Fiscal Predicament

In the end, the Count Lagos had no way to deal with his grandson and had no choice but to leave Maple Leaf Palace.

He returned to his residence and summoned several ministers, even though he was the Prime Minister and was not entitled to convene a meeting with them.

But the Grand Duke Mora was a hands-off ruler who only cared about his own happiness and was unwilling to participate in government affairs, so the Count Lagos took on all the government affairs himself.

Fortunately, although the Count Lagos was greedy and despicable, he was still capable and shrewd. Although the duchy was full of problems, it could still be maintained in general. The salaries of officials at all levels and the direct legions, as well as the annuities of the Court Noble, could be paid, and the extra money could be used to pay for the Grand Duke's extravagant consumption.

After the Prime Minister and several ministers finished their official business, Lagos did not linger for long and dismissed everyone to go home.

Several ministers greeted the Prime Minister in turn and left immediately, except for Finance Minister Weiss, who stayed until the very end.

"Prime Minister Excellency, I have something to report to you!"

Lagos raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "What is it? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Finance Minister Weiss hesitated, "Prime Minister Excellency, this is not a convenient topic to discuss!"

Count Lagos felt a chill run down his spine as he looked at the Finance Minister's tone. Most of the cabinet ministers were from independent noble families, except for the Finance Minister in front of him, Weiss, who was Court Noble chosen by Mora and Lagos for easy control.

Lagos understood that since he felt it was inconvenient to talk about it, it meant that this matter was indeed not suitable for the other ministers to know!

"Speak, what is it? There are only the two of us here!"

"Prime Minister Excellency, the national treasury is almost empty. The War Department has been asking us for money to expand the army, but the national treasury simply doesn't have enough!"

"That's not right. I remember the first batch of special military funds has already arrived in the national treasury, and there must be plenty of gold. How could it have been used up so quickly?"

Finance Minister Weiss hesitated for a moment, noticing that the Count Lagos was getting impatient. He slapped the table and urged him on.

"Just say what's on your mind?"

"There are only 5,000 left. His Majesty the Grand Duke sent people to withdraw the gold directly from the national treasury yesterday."

Count Lagos slapped his face in frustration, but he knew he couldn't blame Weiss, since he was just a court viscount and had no power to disobey the Grand Duke's orders.

Count Lagos took a deep breath. "Weiss, how many soldiers does the War Department plan to recruit this time? I remember that at this stage they are only recruiting soldiers, and it should be in batches!"

The Duchy's Direct Legion have always used a recruitment system, especially preferring to recruit from Freemen families in the Duchy's direct territory. Generally, they are given a settlement allowance, equivalent to half a year's salary.

"The War Department is seeking funds this time and plans to recruit around 100 people at once, first to replenish the Third and Fifth Legion."

Lagos remembered that the Fifth Legion had just lost two regiments, and the Third Legion was stationed in Blackwater City. Both were considered frontline legions, so they couldn't afford to delay.

Count Lagos sighed. "This matter cannot be delayed. Weiss, I'll give you a note to withdraw some money from the Wright Trading Company and settle the War Department's debt first."

Anyway, the second special military fund will arrive in a few days, and then we can return it to the Chamber of Commerce.

If the Grand Duke asks you for money again later, try to stall for time and then notify me!

"Thank you, Your Prime Minister, I will certainly handle this properly!"

After saying that, Count Lagos wrote a note on the spot and handed it to the Finance Minister. After the Finance Minister left, he went directly to the Wright Trading Company, found the guild manager of Silver Maple City, and handed him Count Lagos' note.

The Chamber of Commerce director glanced at the note and nodded. "A loan from the Finance Department, 3% interest, due in one month. Is that alright, Minister Weiss?"

Weiss was taken aback for a moment after hearing this, then quickly nodded.

"Okay, I will send someone to deliver the money to the national treasury later. Please arrange for someone to receive it."

Finance Minister Weiss left the Chamber of Commerce by carriage. Once Weiss was sure no one was around, he muttered to himself, "As expected of the Count Lagos, he never lets go of any profit he has. With this Prime Minister and the Grand Duke around, it's no wonder the Duchy is in such a precarious state."

Shortly after Finance Minister Weiss returned home, a man in black appeared in his study.

"You've arrived!" Weiss wasn't surprised by the man's appearance; instead, he greeted him calmly.

"It's time. I've come to see you and see if there's any new information!"

Weiss handed him a mailbox. "I've written down all the important things that have happened recently. Send it back to your hometown as soon as possible!"

The man in black took the mailbox. "Don't worry, our channels are the fastest, it won't take too long."

You also need to be careful lately. The Silver Maple Guards have been unusually active lately, and many of our undercover agents have been discovered. If it weren't for the secret passage in your residence, I wouldn't have dared to come here."

Weiss reassured him, "I'm fine here. That old guy Lagos still needs me to do things. You guys are the ones who need to be careful."

Sigh, the thought of having to endure this for so long makes me feel terrible.

"Don't worry, the Count will be heading south next spring, and the Silver Maple Family won't be able to hold out for long!"

Weiss wholeheartedly agreed, "I think so too."

After the two said goodbye, the man in black left the room, while Weiss remained in the study to continue working.

Golden Sunflower Territory of Boler County.

After showing the two Count around the territory, Victor began to work on settling the immigrants.

The military was entirely entrusted to Ron and Foss, since Count Black was now using the excuse of being afraid to act rashly to restrain the expeditionary force from making any unusual moves, and the territory was not under much defensive pressure.

"Steward Boon, arrange for someone to select 3,000 people from the serfs who have been relocated from the Red Ginseng Territory. I plan to take them back to the Two Rivers Territory before winter."

Steward Boon with some curiosity, "My lord, the territory is not lacking in food and housing. If you feel it is too crowded, you can settle them in Green Oak Territory. There is no need to bring these serfs to the north."

Victor shook his head. "That's not what I'm thinking about. Over the years, we've purchased quite a few male serfs. Even if we try to balance the gender ratio by capturing Barbarians female slaves, there's still a huge shortage. This time, please select as many female slaves as possible for me to take with me."