I don’t know if it makes any sense

The highest ranks of the empire, including the emperor and princesses, archbishops and princes, fell like low tide. So it was Valens, the Minister of Finance of the Empire, who came to lead the discussion of refugees in the Citadel Republic.

The reason why the Emperor dared to entrust this man to consult was because he was the one who knew each other best with the members of the Citadel Republic. For financial reasons, it was difficult to find a person as well-versed in the Republic as this man, who frequently interacted with the members of the Republic, at least in the Empire.

“The empire is vast, but this system is narrow. The food flowing into the system is not enough to feed all the refugees.”

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Minister of Finance Valens was the first to speak. It was an euphemistic refusal. But it was also a negotiable refusal. This is the money issue.

There is room for negotiation in all aspects, not divided into acceptance and rejection. Naturally, a long debate began. Neither side tried to back off.

“For that part, we have agreed to an agreement to cancel all the government bonds of the Empire we have…”

“Senator Ranbolt. Things have changed. We never thought the refugees would be so large. Neither land to inhabit them nor food to feed them are rare in this system. If the grain price of the system soars to feed your citizens, won’t all the damage come to our people?”

The Minister of Finance, who was usually inflamed by those who were creditors of the Empire, did not miss this opportunity and pushed the people of the Republic.

It was a car that I didn’t like to pretend to be a boss by saying that I lent some money to a small country.

The Minister of Finance saw the current situation as an opportunity to solve the financial problem and his eyes lit up. This person is not an imperial sect, nor is he a shinto sect. In fact, it is not a faction of any prince or princess.

Like Baron Eandrim, who had no reason to accept any faction, it wasn’t because he was in power, but because he was capable enough to use whatever faction came to power.

This person’s teacher is Baron Toluene, the former finance minister who was resigned by Ardein. Inheriting his master’s disposition, this Minister of Finance was also a person who was loyal to the country called the Empire, not just one person.

Unlike his mentor who had somehow managed to finance him while he hated it, Valens did not have such a thing. With the soundness of our finances as our top priority, life and death are secondary matters. In his view, a person’s life was not more important than the national treasury.

“So let’s do this. 10 gold for men. 8 gold for women. A child is 2 gold.”

Just being able to say it in front of everyone like this was a great thing.

“In return for the money, I will leave the gate open. If you can’t pay, even in-kind is fine. Considering the situation, we will consider jewelry at the full price without a discount. Of course, all the magic stones needed to open the gate will be supplied there.”

“Nalgang Road. There is no other robber!”

A fierce backlash ensued. The lawmakers forgot to take a low stance and vomited out their anger.

10 gold, which reminds me of only ten coins, seems like a small thing, but in fact it is not.

This gold is a coin made by magic hardening pure gold, and it is a huge denomination. One coin can pay a worker’s monthly salary.

The legislators in this room are the ones who accompany their dinner with a few gold wines. So, 10 gold, if it were me, I could pay it even with the feeling of being hostile.

But the Citadel Republic isn’t just for the rich, so what about the rest?

“Then what about those who can’t pay?”

“I’m sorry, but Empire is not a charity. Digging the soil is not a place where bread comes out. It is a very humane price to provide all the food, clothing and shelter. It means that we have taken into consideration your circumstances as much as possible.”

In fact, this Minister of Finance was not merely harassing the Republic with his personal ill-feelings. Now he’s like his head is going to explode.

The center of continental commerce and shipping. If the Citadel Republic collapses, the aftermath will extend to the entire continent.

There is no merchant who refuses to make money, so in the end others will do what the republic used to do. But by then it was almost certain that continental shipping would freeze.

When there is a problem with logistics, prices soar. There are unconditional problems with necessities such as food as well as luxuries. This is because, unlike rural areas, large cities are not self-sufficient for food. Food must be brought in from outside the system.

The amount of food coming in is somewhat fixed, but even the finance minister knew what would happen if demand suddenly surged.

Either way, the Minister of Finance wanted to fill the country’s treasury in preparation for the impending crisis. If possible, it can be used as money at any time, such as precious metals.

The crisis caused by the Citadel Republic, shouldn’t they have to pay for it?

That way, you can buy food that will be much more expensive than usual and distribute it to people, and you will be able to develop the economic strength of the empire in case of an economic crisis.

So this stubborn man stiffened his neck, saying there was no compromise.

Since the Minister of Finance took care of it this way, the others did not say much. Of course, mentally, the people of the Empire also wanted to help the people of the Citadel Republic.

However, it is not possible to accept them until the imperial treasury is emptied. The emperor and the archbishop, the prime minister and important people all left for the meeting, so those who remained had no right to intervene in the way of the treasurer. So, you have no choice but to entrust everything and keep your mouth shut.

“10 gold is too much. Let’s make an adult male 4 gold.”

“10 gold. The price does not change.”

“How can you buy and sell your life with money? Instead of doing this, let’s make a compromise with our 5 gold. You know how much money 1 gold is for citizens.”

The finance minister declared as if he would not accept the quarrel.

“10 gold.”

“Really, I’m going back. Can’t it be 6 gold?”

“10 gold. Don’t you have time to be like this? To be honest, this negotiation right now doesn’t matter at all.”

He declared absurd in his continued attempts to negotiate.

“Look. After all, even the rich, including you, will leave most of their wealth behind the gate. If it’s the property to be thrown away anyway, have someone bring it and pay the price. Then we’ll get the money, it’s good for those people to live, and you won’t be covered in ashes, so won’t it be good for each other?”

“You mean let the poor trample our houses and gardens and rummage through our valuables now?”

“You think your people are poor, and we ask you to take the poor? Do you see the Empire as a food court? Have your people paid us a tax at least once? Well, this is by no means an exorbitant price.”

The finance minister clicked his tongue.

“And you guys ran away, don’t you think the house is still in good shape? The mob must have taken all the valuables left at home. It’s the stuff you’ve been throwing away anyway. So the truth is, it doesn’t even require your consent.”

The Empire simply stipulates a price tag and receives a gate toll fee. The money will come from robbing the rich people who have already run away.

A person who can’t save money can’t be sent back by mobilizing soldiers to die anyway. If you do that, the temple will not stand still.

“Whoever can’t get the money won’t even let him go through the gate?”

“We are not such heartless people, so for now, let’s put the debt into the system. But, of course, there will be interest on that debt, and if the interest is not paid properly, then you will have to pay the price physically.”

“You are so proud to say that you will make the citizens of the Republic into slavery.”

The lawmakers trembled, but no one offered to rob their wallets and pay the ransom for the citizens. Yep, they also needed money to settle in an unfamiliar place.

If you want to withstand the territoriality of the merchants here and rise to the position of a colossus again, wouldn’t you need capital?

Republicans looked at each other. 10 gold per person. Of course, it’s a huge amount, but it’s not a mouth-watering amount. And considering it’s the price of life, it’s even cheaper than you think.

It seemed that he had no choice but to be grateful that he hadn’t called more.

“It’s good. If you pay me, I will pay you.”

Senator Mottaville surrendered with both hands and feet up. It was, however, a conditional surrender.

“Instead, you should do as much as you received from the Empire. I believe there will be no abuse or abuse of our citizens.”

“As long as you pay, you can.”

The finance minister nodded. Eventually, both sides signed an agreement, and the president of the republic and the minister of finance each stamped their seals. Then, he received a copy of the agreement and kept it.

“Go and approve the opening of the gate, and call the Minister of the Army and ask for cooperation so as not to disturb the gate. You’ll have to prepare the paper and pen you need to fill out the list, and collect the fees I just said.”

The Treasurer behind the Minister nodded and ran quickly. From now on, really, time is gold. Rescue as many people as possible to earn money.

The gate is not that big, so not everyone can evacuate until the volcano erupts properly.

Even 10% of them will not be properly retrieved, and the rest will be buried in volcanic ash. The finance minister sat down again. Although he was making a lot of money, he was only deeply troubled.

If you’re just watching that the house over there has collapsed, you never know when this house will collapse as well. If the North Pole is starting to move properly, this side should be well prepared.

But how the hell are we supposed to do that? The contrast, at least, is not an area where money is possible.

“I don’t know if there’s any meaning to this place where I’m sitting.”

The finance minister let out a bitter smile. When such a situation really comes, he can’t handle it, even if he uses all sorts of methods to raise armaments. No matter how much money you have, it is meaningless against him.

So, I just hope it doesn’t come to that point.

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