"Land and Loans" [Hsin Alicia and Pala]

[Palacrisis D Jones]

36th Ponutis

Secretaries and messengers weave their way along the corridors of power that make up the infra-structure of government. A constant wave of people jostling and pushing eager to have that meeting , network with colleagues and fight out the blow less games of power and influence within the stratum of power that is invested within anyone lucky enough to count themselves a cog in the machinery of government. Diaries were checked and candlemarks of opportunity were highlighted meetings depend upon their principles ability to be present all at the same time and once that vital decision had been agreed upon the main players could meet and take the next steps of power upon the playing fields thus arranged .

The note from the Exchequer was read and analysed by the consul, it did not cause too much dismay Pala expected that the accountant in Hsin would be aroused and when aroused money was a thing that would have to be dragged out coin by coin from the fingers of the exchequer, it was the nature of the job! Every tax crown was precious that Pala knew but if any movement towards prosperity was to be made in the empire someone was going to have to take a risk or two.

The news about the Imperial Bank was welcome since the darkening institutions like banks had passed out of favour but bankers were the same as accountants , money was an expensive commodity and bank mangers were famously reluctant to allow loans unless they were accompanied by exorbitant rates of interest , which of course was precisely what Pala had wanted to avoid.

He made his way to the meeting without the normal bounce in his step he had the distinct feeling that what was basically a beautiful brain child would be still born on the hard bed of financial expedience.