---------------------------
If we reach 15 comments. You have five hours from the time this chapter is posted. If we reach the goal, the next chapter will be posted in eight hours.(Valid comments must include information about what you like or dislike about the story, what you would like to see about the story, or any questions you may have about the story,Only one comment per person will be accepted, as the devil is in the details.)
-----------------------------
31-May-1920
Everything was proceeding according to plan, at least for the most part.
During the last few days, tens of thousands of Austrians had arrived and numerous colonies had already begun functioning. The great advantage of the greenhouses installed in the agricultural settlements was that they took barely a month to produce their first harvests.
From that moment onward, the colonies began to become self-sufficient, almost completely reducing the cost of maintaining the masses of immigrants arriving.
In barely a few weeks, we had received close to two hundred thousand people, who were assimilated relatively quickly, mainly because most of them were German speakers.
However, strange as it might seem, the immigration campaigns were also working beyond the German populations.
I had gathered a considerable amount of British pounds by selling products to the British, mainly basic fertilizers for their agriculture. Afterward, I used part of those pounds to pay journalists and newspapers to spread the message that houses and work were being offered to anyone willing to emigrate.
The campaigns had begun in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany, and they were working wonderfully.
People from all those countries had already begun arriving and, to my surprise, some British people had also appeared, although we had not yet started any campaign specifically aimed at them.
It would have been far too blatant to end a war and immediately begin attracting the enemy's population, especially considering the bad blood that must have existed between our peoples.
The demographic growth was beginning to be noticed quickly.
More and more products were being demanded that the State did not provide as part of the settlement packages: leisure goods, beer, liquors, foods more elaborate than those initially offered in the colonies, beef and pork, as well as garments adapted to the tastes of each group.
The industries intended to produce those goods began to grow and hire more workers, whose numbers were increasing precisely thanks to the constant arrival of new population.
Several companies were already recording record revenues, especially those responsible for supplying the local population.
The inhabitants obtained their income through wages paid by State companies or by selling the portion of the communal harvests that corresponded to them.
For the moment, since the ownership of many of those companies remained mostly in State hands, their profits generated new income for the government. That money allowed us to continue financing the aid packages intended for immigrants, which included food, an advance salary and numerous basic goods so they could settle as soon as possible.
Many workers were already waiting to receive their share of the dividends, although they would still have to wait until the end of the year, since the distribution was carried out annually.
That would allow wealth to be distributed in a much more uniform manner.
Without a doubt, part of that money would end up being used to open workshops, shops and small private businesses. The true economic boom would probably begin at the end of the year, when thousands of workers received their share of the profits at the same time and began spending or investing it.
Even so, there was still a long way to go before completing the great plan to populate the Baltic. The construction company under my orders stopped at nothing and had redoubled its efforts, now using standardized urban designs and including electric train systems that would begin operating later.
Ideally, I wanted the cities to depend mainly on public transport and not be filled with private vehicles.
Our automotive industry was also finally beginning to take off. The joint company with the Kingdom of Ukraine was doing quite well, especially now that we could import rubber from the British and the Belgians. We no longer had to depend on recycled rubber and could manufacture larger tires suited to specific jobs.
Although, to be honest, those automobiles were mainly transport trucks. We were exploiting to the fullest one of the enormous riches Ukraine contributed to our union: the oil fields of Galicia.
That region had been one of the jewels of the Austrian Crown, but after dividing the corpse of the Empire with the Poles and securing the rights to exploit the oil, those revenues now belonged to us.
We were trying to fill the vaults of our banks by selling tractors and trucks to neighboring countries and, at the same time, selling them the fuel necessary to keep them running.
In that way, we preserved important influence over many southern States, which needed Ukrainian resources to keep their economies afloat while they tried to return to normality.
Afterward, we used that money to continue building more cities and towns, with the intention of someday reaching a population density similar to Germany's.
For that, we would need around twenty-five or twenty-seven million inhabitants.
Of course, multiplying our population several times over would require entire generations, constant immigration and a population with a high birth rate.
But we were working on it.
''Mein Herzog, here is the income record for the last month. Apparently, we collected somewhat more than expected. Manstein has already requested that those funds be allocated to building fortifications in the east or continuing tank development through the creation of specialized facilities'' Alexander said while handing me several documents.
''Manstein certainly was quick to ask for the money'' I replied while reviewing the figures.
Income from the sale of oil, fertilizers, tractors and processing machinery had increased considerably among our neighbors because of the sowing season.
''We should have another three good months like this. Afterward, income could be maintained thanks to the sale of food to our neighbors. We will also have to fill our granaries with every possible surplus. With the new population and an agricultural system that produces more than we consume, we should have large quantities available for export''.
I turned a few pages before continuing.
''Germany and Great Britain are good options. Both import a large portion of the food they consume and we will be able to sell to them at market prices, without having to offer the discounts we granted to the Hungarians and Bulgarians'' I said with a smile.
''Manfred has also requested the construction of several airfields throughout the Duchy. He wants to use them to carry out transfer training and disperse his men. Ah, and that man, Göring, has already arrived. He is in Mitau reviewing the training base together with Manfred'' Alexander reported.
''The army and the air force fighting over the budget'' I murmured.
I took a pen and reviewed Manstein's proposal again.
''I think this time I will have to indulge Manstein. More than another experimental tank factory, we need a true research and development center. We have to improve engines and give our engineers and mechanics enough resources so they can make real advances'' I said while signing the authorization.
I also ordered the Construction Company to build those facilities near the border with Ruthenia.
''With that, we would be finished for today. Tomorrow we will receive the summary of the latest migrations. According to the reports I have received, we are receiving a considerable number of immigrants from Spain. I do not know the exact cause, but two days ago a transport ship arrived completely loaded with Spanish families'' Alexander commented.
''Spain is going through problems between the monarchy and the parliamentary sectors, so it is possible that instability will continue. We cannot waste that opportunity, although we will have to handle it carefully''.
I leaned back slightly in the chair.
''Distribute the Spanish families among different settlements. Around one hundred people per town should be enough. I do not want them concentrated too heavily in a single region. Enroll the entire family in German classes immediately and make sure they work alongside the local population. That should be enough to integrate them quickly'' I said with a faint smile.
''Understood. That is precisely what the regional commissioners are doing to ensure assimilation is as quick and effective as possible'' Alexander replied.
I continued working with him, reviewing everything we were doing to turn that hole into a functional State, when someone knocked on the door and hurried inside.
''Mein Herzog, an armored train has crossed the border through Memel. According to the border guard, the Crown Prince of Germany is traveling inside it'' one of the bureaucrats reported.
Before I could reply, another official entered the room with a telegram in hand.
''This message has also just arrived confirming what happened. Apparently, it is a State visit headed by the Crown Prince'' he said while handing me the translated telegram.
''Oh, excellent. Then we have a couple of hours before our guest arrives… But, damn it, I will have to receive him here. How long until my palace is finished?'' I asked, annoyed at having to continue working in a mansion being used as an administrative center.
''Two more months, mein Herzog. Since it had to be connected to all the services, the work has taken longer than expected. We are still finishing the electricity, water and gas connections, but it will be ready soon'' Alexander explained while searching through several reports and handing me the document containing the estimated completion date.
''Good. Prepare everything. Try to obtain good-quality wine. The prince likes to drink, so find something decent. Prepare food as well. I do not want to make a bad impression during our first State visit'' I ordered Alexander and the others.
''At your orders, mein Herzog'' Alexander replied.
Everyone immediately began working while trying to prepare another property to receive the prince, since that mansion, full of workers and mountains of documents, was not the most appropriate place for an official reception.
We used the time it would take the prince to travel from Memel to Riga to organize everything as well as possible.
Finally, we received confirmation that the prince had arrived at the railway station. I sent a small delegation to receive him and bring him to the mansion, since I needed to know the reason for such a sudden State visit.
After waiting for some time, I finally saw the prince enter. He seemed somewhat changed since the last time we had met, although he smiled as soon as he saw me.
''Well, we meet again, young traitor. He, he, he'' the prince said as he laughed and approached me.
''Crown Prince, it is a pleasure to see you again. Although I must admit your visit took me by surprise. We received no prior notice'' I replied while extending my hand.
The prince shook it firmly.
''Yes, forgive me for that. But it was difficult to discuss your entire plan through a diplomat who does not even know the truth. It was better to speak in person, especially because my father is somewhat upset'' the prince said, adopting a much more serious expression.
''I understand. I managed to get some Hungarian wine, Tokaji. It is the best we could find on such short notice'' I said, pointing toward several bottles placed on a table.
''Later'' he replied while looking at my guards.
''They are trusted men. They already know the situation from when we had to move the imperial family to Ukraine during the war'' I explained, understanding that he did not want unknown witnesses.
''Understood. Good, my father is not pleased that you are trying to force a marriage with one of the Romanovs. You were entrusted with protecting them and gave your word that you would not use them as political pawns'' the prince said with some severity.
''The Whites led by Nicholas's brother are about to win the war. Saint Petersburg is being attacked heavily as we speak, and nothing guarantees that the city has not already fallen. We will be next. On the other side of the border stands the army of the new tsar, and it is enormous. I consider this marriage the best option we have to protect ourselves'' I replied while looking at him fixedly.
''I know. That is why I interceded with my father on your behalf. It was not too difficult to convince him either. He knows you are a good man, despite those eyes of yours. Deep down, you sincerely care about people, and my father is very satisfied with everything you have achieved here''.
The prince let out a sigh before continuing.
''It is good to know that we are not the only ones who wish to improve the living conditions of the population. All the stories that reach him about the good working conditions, the housing and the protection you provide to your people have pleased him greatly. Although they have also left him somewhat disappointed, because he cannot apply similar reforms in Germany now that the governing coalition is increasingly restricting the Kaiser's power'' the prince said as he walked.
''I am glad my attempts to stabilize this country are being recognized, but what happened in the end?'' I asked, remaining still.
''He is not happy with the situation, but he understands your reasons. So, to put it one way, you have my father's blessing to celebrate the marriage… But'' the prince said.
''But?'' I repeated.
''Once the marriage has been celebrated, I need you to grant our relatives greater freedom. They must be able to move freely within your territories and, if they wish to travel to Germany, they must be able to do so'' the prince explained, raising his index finger.
''And what will prevent them, once in Germany, from deciding to leave for Russia? They are our best weapon to prevent a Russian attack, assuming the tsar does not want to risk fighting against his own family'' I replied, crossing my arms.
''Do not think we will allow something like that to happen. We have common interests and we will not let Russia run you over either'' the prince affirmed.
''I see. That reassures me. Then there will be no problem. As long as they do not try to escape to Russia, they may move freely. Let us hope the situation is somewhat calmer when all of this becomes public'' I replied more calmly.
''Good. Now… I was not planning to stay too long. I understand they are in Ukraine, yes?'' the prince asked.
''That is correct. They are near Kiev'' I replied.
''Perfect. I will go there to speak with them and present my respects. I will also take the opportunity to greet the Habsburg king and begin diplomatic relations with that new free State'' the prince said.
''Ukraine is firmly tied to us. You can be sure of that'' I replied with a smile.
''Ah, I see. It is good to know that country shares interests similar to ours'' the prince commented.
''That is correct'' I said while watching him begin to withdraw.
-----------------------------
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.
-------------------------------
Hello everyone! If you'd like to read chapters in advance, you can support me on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Currently, there are 12 chapters available
without spaces
p atreon. com/Chill _ean_GUY
Thank you all for your support!