Rome Must Perish-Chapter 308 - 189 On Taxes, Salaries, and Trade_2

"Leader, our Commerce Department will not let you down!" Pigeris was filled with fervor at these words; he turned to look at Capito, who was also looking at him. There was some intensity in both their eyes.

"So... the Weaving Team Capito just mentioned can be disbanded, but we need to select the most skilled individuals from the original group to establish a Weaving Workshop. I see a lot of reeds growing well on the edge of the Validosi Swamp, which can be used to make straw sandals, straw mats, ropes, and straw baskets... anything that can be woven from grass to be sold to the tribespeople to facilitate their lives.

We currently don’t have linen or wool; we can start by purchasing them from the Aldeans, letting the Weaving Workshop weave them into fabrics and blankets, to be sold by the Commerce Department. In the future, we could encourage the tribesmen to grow flax and raise sheep, with the tribe purchasing these resources, ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for the Weaving Workshop..."

Maximus, speaking with enthusiasm, continued: "We don’t need to completely disband the Transportation Team either. Retain the top ten to twenty skilled individuals and the best-equipped dozen of carriages to form a new Transportation Team, which will be managed by the Commerce Department. After all, in the future, the Commerce Department will need to purchase and transport iron ore from the Alde Tribe, or transport large quantities of goods to other tribes for trade, necessitating a Transportation Team."

"Your considerations are thorough, leader!" Pigeris said happily in praise.

"I have no objections," Capito responded.

"When the Transportation Team is idle, they can serve the tribespeople, fulfilling their transportation needs, but a small hire fee should be charged and submitted to the Finance Department."

"That’s a great idea!" Pigeris continued to praise.

"There’s something I hope everyone will take seriously." Maximus looked at everyone, emphasizing as he said: "The craftsmen in the various workshops under the Public Works Department, and the assistants in the various shops managed by the Commerce Department, although not tribal officials, they work for the tribe and are not ordinary tribesmen. They fall under the supervision of the Civil Affairs Department.

Moreover, they frequently handle goods and finances, which makes them more susceptible to corruption. Therefore, the officials in the Public Works Department and Commerce Department need to enhance their management, while the Civil Affairs Department should conduct periodic audits to prevent such issues from arising."

Capito and Pigeris felt a tightening in their hearts, just as Karina resolutely declared: "Leader, rest assured, I will keep a close watch on them and will not allow anyone to steal tribal property!"

"Good." Maximus nodded in approval, then asked, "We just discussed transportation; Capito, your Public Works Department is in charge of road construction, what’s your plan for this?"

"Leader, in the short term, our Public Works Department has decided to concentrate on addressing the transportation between the two villages of Snowdonia and Westeni. The old dirt road is not flat or wide enough, and it becomes muddy and impassable after rain, so I intend to model it after the Roman Road. This way, traveling between the two villages will be more convenient, and we can also display our distinctive strength to other tribes in these mountains."

Capito said with his head held high: "We have attempted this in Campania and Apulia, gaining experience in road building. Additionally, the distance between the two villages is not long, and if we mobilize soldiers to start construction from both ends simultaneously, it can be completed within a month. The only problem is that there is no volcanic ash here; we use kiln-burned lime mixed with river sand to make mortar. Without the addition of volcanic ash, it may be challenging to maintain the surface’s durability after the paved stone slabs have been joined—"

Maximus, recalling his knowledge about ancient cement technology from his previous life researching a civilization strategy game, immediately suggested: "Adding some iron ore powder during the lime burning process might enhance the mortar’s hardness after curing." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Adding iron powder to kiln burning?" Capito thought for a moment, uncertain, and said: "Once the lime kiln is ready, I’ll have them try it and see if it works. Additionally, apart from land roads, both of our villages are located by the Kupa River, and the tributaries Kolana River and Murenica River lead to the territory of the Aldeans. The lower reaches of the Kupa River also flow through the lands of the Pannonians, making river transport more convenient. Our Public Works Department plans to build an inland harbor at Snowdonia and expand the simple dock at Westeni.

We also plan to establish a Shipbuilding Workshop. Many carpenters in the swamp camp are shipwrights from Campania and Sarabia, although they mostly built sea ships in the past. Recently, they have been studying the few wooden boats we have in the village, and I’m confident they will soon be able to design vessels suitable for transport and combat on the Kupa River. However, the timber for shipbuilding requires a lengthy drying process, so it will take at least six months to launch a finished ship."

"Very well, you have thought everything through." Maximus looked at Capito and spoke earnestly: "The tasks of the Public Works Department are heavy! Expanding village houses, building wooden bridges, constructing various workshops, producing goods by the craftsmen, constructing roads and harbors, building ships... a ton of tasks, not easy!

But I believe you, Capito, can coordinate everything well, making full use of manpower and resources to ultimately accomplish these tasks excellently! If you encounter any difficulties in the execution process, you may report to me at any time, and I will do my utmost to help you resolve them promptly!"

"Thank you, leader!" Capito responded with rare excitement, not troubled by the abundance of tasks; on the contrary, he relished such challenges.

Feeling he had properly arranged the matters of the Public Works and Commerce Departments, Maximus turned his attention to the Military Department: "Although we have repeatedly defeated the armies of the Pannonians, they remain much stronger than us, and now that we have relocated our settlement to the banks of the Kupa River, closer to them, we are undoubtedly taking a significant risk! Flanitnus, Quintus, and Lebilus, what plans does your Military Department have to ensure the entire tribe’s safety?"

The three exchanged looks, and with Quintus conceding, Flanitnus stood up: "Leader, our Military Department has already been implementing a defense plan against the Pannonians. The Second and Third Legions have all relocated to Westeni to facilitate command and combat.

In the coming days, the soldiers will step up repairs of the damaged wooden walls, dig trenches, and install abatis, enhancing Westeni’s defensive capability. Hagux’s cavalry will take turns scouting the Segestica people’s movements east of Westeni every day.

We also plan to send a team to the southern mountains to rebuild the secret camp where Pequot’s team used to hide. According to your previous instructions, we will construct a watchtower in the camp and rotate a small squad of sentries for guard duty. If Brochi people attack, we will ignite dry grass that produces thick smoke to signal the tribe...

No matter which direction enemies come from, all tribesmen must immediately return to their villages and prepare defenses, then formulate an appropriate battle plan based on the attacking force... Hum, Capito just mentioned building harbors and ships; if this plan is completed, I believe it will make our tribe’s defense stronger and provide more options in offense."

Maximus nodded and asked again: "Previously, apart from marching and combat, our soldiers spent their other time training. That’s not possible now; they have their own homes and have to manage farming and herding, so we can’t train like before. How do you plan the training in the future?"