The Assembly

Looking at the councilors, Alexander knew he needed to secure their support. The princely council consisted of the most influential and powerful figures in all of Kievan Rus'.

If they recognized him, everything would proceed smoothly. However, he saw only half the council: Illarion, Ignat, Stanislav, Oleg, and Dobrynya. The head of diplomacy, Myroslav, and the head of intelligence were absent. Alexander decided he would later inquire about them with Stanislav.

- Esteemed councilors, to begin with, I would like to hear your assessment of the current state of affairs in Kievan Rus'. What problems do you see at the moment? Don't hold back. I want the truth, not flattering speeches

The councilors exchanged glances. The tone of the young prince surprised many, especially Ignat and Oleg, who had expected timid and conventional statements. Their eyes lit up, and tension immediately filled the air. Seeing that no one was eager to speak first, Alexander decided to choose someone himself.

- Metropolitan Illarion, let's start with you. Please, speak

Illarion folded his hands before him and sat up straight.

- Your Grace, I will begin with a spiritual matter, and then I have a question about education and the protection of churches. This year, the Great Schism has divided the Christian Church. Byzantium is drifting away from Rome, and their conflict could affect us. Kievan Rus' has always followed Constantinople, but perhaps the time has come to consider asserting our own independence in spiritual matters

Ignat and Stanislav frowned at Illarion's words, while Oleg and Dobrynya exchanged concerned glances.

- Illarion, are you suggesting we sever ties with Byzantium? You see glory in independence, but I see rising taxes behind your lofty words. Commoners are already struggling to pay their tithe, and now you want to weaken trade? Who will pay for these grand ideas of yours? - Oleg snapped sharply.

Illarion remained calm, but his voice was firm:

- I know it's a risk. But how long will we depend on the decisions of others? Byzantium is weakening, while Kievan Rus' is growing stronger. The time has come for us to become the bastion of faith for all Slavs, rather than the shadow of Constantinople

Alexander remembered from history that Illarion was the first Slavic metropolitan, appointed in defiance of the long-standing tradition of sending metropolitans from Constantinople. This was not just an act of self-governance but also a symbol of the struggle for Kievan Rus' independence in spiritual and political matters.

- That's dangerous. As long as Constantinople stands, we need them. They could unleash the Cumans or Pechenegs on us to force us back under their control, - Ignat said grimly, shaking his head.

- I'm not talking about a complete break, - Illarion replied after a pause. - I'm talking about Kievan Rus' becoming a bastion of faith on its own, so we no longer depend on decisions made across the sea

Stanislav, who had been silent until now, spoke quietly but confidently:

- Any attempt at independence will be seen as a threat. They won't tolerate it and will find ways to weaken us

- Yes, and don't forget about the common folk. They won't even understand why we're doing this. They don't care who gives the blessing as long as they have food to eat, - Oleg added, glaring at Illarion.

Illarion withstood their pressure, calmly responding:

- The common folk will follow the prince if he shows them the way. Look at how Byzantium is losing control. It has weakened because of internal strife. We must show the Slavs there is another path - a path of unity under Kyiv, not under Constantinople

- You speak of faith in oneself, Illarion, but we need more than words - we need protection! Cuman swords don't pray; they kill and burn! How will your ideas save people in the steppes? - Ignat objected sharply, clenching his fist.

- Faith is beautiful, Illarion. But how do you measure it? It won't grow bread or protect trade routes. The common folk want peace, not grandiose words, - added Oleg, backing Ignat.

The voices rose, and Alexander raised his hand. The councilors noticed the prince's gesture and fell silent, their eyes fixed on him. This would be their first test - what did the prince himself think about this matter?

Alexander understood that having their own bastion of faith was an excellent idea, but Kievan Rus' was not yet strong enough, and Byzantium was still useful to him in his plans to destroy the Pechenegs. It was too early to strain relations with them.

- Illarion, your idea is clear. Kievan Rus' will one day become an independent bastion of faith. But now is not the time for a step that could weaken us in the face of enemies. Spiritual independence requires strength, and strength comes with patience. We will build it step by step

- That's wise, Your Grace. There's no sense in making unnecessary enemies who might still be useful to us, - Ignat nodded in agreement.

Illarion bowed, though his gaze remained resolute:

- I understand your caution, Your Grace. But remember that every step toward independence is a step toward strengthening Kievan Rus'. I will pray that you choose this path when the time comes

Alexander nodded and shifted the topic:

- It will come, undoubtedly. Now, about the next question. You mentioned education. What do you propose?

Illarion folded his hands, straightened, and began to speak calmly but with conviction:

- Yes. I would like to establish schools in monasteries so that not only future priests but all those who serve you may gain knowledge. This would raise the level of education, bring people closer to the truth, and strengthen faith. But for this, we need your support, Your Grace, as well as resources- funds, people, and materials

Oleg, the head of administration, frowned disapprovingly:

- Your Grace, we can't afford to squander money. The common folk are already at their limit, and now you want to burden them even more? Churches, monasteries, and now schools? Who will pay for these dreams of yours, Illarion?

- Education is not a luxury; it's a necessity. If we don't teach the people, Kievan Rus' will weaken. An illiterate person is like a blind sword - weak against enemies and his own vices. Oleg, greed doesn't make a nation strong; it makes it a slave, - Illarion kept his composure, but his voice grew firmer.

Oleg flared up, ready to respond, but Alexander raised his hand, and his voice rang with authority:

- Oleg, don't forget that knowledge is a long-term investment. An educated people will be the backbone of the state. I will support the church in this endeavor, but under one condition. The schools will not just be places of prayer. They must teach people crafts, sciences, and the art of living

- So be it, Your Grace. But I hope the spiritual foundation of education will remain paramount. Without faith, knowledge is dead, - Illarion bowed slightly, his gaze still focused.

Stanislav, standing beside the prince, frowned as he looked at Illarion:

- Forgive me, Your Grace, but do you really believe priests will teach anything other than psalms? They don't know how to plow a field or forge a sword. If we entrust them with this task, they'll only fill people's heads with fears of God

- Stanislav is right. Schools in monasteries are just another church under a different name. It's better to invest that money in swords and spears. Knowledge is worthless if a person doesn't live long enough to use it, - Ignat added, frowning even more.

Oleg crossed his arms and smirked at Illarion:

- Exactly. While enemies are at the gates, the people need bread, not books and scrolls

Alexander was beginning to develop a headache from their arguments. It was difficult to make decisions quickly and easily. He looked at the disputants carefully, scanning them with his gaze, and spoke calmly:

- Enough. Education is not a dream - it is a path to strength. If we teach the people not only to pray but to think, build, and fight, we will create a Kievan Rus' that no one will dare to challenge. But I agree that schools under the church might not fulfill all their duties

- Therefore, I will appoint my people to oversee the process of education, its curriculum, and its outcomes. The schools will be under the authority and supervision of the prince

The councilors exchanged tense glances. Illarion squinted slightly but spoke in a conciliatory tone:

- So be it, Your Grace. If this strengthens our land, I will accept your decision

- Your Grace, it seems you've found a golden middle ground. If the schools truly prove useful, they could give us strong and educated people, - Stanislav, who had been frowning, nodded in agreement.

Ignat merely shrugged silently, not entirely agreeing but acknowledging the end of the discussion. Oleg sighed, hoping the schools would pay off with skilled craftsmen and scholars.

Alexander nodded and turned his gaze to the metropolitan:

- Agreed. Now, to the next question. Illarion, you mentioned the protection of churches and faith. What did you mean?

The metropolitan folded his hands before him, his voice calm but with a hint of urgency:

- Your Grace, since your father's death, the Cumans and Pechenegs have grown bolder. They've begun quick and small raids on our churches and villages. Each time they come, we lose not only property but also the faith of the people. Churches burn, priests die, books are lost. I propose fortifying the churches so they become bastions of both spiritual and physical defense

Ignat squinted, his voice dripping with mockery:

- Turn temples into fortresses? Is this a joke, Illarion? Temples aren't walls, and walls won't save us if the nomads break through our defenses

- Temples should not only be places of prayer but also refuges. We'll fortify them so they can protect people until reinforcements arrive. But for that, I need resources and time, - Illarion met the head military commander's gaze firmly and replied with conviction.

Oleg, crossing his arms, spoke in a measured tone, though his voice carried a hint of caution:

- Illarion, the idea is clear, but let's look at the root of the matter. Temples aren't fortresses, and the villagers aren't ready for defense. We're not going to waste resources fortifying buildings that won't withstand a serious attack

- If we don't strengthen the borders, your markets will be the first to burn, Oleg. Money turns to ash if there's no one to defend it, - Ignat shot him a sharp glance.

Oleg nodded but responded with measured calm:

- Ignat, you're right. But if we spend everything on defense as you suggest, we could deplete the treasury and leave people hungry. I don't deny the need for protection, but the solution must be balanced

- Forgive me, but aren't we forgetting the spiritual side? The people must be strong in spirit; otherwise, no walls will save them. We need to invest some resources in temples and schools to strengthen faith and knowledge, - Illarion raised his hand, trying to stop the argument.

Ignat sharply objected, striking the table with his fist:

- Your temples won't save people if the Cumans enter Kyiv! We need swords, not your prayers

The voices grew louder as the councilors argued more heatedly. Alexander raised his hand, signaling for silence, but this time his gesture went unnoticed. Standing behind the prince, Stanislav frowned, his voice echoing across the chamber:

- Quiet!

The councilors immediately fell silent, their eyes turning toward Alexander, who remained calm as he rose from his seat.

- Thank you, Stanislav, - he said, his voice steady but firm as he continued: - Now listen to me. We will build strong fortifications to cut off the nomads' paths into our lands. This will protect the people, trade, and temples

Alexander stood and pointed to two key points on the map.

- Here, by the Ros River, we'll build a fortress. It will serve as a stronghold to defend against steppe raids. And here, at the Dnipro crossing, another fortress. These two fortresses will block the main routes of the nomads and reinforce our borders

- That's more effective than turning temples into fortresses, - Stanislav nodded.

Ignat studied the map closely, his eyes narrowing, but there was approval in his voice:

- A smart move, Your Grace. These fortresses can be quickly supplied and defended. But two fortresses won't be enough to stop the nomads entirely. Six or eight might do it

- How many? Who's going to pay for that? You? - Oleg shook his head, his voice laced with sarcasm.

- Money is merely a tool, Oleg, not the goal. If we don't build defenses, we'll lose more than we could ever earn, - Ignat countered, his voice calm but resolute.

- I can agree to two, but six… no, - Oleg remained firm.

Dobrynya, who had been silent until now, spoke up:

- Fortresses are good, but the Cumans and Pechenegs are too fast. By the time we gather our troops, they'll have plundered the villages and vanished

- True. That's why we need to create mobile units - light cavalry trained in maneuvering and steppe tactics. They'll patrol the borders and intercept enemies before they reach our lands, - Alexander replied calmly, already anticipating such challenges.

Ignat squinted, his voice carrying a note of approval:

- That's a solid idea, Your Grace. Small companies could be useful. But what if the enemy breaks through the patrols? Scouts alone might not be enough

- In addition to patrols, we'll establish a network of scouts and signal towers. They'll warn us of approaching enemies long before they strike. We'll use local knowledge to monitor the steppe and block all possible routes, - Alexander confidently traced his finger along the map, marking key points.

Illarion frowned, his voice tinged with concern:

- Your Grace, even with scouts and towers, it's impossible to stop everything. What will happen to the peasants if the enemy finds a gap? They'll be defenseless

- Then we'll prepare them for self-defense. Every settlement must have militia, weapons, and watchtowers. If we can't be everywhere at once, they must be ready to protect themselves until help arrives, - Alexander explained as he turned to the metropolitan.

Hearing this, Ignat smirked:

- Weapons for peasants? Bold decision, Your Grace. But what if they decide to turn their spears against us instead of the enemy?

- If you believe that, Ignat, perhaps we should disarm the druzhina as well? Without the peasants, we'd have no food, no warriors, no Kievan Rus' itself. Or do you propose leaving them defenseless and hoping for a miracle? - Alexander shot him a cold glance.

Stanislav intervened, looking directly at Ignat:

- The prince is right. If we want the people to survive, we must give them a chance. But training will take time. I suggest we start by arming and training the villages closest to the borders

- We'll give them not only weapons but also knowledge. I'll teach them the tactics of a wagenburg - fortifications made from wagons and palisades. These simple but effective barriers will help delay the enemy. Every village can become a small fortress, - Alexander briefly explained the strategy to the councilors.

This was the tactic of Jan Žižka, the legendary Czech general who, using ordinary peasants and their makeshift resources, managed to crush heavily armed knights without losing a single battle.

Alexander remembered this tactic and was determined to apply it for the benefit of his people. He understood that knowledge of the future was his greatest weapon.

Ignat looked at the map with interest as Alexander pointed to the border villages:

- Wagenburg tactics? Interesting name. If it's as effective as you say, it will strengthen our villages. Combined with patrols, scouts, and border fortifications, we could protect even the most remote lands

- Exactly. Signal towers and scouts will complement this system. The nomads won't be able to approach unnoticed, and if they launch a sudden attack, our people will be ready to meet them, - Stanislav nodded, studying the map.

Alexander added confidently:

- Exactly. We will create a chain of defense, starting with borders, mobile units, and towers, ending with fortified villages. Even if the nomads try to break through, they'll face obstacles at every step

Alexander understood that underestimating the nomads would be a grave mistake. But history had taught him that the Pechenegs had been defeated by his father, Yaroslav, and no longer posed a significant threat. At the same time, he knew that the Cumans would become serious adversaries in the future.

According to historical records, the Cumans were currently preoccupied with internal clan conflicts and active expansion in the steppes. They were not yet a substantial threat to Kievan Rus'.

- Very well, that concludes this matter, - Alexander nodded and looked at the councilors:

- Oleg and Dobrynya, I ask you to organize the construction of fortresses, signal towers, and the fortification of border villages. Voivode Ignat, I ask you to organize garrisons for the new fortifications and personnel for the signal towers

- Stanislav, take charge of forming mobile units and training scouts. Illarion, tell the people that we care for them and that all promises will be fulfilled, - Alexander's voice carried a tone of iron-clad confidence.

All nodded briefly, understanding their clear tasks. Oleg, as always, quickly calculated some expenses, produced his estimates, and laid them out for the assembly.

The costs broke down as follows: two fortresses (one wooden, one stone) would cost 1,200 hryvnias; twenty signal towers would cost 250 hryvnias; fortifying 20 border villages would cost 900 hryvnias; forming three mobile junior druzhina units (300 men) would cost 1,500 hryvnias; initially hiring 20 scouts would cost 100 hryvnias. Garrisons of 70 men for the wooden fortress would require 350 hryvnias annually, and 150 men for the stone fortress would cost 750 hryvnias annually. This excluded annual maintenance costs for the fortresses and other expenses.

Looking at the figures, Alexander couldn't believe his eyes. Everything was so expensive. He remembered from history that the Kievan hryvnia was a silver ingot weighing about 200–210 grams of pure silver. In modern terms, one Kievan hryvnia would be worth $150–$300.

Comparing the costs of fortifications, garrisons, and other expenditures, Alexander began to understand why Oleg constantly complained about who would pay for it all. Such expenses could seriously impact the treasury. However, they were justified, considering the long-term benefits.

Alexander sighed, gazing at the numbers. All of this indeed came at a high price. A single hryvnia was a substantial sum. For one, you could buy several cows or a year's supply of grain for a family.

Stanislav, noticing the shadow of doubt crossing the prince's face, stepped in to assist:

- Your Grace, we can distribute the costs. Illarion, these fortifications will protect not only the people but also your churches, as you requested. The threat of nomadic raids is a shared problem. I believe 15% is a reasonable share

Illarion narrowed his eyes, understanding the implication, but quickly regained his usual composure:

- If this helps protect the people and our churches, the Church will contribute its share

- The boyars should also contribute. Their lands are protected by the princely druzhina, and these fortifications will only increase their revenues, - Dobrynya quickly added, glancing at Ignat and Oleg, the two strongest leaders of the boyar factions.

Ignat nodded, his expression firm:

- No issue. The boyars will contribute 25%. That's fair. But in return, the prince could reconsider the grain export taxes

- Agreed, - Alexander could only nod in response. Oleg also consented and offered his assistance:

- I'll handle the merchants. They'll pay 10%. I'll tell them that the fortresses and fortifications will protect their markets, and the mobile units will safeguard their caravans and roads

- Excellent. That leaves 50% for me to cover, - Alexander exhaled with relief. Although he didn't know exactly how much money was in the princely treasury, cutting the costs in half was a significant accomplishment.

Illarion raised his hand and spoke:

- Your Grace, if I may… The Church would like to help not only with money but also with manpower. We have volunteers and parishioners ready to contribute their labor for the good of Kievan Rus'

- Wonderful. That will ease the expenses. Help wherever you can. Dobrynya, discuss with Illarion which villages can be fortified with churches to make them part of the overall defense, - Alexander smiled, delegating the task to Dobrynya.

Dobrynya pondered for a moment before nodding:

- I'll take it into account. Churches are not only spiritual centers but natural shelters. They'll help if something goes wrong

- Very well. You have two weeks to present construction plans, and after that, we'll begin fortifying the borders and defenses against the nomads, - Alexander stood, surveying his councilors. His voice was firm, yet carried a tone of approval:

- With that, we'll conclude. Each of you has an important task, as do I. If any issues arise, I'm ready to address them

Illarion nodded, folding his hands before him:

- Your words inspire, Your Grace. I'm certain the people will see this not only as protection but as hope

- Hope is good, but let it be accompanied by strong walls and sharp swords. We now have a plan, and we will execute it, - Ignat smirked slightly.

Oleg, crossing his arms over his chest, remarked calmly:

- The main thing is for everyone to do their part on time. There's no room for delay in matters like these. Since your brothers' deaths, Your Grace, the nomads have grown increasingly bold

- Two weeks, - Stanislav added, surveying everyone intently. - It's a short deadline, but realistic. We'll show these nomads that Kievan Rus' is not their playground, and they cannot come and go as they please

Alexander nodded briefly and concluded:

- Thank you all for your participation. Have a good day

The councilors nodded briefly and dispersed to continue their work. For now, their main focus was preparing for the coronation, and after that, implementing the plan to strengthen the borders.

Alexander remained in the chamber, bent over the map, making minor adjustments. In truth, he had intended to discuss far more issues, but Illarion's three questions had stretched the meeting far beyond his expectations.