Chapter 479 Tax Increase Program

   There was a brief silence in the chamber.

   Immediately there was a questioning voice:

   "Why just tax the South? What about the North?"

  Tyrion spread his hands:

   "I also want to raise taxes for the lords in the north, but winter is coming, and the north is ice and snow. It is very rare for them to reduce the number of people in their territory who starve to death. Do you expect them to pay more taxes?"

"The north of the Neck can indeed be called a world of ice and snow, but the farmland in the south is not completely unproductive." Earl Layton said, "So, I have no objection to not raising taxes on the northern border, but the valley has the Bright Moon Mountains Blocking the wind and snow, the valley is as warm as spring, and the land in the river is already fertile. Even in winter, if it is replaced with cold-resistant crops, the grain output will not be low. Taxes can still be increased in these two areas.”

   "The valleys and riverlands in winter can't be as rich as the south." Tyrion argued.

   "Not all the south is a rich place." Earl Lucas also said, "Dorn's food production is not much, and there have been repeated wars in the past few years. It may not be appropriate to increase taxes at this time."

   "Dawn, you can use discretion..."

   Before Tyrion finished speaking, he heard Earl Randall questioning:

   "Why doesn't the western border increase taxes?"

   "There are many mountains in the western region, and the cultivated land is scarce..."

   "But there are many gold mines."

   "Gold can't fill the stomach, nor can it resist the cold wind."

   "But you can buy food and leather jackets."

   "Who did you buy from?"

"On the other side of the narrow sea," Earl Landau said, "Since the continent of Essos is not connected to the land of eternal winter, it is less affected by the harsh winter, and there is even a 'land of long summer', so we never have to worry about the cold wind. As long as you have enough gold, you can buy food from them."

"That's true." Tyrion nodded, but then changed the topic, "However, you may have forgotten that all the gold in Casterly Rock City was looted by the Iron Bank, and even the gold mining rights for the next ten years were taken away by the other party. Take it away. The Lannisters are now worrying about their next meal."

   "The gold mines in the western region are not limited to Casterly Rock City, there are also gold mines in Castelmay City, Nunburg Castle and Pendry Hills."

   "The fishing ground on Fairy Island is also a 'gold mine'."

   "There is also Lannisport, the commercial tax income should not be low."

  …

  There were too many southern nobles in the imperial meeting. Tyrion felt the difficulty of being alone and helpless, and shouted angrily:

   "No matter what the western region is, it can't compare to the richness of the Reach! Lord Layton, your Hightower family is the most wealthy in the world. If you want to increase taxes, it should start with you!"

  Earl Layton was about to speak, but he heard the sound of the long table.

   As soon as he turned his head, he saw the king tapping the table lightly.

   The quarrel stopped immediately.

"This winter is a test for everyone in Westeros." Samwell said in a deep voice, "If the Great Wall is breached and the White Walkers ravage the Seven Kingdoms, no matter how strong your castle is, no matter how much wealth you have Meaningless.

  In order to survive this cold winter, we can no longer be entangled in personal self-interest.

   Tax increase is imperative.

   However, considering that there is indeed a gap between the rich and the poor in each territory, the amount of tax added should also be different.

  A rich territory should bear more responsibilities, and a poor territory can bear less.

  Tyrion, as the Minister of Finance, you should draw up a tax increase plan according to the situation of each territory as soon as possible.

   To be fair and just, understand? "

   No matter what I do, someone will have an opinion. Tyrion wanted to rant like that.

   But this time he controlled his big mouth.

   "Yes, Your Majesty." Tyrion understood that the reason he was able to enter the imperial meeting was because Caesar needed a "wicked man".

   During the establishment of the Caesar Dynasty, the southern aristocracy, especially the aristocracy of the River Bend, made great contributions.

   Looking at the current imperial meeting, you can see that it is basically all the nobles of the river bay.

  The strength and wealth of the nobles of the River Bend are already famous in the Seven Kingdoms. Now that winter is coming, they need to prepare military resources to fight against the ghosts. They are the best "fat sheep".

   But the problem is that these river bend nobles are the great heroes of the Caesar Dynasty. If the king directly attacks them, it will definitely affect their reputation.

   At this time, the role of Tyrion is highlighted.

  As a member of the Lannister family, he already had old grievances with these southern nobles, so he had reason to be motivated to attack them harshly.

  The southern nobles would only vent their anger on Tyrion instead of resenting the king.

   Tyrion certainly doesn’t want to be a villain if he can, it’s a high-risk job.

  Maybe one day when I sleep, someone will wipe my neck.

   But he had no choice.

  Let’s not say that he has a secret of patricide in the hands of Caesar, and it’s easy for the other party to destroy him.

   More importantly, the Lannister family needs to find a new position in the Caesar dynasty.

Tyrion knew very well that Samwell Caesar was not a fool like Robert Baratheon. Although the other party relied on the support of the southern nobles to ascend the Iron Throne, it did not mean that he would let the southern forces Growing savagely in King's Landing.

   Otherwise why would he drag a Lannistra into the imperial council.

   Isn't it just for balance.

  Therefore, the position of the Lannister family in the new dynasty is very clear, that is to become a chess piece used by Caesar to balance the southern nobles.

  Thinking of this, Tyrion showed a slightly ferocious smile to the nobles across the river:

   "Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will draw up a tax increase plan according to the situation of each family. It must be fair and just!"

  Seeing that Tyrion understood what he meant, Samwell nodded with satisfaction: "Very well, I will leave this matter to you. Make sure that the army's logistical support is not a problem."

   "Yes, Your Majesty." Tyrion wanted to ask if he would be beheaded if there was a logistics problem.

   I guess this answer won't reassure him.

  At the beginning, his own father would kill him because of logistical matters, and Caesar obviously would not be more merciful.

"The matter of supporting the Great Wall should not be too urgent." Earl Randall said, "First of all, the army has just gone through several battles and needs to be repaired. Secondly, the military supplies also need time to prepare. What's more, the White Walkers have not really appeared yet. .

  So, I suggest that a vanguard army can be sent to the Great Wall for support, and the follow-up army can wait until it is ready, or when the White Walkers actually appear and the Great Wall defense line is in an emergency before setting off. "

   "Yes." Samwell nodded in agreement, "Let Earl Dickon Tarly lead 5,000 troops to go ahead."

"good."

   "In addition, we can organize the migration of northern residents to the south." Samwell said again.

"I'm afraid it's not easy." Earl Layton frowned. "Northern people may not be willing to leave their hometown, and the northern lord may not want to let the number of people under his rule continue to decrease. And how to accommodate the northerners who migrated south?" It's also a problem."

  Sam Well said:

"Moving to the south is not mandatory. If the people in the north are worried that they will be frozen to death in the cold winter, they can go south. As for the nobles in the north, well, if they are sure to support the people, I have no problem, but if they don't If there is no ability, it is not allowed to block the migration of the leaders to the south.

  The northerners who go south can go to the stormy land, where labor is just needed.

   Oh yes, and wildlings too. "

  Hearing this, Gavin said:

   "Your Majesty, there is news from the Great Wall that Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall, did not agree to lead the wildlings into the Great Wall, but wants to see you in person."

  Samwell frowned: "What? He still wants to negotiate terms with me."

   "It seems so." Gavin said, "It is said that Mance found the Horn of Winter."

  Earl Lucas was taken aback, and said, "Is it the horn that is said to blow the Great Wall down?"

   "Yes." Gavin nodded.

  Earl Layton said: "It is also said that blowing the horn of winter can wake up the sleeping underground giants."

   "It's also possible that nothing will happen after it is blown," said Tyrion.

   "But we can't afford to gamble." Earl Randall said.

   "There is really no need to gamble." Samwell said, "Okay, I will go to the Great Wall as soon as possible to meet old friends."

  (end of this chapter)