"Look at what you said, that's not what I meant at all." Wu Lai smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Don't deny it, Wu Lai, that's what you mean." Madam Leah smiled and said, "Okay, let's get down to business. This is your first time attending a noble meeting, so I'm afraid you don't know what it means. The other things are fine, but the last day is the highlight. Wait, that's when we pay the money. I need your help, but it's not a big deal. Just put Grindel Manor under your name when calculating the payment amount. According to the rules, you only need to pay one share, so even if Grindel Manor is added, there will be no additional payment. In this way, Grindel Manor can save money. How about it?"

"Will this work? Is there any precedent?" Wu Lai asked with a frown.

"Why not? If you hadn't voted against Bunny, I wouldn't have bothered you. I had already told him about it, but now, he can't help with this anymore." Lady Leah lied calmly.

"As long as there is a precedent, I can promise you." Wu Lai nodded, "But can you tell me more details?"

Madam Leah looked at Wu Lai for a while, then sighed and shook her head: "Wu Lai, you really have to think about it carefully. Gao Geng is capable and loyal, but he is really not suitable to be your first butler. Anyway, you are not short of money. Hire a good butler from a big city-state, and you can worry less. Believe me, you will have more and more affairs, really."

Wu Lai pondered for a moment and nodded.

After the Seneca city-state noble meeting continued for three more days in wind and rain, the "highlight" that Lady Leah mentioned took place.

"Dear citizens." Consul Anthony's expression was very serious and his voice was very loud. "Today is the last day of the meeting. According to the rules, I have to read out the territorial requisition order, but before that, I have to announce another thing. Everyone knows that the Seneca city-state has only had a civil guard and no garrison. Why is that? It is because part of the Third Legion is stationed in the Red Valley Bay Fortress, which is only more than 140 miles away from Seneca. They are the best barrier for Seneca..."

"However, starting from the New Year of next year, the garrison in the Red Valley Bay Fortress will be reduced by 90%. That means, by then, there will be at most 1,000 soldiers in it. Such a force is not enough to guard this pass all the time. Therefore, the Senate and the Supreme Noble Conference decided to transfer 6,000 of the withdrawn soldiers of the Third Legion to garrison Seneca. That is to say, soon, Seneca City will have two more lieutenants. Of course, in addition to defending Seneca, these garrisons will also assist the tribune Aesop in arresting thieves and protecting everyone's property. Of course, their military pay will also be paid by Seneca City."

"Therefore, starting from next year, the administrative expenses of the Seneca city-state will increase. Now, I read out the territory levy issued by the Senate and the Supreme Noble Council - citizens of the Seneca city-state, under the holy light of the god Amon..."

Consul Antony read out a conscription order in a rhythmic manner, but almost no one listened to what he said seriously. Everyone was calculating and guessing how much more gold coins they would need to pay, or guessing the real intention of the Third Legion's garrison in Seneca. Of course, some people also wanted to make friends with the garrison, although it was too early.

After reading the territorial requisition order, Anthony rang the bell. When the meeting place returned to silence, he smiled and asked, "If you have any questions, you can ask them now."

A nobleman sitting opposite Wu Lai raised his hand, then looked at Anthony with a dark face: "Mr. Archon, even if we increase the garrison, there is no need to increase our quota by 50%. According to the standard you announced, the levy I need to pay in the next two years is as high as 8,000 gold coins. This number is too exaggerated and I cannot accept it. Moreover, even if I pay the levy, I cannot get any reduction or exemption from the regular taxes. Mr. Archon, if this continues for a few more years, I am afraid I will not even be qualified to enter the Council Hall!"

After listening, Anthony smiled without any explanation or comfort. Instead, he looked at the others and asked, "Excuse me, is there anything else?"

Another noble beside the stone table raised his hand, and then he slowly stood up: "Mr. Archon, I just want to know, how long will the garrison stay in Seneca City?"

This time, Antony gave an explanation: "According to the arrangements of the Senate and the Supreme Noble Conference, the Seneca city-state will have permanent garrisons starting next year."

A sigh came from behind Wu Lai, and the noble who asked the question sat back in his chair with a disappointed look on his face.

After a slight hesitation, Wu Lai raised his hand and said, "Mr. Archon, I'm not sure which standard I belong to. You know, this is my first time here this year and I don't know anything."

Woolley's words were met with some restrained chuckles.

Anthony was startled, then smiled and gave an answer: "Citizen of Wuleglindo, if you really don't know the standard, I can tell you clearly that since you are qualified to sit at the round table, it means that you have at least reached the third level standard. In other words, you can choose to pay 3% of your property for the next two years, or you can choose to pay the third level standard of 4,500 gold coins. By the way, I remind you that you don't need to be too honest. You can pay in any way that is beneficial to you."

Anthony's reminder to Woolley also caused some laughter.

The third level standard? Three percent? Wu Lai sighed and shook his head, thinking that the big exploiting class would not hesitate to "take action" against the small exploiting class. No wonder many nobles were bright and arrogant in front of others, but stingy and miserly behind others. It turned out that there was such a big expense waiting to be spent.

After recalling the contents of the conscription order, Wu Lai was basically certain of one thing - Greendo Manor should be within the fifth-level standard, which means that in the next two years, Greendo needs to pay a conscription fee of 120 gold coins.

While he was thinking, several more nobles raised their hands to ask questions. One of them stood up and made an explanation, suggesting that a certain manor be included in his collection quota. Anthony readily agreed and asked the clerk to make a record.

At the same time, Wu Lai also discovered one thing, that is, only the nobles sitting at the stone table were qualified to ask questions, question or make some kind of explanation, and ordinary nobles did not even have the right to ask questions or object.

He must have felt the unfairness of the conscription order, and perhaps even felt angry and sad about it. Wu Lai sighed in his heart, and the "he" in his mind was naturally his alcoholic father Simon.

"Any more questions?" Anthony asked again. He was in a good mood because the nobles did not have much resistance to the increase in the collection amount.

"Yes." Wu Lai raised his hand for the second time, then stood up.

Anthony laughed and nodded, "Go ahead, Seneca's youngest but most promising citizen."

"Two things." Wu Lai smiled. "First, the Archon must know that Baishi Building and Greendo Manor are one family. So, since I have paid the third-level collection quota, Greendo Manor does not have to pay, right?"

"That makes sense." Anthony nodded.

"The second thing is, I don't have that much money." As soon as Wu Lai said this, the meeting place was in turmoil. Many people were guessing what Wu Lai meant. You know, in previous noble meetings, no one had ever said such a thing. Was this a straightforward refusal? It didn't seem like it.

A hint of surprise flashed across Anthony's eyes.

Wu Lai glanced at the nobles around the stone table with a smile, and then said, "Mr. Archon, I am telling the truth. I really can't come up with 4,500 gold coins. As everyone knows, my house was built too big, and I spent almost all the money I had without realizing it."

"Wooleglind." Anthony frowned. He smelled an offense to his authority from everyone's expressions and giggles.

"Don't get me wrong, Lord Archon." Wu Lai's smile became even stronger. "I can't afford 4,500 gold coins, but I have a compromise. It won't be bad to keep half a silver coin. It's like this. I just calculated that 4,500 gold coins are equivalent to the selling price of 23 sets of 'God-given chariots'. I don't have cash, so I'm willing to pay one more set. I'll use the market price of 24 sets of God-given chariots, which is 4,800 gold coins, to offset the collection fee of 4,500 gold coins. I've suffered a small loss, but I can barely accept it. Lord Archon, don't look at me like that. You should know that it is indeed worth that much. Of course, the God-given chariots alone are not easy to sell, and I happen to have a few friends whose woodworking workshops specialize in making this kind of magical carriages, with superb craftsmanship and extraordinary quality. So, I'll give you another suggestion. I'll just hand over these 24 sets of God-given chariots to them. At most, in a few days, you can collect 24 magical carriages. What do you think?"

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

As soon as Wu Lai finished speaking, the nobles who were the owners of the "God-given chariot" given to Wu Lai had already understood what he meant. They stood up one after another and made impassioned speeches, all of which started by crying poor and then saying that they would use the magical chariot to pay the collection money.

Anthony was so upset. He knew that Wu Lai and his eight "subordinate customers" were not short of money. They just wanted to exchange the golden coins for carriages with all the costs and profits added in. But he couldn't vent his anger because those carriages were really that popular and really worth that much money.

Finally, Anthony agreed reluctantly. When he subconsciously glanced at the instigator, Wu Lai, he found that the "culprit" was smiling at him sincerely.

He's a complete scoundrel, Anthony thought to himself.

"If there are no other questions, I declare..." Anthony said loudly after he had calmed down his emotions.

"Please wait, Your Excellency the Archon!" A voice suddenly interrupted Anthony.

Anthony frowned and saw that Doggie had already stood up with a smile. He first nodded slightly at Wu Lai, then glanced at everyone seriously, and finally, his eyes fell on Anthony's face: "Mr. Archon, I have something to say here."

"Go ahead." Anthony nodded, suppressing his anger.

"Thank you." After Dorje thanked him, his face straightened and he said loudly, "Citizens, according to the rules, next year, three citizens of the Seneca city-state will be selected and sent to the Assyrian Citizen Academy. Originally, this matter should not be mentioned here, but in the past year, I have been impressed by the wisdom, elegance, generosity and kindness of the citizens of Wulagrindo. I believe that the citizens of Wulagrindo are the best candidates for study in the Seneca city-state, so I am here to express my attitude. I recommend the citizens of Wulagrindo to study at the Assyrian Citizen Academy."

Anthony was quite surprised. He thought that these three places were used to balance the relationship. Why did you express your opinion here so openly? "I agree!" People began to raise their hands at the stone table. Needless to say, they were Wu Lai's "downstream customers".

Soon, more than 60% of the nobles in the meeting hall raised their hands to express their agreement. Although they may not all think the same as the jubilant Lady Leah, at least they made their attitudes clear.

Anthony didn't expect such a result. He was about to glare at Doggie, but the guy had already sat back in his chair and was chatting happily with his neighbor. He didn't even look at him.

Wu Lai had not expected that Doggie would act like this. After a moment of shock, he lowered his voice and asked his neighbor, "What does Citizens Academy mean?"

The person sitting next to him rolled his eyes at him and said, "Come on, Wulaglindo, your expression tells me that you are showing off."

Show off? Wu Lai felt a little confused.