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Chapter 1163 - 1163 184 Upgrading Productivity

1163: Chapter 184: Upgrading Productivity 1163: Chapter 184: Upgrading Productivity Cutting off someone’s money path has never been smooth sailing.

Accustomed to tax exemptions, suddenly having to pay taxes naturally makes slave traders quite unhappy.

But lords have the right to levy taxes, which is a common practice across the Continent.

Even those with backing cannot interfere with Snow Moon Territory’s internal policies.

The five major families in the North dare to take a thirty percent tariff on major commodities.

Master Hudson merely levies a thirty percent slave tax, which by all accounts cannot be considered high.

When you can’t bend an arm to prevail over a thigh, ordinary businessmen just endure it.

At worst, the next time they trade slaves, they’ll select some with higher profit margins.

After all, everyone wears multiple hats.

Beyond being slave traders, they also have identities as smugglers, pirates, and arms dealers.

All are lucrative businesses; a decrease in profit from slave trading doesn’t stop everyone from making money.

However, for several large slave traders whose main business is slave trading with a side of smuggling, such a tax suddenly introduces substantial losses.

“What should we do now?

Snow Moon Territory has suddenly imposed a slave tax, cutting a huge chunk of our profit.

I’m afraid the tasks set by our Clan can’t be completed this year!” Erickon couldn’t help complaining.

The transactions with the Orc Empire can bring huge profits, but not everyone can engage in such trade.

Major Nobles have the capability to organize supply chains, naturally raking in huge profits.

Their slightly weaker-backed smuggling cohorts lack the strong organizational and coordination abilities, and if they too want a share of the pie, they must get their goods from Master Hudson.

An additional middleman means an inevitable reduction in profits.

Of course, despite the reduction, the profits are still substantial.

One can tell everyone is enjoying their work, which means Hudson’s practices are not egregious, and it doesn’t stop everyone from making money.

The only issue is that in the smuggling trade, different goods yield different profit margins.

It’s time again to test relationships and backgrounds.

The most sought-after and profitable goods are ultimately snatched up by those with connections.

Members of the Noble Consortium, their slightly awkward origins make them uncomfortable.

“Northern Nobles”—this title once a source of pride is no longer favored in the Kingdom.

Even if they have networked with Northern Nobles serving under Hudson, they only managed to score a ticket to the game.

Special favors are purely fantasy.

With so many major powers in the Kingdom not enjoying such treatment, how could it be their turn?

Fortunately, they are veterans in the Orc Empire trade; they understand the ins and outs of different businesses.

Unable to compete with the resource Big Shots in pure smuggling trade, they focus exclusively on the slave trade.

Other businesses are just for pocket money.

Relying on their rich experience and familiarity with the Orc Empire’s rules, they quickly grew and strengthened this line of business.

One-fifth of the Orc beauties in entertainment places across the Continent are sold by them.

They are also clients to Coliseums scattered across the Continent.

It’s fair to say they dominated the most profitable part of the slave trade.

Doing well in the high-end business, they didn’t ignore the low-end either.

Every time they entered the Orc Empire, they returned with ships full of slaves.

In the slave trade, these brothers have played their cards right.

In just over a year, they have amassed hundreds of thousands of Gold Coins.

For their supporting Clans, this business has become the most important source of income.

Now, with Hudson’s edict directly carving out thirty percent from the sales revenue, their profits are bound to shrink significantly.

“There’s nothing we can do!

If Marshal Hudson wants to tax, no one can stop him.

Our business is too big; there’s no way to avoid taxes.

Unless after trafficking slaves, we no longer enter New Moon Port but trade directly at sea or other ports.

There’s only one New Moon Port in the Near East Region, and the islands where you can dock and resupply in the nearby sea are also under Marshal Hudson’s control, we can’t escape it.

Even if we could, with so many Major Nobles properly paying taxes within the Kingdom, if we stand out as a scapegoat, you can imagine the consequences!” Casarosa replied with irritation.

The rule that power determines the right of speech applies everywhere.

They as brothers have grown their business so significantly, it has already aroused envy.

If they were to commit any outrageous act, their competitors would report them in minutes.

Once they clash with Snow Moon Territory, their backing Clans can’t protect them.

“Hmph!

He’s burning bridges after crossing!

If it weren’t for us working hard to bring a large number of slaves to the Near East, how could Snow Moon Territory have developed so rapidly?

Now that he has enough slaves and no longer needs this cheap labor, he just…”

Before Erickon could finish his grievance, Casarosa quickly interrupted, “Shut up, my foolish cousin!

If you’re tired of living, then jump into the sea and don’t drag us all down with you.

If you can’t hold your tongue over what’s in your heart, then think more about your wives, children, and families back home.

Don’t risk your life and make them suffer along with you.

As for our Clan, at most they will just grumble.

But if you ask them to come out and organize a tax revolt, they’ll immediately relent!”

Money is important, but life is more important.

Some thoughts may be entertained, but they should never be spoken aloud.