Chapter 536: Export Tax

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Zeng Sanshui had stayed in many inns and hotels, but he had never seen such a bold one.

It shone so brightly that it blinded him.

Why the need to open such a hotel? If these crystals were brought to the Ling Kingdom, they could be sold for an astronomical price.

Lu Ye said indifferently, “These are all man-made glass. They’re not very expensive.”

Zeng Sanshui was even more shocked!

The people behind him were also dumbfounded. “Such a beautiful gem is actually man-made?”

Zeng Sanshui immediately asked, “Then can I buy a lot and bring them back?”

His wife and concubines would definitely be overjoyed if he brought back such sparkling glass.

Lu Ye nodded. “You can buy it, but…”

Zeng Sanshui asked anxiously, “But what?” He was hemming and hawing. It sounded like nothing good was going to come out. Could it be that there was a restriction on buying?

Only then did Lu Ye say, “Even if you’re envoys and spend more than 1,000 taels, you’ll still have to pay taxes when you bring the items back to the Ling Kingdom.”

Zeng Sanshui’s eyes widened. “Tax? Because I’m not from your country?”

Lu Ye smiled. “Our country’s products are all for the citizens of Carefree Kingdom. You’re not from Carefree Kingdom and did not contribute to our country. If you buy a large number of products and bring them back, you naturally have to pay a high tax.”

“Our Great Empress knows very well how valuable our things are in the Ling Kingdom.”

“We only charge taxes when you have spent 1,000 taels because you’re envoys. If ordinary people enter our Carefree Kingdom and want to bring the items back, as long as the total amount exceeds 10 taels, they have to pay taxes accordingly.”

Zeng Sanshui was furious. He had planned to buy a lot of things. “Why didn’t you say so before?”

Lu Ye raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t expect that 1,000 taels was not enough for you to buy?”

Zeng Sanshui was speechless. He actually did not expect to spend so much money in the Carefree Kingdom.

Moreover, most of the money he had spent on the bicycle previously was on credit from Lu Ye.

That was because Carefree Kingdom only accepted gold and banknotes.

He only had the banknotes and some silver pieces from the Ling Kingdom. He could only go to the nearest town in the Ling Kingdom to exchange for the banknotes when he returned to the border of the Carefree Kingdom.

He had a feeling that he would definitely spend a lot of money, so he bargained with Lu Ye. “Those who come are guests. This is our first time here. Why are we still paying taxes? If we buy here, won’t we be contributing to your Carefree Kingdom?”

Lu Ye smiled and said, “There’s a way to not pay taxes. As long as General Zeng joins our Carefree Kingdom and becomes a citizen, there won’t be an issue.”

How could Zeng Sanshui join the Carefree Kingdom! Without thinking, he rolled his eyes at Lu Ye. “In your dreams!”

Lu Ye was not angry. He said slowly, “General, you’re only qualified to join our Carefree Kingdom because you lead the troops well. Apart from the relatives of the commoners, those who want to join our Carefree Kingdom have to be talented. Those who can pass our Carefree Kingdom’s assessment can then obtain immigration approval.”

Although he recognised some things in the Carefree Kingdom, it was only a small country.

How was it worth living in a small country for a long time? They even have to attain immigration approval before they could be a citizen.

Zeng Sanshui did not believe that anyone would give up everything and move to Carefree Kingdom. When he saw the stone stall outside, he could not wait to change the topic. “Can we go pick rocks now?”

Lu Ye nodded. “You can go after taking note of your room number.”

Zeng Sanshui was stunned. “You’re not going?”

He had an expression that said, “If he doesn’t go, how can I choose?”

Lu Ye spread his hands. “I don’t know how to pick rocks. All the raw stones were bought by me.”

There were less than a million people in Carefree Kingdom, and jade was not a necessity.

However, smart businessmen knew that sooner or later, their Carefree Kingdom would become a place where everyone in the world yearned to go.

In particular, the quality of the jade mine in the Dark Dragon Mountain Range was good. At this time, if they collected more high-quality jade, regardless of whether they sold it now or in the future, they would be able to earn a considerable amount.

Zeng Sanshui couldn’t help but ask, “Are the stones expensive?”

Lu Ye thought for a moment. “There are expensive ones and inexpensive ones. In any case, it’s definitely much cheaper than in the Ling Kingdom.”

Zeng Sanshui’s eyes immediately lit up. “Then bring me and Lord Qu to take a look?”

Lu Ye still had something to deal with, so he called Lan Jingbai to bring them there.

Bai Shining did not want to go with them, but he also wanted to walk around. He brought Bai Xinshui and Jia Yuqin in the opposite direction.

Walking past the stone stalls, Lan Jingbai brought them into the stone product market.

The stone that had just been cut was placed on the display board.

As long as anyone took a fancy to one of the materials, be it a jade bracelet or a jade pendant necklace, they could ask the boss to cut it.

Bai Shining saw a piece of material that was especially green and moist. It was especially clear when the light shone on it.

The boss introduced to him, “This is the best green material. Please take a look. There’s no cotton at all and the quality is quite good.”

This stone was more than a meter long and half a meter wide. The material in the middle was the best.

It was clear green and the color was beautiful. Although it was a little inferior to the imperial green, it was moist enough.

The boss hit it with the flashlight. The light penetrated and it was very beautiful.

Zeng Sanshui was immediately tempted. “How much is this ring of green material?”

The boss smiled happily. “This piece of material can be made into a bracelet and you will receive a free bracelet core. The price is 200 taels.”

Zeng Sanshui’s eyes widened. “200 taels!!! This is too expensive!!!”

The soldier had bought a very good raw stone for only five taels of silver.

The boss hurriedly said, “Sir, don’t you see how good this material is? You won’t be able to find many pieces of such good material even if you walk through the entire Dark Dragon Mountain.”

200 taels was a little expensive, but the material was indeed good. In the Ling Kingdom, it would definitely be even more expensive.

After all, it was already material that had been processed. It was not risky like the soldier buying raw stones.

Zeng Sanshui was a little hesitant. Lan Jingbai asked him, “Do you want to buy it?”

Zeng Sanshui subconsciously nodded. In the next second, he heard Lan Jingbai say to the boss, “20 taels.”

Zeng Sanshui and Qu Yuanxian were also stunned. Lan Jingbai was bargaining for 20 taels for such good material?

The boss had a huge reaction. “Officer, are you kidding me? How would I dare to sell it to you for 20 taels of silver? If you like it, you can consider the material beside it that doesn’t have green color. It’s as beautiful.”

Seeing his expression, Lan Jingbai reluctantly raised the price. “Only this one. 50 taels. If you don’t want to sell it, forget it.”

The boss said bitterly, “Officer, increase it a little more. I really can’t sell at this price!”

Lan Jingbai gave Zeng Sanshui and Qu Yuanxian a look, indicating for them to leave quickly.

He had just taken two steps forward when the boss gritted his teeth and said with a pained expression, “Alright! Then I’ll give it to you!”

Zeng Sanshui watched as the boss removed the stone. He immediately looked excited..