The mind of the one who created the tax collector system must be like nuclear waste—worse than some pig living in the north.
The intention behind the system might seem somewhat good at first glance.
“If you outsource tax collection, the government has less work to handle, and it saves on expenses, right?”
They created it with this intention, but it's an even dumber act than leaving fish with a cat.
Think about it: if you spend a billion won to buy a position for collecting taxes, you’d at least need to collect twenty billion to make a profit.
The amount paid for a tax collector position is generally equal to the total amount of taxes that are collected, meaning the people end up paying twice as much; it inflates taxes.
Seeing nobles claiming they have no money while this happens makes me want to open their heads and see what’s inside.
“Kris, no matter how many times I think about it, the judicial noble who created the tax collector system is definitely a moron. Don’t you think?”
“While I don’t have any particular alternatives, I agree. Only the tax collectors benefit from such a system.”
Of course, I’m currently one of those tax collectors.
The system itself being rotten is as obvious as the sky being blue.
You have to call it out when it deserves to be criticized.
“Still, thanks to this rotten system, I might be able to show the spice guild a pain worse than death.”
Right now, behind me are countless people assisting with the duties of the tax collectors.
Judge Andante from the High Court, who can both prosecute and pass sentences, several administrative officers and clerks from the High Court, more than twenty soldiers, and Captain Tisia of the guard, along with an administrative officer who specializes in administrative law.
With this kind of lineup, I feel no envy towards teams that conduct searches on large corporations.
Citizens and nobles watching this crowd whispered to each other.
“Looks like there’s going to be a big scene today.”
“From that flag, it seems to be Baron Medici. Who dared to touch him?”
“I heard that the spice guild issued a ban on selling sugar to Café Medici.”
Clearly, people who appeared to be idling began to follow us from a distance.
Judge Andante approached me and spoke.
“Hm, it’s a bit uncomfortable with this crowd gathering around us.”
Even though we’re going to do something good, having many eyes on us can be a bit uncomfortable.
However, this crowd can only help us.
“Reputation can only be built when many people see you, right? Why not take this opportunity to create an impression as a righteous judge punishing the evil spice guild?”
“Wouldn’t that be nice?”
I decided to impart some wisdom for living life to this judge.
“Why do you think Judge Mancini’s promotion speed is unusually faster than that of his peers? He’s competent, but isn’t it because he’s achieved notable accomplishments?”
If I tread a bit wrongly here, it could backfire.
However, so far, what I said wouldn’t raise any red flags for Mancini.
I laid the foundation by calling him competent and adding that he was lucky.
It seems our Judge Andante, upon hearing my words, gained deep enlightenment.
“I, Albert de Andante, can never forgive injustice! I shall deliver a hammer of justice to the wicked spice guild!”
The citizens cheered upon hearing that.
It’s not that they think he’s righteous; they’re just happy that someone with money will crush the spice guild, applauding his words.
Such evaluations can later transform into a title of “righteous judge.”
This is image politics.
“Since we’re at it, let’s make it a bit more extravagant.”
The gazes of the servants inside the spice guild’s office were all directed at us.
What they muttered wasn’t important.
What truly mattered was the splendid defeat of the wicked devils by the innocent Fabio de Medici and his friends.
“Captain Tisia! Break down that door!”
“Yes, Baron!”
Whether Captain Tisia understood my command or had come prepared, she had the soldiers and knights wield a sledgehammer.
With a loud crash, the door fell apart in an instant.
Inside, just as I expected, there were many people attempting to burn documents or destroy evidence.
They froze upon seeing us.
Instead of me, the captain spoke to them with authority.
“Stop right there! Anyone who moves from now on will be considered to be refusing the lawful orders of the capital’s guards! If you don’t want to die, drop all those documents, raise your hands, and press yourselves against the wall!”
The soldiers offered a physical lesson to those who hesitated.
In other words, they kicked their butts.
“If you don’t want to die, follow the orders! You’ll have to eat moldy bread for refusing the guards’ commands, you know?”
“Raise your hands high! If you don’t want to die!”
After giving a proper incentive to those who came with me, everyone worked very hard.
No, even without incentives, it’s not every day that a mere soldier gets the chance to confront merchants associated with a guild, so they might be excited.
Then suddenly, doors in various places swung open, and people rushed out.
“What is going on here? What wrong have we done to our guild?”
“The spice guild has always complied with the laws of the empire!”
“You’re putting us in a very difficult position!”
However, the faces of those who looked like executives turned pale upon seeing my face.
“Ah, ah... Medici! Baron Medici?!”
That’s right, brother.
You lot were planning to give me a huge problem, making me suffer.
So now, you’ll have to take a good beating from my loving fist.
Too bad I can’t lure you under the Florence aqueduct.
And lastly, the leader of the spice guild emerged.
“Baron Medici?! Even if we’ve stopped selling sugar, you can’t do this! The ban on sales and the resumption of sales is our freedom!”
“Legally, you’re correct. However, that’s only when judged by the law.”
A guild leader from a major Florence guild typically holds influence equivalent to a baron, if not a count, depending on the rural area.
That’s why I use honorifics when meeting them in public; mutual respect is the norm.
“However, he’s the one who messed with me!”
“So, we’ve come to enforce the law. Let’s see how you want to play by the law.”
Saying this, I unfolded the appointment certificate of the tax collector that I purchased for seven thousand gold coins.
Originally, I could have bought this for about half that price, but I added some extra to mess with you guys.
“By the name of the head judge of the Florence High Court, I grant Fabio de Medici the authority to collect taxes from the spice guild. Should it be necessary for official duties, you are permitted to access all financial records and documents within the guild. Enrico de Peperone, Count of the Florence High Court.”
As I finished reading, the leader of the spice guild plopped down to the floor in shock.
His face turned pale to the point of turning blue, his mouth moving without any words coming out.
Surprised to the point that he can’t speak, I see?
The judge Andante behind me grinned and added.
“In the name of Judge Albert de Andante of the High Court’s Criminal Division 5, I hereby declare the Florence spice guild to be under lockdown. The merchants and servants of the guild will be temporarily detained for investigation. Due to concerns of evidence manipulation and destruction, we will take all goods, documents, and properties you own under our custody for the time being. Clerks, hurry and seize everything that might serve as evidence!”
At that command, various books and potential evidence were packed into wooden boxes one by one.
The soldiers carried them on carts, and with each departure, the expressions of the guild merchants twisted like Munch’s The Scream.
“Every merchant and servant of yours will be moved to the Florence High Court’s prison, where an investigation will be conducted without torture. However, if you conceal any facts...”
The judge took out a torture device stained with bright red blood.
“Be careful, as we might have to have a chat with these friends; take them all away!”
Well, in a world where the presumption of innocence applies, we can’t conduct a search just because those guys look suspicious.
But here, there is no presumption of innocence, so it’s possible.
Ah, it’s not like I stormed in here without a plan for this search.
In this world, there are no companies that can be shaken down without dust coming out except for some pharmaceutical companies in Korea.
Let alone the spice guild, if I shake them down, they’ll surely only produce dust.
The hidden crimes accumulated from bribing and entertaining inspectors sent to do jobs like tax collectors would come pouring out.
And after weeks of reviewing the documents...
“Wow, Judge Andante, are you getting promoted?”
Upon hearing my words, Judge Andante chuckled.
The collective of judges from the High Court has a rather ambiguous hierarchy.
I don’t know the system exactly, but roughly it’s judges, chief judges, court presidents, High Court justices, and the president of the Florence High Court, among others.
However, if the hierarchy is so vague, it makes management difficult.
Thus, while not specified in imperial law, such ranks do exist under each chief judge in practice.
Chief judges, associate judges, formal judges, and provisional judges, etc.
This time, Andante is being promoted to associate judge.
Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.
“Judge Mancini promised that when he got promoted, he would appoint me as the chief judge of the High Court he goes to.”
“Is that so? Congratulations!”
“This is all thanks to you. I will repay this favor one day.”
With that, Andante handed me documents regarding not just the evidence of tax evasion and accounting fraud I had reviewed, but other documents as well.
“Wow, these guys were not playing around. They were trading with infidels and even selling fellow Deus believers into slavery, committing all sorts of atrocities.”
“Is that so? Truly garbage.”
“I plan to pin the crimes on only the individuals you decided to deal with, so handle it well. And make sure to secure both the principal and profit. I must be off now.”
“Have a drink before you leave; it’s too unfortunate.”
At that remark, Andante smiled.
“Actually, I’ve been in a mutual understanding with the daughter of the Tornia baron family, but until now, I was opposed due to my family’s status. Thanks to you today, I’m finally going to make an introduction, so I must hurry.”
... So he’s a bachelor too.
And I pondered how to approach the criminal evidence provided by the High Court.