211 Post-war settlement and austerity (1)
When the news of Easterfield’s massive monetary tightening began, Easterbank suffered a severe financial blow, dubbed the so-called ‘April shock’.
Until now, huge amounts of capital from the West had flowed into Easterfield and then withdrew, and the stock market stumbled once as emerging countries in America, including the United States, forked with Western capital.
However, this staggering was soon stabilized.
That’s because the Soviet Union was there.
When Europe was being devastated by war, the Soviet Union established factories, drilled roads, and installed railroads, creating a foundation that could expand in all directions.
They were weaving Asia into one huge market based on the huge capital they had earned in recent years, and reinvesting their wealth to promote tremendous technological advancement.
The development of Joseon based on Easterfield’s technology was absolutely overwhelming.
As they started pouring money into the mainland, the financial conditions turned positive in an instant.
Lee Gak visited Lee Hwan after a long time.
“Uncle, you have worked hard to come this far!”
“Haha, nothing special. By the way, now, Your Majesty must hurry up and look after the heir.”
“Well, it seems that the Dutch side is also pushing. Although it is a constitutional monarchy, is the Netherlands still not a country with a strong monarchy?”
“I heard that the king of the Netherlands is promoting a second national marriage, how about it?”
Years ago, when the marriage conversation with Rachel Goldman recurred, Lee Hwan almost hired a concubine due to Elizabeth’s power.
She decided that taking care of her own affairs was more important than having children, and she was even thinking of bringing in an heir.
“In the case of Easterfield, there is no big problem if we bring in the heirs from outside, but I wonder if that will be the case in the Netherlands as well.”
“Hmm, that would be it. Apparently, the fact that a prince not born by Elizabeth I will become king may arouse the antagonism of the priests.”
The Netherlands had already suffered a civil war once, and the civil war destroyed the nobility of the South.
Now, among the Dutch nobles, the bastards of long-established families have taken over their positions, proving that the Netherlands still needs a bloodline-centered system to run.
In such a situation, it was unclear whether the new aristocrats would like the Crown Prince of the second power that was born outside.
Lee Gak hurriedly urged him to seek a successor.
“Now that the war is over, the peaceful dynasty will come for a while. Even in the meantime, I would like to do my best to promote the successor.”
“Hmm… … . But there is a bubble in the economy. Appropriate action must be taken.”
“Your Majesty, you only have to do your best at night. For other schedules, we will work out as best we can. So, please do your best to promote successors without having to feel burdened.”
In fact, Lee Hwan was worried about himself because Elizabeth could go to old age if it was too late.
Heir Lee Hwan also had a lot of trouble because it could lead to a chaos in the succession structure and the downfall of the royal family.
He made a firm decision.
“… … ·good! Let’s spur the production of the heirs!”
“Then I would like you to pay a little more attention to Kim, who is planning for the successor of the Governor-General.”
“Do you care?”
“Our Korean Soviet Union also needs a successor.”
Lee Hwan tilted his head.
“The king is alive and well, so why do we need more successors?”
“It is, but now he is no longer interested in politics. Besides, it is against the law for the king to be abdicated again.”
“Hmm.”
“I would like you to consult with Her Majesty Elizabeth and bring in a suitable concubine and send it to the royal family of Joseon.”
“No, then, Uncle… … .”
“I am now over a thousand years old. It’s because I don’t have the same strength these days.”
“… … Is it not possible at all?”
“Well.”
It was a situation in which there was no choice but to exclaim.
In other words, it is impossible to establish a succession structure for the head of the Soviet Union in Joseon.
Lee Hwan felt a little pressure.
“Two at a time, a little… … .”
“There should be at least three. It would be good if there were about six or so… … . It is because I want Japanese and Chinese political forces to inherit their legitimacy.”
“It’s complicated… … .”
“First, your Majesty and I will discuss it and give you an answer. I will be waiting for you.”
***
the next night.
Lee Hwan personally visited Elizabeth and asked how it would be to stay together for a while.
Then she frowned greatly.
“Good! Just in time, the heir seat is vacant, so let’s have a few sons!”
“Your uncle seems to want one or six.”
“… … six? We’re good at gold, but if you’re six, you’re saying it takes at least six years, right? No, it’s not something a child can do, and it’s not something a child can print.”
“My husband and I told us to discuss it well before making a decision. In any case, I think it is appropriate to establish the heirs of the Netherlands and Easterfield as our two children.”
“Of course it is! Although the aristocracy is gone, and now they are solidified into a senator political family, the name still lives on. And in order for the Dutch royal family to lead the country firmly in the future, blood ties with Easterfield are essential.”
“Then let’s have two children first, shall we?”
“Well.”
Elizabeth looked a little confused.
In her opinion, there were not only two places that needed the seeds of the Easterfield royal family.
In the end, she came to pull out a hardcover book.
“First, get married.”
“Hey, are you married?”
“If you want to send a child to Korea, Japan, or China, you have to get married first.”
“Well… … .”
“And I would like to enter into engagements with the Commonwealth countries of Africa, Middle East Asia, and Europe.”
“… … You want me to get married? It’s a bit of a big deal like that.”
“Perhaps when the Soviet Union of Joseon receives a successor from Easterfield, other countries belonging to the Federation will stand still?”
The succession scheme is quite complex.
If Lee Hwan had had a brother, the situation would have been much better, but now it is impossible.
“do! I’ll beg you.”
“Hmm.”
“Because this is not a matter of arguing over our love alone, is it? If you become a king, you must fulfill your responsibilities and duties.”
“Well, then how about this? It is to take the king of Joseon and mobilize it for marriage.”
“It’s not bad, but there is a risk that the succession structure will become chaotic later and the country will be divided. I’d rather use your lineage than that.”
No matter how good the couple’s golden skills are, there is a limit to maintaining the royal lineage.
Now that he realized that it wasn’t just the two of them, Lee Hwan’s head became complicated.
However, Lee Hwan soon made a firm decision.
“good! Marry me!”
“okay. Well thought. From now on, let’s travel around the world to receive bride candidates.”
“After that, please discuss with us about choosing a family.”
“Sure. It’s for our family, and of course we have to. Oh, I wish I could get married to Austria if possible.”
“… … Yeah? Isn’t that a bit like that?”
“I have to build a Dutch royal family, so marriage with Austria is absolutely necessary for the sake of the alliance.”
“Well.”
“Then I know that I have agreed, and I will put the Netherlands in the marriage candidate.”
***
At Easterfield’s central meeting, the issue of royal marriage was brought up.
Shin Ryo Dae So and the Cabinet unanimously approved Lee Hwan’s big marriage.
“majesty! I will send an envoy right away to let them know that the wedding is going on.”
“… … Is it a matter to be in such a hurry?”
“That’s right. If you don’t want to see any more blood, you have to get married at least within our Commonwealth. In fact, we didn’t even mention it because your Highness seemed to be very creepy, but it’s true that we wanted to get married in our hearts.”
The Kingdom of Easterfield reigns as the supreme leader of the Federation, but it is unknown how long this undisputed power will last.
Although the Federation itself is a little looser, there will be no wars within the Federation, even for economic reasons.
However, the problem was that because they were tied up in an economic relationship, there was no choice but to quarrel.
“There are going to be small problems going forward. Isn’t it impossible to use force every time or apply economic sanctions? So we have to maintain a strong alliance by acting as the right focal point.”
“… … It’s not like that again.”
“It is a disgraceful statement, but if Your Majesty makes sacrifices, our ministers and ministers will have nothing more to ask for. In particular, the share price of the East Stellar Company will rise significantly.”
“Hmm.”
“Also, if you enter into this engagement just once, you will be able to maintain your power in the future. Even if our Easterfield Federation is on the brink of division, it can be overcome if princes and princesses unite and work together. Isn’t brotherhood so great?”
It is unknown how close the half brothers will be, but at least there is a power that has in-laws with Lee Hwan, so even if a fight broke out, it would be sorted out quickly.
Lee Hwan decided to follow the words of his servants.
“Then go ahead.”
“Yes, my lord! I will send a letter to each country right away!”
“As for how to write a letter… … .”
“majesty! The letter has already been sent!”
“… … what?”
“From the moment Your Majesty your Majesty spoke of the marriage, the wedding was already being prepared. It must have been rumored, and he was waiting for the letter to arrive.”
“Hey, it’s fast… … ?”
The Cabinet, well aware that the unity of power alone was not enough to connect the Federation, had already been preparing for a while.
Thanks to their actions, the hondam quickly began to spread inside the Easterfield Federation.
In particular, the families who wanted to include a marriage talk, but could not because Elizabeth was noticing, sent someone near the capital at all, and when they received a letter, they notified the fact by phone.
As a result, the news that Lee Hwan’s polygamy was declared within the Federation spread within a day.
Exactly two days later.
Lee Hwan received as many as 150 marriage talks.
“… … Why are there so many?”
“majesty! I have to take off the plane! It seems that the time is running out to make contact with them.”
“I hope I should meet them all… … .”
“Your Majesty, please remain still. I’ll send a plane to pick them up.”