#Government Officials Salary

[townpostin]

Champai Government Approves Salary Hike for Jharkhand MInisters, MLAs, Officials

Cabinet Meeting Results in Increased Allowances and Benefits The Champai government has approved a significant increase in salaries and allowances for various officials in Jharkhand, including the Chief Minister, Ministers, and other dignitaries. RANCHI – In the first cabinet meeting after the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Champai Soren approved a substantial increase in salaries and…

[foxstens]

i hate this i hate this i hate this i hate this i hate this

[ennobaka]

Hearing about rich people is actually my villain origin story

[silence-the-musical]

you’re adaine abernant. you walk into the central building of a foreign government where your sister is wanted (with said sister) and ask an official how they produce boners. then you explain that your mother is being chased by a van with hands (instead of wheels), that fleek is no longer used to describe the state of your eyebrows, and negotiate a “Step Up 2: The Streets”-style dance competition to establish your salary as elven oracle. This is a wildly successful conversation for you.

[moonchild033]

Astro Observations -5💃

Here we go with part-5!!! My schedule is getting hectic, I managed some time to make this finally 😭😭❤💫

(These observations are based on the whole sign system, sidereal charts and all obs are subject to change with other aspects in the chart, so don't conclude anything with a single placement) ❤

1. Mercury in Capricorn/Aquarius or in Saturn ruled stars- Could've got late admissions in educational institutions or had academic gaps or breaks. This could also be true if Saturn is in Gemini/Virgo or in mercury ruled stars.😌

2. Jupiter in 10H esp in fire/air signs- They could have the tendency to change jobs frequently, mostly because their interests are diverse or they like the concept of exploring, taking a long time to settle down.😊

3. Having same ascendant in both D1 & D3- The person will be courageous, they could get benefits and significant help from siblings. Their source of motivation in life could come from their friendships, a close knit of circle who always motivates them to move forward.💫

4. Virgo mercury - Can be prone to losing money in share market, due to online frauds etc. These ppl should be careful with their money. You could even lose it carelessly, like forgetting the money purse somewhere. 🤧

5. Jupiter in 7H for Gemini ascendant - Even though Jupiter is in own house in this placement, it can give late marriage to the person if it's alone in 7H or doesn't receive any aspects from other benefic planets.😇

6. More planets in Leo house in D2- You will attain wealth by your own hardwork and independently. This placement can also make the person to start earning earlier than their peers or simply have more earnings regardless of what age they started going to a job.💃

7. More planets in Cancer house in D2- You will be blessed with extravagant lifestyle and wealth after marriage. Your partner will play a significant role in determining your wealth---you could either have a joint bank account with your partner OR after their arrival in your life, you could've experienced significant rise in your salary.🤩

8. Mars-moon conjunction in D4- The property you buy in your name could be located near water sources or you can be inclined to buy agricultural lands or at least buy a commercial plot with a countryside environment. If it's in a water sign, you would buy properties in your name near coastal cities.💙

9. Ashlesha/Jyeshta/Revati Moons- No matter how manipulative or cold they might appear due to moon in mercury star, they can fall in love easily. Even if they're slow, they're as obsessive, deep and consuming as Scorpio moons when in love. Some ppl might have had obsessive crushes or a long relationship for years during school days itself.💖

10. Mars-Sun conjunction in D4- House in your name could be placed near government owned buildings or in a colony where many government officials reside. You might construct a house in warmer places (by temperature in surrounding) than the ones you grew up in.🌡

11. Cancer Venus in a woman's chart- Female friends can get jealous of them, after wedding, even the female family members of the groom could do so. It's because of their perfect embodiment of feminine self, it can make other underdeveloped females insecure. Might not be the case for everyone, just observed this in few.💜

12. Placements and the type of house construction/aesthetics you may like & build:

(This doesn't mean you will end up building your house like this for sure, these placements should make aspects to the 4H/4H lord, 4H shouldn't be afflicted, favorable mahadasha should come and many more other aspects, so take the below ones as a fun read!)

Venus in Taurus/Libra/Pisces- Lots of interior designing & unique architecture. They want their house to be very aesthetically pleasing and appreciated by others. They have a eye for beauty.😍

Rahu in 4H- House constructed in an extravagant manner, has many rooms🤭

Mercury-saturn conjunction - Likes building staircase inside the house and basements having those spiral steps like in the horror films lol.🤫

Aries Sun - Grand entrance, the main gate or the house door will be big both in terms of height and width. They could like adding glass elements that reflect light on top of house door or any architecture near that.💅

Jupiter-Saturn conjunction - Loves unique and high class wooden sculptures and furnitures. These could be the people who would import specific type of wood to make their study table hehe.💪

Taurus/Cancer Moon- Water flowing architecture inside the house. You may also be fond of having fish tanks. This placement along with taurus or libra venus can give (for ex.) unique statues and water flowing from it or glass floors and fish maintenance below it.🤪

Leo Moons- Most probably likes having their own swimming pool in their house, especially purva phalguni moons.😻

Mars-moon conjunction - Loves doing indoor gardening. Rahu in the mix can give technological advancements in this, like having hydroponics system or any specialized type of gardening.🌱

Venus-rahu conjunction - Prefers different colored lighting settings, can even have home theatre setups. They like aesthetic light works with multiple colors and all shiny at least in one room for recreation.✨

Venus-Mars conjunction - Highlights strong security systems. They could appoint a watchman or have CCTV cameras surrounding their house. Mars in rahu's star having this conjunction, they might have advanced touch or face recognition type of security systems.😼

Let's Learn and Grow Together!💋💅

With Love-Yashi ❤⚡

Masterlist 💖

[noira-l]

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 "𝐘𝐞𝐬"!

⋆ ★ '𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞' - 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

chapter summary: Satoru has finally found a way around the bureaucracy! Simple, ingenious, and by the way… he proposed marriage to you! Countless times...

pairing: gojo satoru x f!sorcerer reader

warnings: fluff, annoying Satoru, a compilation of attempts to convince you to marry him.

author's note: I don't need to explain to anyone how stubborn Satoru can be when he wants something c;

The end of school was approaching and you were both busy with exams, missions and the overwhelming responsibilities of your sorcerer lives.

But then things started to get complicated with the adoption of Tsumiki and Megumi. Bureaucratic complications, delays in paperwork and constant questions from officials about living conditions. It wasn't that you didn't want to care about the children - on the contrary, they were the ones you were now focusing on the most. But with each passing day, the adoption process became more and more difficult, and the legal bureaucracy was a tangle you couldn't unravel.

You were met with the undeniable truth, you couldn't live on school grounds with the children. Yaga had been firm, his face as unreadable as ever when he told you it simply wasn’t an option. They were too young, he had explained, for the things they might see here. You hated to admit it, but he was right.

Satoru had flat-out refused to house the kids at his clan’s headquarters. His words were sharp, unbending, like an iron door slamming shut - 'No way, I’m not dragging those kids into that mess."

And you? You didn’t have a home anymore. Not really. You had never planned for this, for the sudden responsibility of two children to rear and protect. Not like this.

There was an overwhelming shame creeping in, the thought of overstaying your welcome at the school. Yaga had said you could stay for as long as necessary, but you couldn't help but feel the weight of it. The image of yourself lingering at the school grounds - post graduation, older, with two children in tow - haunted you. You needed to find a place of your own, a real home, somewhere for Megumi and Tsumiki to grow without the specter of danger hanging over them.

And then, there was the reality of your financial situation. It was almost laughable. Though Satoru, as you soon learned, was disgustingly rich, that wealth was locked away behind the vaults of the Gojo clan. For now, all he had access to was his paycheck, and though his salary as a special-grade sorcerer far outstripped yours, it was still nowhere near enough to cover what you needed - housing, legal fees, everything. And you still wanted to share expanses.

It had been a moment of desperation when you tried to adopt them yourself first. The government official had glanced over your file and turned you down almost immediately, barely glancing at your credentials. The sting of that rejection lingered, a bitter taste in your mouth.

When Satoru tried, things seemed to move a little more smoothly, but the gears of the system were still grinding too slowly. Every day felt like another step backward, and you couldn’t shake the feeling that the longer this dragged on, the greater the chance the Zen'in clan would swoop in and take Megumi. The thought made your blood run cold.

After one particularly gruelling meeting with a government official, during which your status and living conditions were questioned, Satoru first threw out the idea.

It had been late, the sky above painted in shades of pink and gold as the sun sank below the horizon, the last rays of daylight casting long shadows across the school grounds. You both sat on the steps outside, staring out at the sprawling campus before you. Despite the breathtaking view, your mind was a tangle of frustration and helplessness, the weight of the situation settling heavily in your chest.

Satoru leaned back, resting his elbows on a stone, and looked at you with a thoughtful expression on his face that didn't quite match the playful gleam in his eyes.

"You know." Satoru said suddenly, his voice calm, almost too casual for the gravity of the moment "If we got married, all this paperwork would be easier. Like, a lot easier."

For a second, you blinked, not sure if you had heard him correctly. You turned to him, incredulous, your mind scrambling to catch up.

"What?" you said raising a brow to him.

"Marriage." he said again, shrugging as if it were the most natural thing in the world "On paper, of course. It’d make the adoption process smoother. We present ourselves as a couple, and everything falls into place."

You laughed, the sound escaping your lips more out of disbelief than amusement "That’s… the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard, Satoru." you shook your head, standing up and brushing the dust off your pants "Are you even listening to yourself?"

He grinned, leaning in closer with that mischievous look you’d seen so many times before.

"Oh, I’m listening. And I’m making sense. It’s logical. Think about it- everyone loves a married couple. It’s easier for them to trust us, easier to approve everything. We get the kids and we make sure they’re not stuck in some bureaucratic limbo, and it’ll all work out."

You rolled your eyes, starting to walk away from him, but the absurdity of the idea lingered in the back of your mind.

"You’re insane." you muttered, glancing back over your shoulder.

"Think about it!" his voice echoed after you, still playful, but you could sense the genuine offer buried beneath it "It’s a great plan!"

★ --

One late afternoon, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long golden rays across the campus as the two of you sat on the stone steps outside the dormitory. The warmth of spring had just begun to settle in, and everything felt fresh, except the familiar topic Satoru decided to bring up once more.

"Y’know." he said, not even bothering to look at you this time, staring up at the clouds instead "It’s a nice day for a wedding."

"Can you please drop this?" you groaned, burying your face in your hands as if that might somehow make his persistence vanish.

Satoru shifted slightly, turning his head to face you. His grin, as usual, was irrepressible, but there was a softness in his eyes "Why would I? You still haven’t given me a good reason not to do it. Every time I bring it up, all I hear is how practical it would be."

"Because it’s ridiculous!" you snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface as you stared back at him "We’re not... we’re not even a real couple, Satoru. Why would we pretend to be something we’re not?"

Satoru’s grin didn’t waver. If anything, it seemed to widen as though he had been waiting for this moment.

"Why not?" he teased, his voice filled with amusement but also with something deeper, something that unsettled you "We already plan to raise two kids together. We've sleept in the same bed sometimes, when it was cold, or we’ve had a bad day. Face it - we already act like a married couple."

The words hung between you, settling into the quiet air around you like the last piece of a puzzle clicking into place. You opened your mouth to argue, but the sharp retort you had prepared never left your lips. Instead, you found yourself speechless, staring at him, because- damn it - he wasn’t so wrong.

Still, you shook your head, more to convince yourself than him "This wasn't the same, and you know it."

But he only shrugged, a look of confidence lingering in his expression as if he knew you’d eventually come around.

★ --

There were the quieter moments of persistence, when Satoru’s usual teasing faded into something more subdued, but no less determined. Like one evening, after a particularly long day, you found him sitting in the common room, flipping through paperwork related to the adoption process. You collapsed beside him, your body heavy with exhaustion, the weight of everything pressing down on you.

Without even looking up, Satoru’s voice broke the silence "Did you know that married couples get fast-tracked for adoption approval?"

"Satoru, please." you groaned, sinking deeper into the cushions as though you could physically melt away from the conversation.

He glanced over at you, his grin widening as he waved the papers slightly "I’m just saying. It’s an option. A very practical one."

You covered your face with a pillow, muffling your exasperated groan. "Why are you like this?"

"Because I’m right." he said, smug as ever "And deep down, you know it."

★ --

A lazy Sunday afternoon, and you were sitting in your dorm, relaxing with a book.

Satoru entered the room, hands behind his back, humming some ridiculous tune. You glanced up warily, immediately suspicious of the way he was grinning.

"What now?" you asked, already bracing yourself.

"Nothing." he said innocently, though his eyes sparkled with mischief "Just thought I’d bring you something." he pulled his hands from behind his back, revealing a bouquet of flowers - wild, messy, clearly picked from somewhere nearby.

You blinked "What is this?"

"Just thought I’d bring you some flowers." he said, sitting down beside you on the bed and handing them over "Consider it a peace offering."

You raised an eyebrow, skeptical "For what?"

"For being so annoying." he said with a smirk, though his eyes were unusually soft "But also… as a wedding gift, in advance."

You groaned, shoving the flowers back at him "I’m not marrying you, Satoru."

He chuckled, taking the flowers back, but not looking deterred in the least "You say that now, but wait until you see the cake I have planned."

★ --

It was the middle of the night when you went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. You were going to bed. The mission had been exhausting, and all you wanted was to get back and rest. Of course, Satoru had already managed to find you and follow you to your room.

"Soooo~" Satoru began, his tone almost sing-song as he glanced over at you.

You immediately knew where this was going "Don’t even start."

He ignored you completely "I’ve been thinking - again - and I’ve come up with the perfect reason for us to get married."

You sighed, rubbing your temples "I’m really not in the mood, Satoru."

"Hear me out." he said, his voice teasing but somehow more serious this time "We’re already spending all our time together. We're friends. Like really close ones. Hell, we even know each other’s bad habits. It wouldn’t be that different from what we’re already doing."

You looked at him, exhaustion settling into your bones "Satoru- "

"I’m just saying." he cut you off, his tone gentler now, but still carrying that playful edge "I’d be a great husband. I’d let you win every argument. I’d let you pick the TV shows we watch. I’d even give you the last slice of pizza."

Despite yourself, you laughed "The last slice? That’s a big deal for you."

"See?" he grinned, clearly pleased with himself "I’m already husband material."

★ --

Of course, there were days when Satoru’s persistence was anything but quiet. One afternoon, he tried to enlist Shoko in his scheme. The two of you were sitting in her office, discussing an upcoming mission, when Satoru barged in with his usual dramatic flair.

"Hey, Shoko!" he said, all smiles as he leaned against the wall "Don’t you think we’d make a great married couple?"

Shoko didn’t even glance up from the papers she was reviewing "Are you still going on about that?" she asked, her tone dripping with disinterest.

Satoru shrugged, his grin never faltering "What? We both know she’d love to marry me."

You glared at him, your patience wearing thin "Satoru, I swear- "

But Shoko snorted, finally looking up with an amused smirk. "Honestly, I don’t know who’s worse. You for asking, or her for tolerating you."

"Hey!" you both said in unison, but even you couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped.

★ --

Time passed, and the teasing evolved. Satoru wasn’t just bringing it up in private anymore - oh no, now it was a full-blown spectacle. One afternoon, you were walking across the school grounds, arms full of paperwork, when Satoru suddenly appeared in front of you, out of nowhere, blocking your path.

"Will you marry me?!" he asked loudly, his grin wide, as if he were proposing in front of an audience.

A group of students nearby turned to stare, whispering and giggling among themselves.

Your face flushed with embarrassment, and you shot him a death glare "Are you out of your mind? People are watching!"

Satoru shrugged, unfazed by the attention "Let them watch. I’ll give them a show." he winked at one of the students who was clearly gawking at the scene "She’s playing hard to get."

You groaned, exasperated, and pushed past him "I’m going to murder you in your sleep."

"Ah, see? That’s marriage talk already." he called after you, his laughter trailing behind.

★ --

And then there were the days when Satoru’s persistence crossed over into full-blown ridiculousness.

It was a bright, sunny afternoon, and you were heading to a café to grab lunch. Satoru, as always, had found a way to tag along, much to your annoyance. You both sat at an outdoor table, sipping drinks while you waited for your food to arrive.

As you absentmindedly check your phone, Satoru leaned across the table and placed a small velvet box right in front of you. You froze, staring at it like it was a bomb ready to explode.

"What… is this?"

He waggled his eyebrows in a dramatic fashion "Open it."

You hesitated, but finally flipped open the box, revealing… a plastic ring, the kind you’d get from a toy vending machine.

"Satoru." your voice was flat, unimpressed.

"Hey, it’s a placeholder." he said with a grin, leaning back in his chair, looking entirely too pleased with himself "We can get the real one when you say yes."

You stared at him, utterly speechless for a moment, before you closed the box and shoved it back toward him "Get out of my sight."

"But you didn’t say no!" he teased, picking up the box and twirling it between his fingers.

"I hate you."

"You love me." he said, beaming "But, seriously, think about it. The kids would get off welfare immediately, and we wouldn’t have to deal with all the bureaucracy."

You sighed, rubbing your temples. "You’ve been asking me this for months."

"And I’ll keep asking," he said, his tone light but his eyes serious now "Until you see that it makes sense. For Megumi and Tsumiki, for you… for us."

★ --

Eventually, after months of playful persistence, logical reasoning, and over-the-top proposals, you found yourself sitting next to him on the bed, in his room.

Should you do it?

You stared at the ceiling, your mind running through the endless logistics of what would come next: the paperwork, the explanations, the questions from friends and colleagues. It felt surreal, and yet, a small part of you - one you weren’t quite ready to acknowledge - wasn’t entirely uncomfortable with the idea of marrying Satoru. If anyone could navigate this strange situation, it was him.

He was, after all, your closest companion.

Satoru shifted beside you, and you could feel his eyes on you. He hadn’t moved to push or tease you like he normally would; instead, there was a softness, a strange patience that you weren’t used to from him.

"You're thinking too hard." he said, his voice quieter now, lacking its usual playful edge.

"Satoru." you said quietly, not looking at him.

"Hm?" He glanced over at you, waiting.

You turned to look at him then, studying the way his expression softened just enough to remind you that underneath the bravado and charm, he cared. Maybe more than he let on.

"If I agree to this... stupid marriage thing." you said slowly, weighing every word carefully "You- "

"No strings, no weirdness. I promise." he leaned in closer, interrupting your serious tone with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

You shot him a look, warning him not to get too cocky, but there was something a little infectious about the way he smiled at you.

"You better keep that promise." you muttered, shaking your head as you lay down on his bed.

"Oh, trust me." he said with a wink, "I'm a man of my word."

You sighed, the weight of your decision settling in "I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this."

Satoru chuckled, reaching out to lightly pat your shoulder.

"Hey, look at it this way - we’ll make a great team. Plus, you get to say you’re married to the most charming guy in the world."

"Don’t push it, Gojo." you shot him a tired look.

© noira-l 2024 | all rights reserved. do not copy, translate, modify, or redistirbute my work without permission

tl (open): @kalopsia-flaneur

[fatehbaz]

Today, as you read this [...], there are almost 2 million people locked away in one of the more than 5,000 prisons or jails that dot the American landscape. While they are behind bars, these incarcerated people can be found standing in line at their prison’s commissary waiting to buy some extra food or cleaning supplies that are often marked up to prices higher than what one would pay outside of those prison walls. [...] If they want to call a friend or family member, they need to pay for that as well. And almost everyone who works at a job while incarcerated, often for less than a dollar an hour, will find that the prison has taken a portion of their salary to pay for their cost of incarceration. [...] These policymakers and government officials also know that this captive population has no choice but to foot the bill [...] and that if they can’t be made to pay, their families can. In fact, a 2015 report led by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Forward Together, and Research Action Design found that in 63 percent of cases, family members on the outside were primarily responsible for court-related costs [...].

Rutgers sociology professor Brittany Friedman has written extensively on what is called “pay-to-stay” fees in American correctional institutions. In her 2020 article titled, “Unveiling the Necrocapitalist Dimensions of the Shadow Carceral State: On Pay-to-Stay to Recoup the Cost of Incarceration,” Friedman divides these fees into two categories: (1) room and board and (2) service-specific costs. Fees for room and board -- yes, literally for a thin mattress or even a plastic “boat” bed in a hallway, a toilet that may not flush, and scant, awful tasting food -- are typically charged at a “per diem rate for the length of incarceration.” It is not uncommon for these fees to reach $20 to $80 a day for the entire period of incarceration. The second category, what Friedman refers to as “service-specific costs,” includes fees for basic charges such as copays or other costs for seeing a doctor or nurse, programming fees, email and telephone calls, and commissary items. 

In 2014, the Brennan Center for Justice documented that at least 43 states authorize charging incarcerated people for the cost of their own imprisonment, and at least 35 states authorize charging them for some medical expenses. More recent research from the Prison Policy Institute found that 40 states and the federal prison system charge incarcerated people medical copays. 

It’s also critical to understand how little incarcerated people are paid for their labor in addition to the significant cut of their paltry hourly wages that corrections agencies take from their earnings. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of incarcerated people work behind bars. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, those who work regular jobs in prisons such as maintaining the grounds, working in the kitchen, and painting the walls of the facilities earn on average between $0.14 and $0.63 an hour. [...] Arkansas and Texas don’t pay incarcerated workers at all, while Alabama only pays incarcerated workers employed by the state’s correctional industry. [...]

For example, if someone sends an incarcerated person in Florida $20 online, they will end up paying $24.95. [...]

Dallas County charges incarcerated people a $10 medical care fee for each medical request they submit. In Texas prisons, those behind bars pay $13.55 per medical visit, despite the fact that Texas doesn’t pay incarcerated workers anything. Texas is one of a handful of states that doesn’t pay incarcerated people for their labor. 

In Kentucky’s McCracken County Jail in Paducah, it costs $0.40 a minute for a video call; this translates into $8.00 for each 20-minute video call. [...] For those who need to use email, JPay charges $2.35 for five emails for people in the Texas prison system ($0.47 an email). [...]

People in Florida prisons pay $1.70 for a packet of four extra-strength Tylenol and $4.02 for four tampons. And with inflation, commissary items are priced higher than ever. For example, according to the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, incarcerated people in Kentucky experienced a 7.2 percent rise in already-high commissary prices in July 2022. Researchers noted that a 4.6-ounce tube of Crest toothpaste, which costs $1.38 at the local Walmart, is $3.77 at the prison commissary. [...]

In Gaston County, North Carolina, incarcerated individuals who participate in state work release may make more than the state’s $0.38 an hour maximum pay, but they pay the jail a daily rate based on their yearly income of at least $18 per day and up to $36 per day. In fact, Brennan Center research indicates that almost every state takes a portion of the salary that incarcerated workers earn to compensate the corrections agency [...].

These room and board fees are found throughout the nation’s jails and prisons. Michigan laws allow any county to seek reimbursement for expenses incurred in relation to a charge for which a person was sentenced to county jail time -- up to $60 a day. Winnebago County, Wisconsin, charges $26 a day to those staying in its county jail.

---

Text by: Lauren-Brooke Eisen. “America’s Dystopian Incarceration System of Pay to Stay Behind Bars.” Brennan Center for Justice. 19 April 2023. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me.]

[silken-moonlight]

Older Alpha and Human waitress/ Part 4

A/N: Hello again! I am back with part 4 of this series. I have a lot of fun with developing the plot and characters. I am hoping I am not overdoing it in any way shape of form. Also we have now the Moodboard and the Introduction. Also here you'll find part 3 if you are interested. I love you guys so much -Swan/Moon

Desmonds POV

The next day was similar to the days before. He went to the meetings in the morning and noon, speaking with the other alphas about the pack territory. The problem had been that there was a new pack forming and they had demanded space or else they would have taken themselves said space. This of course could not have been permitted, since that would have ended in a massacre. The human government would have not been amused to cover up a slaughter between two packs and so they had to find a way without blood. While Desmond knew better, some days he wished they would just fight it out. Atlest then there wouldn’t have been so many meetings and fights in the meeting room. His thoughts were captivated by something else anyway…He was worried for his mate, she had looked so distressed. The longing to just take her away from all her worries had never been as strong as in that moment.

The alpha tried to cheer himself up, he would see her again today. Maybe would even make her smile when he brought her the books she had left behind. Of course was he aware that it might have looked a little weird…he just could not help himself. The urge to spoil and pamper his little mate was overwhelming. In his mind he had already planned their first trip to his cabin. He would take her there before they would officially return to the pack village. Thinking about all the things they could do…while Desmond really tried to keep his thoughts pure…it was not as easy. His inner wolf whined and scratched against the walls of his mind. The primal needs he felt were strong, he craved to touch his mates soft skin. To kiss her plump lips, to make her feel safe in his arms. To undress her slowly before- Desmond stopped his thoughts right there. He really didn’t want to get a boner in the middle of a political discussion.

A few hours later, the meetings and work was done for the day. Desmond would do the paperwork later, he had gotten an email from Isaac with some documents he needed him to look at. Desmond’s Pack had a few companies under their name or were part of them, while most things were equally shared, two of the companies were under his name. There also were many contracts he had to look at, work with or renew. 60% of the money earned ran into the Pack fund, all pack members that were working full time also gave away 10% of their salary to the pack fund. With that money were paid a lot of things like the maintenance of the packhouses, insurance costs, school and kindergarten places, student loans, cars that were free to use amongst the Pack…the list went on and on. Desmond himself had brought this concept to the pack after seeing it being absolutely successful in another pack. Since he did that, his pack had not only grown a lot but also was one of the most peaceful. That comes along with being an actual community. Desmond had learned the importance of acceptance, beginning to help werewolves who had not such a good start in their life or a rough time…The Alpha wondered what his mate would think of all of that. With how sweet she seemed, he was sure she would adore his work.

With his mind occupied by that thought, he walked into the restaurant. He sat down in his usual booth…but his beloved was not there. Desmond ordered by her colleague, waiting for her to arrive. But she did not come. His heart sunk…where was she?

Your POV

It had been your day off when your father had a bad episode of pain. His back and hip were hurting so much that he couldn’t get up from his bed. Of course you took two days off and stayed with him day and night. You had called his doctor who had taken the time to do a home visit. He had given your father some medications that eased his pain for a short time. Today was the first day that he felt better. Right now he sat in the garden, Pumpkin and Spice laying at his feet, enjoying the sun. Your mum and you were baking blueberry muffins, the kitchen smelled deliciously like the home baked goods. Tonight you would work again, but would always be available for your parents to call.

Initially you had wanted to become a nurse, but the condition of your parents has kept you occupied. You were unable to stay away from home too long, so you found a job that only would be in the afternoon and evening. That's how you ended up in the Sailor Boy, utterly grateful for your job and understanding boss. It may not have been what you wanted at first, but you were more than grateful to have something. Your mum and you put the muffins in the oven, setting the timer and sitting down. Your phone beeped and you looked at it.

William: Hey love, I am in town again, how you doing?

Y/N: Will, haven’t heard from you in forever! I’m doing fine.

William: Nice to hear that, yeah, I was on a big hike with Jeannie. Want to meet up and catch up?

Y/N: Sure, but I am only free in the mornings and noon, you okay with that?

William: Absolutely, how about tomorrow? In our Café?

Y/N: Sounds like a plan, how about 9 am and eat breakfast together.

William: Deal, see you there.

You were quite excited to see Will again. He was one, actually the only, friend you had left. Most of your friends had stopped texting you when your parents' conditions worsened. Since you refused to go out and party, which wasn’t your thing anyways, they stopped making the effort. You tried to do other things with them like going shopping together, movie nights or hikes together. That wasn’t really what most of your friends wanted. So they and you started to text less and less until you lost contact. The two friends you still had were William and Amanda. Amanda began to use you as her personal therapist, trying everything to get your attention. Manipulating you to be available to her at all times. Will told you she was bad news, you didn't listen. The brutal fallout came eventually. Both of you were left hurt.

So that only left Will. Will had no one but his girlfriend Jeannie and you, he had gone no contact with his family as soon as he moved out. For a short time he had lived with you and your family, when his flat had caught fire and he was left homeless. Will didn’t want to be a bother, but you refused to let him sleep in a dingy hotel. That was two years ago. Will had also been the one to tell you about Werewolves and other magical creatures. You didn’t believe him, that was until he had transformed into a Werewolf in front of you. You had been…a little out of it afterwards. However when he explained everything and you swore secrecy, everything went on as usual. Honestly the knowledge of magical creatures didn’t affect your daily life in the slightest. Shortly after the housefire William met his wonderful girlfriend Jeannie, she was a travel and hiking blogger. The two of them hiked and traveled the world together, often sponsored by some big company. William took the pictures and videos while Jeannie was the model. Jeannie was a lovely person, kind and so confident. You two got along so well that Will often joked if he was even needed when you all met up.

The next hours passed quickly, you thinking about tomorrow, the muffins being ready and eating a late lunch with your parents. You got ready for your work and took the bus into the city.

Half an hour later you arrived at your workplace, quickly going up into the staffrom an changing into your work clothes. After that you went down, doing your usual routine. Not even forty minutes had passed when a certain somebody entered the restaurant. Desmond, you remembered his name, was dressed in a black suit, his hair in a bun and his beard must have been freshly cut and formed. You bet that he smelled like the most expensive perfume.

You smiled at him kindly: “Hi there, how are you doing?” You asked him. Why did he look so relieved? You were missing something, you just didn’t know what. “I am good, wonderful actually.” He stepped with you on the side and a worried look was on his handsome face, his gray eyes were filled with compassion. “Is everything okay? You looked distressed the other day.” He asked, his voice was soft. Actually worried. Your bottom lip trembled, a sudden wave of sadness and exhaustion washing over you. If you thought too hard about it, you would cry. However, you caught yourself. Faking a smile you tried to ease his worry: “Yeah everything is alright, don’t worry.” You looked up at him, he was far taller than you. “May I ask what happened?” You nodded slowly: “Well my parents are chronically ill. My father had a bad episode of pain and needed me.”

The handsome man, Desmond, looked at you again with such compassion. “I know I might overstep, but you left the books behind and I took the freedom to buy them for you.” He placed a black paper bag in your hand. Your eyes went wide and you looked up at him absolutely surprised. “I cannot accept these.” You quickly said. Desmond chuckled:” I insist.” You felt guilty, you must have looked so distressed that he wanted to help you. “Let me pay you back.” You tell him, wanting to get your money. “If you pay me back I will give it as your tip.” Desmond said with a grin. “Has anyone told you before that you are stubborn?” You said with a smile. Desmond chuckled: “Actually yes. And please accept the books. I am so grateful for our conversations. After a day at the office I always look forward to it.” You grinned and answered: “Here I was thinking you’re always returning for our town's famous cocktails.” Both of you laughed at that.

“Thank you, really.” You then said a little more serious again. You blushed slightly, but then quickly remembered what you had told yourself before: He was just kind, not interested in you. You reminded yourself that he was older, a businessman and very surely not interested in a waitress from a medium sized town.

[silicacid]

It is with deep sadness that I announce that I have submitted my resignation papers from my position as PVA Main Representative at the United Nations in New York, Geneva and Vienna, waiting for confirmation. This announcement comes after the failure of several United Nations committees to condemn Israel for the genocide crimes it is committing in Gaza. More importantly, my family and I have been subjected to serious death threats from government officials and agencies, and the United Nations is unable to protect us as a main representative or as human rights defenders. For nearly 10 years, I have been supporting UN agendas and goals, UN conferences and missions, and the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Without salary or any expense whatsoever, voluntarily and out of my own pocket, and since we celebrate International Volunteer Day today, I urge everyone to volunteer for a better future for us and our children. This does not mean that I will step down from defending human rights, but rather that I will continue more and more freely than before, and we will continue with humanitarian aid. I will cooperate with those who care about our lives and protection and are not afraid for their careers and interests if they stand up for human rights and with the truth. I mentioned in my letter that if my family and I got the protection we need I’ll continue. Don’t stop talking about Gaza. Stand up for human rights for everyone everywhere.

Mohamad Safa

[ltwilliammowett]

The assistant surgeon

In addition to the actual surgeon on board a ship, there was also an assistant surgeon. This was usually a young man fresh from the Surgeons' School in Edingburgh, so please do not confuse him with a loblolly boy, who was simply an assistant from the crew. In Napoleonic times, in addition to a surgeon, it was compulsory to have three assistants on a ship of the line first rate, two on the other larger rates and one on a frigate. The Surgeon and his assistant were not required to wear a uniform until 1805.

Pay also varied according to length of service. A surgeon who had served for twenty years received 18 s. per day. A surgeon who had served for six years received 11 s. per day. Assistants had to serve three years on a ship, Navy hospital or dockyard before they were classed as full surgeons. As a result, each year of service had a different salary. The salary of the first and thus lowest grade was 4 S. per day. The other two grades received 5 S. per day. If they were not employed, surgeons and assistants received only half their salary, as was also the case for officers.

Being a Surgeon was not easy because both he and his assistant had to bring their own instruments, their medicines and other equipment were provided by the government, although there were many who made up their own medicines and passed the bills to the Admiralty.

One of the duties of an assistant was to keep a record of all cases presented to him, which was important in case of discrepancies, so that the Admiralty could compare these records with those of the surgeon and, if necessary, with the official logbooks of the captain and his lieutenants. He had to regularly check on the sick in the sickbay and show new cases to the surgeon.

He dressed the men's wounds every morning and had control of the lighter general cases. An assistant surgeon sometimes accompanied the logging and water parties, especially in places where the men were likely to stay ashore for a long time, just in case something happened. On these expeditions, it was his job to look after the men's health, keep them from drinking foul water and eating sour fruit in the heat of the day, and more.

Naval Surgeon: Life and Death at Sea in the Age of Sail, by J. Worth Estes, 1998

Rough Medicine: Surgeons at Sea in the Age of Sail, by Joan Druett · 2001

[zvaigzdelasas]

[Reuters is Canada-Based Private Media]

Bangladesh will raise the minimum wage for garment workers by 56.25%, the first hike since 2019, the junior labour minister said on Tuesday after a week of protests calling for higher salaries. The minimum wage for workers will be increased from 8,000 taka to 12,500 taka ($114) per month from Dec. 1, State Minister for Labour and Employment Monnujan Sufian said. There will also be a 5% annual increment. The protests, which led to clashes with police that killed two workers and wounded dozens more, pushed the government to form a panel of factory owners, union leaders and officials to consider the demand for higher pay.[...]

"(Government welfare) cards will be provided to the workers, later the ration cards will be given to them so they can buy essential commodities at cheaper rates," Rahman, also a former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, told Reuters. Workers, however, are not happy with the rise at a time when inflation is running at 9.5%.

7 Nov 23

[TheDailyStar is Bengali Private Media]

The wage board for garment workers has set the minimum salary at Tk 12,500, a little over half of what workers demand. Union leaders have rejected the new minimum wage put forth by the wage board, which accepted the proposal of factory owners’ representative Siddiqur Rahman. The current starting wage is Tk 8,000. Union leaders yesterday threatened to go for tough demonstrations. Workers had demonstrated for 12 straight days.[...]

Before the announcement, members of the Minimum Wage Board, formed on April 9, held a meeting at its office. While the meeting was going on, union leaders outside chanted slogans demanding a minimum wage of at least Tk 23,000. Demanding a starting salary of Tk 25,000, Montu Ghosh, president of Garment Sramik Trade Union Kendra, said the measly amount set was not enough to lead a good life. Inflation and high prices of essentials have made things worse for garment workers. Ghosh along with other union leaders of the Mojuri Briddhite Garment Sramik Andolon, a platform of workers’ unions, in a statement rejected the new minimum wage and called for a rally on Friday where they would announce tougher programmes[...]

If the workers’ unrest continues, the responsibility will lie with the wage board, Nazma said.[...]

[The] president of the Bangladesh Apparel Workers’ Federation, said the prime minister’s intervention is needed in setting the new minimum wage. He demanded ration cards, not the family cards of the TCB, for the garment workers.[...]

The new minimum wage is much less than those offered in India, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Indonesia. Only Pakistan has a lower minimum wage. Early last month, the Centre for Policy Dialogue, after a survey, interviews and research, estimated that the minimum wage for an RMG worker should be Tk 17,568. The new minimum wage falls short of that. The think-tank had delved into food and non-food expenditure patterns of 228 workers from 76 factories and even considered how many earning members an average RMG worker’s family had. The CPD had stated that the food cost for an RMG worker family was at least Tk 9,198 a month but notes that the standard food expenditure for a family of four would be Tk 16,529 and that the garment workers have to cut corners to make ends meet.

It said 12 percent of the workers’ families do not buy milk at all, 5 percent do not buy sugar, and 5 percent do not consume fruits.

8 Nov 23

[beep-beep-imma-sheep]

Something I need you guys to understand about Venezuela's economy that we have two dollars and a completely unstable Bolivar.

Lately, prices have been increasing like crazy. Just look at the official conversion by the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV).

Take into account that those are not 40 Bolivares, those are 40 million bolivares. But we call it 40 because who can keep up with millions and millions of bolivares to buy a piece of bread?

This is the other dollar I was talking about. This one is the most used and, as you see, the most... Expensive, to put it some way.

The minimum salary it's at 130 Bs which today it's like 2-3 dolars. Saying "today", because it goes up and down at least two times per day. There's a morning dollar and and evening dollar.

Source

And this is the app every Venezuelan use to keep up with the changes in the dollar, it's called "Al Cambio".

Of course, there's the 'bonus' that the government takes away- except a lot of people don't receive them. My family, for instance, doesn't. A most of my neighbors don't receive it. either.

The basic basket, or rather, the minimum products, including food, that someone needs to, y'know, live it's around 500$

Even if people get the bonuses (usually don't) having 132 $ monthly it's not enough to sustain your family.

Why am I mentioning all this? Oh, nothing, just heard my mom as she came back from buying groceries, saying that we may not be able to eat soon because everything is way too expensive to buy. Like, the amount of money that gets us eating (not eating well, necessarily. Just eating) for like three days it's not enough to buy enough things for those three days.

Yes, this is basically a vent with statistics.

I know prices rise in every country, but it's not every country that you and your family can't eat BECAUSE of that rise.

[sweet-evie]

I wish Gege or someone would make an official alternate canon of Jujutsu Kaisen where Gojo and most of the main cast survives through the whole ordeal with Sukuna, because...

I just want to see how Japan and the rest of the world deals with the knowledge of the existence of jujutsu sorcery. 🙏

First off, it's safe to assume that a section of the Japanese government is aware of the jujutsu society in the first place, right?

(How else do sorcerers get paid in the first place? I always headcanon that their salaries come from taxes and private contractual work). Plus, some of the higher-ups, and maybe even some members of the Big 3 are wrapped up in the nation's politics. It's impossible for jujutsu society to exist in complete isolation from the rest of Japan. That's asking for their own economic suicide.. Unless they operate like the mafia -- which I doubt they do, because the students work with the police and stuff. They don't disclose what they do, but the police are aware that they call in "special" people to deal with curse-related cases.

In an alternate world where the rest of the JJK cast survived the catastrophic fight with Sukuna, IMAGINE what sort of responsibility would fall on the clan heads of the Big 3.

In addition to rebuilding jujutsu society itself, they'd have to work with different branches of government to come up with legislations and regulations that will govern the normal people + jujutsu sorcerers.

And now that the non-sorcerers are privy to the existence of curses and the sorcerers, will medical people eventually take an interest and start seeing if they can develop technology that will let normal people see curses? (you know... like Maki's glasses).

Watch some random ass jujutsu sorcerer become a vlogger and talk about his "Day in the Life."

I'm telling you... THE POSSIBILITES FOR WORLD BUILDING ARE ENDLESS 🥹

[cissyenthusiast010155]

High Society ~Melissa Schemmenti x Lauren Reynolds(Emily Prentiss) xFem Younger!Spy!Reader (High Society AU)

Summary— Reader is infiltrating the international high society of crime… She meets two of the most notorious European crime bosses, Melissa Schemmenti and Lauren Reynolds…

Mommy… Master List

Requests & Prompt-List

Warnings: fluff, flirting, light physical affection, criminal activities, implied criminal activities, etc.

Enjoy (;

Your shoulders tensed as you strode through the immaculate doorframe of the expansive ballroom. The decor across the entire room reminded you of French Revolutionary Era fashion. Many well dressed men and women filled the room, intermingling with one another in multilingual pockets. The high walls and higher ceiling caused the chatter of the room to echo and grow into a beast of its own. Your heels clicked and clacked on the marble floor, as you strode into the ballroom with a deep breath.

Eagerly accepting some champagne from a waiter, you began to mingle. You immediately realized how hard it was to keep up with conversations with these high society people. You had not been trained enough for this part, the socializing. But you realized that she could tackle one pocket of conversation at a time, gathering information as you went. Walking up to her first pocket of three men and one woman each surrounded by one or two escorts, you shook off her nerves and put on a flirtatious smile.

“Ciao bella! Come ti chiami!!” The redheaded older woman exclaimed with a purr.

“Mi lusinghi, sono Carmen. Voi uomini sembrate conoscere la folla in cui vi siete.” You hummed, batting your eyelashes at each of the men, but especially the older, powerful woman, playing along and pretending to be flattered.

As you did so, you noticed the men’s attire. There were three of them, and they each wore standard Italian government shoes. Their suits were expensive, but not a fortune, again speaking for a government salary. All of them stood out in the ambience of the French ballroom. The french music accompanied by their hearty Italian voices were like two shrill violins being played at once, their styles just did not go well together. Then there was the older woman. She stood out from the rest of the pocket. Her attire still screamed Italian mob, just like the men, but wealthier. You gulped and wondered whether you stood out as much as they did. Because they belonged in this crowd, and you most certainly did not.

“Sei venuto nel posto giusto, tesoro. Il nome è Melissa! Lascia che ti presenti in giro!” The older, powerful redhead cooed, stepping forward playfully and offering her arm to you.

You sent the wealthy mob boss a coy smile, sauntering yo ur way over, hips swaying deliciously, in a way where all of their eyes were magnetized to you. You noticed the expensive bracelets on her arm as you linked your arm into hers.

“Come potrei rifiutare? Guida la strada, Melissa.” You hummed teasingly, your eyes sparkling with flirtation in submission.

As Melissa guided you out of one pocket and towards another, you stifled the gag in her throat from the rest of the room’s behavior (especially the men). You may have the skill of deception down, but you certainly had not gotten used to how disgusting it made her you with what she had to play to.

As they swayed in tandem across the floor, you picked up the many other languages being spoken, as well as the many cultural fashions being worn. A group of Japanese business men were tucked into the corner of the ballroom, conspicuously chattering away, on the other side was a group of mixed gender Portuguese officials. Corruption from all around the globe was present, the highest officials doing business with one another, the worst of the worst gathering annually, all under the pretense of diplomacy. You was triggered out of her thoughts and nervousness by the sound of a new tongue, a group of old money men drinking and chuckling to themselves.

“Meine Herren, darf ich Sie meiner Bekannten Carmen vorstellen!” Melissa exclaimed in a semi broken speech.

These men did not react as openly as the previous pocket, and their gazes seemed to be more judgemental. You tried not to look like she was having a panic attack at how intensely these men were analyzing her. She tried to focus on her mission: analyze the party goers and collect character information. After a moment however, a brunette woman on the side of the pocket extended her hand to the you.

“Es ist schön, dich kennenzulernen, Vivian. Ich bin Lauren.” the international woman hummed, while shaking the your hand.

These men and Lauren seemed to blend into the scene more than the previous. They were quieter and more reserved, but that by no means meant that they were any less powerful than the former. You were sure that each person in here could realistically put out a hit on her and have her killed in less than 24 hours.

You continued to mingle, allowing Melissa and Lauren to guide you by your lower back and hand you the introductions you needed on a silver platter. You laughed at all their jokes while collecting all of the details you could. You had now gotten used to how suffocating the air was. You had successfully established yourself in the inner circle.

~~~

Part 2, more heated fic, of this High Society AU…? 😏

Melissa Schemmenti Masterlist

Emily Prentiss Masterlist

[anshares]

Renheng- Xingyue Apocathery Diaries Au anyone? 👀👀

Click read more for a little bit of plot brainrot

Renheng part:

Jinshi = Ren

Maomao = Dan Heng

Lihaku = Jing Yuan

Gaoshun = Kafka

Basen = Silver Wolf

Xiaolan = March and Stelle

Dan Heng entered the imperial palace to work as an archivist/Record Keeper

Ren and the rest of the Stellaron Hunters work in the internal affairs department/ spy network but are posing as a minor palace department on the records.

Ren hires DH after witnessing his talents and him preventing a disaster that might shake the imperial palace. Dan Heng hates working for Ren.

He finds him annoying while Ren is amused because most people look at him with fear but Dan Heng reaction is new to him. It's not fear but mere annoyance and disgust he finds cute.

March works inside the inner palace as a court lady to one of high ranking consorts

Stelle works outside the palace and is sorta affiliated with the spy network department but not directly.

Her infos is more on the underbelly side; both of them will be very good in hearing the gossip and various wealth of info in the palace.

One time during one of their investigative missions, they were running away from an assassin with a gun and jumped down a waterfall to escape.

When they are trying to find a way out of the cave behind the waterfall Ren carried Dan Heng on his shoulders to give himi leverage since there was a hole above but then an actual frog jumped on his head startling him which made them lose balance.

So the two fell down into a suggestive position and Dan Heng’s hand was in Ren’s crotch that;s how he found out how BIG his weapon is, but Dan Heng pretended that nothing happened and just said "im sorry i may have crushed a frog"

Good luck to his forbidden archives that Ren will explore someday

Xingyue part:

Lakan = Yingxing

Fengxian = Dan Feng

Dan Feng is the highest ranking courtesan in Verdigris, he doesn’t sell his body but his art and he is a master of poetry, dance, singing and strategy games. That’s why his bidding wars reach astronomical prices.

Dan Heng is Dan Feng’s son with a court official, Yingxing

Yubie = Madam, Dan Feng’s biological parent and Dan Heng’s grandparent

Yingxing and Dan Feng met in Verdigris when one of his co-workers invited him to get a drink at one of the famous brothel houses in the capital.

Dan Feng is the most sought after cuz let's be serious everyone digs that stare he gives also Yingxing thinks he has beautiful eyes. Dan Feng is untouchable,unlike other courtesans. He is more of an intellectual person and Yingxing fell for that beautiful mind of his.

Yingxing is a low rank government official in the manufacturing/crafts department; at the beginning his salary couldn't afford frequent visits but over time he proves himself capable with his weapon crafts.

Yingxing worked his way up and saved a lot so he could get to spend precious hours with Dan Feng, he isn’t very impressed at first because a lower ranking official that couldn’t ever be a regular to suck money out of, but the passion that Yingxing has for craftsmanship and the desire to use his skills for some greater purpose—far beyond what he sees in most jaded clients—made Dan Feng fall for him.

Sometimes Dan Feng is by the window waiting for when will Yingxing come back but tries not to show how happy he becomes when Yingxing does.

Yingxing may be a formidable opponent in games but he can’t ever really beat Dan Feng in them since Dan Feng wins most of the time he doesn't mind at all! enjoys it even and most of the time he makes it up with his charisma and charm.

Yx: says something witty or flirty to df while making his next move

Df on the outside: hmph

But on the inside: *is melting*

As the two grow closer, they will be distraught on how quickly their time together passes by each time. Around the time Dan Feng price went astronomical and rumors were being bought out so they did the baby trapping that horribly backfired.

Yingxing was sent to war and was gone for a long time for a few years. He got what he needed a high enough salary to buy out df but it was too late seeing the state the house is in and how yubie is chasing him away make it seem like Dan Feng died.

Yingxing was in despair and blamed himself for everything he wished he could turn back time. when he found out but got hope when he saw his son Dan Heng with his adoptive mother Baiheng who took care of Dan Heng in the years both parents were not available.

Time skip to present with him redeeming a courtesan cuz he lost a bet with his son. He got a lotus flower as clue from Dan Heng that Dan Feng is still alive but like lost his mind and sick.

When Yingxing found out that Dan Feng was hidden in one of the sick rooms of the brothel, he immediately ran toward it.

He opens the door and sees Dan Feng still as beautiful as the day he met him.

He chooses to redeem Dan Feng no matter the price. They got married but sadly Dan Feng died a few months after.

[whencyclopedia]

Government and Taxes under Diocletian and Constantine

The state created by Diocletian and Constantine used to be described as despotic and oppressive, extracting higher taxes and threatening its subjects with punishments for non-compliance. Recent research, however, paints a different picture. The government strove to be responsive to the needs of its subjects, fair in the allocation of taxes, and to hold its official accountable for their misdeeds.

Government in the Eastern Roman Empire

The government of the new empire has often been characterized as a totalitarian and theocratic dictatorship that suppressed the civic culture of the ancient world, eroded political freedom, and subordinated its subjects to a corrupt plutocracy and the intrigues of court eunuchs who encircled a quasi-divine monarch. Diocletian (r. 284-305) was allegedly the first to adopt a despotic style, adorning his robes and footwear with gems, requiring prostration, and being hailed as dominus, "lord." Constantine I (r. 306-337) extended the scope of capital punishment and threatened malefactors with the amputation of limbs or pouring molten lead down their throats. This image of oriental despotism was promoted by the thinkers of the Enlightenment, but its persuasive power has now waned. It was a rhetorical construct that served the needs of the 18th century, but it fails as a description of the reformed Roman government.

The new administration had to be more efficient at extracting revenue in order to pay for its own overhead – the salaries of new officials – as well as supply a large army. A hostile observer groused that there were more employees in Diocletian's government than there were taxpayers. While exaggerated, this complaint captured the unprecedented scale of the new empire's intrusion into local society. Imperial bureaucracy on such a scale was massive by ancient standards. According to one estimate, the number of the central state's salaried officials rose from fewer than 1,000 to 35,000 or more. For a population of around 45 million, this is a low ratio by modern standards. Yet many of those officials were aided by attendants and slaves who did much of the actual work but did not show up on the books. The army and Church had their own managers, accountants, lawyers, and staff. Also, the imperial state was assisted locally by the apparatus of city governments, that is the city councilors and their agents and slaves. Finally, we should not use modern standards to assess how effective this bureaucracy was at surveilling and regimenting the population, as the latter was relatively immobile and economically undiversified compared to its modern counterparts.

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