The General's Kaissa

I saw the General's notice this morning on the way to the Cylinder of Justice. He spoke of it to me last evening at the public tables set up by the woman of the Bakers, Tia. It is a magnanimous gesture, one he offered to me personally before posting it for public consideration. I cannot image even his considerable wealth can withstand the demand it will create for very long. The resident population is close to three million, at my best estimate. Of course, much of the private property in the city is owned by men of wealth who would have no justification to petition for a place on the General's dole, and moreover, would probably have cause to fear placing themselves in his debt. No doubt he has his accountants and personal bankers advising him on this matter. These are just the far-too presumptuous - and private - estimations of a Poet, one who learned accountancy for the purpose of keeping track of a stable of whores. If his finances can weather the inevitable storm, I wish him well. His auctoritas in the city of Ar should increase at least commensurately with the success of this endeavor. He is already feared, justifiably so, by those with a tenuous grasp of power in the City. Should he sway the favor of the People, he will be truly formidable.

I will continue to work at the adminisrative end of things, leaving the proclamations and speeches to those better suited to it. I hope to get the tax lowered or, better yet, repealed completely. It is my thought that the better than quarter million non-residents enjoying the hospitality of the city should be considered a source of potential revenue, rather than demand the citizens of our poorest districts give more than they can feasibly manage. If the propaganda is true, however, these initiatives of mine are certain to fall upon deaf ears. In the meantime, I will continue to encourage the generosity of the Lady Tia. A public table at the end of each Passage Hand cannot begin to ease the debts of our poorer citizens and that is not the intent. Nor should it be seen as charity, certainly not pity. I hope it is seen as an extension of goodwill, of brotherhood.