Vikings: Lords of the Ice Sea

Chapter 176 The Golden Raven
Chewing on his pigeon pie, Ulf lowered his voice, "Just how much does the royal family owe? Hey, don't look at me like that, I can guess even if you don't tell me. At least ten thousand pounds, right?"

Seeing Vig's helpless expression, Ulf took a small sip of wine. "Looks like my five hundred pounds debt is hopeless."

With financial information leaked, Vig was helpless. In today's Britain, there are no secrets; by the time the cabinet finishes its morning meeting, rumors are already circulating in the taverns—this kind of news can't be kept hidden.

Ulf's subsequent discussion continued to revolve around finances.

"I heard you've recently acquired a new nickname—the Gold-Sniffing Raven, relentlessly pursuing gold and silver like a raven chasing carrion. Haha, luckily I understand your character; I know you disdain petty gains. If anyone else tried these tricks in Dover, they wouldn't even be allowed through the gates of my castle, let alone a banquet."

Vig did not refute, but listened patiently to his master's ramblings. Before he knew it, the bard's tune became cheerful, the old man playing the lute sat cross-legged by the campfire, the three strings vibrating with the pluck of his index finger, producing a clear, spring-like tone, the boy played the flute, and the drummer struck the sheepskin drum heavily, indicating that a good show was about to begin.

Two actors draped in coarse linen jumped to the center; the taller one raised a wooden sword, his linen cloak whistling through the air.

"The dragon's flames scorched the church spire!"

The clarinetist played a high-pitched, sustained note at just the right moment, causing the candlelight to flicker. The short man, huddled in a ball, suddenly jumped up and shouted at the top of his lungs: "But the shepherd boy's heart is harder than armor!"

The next moment, everyone shouted in unison: "He embarked on the journey without hesitation, all for the sake of the princess's love."

The play is titled "Lucky BoJack," and its plot is simple and lighthearted, telling the story of a shepherd boy who defeats a dragon and steals its treasure.

When the performance ended, Ulf grabbed a handful of silver coins and scattered them, drawing repeated thanks from the crowd. After the bards left, the conversation between the two nobles became increasingly sensitive.

"To be honest, are you confident you can turn things around and avoid the current financial difficulties?"

Vig gently swirled the wine in his glass, watching the crimson liquid rotate within. "It's difficult. Pascal left behind a mess, and I can barely keep things afloat."

Ulf refused to believe it. "You've been causing trouble in Rendinium, offending countless people, and you're only barely managing to stay afloat? Take my advice: if you can't handle it, run away. There are countless people eyeing the prime minister's position, and plenty of people are willing to take over."

"I know what I'm doing." The campfire burned, and the firelight cast shifting shadows of Vig on the wall.

"As for offending people, such a trivial matter is nothing. The Prime Minister is the role model of the administrative system, just as the commander is the role model of the entire army. If I appear weak and easily bullied, afraid of getting entangled with others, how can I win the respect of the people?"

This is a thankless and demanding job, but also a rare opportunity. As Prime Minister, governing a vast country encompassing the British Isles, Denmark, and Sweden, regardless of success or failure, will enhance Viggo's administrative abilities.

Today, England has a population of approximately 1.2 million, Wales approximately 200,000, the North approximately 270,000, and Ireland approximately 500,000.

The total population of the British Isles is approximately 2.2 million, including about 300,000 immigrants from Northern Europe.

The population of the Nordic region is difficult to count. According to Vig's estimate, Denmark's agriculture is more developed than that of Sweden and Norway. After a large number of immigrants moved overseas, the population is between 30 and 40.

Sweden has a large territory, but after the devastation of the Sword of North and the ensuing year-long stalemate, many people migrated to Britain and Normandy, and its population is still slowly declining, currently hovering between 20 and 30. In recent years, the Kingdom of Norway has enjoyed stability. Erik and his son, Erik the Younger, were not skilled in warfare and could only focus their energy on governing their territory. This led to the absorption of immigrants from Denmark and Sweden, and their population is gradually approaching that of Denmark.

"That's too few. The total population of the British Isles and Northern Europe combined is less than that of West Frankish Kingdom alone."

Recalling historical data, Vigé deduced that the current population of West Frankish was slightly lower than that of Roman Gaul at its peak, falling between 500 and 800 million.

"Ultimately, it comes down to backward agricultural production. We hope that the application of clover, turnips, and new agricultural machinery can improve productivity and support a larger population."

With his business in Kent settled, Vig returned to Lundynewme, where his secretary, Lodge, delivered bad news: the treasury was empty again.

Left with no other option, he borrowed 1,000 pounds from the Ross Chamber of Commerce, to be repaid in five years, totaling 1,600 pounds, while also allowing the Chamber to expand its premises.

After signing, Vig stopped Rocky, who was about to leave, and asked, "Is there any way to reduce administrative expenses?"

Upon hearing the devastating news, Rocky staggered, quickly grabbing the wall for support to avoid falling. He turned and walked to his desk, speaking in a serious tone he had never heard before: "Your Excellency, I sincerely request that you reconsider this idea. The previous prime minister tried it, but to no avail; in fact, overall expenses increased."

Seeing the Prime Minister's skeptical expression, Rocky began to complain.

"As the Prime Minister's secretary, my annual salary is two pounds, which is more than most employees. Ordinary employees earn 40 to 80 silver pence, which is not much money. Why don't you turn your attention to the court?"

For example, Queen Sora's pet dog has two dedicated servants who change its velvet sleeping mat every two weeks, feed it fresh goat's milk, and feed it beef and mutton. In addition, the swans, peacocks, falcons, greyhounds, and mastiffs kept on the royal estates also incur enormous costs. It's said that the court steward suddenly had the idea to order two lions from the Berbers, and they're expected to arrive next month.

After repeated pleas from his secretary, Vigé temporarily abandoned the idea. At the cabinet meeting the following day, he questioned five distracted ministers.

"Gentlemen, the palace urgently needs money. Is there any way to increase revenue or reduce expenses?"

Surprisingly, Horst spoke up, "Besides Londinium, the royal family also owns York, Tamworth, and Nottingham. Every year after the harvest, the newly stored grain is transported to Londinium, requiring a large number of draft animals, resulting in significant losses. I suggest changing the method, allowing farmers to exchange their grain for silver and pay taxes directly in silver coins, which would greatly reduce transportation costs."

Horst was extremely pleased with this new idea that he had been racking his brains for, but unexpectedly it was rejected by Goodwin.

"No! A large number of farmers selling grain in a short period of time will inevitably lead to a drop in grain prices. Originally, five bushels of wheat could be exchanged for ten pence, but after the price of grain drops, it may only be eight bushels to exchange for ten pence. With grain cheap and silver expensive, it is equivalent to indirectly increasing their burden. It would be better to just raise taxes directly."

The two argued for a while, then decided to let the Prime Minister decide. Viggo, unable to make a decision, uttered some incomprehensible nonsense.
"Lord Horst's idea is unique, and Lord Goodwin's rebuttal is also reasonable. The root cause of the low grain and high silver prices lies in the insufficient currency circulating in the market, or rather, the insufficient silver. Unless a large silver mine is discovered, causing a surge in the circulation of silver, Lord Horst's idea can not be realized."

After rambling on for a while, Vig decided to maintain the status quo. Reforming the agricultural tax involved too many issues, and he simply lacked confidence in the current administrative system.

(End of this chapter)