Chapter 327: Solar Furnace, Money Collection Ability User, Business Taxes (2)

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“After all, obstructing merchants from making money is even more antagonistic than killing their entire families.”

Ji Chen nodded, understanding the logic.

Pausing for a moment, he asked, “Do you know the location of the Elven Embassy in Maple Harbor?”

Raymond was slightly surprised.

“My lord, are you planning to meet with the elves?”

“That’s correct. My main purpose for coming this time is to make contact with the Elven clan. Everything else is secondary.”

Ji Chen stood up, walked to the entrance, and looked out at the lush meadow.

He said, “As a side note, let’s also send the dozen or so elves who are still on the ship along with us.”

Upon hearing this, Raymond nodded in realization. “That makes sense. Even if the Elven clan is quite proud, seeing that we’ve rescued so many abducted elves and established a trade relationship with them should improve their attitude. Plus, it’s a barrier that protects our business on the continent.”

“But the Elven Embassy is not in Maple Harbor; it’s actually in Maple City, which is over ten miles away from here. We’ll need to apply with the authorities in Maple Harbor and go through some formalities to enter the city.

However, given the substantial taxes we’ve paid as the Crown of the Ocean, this should be relatively easy to arrange. You can leave this matter to me!”

Ji Chen nodded slightly, appreciating having a capable subordinate who could handle these tasks without his direct involvement.

In less than two hours, Raymond had completed all the necessary procedures.

In reality, much of this was thanks to the influence of their wealth; the Maple Principality was very welcoming to major taxpayers like Ji Chen.

Raymond simply explained the matter to the steward assigned to this area, who promptly reported it to his superior. In less than half an hour, a team of Maple Harbor personnel hurried to the estate.

They efficiently completed the entry procedures and presented a long-term valid city entry permit. They also expressed their warm welcome for Ji Chen to visit anytime.

As an added privilege, they provided two large luxury carriages adorned with a common griffin pattern.

According to the personnel, these two carriages were given to those who had made significant contributions to Maple Harbor.

They not only could bypass most of the permanent checkpoints along the way without being stopped by soldiers, but they also had exclusive access to Maple City.

Hearing this, Ji Chen couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.

Indeed, money could buy almost anything, especially in a place as commercially prosperous as Maple Harbor.

With enough gold coins, one could clear any obstacles.

He instructed Raymond to bring the dozen or so elves who had been left on the ship to the estate. They each boarded one of the carriages, and amidst the salutes of the estate’s steward and maids, they set off towards Maple City in the distance.

As they traveled north and gradually left Maple Harbor behind, they noticed that the harbor didn’t have imposing city walls or defensive structures; instead, a simple two-meter-high stone wall marked the boundary between the inner and outer areas.

Between Maple Harbor and Maple City stretched a wide expanse of lush grasslands. A spacious brick road connected the two, allowing numerous pedestrians and carriages, enough to accommodate sixteen carriages traveling side by side, all heading towards Maple City.

Ji Chen’s two carriages, however, attracted considerable attention.

The ordinary natives, on the other hand, didn’t pay much attention. They recognized that this was a carriage only accessible to those with overwhelming financial abilities, and while they felt a touch of envy, they dared not make a move. In this world of strict hierarchy and social classes, uttering the wrong words was considered a crime.

However, the casual players were a different story.

They watched with envy, their eyes shooting daggers.

“Mother**er, it’s a Super Tycoon. I’m so jealous… Uh, I mean, it’s despicable!

1 would never associate with someone who smells of copper!”

“A carriage with a griffin pattern… I remember it’s given to those who have invested, paid taxes or spent a million gold coins in Maple Harbor. When will I ever get to ride in one?”

“I wonder who’s inside those carriages. It’s piqued my curiosity.”

As one player muttered this, they saw the curtains of the rear carriage being pulled back slightly, revealing a beautiful face with radiant white skin.

The player was left stunned and blurted out involuntarily, “Holy crap! An elf?”

This word instantly caught the attention of the players around them, as if it had hit their G-spot. “An elf? Where are the elves!?”

“They’re in the rear carriage!”

Players craned their necks to look, but the curtains were pulled back for just a second before being lowered again, leaving them disappointed.

A wave of frustration washed over them.

In less than a few seconds, the curtains were slowly drawn back once more, rekindling the players’ curiosity as they stared wide-eyed.

But behind the curtains, they were met with a fierce snake-like face, with blood-red eyes exuding an endless coldness, nearly scaring them to death. Their hearts pounded wildly.

The curtains were lowered once again, and the carriage continued on its way.

Once they regained their composure, their immediate response was to tackle the player who had mentioned the elf and start physically assaulting him, all while unleashing a torrent of furious curses.

“You son of a bitch, an elf? You’re playing pranks, huh?”

“How dare you deceive us! Beat this bastard to death!”

The player who was being pressed down, taking blows to his head and being cursed at, wore a sorrowful expression. “I did see an elf, 1 swear! Don’t beat me, it’s a mistake!”

In the end, this group of players who had unilaterally assaulted others was caught by patrolling soldiers and charged with the crime of severely disrupting social order. They were each thrown into jail, where they paid for seven days of incarceration.

Inside the carriage..