Race to the
Throne
Chapter 31: Plan
What did Lu Long present that made Hao Jiazhi take his time to think about it?
It is about a deal or contract
The contract stated that Hao Jiazhi will lower the price of imports from Tengyuan Kingdom in return for letting him open the business (also lowering his taxes) and also assisting Province Kuwon when Kingdom Liaohua will try something
Tengyun Kingdom is really rich in resources and land fertility as compared to other Big Kingdoms, so they all buy the product from them which includes some very valuable items such as gold and different types of spices and herbs that only grow in Tengyuan
As for the taxes on these exports, it is around 25%-30%
Though Tengyuan Kingdom is a small kingdom and has very small power in it they know that the enemy desires what they have
So, they made sure that they never lower the prices of their items and this is the only reason why Tengyuan Kingdom survived so far even though they have no power in them
The former emperor seems to be quiet a strong-minded person
Hao Jiazhi knows that Lu Long has done a good amount of research on him and has his people around him so that he could know just how good Hao Jiazhi is
Lu Long knows that Hao Jiazhi's mother is quite overprotective when it comes to her only child and she would surely lower the export taxes if her son will try to ask her
And if he is able to make the taxes lower, Lu Long will not only gain the favor of the people but also gain big merit for the kingdom
This would result in him being closer to the throne more
Would Hao Jiazhi accept it?
To be true, Hao Jiazhi don't care much about these things but still
If he is to make the taxes lower for the Dongping Kingdom, then other kingdoms won't take it lightly and also the emperor won't like it
Which could result in him being further away from the throne, he is already quite far away from the throne, then he is right now
Hao Jiazhi started rekting his brain and thought of various stuff that he could pull off and after a long night, Hao Jiazhi finally made his decision
Next day, with Lu Long-
Right now both of them are at a very high place, inside a shed, where you can see big mountains and a waterfall
"Your decision?" Lu Long asked
"Even though I have a very loving and caring mother, still, making the taxes lower for a particular kingdom is impossible as other kingdoms won't like it
But… there is something I can do" Hao Jiazhi said to Lu Long which made him curious about it
"What is it?" Lu Long asked
"There are few farmlands that I have owned a long time back and it seems that those lands are quite fertile.
I can make some good amount of food and other medicinal herbs for you at the same price but the amount will be a little more" Hao Jiazhi presented his idea
Lu Long made an unhappy expression and said "Talking to a kingdom for just a few small amount of herbs and food?... it is a very bad deal that no one can accept "
Hao Jiazhi nodded and said, "I know… but for now only…"
Lu Long didn't understand what he meant and asked to explain it
Hao Jiazhi said "The amount of land and power that I hold is very low right now… but if you help me with this, the emperor will be really happy and my merits will increase by a lot
And the more merit I will have, the more power I will gain. And the more power I will gain; I could make the number of resources sent to you at a fair price or lower the taxes for you"
Lu Long smiled, making Hao Jiazhi happy as the deal may be successful
Lu Long asked, "But, won't other kingdoms hate this thing?"
At this, Hao Jiazhi smiled and said "They will only know when they will find something suspicious. We just have to make sure that they see the amount of taxes and resources are all normal. That's it"
Lu Long straightened his back and looked at the waterfall, he gave a smile as the deal is not that bad
Though what Hao Jiazhi said is only a theory as he would need to gain the power to make this deal come true he knows that Hao Jiazhi can do it
Lu Long also knows that Hao Jiazhi has no big power behind him right now so he won't try to betray him till he doesn't get another superpower behind him
Something he has to make sure of by keeping an eye on him
Still Lu Long had many doubts in his mind, he knows that Hao Jiazhi is a smart ass kid who doesn't give any room to think to his enemies
Thus Lu Long is not sure whether he should take the risk for the future result or just stay back?
Lu Long took a long breath and said "War is won by taking risks… Alright, I will sign the deal with you"
Hao Jiazhi smiled and said "thank you"
And so the deal is done
Lu Long clearly hated the fact that his deal was denied and Hao Jiazhi's deal was better and risk-free but still, in the long run, he may win the throne
And that's what matters the most to him
Nighttime-
After the deal, Hao Jiazhi bought a few taverns around the capital city of Dongping, and right now he is inside one of his taverns
The tavern is under renovation, so there is no one around him right now
A wind blew and a man appeared in front of Hao Jiazhi
"How is the work going on?" Hao Jiazhi asked
"Everything is going according to plan; I have already found some good men for the job" the man answered Hao Jiazhi
Hao Jiazhi nodded and then left the tavern
. . .
To be continued-