Chapter 14: General Affairs Department established!
Ultimately, the map was created and updated annually by the seven chambers working together through the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce held the rights and ownership, while the sale of paper and ink was standardized and distributed across the nation. The transportation expenses were paid to the relevant chambers that completed the work.
It seemed like Lord Balk had intended it from the beginning, and he marveled at how it would spread quickly.
As I wasn’t skilled in negotiations, I left it to the experts and focused on my duties at the palace and collaborating with various workshops.
The remaining paper stock in the workshops was also brought along, and we quickly distributed it to the town halls in major cities and the palace. I wrote numerous examples that condensed the information written on wooden tablets and parchment, following the template.
Drawing gridlines for money on the paper was a tedious task, so we arranged for a workshop to create and print standardized templates. Eventually, they will be able to produce and print the maps independently.
I consolidated these drafts and established the General Affairs Department, responsible for a wide range of tasks, from mundane work to reviewing incoming materials and presenting them to His Highness and His Majesty.
The General Affairs Department is in charge of maintaining the supply of paper and ink, and they will request additional supplies when they run out. However, one drawback of paper is its susceptibility to counterfeiting.
The Tax Department is responsible for maintaining a personnel and land registry, calculating taxes from these records, managing trade guilds, and overseeing tariffs for public welfare.
The Finance Department creates budget proposals every quarter based on tax revenue, allocates surplus funds where they are needed, and meticulously tracks the national financial flow.
The Management Department encompasses several sub-departments, including one that converts historical records and wooden tablets into books, another that compiles requests from various regional offices, and a third that distributes necessary items to all departments through the General Affairs Department and messengers.
Finally, there is the newly established General Affairs Department.
(I accomplished as much as I could within a month…)
From here, we will continue to refine these processes over the course of a year, taking into consideration feedback from the field. We will add any necessary elements and eliminate any redundant ones.
As I have no prior experience with these practical matters, I carried out these tasks while seeking advice from His Majesty, His Highness, and Lord Balk.
I may have made some mistakes, but I acted in accordance with my beliefs.
I started work at 10 am and His Highness told me that I had to have dinner at 7 pm every day, so I didn’t continue working past that. Although many other palace officials who stay overnight are working long hours, I took advantage of his words.
I know that His Highness dines with me, has tea with me, and then returns to work. However, I don’t work at night.
Even though I have become a part of this country, I am still a foreigner.
There may be some who are dissatisfied with working only during the day under my supervision. I need to find a release for my stress, or perhaps they are complaining about me behind my back.
I understand that they are putting in a lot of effort. With my sudden changes to the old system, I imagine there have been complaints from His Highness, His Majesty, and Lord Balk.
As I prepared for bed, I sent Melissa, Gwenna, and Millie home. Sitting by the window, I leaned against the cushion and gazed blankly at my pale face, reflected in the glass at night.
I have dark circles under my eyes. I haven’t been able to sleep well due to my worries. During the day, Millie hides my dark circles with her expert makeup skills.
I am currently sipping on a warm cup of chamomile tea, its gentle sweetness providing a calming and soothing effect.
(Why do I feel so uneasy?)
His Highness is gracious, and I am performing my duties to the best of my abilities. I am no stranger to criticism and starting new endeavors is part of my routine.
So what is causing this sense of unease?
The answer became clear the following day when I received a letter from my home country, the Faithnum Empire.
