Chapter 6: Investigating Corruption
Minutes passed, and someone knocked on the door.
The treasurer had arrived.
He was a man of about 47 years, with a body that made it clear he had never gone hungry. His mustache was perfectly groomed, and his face bore a smug smile.
Ren observed him in silence before speaking.
"Please, take a seat."
The man raised an eyebrow and let out a mocking laugh.
"Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?"
His name was Sudo.
The territory's treasurer and someone who clearly had no respect for authority.
Haruto, alarmed by the man's attitude, intervened immediately.
"Sudo! You cannot speak to Prince Ren like that. He is in charge of the territory now."
Sudo looked at him with disdain.
"'Prince'?" he repeated mockingly, as if the word amused him.
But after a long sigh, he shrugged.
"Ok, I suppose."
Ren ignored the man's attitude and got straight to the point.
"We summoned you here because we've noticed some irregularities in the accounting books."
He took a breath and continued.
"There are expenses listed for 150 gold coins annually for the maintenance of the mines, despite the fact that they aren't even in our possession."
Sudo's smile vanished instantly.
A bead of sweat trickled down his neck.
Shit, they found out…
"There must be a mistake, prince," he tried to excuse himself with a nervous smile.
Ren shot him a piercing glare.
"No. There is no mistake."
His tone was firm, almost cold.
Sudo opened his mouth to protest, but Ren gave him no chance.
"Get him out of here."
The order was clear.
"As of now, you are relieved of your duties."
"Prince, wait!" Sudo shouted as two guards grabbed him by the arms.
But his pleas were ignored.
He was dragged out of the residence.
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Outside the residence…
Sudo walked back to his home with heavy steps.
His pride was wounded.
His gaze reflected hatred and resentment.
He clenched his teeth and, in a low voice, murmured furiously:
"This isn't over, prince…"
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Back in the meeting room…
Haruto was still shocked by Ren's decision.
"Prince, is it alright to let him go just like that?"
Ren nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
"We don't have concrete evidence to punish him, so for now, it's not worth the risk."
He took a sip of tea before continuing.
"We can no longer cut expenses, so our only option is to increase revenue."
Haruto and Ashiya nodded silently.
"We can't raise taxes, or we might spark a revolt…"
Ren spread a map across the table.
"We need to improve infrastructure, but without spending too much."
He pointed to an area near the river.
"We can build canals to irrigate the farmlands."
"That will allow us to increase production without needing to expand the cultivable land, which would take more time."
Then he pointed to another spot on the river.
"We can install a waterwheel on the river."
"That will generate mechanical energy, which we can use to grind wheat and produce flour without relying so heavily on manual labor."
Ren looked at the two men in the room.
"What do you think?"
Haruto and Ashiya exchanged glances.
And then, they nodded enthusiastically.
"Excellent idea, prince!" they responded in unison.
Ren smiled.
"Perfect."
He set the teacup down on the table.
"Tomorrow, I'll give a speech to attract laborers and start construction."
He took another sip of tea and breathed deeply.
"Let's end the meeting for today."
He stood up and looked at Ashiya.
"Follow me."
Without saying more, he left the room.
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In Ren's room…
The two entered and closed the door.
Ren rolled his shoulders, feeling the day's exhaustion.
"Ashiya, can you give me a massage?"
He brought a hand to his neck, trying to relieve the tension.
"A lot happened today."
Ashiya looked at him, surprised…
And then let out a small laugh.
"Of course."
Ren removed the upper part of his clothing and lay face down on the bed.
Ashiya began massaging his shoulders.
He has such a small back… and yet he's so strong.
As he worked on the prince's tense muscles, he noticed something.
He couldn't stop looking at him.
Ren, sensing the gaze on him, asked without turning his head:
"Is something wrong, Ashiya?"
Ashiya flinched and looked away.
"No, nothing."
He continued the massage in silence.
Some time passed before Ashiya finished and retired to his own bedroom.
Ren remained lying down, staring at the ceiling of his room.
He murmured softly:
"So, I'll be living here for a few years…"
He closed his eyes.
"I can't let my brothers become emperor. No matter what happens…"
And with those thoughts, the silence filled the room.