by Chris Hechtl
“For a small fee of course,” Duke Pyror said with a flicker of annoyance.
“You'd be surprised at how low we can charge for such things. And things that benefit the war effort we may not charge for at all. We gaijin still need to discuss it amongst ourselves,” Perry said, shooting a warning glance to Ryans. Ryans nodded, catching the message. There were some things they weren't ready to give up or trade for.
“Sixth and finally, the promise of getting something in the end, in this case, land, royal favor, or technology,” Ryans smiled. “I believe that's a traditional thing in times of war.”
“What's in it for them?” Perry asked. The nobles nodded, eyes gleaming.
Ryans shrugged. “Something like that.” He knew that was a standard used in past times by various governments.
“Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves?” Perry asked. “There's still a war to win.”
Ryans nodded. “But planning the aftermath, or at least having an inkling of what to do is important too. Figuring out how to pay for things in the present is important too unless you want rampant inflation to destroy the economy.”
Perry nodded. “Wise.”
“I take it you can outfit some of the army with the stores of armor and weapons you currently have in storage right?” Ryans asked. The nobles were supposed to be collecting taxes year round to pay for the defense of the Imperium as well as its day to day upkeep. Apparently either it was not enough or someone had been skimming, probably more than one someone. Or they were pleading poor to get out of having to pay.
The Duke nodded. “But that's a small group, no more than four thousand,” the Duke replied. Perry and Ryans of course knew this, that armor was being used to outfit the infantry and cavalry units under the general's command.
“Ah. Okay, well, from what I remember a long bow and arrows can be made in a couple of hours by a trained person with steam and the right materials,” Ryans said thoughtfully. The Duke looked surprised and then nodded warily. “I believe in medieval society you also have a law that states the knights must raise men and material to fight when called?” Ryans asked.
The Queen nodded. “The call has gone forth but only the lords and knights closest have responded so far. It's unusual to be struck in the early spring; usually war is fought in the fall after harvest.”
“War waits for no one your majesty. It can be fought even in the dead of winter. Or year round. I know,” Perry grimaced wryly.
“I see your point,” the Queen nodded. “I'll think about your suggestions and bring them to Andreas,” the Queen replied.
“One thing that's interesting your majesty, by giving those who participate a tax rebate as partial or full payment, or giving them access to our technology or way of doing things you will be giving them a short term economic advantage,” Ryans said thoughtfully. “An advantage over their fellows who do not participate, or do not participate as much,” he said.
Both Duke's scowled. Rojer's eyes narrowed in thought. “I don't understand,” he sighed after a moment.
Ryans snorted. He knew damn well Rojer did understand but didn't like the implications at all. He plunged in anyway. “Well, these people who are near, as in here in the capital are the closest to the new technology, so will be first affected by it. If they don't have to pay taxes for a year or two they can reap enormous benefits for themselves and their children with wise investments. Investments in industry and new materials that will be traded with others. Merchants, artisans, and others should be encouraged to see that long view, and poised to take advantage of it,” Ryans explained.
The Dukes and Queen froze, and then smiled at one another. “We'll take that advice to heart,” Duke Pryor said and nodded. Rojer frowned but then nodded as well. The mayor of the town did as well, eyes gleaming.
<==={}------------>
“Don't look now but you've got company. The tax man commeth,” Perry said smiling.
Ryans looked up and in the direction the lieutenant was looking. A weasel faced man dressed in off white robes was coming, carrying an abacus and ledger of papers. Two other people, one a teen followed in his wake, carrying more papers and scrolls.
“Oh great, bring the accountants into this, what's next lawyers?” Ryans asked in mock exasperation. He knew this was coming since the tax minister hadn't been involved in the discussion about taxes earlier. It was his loss, the guy should have gotten off his ass and attended, not begged off due to travel fatigue.
“Don't even go there,” Perry said, giving a mock shudder. “War is hell enough. Stick lawyers and ex wives into it and it'll be unbearable.”
“Cute,” Ryans snorted. “What can we do for you gentlemen?” Ryans asked standing as the men came up to them.
They set their loads down on the table, brushing away plates and bowls. “Her majesty has entreated me to find the money for the war effort. However... as you can see...” He waved to the ledger.
“Okay,” Ryans picked up a scroll and looked at it. “What am I looking at? It looked like crabby hand writing. Bad hand writing.” He looked up to the accountant who winced and turned a glower on a subordinate. The young man winced, looking down. He had come a long way since they'd first arrived two and a half months ago but he still had a hard time reading the native's language. Puzzling out what they used for numbers and math was beyond him. This was a bit too much.
“I apologize,” the minister said shaking his head. “I cannot write it all,” he sighed.
“And you are?” Perry asked, holding out a hand. The man looked at it then set the abacus down and shook it. He was old but strong.
“Winston Dominus of the exchequer, this is my associate Doland, burger of the capital town.” He indicated the portly man behind him. The young teenager didn't even blush when he was ignored.
Doland we've met earlier,” Ryans said nodding politely to the mayor. Doland harrumphed, thumbs hooked into his broad belt.
“Okay well, this can't be scanned into quick books, so I'm not sure where to start... well with one thing, you're using line item accounting. Terrible,” Perry observed, flipping through the papers before he shook his head. Ryans glanced at him.
“High school economics class remember?” Perry said looking the ledgers over. “And a touch of paper pushing classes in the academy to tell you the truth. For a guy in business you don't seem to know much about money.”
Ryans snorted. “I'm a tech guy. I let the paper pushers do their jobs. It's called delegation.” He smiled to Perry who snorted.
“Sure it is,” Perry said not looking up. “Okay, I suggest we get you a couple of sample spreadsheets and work out how to improve your system. Multiple separate books for one would be nice. Receipts are another.” He waved to indicate the mess. “I've got a pocket calculator I can lend you till we hit our stash for another I guess.” He pulled out his wallet and then pulled out a flat credit card shaped electronic device.
The burgess and chancellor stared. “It's solar powered. See this black strip on the front? Stick it in bright light and it will power it. Touch the keys here and you can do math with it.”
He pointed out how to do various functions with the device to the amazement of the trio. Of course they didn't understand the gaijin numbers but still loved the device. Perry used a scrap of paper to translate the numbers for them.
“I'll just go print up a spreadsheet and get some accounting tutorials off the archive,” Ryans said making a retreat. He paused and waved to the teen. “You.”
The teen looked up. “Yeah, you. Come on,” he waved the kid over to him. “I'll run it by you and you can explain it to the others when you get the time.” The teen looked at his boss and then rushed to follow the gaijin.
“What's your name kid?” Ryans asked looking over his shoulder.
“Ah, Leofrick my lord,” he said bowing as they walked.
“Leofrick huh? Mind if I call you Leo?” Ryans asked smiling.
“If it pleases you my lord.”
“Leo me
ans lion in Latin son,” Ryans said. The boy blinked confused. “Lions are predators on Earth. Think of the basilisk, but with four legs, two eyes and a lot of fur.”
“Ah,” the boy nodded then smiled a gape toothed smile. “A strong name then.”
“It is the root of your own name so I should think so. We're going to print a spreadsheet and then look through quick books for ideas. Have you worked on your penmanship lately?”
The young man grimaced. “I try my lord. It is hard with so little paper though.”
“Well, it's not all your fault; I noticed a lot of splotches from the ink. Quill pen and bottled ink I suppose?” He grunted without waiting for an answer. “I'll see if I can dig up a pen or two for you as well. But I suggest you practice more with a piece of slate and a chunk of chalk.” He waved to a guard as they climbed the stairs to his tower room.
<==={}------------>
Perry looked at the varied architecture and shook his head. It was a hodge podge of different styles, but so integrated that it worked. Or at least seemed to. He ran a hand over the marble column he was standing next to.
Beautiful really, right out of Greece or Rome. But mingled with medieval European castle architecture and Chinese roofs it was something else. All of the buildings had high roofs. He'd found out that was for the snow. They used a lot of the plywood too, liberally using it on government or permanent structures over using reeds and hay. They also preferred to use ceramic roofing tiles, something he had seen but hadn't understood the importance of for a short time. They did a good job shedding the rain and protecting the home from embers from the various chimneys in every building.
“Waiting for someone?” a voice called. He turned.
“No, something actually, the mail. The mail man is late,” he said nodding politely to the bailiff.
“Yes, it's raining on the King's northern route so there may be some flooding there,” the purple guard said. He noted the gaijin.
“Ah,” Perry nodded turning back.
“Something important in the mail bag sir?” the bailiff asked.
“Oh just this and that.” he replied, shrugging it off. He had no intention of letting people know intelligence.
“You're wondering about the Dominus levies?” the guard captain asked behind him. Perry and the bailiff turned.
“Yeah, something like that,” he acknowledged slowly, not happy about the audience that was growing around them.
“You should be. As I am. As the others are,” the captain frowned. “It's hard to raise armies now with the seeding still going on. Men are needed in the fields or all will go hungry come winter.”
“Yeah, and it's a loooong winter,” Perry grimaced.
Maximus sighed. “That it is.”
“They can't send what they have on hand I take it?” Perry finally asked, glancing over his shoulder to nod to the guard, and then walking off with the guard captain.
“No. For then they would have none to guard their own castles,” Maximus said.
“Even one or two...”
Maximus frowned. “A normal garrison is a score of men. Some of the smaller donjons have less than a handful at any time.”
Perry grunted in irritation. “Oh. Okay, that sucks.”
Maximus snorted wryly. “Yes, but it does make it safer.”
“How do you figure?” Perry demanded.
“If the lords have many soldiers then they're tempted to raid other lords. Or tempted...” He waited for a passing couple to get out of earshot. “To do some treason.”
Perry nodded. “Ah. But the lords here have guards. I've seen them.” He indicated the men in various uniforms standing in knots in the courtyard.
Maximus turned to view them and then back to Perry. “Yes, they guard the Dominus possessions and guard him and his entourage when they go to and from castles.”
“Ah. Okay, so they're out I take it?” Perry asked. He damn well needed to know this shit and wondered why no one had fully briefed him.
Maximus shrugged. “Well, they'll fight alongside their lords when we go to war.”
“But not until then,” Perry sighed. He rubbed his brow. Another headache was forming. “Great. So we're stuck with finding the man power around town?”
Maximus nodded. “Essentially. At least until after the first harvest,” the captain said.
“Oh,” Perry grimaced. “And when is that?”
“About three months from now,” Maximus replied. He was referring to midsummer.
“Oh. Ew, yuck.”
“They'll need the harvest. Most of the serfs are low on food as it is from the last winter. Some have no food at all and are hunting to feed their families.”
“Ah,” Perry sighed. “Crap. You know anything about Clausewitz?”
Maximus frowned. “Who my lord?”
Perry waved it off. “Never mind. He's a military genius from earth. Anyway he's got this saying. Ask me for anything but time. Some other genius said time waits for no man.”
The captain's brows knit. “And this is significant?”
Perry frowned. He would have thought the guard captain would have grasped the concept immediately. “Well, it means while we wait other things can happen, bad things.”
Maximus blinked and then frowned. “Oh, but sometimes all you can do is wait and watch,” the captain said nodding.
“Yeah, there's that,” Perry sighed. “There is that. But we're not going to stay still. I'll get on Max about ramping up on the weapons and gear.” They had a working prototype of the musket but didn't have any in production. They also had one semi-functional Springfield. Semi-functional being the operative word. The damn thing jammed on every shot due to poor machining tolerances.
“If we don't have the men...”
“Well, if we can get some modern farm equipment out, that could make the difference in that department. I think Ryans is trying to do that,” Perry said. Which was true, but for other reasons. Ryans had multiple reasons but he'd thought it was a supply issue for the army. Now he knew better. Apparently Ryans had seen the bigger picture immediately. He decided to stop bitching about Max dividing his time between the rifle project and the farm machinery and smithy upgrades.
“Ah,” the captain looked thoughtful. “I see. Wise, will this equipment make things better?”
“Yeah. Some will allow one man to do the work of ten.”
Maximus thought that one over for a moment. “And so the other nine can go to work in the factories, or the mines, or as soldiers.” The captain smiled and nodded. “Indeed it's a wise plan.”
Perry nodded grudgingly. Okay, so the captain could catch on in time. “Yeah well, let’s hope it works. I'll just go track down Ryans and put a bug in his ear.”
“Why would you...” The captain stopped as Perry kept going.
“Never mind. Never mind!” Perry said shaking his head.
<==={}------------>
“Do they even trade with the other nations? Are there other nations?” Ryans asked Perry as they left a meeting.
Perry snorted. He'd caught Ryans just in time for another blasted meeting. He wanted to talk to him about the farm situation but now apparently wasn't a good time; he was too distracted by something else. The bigger picture apparently. “As far as I can tell, there are six or seven large organized Imperium’s or Kingdoms, a couple of small independent grand Duke Kingdoms, and a couple of areas that are inhabited by nomads. I haven't looked into it too much. I've got enough in front of me as it is.”
Ryans sighed. “Yeah, just what I thought. People everywhere. Just this continent?” he asked looking at Perry as he scratched his head.
“No, apparently a Viking group came over and set up across the sea or ocean or whatever it is. There are others too, scattered here and there. Some on islands, others I don't know, a continent I guess. Apparently they either moved there, or landed there. You pick. You'll have to get more from the historian, he's such a wind bag I tuned him out,” Perry growled in disgust. Ryans ch
uckled. “Wish we could read their writing better. Bitch having to scan everything in and do it that way. Takes hours,” Perry sighed.
“We'll figure something out. The ancient writing is almost pure Latin so that's do-able. Done actually,” Ryans said nodding. “It's on the to do list at any rate. How are the drills going?”
“Too early to tell. Waters has his hands full. He had a hell of a time establishing his authority. Had to send a couple of hard heads to Doc to be patched up before they figured out who was boss.”
Ryans snorted. “Had to prove he's the tough man on campus?”
Perry smiled. “Something like that. I prefer to think of it as proving he's the alpha male. All DI's go through it in the initial stages of training, or in this case, retraining. He's got to establish his authority to both the old sweats and the newbies and show them just what they could do if they put their minds to it. For some reason the Gunny didn't have much trouble.” Ryans nodded. “Now that they're finally willing to listen after his... demonstrations, they're starting to shape up. He's got a calisthenics class going and a crude boot camp started.”
“Ah,” Ryans nodded. He'd known all that of course but Perry was being very close mouthed about details. “I'll see if we can get him supplies to set up and expand,” he sighed. “After they settle down a little.” He indicated the meeting room.
“Oh, it's easier and harder than that. Sure we need wood, but we can always send some recruits out to cut some wood and haul it back. Makes a good team building exercise,” Perry smiled wickedly.
“That's evil, I love it,” Ryans said and nodded. “Go for it. I'll clear it with the brass.” Ryans clapped him on the shoulder then they split up.
<==={}------------>
Nate watched Sydney trying to get an image of a ten meter tall tapestry. It was long but narrow, less than two meters wide. It was a bit dusty; Nate coughed at the dust in the air.
“No... No, damn why do they have to make them so frigging long?” Sydney snarled to no one in particular as he tried to get a clean shot. He bumped into Nate and stopped.
“Get the...” He turned. “Oh it's you,” he said accusingly as he shook his head.