Chapter 130: The Wealth of House Althoff [ Bonus - ]

Chapter 130: The Wealth of House Althoff [ Bonus Chapter ]

Raymond had always considered himself a reasonably ambitious man, but the figures spread across his desk were beginning to make him question whether ambition was simply another word for financial irresponsibility.

The preliminary estimates from yesterday’s administrative meeting had been reorganized overnight, and the result was an intimidating collection of ledgers, construction schedules, and expenditure projections.

Alaric sat opposite him, accompanied by two senior officials from the Treasury and Revenue Department, both of whom looked as though they had spent the morning preparing to deliver unpleasant news.

"Before we begin," Raymond said, setting down his cup of tea, "I would appreciate hearing something encouraging. Preferably something involving money we actually possess."

Alaric exchanged a glance with the senior Treasury accountant, a narrow-faced man named Oswin Bellmont, before opening the first ledger. "Fortunately, Your Excellency, House Althoff’s financial position is considerably stronger than it was at the beginning of spring. Our revenue has increased across nearly every major sector, and the Treasury possesses sufficient reserves to maintain ordinary operations."

Raymond relaxed slightly. "Excellent. I knew inviting you here was a good decision."

"However," Alaric continued, turning another page, "maintaining ordinary operations and completing the entire City Master Development Plan are two very different financial undertakings."

"Naturally," Raymond muttered. "There was always going to be a however."

Oswin adjusted his spectacles and pushed a summary across the desk.

The report divided Althoff’s income into several categories, each accompanied by figures showing collections over recent accounting periods.

Raymond immediately noticed that the territory was no longer dependent upon a single source of revenue.

Agriculture remained an important foundation. Although much of the expanded farmland was still being brought under cultivation, harvest sales, agricultural processing, and payments associated with seasonal cultivation agreements were beginning to produce reliable income.

The Treasury also collected revenue from commercial leases, market fees, workshop permits, and other established charges.

"Trade has shown particularly strong growth," Oswin explained, pointing toward the relevant entries. "The Central Market now generates regular commercial revenue, while the Golden Road branch has increased the volume of goods entering and leaving Althoff. Additional merchants have also begun renting storage facilities and commercial premises."

Raymond examined the figures with satisfaction. Only months earlier, convincing merchants to visit Althoff had been difficult. Now traders were competing for favorable locations, and the Administration was receiving applications from people who had never previously considered conducting business in the territory.

Ysabel’s commercial policies were clearly producing results.

"What about the Beast Processing Complex?" Raymond asked, turning toward another column. "We invested considerable resources into that facility. I would like to know whether it has begun justifying the expense."

Oswin selected a smaller ledger. "Its operating revenue is increasing, Your Excellency. Processed hides, prepared bones, horns, and other materials command better prices than untreated products. However, wages, preservation supplies, transport, and equipment maintenance remain significant expenses."

"Which means we’re making progress, but we’re not printing gold," Raymond observed.

"Precisely, my Lord," Oswin answered, apparently relieved that his explanation had been understood.

Alaric added that the complex had also created employment for craftsmen and laborers, while supplying materials to local workshops.

Those indirect benefits were difficult to express in a single revenue column, but they strengthened the wider economy.

Raymond nodded thoughtfully. A territory did not become wealthy merely because its ruler possessed gold.

It became wealthy when people produced goods, exchanged services, earned wages, and generated opportunities that had not existed before.

That was the kind of prosperity he wanted Althoff to develop.

Unfortunately, prosperity was not the same thing as unlimited money.

Oswin opened the expenditure ledger, and Raymond’s earlier satisfaction began fading.

The proposed development program required substantial purchases of timber, stone, lime, metal fittings, tools, roofing materials, and construction equipment.

Even with Althoff’s quarry and sawmill operating, local production could not immediately satisfy every requirement.

"Skilled labor will also become more expensive," Alaric explained. "We cannot increase the number of construction teams without hiring supervisors, craftsmen, drivers, and additional workers. Furthermore, expanding public construction too aggressively could deprive private workshops of employees."

Raymond leaned forward. "Then we need a schedule that allows the labor force to grow alongside the projects. Apprenticeships should help, but I don’t want every carpenter in the city abandoning private customers because the Administration offers higher wages."

Oswin nodded approvingly. "A phased program would also reduce pressure upon the Treasury, Your Excellency. Instead of committing the entire estimated expenditure immediately, funds could be released as individual projects meet their approved requirements."

Alaric placed another document before Raymond. "We’ve prepared three possible approaches. The first prioritizes essential repairs and continues development at our present pace. The second increases construction moderately. The third follows your proposal for completing the entire first-stage city plan within an accelerated schedule."

Raymond studied the alternatives. The conservative approach would preserve substantial reserves but delay several important institutions.

The moderate proposal was more attractive, although it would still leave major districts unfinished for a considerable period.

Then he examined the accelerated program.

Its projected cost was enormous.

The final figure included contingency allowances, material purchases, labor expenditure, transport, public facilities, and defensive construction.

Even spread across several accounting periods, the commitment would consume a substantial portion of Althoff’s available wealth.

Raymond remained silent for a while before asking, "How much can we safely allocate without endangering food supplies, military maintenance, medical services, or ordinary administration?"

Alaric appeared pleased by the question. "We recommend establishing protected operating reserves, Your Excellency. Those funds would remain separate from construction expenditure. We should also maintain an emergency reserve for unexpected threats, poor harvests, or interruptions to trade."

"Good," Raymond replied. "I have no intention of building beautiful streets while the soldiers go unpaid and the people run out of grain."

Oswin began explaining the proposed reserve arrangements, including separate accounts for essential services and capital construction.

The Administration would authorize expenditure according to approved schedules, while the Treasury would monitor collections and report any significant shortfalls.

Raymond listened carefully, occasionally interrupting to clarify a calculation. His experience managing Althoff had taught him that financial plans were only useful when the people implementing them understood where the money would come from.

Still, he possessed an advantage that nobody sitting across from him knew existed.

The Infinite Clan Treasury System.

While Alaric and Oswin discussed reserve requirements, Raymond quietly opened his private System interface. The familiar translucent window appeared within his vision, displaying the Treasury’s available functions.

[Infinite Clan Treasury System]

[Financial Sync: Active]

[Territorial Revenue Conversion: 1 Gold Coin = 1 Shop Point]

[Conversion Effect: Shop Points are generated from qualifying territorial revenue without deducting the corresponding physical gold.]

Raymond’s gaze settled upon the Shop Point balance. It had continued increasing as Althoff’s economy expanded, reflecting the revenue earned through agriculture, trade, commercial activity, and other qualifying sources.

The last time he had carefully reviewed the figure, his balance had already exceeded three hundred thousand Shop Points.

Since then, merchant activity had increased, the Beast Processing Complex had begun regular shipments, and the growing population had generated additional commercial transactions.

In other words, the territory’s prosperity was strengthening both its physical Treasury and his private System resources.

Raymond suppressed a smile.

Now that’s what I call a favorable financial arrangement.

The distinction remained important. Shop Points were not ordinary gold, and he could not simply place them inside the Treasury’s accounts.

However, they allowed him to purchase System resources without consuming the physical funds needed to maintain Althoff’s institutions.

If he used those points intelligently, he could reduce certain development costs while leaving more gold available for wages, supplies, and public construction.

He dismissed the interface as Alaric finished speaking.

"Your Excellency, which proposal would you prefer us to prepare for final approval?" the Chief Administrator asked.

Raymond rested both hands upon the desk. "The accelerated program. But with protected reserves, phased funding, and proper oversight. Every major project must have an approved budget, a responsible Department, and a realistic completion schedule."

Oswin hesitated. "That would represent the largest coordinated expenditure in House Althoff’s recorded history, my Lord."

"I’m aware," Raymond replied calmly. "But leaving our infrastructure unfinished carries costs of its own. Poor roads delay merchants, inadequate housing limits immigration, and unfinished public facilities make administration more difficult. We cannot keep postponing necessary investments simply because the numbers look frightening."

Alaric considered his words before nodding. "Then I recommend establishing a County Development Budget, with quarterly reviews and separate allocations for infrastructure, public institutions, military facilities, and supporting industries."

"Approved," Raymond answered. "And I want competitive purchasing wherever practical. No merchant should assume that a royal promotion has suddenly made me incapable of recognizing an inflated price."

Oswin smiled faintly as he began recording the instructions. Alaric, meanwhile, gathered the revised documents and prepared the authorization for circulation among the relevant Departments.

By late afternoon, the financial framework had been completed. Construction and Public Works would receive phased allocations, Logistics would coordinate material requirements, and Treasury officials would monitor expenditure against approved budgets.

Raymond signed the final authorization after reviewing its provisions one last time.

Alaric accepted the document with both hands, his expression carrying equal measures of pride and apprehension. "Then it is settled, Your Excellency. The Administration has formally approved the County Development Program."

Raymond leaned back and looked toward the city beyond his window. Somewhere outside, craftsmen were hammering timber into place, wagons were transporting stone, and merchants were conducting business in streets that had barely existed months earlier.

Now all those efforts would become part of something much greater.

"Very well," Raymond said, allowing himself a satisfied smile. "Let’s finish building our city."