I am the snake demon!

"Uncle is not an outsider. You should know that the imperial court has been slow to allocate funds for relief and compensation."

Bai Xuan looked at Xu Yan and said.

To be honest, Xu Yan's abilities were somewhat beyond his expectations.

Or rather, in the extraordinary world, these wealthy merchants are far more capable than the wealthy merchants in the historical world.

Compared to direct robbery, exploitation is more effective.

Let's put Shi Yexing's matter aside for now.

After the spring hunt, he will personally go to Wuwei.

Let's talk about commercial taxes first.

"This is a sinister plot by the imperial court. My Xu family will not let them succeed. Furthermore, without the support of the old prince, there would be no Xu family today. The Xu family is willing to pay the military expenses," Xu Yan said through gritted teeth.

This is the last one.

"No, protecting the borders and ensuring the safety of the people is the responsibility of the Royal Palace. It is the responsibility of the entire Northern Border. How can we only harm the Xu family?" Bai Xuan shook his head upon hearing this.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan's heart not only didn't settle down, but instead became even more anxious. He looked at Bai Xuan with suspicion and asked, "Then what else does Your Highness need the Xu family to do?"

Asking for money directly, while painful for Xu Yan, also meant there wouldn't be any deeper danger.

It doesn't cost money, but the things they want are things the Xu family might not be able to afford.

"This is a long story. The taxes from the Northern Territory are insufficient to support the army's expenses. I'm sure you, Uncle, are aware of this. Now, before my father passed away, he severely damaged the Demon Kingdom and the Northern Wilderness. The North is temporarily safe, so the court is withholding military funds, trying to control our Northern Territory. Therefore, we in the Northern Territory must find our own way to generate revenue. We have gathered ideas within the Royal Palace, and my uncle believes that the 'Calculation of Wealth and Reporting of Wealth' method is the most suitable for the Northern Territory at present." Bai Xuan smiled as he explained the method of Calculation of Wealth and Reporting of Wealth.

Upon hearing the contents of the lawsuit, Xu Yan's expression changed drastically. For the first time since entering, a look of fear appeared on his face as he said, "Your Highness, do not listen to Li Daoyan's nonsense. This is a law that will disrupt the people and deplete resources. If it is implemented, the commerce of the Northern Border will surely collapse, and the people will suffer and the Northern Border will be devastated."

Even if saying this would offend Li Daoyan, he didn't care.

They came here to pay compensation, to drink the blood of the Xu family.

But this method involved skinning and dismembering the Xu family, then taking their bones and boiling them into soup.

Li Daoyan, Li Daoyan, can't you be a decent human being?

Bai Xuan smiled without saying a word, but gave Xu Yuhua a look that said, "Come on, it's your turn to appear."

Xu Yuhua was somewhat shocked at this moment, and looked at Bai Xuan as well, asking, "Does Mr. Li know about what you're saying?"

Bai Xuan remained calm. Was this important?

Since Uncle Zhong doesn't go out, there's no need to worry about him getting a sack thrown over his head.

Moreover, he doesn't have a good reputation anymore.

If that's the case, why not preserve my good reputation for now?

After all, I am a disciple of a great Confucian scholar and the King of the North.

I am kind-hearted and upright.

Xu Yuhua quickly accepted Bai Xuan's statement and smiled, "Uncle is right. When Mr. Li brought it up before, I also felt it was inappropriate, so it was not approved."

"Thank you, Princess." Xu Yan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

He did not doubt the possibility that Bai Xuan was lying.

After all, it was Li Daoyan who came up with the ideas.

The most ruthless villain in the North, utterly devoid of conscience, and willing to do anything to achieve his goals.

In the past, in order to attack the city, the dikes were breached and the city was flooded, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. The corpses piled up and the stench was hard to dispel. There is still a place in the city called the Stinky Pool.

It's only because he's gotten older, and because he's spent so many years in the Prince's Palace cultivating his character, that his fame has faded considerably.

But for older generations like Xu Yan, no matter what heinous things Li Daoyan came up with, he felt it was perfectly justified.

To surprise him, Li Daoyan would only begin to eat vegetarian food, chant Buddhist scriptures, and do one good deed every day from then on.

"But there are still major problems with taxes in the Northern Territory. So after several discussions, I think the commercial tax needs to be changed. In the past, there were too few types of commercial taxes, and the amount collected was too low. When it comes to doing business, no one in the Northern Territory can beat you, Uncle. So I would like to ask you to contribute to this cause and set an example by paying commercial taxes first!" Bai Xuan smiled and told Xu Yan his final purpose.

However, these words struck Xu Yan like a thunderclap.

Raising commercial taxes and making the Xu family set an example is tantamount to putting the Xu family at odds with all the wealthy merchants in the Northern Territory.

In this world, there's never a simple story behind a business that can grow big.

"Your Highness..."

Xu Yan instinctively wanted to retort, but before he could speak, Bai Xuan said, "What? Uncle thinks commercial taxes are inappropriate, and that calculating and suing for taxes is more profitable?"

Xu Yan swallowed the words he was about to say.

While the commercial tax was painful, it seemed much more lenient compared to the tax on wealth.

Seeing Xu Yan's expression, Bai Xuan smiled faintly and said, "Before I came to the Prince's Mansion, I was assassinated. Everyone in my Taoist temple, except for my mother and me, including my brothers who were like brothers to me, were killed. My uncle told me that the most likely mastermind behind this was Xu Yanheng, and if Xu Yanheng were to take action, the Xu family would be the most likely to help him. After all, the Xu family is a businessman with a wide network of connections, and they are very wealthy, making them the most suitable for hiring someone to kill."

"Your Highness, I swear to Heaven that I have never done such a heinous crime. If I have, may I be struck by lightning and the Xu family be destroyed." Xu Yan was so frightened that he no longer cared about the commercial tax.

"That's what I thought at the time too. My uncle advised me to take advantage of the situation and directly wipe out the Xu family, seize their wealth, and resolve the financial crisis in the northern border. But my uncle and father are like brothers. When my father was alive, he said that the Xu and Xu families should not be separated. As a son, I should follow my father's wishes. Therefore, I believe that the Xu family would not do such a thing," Bai Xuan said.

"Your Highness is wise," Xu Yan said with a sigh of relief.

He felt that the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion was bringing him bad luck, and he was constantly on edge.

"I believe in the loyalty of the Xu family, and I also believe that it is the right thing to do to see things through to the end. This northern border is the northern border of my Xu family, but it is also the northern border of the Leng family, the Duan family, and my uncle Xu family. My uncle is my brother's maternal uncle, so it is reasonable for him to help my brother. We may fight even more fiercely in the future, but I think these are all minor matters, all for the betterment of the northern border, right?" Bai Xuan said with a smile.

"Your Highness, I am a subject of the Prince's Palace, and I am loyal only to Your Highness," Xu Yan hurriedly explained.

"Uncle, we're all family, no need for formalities. I'm telling you, I don't care. If my brother falls from grace one day, you'll inevitably be implicated, but I can guarantee the Xu family won't be destroyed," Bai Xuan said.

"Your Highness's high regard for me is deeply appreciated. Upon my return, I will draft a policy on commercial taxes and discuss it with everyone in the Prince's residence. I will pay every penny due, and I will use this policy to supervise the members of the Chamber of Commerce. I am a subject of the Prince's residence and am loyal only to Your Highness," Xu Yan insisted.

Although some things are known to everyone.

But I can't say it out loud.

Or rather, Bai Xuan could say it without restraint, but he couldn't.

But since you've asked, I'll take care of it for you.

"That would be perfect. Speaking of which, Uncle, you seem to have a daughter who is eight years old this year. In ten years, when she turns eighteen, she will be able to get married. Why not marry her to me and make her a concubine in my royal palace?" Bai Xuan said to Xu Yan with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan's heart skipped a beat; this was an angle he had never considered before.

While the nephew is certainly close, the son-in-law seems to be quite close as well.

Moreover, if what the Prince of Zhenbei said is true, then from now on, the Xu family will continue to be related to the Prince of Zhenbei through marriage, which doesn't seem like a bad thing at all.

To be honest, this young king of the small town is quite capable and insightful.

He was able to enter the Illumination Realm after only five months of practicing array formations.

This person has exceptional talent.

With deep cunning, he resolved the issue of military funding without making a sound.

However, after only two visits to his Zhenlongxuan, the Xu family was asked to spend thirteen million taels of silver.

This shows how calculating they are.

Not swayed by short-term gains, seeing that he had yielded, he let Xu Yanque go, not really holding on to him and trying to swallow the entire Xu family.

This demonstrates a focus on the big picture and a long-term perspective.

His appearance, family background, knowledge, wisdom, and courage are all top-notch.

What's even more remarkable is that he also has a kind and benevolent heart.

Li Daoyan, that old scoundrel, is vicious and full of wicked schemes, yet he leaves room for maneuver, considering the big picture and the future of the northern border, rather than being fixated on short-term or local gains.

A son-in-law like this is hard to find even with a lantern.

On the other hand, his nephew was certainly good, but he was far inferior to him.

Especially given that the title of Prince of Zhenbei has already been established.

If we help him, does the imperial court really intend to make him the Prince of Zhenbei?

The imperial court appointed him as the governor of Bingzhou, which was nothing more than a way to divide the northern border.

The ultimate goal is to take over the entire Northern Territory. Then, how will the Xu family be able to recover?

After thinking it over, Xu Yan suddenly felt that Bai Xuan's words made a lot of sense, and said, "My daughter is of humble appearance, but if Your Highness does not disdain her, she can marry into the Prince's mansion in three to five years."

Leave another way out for the Xu family.

"How could I possibly look down on being your uncle's son-in-law?" Bai Xuan said with a smile.

He took thirteen million taels of silver from others, and then had them fight for him, implementing commercial taxes, and they even praised him for it.

I really am a rare good person, loved by everyone.

Xu Yan also laughed, and even spending thirteen million taels of silver didn't bother him as much.

Anyway, it's not the first time.

Back when the Xu family went all in to support the old Zhenbei King, their entire fortune was roughly this amount.

That time it was a success, and now it has multiplied several times over.

And now it's not even a full-on bet, so what's there to worry about?

As for the hostility of the other merchants?

Why be a businessman if you don't take risks and don't seek wealth?