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Orange Verzet – Things could get tougher but may also get sweeter
RB : Sorry. This is an internal party election, the other parties have not yet make their presence in this time yet. Of course I will industrialize and I have never given up hope to reclaim Flanders.
Coz1 – Jan has lost one election, do you think he can takes another defeat.
Lord E – Thanks. To know who the winner is, read below.
FIRST BLOOD
He sat alone at the couch with his hand reaching for his back. He looks to be in pain as he tried to finish his half-drank bourbon. He glanced at this watch and realizes that bourbon would have to remained half-drank as he reluctantly stand up and twist the doorknob.
The door opened and the leader of the party cum Prime Minister walked into the room. As
primus inter partes, he took the lone vacant seat at the front of the long oral table in the cabinet room. This is the first cabinet meeting since the election that has so nearly torn the party in two. Now all eyes will be on the Prime Minister as to whether he can reunited a divided party and an equally split cabinet.
Simon sat comfortably next to the Prime Minister. The past few weeks have been hectic. Thought he has backed the right horse, whisper of him being called Judas can still be heard around the corner.
But on this triumphant day all these talks does not bother him as he has explained countless of time to the press, the rational of his decision. In hindsight, it was a gamble and luckily for him, he broke the bank in the end.
“How’s your back Sir?”, a jovial looking Simon address the Prime Minister.
“Thank you for your concern, Simon. It’s still hurt. Must have been standing too long on the podium”.
“But it worth every ounce of the pain, right?” Simon replied to which the Prime Minister answers, “ Oh yes”.
The Prime Minister open the new session of the cabinet meeting by announcing to his cabinet that Simon Blays would continue holding the Foreign Minister portfolio and in addition a new post will be created for him, Deputy Prime Minister.
“ Yesterday morning after my ceremonial appointment with with the Queen, I have the chance to discuss and sought the consent of her Highness for the creation of this new post. According to our constitution, I do not need the consent of the Queen for my action but by convention and out of respect to her, I feel it is my duty to inform her of the government position”, the Prime Minister explained to the rest of the cabinet with few older members nodding their head in unison obviously pleased with the Prime Minister’s action.
A beaming Simon was reminding himself inside that this is the just reward for his role in helping the man next to him securing the majority votes in the party election.
The Prime Minister continue the meeting by reminding all the cabinet members that the time of battle is over and now the party and the country must progress together.
“How’s our budget looking?”
The veteran Finance Minister answer that call. “ Sir, as you can see from the financial report I prepared, our financial state is healthy and turning in a fine daily surplus”.
The Financial Report
“Yes, Good job Sir. The Empire is lucky to have you. But I think the taxation rate is a bit too harsh on our people, we should lower it.”
“Most thoughtful of you Sir, 46.9% did seems a steep high for the poor.”
The Prime Minister burst out laughing “ Who says anything about lowering the poor tax. I am saying the Rich tax is too high. How can our businessmen reinvest their profit into the market if the government took so much from them.”
The slightly embarrassed minister replied “Certainly Sir, I shall lower it to 40.0%.
What about the progress of our railway tracks?”
The Railways Minister stood up and says, “All is well Sir. Railways tracks (Level 1) have been laid in all parts of the country save for Eindhoven, Maastricht, Luxembourg, Emden and Lingen. With sufficient funds and resources, I forecast that the list of 5 would be shorten to 3 by year end”.
“Good. Now can the esteemed, Trade and Industrial Minister gives us an update on the Industrial progress of our country?”
“Certainly Sir. We have a total of 7 major factories in Netherlands and they are:-
Holland
Liquid Distillery ( Level 1)
Ammunition Factory (Level 1)
Winery (Level 1)
Zeeland
Canned Food Factory (Level 1)
Glass Factory (Level 1)
Friesland
Small Arms Factory (Level 1)
Fabric Factory (Level 3)
“ Any further plan for extension?”
“Not at this moment Prime Minister”
“If you have none, I have one. I propose to built a new Regular Clothes Factory in Emden or Lingen”, the Prime Minister said to the surprise of several minister, one which even mumble “I thought he was against….”
“No, I am not against anything. If there is anything to learn from past lesson or mistake, it is one must not waste existing resources. If there is nothing else, we shall end here today”.
As everyone was quietly existing the room, Simon turns to the Prime Minister and says “the fatty thought you are a nationalist, so he was rather surprise when you says you want to build new factory in Emden. Obviously it will only benefit the Germans staying there”.
“Correct, but Emden and Lingen are now full of unemployed craftsmen, it would be a terrible waste if they are not put to use in proper. By the way when will our phony alliance with Belgium expire?”
A rather stunned looking Simon reply hesitantly, “Soon, Prime Minister”.
“Don’t call me that Simon, I feel uncomfortable, just address me like you normally do”.
“All right, Jan”.