Chapter 368 - 368: 50 Percent Tax
When his name was called, Xiao Hu racked his brain for a while before
hesitantly saying, “30 percent?”
“If you think it’s 30, then say 30!’
“It’s 30 percent!” Xiao Hu nodded his head with certainty.
Jian Qingqing snapped her fingers, “That’s right, it’s 30%. But because you forgot to pay before, I told the Emperor to take an extra 20 percent. Is that okay?”
Xiao Hu and Xiao Lang both let out an ‘ah’. Xiao Lang subconsciously covered his pocket and said unwillingly, “Then do we have to pay half of the money?
Jian Qingqing patted his head. “Why? you don’t want to? What do you want so much money for? I’ve already given you half of it, but you still have a lot more, don’t you?
Xiao Lang puffed up his face and shook his head. “No way. My money was taken by Mother. I only have a little bit of it now.”
The first time they split the money, they got a few thousand taels. They spent a few days carefreely, taking the money to buy food every day, buying whatever they wanted to eat. Those days really made his stomach round. But later, his mother found out about his money and put it away. She said that she would give it to him when he grew up. He was unhappy for a long time.
Jian Qingqing looked at the three of them in confusion. “Your money was taken?”
She had been too busy recently and often ate and drank at the imperial lands, so she did not know what was going on at home.
The three of them nodded and then shook their heads.
“Xiao Hu and Xiao Lang’s money have all been taken,” Xiao Ye explained. “I only took half.”
Jian Qingqing understood. Xiao Hu and Xiao Lang’s characters were indeed not very mature. Mother Jian was afraid that they would spend money without restraint, so she kept it. Xiao Ye was more confident and knew what he could and couldn’t do. It was more reassuring to leave the money in his hands.
However, Jian Qingqing said, “Since the money isn’t in your hands, why are you so distressed? I don’t need you to pay for it.”
“Sister, that’s not it,” Xiao Hu reminded. “That money is still ours. Mother said that she’ll keep it for us for the time being. She’ll return it to us when we grow up.”
Jian Qingqing planned to tease them, so she said, “Is money more important or am I more important? I already told the Emperor that you have to pay 50 percent, are you trying to make me go back on my word?”
The three of them quickly shook their heads. Xiao Lang hugged Jian Qingqing anxiously, “Of course, Sister is more important! Sister is the most important! I can give all the money to Sister!”
Jian Qingqing rubbed his head with relief. “It seems that I didn’t dote on you for nothing!’
“Sis, I can also give you all my money!” Xiao Hu said hurriedly.
Although Xiao Ye did not say anything, his sparkling eyes expressed this as well.
Jian Qingqing was very pleased and praised, “You’re all my good little brothers!”
Xiao Ye’s face was red. He pursed his lips and asked, “Sister, can I donate all my money to the Imperial Court?”
Jian Qingqing looked at him in surprise. “Why do you have such an idea?”
Although Xiao Ye was not a miser, he still valued money very much. In the past, she had seen Xiao Hu ask Xiao Ye to borrow him some pocket money, but Xiao Ye would not lend it to him. It should be known that he and Xiao Hu were very close.
Xiao Ye pursed his lips and said, “Because I feel that the soldiers at the border need this money more. The southwest border is the most important line of defense for the Great Wei Kingdom. If the southwest border is lost, countless people will lose their homes. It will be even more difficult for the Great Wei Kingdom to take back the city. It will be difficult for the Capital to stay out of this..”