Chapter 16: Lessons in governance from ghost

"We need to talk."

"Sister, what orders do you have?

You feel a bit different today, a bit scary perhaps? "

"Now you've conquered a place. You need to start ruling over it.

Don't think conjuring a few things out of air is the same as ruling."

"Hmmm, but isn't it working very well for now?

I want to be lazy, and fool people into thinking I was benevolent."

"Prashant, be serious. You can't fool everyone all the time.

I don't expect you to work every day, but at least let people understand how are you going to rule.

What are the signs of ruling?" Chandramukhi asked as if testing a student.

Unsurprisingly, Prashant offered his insights without missing a beat. Monologue is his jam.

"Visible symbols of power: So that people will feel government. Even if I am not present there, they know that everything is working as intended.

Predictable rules: So people can understand and plan their lives around my rules.

Presence of representatives: So people know to look for a shipai (guard/peon) when faced with problems. And then thank me when they get solutions. 

Clarity of internal working: So people can feel if things are going well."

"Perfect, you are aware of how things work. This makes my job easier."

"So I assume, I need to actually start working on these?" Prashant wilted at the prospect of a job.

"Let's see.

Visible symbols? You have changed the flag and brought soldiers.

Anything else?"

"Sister, These are common things.

We can go even further. Have all streets kept lit with liberal use of torches.

Post more night watches.

Clean the roads and tidy a space for trading.

All these seem simple, but people in this era wouldn't waste resources. 

In the dead of the night, they won't keep the streetlights like modern cities.

Cleaning the road in monsoon was a fruitless task as rain would make a mess anyway. 

But for us, there is no need to consider the resource problem.

These small, visible changes will announce our rule."

"Good point.

Next, rules.

You have always been an extremely lenient person.

Be it tolerating jokes from subordinates, to sparing the assassins.

But, in this period, this can make you look weak and even unjust.

If a robber can steal in your kingdom without fear of punishment. What's the use of your kindness?"

"But.... but I do this because I've seen power oppress people Legally.

British rule in India was a centralized, rule-bound governance. But it drained the economy, fractured traditions and created divides among people. 

Even under native rules, many social evils were widespread. Sister, don't you about how women were often systematically chained? 

I don't mean to deflect my responsibility nor do I want to salt your wounds.

But power corrupts, and I believe in letting people live under the loosest system and let them figure out themselves."

"Little guy, you are correct in a sense.

But you assume people will figure it out.

And those who figured it out, will let others enjoy the same.

Still, I will accept your stance for now.

Let me help you in this matter. Just lend me a few of your soldiers."

"Thanks, sister, I knew you were best."

'He is so lazy! Always ready to flatter when someone else does his job.'

Chandramukhi smiled gently, a stark contrast to last night. Two-faced. 

"Representatives.

You usually have a knack of getting yourself embedded in local circles. So this won't be an issue for now."

"Yes. Leave that to me. I'll make visits to prominent people, places and in general common man's lives."

"Clarity of working. This is a major problem.

Do you even know how your cheat works? 

Earlier it was just a small group, so your antics were acceptable.

But imagine if your citizens don't even know if their ruler is dying of wounds he just suffered in a fight?

How much food is in the granary?

How much goods are coming for trade?"

"Okay, I'll make an inventory of my system.

And then put supplies in the treasury and let someone else manage it.

I'll avoid hiding my plans from others and make everything perfectly visible.

Boring."

"Ok now, don't look sad.

I'm sure you will continue fumbling around.

What we are doing is to have a structure. So others can easily understand what's happening, what's going to change and if everything is as should be."

[Name: Prince Prashant Patil

Territory: 1 fort (Owned)

1 town (allied)

1 village (allied)

Military: 3500 Rajput elite cavalry

100 Maratha guerrilla infantry

Karma points available: 1,53,000]

"But, sister do you know how can I keep track of my Karma points?

It looks ridiculously large number and I can't be bothered to keep track.

Plus this window looks like of kingdom management template. That too without mentioning things like wealth, materials available." Prashant found himself out of his depth. Asking a feudal ghost to explain how his system works.

"Yours is a peculiar case.

For some comic reasons, your points are not what they should be.

But your other sister can help you with it. She is more into such things.

But I can train you to use the other side of your cheat. The personal stats like strength, constitution and mana points.

With my help, you'll be slaughtering your way to the top."

"Yeah, how about we focus more on other stuff. Like finding if there's a tea stall on Fort?

I'm not into killing.

I've agreed to use the system more, but that doesn't mean I'll follow it in everything.

Cheat or no cheat, I'm the same person." Prashant said with determination.

He was much more relaxed while climbing heights, beating a few goons.

Being a ruthless, battle maniac wanting to usurp the heavens is not his style. 

"Well, good night."

"Wait, I'll have soldiers lit the paths and start night patrols.

But can you tell me, why you chose me?

I can see that, whether it's sister M or you. It was never my story, you let me play the hero, while you are controlling the direction."

"Not so fast, buddy!

Although admirable. Soldiers making rounds near their homes after winning a fight would freak out the people.

As for the next question, what's the hurry? Do you think that your sisters would harm you?"

"Not at all. Good night sister." Prashant never doubted the two women.

It was not related to his system.

But years of social experience have always let him detect facade. He carries one all the time.

His evaluation about them was that, they are powerful entities with full control over their desires, choices, principles and perhaps fate itself.

Eternal sovereigns. 

Descending to the mortal plane with the casual grace and restraint of powerful beings.

Shaurya (prowess), Maryada (restraint) and Dharma (righteous path), all made manifest in female form.

Shakti.