Chapter 2480: Removing the Firewood from Under the Pot

Chapter 2480: Chapter 2480: Removing the Firewood from Under the Pot

Jing Yan and the others’ reason for coming to the City Lord Mansion this time, Bai Han knew perfectly well.

The City Lord Jing Yan had long since known someone was going to jump out and stir up trouble.

"Grand Steward!" Nie Quan cupped his hands toward Bai Han.

The few people who came along with him also cupped their hands to Bai Han in greeting.

"Grand Steward, let’s speak frankly. If we offend in any way, we beg your pardon." Nie Quan continued.

Nie Quan was actually quite confident about this trip. His confidence came from his belief that Jing Yan attached great importance to Hongmeng City. In his view, if City Lord Jing Yan didn’t want Hongmeng City to collapse from within, then he should choose to compromise to some extent.

The merchants and powers that Jade Flame Treasure Light had secretly contacted were very numerous. If everyone united, Hongmeng City definitely wouldn’t be able to withstand it. The industrial backbone of Hongmeng City was far too thin, and couldn’t stand up to turmoil.

"Manager Nie Quan, please speak." Bai Han smiled, his tone gentle.

"Grand Steward, there are some things we just can’t understand about the tax policy the City Lord Mansion suddenly launched."

"Of course, we’re not saying we shouldn’t pay taxes when we run businesses in Hongmeng City. We just feel Hongmeng City has been founded for less than a hundred years, yet is in such a rush to collect taxes—doesn’t that seem a bit too hasty? We’ve purchased a huge amount of property in Hongmeng City, at tremendous cost. You could say almost no one has truly started to make money yet. In this situation, if the City Lord Mansion collects taxes again, we really find it difficult!" Nie Quan’s tone was earnest, as if the City Lord Mansion really intended to drive them into a corner.

"I see!"

"So Manager Nie Quan and all you Daoists came here because of this matter." Bai Han’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Exactly because of this matter. Grand Steward, we believe Hongmeng City should not be so impatient about collecting taxes. Even if Hongmeng City wants to tax us, it should be postponed, at least until after we’ve already made some profit from this place." Nie Quan said with a smile.

"Yes, yes, Grand Steward, I’ve invested my entire net worth into Hongmeng City. I’m still far from breaking even."

"If the City Lord Mansion forcibly collects taxes, then we really have no way to live."

"..." These people all chimed in.

"Heh heh..." Bai Han let out a soft laugh.

"If you’re here because of this matter, then there’s nothing I can do. The tax policy and the relevant laws have already been finalized and put into effect. Our City Lord will absolutely not change them. However, when we drafted the tax system, we did consider the issues you’re talking about, so Hongmeng City’s tax rate is actually very low." Bai Han went on.

"Grand Steward..." Nie Quan wanted to speak again.

"Manager Nie Quan, there’s no need to say more. This matter cannot be changed. As long as you do business within Hongmeng City, you must pay taxes." Bai Han waved his hand.

Nie Quan’s expression darkened.

Before coming to the City Lord Mansion, he’d been fairly confident. But now it seemed the attitude on the City Lord Mansion’s side was very tough and absolutely firm!

"But what if we really can’t pay?" someone said with a frown.

"If you can’t pay, then it becomes serious. Hongmeng City’s laws are extremely strict. If you’re not yet clear on the tax laws, you can go back and read them carefully. The Tax Department and the Guard of Hongmeng City will rigorously enforce the relevant laws." Bai Han said with a smile.

The faces of the group in the reception hall all turned extremely ugly.

In their hearts, anger was already surging, and their gazes became cold and sinister.

However, in the City Lord Mansion they absolutely didn’t dare vent their anger. If they slipped up, they might lose their lives right here. City Lord Jing Yan was not a soft-hearted person. They still clearly remembered how those few Red-Clothed Killing Stars from Yama Palace had been cut down in Hongmeng City more than fifty years ago. Their own lives were nowhere near as tough as those Killing Stars’.

"Since that’s the case, we’ll take our leave!" Nie Quan stood up.

The others all stood up with him. Bai Han watched them go.

"Hmph, trying to pressure City Lord Jing Yan? You’ve... miscalculated!" Bai Han sneered inwardly.

...

Nie Quan and the others left the City Lord Mansion and all returned to Jade Flame Treasure Light. In Jade Flame Treasure Light there were at least a hundred merchants and members of minor powers gathered.

After Nie Quan and the others came back, they recounted to these people the conversation they’d had with Bai Han.

Everyone was furious.

"The City Lord Mansion thinks it’s got us in the bag!"

"This is just too much!"

"So what do we do now? Are we supposed to obediently pay taxes? Damn it!"

"Store Manager Nie Quan, give us an idea! Whatever you say we’ll do, I’ll follow your lead."

"Right, Store Manager Nie Quan, we’ll follow you!"

Whether in status or personal strength, Nie Quan was the standout among them. If these people were to choose a leader, it would naturally be Nie Quan. From the very beginning, it was Jade Flame Treasure Light that had linked them together.

"Everyone, calm down for now!" Nie Quan pressed his hand down.

"You’ve all seen the attitude of the City Lord Mansion. Heh, to the City Lord Mansion, we’re not worth mentioning at all. The City Lord Mansion brushed us off like it was brushing off a few irrelevant people." Nie Quan’s gaze turned gloomy.

"Wait here for a bit. As for what to do next, I need to think it through." Nie Quan said, then walked out of the spacious hall.

He went to contact the Jade Flame Commerce Headquarters.

His heart was filled with anger. In his view, the City Lord Mansion hadn’t given him the slightest bit of face—of course, it also hadn’t given Jade Flame Business Association any face. He wasn’t willing to swallow this insult, but if they wanted to stir up something big, he couldn’t decide that on his own and needed to ask for instructions.

After hearing Nie Quan’s report and his ideas, the big shot at Jade Flame Commerce Headquarters said only one sentence.

"Just do as you’re thinking. A trifling Hongmeng City has little impact on our Jade Flame Business Association. Even if we abandon it, it doesn’t matter." That big shot was clearly also displeased with the City Lord Mansion of Hongmeng City.

With the support from headquarters, Nie Quan now had plenty of backing.

"Don’t give me face? Don’t give Jade Flame Business Association face?"

"Heh, then don’t blame me for pulling the rug out from under you!"

"I want to see how you, City Lord Jing Yan, turn the tide. Rely on force? Hmph, I don’t believe you can arrest and kill us all!" Nie Quan coldly laughed again and again.

He returned to the hall.

His gaze swept across the room, looking at the more than a hundred figures present who all held some influence in Hongmeng City’s commercial scene.

"Everyone, our Jade Flame Treasure Light has already made its decision. We intend to put up for sale the Treasure Tower and all the properties and other assets our Jade Flame Treasure Light purchased in Hongmeng City." Nie Quan’s low voice echoed through the hall.

This was what Nie Quan planned to do next.

Hearing Nie Quan’s words, the crowd instantly fell silent, everyone looking at Nie Quan. Some people began to feel nervous inside. Selling off their assets was not a joke. If it went wrong, they could end up losing everything.