The Emperor, the Princess, the Archbishop, and the princes, the highest echelons of the empire, all withdrew like the ebbing tide. Thus, it was Valens, the empire’s Minister of Finance, who took the lead in discussing the refugees from the Citadel Republic.
The Emperor entrusted this matter to him because he was the one who knew the Republic’s council members best. Due to financial reasons, he frequently interacted with the Republic’s council members, and no one in the empire was as well-versed in the Republic as he was.
“The empire is vast, but the capital is narrow. The food flowing into the capital is insufficient to feed all the refugees,” Minister Valens was the first to speak. It was a polite refusal, but one that left room for negotiation. Money matters are like that.
It wasn’t a simple yes or no; there was room for negotiation on all fronts. Naturally, a long debate ensued. Neither side was willing to back down easily.
“We had agreed to forgive all the empire’s national debts held by you, but…” “Councilman Ranvolt, the situation has changed. We never imagined the scale of the refugees would be so large. There’s neither land to house them nor food to feed them in this capital. If grain prices in the capital skyrocket to feed your citizens, won’t the damage fall on our people?”
The Minister of Finance, who had long been irritated by the empire’s creditors, seized this opportunity to pressure the Republic’s representatives. It was already annoying that this small country acted like a master just because they lent some money.
The Minister’s eyes gleamed, seeing this situation as an opportunity to solve financial problems. He was neither of the Emperor’s faction nor the Temple’s. In fact, he didn’t belong to any prince or princess’s faction.
Like Baron Eandrim, who had no reason to join any faction, not because his influence was weak, but because he was so capable that any faction in power would have to use him.
His mentor was Baron Toluen, the former Minister of Finance who had been ousted by Ardein. Inheriting his mentor’s tendencies, this Minister also served not a person but the empire itself.
Unlike his mentor, who reluctantly provided finances while making unpleasant remarks, Valens had no such qualms. He prioritized financial health above all; life and death were secondary. To him, human lives were not more important than the national treasury.
“So let’s do this: 10 gold for men, 8 for women, 2 for children.” Just being able to say this in front of everyone showed what kind of person he was.
“In exchange for the money, we’ll keep the gates open. If you can’t pay in cash, goods are fine too. We’ll consider gems at full price, no discounts. Of course, you’ll supply all the magic stones needed to keep the gates open.” “You’re nothing but a bandit! A downright robber!”
Fierce backlash erupted. The council members forgot their submissive stance and vented their anger.
10 gold might seem like just ten coins, but it’s not. These gold coins are made by magically hardening pure gold, an extremely high denomination. One coin could pay a worker’s monthly salary.
The council members here might casually spend a few gold coins on wine with dinner. So, 10 gold? They could pay it off as if giving alms.
But not everyone in the Citadel Republic is wealthy. What about the others?
“What about those who can’t pay?” “I’m sorry, but the empire is not a charity. This isn’t a place where bread grows from the ground. Providing food, shelter, and clothing at this cost is very humane. We’ve considered your situation as much as possible.”
In truth, the Minister wasn’t tormenting the Republic out of personal malice. His head was spinning with complexity.
The Citadel Republic is the center of continental commerce and shipping. If it falls, the repercussions will ripple across the entire continent.
No merchant would turn down profitable ventures, so eventually, others would take over the Republic’s role. But until then, continental shipping would freeze.
Disruptions in logistics would cause prices to skyrocket. Luxury items aside, essential goods like food would inevitably be affected. Unlike rural areas, the capital cannot self-sustain its food supply; it must import from outside.
The amount of food flowing in is relatively fixed, and a sudden surge in demand would lead to obvious consequences.
In any case, the Minister wanted to fill the national coffers in preparation for the impending crisis, preferably with precious metals that could be readily converted into cash.
Since the crisis was caused by the Citadel Republic, shouldn’t they pay to mitigate it?
That way, the empire could buy food at inflated prices to distribute to the people and strengthen the empire’s economic resilience against the crisis.
Thus, this stubborn man stood firm, refusing to compromise.
With the Minister taking charge, others stayed silent. Of course, emotionally, the empire’s people also wanted to help the Citadel Republic’s citizens.
But they couldn’t deplete the empire’s treasury to accommodate them. The Emperor, the Archbishop, the Chancellor, and other important figures had all left for meetings, so those remaining had no authority to intervene in the Minister’s decisions. They could only leave everything to him and keep their mouths shut.
“10 gold is too much. Let’s set adult males at 4 gold.” “10 gold. The price won’t change.” “How can you buy and sell lives with money? Let’s compromise at 5 gold. You know how much 1 gold means to the citizens.”
The Minister declared, refusing to entertain any haggling.
“10 gold.” “Really, I’m going crazy. How about 6 gold?” “10 gold. Don’t you have better things to do? Honestly, this negotiation is of little importance.”
He declared, exasperated by the ongoing negotiation attempts.
“Listen, most of you wealthy folks probably left most of your assets beyond the gates. If it’s just abandoned wealth, let anyone bring it to pay the fee. We get the money, they get to live, and you don’t lose your assets buried under the ashes. Everyone wins, right?” “Are you saying we should let paupers trample our homes and gardens, rummaging through our valuables?” “You think of your own people as paupers, yet you ask us to take them in? Do you see the empire as a free soup kitchen? Have your people ever paid taxes to us? I’m telling you, this price is not excessive.”
The Minister clicked his tongue.
“And do you really think your homes are still intact after you fled? The mobs have probably already looted all your valuables. They’re just abandoned assets. So, in fact, your consent isn’t even necessary.”
The empire merely needs to set the price and collect the gate toll. The money will come from those who loot the abandoned homes of the wealthy.
Those who can’t bring money, well, we can’t send soldiers to drag them back. The Temple wouldn’t stand for that.
“Are you saying you won’t let those who can’t pay pass through the gates?” “We’re not that heartless. We’ll let them into the capital on credit. But of course, there will be interest, and if they can’t pay the interest, they’ll have to pay with their bodies.” “You’re boldly talking about reducing Republic citizens to slaves.”
The council members trembled with rage, but none offered to pay the citizens’ fees from their own pockets. After all, they too needed money to establish themselves in this unfamiliar place.
To rise again as merchants in this land, they needed capital.
The Republic’s council members looked at each other. 10 gold per person. A huge sum, but not jaw-dropping. And considering it’s the price of a life, it’s surprisingly cheap.
It seemed they had no choice but to be grateful it wasn’t more.
“Fine. If we must pay, we’ll pay.” Councilman Motavil surrendered, raising both hands and feet. But it was a conditional surrender.
“In return, the empire must treat our citizens well. No abuse, right?” “As long as the money is paid, anything is possible.”
The Minister nodded. Soon, both sides drafted an agreement, and the Republic’s chairman and the Minister each stamped their seals. They each kept a copy.
“Go and approve the opening of the gates. Call the Minister of Military Affairs to ensure no disturbances at the gates. Prepare the paper and pens needed for the registry, and make sure to collect the fees I just mentioned properly.”
The Finance Ministry official behind the Minister nodded and quickly ran off. From now on, time was truly money. The more people they could save, the more money they could make.
The gates aren’t that large, so not everyone can evacuate before the volcano properly erupts.
They might not even save a tenth, and the rest will be buried under the ash. The Minister sat back down. Despite making a fortune, he was deeply troubled.
If we just watch while their house collapses, who knows when ours might fall too. If that guy in the Arctic starts moving, we need to prepare accordingly.
But how exactly should we prepare? That preparation, at least, isn’t something money can buy.
“I wonder if there’s any meaning to the seat I’m sitting in.”
The Minister let out a bitter smile. If such a situation truly arises, no amount of money he gathers through various means will be enough to handle it. No matter how much money there is, it’s meaningless against him.
So, he could only hope such a situation never comes to pass.
