Preparations

"Ding Ding." The sound of the summoning bell echoed crisply through the office as Crown Prince Edel called for attention. A young guard promptly entered, his posture rigid with respect. Edel handed over a document, his annotations scribbled in the margins, to the guard who had just walked in.

"Mijuli, take this document to the Prime Minister," Edel instructed, his voice carrying a tone of finality.

The guard, Mijuli, reached out, taking the file as he nodded, "Understood, Your Highness." With a swift turn, he exited the office, leaving Edel to pick up another report from the stack awaiting his attention.

As he read through the new document, Edel's brow furrowed in frustration. "Are the officials in Galati complete fools?" he muttered under his breath. The report detailed a case where local government officials had shielded affluent criminals, leading to public unrest. It seemed their prolonged tenure in power had bred arrogance, their blatant misconduct sparking riots among the populace.

"Ding Ding Ding," Edel pressed the summoning bell again, this time with a sense of urgency.

"Your Highness, how may I assist you?" another guard asked as he hurried into the room.

"Take this report to the Ministry of Supervision. Inform them that the officials responsible for this chaos are to be dismissed immediately," Edel commanded, handing over the document with a clear edge of irritation in his voice.

"Absolutely, Your Highness. Your directive will be conveyed to the Supervision Department promptly," the guard assured him, taking the document. Edel's displeasure was evident, and it was certain that the implicated officials would soon experience the weight of the Crown Prince's displeasure.

With the report dispatched, Edel leaned back in his chair, a sigh escaping him as a wave of exhaustion washed over. He rubbed his temples, the day's frustrations dimming his usual diligence.

"I need a break from all this paperwork. Perhaps a brief respite outside the palace walls would do me some good," he pondered, entertaining the thought of stepping away from his duties momentarily.

His contemplation was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Enter," Edel called out, quickly straightening himself and adopting a composed demeanor.

"Your Highness, here are the documents regarding the rubber materials you requested," announced Carust, the head of the bodyguards, as he approached Edel's desk and placed the files before him.

"Thank you, Carust. How is the situation in the rubber markets abroad?" Edel inquired, setting aside his previous document.

"Based on the latest market surveys from London, Singapore, and Rio de Janeiro, it appears that rubber is poised for significant market growth," Carust reported.

Intrigued, Edel perused the information Carust had brought. The burgeoning automobile industry had sharply increased the demand for rubber. This surge was reflected in the import figures: the UK's rubber imports had jumped from 840,000 pounds to 1.41 million pounds within a year, and the US had seen an increase from 57 million to 70 million dollars. The data also showed a steady price increase in the London market, a trend likely influenced by the sales of Volkswagen trucks and the release of the Model T.

"It's time to prepare for some strategic investments," Edel concluded, his mind racing with the possibilities. "Carust, arrange a meeting with Governor Wariochi tomorrow."

"Right away, Your Highness. I'll send a message to Governor Wariochi shortly," Carust replied, ready to fulfill the order.

"And Carust, we'll need interpreters proficient in both Chinese and English. It's essential for the upcoming negotiations," Edel added, a hint of melancholy in his voice as he considered the complexities of international trade.

Carust nodded, though he was internally concerned about the difficulty of finding individuals skilled in both languages, particularly Chinese. "Understood, Your Highness. I'll start by checking with the local universities for suitable candidates."

"Thank you, Carust. And remember, they don't need to be experts in Chinese, just competent enough to manage conversations and understand written texts," Edel clarified, wanting to ease the burden on his loyal guard.

"Of course, Your Highness. I'll handle it," Carust assured him before exiting the office.

Left alone, Edel's thoughts drifted to the potential of sending delegates to Shanghai, a move filled with both opportunity and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Wariochi, the president of Romania's Industrial and Commercial Bank and a man recently elevated by Edel's patronage, reveled in his newfound status. From the brink of bankruptcy to leading a thriving institution, Wariochi knew well the value of aligning with powerful allies like Edel. His previous struggles seemed a distant memory as he now navigated a world eager to curry favor with him.

As he sat in his office, a guard from the palace arrived, seeking an audience on behalf of the Crown Prince. "President Wariochi, His Royal Highness requests your presence at the palace tomorrow morning," the guard conveyed.

"Thank you. May I know what this is regarding, so I can prepare accordingly?" Wariochi inquired, always meticulous in his preparations.

"I'm not privy to the details, sir. I must return now," the guard replied, leaving Wariochi to ponder the possibilities. With no specific agenda disclosed, Wariochi resolved to prepare for any topic, knowing well the importance of being well-prepared when dealing with the Crown Prince.

The following day, Wariochi arrived at the palace, documents in hand, ready to discuss any aspect of the bank's operations. After a brief wait, he was ushered into Edel's office.

"Your Highness," Wariochi greeted, bowing slightly.

"President Wariochi, how is the bank performing?" Edel inquired, getting straight to the point.

"Excellently, Your Highness. The association with the royal family has bolstered public confidence, significantly increasing our deposits," Wariochi reported, pride evident in his voice.

"And if required, how much could you allocate from the bank's funds without disrupting its operations? I may need access to these funds for about a year," Edel asked, his tone serious as he considered the financial maneuvers necessary for his forthcoming plans.

Wariochi paused, calculating the figures in his mind before responding, "Your Highness, we can allocate approximately 1.2 million pounds."

Satisfied with the response, Edel discussed a few more details with Wariochi before dismissing him. Alone again, Edel contemplated the total resources at his disposal. With the bank's contribution and his own available funds, he had a substantial amount to navigate the upcoming financial landscape. This strategic financial planning was crucial, not just for personal gain but for bolstering the economic stability of his realm.

"Students, please turn to page 64 of your book, 'Techniques of Oriental Language'. Today, we will learn how to write it," announced Professor Gisturk, standing at the podium. The classroom was sparsely filled, with only about ten students scattered across the seats. Professor Gisturk, a rare expert in Eastern languages in Romania, was proficient in Chinese and Japanese. His prior travels to the East had deepened his fascination with its mysterious cultures and beautiful landscapes.

However, Professor Gisturk felt a pang of helplessness as he surveyed the room. Interest in Eastern studies was minimal in Romania, making the learning of Eastern hieroglyphics a challenging endeavor. Only these ten students had shown the willingness to delve into this complex field. For a professor eager to promote Eastern culture, the situation was disheartening.

As Professor Gisturk was immersed in his lecture, a few uninvited guests arrived outside the classroom. The President of the University of Bucharest, Mr. Bigeskler, was there, introducing Professor Gisturk to the Chief Guard of Carust, Mr. Erke. "Mr. Carust, he is the foremost expert in Chinese language in our school, and indeed, in all of Romania," Bigeskler explained.

"Then let's wait here until he finishes his class before we enter," the Chief Guard suggested, showing his respect for the academic process.

"Indeed, it is virtuous not to disrupt the students' learning," Mr. Bigeskler agreed, clearly valuing the educational environment.

The Chief Guard had been tasked by the crown prince to find an expert in Chinese language and culture. Believing that the University of Bucharest, being the best in Romania, could fulfill this requirement, he had approached Mr. Bigeskler, who in turn led him to Professor Gisturk.

After the class, Professor Gisturk packed up his textbooks and noticed the waiting group as he exited the classroom. "Principal, were you looking for me?" he asked, approaching them.

"Professor Gisturk, this is the Chief Guard of Carust. We need your assistance with a matter," Mr. Bigeskler introduced them.

"Hello, Professor Gisturk," greeted the Chief Guard, extending his hand in a friendly gesture.

"Hello, Chief Guard," replied Professor Gisturk, shaking his hand.

"I'll leave you to discuss. There are other matters I must attend to," Mr. Bigeskler said, excusing himself from the meeting.

"Thank you for your assistance, Mr. President," the Chief Guard said, nodding to the departing principal.

"Let's move to my office to talk," Professor Gisturk suggested, leading the way.

Once settled in his office, Professor Gisturk asked, "Mr. Carust, how may I assist you?"

"We need someone who can read and write Chinese fluently, someone clever, innocent, and with a strong sense of patriotism," the Chief Guard outlined his requirements.

After pondering for a moment, Professor Gisturk thought of a suitable candidate among his students. "I have a student, Ludwig Felidrich. He is very patriotic and active in campus affairs," he suggested, though he added, "However, his father was imprisoned for anti-government remarks."

"That sounds promising. Could we meet him?" the Chief Guard asked.

"Certainly," agreed Professor Gisturk, and soon after, he brought Ludwig to the office.

"This is Mr. Felidrich," Professor Gisturk introduced the young man.

Ludwig, about 1.7 meters tall, dressed modestly yet neatly, had a strong and distinct presence. His handshake revealed the roughness of his hands, suggesting a humble background.

"Hello, Mr. Felidrich. We are from the palace. I am Carust, the Chief Guard. We need someone knowledgeable in Chinese culture and language, and your professor recommended you," the Chief Guard explained, then added, "We would like to know if you are willing to serve the kingdom?"

Ludwig responded enthusiastically, "I am willing to contribute to the kingdom," but hesitated as he mentioned his father's political troubles, showing his concern about how this might affect their decision.

"Please don't worry; your father's actions will not be held against you. We are interested in your skills and loyalty," reassured the Chief Guard.

Encouraged, Ludwig expressed his readiness to serve, "Thank you for trusting me. I am ready to do whatever is required."

"You will need to take a leave of absence for training," instructed the Chief Guard, "and remember, do not discuss this with anyone."

"Understood, sir," Ludwig replied, his face flush with determination.

After Ludwig left to prepare, the Chief Guard thanked Professor Gisturk and excused himself.

"Goodbye, Chief Guard. You know where to find me if you need further assistance," Professor Gisturk said, aware of the significance of their meeting.

The next day, after completing the necessary formalities, Ludwig traveled to a secluded villa in the suburbs, escorted by a guard. Inside, he met several others who, like him, were waiting to begin a new chapter. A middle-aged man, Mr. Christo, informed them they would undergo intensive training in etiquette and financial knowledge to prepare for their roles.

"You will all receive new identities," Mr. Christo announced, handing out slips with their new names. Ludwig received the name 'Brooke Street', purportedly the son of a British businessman.

The following month was rigorous. Ludwig, now Brooke, immersed himself in learning the intricacies of his new identity, slowly transforming from a student into a convincing businessman.

Meanwhile, the crown prince was kept informed of the progress by the Chief Guard, ensuring that all preparations were advancing as planned.