Son of Julius Caesar: Rebuilding Rome [Business/Republic building]

Chapter 143: Chapter 143 : Board meeting

’The Temple of Vesta has announced a new initiative to provide greater support for war widows and orphans. Details on eligibility and application procedures are available in the Forum...’

’The Temple of Mars, led by the Flamen Martialis, is preparing a new relief program for returning veterans. An official announcement is expected shortly...’

’The Temple of Fortuna will use its lottery revenue to expand its diverse range of...’

Ever since the massive leaderboard was erected in the Forum, new announcements poured out of Rome’s temples every single day.

The priests—men who, until very recently, had been organizing to oppose the Pontifex Maximus—had suddenly thrown themselves into fierce competition.

The reason was simple.

"Placing a board like that in the middle of the forum... It’s an obvious ploy to force our temples to compete against one another!"

"That may be true, but we cannot simply sit back and let the other temples overshadow us."

As the temples expanded beyond their traditional bounds, the citizens began paying close attention to what each temple was actually doing for them.

For the priests—most of whom also served as senators—public support was an absolutely vital resource. A finite, precious resource that they could ill afford to lose to their political rivals.

"We must not play into the hands of the Pontifex Maximus! We have a sacred duty to preserve the traditions of the temples!"

A few priests argued for resistance, attempting to rally their peers. Yet, even they were soon forced to grit their teeth and join the competition.

Dropping one’s sword and shield in the middle of the gladiatorial arena was rarely a wise strategy.

However, as the competition heated up, a new problem inevitably reared its head.

"We cannot fund any more programs with advertising revenue alone."

"But the Temples of Concordia and Fides just announced that they will oversee the protection of marks and seals! We cannot afford to fall behind!"

No matter what policy a temple wished to pursue, it ultimately required money.

Hiring administrative staff, employing scribes, and maintaining a larger workforce of slaves cost an enormous amount of money.

And currently, the temples’ only sources of income were the traditional offerings made by citizens and their advertising revenue.

"Then what are we supposed to do?"

While the priests nervously eyed one another, news broke that Gaius Julius Caesar had paid a personal visit to the Temple of Vesta.

The very same temple that had recently been announcing new relief measures at a breakneck pace.

"The Temple of Vesta is increasing its support again?"

"Did the Pontifex Maximus secretly grant them extra funding?"

"Even if the Temple of Vesta is under the direct supervision of the Pontifex Maximus... this is blatant favoritism!"

Furious, the priests chose the only path left to them. They marched en masse to the Regia, where the Pontifex Maximus conducted his official duties.

***

"So what exactly are you all trying to say?"

At Caesar’s question, the priests unleashed a torrent of grievances.

"Granting additional funding exclusively to the Temple of Vesta is a gross injustice!"

"Indeed! Must the rest of our temples tear each other apart while competing with such limited funds?!"

Not a single priest criticized Caesar for erecting the ranking board in the Forum.

They all knew perfectly well that reversing that decision now was impossible.

Despite the barrage of accusations, Caesar simply cleared his throat.

"I believe you are all laboring under a grave misunderstanding. I have never allocated any additional funds to the Temple of Vesta."

"Then how on earth is the Temple of Vesta managing to fund so many new policies?!"

"Ah, that..."

Looking as though he had no choice, Caesar began to explain.

He explained how the Temple of Vesta had begun producing postage stamps bearing the goddess’s image.

Upon hearing that half the revenue generated from those stamps would flow directly into the Temple of Vesta’s treasury, the priests practically exploded.

"Are the postal service and the stamps not businesses run by your son, Lucius?! We knew there had to be some sort of preferential treatment!"

"Why were we not informed of this arrangement?!"

"I assumed you would not agree to it," Caesar replied, clearing his throat again. "Even if a temple performs various public services for the citizens, surely profiting from stamps bearing the sacred images of the gods would be considered highly controversial, would it not?"

"Then why was only the Temple of Vesta permitted to do it?"

"Well, because the Temple of Vesta falls under my direct supervision..."

"That is a poor excuse! You are showing blatant favoritism to the Temple of Vesta, Pontifex Maximus!"

"We demand parity! Our temples must be allowed to issue stamps as well!"

Faced with the relentless demands of the priests, Caesar finally summoned one of the Regia’s attendants.

"Go and bring Lucius."

"At once, Pontifex."

It did not take long for Lucius to appear in the office.

"Lucius, it seems these esteemed priests wish to have stamps produced for their temples as well... I wanted to ask if that would be feasible."

"It is not impossible, but it will take some time."

"Take some time? May I ask why?"

Lucius shrugged at the question.

"No matter how quickly we attempt to produce the stamps, surely the priests of each temple—that is, all of you here—would need to personally inspect and approve them. Selecting the appropriate artwork, completing the review process, and finally producing them in sufficient quantities will take a few months at the very least."

The priests exchanged glances at Lucius’s explanation before speaking up in unison.

"If you send us the proposed designs, we will review and approve them as swiftly as possible. A week at most."

"..."

Caesar and Lucius stared at each other in silence.

Finally, Lucius spoke again.

"If every temple in Rome appears to profit from the sale of stamps, the Senate may raise serious objections. If they accuse the temples of profiting from sacred rites..."

"The profits will be reinvested entirely for the benefit of the Roman citizens! Even if the Senate raises objections, are you not consul, Caesar? And the assemblies of the people will certainly not oppose it. We will take it upon ourselves to persuade the Senate!" The priests spoke over one another in their haste.

"Just accept our proposal already. No matter what excuses you invent, you cannot refuse us!"

"Then I suppose we have no choice." Caesar let out a heavy sigh. "Lucius, see to it that stamps for every temple are produced as swiftly as possible."

"Understood, Father."

Just as Lucius turned to leave the office, the priests blocked his path.

"We are not finished yet."

"Not finished?"

"The stamps are not the only preferential treatment the Temple of Vesta has received."

"More preferential treatment? What on earth do you mean..."

"We heard that you recently hired painters and commissioned new artwork for them. Word is, there are even artists receiving ongoing patronage." The priests glared at Lucius with deep suspicion. "Are those commissions not entirely dedicated to enhancing the prestige of the Temple of Vesta as well?"

Hearing their accusations, Lucius and Caesar could only stare at each other in bewilderment.

"What exactly are you talking about?"

***

"It’s hardly surprising the priests have grown so paranoid."

After I told Pompeia what had happened, she chuckled and shrugged.

"You have already outmaneuvered them more than once, including that leaderboard you erected in the forum."

"But this level of suspicion is bordering on delusion."

I looked at the fresco on one wall of the atrium. The mural Pompeia had painted under Iaia’s tutelage was genuinely beautiful.

It was hard to believe it was her very first attempt at fresco painting.

"I never had any intention of hiring artists exclusively for the Temple of Vesta..."

I sank into thought. Still, the priests’ misconception made perfect sense in context. Regardless of the era, art had always served as a powerful magnet to draw people in.

After the imperial center shifted to Constantinople, icons played a massive role in the Eastern Church.

Some holy paintings were even believed to perform miracles or protect entire cities.

Consequently, monasteries housing famous holy paintings or sacred relics attracted streams of pilgrims and received immense quantities of votive offerings. Even those who could not read could appreciate the imagery.

Religious art held similar power in the Western Catholic Church.

Massive, awe-inspiring cathedrals, ornate reliquaries, intricate altarpieces, and stunning stained glass windows—the point was obvious.

Art was advertising. It was also the church’s brand.

"Regardless, even if I deny it now, the priests won’t believe me," I said.

In that case, exploiting their paranoia wouldn’t be a bad idea. I had always intended to put Pompeia in charge of managing a museum or an art gallery anyway.

Instead of constructing an entirely new building, making use of the existing temples would be far more efficient. It would also save me a considerable amount of money.

"You are the one who has been building our network of artists, Pompeia." I looked at her. "Could you commission works of art for the various temples?"

"The real challenge will be deciding which artist should be assigned to each temple," Pompeia noted, her expression turning thoughtful. "Every temple will undoubtedly demand the most famous painters and sculptors. If you don’t mind, I will try to arrange the commissions."

"I will leave that entirely in your capable hands."

Trusting Pompeia’s artistic eye was far safer than relying on my own.

"For now, I need to focus on producing those stamps." I let out a heavy sigh. "The work just never ends."

"You brought this upon yourself, Lucius."

"True enough."

I suppose I had no right to complain. Besides, I wasn’t the busiest person right now anyway.

"I should probably start thinking of some new dishes for the workers."

***

Once the decision to produce stamps for every temple was finalized, Lucius’s paper mills and printing presses became the busiest places in Rome.

"Where are the new wooden printing blocks that were supposed to arrive today?!"

"They should be here any time!"

The paper produced at the mills was rushed straight to the printing houses the moment it dried.

The volume of stamp orders was so high that there was an actual shortage of paper for writing letters.

The watermarked paper required for the stamps could only be produced by Lucius’s mills, which were now forced to devote their entire output to stamps.

Fortunately, Lucius’s mills were no longer the only paper producers in Rome.

Some of his former employees, having received financial backing to strike out on their own, had begun operating new paper mills. They focused on producing standard paper, helping to alleviate the severe supply shortage.

"Is there any way to make the paper whiter?"

"Let’s keep experimenting with different materials for the sizing glue."

Merchants who had previously dealt exclusively in papyrus and parchment also began rushing into the paper trade. They invested capital into building new mills or entered the paper-making business themselves.

Paper, which was rapidly replacing papyrus, was now a common sight everywhere in Rome.

However, the best-selling paper product was, without a doubt, the postage stamp.

"I heard people are buying these stamps in droves."

"Don’t remind me. My nephew wouldn’t stop nagging me, so I had to stand in line in front of the Temple of Minerva for hours just the other day."

As each temple began selling its own unique stamps, citizens flocked in droves to purchase them.

The temples only sold a limited quantity each day—not as a deliberate marketing strategy, but simply because the supply could not keep up with demand.

However, this scarcity only further fueled the Roman citizens’ desire to possess them.

"I heard they are selling a new batch of Vulcanus stamps today. Did anyone hear what time?"

"I have no idea. Maybe we should line up now, just in case?"

It reached the point where people began taking their places in line before dawn.

"Papyrus that reveals a hidden image when held up to the light... I still can’t fathom how they make these."

As stamp sales increased, the temples, now filled with new revenue, began announcing even more policies.

Then something occurred that no one—not even Caesar himself—could have predicted.

A new board was erected in the forum.

"The citizens put up a board of their own?"