## Chapter 145 – 145. Plum Blossom Swordsman Reincarnated Into The Baek Family
145. Plum Blossom Swordsman Reincarnated into the Baek Family
The citizens of Thebra tilted their heads, looking at the public notice.
“So, they’re saying they’ll be posting notices like this regularly from now on?”
“…We’re in big trouble if we can’t read.”
“It says to come to the manor if we have complaints. Anyone want to go to the lord’s manor with me?”
“Don’t say such dangerous things. Don’t you know how scary our lord is? Not long ago, the younger brother of the general store owner was executed for cursing the lord, and his head was hung in the square.”
“…That’s scary. I guess I should learn to read.”
『The citizens of Thebra will be divided into 5 classes based on their contribution to the city’s development.
Most of you are 5th-class citizens. You have no benefits other than being able to live in the city of Thebra. Contribute to the city’s development and raise your citizen class to receive the benefits.
4th-class citizens will be given priority to enjoy some events in Thebra faster than 5th-class citizens. Priority will also be used in various other places.
3rd-class citizens will receive priority and a 1% discount when using the Korea Merchant Guild.
2nd-class citizens will receive priority, a 3% discount at the Korea Merchant Guild, and a 10% discount at public places in Thebra.
1st-class citizens will receive priority, a 5% discount at the Korea Merchant Guild, a 10% discount at public places in Thebra, and a 10% tax reduction.
In addition, model citizens will be selected every month and given gifts, so please do your best for the development of Thebra.
The contributions required to increase your class are as follows:
4th class – 1,000
3rd class – 3,000
2nd class – 5,000
1st class – 10,000』
“Citizen classes, this is…”
“It’s not like we become slaves just because our class is low. Rather, the higher the class, the more benefits we get, so isn’t this good for us?”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“Unbelievable. If you become a 1st-class citizen, you get a 10% tax reduction.”
“It doesn’t say how to become a 1st-class citizen? How do we accumulate contribution points?”
“Wait. I’ll keep reading.”
『This time, Mr. Tude Pulse donated 3 million Ner to the territory’s development and became a 4th-class citizen. Congratulations! We recognize this as a special contribution for being the first to donate.
Mr. Pelg became a 4th-class citizen for reporting a citizen who was hindering development. Congratulations!
Ms. Katarina, the owner of the Wind’s Rest, has sacrificed many things for the development of the territory. We will not forget Ms. Katarina’s contributions. Ms. Katarina has become a 2nd-class citizen. Congratulations!
Mr. Bekan Drok, the owner of the Korea Merchant Guild, has perfectly carried out the lord’s requests for the city’s development and has not forgotten to pay his taxes regularly. We recognize his contributions and have selected him as this month’s model citizen. Mr. Bekan is also the first 1st-class citizen. Congratulations!
As a benefit of being a model citizen, we present him with a letter from the lord and the finest wine and beef. We will also give him an additional 10% tax reduction for next month.』
“To become a 4th-class citizen… do we have to donate 3 million Ner to the lord?”
“Look closely. It says it’s recognized as a special contribution for being the first to donate. I don’t think 3 million Ner is enough.”
3 million Ner was the amount of money one could earn after working for two months. It was a lot of money for commoners, so they couldn’t easily donate. Also, there was no guarantee that donating would make them a 4th-class citizen.
“That bastard Pelg! Isn’t he the one who reported the general store owner’s younger brother, leading to his execution! That vile man is a 4th-class citizen…!”
“Reporting… is it?”
Some were furious, while others were deep in thought.
Not everyone who lived in the same city was a close neighbor. If they could raise their citizen class just by reporting someone, wouldn’t that be beneficial?
“Wind’s Rest… Hah. That place is amazing.”
“Katarina… isn’t she the prostitute from that brothel? That prostitute is a 2nd-class citizen?”
“You. You haven’t been to the Wind’s Rest, have you?”
“I’ve heard of it. But it’s still a brothel. I have a wife. There’s no reason for me to go there.”
“Tsk tsk. To have never been to the Wind’s Rest… I pity you. I think it’s only natural that Katarina became a 2nd-class citizen. That place is truly… Hooo. Just thinking about it makes my heart flutter.”
“…Was the Wind’s Rest that good? Aren’t there only dirty prostitutes there?”
“Once you go, you’ll never say that again. You have to spend 200,000 Ner per hour, but… you’ll never regret it. The prostitutes there are several times prettier than your wife.”
“If you say so much… I should go to this place called Wind’s Rest today.”
The Wind’s Rest had transformed into a brothel that was not inferior to the high-end brothels in the capital. Men who had used the Wind’s Rest even once never complained, except about the price.
“Bekan, the owner of the Korea Merchant Guild, has become a 1st-class citizen. Hmm. I can acknowledge that man.”
“Things have been lively lately thanks to the Korea Merchant Guild. The cigarettes they sell are the reason for my life.”
“I heard that the Korea Merchant Guild has a close relationship with the lord…. Most of the strange things they sell were developed by the lord.”
『As you all know, the Black Tiger Merchant Guild has been committing bribery and smuggling crimes. And the lord, enraged by this, broke the black tiger’s teeth and claws. And the black tiger left its black skin behind and departed for the next world.
But there is no need to be sad. The Black Tiger Merchant Guild has been reborn as the Korea Merchant Guild.
We have decided to hold an opening event in cooperation with the Korea Merchant Guild. For the next week, those who purchase items from the Korea Merchant Guild will receive a 10% discount coupon that can be used for up to 100,000 Ner.
Also, a limited-edition opening package will be released. The limited-edition opening package contains daily necessities. You can purchase it for only 99,800 Ner.
And that’s not all!
If you purchase the limited-edition opening package, you have a golden opportunity to earn 5 contribution points! However, even if you purchase multiple limited packages, contribution points will only be awarded for the first purchase.
Below is a list of the package contents.
Toilet paper, shampoo, soap, sanitary pads, canned tuna, canned ham, 3 packs of ramen, 2 pots, 2 packs of cigarettes, 3 sets of socks…』
“Wow. There are more than 10 items. Isn’t it beneficial to buy this?”
“Since the ways to earn contribution points are limited… it’s best to buy it when you can.”
“Hmm. Is that worth 100,000 Ner? I need to think about it.”
『Now, we have some unfortunate news to share with you all.
We have been forced to raise taxes for the development of the territory. However, all of your taxes will be used for the development of the territory, so please don’t be too disappointed.
Our beautiful city of Thebra will develop further with your help!
A new public institution, the Tax Office, will begin operations today.
From now on, please visit the Tax Office for tax-related matters. Civil servants will kindly assist you. You must also pay your taxes here and be sure to receive a tax payment certificate.
*The existing tax rate of 50% will be increased to 60%.
“This is unavoidable for the development of the city.”
*There are 611 tax evaders. We are aware of all of them, and for the next two weeks, during the voluntary reporting period, please pay all your back taxes.
-If you are caught fleeing the city, it will not end with the confiscation of all your assets. Your family’s heads may be displayed in the square, so be careful.
-If you resist paying your taxes to the end, scary guards will come to your house.
“FBI, OPEN UP!”
*The marriage tax will be increased from 1 million Ner to 3 million Ner.
-The marriage tax must be paid at the Tax Office when filling out the marriage registration form.
-You must come with your spouse. A husband cannot come alone without his wife to fill out the marriage registration form.
-If you do not report your marriage, you may be fined more than 30 million Ner.
“Marriage is not a joke~”
With the marriage tax increased, you should think more carefully about marriage.
*The death tax will be increased from 800,000 Ner to 1 million Ner.
“You can go to a better place if you pay your taxes well.”』
“…Hah. As expected, taxes are going up.”
“We expected taxes to go up since a new lord was appointed. It can’t be helped.”
“What power do we have to resist the lord? The marriage tax being 3 million Ner… that’s a bit too much.”
“Does anyone know what the FBI is?”
『Are you depressed that taxes have gone up? Don’t be too depressed. We have good news for you.
Next month, a public bathhouse will officially open. All citizens of Thebra can use it. Let’s all maintain cleanliness.
One of the planned events is the Thebra Beauty Pageant.
Total prize money of 100 million Ner!
Winner gets 2,000 contribution points!
Who is the most beautiful woman in Thebra?!
Only women can participate. The judging of the competition will be done by the lord and your votes.
Not only prize money but also huge prizes are prepared, so please participate a lot.
This concludes the public notice 1.0. Please look forward to the next notice.』
The citizens gathered in front of the bulletin board began to buzz.
“100 million? Does it really say they’re giving 100 million Ner in prize money?!”
“The total prize money is 100 million. They’ll probably give the winner about 50 million Ner. And the winner gets 2,000 contribution points. They can become a 4th-class citizen right away.”
“This is something to look forward to. If it’s my wife, winning a beauty pageant is nothing.”
“Hah…. Didn’t I tell you before? You have severe rose-colored glasses. I guarantee that no one but you will vote for your wife.”
“Hehe…. I should send my daughter. If it’s my daughter, the most beautiful woman in Thebra… winning will be no problem.”
The citizens were looking forward to the beauty pageant. The reason was the unexpectedly large prize money and the fact that it could be a new stimulus for them, who were bored.
•••
“Hehe. How are the pigs reacting?”
I asked Yuria while drinking tea.
Pigs.
That’s what I call my territory’s people.
If this were the modern era, they might have immediately started impeachment proceedings, but democracy does not exist in this world. Even if the territory’s people rebelled against me, I have Yuria.
The top-tier Aura Expert and a high-level Shadow Magician.
With her, even if a rebellion occurred, it could be suppressed in an instant.
“The reaction is not bad. They are looking forward to the beauty pageant with a lot of prize money.”
“That’s inevitable. Thebra was a quiet city, and there have never been any competitions or festivals. They must be looking forward to it.”
Most commoners in the Middle Ages are stupid. They rarely receive proper education, and at least 80% of them cannot read. There is no elementary school, let alone kindergarten.
Less than 10% of the commoners are somewhat intelligent.
And I have no intention of building educational facilities like schools for these guys.
“Pigs are easier to handle when they’re stupid. Isn’t that right, Yuria?”
“You are absolutely right. They are worth nothing more than their labor. They should be happy to be ruled by their master. All they need is bread and circuses.”
As expected of Yuria. She knows a thing or two.
Bread and circuses.
It’s a policy from ancient Rome. Commoners are easier to handle when they’re stupid.
“Hehehe. I’m really looking forward to the beauty pageant.”
The beauty pageant will be held at an appropriate time later. Its purpose is to easily discover and bed the beauties throughout the city of Thebra.
That appropriate time is when I can completely control Thebra.
And my ultimate goal is to bed all the beautiful women in this city. It doesn’t matter if they have husbands. The important thing is that I have to bed them before their husbands. In short, the right of the first night.
“I’m looking forward to that day.”
[The game is over.]
[Starting experience calculation.]
[Pesus’s affinity level is 3.]
[Risel’s affinity level is 2.]
[Katarina’s affinity level is 2.]
[Elnoa’s affinity level is 4.]
[Fatima’s affinity level is 3.]
[Nephia’s affinity level is 1.]
[Aisha’s affinity level is 1.]
……
