"In fact, for today's kingdom citizens, paying a little more tax will not have much impact on their lives." Anta Oris spoke again, how could he only let Cyporus beautify the previous one: "I just asked Burkos and the financial officer Akibides. Just as Turiyi as an example, ordinary citizens here have at least 20 acres of land. The grain harvested each year can not only meet their own needs, but also obtain about 300 to 700 drachmas by selling (depending on the degree of harvest and changes in grain prices), but this is not the big part of their income. Since Turiyi is the center of the kingdom, there are a large number of outsiders and the housing demand is strong, many citizens can earn one or two tarantes every year by collecting rent.

If Turiyi's citizens are special, let's take a look at Xikuli, a small town in Sicily. The population there is only less than 4,000. The main income of citizens is farming. The grain harvested by each family every year is converted into money according to statistics from the Ministry of Finance. There are at least 600 drachmas, which does not include the cattle, sheep, horses, chickens, ducks, pigs and other livestock they raise. In addition, don't forget that during the slack farming, they often go to the workshop to work part-time workers and earn some money.

So what do these citizens with a lot of wealth do in their daily lives? In addition to daily expenses and military training, they also spend money to buy sports equipment and participate in various competitive trainings; spend money to watch competitions, and even buy "Tino's blessings"; they drink a lot, and visit restaurants a lot, and occasionally go to the hot spring bath. The business of the women's branch office is also very prosperous. Many citizens even buy female slaves as concubines...

So how much tax do citizens pay for the kingdom every year?" Anta Oris opened his two palms and smiled contemptuously: "On average, there are probably less than 10 Drakmas! Perhaps some people oppose tax increases. If the people are poor and forced to impose new taxes, they will not only have resentment, but even riots, but the current situation of the kingdom is that the country is poor and the people are rich! His Majesty and we officials are working hard to maintain the operation of the kingdom, stingy with each treasury expenditure, and even some public buildings have to rely on donations from the people to build... If this situation continues, the kingdom is unable to maintain due to the tight treasury, what are the benefits for the citizens?!

Over the past 20 years, in this wealthy environment the Kingdom has worked hard to create and maintain, many citizens have changed from the formerly impoverished refugees to the wealthy and dignified Dionian citizens. It is time for them to give back to their country! Even if the tax is increased by 5%, it will only cost the citizens less than 50 drachmas. It is still a small sum for them, but it is indeed a great help to the Kingdom. Are you right?!"

"Good words!" Davers once again praised, and once again glanced at the ministers with deep eyes, and said loudly: "Everyone, do you have any objections to the 'increasing taxes for the formation of a new border army'?"

"Your Majesty, I have no objection." Seeing that Davers clearly expressed his support, Lycius looked moved and dared not stop him anymore, and bowed to respond.

"I agree to increase taxes!" Hemon, Sedorum and other ministers also made affirmative replies one after another.

"Okay!" Davers slapped the handrail hard and said, "Since we have all reached an agreement, we will lead Anta Oris, Cyporus, and assisted by Alexis and Akibides to formulate a detailed tax increase bill. How much tax is collected? How to collect? Where to use?... we must write them in detail so that we can respond to the questions of the elders.

Here, I would like to solemnly remind everyone that before the two bills of "forming a border army and increasing taxes" were submitted to the Senate, anyone must keep it strictly confidential and not disclose it to outsiders. If the news is revealed and I find out who revealed it, I will never let it go!”

The last few words, Davers' murderous intent, made the ministers feel cold and they can't help but secretly remind themselves to be alert.

Davers retracted his stern gaze, eased his tone, and said, "Alexis, I thought carefully. The number of soldiers recruiting Gentile free people is not more than two legions for the time being. After all, we must consider the feelings of the citizens and not make them feel that we are planning to completely replace them with mercenaries and not allow them to serve and make contributions."

After receiving Davers' reminder, Alexis suddenly understood what he had overlooked and immediately responded with convincing conscience: "I understand, your majesty."

In fact, Davers' concerns were more than this. He was familiar with the history of his previous life and was more worried that these recruited people who were not loyal to the kingdom were gradually owned by private people, thus threatening the security of the royal family and the kingdom. Therefore, he must always be vigilant.

Then, Davers said: "Anta Oris, Cypoulos, when you discuss how much tax you increase, don't just use the two legions I just mentioned as the benchmark. You should set the height appropriately, leave enough room for the future, and try to be in place at one time. Otherwise, if the finances are tight in the future, you will have to increase the tax frequently. Not only will the Senate be sad, but the people will also be uneasy."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The two looked at each other and responded in unison.

Davers stood up from the wooden chair, straightened his body, looked at everyone, and said with a strong voice: "Everyone, I still say the same thing, the kingdom is developing and the environment is changing. The old traditions and laws may not necessarily apply to the new situation, but may become obstacles. Therefore, as the elites of the kingdom, you manage all aspects of the kingdom. You must have a flexible mind, sharp eyes, discover problems in a timely manner, and eliminate the ills in a timely manner, so that our kingdom will continue to flourish for a long time. Please remember it!"

Davers's earnest words aroused everyone's deep thoughts.

"What time is it now?" At this moment, Davers felt a little belly and asked the secretary Henepolis next to the steps.

Henipolis glanced at the water clock at the corner of the hall: "It's already noon."

"Let the kitchen bring all the prepared lunches, and you can't continue to discuss matters when you're hungry."

"yes."

After a while, the guards placed small dining tables in front of the ministers. Then the servants brought large and exquisite pottery bowls, filled with steaming soup, and pieces of beef of the same size floating. The soup was filled with a handful of thin dough with even thickness, as well as countless small spices, herb powder, and various fragrances mixed together, the aroma was swaying and mouth-watering.

This is a new delicacy launched by Cristoya Restaurant in recent years. Ferment the flour and knead it repeatedly with water to make a tough dough, then cut it into thin dough with a knife, put it in boiling water, and then pour it into the beef soup that has been cooked, add seasonings and eat it... Because it is easy to make, smooth and refreshing, and tastes delicious, you can also add auxiliary ingredients, such as some vegetables, according to diners' preferences, so it is very popular among the people of the kingdom.

However, the kitchens of the palace are all from the chefs invited by Cristoya Restaurant. Not only is the cooking level extraordinary, but the raw materials selected are naturally the best:

The best quality wheat flour in Sikuli. Sikuli City is located at the foot of Mount Etna. The land area is small. Earli people have reclaimed some flat land on the mountainside. It is very hard to go up and down the mountain every day. However, due to the accumulation of volcanic ash on the mountain, the land is extremely fertile, and the wheat grown is full, and the taste is very good after being ground into flour. Moreover, due to the sparse yield, it is expensive. Therefore, even if the Sikuli people joined Dionia and regained a new place, there were still a very small number of people willing to work hard to farm on the mountainside. The wheat they obtained was basically bought out by the Cristoya Restaurant to supply the royal family.

The one-year-old beef cattle produced in Grummentum in Lukalia - the best beef cattle among the Lukalia cattle recognized by the people of the Kingdom of Dionia. Because there is a large lake near the south of Grummentum City - Lake Patucino. The lake water is extremely clear and the lake shore is covered with grass. Grummentum's calf grows by drinking lake water and eating lake shore grass, so the meat is fat...

After a long time of holding, everyone was already a little hungry, but was seduced by the fragrance of the noodles, and their appetite immediately increased. Not only did they finish eating noodles and drinking noodle soup, some people even ordered an extra bowl.

The palace gathers at least three times a month to hold important executive meetings. It is often the same as the daytime, and lunch is provided by the palace. The ministers have long been used to it, so naturally they are not so restricted when eating.

After everyone finished eating, they took a short rest and the Minister of Creation Heraclid said, "Your Majesty, there is something wrong with the repair of Enona-Roman Avenue."

“What’s the problem?”

"The Sidexinians in the mountains north of Campania obstructed our construction, not only did not provide labor and food as agreed, but also the road construction materials we transported there were often lost... This greatly delayed our construction process."

"I remember that the Sidisonians also participated in the road construction agreement signed three years ago, not only agreed, but also signed the signature." Lucias interjected.

"Maybe this mountain race feels that the road passes through their territory and that more people come and go from south to north will affect the safety of the territory, so they regret it." Ansitanos said seriously: "Your Majesty, please allow me to send diplomatic officials to Sidexini, protest to him, ask him to abide by the agreement and help us complete the road construction as soon as possible."

"In the past, the Sidishinians were caught in the narrow hills of the two major forces of Volsi and Campania. They were conservative and exclusive, and they were very smooth. The effect of condemning them in words may not be obvious." Davers said in pondering: "Alexis, your Ministry of Military Affairs notified the 12th Legion (the source of the army is in the eastern plains of Campania and the military camp is built in Abella) to gather together and go to the edge of the mountainous areas in northern Capa to conduct military training, making the momentum bigger."

"yes."
Chapter completed!