The Rallu system of taxation is remarkably simple. any goods being imported into the city
are taxed at 10% of their value. Since all trade is by sea this means that the harbourmaster
is also responsible for ensuring that taxes on all cargo being landed is collected.
Trade overland is virtually unknown and only the
Mycretians forage in the jungle for herbs. The Mycretians
are, however, exempt from having to pay taxes on their herbs both because they use them
to tend to the sicknesses of the poor and also because they supply the favourite restaurants
of the rich.
A rather more complicated system of taxation is levied on the mines of Cordoom. In practice
it is constantly adjusted so that the bulk of the profits go to the city rather than the
miners. In return the miners are protected by the military who provided law and order in the
streets of Cordoom and escort for the output from the mines.
Smuggling by citizens of Rallu is virtually unknown as it is considered unpatriotic and penalties
are harsh. The Cordoom miners, however, are not nearly as patriotic.