Chapter 13: Treasury Reform
The council meeting was still ongoing as everyone returned after a short break. Vijay took charge and initiated the discussion.
"Uncle Ravi, please calculate how much money is needed to form all the necessary departments," Vijay asked. Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
Ravichandra pondered for a moment in his head and replied, "It will take 60 million Varaha, your Highness."
Vijay frowned, as the amount was way more than what he had imagined. But he soon gritted his teeth and made his heart firm to continue with the reform.
"Uncle, what is the amount of money in the treasury?" Vijay inquired. Ravichandra replied, "Due to your father taking away some of the privileges of the landlords and nobles, it is currently around 40 million Varaha, your highness. This is the highest it has been since the founding of the kingdom."
So they were still short of 20 million, Vijay thought. He nodded his head and asked again, "What is the value of all the property my family owns?"
Even though Uncle Ravi was retired, he had been the butler of the royal family for decades, so he should still know all the finances and property details of the Royal family.
As he expected, without missing a beat, Ravichandra replied immediately, "It will total over 37 million Varaha, your highness."
"But, your highness, most of the money is in the form of land property and castles," he added, sensing that something was not right.
Listening to Uncle Ravi's worry, Vijay comforted him, "Don't worry, Uncle. I will be cautious. I know what to do."
Upon hearing Vijay's reply, Ravichandra became sullen and sat down reluctantly.
Everyone in the room, including Vinod, was startled by the request. Ravichandran couldn't sit still anymore. "Prodigal, you're squandering all the centuries of the wealth of your ancestors. Please don't do this," he yelled, with a livid expression on his face, like an elder reprimanding a younger generation.
Vijay was taken aback by Uncle Ravi's sudden outburst, but he soon realized the reason behind it. He understood that Uncle Ravi had dedicated most of his lifetime to serving the royal family, and witnessing a younger generation making decisions that could affect the family's wealth must have been difficult for him.
However, Vijay didn't take offence to Uncle Ravi's reprimand. Instead, he smiled and calmly explained, "Uncle Ravi, don't worry. I am only selling the family's land, not the palaces and mansions. I believe that strengthening the kingdom's military is more important than holding vast amounts of land. Even if I owned all the land in the kingdom, it would bring little to no benefit."
He continued, earnestly convincing his uncle, "Moreover, I am not donating the money to the empire. Instead, I am providing the Empire with a 30 million Varaha loan from the royal family, which I expect to be repaid in the next fiscal year."
Uncle Ravi finally agreed to the proposal, his face still grumpy. "I seem to be compromising a lot today," he thought, shaking his head in self-defeat.
Vijay let out a sigh of relief, relieved that his biggest obstacle had been cleared.
He continued to give orders, "The 30 million Varaha from the royal family will be used to fund the Military Academy and the Police Academy, which will start construction immediately."
Vinod opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but since his teacher agreed, he didn't have much to say.
Seeing there was nothing else to discuss, Vijay said, "Does anyone have anything to add?"
Everyone in the conference shook their heads, indicating that there was nothing further to discuss.
"If that is all, then this is the end of the imperial conference," Vijay declared as he left the room. The others got up and praised, "Long live your Highness! Long live Vijayanagar! Long live!"
The news about the imperial council spread like wildfire, especially among the veterans in the army who were uneasy upon hearing about the retirement of 50,000 soldiers. However, their unease was soon replaced with relief when they discovered the opportunity to secure safer positions as civilian police officers with a decent salaries. Although the salary was not as high as in the army, the job offered a greater sense of security, as they would primarily be dealing with gangsters who lacked combat skills and only knew how to bully the weak.
The civilians were also elated when they learned of the recruitment posted for 50,000 candidates to join the army. What was even more unexpected was that Along with 30 Varaha monthly pay, there were no caste requirements for joining. Although the previous Monark, King Sriranga Raya had not discriminated against any caste, most of the selected army members were from the higher to middle caste. However, this time, in a groundbreaking move for Vijayanagara, caste was not a consideration in the selection process. Many people were astonished and impressed by the fact that the recruitment process was so Open, and the offer of free lodging and food for selected members further heightened the excitement.
Amidst the buzz of enthusiasm, shouts of "Long live your highness! Long live your majesty! Long live!" echoed throughout the kingdom, expressing the people's admiration and support for their Young king.