1864: Peace, industry, and preparing for the future of warfare
Two peasants, not far from Augsburg, busily hoed their fields when a newspaper boy shouted that secret ballots had become the law of the land in the upcoming election of 1867.
"Hans, does this mean we aren't allowed to know who we can vote for anymore?"
"No, I don't think that's right. I think we aren't allowed to know when election day is."
The newspaper boy approached the arguing peasants. "Don't be daft! It means you can vote for whomever you want and nobody gets to find out!"
Hans scratched his head. "But if nobody finds out who I vote for, how will they count it? Seems silly."
"Well, of course the people running the elections get to know who you voted for. But nobody else does!"
"I can't tell my brother who I voted for?"
The newspaper boy quickly realized that this was a lost cause and walked down the road a bit. He daydreamed, thinking about the day when he could vote. I'd vote for the National Liberals! They'll keep those bigwigs from stealing from the poor, but don't want to disband the army like the Socialists.
He returned from his reverie to find an unfamiliar booth next to the local general store. Curious, he walked up to have a look. A bored looking man in uniform took a single look at him and waved him off. "You're too young, kid. Come back in a few years."
"I am not too young for... whatever it is you're selling!"
The soldier smiled. "I'm selling the army, lad."
"Is it yours to sell?"
"I am a recruiter. I am selling the army to people who might want to join."
"Oh, I see. Are we going to go off and fight for Tver?"
"Nah, Tver won the war."
"That's good news! But why are you recruiting here?"
The soldier looked from side to side uncomfortably. "Orders. Certain districts have been... affected more than others as a result of the last war. I probably shouldn't show you this, but you look like a standup kid."
"Wow. I didn't realize manpower had gotten that bad!"
"It sure has. The General Staff --"
"What's that?"
"A new organization that makes plans for us."
"Oh, okay."
"The General Staff is even looking for young men to serve in the military academies across the nation. They want to encourage initiative and emphasize problem serving. How old are you kid?"
"14."
"You know, you might look into those. You seem sharp. Could be a good career for you. Even pays better than slinging newspapers."
"You think so? I don't really need money, since my dad owns a bunch of shipyards across the country, but I do think selling newspapers is kinda boring."
"I'll give you this letter. The nearest academy is, oh, four towns over, I think? You can take the train. Make sure to ask your parents, though!"
"Thanks, mister! Have a newspaper on the house!"
I know, that update was very boring, but we could use a boring update every now and again.
No more reforms for the moment, BTW.banana84, you're going to need to give me at least one new tech for 1865. We'll finish Army Decision Making around the middle of the month, I expect.
Idhrendur, I built your steamer shipyards, but there's really no workers to staff extra factories at the moment, so I didn't build any others.
Michaelangelo, I shifted the Bohemia NF to Augsburg to promote soldiers (cf. the update).
Sakura_F, I completely forgot to give Tver any money. I did want to let you know that we are without a GP ally at the moment, since Transylvania got bumped out of the GPs. Our only real option is Ethiopia; everybody else has an alliance, unfortunately.
I am now accepting constitutional amendments for 1865 for the next 48 hours. Again, no voting until I say so. To try something new, ministers may also present plans as soon as they wish; Executive Mandate will be in effect, but if somebody opposes the program, it will go on the ballot with everything else. A single "no" will suffice to get it placed on the ballot.
