Kapitel 75: Establishment of the Council
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Within a week of settling matters with Malon Ganard, the Alden army launched attacks in all directions, turning the territories of the four vassals involved in the conspiracy upside down.
Ankiro and others had already fled with their families, but their castles and estates were all seized, and any wealth they couldn't take with them was confiscated. Malon even voluntarily requested that the unclaimed assets of the traitors be gifted to Paul.
With the situation in Byerldine now stabilized, Paul left a battalion stationed in Buteya City and returned with Malon to Alden Town.
Since Byerldine would now be "managed" by the administrative team from Alden, decrees would be issued from Alden Town, making it more suitable for Malon to stay there.
...
"Congratulations, Earl!"
After Paul explained to Old Ford, Hansel, and others how Malon had accepted his suggestion and Alden Town would manage Byerldine, they all congratulated Paul.
It should be noted that Byerldine was a genuine earldom, larger in both area and population than Alden, with cities like Buteya, albeit smaller in scale, still a city.
Upon Hansel's suggestion, the three quickly arranged for a detailed discussion with Malon.
Under the gentle persuasion of Old Ford and Hansel, the conversation reached the following conclusions:
Malon Ganard, as the lord of Byerldine, would henceforth reside permanently in Alden Town, which would serve as the joint capital for the earldoms of Alden and Byerldine, managing both territories together.
Malon would participate as a key member in the decision-making of various affairs in Alden Town, with his opinions carrying the most weight regarding Byerldine-related matters.
After the conversation concluded, Hansel privately approached Paul to understand the specifics of how Malon had initially agreed to Paul's proposal.
"Lord Grayman, I believe Earl Ganard had similar thoughts long before. That's why he readily accepted your proposal."
Hansel put on a knowing look as he spoke.
Paul looked puzzled, "That's impossible! How would you know?"
Hansel explained, "I've spoken with Earl Ganard before. His current mindset is very poor—he doubts himself, he doubts others, and he even doubts the world."
Paul nodded understandingly, recalling a bit of that during their meeting at the Ganard Manor in Buteya.
"The sudden estrangement from his father, the vassals' conspiracies and plots—these may have put him in a...," Hansel paused to consider how to describe it, "...in a state of paranoia."
"Yeah... that's possible. And then?"
Hansel continued, "Forgive my bluntness, but when facing you, he probably harbors doubts."
Paul was genuinely puzzled, "Why would he think that?"
Hansel explained, "Think from his perspective. His father suddenly ignores him, his vassals plot against him, even his steward schemes against him. All these people he trusted daily have turned against him. Why would his blood-sworn brother be any different?"
"I suspect Earl Ganard has already prepared for a major change. With his closest kin gone, trusted allies rebelling, his own army fighting in the south—doubting their loyalty, if you also had intentions towards him, it would contradict his wishes..."
"Especially now that your army has control over Byerldine, his fate is in your hands. I suspect his talk of becoming a monk was deliberate, a ploy to prompt you to reveal your intentions."
Paul did indeed have some "intentions," but not to take over all of Byerldine.
Shaking his head, he said, "Malon isn't that calculating. Hansel, you're still seeing it all as conspiracies, aren't you?"
Paul patted Hansel's shoulder, "Look on the bright side, the world is still a beautiful place."
With Byerldine now under control, the pressure eased significantly. A rough estimate indicated Byerldine's population could reach about 80,000 to 90,000.
To manage affairs across both territories effectively, Paul decided to establish an administrative organization named the "Council of State."
After discussions with everyone, the Council of State would temporarily comprise seven departments: Finance, Agriculture, Industry, Education, Fisheries, Forestry, and Public Security, with Old Ford serving as the Director-General.
Old Ford would also concurrently manage the Finance Department.
Hansel was invited to head the Agriculture Department. He was now the most concerned person in Alden Town regarding food issues, and readily accepted Paul's invitation.
Cecil would no longer handle forestry affairs but would focus exclusively on the Intelligence Department, which, although part of the Council of State, reported directly to Paul himself.
The Deputy in charge of the Forestry Department would be Cecil's former deputy.
The Fisheries Department would be managed by the tax officer previously responsible for taxing fishermen.
The head of the Public Security Department would be Captain Rutherford from the second platoon of the internal security forces, responsible for establishing a unit named "Police."
Paul would personally oversee the Industry and Education Departments for the time being, as he couldn't trust anyone else with these crucial responsibilities.
Previously, department heads managed affairs mostly from their homes, only visiting the Lord's Manor when necessary. With the establishment of the Council of State and the need for increased confidentiality, this practice was no longer suitable.
Therefore, a group of civilian houses near the Lord's Manor was requisitioned for use as fixed offices for each department after renovation.
Paul also implemented an attendance system for the officials. From now on, all department personnel would have to endure the miserable routine of clocking in and out daily. Lateness or leaving early without reason would result in penalties.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the recently established Wes Academy and to fill vacancies among department officials, Paul decided to hold an exam in Alden Town. The exam was simple:
Writing ability: Write a comprehensible self-introduction, ignoring minor spelling errors. Reading ability: Read and understand at least 80% of a long passage. Arithmetic ability: Perform addition and subtraction within 100, excluding multiplication and division. Spell your own name correctly.
If all four criteria were met, congratulations—you would become a respected official of the Council of State and receive a fixed monthly salary to support your family.
Once this announcement spread, people rushed to sign up.
(End of the Chapter)
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein