The Archaic System

I left the stage with Morrow and we walked back to the room we were talking in before. I could tell Morrow wanted to discuss a few things with me before we talked to the Lieutenants. After enteringthe room we sat back into the chairs we were in before.

Morrow looked at me silently for a moment, then said, "Brother, I want you to know I didn't make you a Captain solely because you are my brother and uncovered Sauer's plot. I also did it because you showed patience, intelligence, and creativity in the way you handled the situation. Traits that I hoped would make you a great Captain."

His forehead creased and his hands tightened. I could tell he was worried and frustrated.

"So I need an explanation for your decisions out there. It will not be too late to retract them, but that would not benefit either of us."

I had expected him to say something like this. I never took Morrow for a fool and I already knew he would require an explanation. Even though Morrow was head and shoulders above most people in intelligence and charisma he simply didn't have my experience and insight.

I put on an apologetic smile, "Of course, I am sorry I blind sided you with my decisions out there. I had to establish my dominance early to ensure my future commands will be taken seriously. I should have warned you, my apologies."

Morrow nodded and some of the tension in his shoulders relaxed.

I continued, "I assure you my decisions were all to benefit you and the village. First, having mercenaries run the security is dangerous, because they are used to being bought. By turning them into an army we give them a greater purpose and increase their loyalty to the village. This will prevent corruption and make them fight harder when they need to."

Morrow waved his hand dismissively, "That wasn't what concerned me. I was already considering implementing a change like that. The decrease of personnel was within my expectations and we are in a relatively safe area so it shouldn't be a major issue. When you boldly implemented that change I did become concerned about other changes you might make. Which leads me to my real concern, the change in purpose of the Request Division. The Request Division brought in a large amount of money. This could potentially impact the development of the village."

I nodded along as he talked appearing to agree with his points, "I am aware that a lot of funds came through the Request Division. That is also why Sauer targeted that division and the Collection Division. Both of the two corrupted Lieutenants came from these divisions because it allowed Sauer to collect funds before they could enter the cities coffers and were accounted for. The Financial Division is only responsible for the security of the money. You personally oversee the books and you'd notice if money was going missing."

Morrow looked a little surprised, "Naturally, I picked up on that. I'm a little surprised you did too."

"Of course, mother would not have allowed my education to slack."

As if just realizing that I would have also received a high level of education, Morrow nodded his head.

"I have a plan that will compensate the lost funds. First, with the rabble of the mercenaries gone we won't be wasting money paying them. Second, in my speech I mentioned that before they could set up a mercenary service they would need to agree to a contract with us. I know you have already set up a tax system, but you keep them low to improve growth and that's a good decision. However, since we used to manage the mercenary work ourselves and they will need our permission to operate we can take a higher cut. Now we can reap the profits without paying the men ourself. Not to mention that a real professional army would never act as mercenaries. It would affect discipline."

Morrow leaned back and thought about it. After a few moments he lightly clapped his hands a few times.

"I knew making you Captain was a good idea. I can feel at ease with a man like you in charge of my forces."

Part of me wanted to laugh out loud as he said that. If he only knew what I was really thinking he would have me executed on the spot.

"As far as the Intel Division and Punishment Division goes come up with a solid plan for how they will function and show me. I have confidence in your abilities."

We exited the room and walked over to another one were the Lieutenants were waiting to havea discussion with us. As I expected many of the Lieutenants had complaints and took issue with the changes I had proposed. To my surprise Morrow did not use a domineering forceful tone to quell their arguments. He allowed me to defend my reasons and when a Lieutenant and I simply could not reach an agreement he would put his weight behind my decision. It was obvious he was experienced in managing people and the way he shifted his tone and strategy when addressing certain people was very effective. I took mental notes since these would be skills I had to develop to lead in the future.

In the end I was able to calm most of the Lieutenants concerns. They were still upset about my promise to be open about who would be a Lieutenant. However, I explained that we would be expanding as we grow and that as long as they performed well it was unlikely I would replace them. Eventually the conversation headed to what personnel would go where and Morrow and I got ready to leave since this was not an issue we needed to be involved in. As we were leaving Ward and Barry got up and came over.

Ward looked at me and said, "It will be..... interesting... to work with you."

He lightly chuckled and stuck out his hand. Cold chills involuntarily went down my spine as I shook it. He then left the room. For obvious reasons, Wards personnel would not need changing therefor he also didn't need to be part of the conversation. I just wish I had someone in his Division that could leak me information. The idea of Ward out there plotting god knows what made me nervous.

Barry came up to me nervously and asked, "How should I select personnel?"

I laughed and said, "Don't worry about it Barry I will come up with a selection exam that people will have to pass to be in your Division. I need you to take charge and step into your leadership role. You are a Lieutenant now."

I patted him on the shoulder. Barry seemed to straighten up and shake loose a little of his weak personality after that.

He responded, "Of course, I won't let you down."

"Good! Meet me at the Captain's Manor in a few days I will need you to be in charge of the selection process after I create the format for the exam."

"Understood!"

Barry walked away in much better spirits.

I then walked out of the room with Morrow.

As we walked I sighed, "I will be busy the next few days."

Morrow laughed, "I'm sure you can handle it."

We parted ways after leaving the building and I went back to the Captain's Manor. There was only a few hours of daylight left. The meeting with the Lieutenants had taken most of the day.