I Am the Crown Prince in France

Chapter 525 Mr. Robespierre, you are right! (Please ask for monthly tickets at the end of the month)

“At that time, the roads were very muddy and grain merchants could not enter the towns to collect grain. So farmers had to use wheat to deduct taxes.

"But because the tax farm moved to the outer suburbs, people had to rely on manpower to carry wheat to the tax farm again and again. During this period, four people died from drowning or sliding down the steep slope. At the same time, the people who transported wheat to the tax farm However, a lot of wheat at the tax office can only be discounted at half price due to dampness.”

Robespierre tried hard to suppress his anger and dug out documents related to the town of Stian for Joseph: "At this time, Lecornu proposed that if the townspeople were willing to pay the 'transportation fee', then he could also go to the town to collect it. Tax.

"The farmers had no choice but to agree. The so-called 'transportation fee' is almost 70% of the price of grain.

"Since then, Lecornu has fixed the 'transportation fee' in the tax, and has to collect it every year. I roughly calculated that in the past four years, he collected a total of 120,000 francs from the town of Stien." shipping charges'.

"According to the townspeople who came to complain, nearly half of the women in the town now have to go to nearby big cities such as Angers to stand on the streets to avoid bankruptcy at home..."

Joseph's chest rose and fell violently - he had been completely refreshed by this group of tax collectors today. During this morning, Robespierre had told him too much about the shameless methods of this group of people——

For example, they would issue problematic tax payment certificates to illiterate farmers, and then visit them to accuse them of tax evasion and seize their property. Even if the latter goes to court, it will not help.

They will use "special" measuring tools to measure farmers' land to overcalculate the tax amount, and even include public land in the scope of tax payment.

Before the aristocratic privileges were abolished, tax collectors would immediately come to collect the "pigeon tax" on whose home a noble's pigeons landed. This was originally a tax that only people who raised pigeons had to pay.

It is not uncommon to see things such as privately setting up tax categories, randomly beating tax debtors to death, and molesting the wives and daughters of tax debtors.

Joseph stared at the documents spread out on the table, furious in his heart: He worked hard every day to develop the country's economy and improve people's livelihood, but he was afraid that people would go to the Bastille because of poverty. But these tax collectors are fucking crazy driving the people in the direction of their fate, just to line their own pockets!

I still underestimated the shamelessness and cruelty of these tax collectors. I thought they were just falsifying accounts and charging a few more sous in taxes, but I didn't expect that they didn't take the life and death of the people at the bottom seriously at all, and directly forced people to death to seize property, and drank human blood to make a fortune. !

Damn it!

He looked at Robespierre standing in front of him, took a deep breath, and said with a heavy heart: "I finally understand why you did what you did. You are right."

Robespierre was startled when he heard this and said in surprise: "Your Highness, what are you referring to what I did before?"

Joseph waved his hand: "Nothing."

He was naturally referring to the historical events in which Robespierre, Marat and others signed off on all tax collectors. Although there are regrets such as the wrongful killing of Lavoisier, judging from what I have seen and heard today, there are definitely not many similar unjust cases.

After Robespierre finished roughly reporting on the public's complaints against tax collectors during this period, he then asked solemnly: "Your Highness, what do you think is the best way to deal with these people?"

"Just handle it as you did before."

"Ah? Me before?"

Joseph punched the table and said in a deep voice: "The tax bureau is equipped with guns! Bring your people with you. If it's not enough, you can go to the police station. Those guys will be arrested and sentenced if they should be arrested. Just sentence them and hang them on the street lamp if they deserve to be hanged!”

Robespierre did not expect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to be so decisive. Blood suddenly rushed to his head. He stood upright and loudly responded: "Yes, Your Highness! I will make them pay the price they deserve!"

…

Outskirts of Reims.

In the brick-red villa next to the beautiful apple orchard in Monn Town, the tax collector Poca swallowed the juicy pan-fried beef, nodded with satisfaction, and said to his wife beside him: "Anouk's skills are getting better and better. The more exquisite it is.”

He picked up the bread again, dipped some pigeon soup into his mouth, and then looked at his son sitting opposite: "Aubin, I think it is better not to sell the land. I have worked hard for more than ten years to save it. Recently, many people have gone to North Africa to open up wasteland, which has kept land prices from rising.

"I heard that the 'Agricultural Services Consulting Company' run by the government is very good. As long as we spend a little money, they can help us increase the yield of the fields by 20 to 30%.

"In this case, it would be good to continue to hire people to farm, and the hired people can also pay taxes..."

His son, who was about twenty years old, looked at the food on the plate absentmindedly, suddenly raised his head and said: "Father, this tax bureau audit seems to be quite a big deal. I heard that there are already many people in Paris. The tax collector was arrested."

Poca snorted coldly and said disdainfully: "What are you afraid of? Those who are arrested must be guys with no background.

"And we are taking care of business for Viscount Borlore. Besides, the gentlemen of the General Association will not do nothing."

He lowered his voice and said: "I heard the news that the national trade will be shaken this time, and there is also a situation in Marseille.

"Don't worry, this storm will pass soon. The government is no match for the gentlemen of the General Assembly."

His son Aubin said nervously, "But father, safety comes first. I think we should sell the land and take the money to England. I heard that there are many opportunities to make money in England now."

Poca shook his head immediately, "You are still young, you don't understand. We must follow Viscount Borore to make a lot of money."

Although he also paid more than 300,000 francs in taxes, he mainly helped Borore to manage the tax-farming business.

He has more than 40 tax collectors. He is responsible for all the taxes in the villages and towns around Reims. Although most of the taxes have to be handed over to Borore, he can get 5% of the profits, and he can use some "small tricks" in the tax collection process to make more money for himself.

As Poca was talking, the butler ran in in a panic, anxiously saying, "Master, there are many people from the tax bureau, and it seems there are also police."

Obin immediately stood up nervously: "What are they going to do?"

Poca frowned slightly, comforted his son, and then ordered the butler: "Go and call all the tax collectors in the town."

"Yes, master."

Poca wiped his mouth with a napkin, got up and walked towards the door.

Not long after, he saw seven tax collectors in uniforms and carrying flintlock rifles outside the villa. There were also two policemen next to them, who he knew were security inspectors of the Reims Police Department.

He pretended to be enthusiastic and said, "Good afternoon! May God be with you. May I ask if you have any questions?"