The Chancellor spoke to Ian in a tone as if he was testing him.
“Your Highness, you might not be aware, but there is a bizarre rumor circulating in the capital that you are driving the citizens of the empire to their deaths.”
“Yes, I know. It’s truly a ridiculous rumor. It can only be considered as someone maliciously spreading it.”
As Ian stared sharply at the Chancellor, the Chancellor laughed heartily.
“Surely, Your Highness doesn’t suspect me?”
“It’s quite the ‘coincidence’ that as soon as the rumor started spreading, you sought me out.”
“How could I possibly slander the royal family and undermine the authority of the royal house? I contacted you swiftly to resolve this issue before Your Highness is wrongfully accused if, as the rumor says, the prices of essential goods rise.”
It seemed the Chancellor could be ruled out as a suspect. At least, he was someone who valued the authority of the royal family more than anyone else. While Ian was pondering how to resolve the rumor, he suddenly recalled an episode from his first day at work when his mentor had berated him with a single word repeatedly.
“Employee Kang Seong-jin, did you slice this into actionable segments? Sigh… Doing it this way means we can’t analyze it accurately.”
“I’m sorry. Could you please explain what you mean by actionable segments?”
Though now a familiar concept, it had been difficult to grasp back then. MECE (Mutually Exclusive Collectively Exhaustive) means that the categories should be mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. For example, the currency of South Korea can be divided into coins and bills. Coins are ten won, fifty won, one hundred won, and five hundred won. Bills are one thousand won, five thousand won, ten thousand won, and fifty thousand won. These eight forms of currency are mutually exclusive but together form the complete set of South Korean currency.
Since adopting this perspective, Ian had never been criticized in presentations or reports. In fact, even this rumor could be easily resolved if viewed from a MECE perspective. The goods entering the capital could be split into essential goods and luxury goods, and different tax policies could be maintained for these two categories.
Ian was curious about how the Chancellor would approach this problem.
“I’m curious about the solution you have in mind, Chancellor. If you can’t resolve such a simple issue, I would be personally disappointed.”
The Chancellor, seeing Ian’s provocative demeanor, picked up the teacup in front of him. Ian’s confident demand for a solution reminded the Chancellor of the Emperor’s childhood.
The Chancellor took a sip of tea and spoke calmly to Ian.
“I cannot afford to disappoint Your Highness. I have a plan in mind. Would you like to hear it?”
When Ian nodded, the Chancellor shared his opinion.
“We could levy different tolls on luxury goods and essential goods. One way is to significantly raise the toll on luxury goods. If we maintain the current tolls on essential goods, the rumors should die down.”
Not only did the Chancellor approach the problem from a similar perspective, but he also went a step further for the benefit of the empire.
“For food items, in particular, we should maintain the current tolls to ensure a reserve for special situations like wartime.”
Hearing the Chancellor’s response, Ian felt a sudden chill. Although he knew key information about the web novel, he had thought he could handle the main characters with this knowledge. But if he failed to show his capabilities, he might meet his end at Kyle’s hands, just as in the novel.
As if reading Ian’s mind, the Chancellor asked sharply.
“What is Your Highness’s opinion?”
“I agree with the Chancellor. However, there is one thing we must consider.”
The Chancellor looked at Ian with a curious gaze as Ian mentioned there was something else to consider.
“We need to verify whether the current ‘workforce,’ or rather ‘personnel system,’ can handle this.”
During his rookie days, Ian had come up with plausible strategies without understanding the actual work, which often led to failures. Of course, in a hierarchical society, who would refuse if the Emperor or the Chancellor ordered it?
“Concerns about the personnel system…?”
“Additionally, if new procedures are introduced, merchants might complain about the inconvenience. If we want to raise the tolls, the inspection system should not become more cumbersome than it is now.”
The Chancellor revised his assessment of the Third Prince upon hearing Ian’s reasoning. It seemed as though someone had suddenly started aiding the Third Prince.
“I didn’t realize Your Highness had such a detailed interest in administration.”
“Isn’t creating an effective ‘structure’ for running the empire a key virtue of the Emperor?”
“An interesting opinion. But if the Emperor commands to form two lines, who would dare complain in a hierarchical society? Is such detailed consideration necessary?”
Was he just accustomed to the hierarchical society or was he testing Ian?
“It seems the Chancellor is making a jest.”
“How can you say it’s a jest? In my view, it’s the most convenient and effective solution.”
Seeing the white-haired middle-aged man’s sly smile, Ian decided to score more points. Building a relationship with the closest aide to the final decision-maker was always beneficial.
“People inherently want to act in a more comfortable manner. Policies aligned with this instinct will be effective.”
Talking about ‘insights’ into human nature made the Chancellor stop evaluating Ian and simply listen.
“Moreover, merchants are inherently profit-driven. If a new policy is too cumbersome, they will try to bribe the guards.”
“Indeed. Today, I, Arteus, have learned from the Third Prince.”
Ian smiled and replied to the Chancellor’s words.
“If rumors spread that the Chancellor learned from me, people in the palace might say the sun will rise in the west tomorrow.”
“Whether the sun rises in the east or the west, what does it matter? As long as the empire benefits, I would ask even a three-year-old.”
“Surely, I don’t look like a three-year-old to you?”
“Just a few days ago, perhaps. But now, I see a sharp young man before me.”
‘Not bad at all. I’ve earned some points.’
“May I now return to my quarters?”
As Ian attempted to leave, the Chancellor stopped him.
“Your Highness, now that you’ve shared your opinion, how about directly resolving this issue?”
“Hm, is it necessary for me, the Third Prince, to handle this personally?”
It was important to feign reluctance initially to secure ‘compensation.’
“As a prince of the empire, it is your duty to solve imperial problems. If Your Highness doesn’t take the lead, who will actively address the empire’s issues?”
The Chancellor was not easy to deal with, attempting to employ him without compensation.
However, it was crucial not to get accustomed to working for free. If you become used to uncompensated tasks, you might end up with useless work and miss out on important ones.
“When people have the joy of receiving something, they work harder. I know the principle of ‘rewards and punishments’ the Chancellor advised the Emperor. Is the royal family an exception?”
The Chancellor, showing an unreadable expression, replied to the logical counter.
“Very well. If Your Highness resolves this issue well, I will ensure a substantial reward within my power.”
Ian shook his head and said.
“If I drain the Chancellor’s treasury, I would have no face to see you again.”
Seeing Ian evade his intentions repeatedly, the Chancellor decided he would report today’s events to the Emperor. He felt strongly that the Emperor’s desired ‘crown prince competition’ had begun in the hands of the Third Prince.
“I will report this matter directly to the Emperor. When shall we set the deadline?”
From the Chancellor’s professional demeanor, it was evident that managing expectations was crucial. Raising expectations too high might lead to disappointment, no matter how diligently the work was completed.
“Give me a generous one month.”
Used to reporting tasks within 1-2 weeks, Ian felt one month was ample time. However, his confidence was shattered as soon as he heard the Chancellor’s next words.
“One month, Your Highness? I expected you to ask for at least three months… Hearing you say one month excites me.”
“N-No…!”
Just as Ian was about to revise the timeline for more leisure, the Chancellor cut him off with a devilish smile.
“I look forward to next month. I, Arteus, trust only in Your Highness. I will report to the Emperor accordingly.”
The previously confident Third Prince now wore a hurried expression regarding the timeline, which made the Chancellor chuckle. Perhaps this month would be anything but boring.
Meanwhile, as Ian left the Chancellor’s office, he wanted to smack his own reckless mouth.
‘I’ve thrown myself into the pit of hell.’
Though he had a more generous timeline than planned, he needed to hasten. The sooner he could shorten the one-month period, the better.
He needed his own engineer, or rather, ‘technician.’
***
After meeting with the Chancellor, Ian gathered a bundle of papers from his room and asked Tom for the location of the Magic Tower, heading there immediately. He thought he heard Tom calling him, but he was focused on recruiting his ‘technician’ and headed straight to the Magic Tower.
“Gloomy genius magical engineer, Deus.”
Deus, who secretly researched magic engineering in the Magic Tower, caught the First Prince’s attention after an explosion accident during a visit. However, Deus, who genuinely wanted to contribute to the empire, ended up hanging himself, unable to bear the First Prince’s coercive demands to create only lethal weapons.
‘A true contribution to the empire.’
Creating a better ‘structure’ for the empire was something that could excite Deus.
Having arrived at the Magic Tower, Ian checked that the bundle of papers was still with him and knocked on the door, shouting.
“Come here!”
The response from the Magic Tower to Ian’s embarrassing shout was quick. However, the question from the young magician who appeared was unexpected.
“Did you bring something with you?”
A strange silence ensued between Ian and the young magician.
Cliche Novel 