Laszlo sat at his desk, facing a mountain of documents, and let out a soft sigh.
He had only just returned from the front lines, and already there was no peace. Not only was there a backlog of government affairs, but Imperial and vassal state matters would soon follow in quick succession.
He couldn't simply cast these matters aside; after all, the authority of a monarch in this era was manifested in these very details of administration.
Power, so to speak, was scattered across executive, legislative, judicial, inspection, supervisory, and military affairs. Even if he recruited talent to assist him, Laszlo would never fully remove himself from the process.
After all, if he wasn't willing to handle even the small petitions of the people, no one would come to him with major matters.
This principle applied not only to Austria but also to the Empire.
In the few years since the establishment of the Imperial Court of Justice, the number of cases heard had soared from a mere few dozen per year to hundreds.
This was not because disputes within the Empire were increasing—in fact, internal conflicts had gradually eased—but because more Imperial subjects recognized the role of the Court of Justice and chose to bring their lawsuits to the Emperor's court. This was a concrete manifestation of the growth of sovereign power.
Therefore, if he could properly handle the demands of the Austrian people today, he could solve the troubles of the broader Imperial subjects tomorrow, including those of the Eastern nations.
After giving himself a heavy dose of 'chicken soup for the soul,' Laszlo finally mustered some motivation.
He then waved his hand, signaling Matthias, who was assisting nearby, to begin the reports.
"At the petition of the judges, citizens, and rural folk of the surrounding areas of Hausruck in Upper Austria, the mayor of that city requests the establishment of two permanent annual fairs in the city's new market, to be held on Pentecost and St. Matthew's Day. The new fairs will pay transaction and transit taxes according to law and custom."
"Approved. Exempt them from the taxes they should bear in the first year as a blessing for the new market. I hope local commerce will become more prosperous."
Laszlo gave it only a brief thought before agreeing to the request.
Hausruck was located in the mountainous area south of Linz, a stone's throw from Salzburg. Originally a border fortress town, its security had been further guaranteed after the Landshut War, and it had become prosperous due to its control over the trade routes for the Salzburg salt mines.
Approving the establishment of a market was a prerogative held only by the monarch. Laszlo did not resist the free development of regional trade; it not only brought practical economic benefits but also satisfied the people's demands, killing two birds with one stone.
The scribe nearby quickly took down the Emperor's decision, while Matthias, acting as an advisor, had already pulled out another document.
"At the request of the peasants around Drosendorf Castle, the castle's guardian, Oswald von Eyczing, has already arranged for forty plow horses for agricultural use on three royal estates.
It is hoped that this expense will be compensated through the granting of a charter. Oswald intends to set up checkpoints to collect tolls on the trade routes leading from Bohemia and Moravia to Austria for a period of two years.
The Finance Minister's recommendation is that since the treasury currently has surplus funds, this amount can be directly reimbursed with an additional reward. Adding checkpoints might hinder normal trade between Bohemia and Austria."
Hearing the familiar name, Laszlo dithered for a moment but quickly recovered.
Oswald was the eldest son of the late former Chief Minister Eyczing, and he now served as a local official at a castle north of Vienna.
Judging by his handling of this matter, he had done things quite efficiently, though his selfish motives were also laid bare without reservation.
Being able to quickly resolve the people's requests was worthy of praise, but everyone could see the little schemes hidden behind the request to set up toll checkpoints.
He simply wanted to take the opportunity to make a profit while also gaining political merit; he wanted a piece of every good thing.
"Unless necessary, no more checkpoints should be added. I will not shortchange him a single penny of the money he advanced, and I will grant him an extra reward for his dedication."
Laszlo waved his hand dismissively. Having just returned from a looting spree in France, he was currently very wealthy.
This money was unplanned income. He could have used it to build more palaces or expand the royal display, but using it to improve people's livelihoods was clearly more to his liking.
"Your Majesty, should a bailiff be sent to verify the number and usage of the horses, to prevent the estate stewards from using them as an excuse to demand high rents and exploit the estate tenants?"
Matthias reminded him after a moment's thought.
Since the Emperor had paid for them, these horses were his property, intended for use on the local estates, but they certainly wouldn't be provided to the tenants for free.
Just like mills, iron plows, and other conveniences for production, ordinary peasants could hardly afford them independently and usually had to rent them.
Perhaps the Emperor's intention was good, but if the local bailiffs were black-hearted and used the opportunity to deceive their superiors and exploit the tenants, the Emperor's kindness might end up causing harm.
"Hmm... that makes sense. Someone should be sent to clarify and regulate these matters, following the regulations of those model estates along the Danube River."
Laszlo nodded; this matter indeed required more attention.
After all, although he nominally controlled large areas of royal demesne in Lower Austria, the governance of the underlying villages and estates still basically relied on ancient village communities.
If someone did bad things in his name, his funding for rural development would be like throwing money to the dogs.
"Two merchants from Marburg request your grace. They wish to open two butcher shops in the city and, according to custom, pay you an annual fee of two florins per shop. Other taxes will be collected by the Marburg tax officials according to law."
"Approved, approved. Something like opening a butcher shop has to wait for my return to be handled... What on earth is Georg doing?"
"Have you forgotten? After the purge of the Styrian rebels a few years ago, Marburg was designated as royal demesne and has not yet been granted autonomous privileges. Therefore, land use rights and shop operating rights must be personally authorized by you. This is a right belonging to the monarch," Matthias helpfully reminded him.
A few years ago, Laszlo had stirred up a bloodbath in Graz, acquiring a lot of land at that time.
Laszlo didn't know what to say for a moment and had to skip over the issue.
"Report the major matters first; those trivialities can be handled slowly later."
"Yes. Next are documents from the mayors and judges of the cities of Leoben and Graz in Styria. The transit tax and surcharge collection contracts for both cities have expired, and they wish to renew them."
Hearing this, Laszlo immediately perked up and took the documents from Matthias to check them personally.
At the end of the application documents was the Finance Minister's suggestion; the annual taxes paid by both cities to the central government showed a significant increase.
Leoben's contract was adjusted from 1,240 florins a year to 1,500, while Graz's contract broke the two-thousand florin mark.
By custom, these tax contracts subcontracted to cities generally had a term of two years. Since the gradual completion of the Royal Road, the taxes the cities needed to remit had continued to rise.
However, the municipal governments of each city would not lose out because of this. As Austria's commerce developed rapidly along with stable security, improved roads, and economic growth, the taxes they collected at city entrances naturally rose as well.
Laszlo was naturally happy to see this, so he quickly approved the requests of the two cities, informing the local municipal governments of the updated terms in advance so they could be prepared.
The right to collect transit taxes and commodity surcharges in the cities was directly subcontracted by Laszlo to the municipal governments. In exchange, they had to contribute to the central finances and also be responsible for the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges around and within the city.
The taxation of passing personnel, livestock, and goods also had to strictly follow the laws of the Archduchy and old customs, and taxes could not be levied arbitrarily. This was the foundation of commercial development and the circulation of goods.
With similar documents, because the Austrian Privy Council had already discussed them and attached recommendations, Laszlo was able to quickly clear a large amount of backlogged government affairs in a limited time.
Busy until noon, Laszlo finally left that irritating little room in a daze to dine with the Empress.
Seeing Laszlo drinking but barely eating, Joanna couldn't help but cast a worried look.
"What's the matter with you? You look exhausted."
"Hmm... there are indeed many things, but everything in Austria is running well, and that's enough," Laszlo said, as if comforting his wife, but also as if talking to himself.
"Take some time to relax this afternoon. I also happen to have something to discuss with you."
Joanna hesitated for a moment but decided to take this opportunity to consult with Laszlo.
"If it's about those opposition factions in Styria, there's no need to speak of it. I've already made arrangements."
"No, what I want to talk about is the issue of pensions for the soldiers who fell in the war."
Joanna's words gave Laszlo a slight start, and he then explained: "I have also made arrangements for the pension issue long ago, so don't worry too much.
Since I ordered the establishment of conscription registers, the origins and family situations of soldiers have become clear. Even for non-Austrian soldiers, as long as they are under my rule, even Imperial subjects from surrounding areas can receive a pension and a tax exemption charter, let alone our own national soldiers.
In this expedition, more than five thousand men in my army were killed or disabled. I have prepared tens of thousands of florins for pensions, which will be distributed gradually. I will also grant several years of tax exemption to the families of the fallen. I believe these are enough to heal the scars of war."
For Laszlo, this was almost everything he could do.
Most soldiers of this era joined the ranks as mercenaries. They were recruited by mercenary captains, so pensions were also the responsibility of the mercenary captain.
The mercenary captain would specify in the contract what the lives of his men were worth, including pay and pensions. If the employer agreed to this, both parties could reach a consensus.
This situation was extremely common in Milan and Venice, and it was much the same in the early Austrian army.
However, now that the structure and functions of the Court Military Council were becoming more complete, although the soldiers serving in the Imperial Army were still mostly called Imperial mercenaries, they served the Emperor through recruitment. They were no longer like other mercenaries of the same era, choosing their masters and selling themselves to the highest bidder.
In return, Laszlo followed the example of the Venetians with their semi-permanent mercenary groups and established a relatively simple security mechanism.
Pensions, land grants, and tax exemptions were all used to appease the families of disabled and fallen soldiers.
This was not just out of Laszlo's own kindness, but also an incentive for other soldiers of the Imperial Army.
Only by removing their worries could these strictly trained warriors exert their full strength on the battlefield.
"I have already learned about these policies from Archbishop Georg, but it seems they are not enough to quell the grief and resentment of the people."
"Hmm? Why do you think that?" Laszlo asked with a frown.
He had already tried his best to do what most monarchs in this world had never done. Before him, only the Republic of Venice would give its standing field army such generous treatment.
However, the death of a man in his prime often meant the collapse of a family, which was indeed not a gap that could be easily filled.
Joanna then recounted her observations from various parts of Tyrol to Laszlo.
Joanna was worried about Laszlo repeatedly'shearing the same sheep.'
After hearing this, Laszlo was also somewhat helpless. The vast majority of Tyroleans were peasants and miners, known for their bravery and their ability to march and survive in complex mountainous environments. In this era, they were considered a rare, high-quality source of soldiers.
The two levies of over a thousand auxiliary troops in Tyrol were because the targets of the expeditions happened to be near Tyrol, making local recruitment and organization convenient.
As a result, Tyrol, which already had a small population, was now even worse off.
"So, what do you plan to do?"
"I hope you will allow me to sell those gifts you gave me and use the money to support and settle the orphans and widows created by the war.
The officials under you might not take these matters to heart, and there might even be worse phenomena of corruption, but the Church can fill this gap.
I have already spoken with Archbishop Georg. It is a reasonable request to exchange donations to the local church for them to provide relief to those suffering due to the war.
If you could allow me to personally go to Tyrol again to organize and participate in this, that would be even better."
Joanna said her plan with some trepidation, worried that she would not get her husband's support.
Regarding the Church, because she had lived in a convent since childhood and once wanted to be a nun, she actually had an advantage over Laszlo in negotiations. Thus, the Empress was determined to take on this responsibility.
Joanna's words made Laszlo fall silent.
Although he wanted to point out that the Church was also a place of filth and might even be more corrupt than his government, from another perspective, the Church was indeed very suitable for this function.
"This is your duty as Empress; I suppose I have no reason to object," Laszlo said, seeing Joanna's gentle smile. After a moment of inner conflict, he continued, "In addition to the pensions to be allocated, I will provide you with another ten thousand florins in my personal name to realize your plan."
"The people will sing of your kindness and grace, my dear husband," Joanna said happily.
"I only hope your good deeds can win back the people's support for the Habsburg Family," Laszlo sighed.
Fortunately, there shouldn't be any more large-scale wars in the next few years, and Austria should enter a period of peaceful recovery.
This was the second thing he was grateful for. Even more fortunate was that he had married a devout and people-friendly Empress, which happened to complement the major flaws in his character.
Could it be that this was a 'gift from God'? Laszlo's mood also brightened considerably at this thought.