"Why is the population number so low? Did you guys make a statistical error?"
"Master, this information was collected through rent collection. Amelie wouldn't forgo the land rent just to deceive you, would she? Besides, these figures align with last year's, and we even sent tax collectors to re-examine everything."
Seretina didn't try to sow discord here. After all, the household registration numbers were clear. Trying to deceive Niu Zida with low-level instigation at such a time, if exposed, would only harm herself. There was no need to put herself in such a passive position.
"I didn't expect the territory's population to be less than I imagined, but this also explains why the Knight Expeditionary Force gave up after only losing a few hundred men. Perhaps many knight territories suffered heavy losses in this battle."
"Yes, it's because we lost many people helping that kingdom fight before, which is why Madam Amelie made everyone in the territory dislike her."
Although Seretina had her criticisms of Amelie, she wasn't entirely wrong, and Niu Zida himself felt the same way. With only a month left until the new year's planting began, Niu Zida said:
"Starting tomorrow, I will take people to inspect the directly controlled territory."
"Master will go personally?"
"Of course, without investigation, there is no right to speak."
After Niu Zida finished speaking, he firmly squeezed Seretina's large breasts, as if he had made up his mind.
A few days later, Niu Zida had Amelie and Yor accompany him out of the city to inspect the Baron's directly controlled territory. This time, he brought all human troops, plus the Goblin Demon Swordsman. Those left in the city were Goblins, plus Goblin Assassins and Goblin Mages. Aponia and Misato Shizuku stayed in the city to guard it. Niu Zida specifically instructed Aponia to keep a close eye on Seretina to prevent her from causing trouble while he was away.
"Master, why did you bring all the human troops out this time? Wouldn't Goblins be better for your protection? Now the city is guarded entirely by Goblins, which conflicts with your usual policy of avoiding excessive contact between Goblins and the people of Duōléi City to prevent resentment."
"The land inspection this time will involve rural commoners. If I bring a large, imposing Goblin force, I'm afraid everyone will run away, and how can I inspect the area then? Besides, if too many Goblins come out with me, I'd be in a passive position if some people in the city took the opportunity to cause trouble. Now that all the human troops are out, no one in the city will cooperate if they want to cause trouble. Many citizens in the city have seen Goblins for at least a month or two now and should be familiar with their presence. As long as someone restrains them, these Goblins won't cause trouble."
So Niu Zida had such considerations. Yor, holding Niu Zida in her arms, nodded, then leaned in with her tender red lips and kissed Niu Zida, saying:
"Master is so amazing, to have such foresight."
"Of course, otherwise how could I be your Master?"
Niu Zida said with a grin, looking at Yor's soft, large breasts. At this moment, the group was sitting in a carriage. Amelie sat to the side, watching Yor and Niu Zida's intimacy with a hint of jealousy. However, she knew that Yor had been with Niu Zida longer than she had. Trying to win favor now would only put her at a disadvantage. Her main target was still Seretina, as she was the one who would truly hinder her daughter from inheriting the territory.
The directly controlled territory of Dore Territory was the closest area to Duōléi City, being the lord's core territory. This was also the area Yor passed through a month ago when she held Niu Zida while scouting for information before attacking Duōléi City.
"Master, how long will we stay in Dore Territory this time?"
"Not for long."
Niu Zida, on the side, pulled out Yor's small tongue and held it in his hand, playfully toying with it. Looking at Yor's seductive expression with her tongue out, Niu Zida kept looking at Yor's tongue, then lightly smeared it onto Yor's black stockings after it was covered in saliva.
Amelie watched the two of them having so much fun, completely ignoring her, and felt a slight sense of frustration. No matter what, she considered her beauty to be no less than anyone else's, so why had Niu Zida's interest in her been only so-so after the first few days? Had he already grown tired of her so quickly?
If she fell out of favor in the harem, how could she protect her daughter's status? Amelie fell into a state of anxiety.
Niu Zida merely took a quick look around the Dorei directly controlled territory, occasionally asking people if there were any bandits or robbers recently. He indeed saw many fields lying fallow and learned that many people were either conscripted into the army or had abandoned their land and fled the territory because the land rent became too high after the war began.
"And I heard that Spring initially brutally suppressed tenants who fled. If Master hadn't arrived so quickly, the commoners might have rebelled."
Upon reaching a village, Niu Zida ordered an inquiry with the villagers. This task was naturally given to Yor. While Yor was outside, Amelie embraced Niu Zida, and as the two were passionately kissing in the carriage, Yor returned. Seeing Amelie also extending her small tongue to kiss Niu Zida, Yor, with a flushed white face, quietly waited for Niu Zida's answer.
Niu Zida continued to passionately kiss Amelie while kneading her large breasts. After a long while of rubbing, he slowly separated his lips from Amelie's. Because the passionate kiss had lasted so long, both of their breaths were uneven. After a brief pause, Niu Zida asked:
"What is the tax rate in the territory now?"
Hearing Niu Zida's question, the beautiful woman with long black hair paused before continuing to report:
"Currently, 70% goes to the lord, and another 10% goes to the church."
With such heavy taxes, it was no wonder so many commoners preferred to flee to the wilderness rather than rent land from the lord here. Wasn't this a clear case of harsh governance being more fearsome than tigers? If this vicious cycle continued, the more taxes they couldn't collect, the more they would exploit the people, and the more they exploited the people, the more fiercely the people would flee.
"I once tried to persuade my husband, but to no avail…"
Amelie could only smile bitterly upon hearing Yor's report. Even many rational nobles knew that such a scorched-earth method of rule could not last long, but Spring did not understand. In a sense, her husband's death was not unjust, she thought to herself.
"Amelie, announce the order today: this year's land rent will be reduced by 50%, and the church tax will be halved."
"But if that's the case, tax revenue will decrease significantly, and the population has already dwindled so much. With such tax cuts, I'm afraid we won't even be able to maintain the city's defense costs."
"Don't worry, I have other ways."
Niu Zida squeezed Amelie's large breasts, revealing a confident smile… Chapter 61 Amelie's Guarantee