A week had passed since Arthur's meeting with William. Over the course of this week, William and his team meticulously examined the accounting records from the previous year, preparing financial reports that detailed the profitability, sales figures, and other financial aspects of Arthur's companies. They also completed the tax calculations. Additionally, preparations began for establishing the production facility required for manufacturing typewriters, including the setup of the production process and the procurement of necessary raw materials such as high-quality steel and precision components. Plans for marketing and distributing the typewriters were also drafted, ensuring a well-structured launch strategy.
After a week had passed, Arthur woke up early in the morning to prepare for an important government meeting. The agenda for the day included discussions on lifting export bans, establishing institutions to monitor government expenditures, and addressing the escalating tensions between the Usman Empire and the Syvatoslav Kingdom. It was expected to be an intense and crucial meeting.
As Arthur finished preparing, he checked his pocket watch and realized that the meeting was set to begin in fifteen minutes. He closed the watch's cover, placed it back in his pocket, and left his room, making his way toward the grand meeting hall. Coincidentally, he arrived at the same time as his father, King Cedric. The two exchanged a brief greeting at the entrance before stepping inside.
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The ministers had already gathered and taken their seats. As King Cedric and Arthur entered, the ministers stood up and formally saluted them. Once the king and Arthur were seated, the meeting commenced. The first topic on the agenda was the issue of export bans, which was presented by Finance Minister Henry.
"Gentlemen, as you are aware, we have implemented export bans to maintain our economic superiority in various sectors, particularly in steam-powered manufacturing equipment, textiles, and transportation. Furthermore, we have prohibited engineers and individuals with technical knowledge from leaving the country and imposed severe penalties, including life imprisonment or even execution, for those attempting to leak these technologies. We have also enforced strict security measures in areas where these factories are located, regulating access and monitoring personnel to prevent espionage.
However, despite all these precautions, several foreign powers, most notably the Frankish Kingdom, have managed to acquire some of these technologies through espionage. As a result, they have started producing their own machines, albeit in limited numbers, with a particular focus on steam engines. Meanwhile, within Pendralis, our domestic market has reached a saturation point. Sales of steam-powered machinery and other industrial products have begun to decline, putting significant financial strain on the companies that manufacture them. If this situation is not addressed, many of these companies will be forced to downsize in the latter half of the year, and some may even go bankrupt.
I am sure you all recognize the potential economic repercussions, including rising unemployment and further financial instability. For this reason, I propose lifting the export bans and allowing our companies to sell steam engines, machinery, and equipment to foreign markets. At present, these foreign manufacturers are still incapable of meeting market demand. If we act now, Pendralis can dominate these emerging markets and secure a significant share before these foreign industries develop the necessary infrastructure and technical expertise. If we delay for a few more years, it will be too late."
King Cedric expressed his agreement with lifting the bans. Subsequently, a detailed report outlining the sectors and products affected by the restrictions was reviewed. After thorough discussion, the council decided on the specific industries and products that would be included in the policy change. The economic implications of this decision were also examined, particularly how opening foreign markets would impact domestic pricing and production capacity.
The next topic on the agenda was the establishment of institutions to monitor government expenditures and assess the efficiency of public investments. Since this initiative was originally Arthur's idea, he took the floor to present his case.
"As you are all aware, last year, I received the government's financial reports regarding expenditures and investments. Upon reviewing these figures, I discovered excessive and inefficient spending, particularly in infrastructure projects. The sheer scale of these unnecessary expenses strongly indicates corruption within certain government initiatives.
This highlights the urgent need for institutions that can conduct cost-benefit analyses on government projects before they are approved. These institutions would be responsible for preparing feasibility reports and evaluating the necessity and efficiency of public investments. Additionally, they would play a crucial role in curbing corruption within the government."
These proposed institutions would function similarly to the National Audit Office (NAO) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Britain. The NAO would be responsible for auditing government spending and ensuring public funds are used efficiently. It would conduct independent evaluations of government projects, identify wasteful expenditures, and propose necessary reforms. The PAC, on the other hand, would act as a parliamentary body overseeing the NAO's reports, holding government officials accountable for financial mismanagement, and ensuring that taxpayers' money was spent responsibly. These institutions would significantly reduce opportunities for corruption while improving the overall efficiency of government investments.
Arthur understood that his proposal would challenge entrenched corruption within the government, which could provoke resistance from certain officials. However, he also knew that the individuals present at the meeting were among the most powerful figures in the government, capable of ascending to the highest echelons of power. They were not foolish enough to openly oppose an initiative that exposed such an obvious weakness, as doing so would only cast suspicion upon themselves.
Arthur had conducted extensive research into the bureaucratic structure of the government, identifying patterns of corruption that existed primarily among lower and mid-level officials. These individuals, often responsible for procurement, allocation of public funds, and oversight of construction projects, had historically engaged in embezzlement, bribery, and nepotism. He had gathered reports detailing cases where infrastructure projects had been deliberately prolonged to extract additional funds, where supplies had been intentionally overpriced to benefit specific vendors, and where incompetent officials had been appointed solely due to their political connections rather than their expertise.
However, at the highest levels of government, corruption was more subtle and strategic rather than blatant and widespread. High-ranking officials were less concerned with petty financial gain and more focused on maintaining their influence and power. Many of them relied on political alliances and patronage networks to secure their positions, meaning they had little incentive to overtly oppose a measure that promised increased government efficiency and reduced financial waste. Instead, they would likely seek ways to subtly influence the implementation of the proposed institutions, ensuring that any oversight mechanism did not disrupt their broader political interests.
Arthur anticipated that resistance to his proposal would manifest in indirect ways. Some officials might attempt to delay the establishment of the oversight institutions through endless bureaucratic procedures, while others might push for appointing loyalists to key positions within these new organizations, ensuring that investigations could be controlled or manipulated. There was also the possibility of legislative maneuvers to weaken the authority of these institutions over time, perhaps by limiting their jurisdiction or reducing their funding.
Despite these challenges, Arthur remained confident in his strategy. By carefully selecting individuals of integrity to lead these new auditing institutions and ensuring public transparency in their operations, he believed he could create an enforcement mechanism that would be difficult to undermine. Furthermore, he recognized that the growing frustration among the populace regarding government inefficiency and corruption meant that any overt attempts to sabotage his reforms would be met with widespread discontent, potentially destabilizing the very power structures his opponents sought to protect.
Consequently, while there was no significant opposition from the upper echelons of Parliament during the initial discussions, Arthur knew that the real battle would take place in the months and years to come. The success of his reforms would depend not only on their initial implementation but also on his ability to defend them against the inevitable political maneuvers aimed at neutralizing their effectiveness.
Following an in-depth discussion on the responsibilities and authority of the proposed auditing institutions, the meeting shifted to the growing tensions between the Syvatoslav Kingdom and the Usman Empire. Defense Minister Daniel took the floor to present the latest intelligence reports.
"Your Majesties, intelligence indicates that the Syvatoslav Kingdom has already begun mobilizing its forces and is massing troops along the Black Sea region. The Pendralis Navy has already reinforced its presence in the eastern White Sea. If we need to intervene in the conflict, we will be fully prepared."
King Cedric then turned to Finance Minister Henry. "Have the negotiations regarding financial aid to the Usman Empire been concluded?"
Henry nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. With the impending war, the Usman government has sought financial assistance from Pendralis banks to bolster their war efforts. With government approval, these loans have been granted, and the Usman Empire has begun allocating funds toward military preparations."
King Cedric believed that this financial support would be sufficient to help the Usman Empire contain the Syvatoslav advance. However, as a precautionary measure, he had also issued orders to further strengthen the Pendralis Navy's presence in the eastern White Sea. It was imperative to maintain the balance of power in the region, as a successful Syvatoslav incursion into Usman territory would significantly destabilize the White Sea's geopolitical landscape.
Arthur, however, remained skeptical. Despite the financial aid provided, he believed the Usman Empire was still at a severe disadvantage. The Syvatoslav Kingdom had a strong central government and had spent recent years modernizing its military, equipping its troops with firearms, and training them extensively in their use. The Usman Empire, in contrast, was struggling with internal inefficiencies and lacked the same level of military modernization. Arthur feared that the loans alone would not be enough to turn the tide of war in Usman's favor.
Over the following month, Arthur remained heavily engaged in overseeing the establishment of production facilities for typewriter manufacturing alongside William. The project required meticulous planning, from selecting the optimal location for the factory to ensuring a steady supply of raw materials.
Arthur and William chose a site near a major industrial hub, ensuring easy access to skilled labor and existing infrastructure. They worked closely with engineers and factory planners to design an efficient assembly line process, where different sections of the factory would be dedicated to key tasks: metal stamping for the typewriter frames, precise machining for the key mechanisms, and careful assembly of the platen and ink ribbon systems. Special attention was given to the keyboard mechanism to ensure smooth and reliable operation, as early prototypes revealed issues with jamming and uneven key presses.
To maintain high production standards, Arthur implemented a rigorous quality control process, where each typewriter would be tested before leaving the factory. Workers were trained to inspect alignment, key responsiveness, and printing clarity, ensuring that only high-quality machines reached the market. To further streamline production, Arthur secured exclusive contracts with steel suppliers and ink ribbon manufacturers, ensuring a steady flow of essential materials at a controlled cost.
Marketing and distribution were also carefully planned. Arthur knew that typewriters would revolutionize office work, government bureaucracy, and publishing, so he targeted government agencies, financial institutions, and printing houses as the primary customers. To generate public interest, demonstrations were arranged in major cities, showcasing the typewriter's efficiency in comparison to traditional handwriting. s were placed in newspapers, highlighting the device's ability to increase productivity and accuracy.
Additionally, Arthur leveraged his influence within the government to ensure typewriters would be adopted for official record-keeping, securing a substantial initial demand. He also explored the possibility of exporting typewriters to foreign markets, recognizing the potential for international expansion.
At the same time, Arthur played a key role in the formation of the new government oversight institutions, ensuring that their structures and mandates were properly defined. He worked closely with legal experts and experienced auditors to draft regulations that would empower these institutions to conduct thorough investigations into government spending and efficiency. The challenges of balancing economic reform and industrial expansion made it an incredibly busy and demanding month for him.