Chapter 539: Selling By Box

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Zeng Sanshui obtained a piece of imperial green jade, which used up all his good luck. The few rocks he bought after that were not very good.

Fortunately, Zeng Sanshui’s gambling addiction was not strong. He stopped while he had some gains. When he returned to the hotel, he bragged to Lu Ye about how lucky he was.

Lu Ye had seen many people open good stones, but not many imperial jade.

He couldn’t help but ask, “You want to bring the materials back to the Ling Kingdom?”

Zeng Sanshui chuckled. “Of course I have to bring it back. Why? You won’t let me?” He emphasized, “1 bought it with my money!”

Lu Ye raised his eyebrows. “Then have you calculated the export tax?”

Zeng Sanshui was stunned. “No, it’s just some export taxes. I’ll give it to you. I won’t take advantage of you.”

He had the cheek to say that he wouldn’t take advantage of him. If he was not going to take advantage, he wouldn’t have been so enthusiastic about stone gambling in Dark Dragon Mountain and bought so many things to bring back.

Lu Ye smiled and said, “Ask Lord Qu to help you calculate the export tax before deciding if you want to bring it back.”

Zeng Sanshui could tell that something was wrong and subconsciously looked at Qu Yuanxian.

Qu Yuanxian followed him all the way. Seeing how many things he had bought, he knew the amount in his heart. He said to him, “The export tax of Carefree Kingdom is extremely high. Moreover, you have to calculate it according to the value of the goods and collect the corresponding tax rate. I’m not sure how much tax you have to pay for this imperial jade. It depends on who evaluates it.”

Zeng Sanshui was stunned. “I have to pay taxes according to the market price? But 1 bought it for 20 taels of silver!”

Lu Ye gave him the simplest example. “If you buy the entire Dark Dragon Mountain for 20 taels of silver, can you bring it back to the Ling Kingdom?”

“You have to pay as much tax as the item’s worth. There’s a special appraisal agency set up at the border. Someone will give you an estimate when the time comes.”

“It will definitely be cheaper than buying it in Ling Kingdom.”

Zeng Sanshui was about to die of anger. “Then if I don’t bring it back and sell it here, will the earnings be taxed?”

Lu Ye shook his head. “If you sell it, you can only sell it at our domestic market price.”

The underlying meaning was that he would not be able to earn much money.

Zeng Sanshui suddenly stood up and said angrily, “You guys are really stingy. I’ve never seen a country so stingy!”

His dream of bringing it back to show off the 20 taels of imperial green jade was suddenly shattered.

Lu Ye said indifferently, “General Zeng, why are you angry? Think about it, it’s impossible for you to buy such good things in the Ling Kingdom. Isn’t it right for our Great Empress to protect the rights and interests of our people?”

Zeng Sanshui almost vomitted. “Can’t you treat me better since the two countries have good relations?”

Lu Ye smiled and said, “Of course. As long as you stay in our country, the children will enjoy free education.”

Zeng Sanshui pursed his lips. It wasn’t like he couldn’t afford to pay for his son and grandson’s education. It was even useless to say this.

Zeng Sanshui could not bear to part with the imperial jade. In the end, he still could not bear to sell it locally.

If he had to pay taxes, so be it. Didn’t he work so hard for so many years just to live a carefree life where he didn’t have to worry about food and drinks?

That was what he muttered. But when they traveled later and encountered some novel things, he did not dare to spend money casually anymore.

He was afraid that something that did not look eye-catching would be charged a high export tax again.

At that time, if he brought a bunch of things back to the country but exhausted all his assets, he would really have to send his grandsons to the Carefree Kingdom to study for free.

When the team entered Xuya, the extreme difference in environment of the desert and grassland was apparent.

Finally, Zeng Sanshui and the others felt that this was the true southern frontier, a barren land.

Bai Xinshui looked at the endless desert and asked Bai Shining worriedly, “Father, is there enough water for us to drink?”

Although it was late autumn, it was still very hot here.

Bai Xinshui was afraid that if they entered the desert, there would suddenly be no more water and they would all die of thirst.

Bai Shining said to her, “Don’t worry. Father has already gotten someone to prepare several cartons of water. There’s no issue.”

Bai Xinshui was slightly relieved. Realizing that Lu Ye and the others basically only had one water bag, she lowered her voice and asked, “They’re out of water. They won’t snatch our water, right?”

Bai Shining’s heart skipped a beat. He thought for a moment and shook his head. “1 don’t think so. They must have their own way.”

Bai Xinshui’s gaze darkened. “As long as they don’t come to snatch our water.”

The team traveled for the entire morning. The sun was getting hotter and hotter, as if they were roasting in a mountain of flames.

Bai Shining and the others expected their water supply to last a long time, but its depletion rate was visbly faster.

Zeng Sanshui finished his water and asked Lu Ye, “Why did your Great Empress build her capital in such a place?”

“Could there be a legendary desert state?”

Lu Ye smiled and said, “Our country is all in Baye. Baye is not like here. Our terrain is vast and we’re surrounded by mountains and seas. It’s a very good environment. You’ll know when you get there.”

Zeng Sanshui finished the water in his water pouch. After a while, he was thirsty again. The weather was dry and hot, as if he had entered a large steamer.

Zeng Sanshui asked his subordinate for water. His subordinate said with a troubled expression, “General, we don’t have water anymore.”

Zeng Sanshui looked at Lan Jingbai. He also only had a bag of water. He couldn’t help but frown and ask, “There’s no more water. Where are we going to drink water?”

Lan Jingbai looked up and said very calmly, “There’s water at the rest station ahead.”

Zeng Sanshui looked over. There was no rest station!

He just wanted to drink water now!

Bai Shining pretended not to hear anything, afraid that Zeng Sanshui would ask them to give them water.

Zeng Sanshui said irritably, “Where’s the rest station? 1 don’t see any rest station!”

Lan Jingbai said, “Five kilometers away.”

Zeng Sanshui almost vomitted. “You guys can still endure another five kilometers to drink water?”

His underlying meaning was that he could not take it anymore.

Bai Shining and Qu Yuanxian’s subordinates, those with weaker physiques, were already showing signs of heatstroke.

Lan Jingbai still had a calm expression. He pointed at a few stone houses standing quietly in the sandstorm in front and said, “You can buy water there.”

Zeng Sanshui was overjoyed to be able to buy water. He hurriedly said, “Then hurry up!”

After a while, the team arrived at the stone house. A Xuya woman wearing a headscarf asked them, “Do you want to buy water?”

Zeng Sanshui hurriedly nodded. “Yes! I want to buy water!”

The Xuya woman said, “How many boxes of mineral water do you want?”

Zeng Sanshui was confused. “What is mineral water? Why is it sold by box?”

Lu Ye did not explain. He stood forward and looked at the team. He said with familiarity, “15 boxes. Just record it under my name.”

These stone houses belonged to the Imperial Court. They are a rescue station specially used to sell water and provide help.

Soon, the Xuya woman asked the men inside to bring out 15 boxes of mineral water.

When Lu Ye opened the box, Zeng Sanshui immediately saw clear water in the transparent plastic bottle.

He picked up the water bottle and the material immediately gave him the feeling that it was light, strong, and resilient.

Incredulous, he asked, “What bottle is this that’s so beautiful and light?”