(Political intrigue) (Power struggles) (Wits and strategy) (Everyday life) (One heroine) (Alternate world)
The world is a federation of many species: humans, elves, beastfolk, mechanical people, and more, all living together.
Nan Feng, twenty-two, is a Level Eight tax officer with the Federal Tax Bureau. He is abruptly sent to Sanyuan Town to serve as its tax bureau chief.
Only after taking office does he realize the truth: taxes here aren't collected by the tax bureau.
Gangs collect taxes on people's behalf, and the townsfolk pay willingly. The chief administrator and the head of the inspectorate are like brothers, while the security bureau chief acts as a shield for the mob.
The two previous tax bureau chiefs both met grim fates: one ended up with a broken leg, the other went mad. They both said a tree was collecting taxes.
His superiors give him four months. If he can't solve the case, he's out.
Thus begins Nan Feng's career in the government of another world, taking him through the tax bureau, the administration, the education bureau, the foreign affairs department, and more...
Moving from department to department, Nan Feng matches wits with colleagues of different species and steadily climbs the ladder of success.
Only after joining the Prime Minister's Council and becoming one of the twelve councilors at the pinnacle of power does Nan Feng suddenly realize that there may be no one above him anymore.
(This book has a System, but it barely features. It's more like the protagonist's electronic pet. The author prefers a leisurely, unfolding story, and the quality is guaranteed. Longtime readers of the author's previous books can vouch for that.)
I couldn't find the book I wanted to read on Tomato for several days. I clicked on the author and found out that a new book has been released.