Instead of being paid to do courtier work, what about the option (random and increasing with the amount of improvement you've accomplished) to embezzle some of the region's monies? It could be used to represent taking of bribes by the small nobility and merchants while you "cut the red tape" to their benefit. If you take the bribes, there's a chance you get caught and your later work in the region will be less effective (as you've been undermining the improvements).
Just an idea.
