Paul patiently explained to Old Chief Steward why he wanted to separate internal and external finances.
Philip Although I was a little disappointed, I felt relieved after thinking about it carefully.
Recently, Lord's Manor's income has been increasing and becoming more and more complicated, and so have his expenses. He is indeed a little unable to do what he wants due to his age. If he accidentally miscalculates an account and ruins the Earl's important affairs, that's fine.
Philip put aside his grudges, stood up, bowed to Paul, and said, "Your Majesty, I completely obey your arrangement."
Seeing that Old Chief Steward was so reasonable, Paul was very moved. He walked around the table again, held Old Chief Steward's hands tightly, and said sincerely, "Philip, I will ask you to take more care of me in my private life in the future!"
Old Chief Steward said with tears in his eyes, "Please rest assured, Lord Earl."
In the afternoon, Government Affairs Council's senior executives gathered at the Lord's Manor, and Paul announced his decision to everyone:
"... In view of the above reasons, I plan to divide Lord's Manor's money bank into two parts: Private Treasury and Public Treasury. Private Treasury will be used for my personal expenses, and Public Treasury will be used for public affairs expenses within Arda."
His announcement made everyone in the room confused. Everyone only knew that Royal Family was used separately from Public Treasury and Private Treasury, but they had never heard of any local lord doing this.
In the end, Chief Steward Ford coughed and said to Paul, "Your Majesty, there is no need to divide it so finely. In theory, all this money is your own property."
Indeed, in this era, lords, including kings, regarded everything in their territories as their own private property.
"I know, I just think that since such a complex administrative team has been established, it would be better if the powers and duties of each department are clearer."
Paul certainly won't act high-spirited at this time. He must firmly grasp where the money is spent.
"Now that we have Department of Finance, let this department make full use of its role, not just calculate the budget."
"Old Philip is getting older, and the revenue and expenditure situation in our territory is becoming more and more complicated. How can you bear to bear such a heavy burden on his shoulders alone?"
Chief Steward Ford asked strangely after hearing this, "What does the count mean...?"
Paul nodded and said, "Yes, from now on Private Treasury will continue to be in charge of Butler Philip, and Public Treasury will be in charge of Department of Finance of Government Affairs Council."
Government Affairs Council and Affairs Officer all felt incredible after hearing this. Shouldn't something as important as money be left to the management of one's most trusted retainers? Who else is there in the entire territory besides Butler Philip? The eyes of several people from Department of Finance were shining, and they immediately stood up and said, "Please rest assured, Lord Earl, we will definitely live up to your trust."
What they used to do was just settle accounts, but Paul's change may mean that they have some real power in their hands.
Chief Steward Ford understands Paul very well. As the general manager, he certainly knows the current situation in the territory, and he does need some professional people to be responsible for the finance.
Paul continued, "Next, let's discuss how to distribute the income in the territory, which money goes to Private Treasury, and which money goes to Public Treasury."
Old Ford said, "Everything is decided by the earl alone."
Paul said with some hesitation, "My initial plan is that all taxes in Arda will be attributed to Public Treasury from now on, and from now on, all profits gained from using the money in Public Treasury to create various factories, workshops, shops, etc. will also be attributed to Public Treasury."
"As for the harvest from the Greiman Family's estate, the Paper Mill that was established before, the porcelain factory and the cannery that has been decided to be built, as well as the technology royalties from cooperation with private operators, and the income from future investment with the money in Private Treasury, the income from these things is classified into Private Treasury."
"What do you think?"
Chief Steward Ford said, "Lord Earl, I think it is enough to just put the tax into Public Treasury. You should keep other income in Private Treasury."
Paul breathed a sigh of relief. He was worried just now that he would cause everyone's dissatisfaction by putting too many things into his small vault, but it seemed that there was no need for this at all.
"Ahem, this Private Treasury is used to take care of my personal expenses. If Public Treasury doesn't have enough money, I don't want to post it from Private Treasury. On the other hand, I will try not to take money from Public Treasury to satisfy my personal desires."
Chief Steward Ford said quickly, "In any case, Lord Earl, even Public Treasury's money is yours, and it can be completely controlled according to your own will."
Other officials also echoed Old Ford.
Paul waved his hand and said, "Okay, since it is said to be controlled according to my will, then it is settled."
Seeing Paul's insistence, Chief Steward Ford said nothing more. In fact, he was still secretly happy. The lord handed over nearly half of the financial power to Government Affairs Council under his leadership, which would make future work more convenient. Moreover, with the establishment of various industries and the increasing taxation, the income in the territory would increasingly favor Public Treasury.
"Paul!" A voice rang.
There is only one person here who dares to call the lord by his name so directly, and that is Count Mellon Garnard.
Every time Paul calls Government Affairs Council for a meeting, he will also call Mellon. When it comes to Bairdin, he will ask for his opinion, which makes Mellon very happy.
Mellon has become more and more cheerful recently, and seems to have emerged from the shadow of the past. He also actively participated in discussions during meetings and expressed his own opinions, but fortunately he never sang against it once.
"What's the matter, Mellon?"
I just heard Mellon say happily, "The income in Bairdin Territory should be handled in the same way. The income from the land and shops in the Garnard Family should be classified under my own name, and the tax revenue on the territory should be classified into this 'Public Treasury', and it should be uniformly controlled by Government Affairs Council."
Bairdin's finances are independent. This is to avoid giving people the impression that Arda is annexing Bairdin. Although Mellon obeys Paul's words, in fact it is almost the same.
Although a little surprised, Mellon's words fit Paul's mind. Of course, you still have to show off your words.
"Mellon, you have to think about it..."
Paul Before he finished speaking, Mellon laughed and said, "I must have thought it through before saying it! I have been with you recently and witnessed what you did with my own eyes. This is exactly the goal I set for myself before. And both you and Chief Steward Ford treat Arda and Bairdin equally, and see no preference for one over the other. In that case, why not combine the two ropes into one?"
Paul was really moved by him. He patted his chest and promised this Blood Oath Brothers: "Since you trust me so much, I swear that in the future, as Arda is more prosperous, Bairdin will be more prosperous. Alarda People can eat meat, and Bairdin people will never just drink soup."
"I always trusted you, my brother!"
Mellon came over and held Paul's hand and said sincerely.