The nobles exchanged silent glances, and an atmosphere of quiet astonishment filled the hall. The system Ray had created resembled a carefully designed exchange, binding everyone together in a network of mutual oversight.
So, the rule was simple: the Ministry of Finance deposits its surplus into the Central Bank, and the Fourth Pillar protects that surplus and guarantees its value.
This meant that the current Treasury Office within the Ministry of Finance would undergo a complete restructuring. The decision-making authority that had previously been shared between the Emperor, the Ministry of Finance, and the Prime Minister would be removed and granted entirely to the Commander of the Pillar of Finance.
Was it authority?
In truth, it was more like a golden shackle, or a heavy trust placed upon the Pillar Commander's shoulders. It was a responsibility that granted him a high position, but one bound by iron chains. He could not use it for himself or for anyone else. He was merely a safety valve for public wealth.
[Simply put, the Ministry of Finance is the planning mind, while the Fourth Pillar is the faithful guardian. The Ministry studies needs and determines the budget, but its decisions remain nothing more than ink on paper until they receive the seal of the Commander of the Pillar of Finance.]
The Duke of the East leaned forward slightly and raised his hand with a graceful motion, though it carried significant political weight.
"What about the other ministries?" he asked in a smooth voice that resembled silk, though his eyes shone with sharp intelligence. "If another ministry wishes to submit a budget, does it send it directly to the Fourth Pillar?"
A brief silence followed.
Everyone understood what the Duke was truly asking:
What was the point of placing the Ministry of Finance under the Prime Minister?
Rei tilted his head slightly, and a calm smile appeared on his face as he answered.
[The financial cycle now depends upon a strict separation between planning and execution, Duke. Every ministry submits its budget requests and requirements to the Ministry of Finance as the first station.]
Rei paused briefly before clarifying.
[The Ministry gathers and organizes those requests, but it does not actually possess the gold. It only possesses the numbers.]
"Cutting off any attempt to target the treasury," the Duke murmured quietly, smiling at the idea. Then he continued while pointing toward the papers in his hand.
"I do not see a hierarchy of authority presented for this pillar. Is there a reason for that?"
[An excellent observation. That is because it touches upon the internal foundation. I will limit myself to presenting the three main divisions, as you can see.]
[The Imperial Central Bank, or Banking Oversight Division: it is the institution responsible for safeguarding the gold reserve.]
[It oversees all regional banks throughout the provinces. It does not interfere in tax collection; it merely ensures the stability of the overall financial system.]
[The Central Mint (The Press): it is the exclusive authority responsible for producing the official currency. Any currency not issued by it is prohibited from circulation. Its value is directly tied to the reserves stored in the vaults.]
[The Supreme Strategic Storage Authority (Supply Division): responsible for managing emergency reserves of food, minerals, and magical materials. It secures the needs of both the army and the people during sieges or disasters.]
[And finally, the Financial Audit Bureau: a team of sovereign accountants whose task is to match accounting records with the actual physical assets stored in warehouses and vaults.]
[All four bodies are interconnected. This pillar is currently under construction, but the decision to appoint a supervisor or Pillar Commander rests with His Majesty and will not be through—]
"Wait, Rei."
Ray raised his hand, interrupting Rei and bringing the explanation to a halt. He then turned toward the Duke of the East.
"Duke, what do you think of this pillar?"
Ray directed the question toward the Duke of the East, but before the latter could answer, a heavy chair scraped sharply across the marble floor, cutting through the hall's calm atmosphere.
It was the Duke of the North.
He rose slowly.
His expression was not angry.
Instead, it carried that infuriating coldness that always came before a storm.
He looked at the documents before him as though they were nothing more than children's games, then raised his eyes.
"Your Majesty speaks eloquently about locks and vaults, as though we are attending an educational excursion for amateurs."
The Duke spoke in an extremely calm tone, but every word dripped with poison.
"All this beautiful presentation about the 'guardian' and the 'mind,' yet you refuse to tell us the one thing that matters to statesmen. What authority does the Commander of this pillar possess? Or its hierarchy of authority, as you like to call it?"
Ray did not answer.
But the Duke of the East continued, despite not being allied with the Duke of the North.
"Your Majesty, since this gathering is meant to evaluate the restructuring project, do we not have the right to know how this pillar will be organized?"
"Duke of the North. Duke of the East."
Ray calmly gestured toward both men.
"Should I take this to mean that you support this system?"
The hall froze.
Everyone turned toward the Duke of the North and the Duke of the East.
The Duke of the East did not answer. His eyes narrowed as he cursed Ray's manipulation of his words, making it appear as though he viewed the system positively.
The Duke of the North realized it as well.
He gritted his teeth.
The words that had been intended to expose the Empire's hand had instead convinced everyone that influential figures might actually accept this system.
Frowning, he answered:
"I would not say that the system proposed by Your Majesty is bad. However, we ask for a detailed explanation. For example, what is the hierarchy of authority within this pillar, and how can we assist you..."
The Duke paused and adjusted his wording.
"...and how is the appropriate person chosen to manage it?"
Everyone understood.
Money was the Empire's nerve.
It was also the nerve connecting all the threads together.
No one wanted uncertainty surrounding the department that controlled such a vital artery.
If this system succeeded and was implemented, it would at least restore value to the gold currently being hoarded.
"Excellent. I am pleased to see additional supporters."
Ray smiled and pointed toward the very point that had planted seeds of doubt among the smaller pieces. Then he gestured toward Rei.
"Present the hierarchy of authority for this pillar. As the Duke of the North said, it is not wise to conceal too much about the nerve."
The Duke of the North gritted his teeth and sat down, while the Duke of the East sighed in admiration at Ray's cleverness.
Ray was not trying to convince them.
He was using them to plant seeds of doubt among themselves.
He was literally breaking apart the threads connecting them...
One by one.
[Very well. The hierarchy of authority begins with the Commander of the Fourth Pillar, also known as the Master of the Treasury. He stands at the top of the pyramid and bears primary responsibility before the Emperor.]
[Authority: He possesses veto power over any major financial decision and places the final seal upon the national budget submitted by the Ministry of Finance, as previously explained.]
[Second Level: Director of the Imperial Central Bank. He is the mastermind behind monetary policy.]
[He oversees financial flows, maintains currency stability, and ensures that regional banks comply with the throne's strict regulations.]
[Third Level: Director of Strategic National Reserves. He is the guardian of physical assets and oversees four major sectors.]
Minerals Sector: (gold, silver, and iron).
Food Sector: (grain silos and food reserves).
Magic Sector: (crystals and magical raw materials).
Energy Sector: (fuel and resources necessary to keep the Empire functioning).
"Excuse me."
The Duke of the South, who had remained silent until now, interrupted with a question concerning his own territory.
"Does this division also oversee the treasuries of other territories?"
Rei paused.
He did not answer.
Because he could not.
This system had not been designed by Rei, but by Ray, and the issue had never been addressed.
So he simply looked toward Ray.
At once, everyone understood who the true architect behind this system was.
Ray nodded and answered calmly.
"No. Regional treasuries remain under the sovereignty of their owners, but the Fourth Pillar oversees the standards."
Ray paused before elaborating.
"In other words, the currency you store must be issued by the Central Mint, and strategic materials such as grain and minerals must correspond to the production reports your territories submit to the throne."
The Duke of the South nodded and withdrew.
Unlike the others, he was not hostile.
He had received his answer.
The Emperor's meaning was clear.
The pillar did not possess the key to their vaults, but it did possess the right to know what was inside them in order to guarantee the Empire's financial and food security.
"I understand, Your Majesty. My apologies for the interruption. Please continue."
The Duke sat down.
Rei sighed before resuming.
[Returning to where we left off. Fourth Level: Director of the Mint. He is responsible for producing currency and oversees both the printing facility and the secret minting factory. His duty is to ensure currency quality, prevent counterfeiting, and regulate the quantity of money produced according to the directives of the Central Bank.]
[Finally, the Fifth Level: The Corps of Inspectors and Auditors.]
[They are the eyes of the pillar in the field. They conduct surprise inspections of state warehouses and provincial banks to verify that the actual gold reserves match the recorded figures. These individuals report directly to the Pillar Commander to prevent bribery.]
This confirmed Ray's earlier answer.
Rei continued calmly.
[As you can see, the sensitivity of this pillar is no less significant than that of the others, which is why it is called the Nerve. Some individuals have already entered the competition for this pillar, but no official appointment will be made without a decision from His Majesty.]
Why?
That was the question everyone wished to ask.
Yet no one stepped forward.
The sensitivity of this pillar was simply too great.
Therefore, Ray halted the discussion to allow everyone time to digest what had already been presented and opened the floor for broader discussion regarding the pillars.
---
End of Chapter
---
[Side Information: Outside the Castle Walls]
[Far from the lights of the Grand Hall, in an alley carrying the scent of dampness, Franco sat on the doorstep of his dilapidated home. His rough hands, marked by years of labor, were trying to repair a small shoe belonging to his daughter, Lina. Suddenly, he stopped and looked toward the sky. His eyes narrowed as he watched the clouds gathering.]
[The Black Winter is approaching.]