Chapter 109: Side Story 3: The Livonik Issue

It was a relaxed month after returning from war. The new land had been slowly recovering from the conflict and it kept the people busy, focusing on rebuilding what they had, then fighting the new quiet system. It was the calm before the storm and Alfred knew it. It was why he had been preparing tirelessly after a short break. That being said, Issac had given him a plan to go forward. Although it wasn’t perfect and needed to be fine-tuned it was enough.

"The months, maybe years to come within the Safrid lands will be one of great turmoil if we don’t act carefully. Esmond has already begun an investigation into all the nobles. It will take a while but we must know which of them we can use and who needs to be discarded. Luckily the Sultanate has had slavery abolished since its roots. It saves us a very big headache to deal with." Alfred began the meeting straight away. "Issac your plan will be implemented. The Capital and the central lands will house the Unyielding. Charles’s lands are close to the Capital and we still need to keep a force near here."

The way Alfred spoke was a far cry from how he had been during the war and it was a welcomed improvement who saw it remembering his previous self. They didn’t know what happened but knew that Isra had something to do with it. They liked the confidence that was back in Alfred, the emotion, and knew if he stayed like this things would be fine going forward.

"Under Catherine’s wishes, only 500 troops will be placed in her lands. She has no fears of navel invasion and any attacks must go through already defended lands. The south will house 2,000 troops, the Eastern border 6,000, and The Safrid Lands, 9,000. Marcus will be placed in the Safrid lands for the next five years to keep order. He is free to split the Safrid lands even more if he requires and if any support is required, he is to take from the south, east, or from Catherine. The Unyielding however will only move under mine or Charel’s command."

Alfred’s words got a nod from Issac. Alfred was happy to use the idea, it reminded him of the system that the Roman Empire had used. Despite this, he wasn’t going to make the mistake of leaving his generals and commanders in those lands for too long. He already felt off leaving Marcus alone with such a large army for five years, but he had no choice, the new lands needed a leader who could remain for extended periods of time. Moving him early would cause more problems than fix.

Turning his head he looked at Abu. "Move your workforce North. We will begin massive rebuilding of the conquered lands and improvement of infrastructure. I want every town connected to the Empire’s capital one way or another. Recruit the local population if you must. The crown will cover all expenses."

"Raven." Alfred then turned to his Arch-Bishop, "I know you wish differently but the situation of faith must be dealt with carefully. You may begin officially to build temples and churches but there can be no persecution of faith until I allow it. We must let them have the grace to recover and in a year maybe two we shall begin a series of religious taxation."

Raven gave a silent nod. Although it wasn’t the exact answer he wanted, he knew Alfred was doing it to keep stability. "Your Majesty." Raven spoke up, "If you wish to start a religious taxation, do you wish for them to convert or use this to earn money?" He could guess it may be both but he wanted to understand Alfred’s true intentions for it. He needed to know how to act going forward.

"Offer all benefits that the church offers to its faithful. I want them to be happy Raven. They may feel displeased with the taxation and a few hardliners and zealots will definitely find problems with us, but the common man will convert to Sol eventually to avoid the taxation. No nation can force its people to only follow one faith. I nearly lost my life because I held thoughts that differed slightly from the main church’s teachings. Instead of killing everyone who has a different belief, we must convert them, and make them see what is right. We kill those who can’t see the truth but guide the rest. It is what Sol would want and I’m sure His Holiness would also like to see this."

Alfred’s word got a nod in response and Raven didn’t press. Alfred looked at everyone present. "Now. I have a project in mind going forward. One that will take time and be tedious. I have Adrian in the conquered lands already starting over there." Alfred said, "We shall begin a national incentive to list every holding in the Kingdom. Residents, land value, familial wealth, etcetera. Anton is already scouring his archives to provide all wealth kept within the bank by the people, but the crown needs to know this data."

His mind thought of the Doomsday Book. Like William ’The Conquerer,’ he needed to know who owned what land in his new territory. But he was going to take it a step further. He wanted it to become a data registry of every citizen within his Kingdom. It didn’t have to be exactly perfect but he wanted to keep as much knowledge of his citizens as possible. If he knew everything about everyone, it would make it easier to deal with any issues that came up. Naturally, he included his original lands in the report. Sure his priority was the new lands but it wasn’t much more to do everything.

"The final topic I wish to discuss is the Livonik Issue." Alfred moved on, bringing up the Commonwealth. "Snowid has finally created the perfect conditions to militarise his nation and take power from the nobles. He obviously sees the threat posed by us. Esmond is focusing on this as well but he is only one man." Alfred turned to Issac. He was filling in for William as he recovered. Although he was filling in for him, he wasn’t to make any suggestions without prior warning from William before the meeting. His job only was to relay everything told.

"The army must expand. With the new lands, we shall have more trade to facilitate this growth. Have William begin a new recruitment campaign. He can use citizens from the conquered lands as long as they are vetted as safe to incorporate. We must make a chance to invade but also resist an impossibility. Make any move against us a hopeless struggle." Alfred saw the nods from around the table. "You, you, you, and you are dismissed." Alfred pointed at a few around the table. They got up and bowed leaving Alfred, Raven, Abu, Chris, and Charles alone.

Everything had been official policy but now he wished to talk to his inner circle alone. His previous display of emotion was dropped and now remained a cold face, full of nothing. He had to show himself as fixed in front of others. He didn’t know who was a double agent or traitor. He had to show the other monarchs and nobles he was still strong and in control. In front of his inner circle, it was different. They could see the real him. They may not be loyal and Alfred would never know until it was too late but he chose to trust them.

With a toneless voice, he began, "The time to militarise by the Commonwealth is almost too perfect. Snowid had perfectly taken power away from the nobles by showing us as a threat for so many years, but he knows that we will have unrest soon. I’m sure he is doing something to make sure of it. I need ideas. Sure the military can be built but it won’t be enough. Invading them won’t be like the Safrid’s. Snowid is a strong King and has a tight grip over his nation. Civil war won’t occur and Chent won’t invade unless they wish to be wiped off the map. He will also marry his two children, making another invasion even less likely."

"If I may?" Raven spoke first getting a nod from Alfred. "We know he has two children. We could perhaps take one as hostage. Of course, we won’t harm them, but to keep them in our borders would be a great way to keep Snowid at bay. We could invite one to the academy to study and perform it then. If we want another way, I’m sure Esmond could think of a couple."

Alfred shook his head. "Impossible. Those two are protected better than the treasury. We won’t get close without someone on the inside who is very high. As for using the academy." He shook his head once more. "It has a reputation for accepting anyone. To use it as a tool to deceive an enemy would put a black stain on it, and also make the number of those who trust me in the future fall. The academy also runs as its own mini country with the amount of freedom I have given it, its headmaster won’t agree."

Raven sighed but didn’t push. He knew Alfred had high hopes for both his university and academy to become the center of advancement for the world. It was why he gave it so much freedom in the first place.

"How about we incite a revolt," Abu spoke next. "Catherine’s fleet grows stronger and bigger with each passing day. Disguise them and create a blockade along the coast to stop all trade that passes through. Then we work with the merchants of Chent. Perhaps we could strike a deal to cripple all trade agreements with Snowid and force him to choose between bankruptcy or his army. His domestic production from what I know is a slight excess than needed. If we find a way to poison the ground maybe would could force a food shortage. With a blockade and Chent cut off it could cause the domestic situation to become unmanageable."

"If we poison their lands we will rule a graveyard by the time of invasion Abu," Charles spoke up, unable to believe what he heard.

"Not necessarily. My home country has done something similar during a war once. The lands turned out fine after ceasing it for a year. Slowly they heal."

"It’s too risky," Alfred spoke up. "If it goes wrong we could end up poising the Tears of Gaia. Too much and we kill the land entirely. As Charles said, I do not wish to rule over a grave. But a blockade and angering the people are very good moves. The Commonwealth is a young nation and Snowid is the first King to truly have it under his heel. He has finally seen the merging of two cultures and united the people under one identity. If we undo this it may cause enough problems."

"But it will be hard, near impossible maybe." Raven cut in, "It was a hundred-year process. Moreover, the faith is deeply tied to its culture now. Snowid may be hard-headed but he is no fool. He will know instantly what is going on if outbursts from the people arise due to a belief of losing their true identity. We must target something else."

The room fell into silence once more. "We can try to target the nobles. If we force Snowid’s hand and make it so he has to strip more rights from the nobles to counteract us, then perhaps it will cause enough outrage amongst them. Even if it’s not a full-on rebellion, if they hinder the crown in other ways, it could be enough." Alfred spoke. Despite saying this he was unsure about it. He didn’t really know how to force the man’s hand.

"Alongside this, we could talk to the pirate lords," Chris spoke up for the first time from behind Alfred getting everyone’s attention. "Within Chent there is a pair of brother Pirate Lords amongst the shot callers within the Free Cities. They may be willing to be a constant harassment if we pay the right price. Snowid can’t do anything either. They are not official members after all and so it will just be pirate raids."

Alfred nodded. "It could work, but I don’t feel good about working with Pirates. It’s a dangerous business." He rested on his hand and thought. Everyone remained silent letting him come to a decision. "Okay. Start talks with a false name. Don’t let it be tied to us. Figure out how much it would cost for two years." It was a risk Alfred didn’t want to make, especially after the Halfdan issue. But it was also different. he would never have to be in close proximity to the two brothers and could always communicate through a proxy.

With the suggestion, it ended the private discussion among the five, all quietly leaving after bowing toward Alfred.