Universal Ascension: Starting with SSS-Level Talent

Chapter 26: Good Benefits, Excellent Treatment

Li Chengfeng continued to ask:

“What are the obligations?”

“As citizens of the state, enjoying the protection of the nation, naturally, you must pay taxes. You should understand this, right? After all, the state needs funds to operate.”

Shu Fuyao asked:

“What is the tax rate?”

“Ordinary citizens have a personal income tax rate of 30%. For junior knights, it’s 25%. The higher the knight rank, the lower the tax rate.”

“What counts as personal income?”

“For example, the money you pick up in dungeons, or the net profit from selling goods made from raw materials purchased at the sacred station.”

Li Chengfeng calculated his income of 56,000 yuan today. As an ordinary citizen, with a 30% tax rate, he would have to pay 16,000 yuan in taxes.

Not worth it, definitely not worth it!

The state gave 10,000 yuan a month, but he would have to pay 16,000 yuan in taxes in just one day. He immediately lost interest in joining the nationality.

Li Chengfeng waved his hand:

“Forget it, forget it. The tax is too high, I don’t want to join.”

“Mr. Li, please don’t be hasty. Our Shenzhou Empire understands that you have just arrived on Mu Wang Star and might be facing financial difficulties. Therefore, we have a tax reduction policy: for the first 10 years, you are exempt from taxes and don’t have to pay a single cent.”

Shu Fuyao thought this sounded reasonable:

“That seems pretty good, but do only knights receive stipends?”

The woman smiled calmly and said:

“Of course not. The state understands that newcomers might not have any financial reserves. There is an initial hardship assistance plan. As long as you are a newcomer, you can receive a hardship subsidy of 200 yuan per level per month.”

“I’m Level 10, so that means I would get 2,000 yuan per month?”

“Yes, the hardship plan lasts for 5 years.”

Shu Fuyao thought it seemed really good.

No wonder so many people in the Modu University group had been saying they had already joined a nationality. Turns out, you can get money for free.

Impressive!

Li Chengfeng was inwardly amazed.

These countries really knew how to do business.

Newcomers are at low levels now and can’t get much in subsidies. They give small amounts of money for 5 years to support the newcomers.

Later, when the newcomers level up and start making money, they collect taxes from them for decades.

That would be far more than the subsidies given out over these 5 years.

It was a huge population dividend. This was too cost-effective.

“We’ll go back and think about it.”

Li Chengfeng was not in a hurry to make a decision.

From a short-term personal perspective, joining a country indeed had many benefits. But from a long-term perspective, it wasn’t necessarily so.

The woman called out to him:

“Mr. Li, please don’t rush. We also have a talent cultivation program.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you reach Level 10 within one month of arriving on Mu Wang Star, you qualify for the talent cultivation program. By joining our country, you can receive a cash reward of 100,000 yuan.”

100,000 yuan.

Shu Fuyao’s eyes lit up. It was another 100,000 yuan for free.

She couldn’t help but feel a bit tempted.

Joining this country would first give a 100,000 yuan reward. Then there would be a monthly subsidy of 2,000 yuan.

If they found a way to become knights, there would be an additional 10,000 yuan stipend each month.

“We will seriously consider it.”

Li Chengfeng did not rush to make a decision.

After all, joining a country was a significant matter. It couldn’t be decided hastily.

Moreover, as far as he knew, there were several empires in this world.

The Shenzhou Empire was not the wealthiest among them.

Perhaps other countries offered even better benefits and treatment?

Comparing options would never be a loss.

“Mr. Li, our talent cultivation program has a limited number of slots. I have 100 slots, and now only five are left. You might want to make a decision soon. If you wait too long, the slots might be gone, and there will be no reward.”

Heh!

Li Chengfeng knew very well.

This was clearly a sales tactic. It was a way to push customers to make a quick decision.

He wouldn’t fall for it easily. He insisted on taking a few days to consider.

The woman didn’t press further and added them to her contact list for future communication.

Li Chengfeng and Shu Fuyao then left their stall.

Although it was already dusk, there were still newcomers at almost every stall, listening to pitches.

After walking just a few steps, an elderly man with a white beard and a young girl approached, clasping their fists in greeting.

“Hero Li Chengfeng, Heroine Shu Fuyao, hello.”

Li Chengfeng asked:

“Which country are you from?”

“Haha, Hero Li, you misunderstand. We are not recruiting citizens; we are recruiting disciples.”

“I see.”

“We are from the Xiaoyao Sect, the top sect of the Qin Kingdom, here specifically to recruit new disciples. May I ask if you two are newcomers?”

Li Chengfeng understood.

A sect recruitment.

It was worth looking into. After all, sects were the mainstream in today’s world.