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The weather is nice in the afternoon. In the grand palace of Ningbo, the ministers gathered in the inner court. Queen Aliyah appeared with a happy face. The ministers began to respect Jamal after they observed the queen has been in a good mood ever since Jamal became a minister.
During the court meeting, Jamal strode forward. He bowed at the queen and highlighted an issue, "Your majesty, we need to visit Ninghe district and Junghe district tomorrow."
The queen raised her eyebrows and gave a serious stare towards Jamal. She asked, "Why do we have to go Junghe and Ninghe?"
Jamal responded, "I have looked through the income tax report. Apparently, we don't receive much tax from these two states."
The magistrates from Junghe and Ninghe gulped. Queen Aliyah rolled her eyes toward the magistrate from Ninghe. She asked, "What happened?"
Magistrate of Ninghe responded, "Your majesty. Ninghe is a just small district."
Jamal turned his head to look at the magistrate, "I think everybody is aware that Ninghe is the biggest state of Ningbo."
Magistrate of Ninghe argued back, "Ninghe can be the biggest state. Please bear in mind, we have a low population."
Jamal could read his mind. He knew that the magistrate of Ninghe is hiding something. "This is why I suggest, we should make a trip to Ninghe tomorrow and then we can visit Junghe right after."
Queen Aliyah trusted Jamal. She nodded in agreement. "Alright, I will make a trip to Ninghe tomorrow, and the day after, we will visit Junghe." Looking at the attendant, she gave him an instruction, "Prepare the carriage to leave Ninghe tomorrow."
The face of both magistrates from Ninghe and Junghe turned pale. They looked at one another, agitated. Jamal looked into the troubled face of the magistrates, there's something fishy about them.
Ever since the citizens become wealthy, their minds became clouded. They wanted to earn more money, without considering the consequences. The citizens who lived at the border, travelled to the neighbouring country to sell the rolled tobacco. They were no longer concerned about the disappearance of King Yafei.
Under a burst of bright sunshine, servants were rattling down a royal palanquin at the crest hill of a grassy hill. The queen step down from the palanquin and walked towards the edge of the cliff.
Jamal got down from the horse and walked towards her. Looking at the view of the villages. The town is surrounded by lush greenery and decorated with colorful flowers. Crystal clear water on the bay, massive houses robustly built with stones. The local people looked like noble, flaunting in silk clothing.
A gust of winds blowing fresh air, soil are healthy breeding healthy farms. The city is the epitome of wealth.
Queen Aliyah sighed in exasperation. "This district looked prosperous but why are they not paying much taxes?"
Jamal chuckled, "Next to Ninghe is our neighbour country, Guangxi. The people from Ninghe took this opportunity to expand their business into the neighborhood. They bribed the magistrate to allow them to sneak out of the country to operate their business in there in Guangxi."
"By doing this, it comes to a complicated situation. Should they pay taxes to Guangxi or Ningbo?" He clarified to Queen Aliyah.
Queen Aliyah clenched her fist. "What should we do now?" she asked Jamal.
Jamal laughed and gave a proposal, "We can conquer Guangxi. We can unify Guangxi and Ningbo. An expansion of your territory and more taxes for you."
Queen Aliyah shook her head, "Do you think we can conquer Guangxi? The troops will not support me."
He looked at the queen, "Make me the commander in chief. I will fight for you in the front line and return with a triumphant."
She smiled and nodded, "You are now the commander in chief. I will instruct the Grand Marshall to hand over to you the military seal."
Queen Aliyah step up into her palanquin and Jamal gets on his horse. Jamal and the guards riding on horses in front of the palanquin. The servants lifted the royal palanquin and followed the horses from behind. Many palace maids were escorting the palanquin at the back of the palanquin.
They dropped by at Ninghe's magistrate. Jamal and Queen Aliyah disguised as a tourist from Guangxi to take a tour around the city.
Walking along the street in the city, they see a myriad of bars. They walked into the bar, exquisite young ladies grabbed their hand and dragged them into the bar.
A group of dancers appeared to perform on the stage. They were wearing silky transparent gown flaunting their undergarment. Men were drooling while watching them. Queen Aliyah looked at them, "These courtesans here are great performers."
After the dance performance, the manager appeared on stage to give his announcement, "Now we will begin the beauty bidding session."
A young lady walking down the staircase, holding a basket of flowers, parading herself on the stage. Her long silky hair flowing down, delicate skin, rosy cheek and red lips. She gave a bow to greet the visitors, "My name is Min-Xuan." She put her hand into the basket, picking up the flower petals, and toss the petals towards the men.
A man stood up and scream, "I am offering 100 silver coins!".
Another man stood up to make an offer to overbid him, "150 silver coins."
The manager looked at the crowd, he asked, "Is there anyone offering more than 150 silver coins?"
A man raised his hand with a folded fan, he announced, "300 silver coins!" Everyone in the bar turned to look at the man.
The manager announced the winner, "The highest bidder is 300 silver coins! Tonight, he will get to spend a night with this beauty, Min-Xuan."
Min-xuan walked towards the man that offered 300 silver coins. She bowed at him to give respect and sat next to him. She grabbed a clay kettle, poured the alcohol into two glasses, and they toasted with each other.
The bidding continued, another young lady walking down the staircase to parade herself on the stage. Men raises their hand and make an offer. The highest bidder will spend a night with the beauty they bidder for.
After leaving the bar, they dropped by a restaurant to try out the local food. They served steam buns, The waiter appeared to serve the dishes, mostly seafood. Grilled fish, red lobster, stir-fried snails, and stewed turtle soup. A beautiful maiden singing and stroking the string of the pipa.
Queen Aliyah asked the owner of the restaurant, "How much should I pay for the food?"
The waiter wasn't aware of her identity. He responded, "100 silver coins."
Queen Aliyah jumped in shock when he mentioned the price. Jamal took out a sachet of silver coin and gave it to the waiter to pay the bill.
Queen Aliyah took the cup of alcohol to sip. "They earned a lot of money, but could not afford to pay taxes?" Her face turned black when she realized the magistrate of Ninghe is colluding with the local Ninghe citizens to fool her.
After the meal, Jamal and Queen Aliyah walked towards a private pavilion within a lake. Citizens gathered around the lakes to watch fireworks. She looked at Jamal, "Now, I understand why you asked me to visit here."
Jamal walked toward the queen to embrace her. Together they watch the firework sparkling around the moonlight.
They visit the magistrate bureau the next day in the morning. Magistrate of Ninghe walked toward Queen Aliyah and bowed at her to give respect. Queen Aliyah walked towards the hall and take a seat.
Queen Aliyah looked at the magistrate and asked, "Please explain to me why the revenue in Ninghe is so little?"
The magistrate knelt before the queen, trembled, in a quivering voice he said, "I was blinded by greed. Please forgive me, your majesty."
She slammed the table and warned him, "If the citizens are not paying the taxes, you will be executed in public. Your head will be displayed on the gate to become the object of scorn."
Jamal walked toward the magistrate to give him a bottle containing pills. "Your family will die in vain if you refuse to co-operate with the queen."
The magistrate realized the queen had drugged his family members. He was left with no choice but to co-operate.
Queen Aliyah left the magistrate bureau with Jamal. They begin their journey to Junghe. When they arrived Junghe district, Queen Aliyah found out the situation is just like in Ninghe district. The magistrate of Junghe district is colluding with the citizens to fool her
Jamal drugged the family members of the magistrate and gave him a bottle containing pills. He received a warning from the queen, "If Junghe will not pay more than 10,000 silver coins. Your entire family will die in vain."
The magistrate obliged to her request. Kneeling before the queen in the bureau, he said. "Thank you, your majesty. I will do my best to serve you!"