That morning, Soltera's sky was clear, the sun casting gentle rays that created long shadows from the surrounding old buildings. In front of a grand newly constructed structure, Nico stood with quiet composure. His appearance was simple yet commanding, and the small smile on his lips exuded measured confidence. A large man in an official coat stepped forward from the palace entourage that had just arrived.
"Thank you, Mr. Tang. My name is Sani Zuma, a special officer from Soltera. You've received preliminary approval to establish your business here. However, there are some matters we need to clarify before the official permit is granted," the man said, his tone firm yet courteous.
Nico nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Mr. Sani. I am Tang Cheng Tang, a newcomer wishing to set up a business in Soltera. Being new here, I'll certainly need plenty of guidance from you," he replied, a friendly smile gracing his face.
Sani laughed, his voice ringing out like the chime of a large bell. "Hahaha! Mr. Tang, you flatter me too much! Very well, let's get straight to it. In Soltera, we have a few important policies that every entrepreneur must adhere to."
He paused for a moment, glancing around before continuing. "First, a 15% tax will be imposed on every business here. Additionally, every entrepreneur is required to provide a tribute gift on the King's birthday. This policy has been in place for years."
Nico nodded again, listening attentively. Sani continued, his voice dropping slightly, "And lastly, the palace reserves the right to take over any business at any time during emergencies for the sake of the nation. I hope you understand this."
"Of course, Mr. Sani. I will comply with all the policies and hope to learn more from you to ensure my business runs smoothly in Soltera," Nico replied sincerely.
But then Nico leaned in slightly closer to Sani, his voice almost a whisper. "Of course, I'd greatly appreciate it if the tax could be reduced to 10%. In return, I'll provide 10,000 coins every month for you personally."
Sani hesitated for a moment before a wide smile spread across his face. "Ha, that's quite an interesting offer, Mr. Tang. I'll consider it," he replied, his tone cryptic. After nodding once more, he added, "Your permit will be granted. You may begin operations."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Sani," Nico said, bowing slightly. They shook hands, and Nico discreetly slipped a small pouch of coins into Sani's hand.
"Mr. Sani, this is just a token of our gratitude for your willingness to come all this way to assist us," Nico said politely.
Sani simply gave a faint smile. "Ah, no need for such gestures, Mr. Tang. It's our duty." He then turned and walked away with his entourage.
However, before the group had completely left the area, Nico stopped one of the men trailing behind Sani. With a gentle yet firm motion, he handed over a heavy cloth pouch.
"This is a small gift for Mr. Jones. Please send him my regards. I hope he can support my business, and perhaps we can enjoy the fruits of success together someday," Nico said with a meaningful smile.
The man looked surprised. "How did you know...?" he stammered.
"Who doesn't know Mr. Jones? He's been a great help to entrepreneurs here. I just want to meet him and convey my regards whenever he's available," Nico replied casually, his smile unwavering.
The man nodded slowly before hurrying off, carrying the message he had just received. Once the entourage was completely out of sight, the atmosphere around the building became lighter. Sana, who had been standing by Nico's side all along, sighed in relief before stepping closer.
"What were you talking about with Mr. Sani earlier?" she asked, her tone curious.
Nico gave a small smile. "I just asked if he could reduce the tax to 10%. In return, I offered 10,000 coins every month for him. He said he'd consider it."
Sana's eyes widened. "You bribed him?" she asked, her hand covering her mouth in apparent disbelief.
Nico chuckled softly. "Sana, there are a few new rules for this mission to ensure the Emperor isn't disappointed. No more questions like this from now on, okay? Just follow through. And trust me. I am Mr. Tang, your beloved husband," he said, teasing her.
Sana huffed in frustration, her face turning red. "I hate you! Hate you! I really hate you, Nico!" she exclaimed, running away, leaving Nico stunned.
"Isn't she a 40-year-old woman? Why is she acting like a 17-year-old girl?" Nico murmured with a small laugh. The other servants who overheard him smiled as well, the atmosphere warming despite the tension earlier.
Two days had passed since the plan was set into motion. Everything seemed to be going as expected, though not without lingering doubts.
"Who would have thought, huh? Hope can arise from the most unexpected places," Sana whispered to Nico as they stepped into a bustling building. Her eyes occasionally swept the room, unable to shake the strange feeling in her chest. "But I feel like something's off. It's like someone is watching us."
Nico nodded slightly. He knew that while the outside seemed bright with the buzz of activity, dark shadows were always lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike. Still, he trusted his own steps. For him, no plan was perfect, but there was courage in moving forward.
Outside, the wheels of life kept turning. A long queue had formed since morning in front of the Tang family's loan and pawn house. People came and went—some with hopes of borrowing money to start anew, while others clutched their last precious belongings, ready to pawn them. Not everyone left with their hopes fulfilled, but necessity drove them to keep trying.
As the afternoon turned to evening, the queue began to dwindle, leaving a quiet that settled alongside the building's long shadows. Sana stood by the door, taking a deep breath. "What a tiring day, huh?" she said, her eyes on Nico, who was busy jotting notes at his desk. Despite the fatigue, there was a trace of satisfaction on his face.