World of Iron and Blood

After finishing his business at the treasury, Alexander decided to rest and have lunch. Meanwhile, Stanislav went to carry out the prince's orders: organizing the protection of the scribes, securing the archives, and forming a squad to inspect the trade posts.

During lunch, Alexander immersed himself in reading his modern book - How to Survive and Change the Medieval World

Thanks to its advice, he had managed to identify weaknesses in the treasury's management and propose steps to address them. However, the more he read, the more he realized that the work was only beginning.

Reaching the chapter on economics, Alexander pondered. Where in the lands of Kievan Rus' were deposits of iron, salt, and silver being processed? Which lands were best suited for crops, and which for pastures?

The book he was reading provided many useful recommendations and descriptions, but it couldn't answer all the questions related to the current state of the lands. Alexander understood that it would be impossible to personally inspect everything in just a few days.

He urgently needed detailed information to determine where to begin developing the economy and which areas required immediate attention. This would allow him to prioritize and act efficiently without wasting time.

The first place he thought to find such information was the library at St. Sophia's Cathedral, which he had already visited. If the necessary records weren't there, the senior librarian could advise him on where else to search or who to approach for further information.

After lunch, Alexander decided not to waste time and headed to the library of St. Sophia's Cathedral. He was accompanied by Mstislav and Mirnomir. Upon entering, the prince recognized the familiar scent of old scrolls, resin, and candle wax. The high hall, illuminated by soft light, was silent, disturbed only by the rustle of parchment and quiet voices.

One of the monks, noticing the prince, quickly bowed in greeting:

- Prince, welcome. Shall I show you to the senior librarian?

- Yes, lead the way, - Alexander answered briefly.

The senior librarian, seated at a massive wooden table, was engrossed in studying time-worn scrolls neatly arranged in piles. Hearing footsteps, he raised his head, and upon seeing the prince, quickly rose and bowed respectfully.

- Welcome, Prince. How may I be of service? - His voice was steady, with a note of reverent concern.

- I need information about our lands, - Alexander immediately got to the point, his voice firm and gaze demanding. - Salt deposits, iron, silver, mines. Which lands are fertile, and which are suitable for pastures? I need books or scrolls with such information

The senior librarian stepped away from the table, gesturing for the prince to take his seat. He paused for a moment, mentally reviewing possible sources:

- In our library, Prince, we primarily hold books on theology, law, medicine, and history. We have few detailed maps or geographical surveys, but chronicles might mention ownership or mines

- So, there's no comprehensive record here? - Alexander frowned, realizing that such records were rare in this era.

- There isn't, Prince, - the librarian said with a hint of regret, shaking his head. - For such information, people usually turn to princely chronicles and reports. Those are typically stored in your archives

Alexander nodded slightly, processing this information. However, the archives likely held outdated records that could prove less useful. What he needed was current data. He decided to clarify further:

- Who might provide me with accurate information? - Alexander asked, comparing his thoughts with the librarian's knowledge.

- The elders and volost officials know their lands best, - the librarian began, noticing the prince's evaluative gaze. - Miners and craftsmen could tell you about the mines. The treasury keeps records of income from mines, fields, and pastures. And, I believe, the monks know much as well, - he added with a slight smile.

Alexander nodded - it aligned with what he had suspected. However, he hadn't considered the monks. Elders, volost officials, and miners could provide information, but it would take too long for them to reach him, and he needed answers now.

Returning to the treasury? No, he'd already burdened them enough. That left the monks, whom he had assumed dealt only with religious matters. With a mix of interest and doubt, Alexander decided to clarify:

- Monks? Why them?

- Prince, monks are educated people. They often write chronicles and collect information about the lands. They record histories, gather knowledge, and know many secrets of the territories. Especially those who live in monasteries near local volosts, - the librarian explained.

- Fine. Which monk would you recommend? Someone trustworthy, - Alexander asked, looking at the librarian seriously.

The librarian paused for a moment before confidently replying:

- Elder Monk Boris from the St. Irene Monastery. A wise and honest man, also deserving of trust. Your father personally appointed him as the monastery's abbot, which speaks volumes. He has long been engaged in chronicling and is familiar with the prince's domains. The monastery is nearby, too

Alexander pondered. If his father, Yaroslav the Wise, had personally appointed Boris as abbot, it meant he was one of his trusted people - useful and genuinely wise. Satisfied with this reasoning, Alexander nodded and addressed the librarian:

- Can you summon him?

- Of course, Prince, - the librarian replied cheerfully. - While I send for him, we can look through the archives. There are chronicles and records there that may prove helpful

Alexander nodded:

- Very well. Lead the way

After sending a junior monk to summon Boris, the librarian invited Alexander to follow him into the archive room. Inside, among tall wooden shelves filled with scrolls and manuscripts, dim light from candles softened the shadows. The air was thick with the scent of wax, old paper, and resin, and each step echoed faintly on the floor.

Alexander's gaze swept across the dusty scrolls, many of which were several centuries old. This treasure trove of knowledge seemed to hold answers that could shape the future of the principality.

Meanwhile, Senior Monk Boris was seated at his desk in the St. Irene Monastery, engrossed in reviewing reports. In a neighboring room, three dozen children, given refuge within the monastery's walls, quietly recited texts under the supervision of a junior monk. It was the largest number of orphans the monastery had ever housed.

Typically, monasteries could only shelter up to a dozen children, but Boris, himself once an orphan, could not remain indifferent to the plight of those abandoned to fate. He raised them with both love and strict discipline, giving them what he himself had been denied as a child.

The monastery, granted to him by Yaroslav the Wise, was not only a place of worship but also a tool for realizing his dream: to ensure that every orphan in Kievan Rus' could have a chance at a decent life.

However, his devotion to this mission had become a heavy burden for the monastery. The funds left by Yaroslav were dwindling, and no significant new donations were forthcoming.

His thoughts were interrupted by Epitrope Monk Simeon, who entered the cell with a troubled expression.

- Senior Monk Boris, we are running out of funds. We can no longer take in new orphans, - Simeon said gravely, his voice heavy like the tolling of a bell.

Boris lifted his gaze from the scroll, his face calm but his eyes stern.

- Why? - he asked firmly.

- We've exceeded the number of children covered by donations. Even current expenses are barely being met. If nothing changes, our supplies will last only a year, - Simeon continued, lowering his eyes.

Boris frowned and turned to the window. Thoughts of the children they would no longer be able to save burned in his soul. Appealing to the boyars was out of the question. He knew that if they learned of his connections to the late prince, it could lead to dangerous suspicions. Maintaining his anonymity was vital.

After the death of Grand Prince Yaroslav, Boris had lost much of his power and influence. His past as head of intelligence and a secret advisor remained hidden, but he understood that using the authority and resources he once wielded to solve his current problems could attract unwanted attention.

Many boyars, suspicious and ambitious, might begin questioning why a mere senior monk was so adept at solving complex problems and seemingly conjuring money out of thin air. If they suspected Boris of ties to shadowy operations or connections with the late prince, it could spell disaster not only for him but for all the orphans he now protected.

- Use my savings, - he said decisively. - As long as I can help even one child, I will.

- Your savings won't last long, Senior Monk. In two or three years, we'll be in debt. We need more serious sources of income, - Simeon replied, shaking his head.

Boris frowned as he bent over a scroll containing new information. It described how the Polovtsians and Pechenegs had resumed joint movements. But he had no time to worry about them; his thoughts were consumed by more immediate concerns.

He bowed his head in prayer, his fingers touching the cross on his chest as his lips whispered:

- Lord, what are we to do?

His prayer and thoughts were interrupted by hurried footsteps. Junior Monk Ssava burst into the cell, breathless from running.

- Senior Monk Boris, Prince Alexander is summoning you to the library of St. Sophia, - he said, struggling to catch his breath.

Boris turned sharply, his face lighting up and his eyes glimmering with hope. He saw an opportunity.

- What does he want? - he asked, keeping his composure.

- The senior librarian said the prince is looking for information about the principality's resources: mines, fertile lands, and pastures, - Ssava reported.

Boris pondered for a moment before turning to Simeon.

- Bring the scrolls containing that information

Simeon hesitated, his face reflecting surprise and concern:

- But those are secrets entrusted to us by Grand Prince Yaroslav…

- I know, - Boris interrupted, - but if he is the son of the Grand Prince, he is worthy of knowing these secrets. We will let him read them, but we will not hand them over. This is our chance to save the children

Simeon hesitated for a moment longer but then nodded and hurried to the monastery's archives. These scrolls, containing detailed records of Kievan Rus' lands and wealth, had always been kept in strict confidence to prevent them from falling into the hands of unscrupulous boyars. Boris knew he was taking a risk, but he felt he had no other choice.

While Simeon searched for the scrolls, Ssava quietly added:

- They say Prince Alexander is wise and just, despite his youth. He respects and listens to people, regardless of their status

Boris cast a stern glance at him but then nodded:

- Perhaps. But I need to see it for myself

Minutes later, Simeon returned, holding aged scrolls yellowed with time. Boris took them, carefully checked each seal, and placed them in a leather satchel.

- Thank you, Simeon, - he said. - You've done well

Donning a simple monk's robe and slinging the satchel over his shoulder, Boris headed for the exit. His steps were steady and confident, but inside he felt tense. Ssava followed closely, ready to assist.

They quickly made their way to the library of St. Sophia. Boris knew this meeting would be a turning point. The future of his monastery and the lives of the orphans he had vowed to protect hung in the balance.

Meanwhile, as Boris and Ssava traveled to the library, Alexander and the senior librarian continued examining chronicles and scrolls. The librarian tirelessly brought new documents, observing as the young prince grew more resolute with each discovery.

As Alexander had anticipated, the three-field system had begun spreading in some volosts but had not yet been widely adopted. Most lands were still cultivated using the two-field system. At the same time, monasteries were experimenting with composting, adding ash and plant residues to fertilizers.

Peasant tools remained primitive: wooden plows with iron tips were ubiquitous, while fully iron plows or harrows were found only in wealthy communities. Seasonal livestock migration was also practiced to preserve lands for planting.

All of this aligned with his expectations for the period. Agricultural practices were relatively clear, but the situation with resources like salt, iron, silver, and others was far more complex. Most of these resources were controlled by boyars, and Alexander realized that to use them effectively, they needed to be centralized.

He contemplated monopolizing the extraction and processing of resources, imagining a decree announcing that salt, iron, silver, and gold would henceforth become exclusive to the prince's domain. Banning the interference of boyars and merchants in these industries would grant him complete control, bolstering both the economy and his power.

However, he also realized that such a step would provoke fierce resistance. It was a risky path, and for now, it was too early to act in that direction. Yet, Alexander was already strategizing and looking for the right moment to begin.

Another critical task after his coronation, he believed, was centralizing the tax collection system. During his time in the treasury, he had seen its inefficiency firsthand. Tribute collection relied on local boyars, who kept a significant portion of the revenue for themselves, undermining the state's financial stability.

- So much to do... - Alexander sighed tiredly. Thoughts of problems and potential solutions had already begun to exhaust him. He understood that if he sat idly by, his reign might end sooner than it began. But despite the difficulties, he enjoyed what he was doing. Even though it was hard, he knew he was improving not only his own life but also the lives of others.

At the moment, his primary goal was to learn from Boris the actual situation in his lands. Flipping through his modern book, Alexander cross-referenced its advice with the current circumstances and began drafting a plan for developing agriculture on his princely fields.

His musings were interrupted by a sudden question from the senior librarian, who was eyeing the unusual book in the prince's hands with genuine curiosity. In all his years as a librarian, he had never seen anything like it:

- My prince, what kind of book is that in your hands? The binding, the script... I have never seen anything like it

- It's a foreign book brought by a merchant, - Alexander replied calmly, trying not to reveal any nervousness. - It contains valuable knowledge about agriculture and governance from a more advanced empire

The librarian nodded, continuing to examine it from a distance:

- It looks quite intriguing...

Realizing that the librarian's interest could lead to further questions, Alexander decided to steer the conversation in another direction:

- Valuable knowledge is always worth its price. If it can improve our lives, why not use the experience of other lands? For instance, - he opened one of the pages, - this describes the three-field system. Instead of leaving half the land fallow, it's divided into three parts. This increases yields

- Hmm, my prince, I know of the three-field system. In our principality, it's already being introduced in some regions, but boyars and peasants are not always willing to adopt such changes

- Precisely, - Alexander agreed, pointing to a page. - Here it explains that the three-field system not only increases yields but also preserves soil fertility. And if we add another field for fodder crops, it could improve livestock feeding and restore the land even faster

The librarian raised an eyebrow in surprise:

- A four-field system? That sounds unusual, but if such systems are used in the country where books like yours are made, I dare say they've advanced far beyond us, - said the senior librarian, his gaze still fixed on the book.

As someone accustomed to holding various manuscripts in his hands, the librarian found himself mesmerized by Alexander's book. The prince nodded, attempting to deflect attention from the book:

- Yes, with the four-field system, we could outpace our neighbors. Now it's just a matter of convincing the peasants

- Well, my prince, peasants are used to their old ways. Convincing them will be difficult, especially in places where even the three-field system is not yet common, - the senior librarian remarked, understanding the challenge of introducing innovations to a population steeped in tradition.

Alexander fell silent, but his plan was already forming clearly:

- I'll start with my princely lands. After all, they belong to me, not the boyars. I'll also need educated monks and scribes. I'll teach them the basics, and they, in turn, will teach the peasants

- Wouldn't it be easier to just let them read your book? - The senior librarian seemed puzzled, thinking Alexander might be unwilling to share such vital information.

Alexander smirked and, without a word, handed him the book:

- Go ahead, try to read it. I'm sure you know enough languages to understand

The senior librarian bowed and carefully took the peculiar tome. It was a book entirely unlike the manuscripts he was used to. Its unusual paper, sturdy binding, and clearly printed letters stood out.

But what struck him the most was the language it was written in. He began leafing through the pages but quickly realized he couldn't understand a single word. It wasn't Latin, Greek, Arabic, or even one of the rare dialects he had encountered before.

- My prince, I don't understand. What language is this? And how do you know it? - the librarian asked, looking at Alexander in amazement.

Alexander looked at him with a slight smile, but his eyes held a glimmer of seriousness:

- It's the language of a very advanced country on the other side of the world. And as for how I know it... trust me, it's better if you don't

The librarian, sensing that the conversation had reached a delicate point, bowed and returned the book. He understood that the prince had his secrets, and it was best not to interfere. To smooth over the awkwardness, he decided to share some useful information:

- My prince, you mentioned needing educated monks and scribes. I know a few trustworthy individuals who could be entrusted with this knowledge. They've dedicated their lives to serving the people and would surely help you in your endeavor to improve the fields and feed the populace

- Good, send them to me. I'll find a use for them, - Alexander nodded curtly, already deciding that he would test them and, if possible, bring them under his influence.

- I should also mention that Senior Monk Boris is already conducting experiments with composting and improving the land. Perhaps he should be included in your plans

- Boris, - Alexander repeated thoughtfully. - It seems he's quite talented if he knows so much about the princely lands and engages in such work

Alexander was intrigued. His father, Yaroslav the Wise, had clearly been skilled at surrounding himself with exceptional people. Recruiting Boris to his side would be a strategically sound move.

- Yes, Senior Monk Boris is not only talented but also a man of great character. As the abbot of his monastery, he cares for orphans more than anyone else. His monastery has taken in more than twenty children, and for three years, he has provided them with everything they need and taught them many skills, - the librarian continued to praise Senior Monk Boris, ensuring the prince formed a positive impression before their meeting.

- What's so special about that? He's a good and righteous man. I think anyone in his place would do the same, - Alexander remarked, genuinely not understanding the significance of the deed.

The senior librarian looked at the prince intently, realizing that Alexander might not yet fully grasp the realities of life in the principality. He decided to explain:

- My prince, most monasteries take in no more than ten orphans, and sometimes none at all. They claim that children interfere with their worship and distract monks from their duties. Many only take in orphans for appearances, to seem compassionate and receive more donations. But Senior Monk Boris... he has taken in more than twenty orphans and has cared for them for over three years. He does it not for profit. You'll understand if you visit his monastery

Hearing this explanation, Alexander fell into thought. He realized his mistake. In his time, caring for orphans was seen as a norm, but here in Kievan Rus', such actions were rare exceptions. The concept of orphanages as understood in modern times did not exist, and aid to orphans was often a matter of personal initiative or rare acts of Christian charity.

Now he understood just how extraordinary Boris's actions were. Alexander nodded respectfully, feeling a growing desire to learn more about this man and his work.