But I do not want to antagonize the Church now as I said; the priests are an important element currently, therefore I handed them a different task, which is using the new currency to buy food from the rich areas in the Empire and distributing it in the poor areas. Yes, that will be well exploited to milk me, therefore a specific budget was set that does not press the treasury more. This seemed to be in the priest's favor so he agreed; well, let someone tell him later that I am using him to promote the new currency, taking advantage of people's trust in the Church.
Let us see when they will discover that. Then we moved to another subject; as much as the Church will take, I will make it pay. I made the Church publish an advertisement for the "River Star Guild" and support entry to it and send priests for experience under the name of the Guild. I did not explain any negatives, I only said the benefits that return by that to the Church and the request was accepted, and thus the money they take became just advertisement fees with which they buy food for the needy.
Next: The Duchies. A main guild will be established in the capital and they must establish branches in their lands and manage them in the beginning to limit the spread of monsters and organize hunting. The system suggested by the Duke of the South was merged with a system from my world and the result was good theoretically; I just need to see the result on the ground.
Then the Marchioness will handle the trade line currently, and some will support her, and the Dean of the Commons (People's Representative) will handle the matter of the Imperial Newspaper, and the publishing system in it was changed too in order to follow the news, and every new change will be shared with the public. And the Imperial Guard will be created from the remnants of the army and sent to every city to guard the walls and re-impose order.
And so the meeting continued until evening again, then everyone left the capital. That night there was no banquet or anything, ordinary food was served until the end, then I returned to the office. The palace seems quieter than necessary today.
"I will learn silence later." No sooner had I said that than someone entered the office complaining; yes, it is the second wife, I even forgot her name from the frequency of calling her by this name. My head is going to explode because of the meeting and here I am facing a problem I did not account for, but I expected it somewhat.
"Wait, are you saying that the Empress dared to ask for the seal from you, and more than that, ordered you to leave the Queen's room?"
"Yes, do you believe this?"
Am I strange or is she? And by the way, where is Morgana? Why did she not catch this snake in some cage or something?
"Well, since she requested that, then hand over the seal to her. The concubines must return to the Concubines' Palace." And I tried to end the talk and clarify that I do not really care, for what Morgana is doing is not strange so far.
"Leon... Your Majesty, are you ignoring all the effort I made to manage the palace? And how I took care of you and was the one who raised you? How can you abandon someone like your mother and stand by the side of the wicked witch who came to ruin the palace? Your Majesty, you must expel her immediately!" And she insisted by screaming then started crying and complaining more. Well, she is brilliant at acting, but only 3 points out of 10; how many movies do you think I have seen?
Her tears stopped suddenly when her eyes fell on mine. There was no reaction; I was looking at her calmly only, I was smiling and watching the show. This is the first time I participate in this drama, and I will not deny that it is an interesting experience, but I started to feel bored.
"I have work now, if you are finished you can go."
She froze in her place, the silence in the room was heavier than her screaming. She tried to gather herself but "Ray's" eyes returned to the documents as if he had finished enjoying the show. She looked at the assistant, and Cislin lowered his head quickly.
"Your Majesty... I hope you do not regret this decision."
"Fine, tell the maid on your way to bring me tea."
Ray raised the pen and pointed to her then returned to writing. She struck the ground with her foot then left angrily; that was a kinder reaction than the dramatic show. Ray smiled and returned to work.
"Your Majesty, was this not a bit much?"
"I told you, stop interfering in women's affairs. Do you see me interfering?"
"No."
"Then return to your work, or go and inform the maid yourself; I doubt she relayed my request."
I wonder when I will finish with these requests that wait for the seal, approval, rejection, and comment on the reason for rejection; everyone asks for money and everyone only sees problems, and I have to write instructions for many parties. The third day in the office ended, and a week passed quickly. I did not see Morgana but it seems she is busy reviewing palace expenses, so she was drowning in work too, but at least the noise of the palace became less.
After everyone saw my position with the second wife who was returning continuously, the others withdrew slowly and some remained stubborn until the noose was tightened on them by Morgana, and in the end they moved to the auxiliary palace; for the Concubines' Palace also became private for the new Emperor. I did not follow the rest of the news, only this is what was relayed by Cislin, whose behavior changed after watching me these days and after the Duke of the North left the capital. There were no reports about him but I can guess what he is busy with, just as the situation has improved a little in the capital.
With the news coming out that the knights are wandering in the capital, many small gang leaders surrendered and others fled, and whoever has the courage became a cold corpse on the ground. Confusion and fear were covering the capital on the first and second days after the broadcast, but on the third day the situation improved with the news that the Tower started distributing food, and the knights returned with a load to fill the storehouse only days ago. Fortunately, the new currency plan started at the same time.
Part of the salaries of the knights and soldiers was paid with what was obtained from the Blue Tower as well as the new currency. True, the currency was not acceptable in the beginning, but after knowing that the currency is just weighed gold, and after confirming that the gold percentage is the same, some of them agreed reluctantly, while some wanted to take the salary in another way. The request was accepted and the percentage of those who accepted was enough.
The Church is already doing a good job in encouraging the replacement of the old currency with the new, and the old currency was returned to the furnace and an attempt to extract as much gold as possible from it was made, and that achieved a resounding failure in the beginning, and I know that because I went myself to ensure there was no manipulation.
But with the help of a new technique provided by the Cube, the extraction of gold from the previous gold coin and silver from the silver coin began, and every coin carries the weight of the gold it contains and that was confirmed also by the Cube. But this system was not generalized except in the capital; there is not enough gold currently, and this stage consumed more than half of the quantity of the gold stock.
Then more gold was consumed in order to spend the budget of the "River Star Guild" building and repairing the Imperial Newspaper, but hiring took a long time because of the test designed by the Cube. Thanks to that, candidates were found for managing the Star Guild and the capital, thanks to the newspapers, started to see the light a little after this long time.
The common people also started to touch this change and the attempt to participate even by removing a stone from the road in order to feel pride, while there are those who started to see helping their family as an imperial matter deserving honor. And with the opening of the Star Guild and the knights wandering in the capital every day with the Imperial Guards, the prestige of the knights was restored a little, and the rats did not dare to come out.
And thanks to the availability of food every day and the fear of the strength of the knights, the riot and rebellion were suppressed a little, and upon discovering any instigator he is executed without trial, and this sent a dose of fear into the hearts of everyone who sees a knight passing near him. And because of that, and in order to get rid of this fear, the implementation of the order ordered by the Emperor in the broadcast was the best solution that everyone reached: help someone and that is enough, so no need for fear after that. And this is what the knights were spreading when they see fear after the public execution they perform in all parts of the capital.
"One week was enough for these changes." Truly, the benefits of the knights are greater than I expected.
[You are still under surveillance, do not talk to yourself loudly, everyone will know that you have lost your mind].
"I have not lost my mind, I know that the sound does not travel."
[He who has lost his mind does not know that he has lost it].
"Put this away. What do you think, Cube, how much has the probability of the fall of the Empire reached?"
[It will hold now after all these changes for 60 days at most].
From 45 days to 60 days; this is the best news after a week.
"What if the new system is applied?"
[Please specify].
"The Seven Pillars system: Administration, Justice, Security, Finance, Science, Identity, Foreign Affairs. I am talking about the new system I plan to put in place."
[If you are able to apply it from all sides, like the design you worked on, you can be reassured that the Empire has been saved].
Saying is easier than doing; this system is truly comprehensive, and it is the reason for not leaving this office most of the time. It is impossible to apply it quickly even if orders can be issued, for there is a shortage in everything. I was truly reserved, I worked with the Cube every day and it was criticizing all my ideas without mercy and calling that "guidance," but at least in the end we got the "Seven Pillars system" as I like to call it, and at the same time I still keep many ideas for myself in order to develop this system in the future.
"But from where do you suggest we start? I sent Cislin to hold a meeting with the ministers, but do we start from the fourth column? For money is important."
[Do you have another choice? Your situation is still unstable, and this is the only thing you can do currently].
Why do I even ask? A knock came from the door and I hid the Cube. Cislin, who left hours ago, returned finally, tired and exhausted. He had worked hard to the extent that I started to hesitate truly in punishing him. But he is not alone, I know that everyone in the administration is working hard currently, especially the Finance department; the problems of the new currency cause pressure on them in order not to print more than necessary. According to the reports, there are currently 20,000 gold coins and 100 thousand silver coins circulating in the market, just as there is a shortage in employees even in the printing press, and with a large number trying to replace old coins, this increased the pressure.
"Did you gather the ministers?"
"Except for the Prime Minister, Duke Philip, everyone attended and they are waiting for you, and also the Tower Master sent you a letter."
I took the letter from Cislin and opened it. Finally, there is good news; it seems the negotiations that were conducted in three kingdoms started to show results, but this is still slow. Do I write a reply letter? Forget it, I do not know the location of the Tower Master now. After reading the letter which seemed like a letter of encouragement, I rose from my place and headed to the meeting room. It seems I am not the only one tired; everyone carries a "copy of the black eyelids," this is nice, I will remember this work and lighten the punishments for them later.
"We have seen the sun of the Empire."
"No time for greeting, let everyone sit."
Everyone sat and the meeting officially began without introductions from Cislin.
"First, I have a new decision; regarding the Imperial institution, and to prevent the recurrence of such events in the future, the system of the institution will be completely restructured."
Everyone looked at each other then one of them asked with tiredness: "Your Majesty, what kind of change?"
"First, the Seven Pillars system will be established, which is a sovereign and organizational council aimed at transforming our Empire from just a scattered administration into a solid structure that does not collapse. This system divides the joints of the state into seven columns, each column representing the soul of the Empire and its strength."
Part of the goal is reducing the burden on my shoulders, but I will not say that.
"I will refer to each corner by the title of 'Column'. First: the first column which is Administration and the Prime Minister will occupy this seat, and the ministers under him."
"Does this mean that the rest of the columns will be equal with the Prime Minister in authority?" one of them asked with shock, interrupting Ray's words, and those around him whispered:
"The Prime Minister is absent today, did something happen to him?"
"Then what is the use of the rest of the columns? Is this acceptable?"
After some whispered to each other, one of them finally asked: "Your Majesty, what about the rest of the pillars?"
"Administration, Justice, Security, Finance, Science, Identity, and Foreign Affairs; these are the pillars that will be created. These pillars work directly under the Crown and do not receive orders from an external party. If one of you is suitable, I will see if he deserves one of the seats."
The last sentence was to prevent any common objection, and I hope that does not happen because I am truly tired and have not slept, and the food has become unpalatable and the pressure started to provoke my nerves.
"Currently, focus will be on the nerve column, and this is the corner of Money and Provision; and it includes the central bank and the strategic storehouses to ensure the stability of the currency and providing food in crises. The column has no relation with the Finance department, please do not mix between them."
After confirming that, I pointed to the intended minister: "Minister of Finance and the official of storage, be ready; the authority of printing the currency and issuing it and carving its path will be separated from the daily spending budget, as well as supervising the storehouses."
A heavy silence prevailed. It was just a beginning but it robbed the First Minister of the great authority that was ensuring his special place, and let us not say anything about the fact that I will replace the person too later. It was as if the air had been pulled from the room. The Minister of Finance, who had the black circles under his eyes appearing as if they were carved in his skin, swallowed his saliva with difficulty; he realized that the "Fourth Column" would rob him of the authority to control the "printing press," but at the same time it would free him from the responsibility of justifying the lack of liquidity before the angry ones.
"Your Majesty..." the Minister of Finance started with a trembling voice, "if you separated the authority of issuance from the department, then how will we face the queues of people who demand to replace their old gold? The printing press is barely following the demand, and the employees are collapsing from exhaustion."