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Chapter 5 - Governance II

"In economic affairs, there is not much for me to do. I will be focusing on the commercial district as we all want to have a economic system. We have no contact with any outside civilization yet, so I decided not to send or allow any merchants to travel outside the territory. The coin circulation will be my top priority right now since we introduced a new design of coin, it is a coin with a olive wreath crown on it side then the value on the other. The mint is now fully operational inside Regia, the most secured place. I am also drafting business laws with regards to business contracts, subject for approval to the prime minister. We will just use the Roman law as a guide as agreed by the council. " Titus is originally a Roman merchant who travels the empire, it just so happen that he was in Londinium when the siege happen. His loyalty is a bit questionable, but his talents outweigh this lacking.

"In ministry of medicinal arts and science innovation, we will be establishing a cental hospital beside the Rostra by the help of Senator Rabirius. We will also utilize the research section in military district as our research center, an academy will also be establish there that will teach writing, reading, Roman values, Roman history, medicine, mathematics, astrology, mercantile and economy, agriculture, veterinary, and philosophy. I also request Senator Felix for a joint research with regard in discovering herbs which may be useful for medicine." Adrian doesn't care much about power struggle. He is a genius plebeian scholar from Rome who wanders the Roman empire, it also just happens that he's in Londinium at that time. He is a friend of the Julii family because he is one of the many beneficiary under the charity of Amulius' deceased father. He grew up in the Julii family estate in Rome, he is accustomed with the Julii principles and values, he can be consider a person with true Roman values.

"Under the Ministry of Peace and Order, we will enforce Roman laws promulgated by the Ministry of Justice. We wil also assist any ministry that needs our help. We will keep the peace and order inside and outside the town. Any civil disobedience will be punished without exception." Marius is a duty-bound person, he is by-the-book person. There is no leniency under his watch. A strict officer when he was still the Tesserarius of Amulius. But with this situation, it is implied that the Century disbanded and formed into a bigger entity. Amulius trusted Marius that he will not abandon his duty as he will take this seriously. Marius is a good example for the disciplinarian attitude of a true Roman. He, however, know his limits as he is following whats on his job description. Marius and Cassius knows their caution line. The tandem of Marius and Cassius as both defense and offense officials is a perfect combination as it compliments their personality.

"Finally in my ministry of justice, everyone will be treated fairly. Our civil laws will still be the same like our Roman laws as to not cause confusion to our people. However, there will be modification with regard to enforcing punishment. For treason it will still be death by hanging, everyone is expected to be loyal to Amulius as he represent Rome here. For rape, murder, parricide and homicide will be forced labor since we need more manpower in the cave that we are now using as mines, it will be a lifetime labor.

For theft, robbery, libel, arson, adultery and concubinage, the person will be subject to 20 years labor in the mines and another 5 years cleaning the town. For forgery and other minor civil disobedience, the punishment will be 5 years labor in the mines and another 5 years in the farm or forestry. The punishment is lighter compared to our original Roman laws, but our situation calls for a different approach that is why the punishment will be more on labor. All ministries are welcome to request laborers from the ministry of justice. The crimes and punishment the ministry of justice promulgated will be applicable to all. Remember that we are not in Rome, thats why social classes doesn't matter here. Talents and usefulness is what matters here in Romavena, I believe Amulius agrees with me too.. Aside from that, there will be juries and judges. They will treat the accused fairly, there will still be due process for our laws. Everyone will be given a chance to explain before the court. The ministry of peace and order will work with us hand-in-hand in enforcing the law and that everyone will be given justice." Justus is experienced in handling his appointed position, the punishments that he said are considered as light and soft because in Roman laws, the punishments are all severe and extreme. Although Justus is a loyal supporter of Amulius, he will see to it that Amulius will be punished if he commits a crime although there might be leniency as to what degree.

Every minister started talking with each other as to their project cooperation. Their manpower is limited, they also have small population, but they have big plans. Romavena have just around 3000 human population including the slaves. The way Amulius and Justus does governance, they are already preparing for the bigger picture. Amulius can just be known as governor but he is actually acting more like an emperor. Justus has no other ambition than to raise Amulius to the highest position. Justus was not blessed with a child, his wife died early, that is why he treats his family preciously and Amulius is his favorite. The members of the Julii family here are just Amulius and Justus, others are in different parts of the Roman empire.

After the discussion of future plans, Amulius made his exit. He knows that these men can do better even without him. Amulius went to check the horses that they caught earlier. He realized that these horses needs horseshoes so he instructed the assigned horse veterinarian there to have it done. Amulius took a tour around the Romavena town to check if there's anything that can be improved here. The town is as wide as Camulodunum, this town is being prepared to be a city soon. There are not much infrastructure here, the landscapes are also being prepared. Anyone can say that this town will be a great and beautiful city someday. Luckily, the orcs did not make a move yet. They still have time to prepare for battle and develop this town. The reports of Shadow earlier said that the orcs in the far west are lax, they did not show any interest in Romavena. The orcs' food source are their domestic animals such as wild boars, monkeys and tigers. They are also said to be hunting harpies for food which means they are at war with each other. The harpies are defensive creatures so you cannot expect them to retaliate if its just a few number of them died or captured. The scouts also tried to establish communication with the harpies but it is not possible. The scouts sent one agent to also try establishing diplomacy with the orcs, but the agent was just captured and eaten by the orcs. It is clear message to Amulius that these orcs and harpies should be removed if they wish to further strengthen Romavena.

A few hours before sunset, Amulius visited the hul'juk cave which is now converted to a mine. There is also a plan to further develop this mine as there is high prospect of different kinds of precious minerals and metals. When the goblins saw Amulius, they knelt down to the ground as if they worshipped him. Amulius never heard them utter a word and all he did to them was to make them do hard labor. Amulius is confused with these goblins, their personalities are very different to humans. Goblin Chief Ajak was able to speak Latin when they talked, his suspicion is that their chief is a fast learner by just listening to the legionnaires chatting outside the cave. Amulius became curious about these goblins, 'is it possible that they are fast learner, intelligent on the level of humans?' Amulius is quite piqued with these creatures. They might prove more useful than just mining and carrying the stones.

"What are you doing? Can you understand me?" Amulius couldn't stop himself so he tried asking if these creatures will respond to his question.

"We are paying respects to the owner of Hul'juk tribe." goblin chief Ajak said while kneeling, then the rest of the goblins said "Please have mercy on us" in unison.

Amulius was shocked when he heard this. The surrounding Roman guards were also shocked of what they have witnessed. All along they thought these goblins are dumb and are less intelligent beings, they are now speaking Latin!

They need to reevaluate these goblins in their mind, they learned the Latin language by just listening for a short period of time. Although their accent are rough, this is still unbelievable considering that they never heard these goblins talk like this. Amulius is thinking of what he should say in return.

"You can speak Latin?" despite the surprised feeling of Amulius, he is still able to act composed. He should get used to this kind of surprises, he was already surprised in the miracle land in the plains where all the seeds and crops that they brought can be cultuvated here. This should be the new normal to Amulius.

"Yes milord. We pride ourselves as an intelligent race." Despite the broken Latin, the goblin spoke in a proud tone. They are a proud race, but their submission can be considered as being wise for them. The goblins suspects that these humans are not the kind of humans that they know. These humans are different and powerful.

"Okay. Thats good to know. I have a plan in mind for all of you." Amulius now plans to distribute them in different ministries that lacks labor force. Some of the goblins will be later on assigned in ministry of agriculture and ministry of infrastructural development.

After a few chat with these goblins, he concluded that these goblins are clueless regarding the other factions in the surrounding territory. These goblins just hunt their food nearby and never passed their territorial boundary. Amulius went back to the town by sunset and see to it that his plan in mind for the goblins will be put in motion tomorrow morning.