It was evident that everyone was after that seventy percent tax reduction.
The rumors intensified, leaving the merchant wives who had not been affected trembling with fear.
Three days later, a new policy was announced.
The clause about granting a seventy percent tax reduction for merchants through marriage remained unchanged, but the stipulations now required it to be a first marriage and to have lasted for three years before claiming the benefit. The "lifetime exemption" was abolished, and it changed to remain effective only during the lifetime of the legitimate wife (of the Jiuli Clan). If divorced, separated, or deceased during this period, the tax exemption privilege would be revoked.
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