154 Pressure Diplomacy (2)
News of the 10th Fleet being built and departing from Easterfield reached Istanbul and Sohag.
Egypt and the Ottomans contributed large numbers of troops to Easterfield’s Commonwealth, and were given voting rights in its central meeting.
Yet they were still hungry.
Also, once he opened his eyes to politics, he couldn’t help but be greedy.
“… … Maria II, that wish struck the player.”
“Sir, at this rate, wouldn’t it be possible for us to be pushed back by Portugal and lose our seats?”
“I can’t see it even when I’m dead and awake.”
Ali Hassan al-Ajihad, a city councilor in Sohag and head of the ruling New Mosque of the Republic of Egypt, grappled with the concerns of his aides.
Portugal used to be a Western power, and Africa had been destroyed and trampled by their hands.
Egypt, with such a past, had no choice but to feel inferior to the Western powers.
Taken from noblemtl.com
Moreover, Portuguese merchants and Egyptian merchants were always at odds with each other because they were in a triangular trade competition within Easterfield Confederation.
The New Mosque was so close that it aimed to exclude Portugal’s royal upper ‘Royal Merchant’ and the ruling ‘Federal Party’ behind it from the African, European and American triangular trade.
“What do people think?”
“Honestly, based on the public sentiment itself, it is an atmosphere where we do not care much about what we do. If our local government doesn’t raise taxes, it won’t be a problem from the people’s point of view, right?”
Egypt has been the backbone of Easterfield since it began to establish itself in Africa and the Middle East.
While growing the Suez Canal, Yi Hwan developed Egypt with the intention of forming the African Union around them.
Thanks to that, Egypt is now considered one of the most prosperous regions in Africa as well as in the southern region of Easterfield.
With a lot of money, the standard of living was quite good, and the welfare policy was also very good.
There would never be any dissatisfaction in Egypt like that.
“Hmm… … . If so, are you saying that if you touch it wrongly, you may see blood?”
“Yes, it is. If changes are made on the front of life like this, the people will never trust our New Mosque.”
“It’s a matter of living well.”
The Easterfield Federation consists of a federal parliament centered on the lifelong president, King Lee Hwan, and proposes policies through a multi-party system and a one-unit assembly.
Lee Hwan, the head of the executive branch, had the prime minister form a cabinet and make policies based on bills from the federal parliament.
It is the right and duty of the Commonwealth State to decide and send to the Bundestag, according to the seats allocated to each State in the Bundestag.
This is because it is an iron rule of Congress that you must participate even if you abstain from Congress.
This position as a member of the federal parliament would be held by the ruling party in each country, which meant that politicians who had the support of the people could enter the federal central government.
In a word, it was like saying that you could become a nobleman of the Easterfield Federation.
However, who becomes the ruling party, it could be said that it was a game-changer in each country belonging to the federal government.
“If the center-conservative camp takes power this time, our new precious metal market operation policy will go in vain.”
“What do you think Congress is going to do about policy changes to the precious metals market?”
“It’s generally half-and-half, but there are certain things that the same conservative parties have in common, so if we win re-election, there’s a good chance we can win.”
“But on the other hand, if we lose… … .”
“The moderates will push the moderates.”
Attempts have been made to change legislation regarding the recent changes in the precious metals market’s tax rates and fees, and the selection of merchant bankers.
As the conservative merchant bankers were pushed out of the initial market establishment, the center-conservative forces are now in power for a long time.
If the bill fails, of course, conservative banks will be disappointed and forsake the New Mosque.
In a word, it meant that the only way to live was to win re-election by gaining the people’s trust by taking the lead in the triangular trade somehow.
“I can’t. I go to the mainland.”
“Are you going directly to the mainland?”
“I’ll have to meet the legislators in person in California and take a seat to increase my win rate.”
All of the conglomerates that lead trade in the Federation are public enterprises of the Kingdom of Easterfield, and are managed by the federal government, but in the case of federal trade laws, it is decided by Congress.
It was said that a bill could be introduced that was unfavorable to Portugal and favorable to Egypt.
“Prepare a ship to Michael City.”
“Well… … . I understand for now. But on the mainland you have to be careful. Portuguese lawmakers and merchants must have the same thoughts and move there, right?”
‘Michael City’ is a city that is also called the center of the royal capital even in California, the heart of the federal government.
It is no exaggeration to say that all the core of California is located here.
Surrounded by the Santa Ana River and four lakes, this place was like a folding screen surrounded by mountains with mountains on all sides.
In a word, it could be called a heavenly fortress.
In such a Michael City, a political fight was taking place with the lobby saying that the day was far away.
***
Taken from noblemtl.com
Morning in Michael City.
As if looking at a fortress made of concrete and steel, Michael City’s First Planet has been busy from the early hours of the day.
Starting with the 45-story central building, a total of 30 buildings stood tall in a triangular composition.
That’s why people called it the ‘Glory of Easterfield’.
“Salute to the flag!”
chuck!
When the soldiers returned after completing the vigilante operation, they raised the national flag and saluted each building.
Also in the ranks was Lee Hwan, wearing a regular military uniform.
“Right away!”
chuck!
The soldiers, who finished their flight with moderation, found their place again and left.
The Easterfield Union Army wore a black top and trousers combat uniform, and officers were to wear a shirt modeled after a suit jacket.
However, unlike the clothes worn by officers, Lee Hwan had a white insignia pattern engraved on a black Henry neck T-shirt.
This dress, which is simple but symbolizes the king, is a special one that is only given to Lee Hwan.
Thanks to this, the soldiers could recognize the disease from afar.
“insect!”
“you’ve worked hard. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet!”
“Then let’s go together.”
Lee Hwan usually spends time with soldiers or with technicians and merchants outside of office hours.
As stated in the Law of the Sun Tzu, a good commander thought that he should sleep and eat with his soldiers.
“How is your training today?”
“The rotation is a bit tight, but I think it’s a must if you want to show your best as a soldier.”
“Good posture. What is your wage level?”
“good!”
“Haha, you’re lucky.”
In the royal castle, everything is sold at a low price, and meals provided to the soldiers are of course free.
Lee Hwan and the soldiers ate at the first soldier’s restaurant in the basement.
As he ate with the soldiers, he asked about his difficulties and asked if there was anything he would like to change.
After spending the morning like that, Lee Hwan got up and tapped the plate with a spoon.
tang tang tang tang… … !
“Only those who have no tactics or training will play a 5:5 basketball match! The winning team will receive 10 cents in prize money and unlimited access to the Utah entertainment district!”
“Oh oh oh!”
Utah’s entertainment district is home to some of Easterfield’s finest entertainment.
Not only merchants from all over the world, but also federal troops and citizens from each country flocked to the Utah entertainment district to be called the “Golden Land”.
The morale of the soldiers was more than ever.
Looking at the soldiers starting to form a team of three, three, five, Lee Hwan smiled happily.
“Training and fighting are hard, and definitely when resting. Yes, this is good.”
Lee Hwan was about to find out if there was a team he could join as well.
However, Joel Heiner, the lieutenant of the Royal Palace Guard, came to him.
“Your Majesty, I have sent an envoy from Spain.”
“From Spain?”
“Four politicians have come, and they say they are asking for an audience.”
“Hmm, okay? Then tell them to see you at the basketball court.”
“Are you going to watch the game?”
“Sure. If there is a schedule in the morning, I also run for an hour.”
“Yes, I understand.”
He spent so much time with the soldiers that it was not unusual for him to play basketball.
Lee Hwan takes off Henry’s neck and wears a sleeveless tee engraved with the Easterfield Federation emblem.
He had no tattoos on his chest, forearms, torso, and even from his upper trapezius to his butt.
Yi Hwan was once tasked with clearing out pirates, and actually commanded a Dutch private fleet.
The fact that Lee Hwan had tattoos on the body of Lee Hwan, who had been working as a nationally recognized pirate, was to subdue the baseline and create a sense of fear.
In fact, Polynesians, i.e. Samoans, had tattoos in order to look scary to their enemies in battle.
On the battlefield where he would die if he didn’t kill, Lee Hwan was trying to gain the upper hand even a little.
Of course, he never dreamed he would become a king back then.
“Well, isn’t this hip enough?”
At that time, it was a tattoo because he did not know how to become a king, but now it has become a symbol of a soldier.
When you look at Easterfield soldiers, they always have tattoos that symbolize their corps, their class, and their beliefs, one by one.
This was a very meaningful tattoo that the instructors engraved on the day they left the training camp after enlisting in the federal army.
Don’t forget that you are a warrior dedicated to your country.
“Now, where should we play?”
Lee Hwan walks towards the basketball court.
Just then, from afar, I saw men walking by in clothes that were completely different from Easterfield’s outfits.
Lee Hwan pauses for a moment.
Envoys from Spain bowed down in front of Lee Hwan.
“See you, Your Majesty!”
“I’m not even your king, so why are you on your knees?”
“I’m going to an audience with the ruler of Easterfield, isn’t it natural?”
“Well, that’s it, you guys do what you like. Anyway, get up.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Lee Hwan hated such cumbersome customs in the Western world, so he nailed it as the best manners to bow 90 degrees to the king or anyone.
Well, if you want to do it yourself, you have no choice but to do it.
“Anyway, you can’t help but wonder why you came to me?”
“Your Majesty, the reason the small children have come here is to conclude a mutual commerce treaty between the Federation of Easterfield and the Kingdom of Spain.”
“A normal treaty?”