Crusader Kings: Prisoners of War.

Chapter 193 Provincial Arrangements
Generally speaking, the Romans were a relatively studious nation. When they conquered the eastern provinces, they learned a lot of concepts from the Hellenistic kingdoms. For example, regarding the control over banks, they did not directly set up a state-owned bank like the Greeks did. Instead, they gave a large part of the bank's functions to some temples.

The temples stored gold and silver, provided loans, and perhaps had some cross-regional deposit and withdrawal services, similar to some money houses in later generations. If the Roman priests could be hereditary like some countries, it would be very likely that some rentiers would be born. Fortunately, most Roman priests were part-time in rotation, so this problem did not exist. However, other problems also followed. Like other positions, the heads of these temples were not professional, which did not meet Orwell's requirements for specialization. This was the fundamental reason for his reform.

The military personnel probably understood Orwell's reform ideas and expressed their strong support for them.

First of all, there are not many children of prominent families among them. Most of them are of common origin and have undergone a long period of military training. Even if they do not have any systematic knowledge, they can probably understand a very simple truth: everyone has their own expertise. People who specialize in chopping people are generally good at it. People who specialize in farming, accounting, and studying law are definitely better in their professional fields.

Based on this, they can understand Orville's concerns. There is also a more realistic reason - with more positions, it is easier to find a job. Whether they turn to politics after retirement or pave the way for their descendants, it is a sure win. Citizen soldiers of civilian origin do not mind this matter very much. Anyway, it will not harm their own interests too much.

Now some people in the army are being asked to take charge of the functions. Orville also knows that this is not a long-term solution. It is necessary to separate the army and the administration. He cannot set such a bad precedent. However, Orville cannot gather too many such talents at the moment. He plans to go back to the European continent and find some people from there to solve this problem.

...............

While Orville was steadily advancing the provincial construction project and suppressing sporadic rebellions and uprisings in various places, new news came from the Gaul province. It was a handwritten letter from Tia.

[I have some unfortunate news to tell you. According to the original plan, the central government of the empire should provide you with some financial and material support. After all, you have just conquered the land of Britain, the expenses are relatively high and there will not be much output there for a while.

But recently many provinces of the empire have been unstable. The Parthians and Germans on the border are restless. Our country has also experienced several costly wars in succession, such as the Parphic War and the Gallic War. During the reign of Emperor Nero, the treasury reserves were almost exhausted. My father has just taken over the power, and he invested all the money he managed to get into the Gallic War. Now we are really spending more than we earn.

My father just sent me a letter saying that Rome has decided to appoint you as the Governor of Britain, responsible for the war and rule over Britain.

The Roman lands on the British Isles are collectively called the British Province. You, as the Governor of Britain, accept my command. Currently, the British Province will temporarily exist as a subsidiary of the Lugden Gaul Province before it stabilizes. This is the general appointment and arrangement. In the past two years, the Lugden Gaul Province does not need to pay taxes to the central government, but the central government of the empire will not provide you with any decent support. Financially, you and I need to think of ways to solve the problem.

After a few months, when Gaul is stable, I will find time to go to your side to check on the situation, and then I will discuss these issues with you in detail. At present, I can't give you any decent support. If you need more soldiers, I can transfer thousands of people to you. There are still some weapons and equipment in stock. The commander of the Germanic province sent a batch of front-line equipment. I really don't have any good ideas for funds. I can't give you too much before the autumn harvest. If you need it, I can transfer hundreds of thousands of dinars to you. This is the limit.

If conditions permit, do not impose new taxes in Gaul. Just maintain the current tax situation stipulated by the Empire. That's all you need to know. I hope everything goes well for you in Britain. Be safe and don't take too many risks. This is roughly what the letter said. It was not unexpected. Orville knew that Vespa could not provide him with more substantial support, and the Emperor's family had no surplus food. When he was in Rome, he was in contact with the Empire's accounts every day, so he was very clear about this.

In fact, the Romans were able to quell the Gallic uprising so smoothly thanks to the wealth donations from the Egyptians. Without the millions of dinars donated by the Egyptian Berdinus, Vespa would have had to rack his brains to plug the hole.

Vespa's current fiscal policy is to transfer part of the fiscal pressure to the province of Lugdenia Gallia. Historically, the Roman province of Britain had been operating at a loss for a long time, but Britain could provide the minerals, livestock, slaves and other resources needed by the Roman Empire, so generally speaking it was not a big loss.

Before the British province is completely stabilized, the Romans will suffer losses here. Vespa is aware of this, so he lets Orville and Tia figure out a solution to the problem themselves. The subtext is that he doesn't care about the specific methods, as long as the results are good.

It was not really difficult, because Vespa had always given them many preferential treatments. It could only be regarded as a test of moderate size. When they could no longer hold on, Orville believed that Vespa would still send some resources to allow Orville to maintain the British province of the Roman Empire.

However, Orville felt that the situation was not that bad yet. He and Tianu could solve the problem with their efforts. It would be best if they could solve it internally without asking for help, which would lower the overall evaluation and impression of him and Tianu by the Senate and the residents of Rome.

After carefully putting away the letter, Orville called Belisarius, who had been on standby, and asked him, "What is the situation of the Celts in the north?"

What Orwell was actually talking about were the ancestors of the future Scots. The Romans of this period could not tell the difference between the two, so they simply called them Celts.

The situation in Wales is relatively normal. Boudica has returned to her territory. As a leader with a certain degree of authority, she can still stabilize the emotions of the local people to a certain extent.

Orville also repeatedly asked his soldiers to exercise restraint, so the two sides have been getting along without interfering with each other for some time.

As for the Scots, that was not quite the case.

(End of this chapter)