( The same evening, Ben and Leo's POV )
Ben and Leo sat to have a cup of tea in the ruined palace gardens, as Martha, the head chef made the two a batch of fresh cookies and tea.
Although the view was not as spectacular as they imagined, with the palace being in utter ruins. There was something about sitting inside a massive palace while being served tea by your personal maid, that still felt like nobility.
"Master…. How do you propose that we solve this problem? This Barony needs to be improved from the ground up and it's in such a messy position that I don't even know where to start?" Leo murmured, as he pinched his forehead in pain.
The condition of the Barony was so messy that Leo felt confused on where to even start improving it? Which is why he seeked counsel from Ben.
"Boy, I think that the first step that we need to take to improve this Barony is to splash money and a lot of it-" Ben said, as he contemplated a strategy to turn this place around.
"We need to start by paying off the administration's debt. Clearing the good-name of the Baron from the filthy tag of debt.
Next, we need to start a region-wide recruitment drive, where we reduce unemployment down to 0 within the next week by giving everyone employment…" Ben proposed, as Leo nodded in understanding.
"Your plan is the same as mine, master, I was thinking about implementing the exact same scheme.
I'm thinking about launching a recruitment drive where one can register for one of three positions.
1)City Administration :- If one is educated or has experience working in the previous administration, they can apply for an administrative job, where they will be paid 25 silver coins/ month starting salary and a 5 coins signing bonus immediately.
This salary can go up to 50 gold coins/ month for upper posts.
2) Factory Workers :- The second option we will give to the citizens is to enroll as a factory worker for our upcoming units.
There will be no education requirements for this role and we will provide all factory workers with a uniform and a signing bonus of 10 silver coins.
As for the salary, I am thinking about paying them a per piece rate rather than giving them a fixed amount, so that the hard working workers are paid more and the lazy ones make less.
However, I assume that an average factory worker will be able to make 1 gold coin/ month at the minimum.
3) Soldier :- Since we have no security personnel whatsoever, I'm thinking about recruiting soldiers as well, who will be trained and equipped by the state.
For the soldiers, instead of paying them with money, I'm thinking about assuring them with a meal three times a day and just a basic salary of 1 silver coin/ day while they are in training.
For soldiers, I'm thinking about relaxing the education requirements to none at the start, however, I am hoping to make it more stringent as time passes on" Leo said, as he presented an elaborate recruitment plan before Ben.
"I think this recruitment plan is brilliant, boy, however, splashing too much money around is never a solution.
Because if everyone has money, it's as good as no-one having money, as the purchase value of that money becomes worthless" Ben warned, as he gave Leo a lesson in economics that he had just picked up from a book in the Baron's office a few hours ago.
"I know, master, which is why I'll make sure to supplement the money I'm infusing into the economy by creating new avenues for the commoners to spend money too.
I'm thinking about reviving the local merchant unions by giving them money and a percentage of profit to bring in fresh produce here daily from nearby markets.
This way, we will make some money back from the money we give out as salaries as we will own the grain market completely.
This way, not only will we solve the problem of food shortages in the area, but we will also solve the problem of inflation" Leo said, as Ben nodded in appreciation at his insights.
"Your plan is brilliant boy, however, for it to succeed we will need to send shockwaves through the Barony and create a major impact.
Everyone within the Barony needs to feel as if you are their hero, their salvation and that with your arrival their stars have changed overnight, as only then can we expect massive turnout for your plan" Ben suggested, as Leo pointed his index finger at his master in acknowledgement.
"You're right, master, and I have already decided how I'm going to announce our grand arrival to CrestHill Barony" Leo said, as he smiled evilly under his mask.
"Oh? How?" Ben asked, as Leo took a sip of his tea, but said nothing.
"What is it boy? Why are you chuckling under your mask?" Ben asked again, as he could hear Leo's snickers under his mask, however, could not understand why his student was laughing like a madman.
"I'm chuckling because it's going to be a fun day tomorrow for me and you, as we get to flex our daggers and take law and order in our own hands" Leo said, as looking at the murderous expression in his eyes, Ben understood exactly what Leo planned to do.
"HAHAHAHA, I like how you think, boy. Although murder is not the solution to every problem, it can surely solve a lot of them" Ben said, nodding in approval, as his own eyes began lusting for blood as well.
"Murder? That's such a low class word master… we are nobles now… we only exact justice" Leo said, clapping his hands into a 'namaste' sign as he reminded Ben that they were the law now.
"For justice!" Ben said enthusiastically, raising his tea-cup.
"For Crest-Hill Barony's bright and prosperous future–" Leo replied, raising his own.