Chapter 10 - INCREASED TAX RATE

~ THE KINGDOM OF ATKINS~




Envoys were seen coming into Atkins, this caused a gathering among the people. 




"What are they doing here?"  A man asked.




"Isn't that the royal flag?"Another man asked.




"Hope there is no problem?




"It had been almost a decade since we saw this group."

"And they only mean trouble!" 




The place was crowded with citizens, some watching the beautiful chariot, others wondering the reason for their August visitation.




* * * * 




~THE ROYAL PALACE, ATKINS~




There is commotion in the palace, ministers and other officials wondering what must have summoned the envoys. The Governor also seemed to be in a panic. He didn't want to get on the emperor's bad side. Some moments later, they all took their seat as the envoys were announced to be approaching. They got in some seconds later. 




"Good morning governor." One of the men greeted as he bowed his head. He seemed to be the leader of the group. 




The governor nodded, more like a go-ahead signal. 




"Ermm." The man cleared his throat before he continued. 

The officials all bowed their heads as he read the emperor's message. 




"This is to inform the governor of Atkins that due to his failure to meet up with the tax payment. Atkins is now to pay an amount of 360,000 gold coins as this year's tax which is to be paid before the last day of this month. 

The grand emperor of Giza." He finished reading, bowed, and passed the letter to the governor who stamped it with the royal stamp of Atkins.




"Ermm… Preparations have been made for your refreshment and a quarter has been prepared for you all. Plus, ensure to take rest."The governor said before returning the emperor's letter to him. 




The envoys bowed to the governor and made their way out of the quarters heading for theirs. 




"What do we do your excellency?" The chief minister asked with great fear written all over his face. 




"We have to do what we have always done."The Governor responded followed by a brief silence, before the tax minister spoke out. 




"And what is that sire?"




"We collect more tax from the people. That's our only hope." The governor replied. He didn't want to do it but it had seemed like the only option. The money they had in the treasury was so little that it could only pay the officer's salaries for that season. 




"There is no way we can do that sire. We already collected from them. They wouldn't agree to pay again." The finance minister cut in. 

"I suggest that we ask for more ti" He was still talking when the minister of foreign affairs cut in.




"We can't ask for more time, didn't you all hear the message? Or do you want to get in trouble with his majesty!" 




The minister of foreign affairs alongside the tax minister, the governor, and the prime minister were among the officers selected by the dynasty to govern. 




"Ermm" The governor cleared his throat. It was a sign that he demanded total silence as he wanted to speak. 




"Prime minister, send some guards to the city to collect more money from the traders." The finance minister was about to cut in, when the governor suddenly raised his hand. 




"And… if they refuse to pay, arrest them." He stood up after saying this and headed for his chamber.