I'm in Warhammer, I just want to grow mushrooms

Chapter 104 The Governor's Game

Li Nuo ended the communication.

After a few seconds, the encrypted message that Delton mentioned came.

Li Nuo clicked on it and the content was beyond his imagination. It made him stop subconsciously and fall into silence in the alley.

The encrypted message was a photocopy of Lord Vorges's handwritten letter.

On the top is a red seal with the family crest and the governor's personal symbol.

Below the seal was a handwritten letter from Vogue.

The details are as follows:

...

Li Nuo, an active agent of the 9th Guard,

This secret letter concerns your future fate and your place in my hive, Epimet.

My only daughter, the beautiful and kind Titus, has developed an interest and curiosity in you for some reason that I do not yet fully understand.

You and I both know that curiosity is the starting point of a turning point in destiny.

Titus's favor towards you is a double-edged sword, which can push you to the peak of power or make you fall into the abyss of death.

You are not my ideal son-in-law.

You are born ordinary and of low status. Even if you have strong personal strength, you can hardly withstand my artillery shells and sword.

All this will change after you become my son-in-law.

I have enough skills and capital to change all the records of your past and shape you into a reclusive aristocrat, ancient, low-key, mysterious, powerful and wealthy.

But are you worthy of my resources?
Prove to me that you are worthy of my position, my wealth, my power, and your ability to make my daughter happy.

You must complete the following:
First, before you come of age, you must pay 0.5% of the material tax for the Son of Tithe Project for the Hive City. The more tax you can pay, the higher my opinion of you.

second.

Your path to succession to the governorship goes against the mainstream opinion of the nobles. You are bound to endure the most despicable means from your opponents, including but not limited to murder, assassination, stabbing, and poisoning.

Before you complete the first task, I will continuously arrange for people to assassinate you, without mercy, using any means, and regardless of the cost.

You have to persevere through challenge after challenge.

Remember, Li Nuo, don't try to beg for my mercy, and don't ask Tido for help, that will only prove your weakness and incompetence.

If you survive, you will gain everything; if you fail, you will lose nothing.

good luck.

Sincerely, Governor of Hive Epimet,

Vladrik Vorges.

PS: Do not disclose the contents of this letter to any third party.

...

After reading the secret letter, it was automatically destroyed and the data pad was blank.

It was obvious that there was a bowl of soft rice in front of him that was extremely difficult to eat.

Cao Dahua, a fierce tiger in the serious crime squad, once set an example for the world and told them that a man's true character can only be revealed by living off others.

Influenced by this pioneer of gigolos, there are no unnecessary emotional fluctuations in Li Nuo's mind. There is only steady thinking and rapid logical analysis.

The tax level of the hive city Epimet is first-class primary, two levels lower than the first-class special level of the higher hive world.

The payment period for material tax is one Terra year.

The list of material taxes can be found in the database, and the amount is roughly equivalent to 20% of the total industrial and agricultural output value of the hive city.

If calculated in throne coins, the total value of material taxes is approximately 2 million throne coins.

2% of 0.5 million Throne Coins is 100 million.

In other words, the industries under his name must provide materials worth 100 million throne coins to the tax affairs department of the nest city every year on the premise of recovering costs.

It is also possible to pay taxes directly with an equivalent amount of throne coins, and the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs allows this.

So, what does the annual tax of 100 million throne coins mean?

Li Nuo calculated it on the data board.

After Baiguo Manor completes its expansion, its annual net income after tax from dividends is expected to be 206955 throne coins, and it will pay at most 0.1% of the material tax.

It requires five Baiguo manors with fully released production capacity to help itself fulfill the obligation to pay 0.5% material tax.

If you do not use throne coins to pay, but instead use materials such as tobacco leaves, you can be exempted from 20% of the equity dividend tax.

This is undoubtedly more cost-effective, as only four ginkgo manors are enough.

The bride price for marrying the governor's daughter is extremely high.

However, the higher the difficulty, the more interesting it is.

At least, Li Nuo figured out the governor's criteria for selecting a son-in-law.

The ability to pay taxes and the ability to protect oneself, only when both requirements are met at the same time, can one enter the governor's eyes.

The ability to pay taxes can come from one's own industry or from one's own supporters.

Take Osgers for example.

The total output value of the industries under his name is not high, but the family that openly supports him in the Council of Nobles has a strong ability to pay taxes.

Judging from the public information in the database, any force that can afford the 0.5% material tax must at least be a Nest City business group with a small family background.

The Kram family currently bears about 5% of material taxes.

The projects that Isabel is in charge of can pay 0.5% material tax, so she has one-tenth of the say within the family.

The Lewei family is the top pharmaceutical family in this hive, and bears 7% of the material tax.

Further up, the Wanser family, which owns several military factories in Zhongchao, bears 8% of the material tax.

The Mauros family, the promethium tycoon, paid 15% of the material tax.

The Vauques family bore the largest share of tax, at 30%.

The second is the giant of the Water Guild - the Water Family.

The Vought family is Osgers' biggest supporter.

The water purification facilities, water storage equipment and pure water it provides to the empire account for 18% of the hive city's material tax.

The remaining 17% is borne by families large and small.

Or why not just let the water poccocus appear in public and destroy the Water family's job?

Well... no, it's not wise to create such a strong competitor for yourself.

Maybe Isabel will be forced to terminate her cooperation with him because she can't withstand the pressure from the Water family.

By then, he would be isolated and helpless, or even be attacked by other families called upon by the Water family. Then things would be difficult.

We need to adopt a more prudent approach.

While expanding its annual total output value, it does not form a direct competitive relationship with existing families.

Only in this way can we carry out the work of increasing output value quickly and steadily.

Li Nuo completed the operation of replenishing the fungal warehouse while thinking, and used points to exchange for universal spiritual energy materials to make the remaining water polo bioreactors.

After completing these steps, he had a clear answer in his mind.

He came up with a plan that would quickly increase output without making enemies.

The core products of this program are:

food.

In Epimaitre, providing food for the Lower Nesters was a completely losing business.

It is an unchangeable fact that the entire Upper Nest and the Middle Nest are bearing the expensive food expenses to feed the people in the Lower Nest.

This is not only the case with Epimet, but with the other hive worlds of the Imperium of Man.

This can be seen from the statistics of Epimate over the years.

In order to prevent the people of the Lower Nest from rebelling due to famine, the Hive City provides subsidies to factories that produce synthetic starch every year.

The synthetic starch is sold at a price of three ration cards per serving.

Its cost, however, was six ration cards each.

Factories producing synthetic starch lose three ration cards for every unit they produce.

To this end, Chaodu would provide such factories with a subsidy of three ration cards per serving of starch.

As for how much money a factory can make from synthetic starch, it all depends on the factory's own cost control level.

The main raw material of local synthetic starch is a by-product of refining promethium.

Its main components are pollutants and carbon compounds.

Cut out a few decontamination steps, recycle starch from drains and trash cans, and use cheaper but more polluting promethium refining residues as raw materials.

All of the above measures can further reduce the production cost of synthetic starch.

Most of the existing starch factories are run by the promethium tycoon Mauros.

Li Nuo checked the data.

There is no doubt that the Mauros family is doing a loss-making business. Even with the subsidies from the hive city, they still lose a ration card for every bowl of starch they buy.

The only reason they have been able to hold out until now is because of the Governor’s mandatory requirements.

When weighing two evils, choose the lesser one.

Rather than offend the Governor, it is better to use the residue from refining promethium to make synthetic starch.

Therefore, even if it does not make money, the Mauros family has to produce synthetic starch for a long time.

The Mauros family was so happy that they had taken over the synthetic starch business.

The key lies in how to reduce the production cost of synthetic starch.

Can edible mushrooms such as milk mushrooms be used as a substitute?
Li Nuo thought about it and rejected the idea.

The cost of irrigation water is too high, far outweighing the benefits of synthetic starch.

After comprehensive consideration, Li Nuo felt that the best method was to use microbial fermentation to convert the promethium refining residue into edible starch.

This happens to be the area in which I am good at.

The Mauros family used chemical synthesis, which was very expensive.

Microbial fermentation is notoriously cheap but inefficient.

As long as the problem of inefficiency is solved, Chaodu's synthetic starch industry will be completely under its own control from now on.

"System, enable automatic simulation."

【Please select the experimental sample. 】

"Just use what's in the can in front of me."

Li Nuo pointed to the glass jar on the table, which contained the promethium refining residue that he had just received from the factory next door.

The contents of the jar were sticky, purple-black in color, with a colorful oil film on the surface, and emitted a pungent stench.

Pollutants account for 75% of the total, and carbon compounds that can be recycled are about 25%.

Using this stuff to make synthetic starch is like panning for gold in shit.

【Experimental sample setting completed.】

【Please set the experimental process and parameters. 】

Pollutants include sulfur, hydrocarbons, nitrogen, salts and heavy metals.

There is an unknown psychic fungus in the fungal warehouse that can efficiently desalinate and desulfurize, saving the operational steps of pollution removal.

However, Li Nuo was not confident about psychic power and did not intend to use something that had safety risks.

Similarly, when dealing with other pollutants and extracting carbon compounds, he would also use fungi that absolutely do not involve the subspace.

After selecting more than 3,000 kinds of fungi in the fungal warehouse with his mind, Li Nuo handed over the tedious experimental operations to the system.

He set only one experimental goal, which was to find a feasible solution to efficiently remove pollution and convert carbon compounds into edible starch.

This scheme may require two or even more types of fungi, so the simulation workload far exceeds any previous simulation.

【Automatic simulation starts. 】

[Due to the huge amount of work involved in this automatic simulation, the number of simulation days is difficult to estimate. ]

[The system will collect the raw materials required for the simulation in advance. ]

[Aborting the automatic simulation will not return the raw materials. ]

The residue from the promethium refining on the table disappeared.

Automatic simulation information starts refreshing.

【On the first day, you will divide the sample into 100 parts and label them from 1 to 100. 】

【...】

Just let the system simulate automatically and continue your daily work as usual.

Li Nuo placed the simulation interface in the corner of his field of vision.

After taking a tour of the water treatment plant and confirming that the bioreactor and pipelines were operating normally, Li Nuo planned to return to Shangchao.

Before leaving, Li Nuo observed Laya and was a little worried that she might develop mental illness due to working alone for a long time.

As it turned out, Li Nuo's worries were unnecessary.

Leia's data pad can connect to the networks of the upper and lower nests. When she is not busy, she will play pixel games on the data pad or read fantasy novels written by writers from the lower nest.

She even bought herself a set of indoor sports equipment, on which she would practice her strength and flexibility when she had nothing to do.

For such a self-disciplined girl, there is really no need to worry about her mental health.

"If you're really worried that I'll get bored here, then buy me a holographic projection device, preferably one that can connect to the Nest network, so that I can play holographic games. The money will be deducted from my future salary."

Leia said with a smile, holding a cigarette in her hand.

Holographic projection equipment and holographic games, these two things are sold in Shangchao. Li Nuo had seen them on the communicator before.

"Holographic projection equipment is quite expensive, Laiya. One set is enough to equal your salary for ten years. You really have the nerve to ask for it."

Li Nuo joked with a smile.

Leia stuck out her tongue embarrassedly:
"Anyway, I've decided to work here until I'm old, so I might as well overdraw my future income a little and enjoy it sooner rather than later."

Li Nuo didn't know how to respond, so he could only smile dumbly and wave goodbye:
"Okay, I get it. I'll buy it for you. Play after work every day. If you delay work, I'll confiscate your holographic device."

"Don't worry, I still have some self-control." Laya's smile became brighter and brighter, and she even stomped her feet excitedly.

Li Nuo left the factory, leaving Laiya inside to enjoy herself alone.

This time, there was no sneak attack while he was walking.

After arriving at Shangchao safely, Li Nuo carefully planned his starch industry in the study.

He even called Isabel specifically to ask for details and industry insider information in this regard.

After listening carefully, Li Nuo gradually realized that he was on the right path.

The demand for starch is extremely large, both in the hive and the empire.

Especially the Imperial fleet that has been fighting in space all year round.

Their food supply is entirely dependent on agricultural worlds, as well as imperial worlds such as hive worlds and garden worlds that have agricultural resources.

The starch industry is doing well, the Imperial Fleet is eating happily, the Imperial Military Affairs Department has increased its protection of this hive city, and the Governor's mouth is so happy that he can't stop smiling.

It is possible that Fu Gaisi's attitude towards himself would make a 180-degree turn.

Li Nuo was immersed in his work when a system message popped up.

[Archive 1: Mad Doctor Sack.]

Archived briefings:

[Mad Doctor Sack has received accurate information that in 12 hours, the Steel Coin Clan will go to war with the Red Eyes Clan.]

[Please pay attention to the battle situation in time to avoid the death of the simulated character. 】

"The battle will start in 12 hours, which is around o'clock tomorrow morning."

Li Nuo noted the time when the war would start and made up his mind to "go online" on time.

That night, he worked in his study until after midnight, and then went to bed at Brandi's reminder.

...

When Li Nuo fell asleep due to fatigue, another group of people were staying awake all night for him.

Fu Gaisi was half lying on the sofa in the study, with a huge floor-to-ceiling window behind him overlooking the entire First District.

A few meters in front of him, a holographic device was playing the battle between Li Nuo and members of Guard No. 8 in a loop.

Ten screens and ten perspectives present every detail of the warring parties to the Governor, accompanied by a large number of readings, tables and grid diagrams.

From Li Nuo's psychic shield, to his glance back at Madsen, the No. 8 Guard, and then to his use of magical psychic power to knock Madsen away continuously.

Every frame was captured by Fu Ge Si.

On the other side of the holographic projection, Delton and Chekav were watching.

Chekav was eager to try. The more he watched, the more excited he became. He wanted to fight with Li Nuo right away. He was a real battle maniac.

Delton remained calm from beginning to end. Every move of Li Nuo seemed to be nothing to him and he could crack it with just a flick of his finger.

The holographic image played over and over again until Fu Gesi pressed the pause button himself.

With one hand in his trouser pocket and the other holding a pipe, he walked to the French window and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke.

He gazed across his country, his eyes sweeping across the prosperous street scenes.

He knew that Li Nuo's psychic power was unique and powerful, but he never imagined it would be so precise, efficient, deadly and covert.

"Chekav." Vorges walked back to the sofa and sat down, calling his right-hand man.

"Sir, let me do it myself next time. I really want to know how strong this guy is." Chekav came in front of Vorges, rubbing his hands ready to fight.

Vauques tapped his pipe on the table and poured out the ashes, a smile appearing on his old, fat face:
"That's exactly what I meant, Chekav. Your mission is to squeeze all the fighting potential out of this kid. When you are ready, you can do it at any time."

"Haha, sir, leave this to me, don't worry. I promise to beat him until he has only one breath left. I'm leaving now."

Chekav excitedly bumped his fists, bowed to Vorges, turned around and raised his eyebrows provocatively at Delton, then strode out of the study.

Only Vogue and Delton were left in the house.

Vauquez put new tobacco into his pipe and asked:
"After you gave my secret letter to Li Nuo, didn't he contact you again?"

"No, sir." Delton shook his head slightly. "I thought he would ask me for advice, but the fact is that he did not contact me."

"It seems that he is more mysterious than we imagined." Fugais suddenly laughed, full of self-mockery:

"You know, Delton, Li Nuo has registered more than 3,000 patents in the field of biotechnology. I simply cannot understand how a Lower Nester like him can possess so many technological reserves. Perhaps only my daughter has glimpsed some of Li Nuo's secrets."

"Your daughter?"

"Yes." Vorges handed the pipe to the servo skull, covered it with both hands, and sighed deeply:

"My daughter, my only child, used the authority I gave her to permanently delete all records of Li Nuo in the Bottom Nest from all the recorders of the Hunter Lords. There is no possibility of recovery. This makes me sad, Delton, you also have a daughter, you should understand my feelings."

Delton thought of Amy, his expression softened, and he felt deeply sympathetic for the Governor's plight:
"My Lord, I understand how you feel. When your daughter tries to hide a secret, it means something is brewing."

Delton hesitated for a moment and tried to persuade:

"As far as I'm concerned, I think Li Nuo is not bad. His invention patent is recognized and protected by the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs. There are no legal or moral issues, and it has nothing to do with technological heresy."

Fu Gaisi put down his hands and nodded slowly:

"Since even you think there's nothing wrong with him, what else can I say?"

Fuges stood up and raised a finger:
"You will be my witness, Delton. If Lino survives Chekav, as long as he can afford the 0.3% material tax, I will wait until he comes of age and marry my daughter to him. During this period, he must first learn all the knowledge he needs to know to be a governor before he can be engaged to my daughter."

"What if he could afford more material taxes?" Delton asked.

Vuges didn't care about Delton's question, saying 0.3% was already very high.

Fu Gaisi spread his hands and jokingly said:

"Haha~ If Li Nuo can afford 0.5%, I will arrange for him to get engaged to Tiduo on the same day. If it's 1%, I will vacate an area in the Royal Court for him to work in. If it's 2% or even more, when he comes of age, I will resign as the governor and become his minister of the interior to help him take care of all affairs."

(End of this chapter)