NOVEL SIMPLE v1c1
After the problem with the letter of the Grand Duke was solved, Kurt immediately set about reforming his territory.
Since he could not defeat the last boss on his own, he had no choice but to hire someone who could do it. This would inevitably require money.
However, it did not seem as if the Antoner family had that much money in stock.
Were they earning little or spending too much?
In order to find out, Kurt came to the office where Antoner's financial records were kept.
"What is this book? There are too many calculation errors."
Kurt was looking at the books of the territory, and he was troubled.
The fact that there were so many mistakes meant that they had not been looking at the money flow of the territory properly.
It was doubtful that even the income and expenditure amounts were correct.
"Anyway, let's check the numbers again."
Kurt spent the rest of the day calculating.
He had wanted a calculator so badly never before, but he still got a lot out of all the hard work.
Of course, it was ...... for the worse.
'How can they take a 70% tax rate and still be in the red ......?'
The tax rate for a territory in this world is usually between 40% and 60%.
A tax of 70% over and above that would be a considerable burden on the people of the territory.
And yet, the Antoner territory is facing a huge loss because its expenditures seem to be exceeding the tax rate.
This was a problem that needed to be remedied as soon as possible.
The tax rate is so low that it does not take into account the needs of the people, and they must be very frustrated with it.
The riot that broke out in the tutorial was probably the result of that frustration.
However, if that much money is necessary for the Antoner territory to exist, it cannot be reduced.
Kurt was unable to decide whether this money was necessary for the territory because it had been treated as unaccounted for without being properly recorded.
Kurt's parents were both villainous barons, so the most likely explanation is that they were lining their own pockets.
--What in the world did they spend this much money on? ......
Kurt was unconsciously tapping on the desk to show his annoyance.
'Um,......, is something bothering you?'
The maid who had been waiting by his side asked him timidly. She might think that Kurt would be offended by something if she showed irritation.
No matter how much I think about it alone, I can't get an answer. Don't you know what this unaccounted-for money was spent on?"
He shows the maid the account book and confirms it.
The maid looks at the numbers carefully, but she is tilting her head, so there is probably not much hope.
But soon the maid's eyes brightened and she pointed to one of the numbers.
'I believe this is the money the master of the house used to buy jewelry from the merchant.
'......Seriously?"
'No doubt. I was the one who carried the money. I remember it well because I made the ...... mistake of counting it and later they were very angry with me. ......"
Recalling how it was at that time, she smiles bitterly.
It seems that she is a very careless maid.
But thanks to that, one thing became clear.
If the use is for jewelry, selling it off will more or less make up for the losses.
"Well done," So it is very likely that this amount of missing money, if not all of it, was used to pay for personal expenses."
If the cause is clear, then there is something to be done about it.
But Kurt couldn't help but wonder.
--If they increased taxes just to fill their own pockets, couldn't they have known that the people would eventually riot?
He re-calculated again, assuming that the earmarked money was not for use on the territory.
A maid watches the situation.
'Kurt-sama, you calculate very fast, huh?"
"Isn't this ordinary?"
'No, it is not. I have never seen anyone that quick, except for the merchants".
"There are plenty of people in this mansion, so there are plenty of people who are better than me a child. ......"
So, well, I've never seen anyone else do the math,....... No, no, it's nothing.
The maid is in a panic.
It seems that the servants of this house also need to be checked.
--The duke of Castaing, the mastermind behind the story might be involved in this.
Thinking of this, Kurt finished his calculations.
'With this, even if we reduce it to 40%, we'll still be able to afford it."
In fact, even at 30%, it would be quite profitable, but since the nobles around him might protest if he went that far, he decided to keep it at a slightly lower rate.
Most of the nobles in the neighborhood of the Antoner territory were running their own territory with a 50% tax rate.
They are not complaining because they are doing a good job of protecting the local residents and making sure that they are prosperous.
However, it would be uninteresting if a territory with a tax rate 20% lower than theirs suddenly appeared there.
Just a little bit cheaper than the surrounding areas, considering the harsh tax rates they have been paying.
This would be the most efficient way to keep the riots at bay.
"Eh, are you sure everything is all right ?!"
It was the maid who was surprised by this.
She seemed more anxious than pleased.
Just as Kurt was about to explain, there was a knock at the door.
"Master Kurt, you have a visitor. I hear that the Grand Duke of Balmitte sent that person to you.'
"Show him to the reception room. I'll be right there.'
Kurt said that it would be rude to keep the other party waiting, so he immediately started to get ready.
◇◇◇
The messenger from the Grand Duke of Castaing was an odd-looking man wearing a cloak and monocle.
Except for the minimal number of soldiers he had with him to escort him, he had no one with him, so it seemed he was not trying to harm anyone.
"Thank you for coming all the way from far away, I am Kurt Antoner."
I am Klaus Ardler, sent by the Grand Duke of Valmitte. The Grand Duke was so impressed by Kurt's humble attitude that he sent me to help you rebuild your territory. I am a young man with only a little experience in the management of a territory, but I would be happy if I could be of service to you."
He kneels down on one knee to show his loyalty.
But he couldn't hide his surprise that he would send his own minions to me in such a straightforward manner.
If it were true, he should have sent them away, but he would have angered the Grand Duke if he had sent them away without any good reason.
--But then....
Kurt smiles constantly without losing his expression and says.
That would be very useful. I was just looking at the account book of this territory, but I didn't quite understand it. ...... May I have a look?"
Kurt holds up the book in front of Klaus, which is full of mistakes before he fixes it.
"Oh, that's--"
The maid unintentionally speaks up.
However, Klaus didn't seem to care about the maid's remark and was checking the ledger book.
If he was thinking about Kurt here, he would have pointed out that there was a deficit.
Now he could see if he could tell that there was a mistake in the calculation, and he could also see his ability to do so.
The reaction will tell how much the Grand Duke of Kasteen intends to involve himself with this territory.
When Klaus finished reading the whole thing, he let out an understandable sigh.
'It's so obvious that it's in the red. There are many mistakes."
-Surprisingly, this Klaus may be competent. Maybe the Grand Duke of Castaing has the righteous intent to right an injustice regardless.
In the Antonor territory, where there is an enormous shortage of talented people, there are times when it is necessary to use them, even if he knows that the enemy is breathing down his neck.
As long as they are willing to correct the wrongdoings, the conditions will be met.
Kurt's expression was a little broken, as if he were happy.
'Then how could it be improved?'
'Mistakes are not a big problem if I am around. The deficit would be solved by taking more tax.'
He smiles and makes a devilish suggestion.
--It seems that he came with the intention of taking all the money from the beginning. I thought he was a very useful person.
Kurt unintentionally let out a sigh.
T/n If you have some time please check another series under my wing https://www.scribblehub.com/series/913202/mastermind-family/ it's from the same author (Sorano Susumu)