burning through the Su family’s resources, she had to protect their foundation. Only then could the Su family rise again.
No matter how much Zou Qihuang pressured her, she had to bear it all. As long as they weren’t completely crushed, they could always stand up again!
-To be continued!