Chapter 989: The Value of Fiefs (Part 2)

"As for the specific implementation method, the way I see it, you sell the residential parts of your fiefs to those people. Because Huaxia's land is the same way; right now, whether it's land in Huaxia City or Lema City, if you want to build a house on it, you have to buy it.

However, because your fiefs are effectively worthless before they are developed, just think about it yourselves: if a courtyard better than the house I live in were built on your fief, would you be willing to go live there? In Huaxia City, is there anyone who would go live there?

How do you two see it?"

Although they did not know what key issue Baifeng wanted to lead to, looking at this matter, they realized that even if a house were built on their fiefs right now, no one would be willing to go there, because without a city, it would be impossible to live there at all.

So, both of them shook their heads.

Seeing that he had drawn them in, Baifeng continued: "Since that is the case, it means the land on your fiefs where houses could be built is actually of no value at all. But if ten thousand people went there and started building houses, wouldn't you say that the land there would become increasingly valuable and expensive? Just like Huaxia City, as more and more people arrive, the land becomes more precious, don't you agree?"

The two nodded repeatedly; what the King said made perfect sense, but what was he trying to do?

"Therefore, the first suggestion I want to make is to let these people use your land on your fiefs for free. Of course, this is limited only to the people going there now. Those born later or those who move there in the future will need to spend grain or other things to purchase your land for residence. By that time, your land will naturally become expensive."

Ben did not understand: "King, but why should I let them live on my land for free? Even if my land has no value, I still shouldn't let them live there!"

Yishang, however, had already understood. He immediately explained to Ben: "It is precisely because you let these people live there for free that the rest of your land can become more valuable. Overall, it is still more profitable. Otherwise, if you don't let them live there, you won't earn any wealth at all."

Immediately, Yishang said to Baifeng: "King, I agree to this. I have no problem with it. I can let the people who came this time live on my fief for free."

Seeing that Yishang had said so, although Ben still did not fully understand, he felt that Yishang was smarter than him, so there should be no problem with this. Therefore, he also hurriedly said that he agreed.

The others listening were already starting to feel envious, especially smart people like Sanxin. They had fiefs but no one to develop them, so everything was in vain; having them was just a waste. However, after what Baifeng said today, they had hope again. Fiefs were not without any value; they just had to wait for such an opportunity for their value to be highlighted.

Sanxin had even thought that the best location for a fief should be near the Western Development Group, because Huaxia City is the center now, but according to the plan, in the future, Huaxia City would become a border city, and the location where the Western Development Group is now would be the center. The fiefs near there would have the highest value and the brightest future prospects.

However, no one's fief was there yet. Everyone's fiefs were basically around Huaxia City and Lema City. The higher the Nobility, the larger the fief, and the closer it was to the city.

But looking at it now, it seems that some people with low Nobility, whose fiefs looked extremely remote, seem to be infinitely approaching the Western Development Group. They seem to have made a huge bargain, though it is unknown if they have realized it yet. Furthermore, it also depends on whether Huaxia's policies and strategies will change again. Although the prospects there are good, the time until development is a bit too long; the value of the fiefs in the current location is still quite stable.

With the owners of the fiefs having agreed, Baifeng smiled and continued: "Well, then the housing issue is resolved. Next, I will mention another thing: once they occupy the residential land, it belongs to them, not you. However, there is a time limit. I think ninety-nine years. After ninety-nine years, they will need to pay you to renew it, paying you the usage fee for the next ninety-nine years of land.

But this money will not be too much. I tentatively think it should be one-tenth or one-fifth of the land price at that time. Of course, we will have to slowly refine this in the future. If they cannot pay, you can take the land back.

Another main point is the arable land. The arable land belongs to you, but since they are the ones cultivating and using it, just like in Huaxia, they only need to pay you rent. This rent is the same as tax, quite similar; you can also understand it directly as tax.

Because everyone must pay taxes, as I said before, I will collect taxes from them according to Huaxia's current standards. As for the collected taxes, half will belong to Huaxia, because the people are Huaxia's, and half will belong to you, because the land is yours.

It is the same saying: without people to cultivate and plant, wasteland will always be wasteland and will not grow grain.

You two can think about how large your fiefs are and how much arable land can be cultivated. According to the current twenty percent tax rate, you can be allocated ten percent of the produce from the fields for a year. Right now, there are ten thousand people working; think about the future, what a huge number this will be. How much grain, how much Cloth, and how many livestock you can harvest on your fiefs in a year.

Compared to a wasteland that cannot bring you anything in a year, do you think letting those people survive on your fiefs is a good thing or a bad thing?"

Those in the Ministry of Revenue who were quick at mental math calculated it rapidly, then gasped, and looked at the two with envy. This was simply grain falling from Heaven; why couldn't they arrange people on their own fiefs?

After such a detailed explanation by Baifeng, the two also completely reacted and were exceptionally excited, repeatedly stating: "King, I can, I agree! Just let their people come to our fiefs to live and reside!"

Baifeng achieved his goal and was very happy in his heart, but he could not show it on the surface. Moreover, considering the development of the Suiren clan, Baifeng added: "It is best that you can agree. However, in order for them to develop better and manage your fiefs better, I think we should let them enjoy our Huaxia's tax-exemption policy when they first arrive."