Princess Rescue Inc (52 page)

The
Dukes looked both amused and intrigued by that outlandish idea and then Duke
Pyror wiggled his fingers to indicate he should continue.

“Third,
donations, people who donate their time, materials, or services. Find a way to
encourage it, and in the end reward such behavior.”

Fourth
you could raise taxes and levies of course. Either across the board or on various
items or other services. Such as a travel levy or a tax on goods that travel to
faraway lands.”

“A
tariff,” Perry interjected. Ryans nodded. “It works both ways, a tax on imports
and exports. But you don't want to tax goods that help in the war effort of
course,” he finished.

“Of
course,” Rojer replied.

“Fifth,
working with us,” Ryans glanced at Perry. “You could license our technology and
sell the rights to use it to various merchants and industrial people. Things
like oh, better looms that we mentioned to the minister of cloth an hour ago.
Or better forges, or leaf springs for wagons, carts, and carriages. There are
thousands of items we have that we can transfer over.”

“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
means 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.