Herald of Steel

Alexander decided to leave the fate of the guilds to Camius primarily because he wanted some of his retainer to take over some of his responsibilities.

It felt tiring to him to do almost everything himself.

While on the other side, Lady Felicia was feeling both relieved that Alexander had decided to take the guilds seriously but also a bit disheartened she did not get to host the negotiations.

But hey, you win some, you lose some.

"How much did your father owe them exactly?" Then she heard Alexander suddenly muse so curiously.

Because the amount would be perhaps the most important factor in deciding whether Alexander was going to pay it back.

"43 million (21.5 million ropals) libras!" Came the quoted number from Lady Felicia, her head once again drooping as she reiterated.

'What the fuck!' And Alexander almost jumped out of his chair hearing it.

This was no chump change.

This was nearly 3 times the city's yearly budget.

No wonder she was reluctant to reveal this.

"What did he spend it on''? Alexander could not help bursting out incredulously, unable to think of a reasonable expense.

"I….." To this, the other side had no answer either, and could only reveal in a mosquito like voice, "There was nothing on the ledgers and I got to know only when the guild master came to me. That was only a few months ago. Perhaps he was simply extravagant!"

'Fuck yeah! He was extravagant.' Alexander could only purse his lips and curse

"Let's move on." Then, as if to forget the unpleasant instance, Alexander quickly posed so, before suddenly producing a pleased smiling look,

"Well I think that's it for the current affairs of the city. I must say, I am quite satisfied. Good work, Felicia."

To the lady sitting opposite, this was like mellifluous music, and her heart danced in joy. It was like being bathed with sweet rainfall after a long scorching drought, for one of her most feared outcomes, Alexander becoming angry over her father's debt, had just abated.

"It is my honor to serve you, my lord." So with a large grin, the lady slightly bowed humbly, feeling quite ecstatic.

"Mmmm, but there is still a lot to be here. As you said, the city is suffering from a myriad of problems." However that happiness seemingly appeared to be quite short lived, as Alexander was quick to produce more work for the lady, saying with a light smile,

"There are a few new projects you will need to complete. Let me tell you about some of it!"

Towards like, Lady Felicia half groaned, and even wanted to rebuke, 'We are able to barely keep up with our current efforts my lord,' but ultimately decided to keep quiet and listen, although she struggled to keep a straight face.

Fortunately for her, this section of the talks did not take long.

"I will be building a few cement kilns," Alexander first revealed, wishing to start three large, new cement kilns in the city to meet the increased demand, and then swiftly added,

"Don't worry, you will not have to figure it all out on your own. I will be sending some workers and engineers from Zanzan to oversee everything. All you have to do is accommodate and cooperate with them to the best of your abilities."

This was much to Lady Felicia's relief.

Along with that, Alexander also ordered the construction of several large water wheels along the Cisran hills to power the balling machines used to grind the produced clinkers.

And in addition, a few brick making plants that would aid in the ongoing construction efforts.

Alexander did not go into too much about these plants when discussing it with Lady Felicia- one because these were sensitive technology.

But also because it did not concern her, neither would she understand a lot of it.

So the only thing that mattered was that she did as told.

"As you wish." And Lady Felicia seemed to share the same thought as the only thing she was concerned by was that these industries would provide large scale, cheap employment to the bustling city with its burgeoning population, thus making her feel relieved.

"Good." And Alexander curtly nodded with a pleased shake at her acquiescing. before quickly moving on to his next task,

"Then there is this." The young pasha opened the blueprints for several large water and windmills to Lady Felicia and explained to her how it could be used to grind flour.

The lady appeared delighted once she understood their purpose, even clapping her hands and cheering, "Oh! What a clever contraption, The farmers will love this. No wonder they were singing your praises my lord." before she promised to arrange the artisans to construct them as soon as possible.

These were the list of all the industries Alexander wanted to introduce into Zanzan as of this moment.

So then Alexander moved to infrastructure, as leaning back, he proposed,

"I remember you telling me the docks are getting too crowded because of the goods from Zanzan. So expand it. Or build newer ones if needed. It should make life for both the magistrate and the merchants. I will fund it."

A bigger port was always a plus point in Alexander's eyes.

"Thank you, my lord. I was already thinking of bringing the matter up with you," To this Lady Felicia quickly nodded.

"Mmmm… and then lastly," Alexander moved to the end of his list.

"I want to open a learning place here that provides education to some of the city's children. It's something like the education priests undergo in the temple. But for the poor folks."

"We already have something like this in Zanzan. It's called a school. What I want you to do is arrange some teachers for these children."

"Ummmm… But why my lord?"While hearing this, this was Lady Felicia's first response.

After all, why bother to educate the poor, peasant masses?

You don't need to know how to read and write just to plow and tilt the field.

"......."And towards this Alexander really had no good answer.

How was he going to explain the benefits of something that would ripen decades in the future?

And one that had no past precedence?

"You will see later." So he only said so, and ended by saying,

"Just know that the priests from the Gaia temple will later meet with you to discuss the specifics. Agree with all they ask. And rest assured that Zanzan will bear all costs for it."

Alexander made the last statement so openly because he knew the moment Lady Felicia got to know the details of what was a school, and the crazy policies that her lord wanted to use to attract children into them- such as free food and even a salary for their parents, she was gonna freak out.

"Okay. I think that is all for today. Let's get lunch."

It had taken hours to cover everything that Alexander had discussed and by this point of the meeting, it was already noon.

So concluding it, much to Lady Felicia's relief, the two decided to accompany themselves to lunch being served at one of Alexander's private dining rooms.

The menu consisted of whole roasted ducks, a beef stew, a local variety of bread made with eggs and diced mushroom, fried fish with greens basted in butter, fresh grapes, and strawberries, and to top it all off- a sweet, pie for dessert.

The array of items on display, though extravagant in their own right, was actually considered quite normal for someone of Alexander's status, which also went to highlight just how rich the food he was served three times a day.

If not for having frequent exercise, Alexander could have surely lost his figure by now, as should have his wives too tired to keep themselves in shape.

And speaking of his wives, two of them- Gelene and Ophenia, were accompanying him on the luncheon today, as were his two mistresses, Fabiyana and the newly taken Camelia.

Gelene it seemed that recovered well enough to be able a sit on the table, although her food was much more modest- consisting of only a watery porridge seasoned with only salt so that it would be easy on the stomach.

Although better, she was still running a fever.

As the six ate, they made some polite, banal conversation, the inane kind spoken in any gathering between family.

Such as Fabiyana excitedly describing the elephants that Alexander had taken as his spoil.

The girl had seen them yesterday and was being very animated in her description,

"He…. it was thiiiis big! And… and when I threw nuts…. he …it looked at me! And then…. I…."

Alexander found the little girl very endearing in this state.

While her mother on the contrary appeared a bit embarrassed.

Because this type of mannerism suited a five year old.

Not a 'married woman'.

Thus in an attempt to avoid her daughter being laughed at by others, Lady Felicia quickly started to take a few, very intentional jibes at Princess Camelia, such as subtly mocking the headscarf she was wearing.

The princess only appeared woody and unresponsive, before Alexander lightly swung the talk to another side.

And it was with such 'festivities' that that luncheon for Alexander came to its conclusion.

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