Chapter 90

--- 4th of June 1897 ---

--- 3rd Person POV ---

--- Imperial City in Sooraj ---

After 10 years of being a professor, Pedro Paterno became the dean of Political Science of the Riverbanks Imperial Institution after finishing his doctorate degree in Civil Law at the Riverbanks Imperial Institution. In 1893, he was awarded the Order of the Cross of Akaash III. In March 1894, he was then appointed as the Director of Sooraj Museum. Pedro Paterno was then chosen, at the age of 40, as one of the tutors of Yuvraj Siagu, replacing Doctor Rizal in teaching history and politics, which Pedro Paterno accepted.

Pedro Paterno entered the room, wiping sweat from his face as he approached Yuvraj Siagu. "Forgive me, Your Imperial Highness, for being a bit late. I was having a conversation with your father and lost track of time," he explained before seating himself opposite the young prince.

Yuvraj Siagu, his voice trembling slightly, responded, "No worries, Teacher. My papa must have inquired about something important."

Pedro Paterno nodded with a smile. "Indeed. Shall we start our discussion then?... The Empire of Butuan follows a complex yet somewhat united system of governance. We have smaller government officials, leading up to the emperor as the head of the empire. By incorporating the structure of the British Empire after our defeat, Butuan has flourished to astounding heights.

But as I promised during our first meeting, today we will discuss the basic structure of the Butuan government. Later, we will focus on the structures within the Imperial Household, which you will manage in the future, Your Imperial Highness."

Pedro Paterno maintained a calm and composed demeanor as he continued his discussion. "The government of Butuan, or more formally known as the Imperial Government of the Butuan Empire, is divided into three main branches. The first is the Judiciary Branch, which interprets laws, administers justice, and ensures the rule of law.

The Judiciary Branch is currently headed by the Imperial Judicial Council, commonly known in the United States as the Supreme Court. The Imperial Judicial Council comprises of 12 judicial members or judges who hear and decide cases involving the constitutionality of laws, treaties, and executive issuances; resolve conflicts between different lower courts; review decisions of lower courts; set precedents binding on lower courts; protect the rights of the people; interpret and apply the law; handle major scandals involving public money and government officials; and cater to cases involving the Imperial Family.

The twelve judicial judges were divided into three positions: one Supreme Judicial Judge, two Associate Judicial Judges, and nine Judicial Judges. These judges could serve for a maximum of forty years as members of the Imperial Judicial Council. Upon completing their service, they would retire, and new judges would be appointed to replace them.

The selection of these twelve judicial judges was carried out by the Prime Minister, with the approval of the Emperor. The candidates were chosen based on their records and service to the nation. A thorough investigation will be conducted to verify the authenticity of their records. Once selected as candidates, they will underwent an examination to test their knowledge of laws and governance of the empire. Those who passed the examination had their names submitted to the Emperor for final approval. Those who failed the examination were permanently disqualified from ever being part of the Imperial Judicial Council but can still continue their service as a judge.

This process of selecting members of the Imperial Judicial Council is an ancient and significant event in the life of the empire's judges. This practice dates back to AD 1000, when Rajah Agusan I established the first Grand Imperial Court bodies, composed of intellectuals well-versed in Buddhism and the Code of Rajahnate: Laws of Butuan.

The Imperial Judicial Council serves as the highest judicial authority in the Empire. It is the successor to the Grand Imperial Court. While both institutions function similarly, the key difference lies in the power dynamics: the Imperial Judicial Council wields power equivalent to that of the executive and legislative branches of the empire, unlike the Grand Imperial Court, which held virtually no power over the emperor and the Imperial court."

Pedro Paterno spoke with conviction, while Yuvraj Siagu diligently read the same book being discussed. Driven by a fervent desire to learn about the nation he would one day rule, Yuvraj Siagu listened attentively to his teacher's narration of the Judicial Branch of the government. He found it easy to understand, recalling how in his previous life, he had become accustomed to the three main branches of government through constant news coverage.

Yuvraj Siagu remembered the northern part of his country in his past life, where people were obsessed with democracy and maintaining the independence of the Judiciary and Legislative Branches. This obsession often led to unnecessary and disruptive demonstrations, which affected not only Yuvraj Siagu but also the common people around him.

Yuvraj Siagu became resolute in his belief that a limited democracy was preferable to a total democracy. His mother's words during their trip to San Miguel echoed in his mind: "The public doesn't require full disclosure. Sometimes, a degree of ignorance can bring serenity."

In Yuvraj Siagu's view, excessively restricting the public by denying them offices or a measure of power risked sparking revolution and the monarchy's downfall. However, granting the public too much power in both the government and the press could also lead to revolution and the monarchy's demise, particularly when scandals began to surface.

Yuvraj Siagu believed that by maintaining a façade of freedom by granting the people limited power in the government and press, the stability and sustainability of the monarchy could be assured. Additionally, by offering women a slightly improved but still limited standing in society, the popularity of the monarchy could be bolstered, ensuring stability for years to come.

This approach might seem cruel by modern standards of freedom, but Yuvraj Siagu understood that people in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were more receptive to mind conditioning and manipulation.

"Next to the Judiciary Branch of our government is the Legislative Branch," Pedro Paterno continued, glancing at his student. "Before I proceed, do you have any questions regarding the Judiciary of our government?"

Yuvraj Siagu shook his head and replied, "Uhmmm… Nothing of the sort, Teacher."

Pedro Paterno smiled and said, "Good. The legislative branch of our government is divided into two separate bodies, both of which have paved the way for the continual progress of our mighty nation. What do you think those two bodies are?"

"We have the House of Lords and the House of Commons," Yuvraj Siagu replied confidently.

"Good," Pedro Paterno nodded. "Who currently heads both houses, the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition or Liberal Party?"

"Truth be told," Yuvraj Siagu said calmly and confidently, "the only thing I know is that the government is currently led by Prime Minister Emilio Aguinaldo, who is the eighth Prime Minister of the Empire. He is the youngest of all eight Prime Ministers and, based on my observations, the most popular. He also leads the Conservative Party, which holds the majority of seats in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons."

Despite having spent considerable time on his recent pursuits, Yuvraj Siagu had been largely inactive and inattentive to the intricacies of the nation's government. This lack of engagement had fostered a sense of eagerness in him for today's lesson. He could accept the reality that he had indeed neglected his understanding of the government in favor of forging connections with the House of Yi, the Romanovs, and the Chakri.

And with the arrival of a new teacher in history and politics, Yuvraj Siagu's interest and dedication to studying the structure of the future nation he would one day lead were reignited.

Pedro Paterno, observing Siagu's performance, felt a sense of satisfaction. "Wonderful! I have heard that you possess a remarkable knowledge of subjects not typically known at your age, and I had some doubts about those rumors," he said with approval. "But after witnessing your performance in today's lesson, I can see that not only do you understand, but you also demonstrate a level of acceptance and reservedness—traits befitting a true ruler."

Pride and enthusiasm colored Pedro Paterno's praise as he recognized the depth of his student's understanding, which helped clarify the rumors he had previously questioned.

Yuvraj Siagu expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for your compliment, Teacher. But I still have a long way to go before fully understanding the intricacies of our government structure." His humility was evident in his tone.

Pedro Paterno acknowledged this with a nod. "A hatchling cannot leave its nest immediately after birth," he remarked thoughtfully. "Training and observation under a strict process are essential for the hatchling's moment of flight." With a gentle smile toward Yuvraj Siagu, he continued, "Nevertheless, you are indeed correct about knowing who the Prime Minister is. Currently, the leader of the House of Commons is Sardar Ramilin Abdurajak. At 40 years old, he is a staunch believer in conservative ideology. The title of Sardar was bestowed upon him by the previous Maharaja Siagu XIV, in recognition of his competence and wit in contributing to the empire's growth."

Pedro then shifted his focus to the House of Lords. "The current head of the House of Lords is Maha Samrat Kiran Alonto, the leader of the Clan Alonto. Raja Kiran, also a member of the conservative party, has made significant contributions to managing and maintaining order in the House of Lords. Since his appointment by the Maharaja, Maha Samrat Kiran has been overseeing the chamber for a total of four years.

While Sardar Laksamana Amihan, the leader of the Liberal Party for the past decade, has long been a prominent figure in the political landscape. Under his leadership, the party has wielded substantial influence over both the populace and government decisions.

However, recent months have seen the Liberal Party embroiled in significant controversies, eroding public trust. Even Maharaja Siagu XV has expressed concern over the party's involvement in these issues. As a result, the Conservative Party has emerged as the dominant voice within the government."

Yuvraj Siagu Alexie nodded discreetly in agreement with Pedro Paterno's words, recognizing the wisdom in his teacher's perspective. He understood the concerns of his own father, Maharaja Siagu XV, who, unlike Yuvraj Siagu, did not seek total power and control over the nation's governance. The Maharaja was intent on preserving the independence of the Sanoor parliament.

Yuvraj Siagu acknowledged certain aspects of his father's viewpoint on governance, especially the idea of moving away from absolute authoritarianism. However, his own ambition for full control of the government, while maintaining the facade of democracy, remained. The existing structure of the empire's government satisfied Yuvraj Siagu to some extent, but he felt that achieving his vision of total control required instilling a deeper, almost unquestioning faith in the monarchy among the public. He drew inspiration from the examples of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation, where such unyielding allegiance seemed to prevail.

Despite the negative perception of regimes in his previous world, Yuvraj Siagu recognized that the leaders of both countries had achieved remarkable success in consolidating control over their governments, even with the presence of ostensibly 'elected' officials. Yuvraj Siagu idolized these leaders and aspired to replicate their mastery of governance in his own future reign.

Pedro Paterno, observing his student lost in thought, spoke up, "Your Imperial Highness?"

Yuvraj Siagu snapped back to attention. "Hmm?"

"Do you have any questions or concerns about the Legislative Branch of the government?" Pedro Paterno asked. When Yuvraj Siagu shook his head, Pedro continued, "Very well. Shall we proceed?"

"...The executive branch of the government was comprised of various ministries, with the Maharaja at its helm. Under his leadership, eight ministries operated: Defence, Foreign Affairs, Treasury, Learning and Sports, Justice, Interior, Social Welfare, and Public Works. These ministries were overseen by appointed officials, elected from the House of Commons, but their appointments required the Maharaja's approval and the endorsement of the Imperial Judicial Council.

The primary responsibility of these eight ministries was to supervise and manage the agencies and departments within their purview. For instance, the Ministry of Defence controlled the entire Imperial Army, while the Ministry of Learning and Sports had recently been restructured into the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture. This newly named ministry was tasked with overseeing the empire's sports development, education, and cultural preservation.

However, today's focus was not on these ministries. Instead, the discussion centered on the Imperial Estate Agency and the Imperial Heritage, both of which played crucial roles in managing and preserving the grandeur of the nation's historical buildings." Pedro Paterno, engrossed in his book and not bothering to look up at his student, asked, "Tell me, Your Imperial Highness, what do you know about the Imperial Estate Agency as an institution?"

With confidence, Yuvraj Siagu imparted his knowledge: "The Imperial Estate Agency was established after my grandfather, Maharaja Siagu XIV, was compelled to pay reparations and settle debts incurred from the defeat by the British and the French. Out of the 35 palaces and estates we owned, 30 were transferred to the Imperial Estate Agency in exchange for fixed annual allowances. Additionally, some plantations and businesses have been developed using the funds generated from these properties."

Pedro Paterno nodded in approval before responding, "That is indeed correct, Your Imperial Highness. However, there is one crucial detail you have overlooked. The Imperial Estate Agency operates under the control of the Maharaja, who appoints commissioners to manage the properties under its jurisdiction.

The second organization of note was the Imperial Heritage Foundation. Established by the government, this foundation took control of the majority of properties previously held by the nobles of the empire. It was tasked with their preservation and maintenance.

The establishment of the Imperial Heritage Foundation had been highly controversial. The foundation's actions, which included the forcible transfer of properties from the nobles, stirred considerable unrest. The nobles were left with only their ancestral castles or houses and a few income-generating properties."

Yuvraj Siagu, who was unfamiliar with the details of this historical shift, inquired with curiosity, "Did the nobles retaliate at the time?" His question reflected his lack of knowledge about the government's takeover of noble properties.

Pedro Paterno explained calmly, "In 1890, a formal letter of protest was sent to the Maharaja, demanding that he prevent the newly established democratic government from seizing their properties and assets. Not all noble families participated in this protest, however.

Despite the nobles' retaliation, the Maharaja, your father, remained resolute in his decision and adhered strictly to the constitution of the empire. He chose to remain neutral in the process, allowing the government to function independently. This stance further angered the nobles, who felt abandoned by him.

In their desperation to regain control and reclaim what they believed was rightfully theirs, a coup was orchestrated against your father. Thirty noble families, primarily from the Champa and Sabah regions, revolted, creating one of the major crises the government had faced since its inception. However, with the support of the people, Maharaja Siagu XV, and the military, the coup was subdued after a month of conflict.

The families involved were stripped of their titles and lands, reduced to mere commoners. Following the government's victory, a swift new law was enacted by the parliament under your father's endorsement, regulating the distribution of titles to those not directly related to the main branch of the Imperial family."

"Anyways, let us go back to our main subject. The Imperial Estate Agency Agency and the Imperial Heritage, both have played significant roles in maintaining and preserving the castles and structures that made us Butuanons Butuanons.

At present, the Imperial Estate Agency is under the stewardship of Alejandro Bagani. With a background steeped in education and a family history of service to the empire, spanning the military and industry, Bagani has served as the head commissioner for a decade. His tenure has marked him as the second commissioner to hold this esteemed office.

Since Alejandro Bagani assumed leadership, the Imperial Estate Agency has experienced a significant boost in revenue. The agency's income has doubled as a result of strategic expansions designed to optimize revenue from leased estates. Currently, the agency has accumulated ¥850 million in the Bank of Butuan, while maintaining a yearly operational budget of ¥190 million.

According to the agreement established between the government and the Imperial Estate Agency, the government would not allocate any budget for the Imperial Estate Agency and the monarchy. In return, the Imperial Estate Agency was granted the autonomy to manage the funds it generated, subject to the approval of the maharaja.

The funds utilized by the Imperial Family, known as the Imperial Grant, are sourced from the revenue produced by the Imperial Estate Agency.

In contrast to the Imperial Estate Agency, the Imperial Heritage Foundation remains under government control, with its commissioner, Kanwar Tejaswini, having held the position for the entire six-year term of office.

Much like the Imperial State Agency, the Imperial Heritage Foundation was responsible for maintaining, preserving, and expanding the properties and lands under its control. Most of the properties managed by the Imperial Heritage Foundation had been acquired from nobles, either voluntarily or through governmental seizure following the empire's defeat by the British and French.

Currently, 10% of the remaining properties under the Foundation's care were beyond salvation. Some buildings had already been destroyed or overtaken by nature after years of neglect, leading to the previous commissioner's removal from office and subsequent imprisonment on corruption charges.

Both agencies played a crucial role in preserving the identity of what it meant to be Butuanon. Without these entities, the empire would have struggled to maintain its properties." Pedro Paterno concluded his narration and turned his attention to his student with a calm demeanor.

As Pedro Paterno's words drew to a close, Yuvraj Siagu Alexie slowly closed his book, allowing himself to sink deeper into the realm of his imagination. Each of Pedro Paterno's carefully chosen words penetrated Yuvraj Siagu's ears, fostering a profound understanding of the significance of the Imperial Estate Agency and the Imperial Heritage Foundation in his mind.

Pedro Paterno observed with satisfaction as his student absorbed the lesson. The enthusiasm Yuvraj Siagu displayed throughout the class reminded Pedro of his own days as a student. The eagerness with which Yuvraj engaged was a mirror of Pedro's own fervor when he was pursuing his degree.

Pedro Paterno mused that knowledge would always hunger those with intellect and a desire to know. Reflecting on his own youth, he concluded that while soldiers wielded guns and swords, it was knowledge that empowered intellectuals.

As the day wore on, Yuvraj Siagu Alexie's routine unfolded as usual, culminating in the end of his class with his teacher, Pedro Paterno. The remainder of his time was spent in communion with nature and in communication with his fiancée, Princess Abbhantripaja of Siam. Her constant updates on her activities brought a smile to Yuvraj Siagu's face.

In a rare occurrence since the war began, Maharaja Siagu XV joined the family dinner, a meal prepared by the palace cooks, marking a cherished moment of togetherness.

After dinner, Maharaja Siagu XV conveyed a special message to his wife, updating her on the government's ongoing negotiations with the Dutch East Indies concerning the sale of several parcels of land on the Island of Borneo. According to the correspondence received by Maharaja Siagu XV, the negotiations were advancing at a slow pace.