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15-July-1921
''And this?'' I said, looking at a pile of silver and gold bars that had arrived aboard a ship that had stopped at several ports before reaching Riga.
''The fruits of our mission in the United States. The group sent there has already begun to put down roots and earn considerable sums, which they are passing off as legitimate earnings through their businesses. They collect protection money, supply alcohol to the bars, and take a share of the illicit businesses in their territory in Chicago. Recently, they taught one of the gangs a lesson'' said Manstein as he reviewed the report on the intelligence operations carried out over the past few days.
''And what sort of lesson are we talking about? Bear in mind that they have not been there long, and the Americans are hardly altogether incompetent when it comes to dealing with crime'' I said as I took out the map of America on which I had marked the areas where our cells operated.
''According to their reports, they arrived in four trucks, abducted several of the gang's leading men, including the head of the entire organization, and stole everything they could find. They also brought about the gang's collapse, as the police arrested the remaining members over the following days. Our men began taking over all their businesses and seized a considerable sum of money, along with property valued at several million dollars'' said Manstein, placing the latest report on the American operations on the table.
''I assume everything went well. If any of the men we sent are captured, it could bring down the entire cell… Well, there is also that man we sent over to deal with the leaks in our network'' I said thoughtfully, recalling the last group dispatched to America to determine whether our intelligence service had been compromised.
''Yes. According to the report from the man in charge of the operation, Agent William, the raid was carried out swiftly, although they had spent several weeks laying the groundwork. Their network of informants alerted them to a meeting of the leaders of the gang they had been having trouble with. They arrived in trucks and taught them such a lesson that, apparently, the leaders of other gangs on Chicago's South Side have been talking about it for days and are terrified. The word on the streets is that our men were armed to the teeth with military weapons. That could prove troublesome, as the police might eventually request assistance from the federal government'' said Manstein as he studied the report.
''Yes, but it says here that the only weapon they actually fired was a revolver, so they will probably regard the whole story about military weapons as an exaggeration. At least, I hope so. Apparently, they are now making millions of dollars and claim that we no longer need to send them money, as they can support themselves. Even so, they will continue submitting regular accounts to the state, so that we have no reason to suspect anyone of misappropriating funds, and will begin sending us whatever surplus they have'' I said as I examined the document.
''Then I suppose we will begin receiving regular shipments of gold and silver'' said Manstein, turning his gaze back toward the bars, although there were not terribly many of them.
''That is very good news. The American network was relatively costly, so this frees up a portion of the budget that we could devote to a new operational section, although I doubt it could be as large or as well equipped. In any case, the savings are not enough to launch an entirely new sabotage operation'' I said as I went over the expenses we would no longer have to cover starting the following month.
''Yes. On another matter, operations in the Middle East are proceeding. They have continued finding more oil, but the trouble is that its price keeps falling. It seems to have lost half its value since the beginning of the year, and that is cutting considerably into our income. Will we have to reduce our budget?'' asked Manstein, his eyes lingering on the report from the Middle Eastern section.
''Certainly. A considerable portion of our budget came from selling oil at high prices. Although we signed some two-year contracts with neighboring states to supply it at a fixed price, sales not covered by those agreements will bring in far less money. The decline in our monthly income will begin to make itself felt in April'' I replied to Manstein's question.
''And do you think we can make up for it through increased tax revenue and rising food prices?'' asked Manstein, bringing his fingertips together before looking at me.
''Perhaps, but I am no authority on economics. I know that economic activity is still growing because every day I receive investors who ask me questions before deciding where to put their money, and numerous companies from various industries are arriving. However, those investments will take time to bear fruit, as they must first build their facilities and begin hiring workers. Perhaps the economy will grow enough to make up for the loss, or at least enough that its effects will not be felt too keenly'' I said thoughtfully as I moved my pencil.
''And food? Surely you can calculate that from your forecasts?'' asked Manstein, still somewhat concerned.
''According to our estimates, we should produce somewhat more than last year, but we do not know how far prices will rise. It is already common knowledge that some regions are suffering from drought because of the lack of rain, but I do not know whether the additional income from food sales will be enough to cover what we stand to lose on oil'' I said, tilting my head.
''Well, I understand. Now that we have discussed this, I must go and attend to a few other matters. Apparently, one of our engineers has succeeded in developing a much more powerful diesel engine, which would represent a considerable improvement for the panzers. There are also some theoretical studies I want to review. One of the generals invited to our facilities is already writing a thesis on the employment of armored forces'' said Manstein, rising and arranging the books before him before putting on his coat.
''Send me a brief summary of those studies… Above all, whatever that fellow Guderian has written. It might be interesting to learn his ideas on the employment of panzers'' I said with a faint smile as I brought my hands together.
''Understood'' said Manstein before leaving the room and leaving me alone with a few guards.
As I began calculating the expenses involved in establishing a branch of our clandestine operations in India or Africa, Alexander soon appeared, carrying several books.
''Alexander, excellent. Since you are in contact with Ferdinand and Ernst in Germany, you must know a little more. How are things progressing with those Austrian radicals?'' I asked, bringing my hands together.
''Oh… The Viking League. Yes, Ferdinand has provided me with some information about them. Apparently, their leader, a certain Adam Dressler, has proved remarkably eloquent and charismatic. Ferdinand attended one of his speeches and was quite taken aback by the man's silver tongue'' said Alexander as he placed the books on the table.
''Well, that was to be expected. The man managed to bring his party into second place in the Austrian Landtag elections and third in the Reichstag elections, so his charisma is well within my expectations. All I know is that the prince and the Kaiser have launched a campaign to try to curb the Vikings' popularity. Given Germany's economic situation, there is a chance they could become the country's second-largest political force and its main opposition party'' I said, somewhat concerned.
''Yes, but Ferdinand told me something else in the last letter he sent us by train to keep the German authorities from intercepting it… Adam Dressler considers you, mein Herzog, a model to follow. The example of an aristocrat whom the Junkers ought to emulate: a strong, authoritarian leader capable of taking charge of a country and guiding it through sheer force of will… Many of the Viking leaders regard you as the intellectual inspiration behind the party, the model to follow…'' said Alexander, looking at me with a somewhat worried expression.
''You have got to be joking'' I said, burying my face in my hands.
''I am afraid not, mein Herzog. Ferdinand told me that the Viking leader is requesting a meeting with you to discuss political matters… Among them, granting you a pardon for the false charges of treason against you and doing the same for all of us, as well as restoring in full the property unjustly confiscated from us. He also wants to obtain funds for his party. He is convinced that he could win the next elections and make it the largest party in Germany, both in the Reichstag and in the various Landtags. However, he needs financial support, since every mark his organization raises goes toward financing projects in the localities it administers'' said Alexander, handing me a letter from Adam Dressler addressed to me.
''I am not going to give power or money to a radical extremist… That could end very badly'' I said, shaking my head.
''Considering what we do around the globe with our sabotage cells, it would hardly be the worst thing… It could be a way to influence Germany's government while circumventing the restrictions of the treaty imposed by the British. He could be an excellent ally, especially when every member of the League considers you a war hero'' said Alexander, taking his place at my right.
''God… And the worst of it is that you are right… Either we ally ourselves with the socialists, or we will have no one willing to make the changes Germany needs… All the others are conservatives bent on keeping things as they are… Many people might even think we won the war, considering that Germany annexed Austria and gained far more territory than it could lose through the plebiscites and the loss of its colonies'' I said, clutching my head.
''Well, setting that aside, since it is for you to decide whether we establish contact with the Vikings… I have some very good news here. Besides the latest reports on the arrival of more Germans and Hungarians, and the immigration of German families from the United States, the report I commissioned from the hospital directors is now complete'' said Alexander, handing me a clipboard with the information.
''Ah… Yes, the birth rate… Holy shit, it has shot up…'' I said, studying the figures, which showed a considerable increase in births over the past few months in the duchy's towns and cities.
''Which I assume is good news, since in the future we will have more people to pay taxes and serve in our federation's armies'' said Alexander, smiling as he pointed out several towns with particularly high birth rates.
''Yes… It is good news in the long term. In the short term, it is a burden. We need to prepare more schools to accommodate the enormous number of pupils who will enroll in the coming years, build more hospitals, and adjust numerous urban development projects to account for population growth and family size. Then there are the many other expenses that come with that increase. We would begin to see the benefits in fifteen years. Unlike adult settlers, who can work as soon as they arrive and do not require so much state expenditure on their upbringing and education, children will take years to contribute. From the standpoint of the state's finances, they are not the most advantageous prospect in the short term'' I said, looking at Alexander as I pressed my lips together.
''Certainly, mein Herzog… Certainly… Then what would you recommend we do about it?'' asked Alexander, scratching his head as he tilted it in confusion.
''I am not saying we should intervene to prevent it. It is the natural course of things. We simply need to take it into account in all our future projects, because we will have to increase food production and give greater priority to constructing public buildings, along with housing and everything else. So send a memorandum to the heads of each department instructing them to account in their plans and reports for the fact that the population is increasing at a considerable rate and, if this trend continues, will keep growing in the coming years'' I said, looking at the clipboard.
''Understood… I will inform them'' said Alexander before leaving the room.
I remained there, staring at the letter from this Adam Dressler fellow.
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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
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