Herald of Steel

Alexander took economics in his A levels and there he learned something called the multiplier effect and this was something critical to the functioning of an economy.

Seeing the understandably befuddled faces of the much senior men, Alexander decided to teach this complex topic in an easy-to-understand way to the men around him.

“Let me give you an example,” He started.

“Imagine we pay a farmer a hundred ropals. He will then go and spend this money on things he needs. For simplicities sake, let’s assume he goes to a blacksmith to buy tools worth a hundred roplas.”

“The blacksmith will then will takes this new money to .., let’s say buy clothes from a tailor. The tailor might then use the money to buy furniture from a carpenter. The carpenter might then buy pots from a potter, And at last, the potter might buy food from the same farmer.”

“So, in this way, just one hundred ropals would change hands five times, and appear as five hundred roplas.”

“And in this way businesses will thrive.” Alexander finished.

If the economy was to be modeled like a human being, then the multiplier effect would be its beating heart, pumping money throughout the economy, keeping the cash flowing from one’s hand to the other, and stimulating businesses.

The people around Alexander were reeling from this brand-new concept and they looked at him like he was the world’s eighth wonder.

They didn’t even know how to praise Alexander as they were still having trouble processing what Alexandar had explained, though all of them could understand it was something bloody brilliant.

“Pasha, I…I think I’m not qualified to be in charge of the province’s coin,” Heliptos had almost a paradoxical tone to his voice, both admiring Alexander’s grasp on matters about the money and also feeling a bit dejected at being so thoroughly thrashed at a craft he had known for thirty years.

But this was an unfair comparison as although Alexander knew much more about the theories of economics when it came to knowing the ins and outs of the daily operations when it came to street smarts, it was Heliptos who trumped Alexander.

“You can learn from me,” Alexander lightly smiled and rejected Heliptos’s resignation.

“Haha, yes, yes. It is truly envious that Shordar (Baron) Heliptos can learn from the great pasha himself,” Menicus chuckled and was then joined by the rest.

And it seemed that Alexander’s knowledge didn’t only affect Heliptos, but another person as well and much more strongly.

Harun was smitten by Alexander’s scholarly talent and declared, “Pasha Alexander, I have been truly moved today by your sapience. Being so young and yet so erudite, I truly believe you to be the divine son of Gaia, just as the rumors claim.”

Harun then solemnly vowed, “As such, I have decided to convert to your religion!”

This straightforward declaration caught Alexander momentarily a bit off guard, but quickly he smiled, ” Welcome to the path to Elysium, Let the goddess’s light guide you to salvation.”

“Haha, welcome, welcome. Welcome to the path of enlightenment.” Theocles was the very next to congratulate the man.

And then true to his status as the archpriest, invited Harun, “Please come to the temple at any time and we can discuss the virtues of the goddess and her son at length.”

“I will be sure to make the time,” Harun cordially accepted.

It had to be said that Harun’s conversion was not driven purely by theological motives, but by some ambitions as well.

In his mind, he believed that believing in Alexander’s religion would ease his way to the top and although he didn’t know it yet, Harun’s actions today would set a precedent where promotion among the high levels of government would not only depend on competency but faith as well.

This would produce both good and bad consequences for Alexander and his country, a problem he would have to solve in the future.

But for now, after Harun was given his complimentary pleasantries, Alexander decided to dismiss the council, at last, bringing the almost four hours long meeting to a close.

Well, almost everyone, as Alexander addressed, “Theocles, you stay. I have some more things to discuss.”

After the two men found themselves in the now empty hall room, Alexander asked about a task he had given Theocles three days ago, “Has the temple location been chosen?”

Theocles quickly replied, “It will be done today. I have already checked some quite good manors, and I will pick one today. Does the Pasha want to join?” Theocels invited.

“Haha…sorry I’m far too busy,” Alexander politely declined, thinking he had far better uses for his time than looking at some noble’s abandoned house.

But then he advised, “Try to have it as close to the center of the city as possible, so it’s easier for everyone to come. And have it as big as possible so it can fit a large crowd.”

“Yes, my lord. I will bear it in mind,” Theocles nodded in agreement. 𝒃𝒆𝒐𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝙘𝙤𝒎

Alexander then changed the topic, “So, has the temple of Ramuh done anything lately?”

“For now, nothing.” Theocles said shaking his head, adding, “As you commanded we have not antagonized them and it seems they are smart enough to know not to pick a fight with us… for now.”

The significance of Theocles’s repeating and emphasizing the two words were not lost on Alexander, who too subconsciously repeated, “For now.”

He very well understood that it would only be a matter of time before these priests clashed not only with Alexander’s Gaia faith but also with Ptolomy’s new religion, which was a branching sect of the original monolithic Ramuh faith.

This would be like the battle between the catholic and protestant states, or the crusades, brutal and merciless and Alexander knew there was no way to avoid it.

Also, Alexander was not really averse to such conflicts as this would allow him to gain more territory.

But not now.

He was not yet ready and his faith was too infantile to put up any resistance against the Goliath that was the Ramuh faith.

But as the city lord, he could do a lot of things to suppress other religions while promoting his own.

“The temple of Ramuh is a threat to us,” Alexander stated, “not only because it controls the faith of a vast number of people, but because they can set these people against us at any time.”

“Hmmm, does the Pasha wish to banish them,” Theocles asked in a probing tone.

“No,…the people here have too a deep-rooted faith, The backlash would be too much,” Alexander, though tempted, rejected such an extreme act.

Then he took out a scrolled piece of papyrus from his pocket and handed it to Theocles,

“Read this,”

As Theocles glanced down onto the thin scroll, he could see numbered points written on them, ten in total, with a new instruction written next to each of them.

Yes, this was Alexander blatantly ripping off the Ten Commandments, while also making slight modifications to adjust them to his circumstance.

The commandments read:

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. Thou shalt not commit blasphemy.

3. Thou shall offer your prayers on time every time.

4. Thou shalt serve me with your soul, and with your devotion, not with extravagant offerings.

5. Thou shalt not kill the innocent and the defenseless.

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery. — a husband belongs only to his wife and the wife only belongs to her husband.

7. Thou shall not bear false witness, cheat, frame, or break promises.

8. You shall not envy or steal what is rightfully others.

9. Honor your father and mother and love thy children, sons, and daughter equally.

10. Thou shalt look after your compatriots and help the poor, needy and destitute.

Credit to Alexander, he did not simply copy-paste the ten commandments but had given it a bit of thought.

The first three rules were obvious and the cornerstone of any religion- belief, loyalty, and prayer.

The fourth was a way to prevent the temples from becoming too rich and decadent.

Alexander knew what the churches in the middle ages had become, funding wars, creating works of lavish art and architecture, and leading an opulent lifestyle by various exploitative means, which was a huge factor in leading to its decline years later.

Thus Alexander hoped that by discouraging spending money on the temples, such practices could be, though not stopped, at least curbed and his faith might escape the same decline the church faced.

The next four were simply illegal or immoral things that the people were barred from doing.

The sixth point was one that particularly stood out for Alexander, as he included it not only so that the familiar ties would be strengthened by following this commandant, but also because he hoped that soldiers would commit fewer atrocities after being reminded of this.

And the last two were familiar and social duties expected of any decent human being.