fynovel Chapter 40: The Mad Tester
Chapter 40: The Mad Tester
Philip's efficiency was terrifying.
Upon returning to the Alchemists' Guild, he immediately sealed off the highest-level laboratory and personally oversaw the refining of the two medicines.
To ensure everything went smoothly, Philip conducted the most rigorous screening of all participants.
"One thousand doses of anesthetic! One thousand doses of penicillin! This is a heavy task! Everyone, let's work tirelessly for the next two days!"
Philip issued a mobilization order.
To purchase the necessary medicinal ingredients, Philip even directly used the Alchemists' Guild's own funds: "Take out all the membership fees paid over the past few years, as well as the bounties the guild has earned from participating in various alchemy missions!"
A senior member of the association voiced a slight dissatisfaction: "President, the Alchemists' Association is not affiliated with any official royal institution. The association's own funds are used to cover its various expenses. This time, we are assisting His Majesty the King in refining medicine! We should be applying for funds from the Imperial Treasury!"
Philip's expression was cold and stern. With his loyalty exceeding 90 points, he had long since become wholeheartedly devoted to serving Li Ang!
"Shut up! I'm the president, and I have the final say on the association's own funds! The kingdom is in dire straits and short of funds! What right do we have to submit a report to the treasury asking for money?"
Under Philip's strong leadership, the association's own funds, amounting to two million gold coins, fully covered the cost of this medicine refining.
.................
A few days ago, after receiving a letter of authorization from Leon to "handle everything" his affairs, Foreign Minister Tester went into a state of frenzied excitement.
Tester quickly signed a so-called "non-aggression pact" with the foreign envoy!
In reality, this treaty is a complete and utter act of treason and self-serving betrayal!
To satisfy the demands of the alien envoys without any limits!
To celebrate the signing of the so-called treaty, Tester even held a grand ball in the central square of the capital.
On the high platform, Tester lowered his head and shook hands with the envoys of the eight alien races one by one.
"Thank you, esteemed envoys! Our Kingdom of Grant will certainly maintain friendly relations with you all!"
Tester complimented.
The goblin messenger, with his ugly green face, wore a chilling smile: "Tester, my good friend! I have immediately sent word to the army at the border! We goblin warriors have retreated to the tribe!"
The grey dwarf envoy, arrogant in demeanor, boomed, "We grey dwarf warriors are also on our way back! Remember, the first batch of ore must be delivered as soon as possible!"
The succubus messenger's tone was somewhat strange: "Hehe, our succubus female soldiers are already very hungry! Now, they've retreated to the border, just waiting for strong human slaves!"
The greedy snake-man messenger added a new demand at the last minute: "Winter is approaching, Tester. You know we snake-man warriors are quite sensitive to the cold! You also need to provide two million catties of cotton!"
Faced with the snake-man envoy's request, Tester readily agreed: "Yes, Your Excellency! Our kingdom has vast cotton fields in the north; I will grant your request."
With great difficulty, these foreign envoys were finally sent back to the post station.
Tester stared at the long list of compensation claims, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.
Several subordinates reported: "The Treasury and the Grain Bureau are unwilling to allocate a single gold coin or a single bushel of grain!"
"Hmph! Andrew's gotten a bit cocky now that he's in charge of finances! But it's alright, His Majesty has granted me special privileges this time! No gold coins, no ore, no provisions—just share the burden with the commoners, minor nobles, and low-ranking officials!"
Tester said coldly and ruthlessly.
After discussing with his staff for several hours, Tester prepared to implement a brutal "taxation system" throughout the kingdom!
The following day, Tester's trusted guards roamed the capital, posting notices everywhere bearing the golden seal of the Foreign Minister.
Upon seeing this, one vendor's face turned ashen: "What's going on? Why are there so many more taxes?"
"Fart tax, food tax, marriage tax, cow dung tax, childbirth tax, clothing tax, toiletries tax, housing tax, repair tax, funeral tax, blacksmithing tax... What are all these?! The categories of taxes are so numerous and varied! There are actually over a hundred different kinds?"
In addition to the kingdom’s regular taxes (sales tax, agricultural tax, business tax), Tester and his staff ruthlessly added hundreds of extra taxes!
From childhood to clothing and food, and all the way to birth, aging, illness and death, we have to pay high taxes in every aspect.
"Damn it! Not only have there been more types of taxes, but the tax collection period has also been moved forward!"
Several civilians looked down at the notice and saw that, in order to satisfy the greedy demands of the alien races, the "tax period" had been extended to 50 years!
In other words, taxes collected fifty years in advance must be collected all at once in a short period of time.
"You audacious scoundrel! How dare you presume to discuss the kingdom's policies!"
Tester's trusted guards, with their fierce strength, began to beat and slap some of the civilians and merchants who expressed their dissatisfaction.
"Lord Tester said! Even if you die, you cannot escape paying taxes! If you lack funds, you can pay with various grains and minerals to offset the tax!"
"If you're completely penniless, you can come to the Foreign Minister's residence to register, sign a contract of servitude, and become a slave!"
The trusted guards said coldly and indifferently.
This time, the appetites of the eight alien races are far too great!
Tester racked his brains to come up with another way to raise the compensation.
The southern border was firmly controlled by Duke Caroch, while the western border was the territory of Prime Minister Tobias and the rebels.
The only places where one can cut flesh and remove bones are the kingdom's northern and eastern borders, as well as the capital region.
According to Tester's plan, the people of these three regions, unless they are middle-ranking nobles of viscount rank or above, or mid-ranking officials of corps commander rank or above, will be subject to certain restrictions.
The remaining commoners, farmers, merchants, gentry, artisans, minor officials, and minor nobles were all the targets of exploitation.
Some advisors expressed concerns and doubts: "Sir, the new tax policy is so harsh; I'm afraid it might provoke resistance?"
Tester scoffed: "Those unarmed peasants and profit-driven merchants? Are the garrisons throughout the kingdom just for show? I collect these funds and supplies not for personal gain, but to appease foreign tribes and secure peace for the kingdom!"
"Otherwise, with the eight alien races conquering the kingdom, countless people would have perished!"
Having said that, Tester gave the messenger a sharp, cold look: "The tax collection in the North and East must also be accelerated! The tax collection plan must be enforced by the governors of all the provinces! I still have three thousand private soldiers in my residence; elite troops can be dispatched to various places to supervise and collect taxes. Anyone who resists will be executed on the spot for treason!"
............
Every day, Li Ang, who lived in the palace, received reports about Tester from Steward Mike.
"Your Majesty, Foreign Minister Tester, abusing your authority, has been levying exorbitant taxes and levies throughout the kingdom, causing widespread fear, public resentment, and unrest in certain regions!"
Manager Mike's eyes flashed with murderous intent.
Li Ang waved his hand: "If you want to destroy someone, you must first make them mad!"
"For now, ignore Tester's tax collection! But immediately assemble the court guards and station them at key checkpoints, and secretly send an edict to the governors of all provinces to strictly control border crossings! I don't care how much tax is collected! But not a single grain of rice, not a single copper coin, not a single piece of ore must be allowed to leave and be sent to foreign lands!"
Li Ang calmly and profoundly planned his strategy.