Chapter 650: War On Corruption
"The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
- David, Psalms 14:2-3
The governor of Thessaly, with a tone of exasperation and a hint of desperation, addressed Lord Alexios. "Your highness, there seems to be a grave and unfortunate misunderstanding between His Majesty and our local administration. Over the years, we have tirelessly supplied the state with endless resources – wheat, alcohol, manpower, and significant tax contributions. These facts are all meticulously documented, as you well know!"
He gestured emphatically towards the bustling activity outside. "Look around, Lord Alexios. Observe the constant flow of ships in our ports, the thriving farms stretching across our plains, the prosperity evident in every household. How could all this be possible if I were as corrupt as the rumours claim? Someone is deliberately tarnishing my reputation, spreading false information to the emperor, so that they can benefit from this!"
The governor’s voice grew more intense. "These accusations are baseless. They undermine the hard work and dedication of our people here in Thessaly. We’ve built this prosperity through diligence and integrity, not through corruption. I implore you, Lord Alexios, to see the truth behind these unjust allegations! You have read through the files, you know the figures, please, help me, lord Alexios!"
In the dimly lit office of Governor Elassona, a heavy air of tension prevailed. Lord Alexios, leading a delegation of treasury investigators, stood with an air of solemn duty, rapidly checking through shelf after shelf of ledgers and accounts, while also going to the physical barns and warehouses to check on the recorded stored supplies. Their surprise audit of Larissa’s accounts had been thorough, yet the meticulously kept records revealed only minor inconsistencies, hardly the financial and political dynamite they are hoping to spot on.
Alexios gave the governor a troubled look, for he knows from the emperor that this, is already no longer a simple anti-corruption task, more like a political one, for no matter what happens, this governor has to be replaced, as instructed by the emperor, for the governor has been in this province for way too long.
The only issue is, how? As Alexios must find out a valid reason that the governor has made against the law.
"The emperor appreciates your honest work, governor." Alexios thought for a while and replied. "But as you should know, I am currently in the process of coming up with an integrated national wide economical plan for the next years to come, thus I cannot just stick my feet around with these books and papers, I will need to explore the country to find out more with my very own eyes, independently, I hope that you do not mind."
Elassona, attempting to mask his unease, responded with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "But of course, Lord Alexios! Your safety on this venture is of paramount importance to us."
Alexios, not convinced by the governor’s assurances, gestured to his colleagues, signalling their departure. "Your concerns are noted, but I assure you, I am more than capable of ensuring my own safety. And Governor, I expect my investigations to proceed without any... undue influence from your office. Is that clear?"
Elassona smile faltered momentarily, revealing a hint of discomfort before he managed a strained bow. "Certainly, Lord Alexios. It would never cross my mind to interfere."
As Alexios turned to leave, his movements deliberate and measured, the room’s atmosphere thickened with unspoken words and veiled intentions.
Once the door closed behind the treasury delegation, Elassona facade crumbled, and his face was etched with worry and frustration. He paced the room, deep in thought.
An officer, sensing the governor’s turmoil, cautiously stepped forward. "Governor, shall we... perhaps keep a discreet eye on their activities?"
Elassona stopped pacing, closed his eyes, and exhaled a long, weary breath. "No, let them go unwatched. We’ll handle this situation delicately, for now."
...
The group of investigators went out of the court house, made sure that they are not being followed, and went back to where they stay. Upon resting their feet, Alexios immediately instructed his team to keep the doors and windows shut, while hurdling around one another.
"Something is not right," Alexios began, his frown deepening as he surveyed his team – a formidable ensemble of civil servants, economists, and scholars, each a pillar in their field. "That shelf of ledgers and records are way too clean to be true," he declared, his voice a mix of suspicion and disbelief.
One of the seasoned civil servants, a man weathered by decades in the finance department of Thessaloniki, nodded in agreement. "Yes, I agree with Lord Alexios," he said, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "In over thirty years of my time working over the finances of Thessaloniki, I’ve never seen such immaculate books. It’s unnatural, way too suspicious. It’s as if the flaws we found were left there on purpose, a ruse to make us complacent, to misguide us, to hide up something even bigger beneath the shade."
The room hummed with whispered concerns, each member grappling with the implications. Alexios, sensing the growing unease, added, "And there’s more. The guards in the king’s uniform showed blatant disrespect to our authority by simply ignoring the warrant of order signed directly by the emperor, yet they were all too eager to obey the local governor’s slightest whim. It’s clear where their loyalties lie."
With a heavy sigh, Alexios crossed his arms, a gesture of resolve amidst the storm of doubts. "But no matter what, as instructed by lord Abdullah, we must find solid evidence before we can deem him guilty, remember, solid evidence!"
The team, bolstered by guards from Constantinople, embarked on a meticulous search throughout Larissa and its neighbouring regions. But it quickly became apparent that the governor had anticipated their moves way before time. His minions, a legion of professionals from local areas and distant sea faring republics with special trade connections, were already at work predicting the movements of the delegates. They scrambled to whitewash any misdeeds, pinning blame on local authorities with hidden deals or fabricating records to explain away losses in the treasuries, barns, weaponries. They flooded the investigators with false leads, a dizzying maze of deceit.
The disparity was stark – the team’s mere dozen experts against the governor’s extensive network. After a gruelling month of investigation, their findings were minimal, only unearthing minor discrepancies in local regions, compiling them into a report that can be used to accuse the governor on some offenses. But a shocking revelation awaited them – Governor Elassona had already laid his hands on their report, even before it reached Alexios.
Now this is serious.
The situation was far more dire than they had imagined.
After a month embedded in the local townhoods, a disquieting realisation dawned on Alexios. It was increasingly likely that one, or perhaps several, of his team members had betrayed him, colluding with Governor Elassona in clandestine deals. This betrayal gnawed at him, leaving him to question who among his team remained loyal. The burden of this uncertainty weighed heavily on his conscience, casting a shadow over every conversation and glance.
When Governor Elassona appeared at his door, report in hand, claiming repentance for his governance missteps, Alexios found himself in a precarious position. The governor’s troops were stationed just below, their presence an unspoken threat, staring right into the eyes of his fellow team members with blades unsheathed. Over the past month, Alexios had come to understand the complex and perilous nature of the region’s politics. He felt trapped, his options dwindling as he faced the governor’s cunning manipulation. He had no choice, but to squeeze a warm grin on his face, inviting the governor over, complimenting him for his remarkable achievements.
With a heavy heart, Alexios publicly commended the governor for his prompt response, all the while feeling a deep sense of defeat. The decision to leave Thessaly was made with a mixture of urgency and resignation. The mission, once full of promise, now felt like a crumbling edifice of hope.
The following day, as he declared Governor Elassona free of all charges, a hollow feeling took root in Alexios. He performed his duties mechanically, shaking hands with the man he had sought to expose, his smile a mask hiding a turbulent storm within. As he boarded the chariot to head south, a sense of failure enveloped him.
The mission, in the eyes of the world, was a failure.
Yet within Alexios, a resilient flame of determination remained. The shame and frustration of this defeat were etched deep into his heart and mind, fuelling a silent vow to return one day and bring Elassona to justice. The chariot rolled away from Larissa, but his resolve only strengthened with each passing mile. He knows that he has all the time to wait and strike, while for the governor, one single exposed mistake lying somewhere might take his life.
