After sending these officers away, Vitus stayed in the study reading newspapers and reading the debates among philosophers about Aristotle and Plato.
The High Middle Ages, Aristotle school occupies the mainstream of Scholasticism, and philosophy plays the role of "the handmaiden of theology", providing rational explanations for beliefs.
Plethon promotes the doctrine of Plato and opposes Aristotle. In fact, he wants to get rid of the traditional Scholasticism system.
"There are so many complicated terms that ordinary people cannot understand the articles they publish. Is this the reason for the recent decline in sales of "Golden Horn News"?"
After more than an hour, Vitus gave up on these obscure philosophical articles and took out a leisure book to pass the time.
This is his daily habit. The bookshelf on the left has two floors dedicated to this kind of books, and the library has more spare books.
The main categories of the book collection are Heroic Epic and Chivalric Adventure Novel, such as "The Song of the Nibelungs" and "The Legend of the Holy Grail: Parsifal".
Not only that, Oriental Trade Road also sent some Ming Dynasty books, including the fragments of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". There are some differences between this novel and the later popular versions, so it is quite interesting to read.
At the same time, the Cabinet area on the south side of the palace.
After hearing everyone's reports, Pelato became furious and swept the files on the desktop to the ground.
"What does this mean? Today is December 25th, the annual summary report has not been released, and the Finance funding plan has also been delayed. What are they going to do!" Carlo and hundreds of Cabinet officials stood on the spot, looking down at the ground in a daze. This was clearly someone deliberately looking for trouble, and they cannot be blamed.
Pelato felt that things were out of control. He went straight to the emperor's study and found that the emperor was reading a novel and was very amused by the plot.
After learning about the situation Cabinet was facing, Vitus's reaction was dull.
Throughout December, Vitus did not attend Imperial Council once. Sometimes he summoned certain civil servants in the study, and most of the rest of the time, he was resting.
"The New Year is approaching. If some areas are in a hurry to use money, you can temporarily fill the gap with money from the internal treasury. I remember that the internal treasury has 300,000 Florin, which can support it for a period of time. Wait until next year, and you can ask Finance for related expenses."
On the last day of 1444, the ship Romanus boarded was anchored at Golden Horn. He did not pay attention to the changes in the city and returned to the Blachernae Palace as quickly as possible.
"Why has the atmosphere in the palace become so serious? Did something go wrong when Pelato took over Court?"
Romanus observed the servants he met along the way and found that they looked nervous and walked in a hurry. Occasionally, some people stayed in the corner and whispered, as if they were discussing some important matters.
Back in the courtyard, Romanus heard the sound of Leo reading. He instantly put aside his doubts and instinctively ran over to tease his younger brother.
After being noisy for a while, Romanus asked Leo, "How have you been lately?"
Leo dropped the book and lay on the table in a daze, "What else can I do? Study in the morning and practice physical fitness in the afternoon, just like you did before. I heard that Military Academy will start school next year, and I want to go and sign up. I heard that Military Academy will start school next year. Everyone needs accommodation." Leo complained nonchalantly, and suddenly mentioned Army's arms. He was eager to know the training requirements and daily life of each arm, focusing on the cavalry unit.
Looking back on past experiences, Romanus advised his younger brother not to choose the cavalry. Taking care of the horses was simply too tiring. He was busy from morning to night, and there was no room for a moment of respite.
Sometimes, he even feels that the horse is the master and he is just a humble slave.
"Don't choose engineers. The duty of this branch is to build bridges, roads, and fortifications. They are busy at construction sites all day long, which is harder than construction workers. Mountain Infantry has high endurance requirements and needs to carry equipment on its back and march in the mountains.
The phalanx infantry is quite average. What I really recommend is Artillery. Both of our educations focus on mathematics, which is better than most people. After enrolling, you will definitely have an easier time than others, and Artillery has the lowest physical requirements, which is most suitable for a guy like you who covets comfort."
"Really?" Leo ignored his brother's ridicule. He stared blankly at the courtyard outside the window, not knowing what he should choose.
Romanus did not disturb this guy's thinking process. He whistled and walked out of his brother's courtyard, followed the familiar path through two courtyards, and arrived at his father's study.
After entering the door, Romanus found that his father was meeting a group of civil servants, headed by Savard.
When Romanus was young, Savard was the civil servant leader of Peloponnese, and Romanus had quite an impression of this person.
After the Thrace war, Romanus moved to Northern Black Sea Coast with his father, and Savard stayed in Peloponnese as Province Governor has been working in the local area since then. Until last year, Savard was transferred to Central Administration to replace Grand Auditor who had just retired.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the conversation finally ended and the civil servants left the study one after another.
Vitus drank a cup of warm water and opened the window to ventilate, "I will also summon some civil servants. You can listen here, visit the elders, or meet Anna." Romanus was very curious about the current situation. He continued to sit on the sofa and watched the civil servants entering the study one after another, reporting to the emperor on their work during this period, and passing on the responsibility to others.
During dinner, Vitus explained to the eldest son:
"In the near future, Central Administration will undergo large-scale adjustments. Most civil servants are willing to obey, but there are still a few people who cannot see the situation clearly. They still have more than ten days, and they will have no chance if it is later."
At the dining table, Leo was immersed in eating as usual, Agnes whispered about Theodore and Thomas's housework, and occasionally took a sip of almond milk to moisten his throat.
Vitus ate some hot pot meat and a bowl of wheat porridge, and began to talk about affairs on the eastern border.
Romanus put down the tableware and truthfully described the current situation in Konya and Cappadocia:
"Actually, the situation there has always been very bad. Province Finance has serious overruns and bandits are rampant in the territory. Province defenders and Garrison District regularly organize bandits. After finally wiping out a group of horse bandits, a new group of horse bandits emerged.
In order to protect their own property, the newly arrived large estate owners purchased armor and weapons and organized Militia to guard their property. They fought with the horse bandits from time to time, causing casualties on both sides.
I feel that in another ten years, inland Province will not be able to achieve the balance of Finance and can only continue to be funded by Central Administration."
The function of inland Province is to act as a barrier. Vitus feels that the current situation is in line with expectations.
Anatolia The eight coastal Province have achieved Finance surplus. They have enough financial resources to support inland bandit suppression and maintain the eastern Frontier Army, and this situation can be maintained for a long time.