Crackdown

"Your Highness, this is the report regarding the expansion of the Constanta Steel Plant."

Edel, who had just settled into his chair in the palace, looked up as a guard entered with a document in hand and presented it to the crown prince.

Taking the report, Edel rubbed his temples wearily. "Let me consider this."

"Your Highness, perhaps you should take a break first," the guard suggested, noticing the tired expression on the crown prince's face.

"No, leave me to review this alone for now," Edel responded.

With the crown prince's answer, the guard exited the office, leaving Edel to peruse the expansion report. Duzweigan, the general manager of the steel plant, had written that thanks to the recent establishment of numerous factories in Romania and the high consumption by the Volkswagen plant, the steel plant was operating at full capacity. The steel supply in Romania had reached its limit, and there was a pressing need for funds to expand production capacity. As it was a state-owned enterprise required to turn in profits and given the government's current financial constraints, there was an insufficient amount of funds available. Duzweigan was seeking approval from the crown prince to intercept funds for this purpose.

"Why has this issue been brought to me?" Edel mused after reading the report. Deciding to consult someone more knowledgeable on the matter, he called for the guard and requested the presence of Minister of Industry Karatuuli the following day.

The next morning, Minister Karatuuli arrived at the crown prince's office. "I have seen Your Highness," he greeted.

"Karatuuli, why is this construction report on my desk?" Edel inquired, holding up Duzweigan's report.

"May I take a look at it first?" asked the somewhat puzzled Minister of Industry.

"Go ahead," Edel said, handing him the report. After reviewing the document, Karastu explained with a smile, "This is indeed the report I refused."

"Can you elaborate on your reasons?" Edel pressed, aware that the nephew of Prime Minister Sturlier was a shrewd man and would have substantial justification for his decision.

"The main issue," Karastu began, "is that Duzweigan failed to mention that this purchase of smelting equipment involves second-hand Italian products priced at 50% of what German equipment would cost."

"Continue," Edel urged, noting Karastu's confidence.

"The price might seem reasonable, but the equipment is quite outdated. It's the same equipment that the Taranto Steel Plant is planning to phase out. I judged that these would be of little use to Romania, hence my refusal. I didn't expect him to bypass me and send this construction report directly to you, Your Highness."

With this new information, Edel began to form a judgment. "Call Miloc here," he instructed after dismissing the Minister of Industry.

Soon after, Miloc, the chief of intelligence, arrived at the crown prince's office and saluted. "Your Highness, you wished to see me?"

"There's a task I need you to handle," Edel began, briefing Miloc on the steel plant's expansion.

"Do you want me to investigate this Duzweigan?" Miloc clarified.

"Yes, exactly."

"I will have his report on your desk shortly," Miloc assured him before departing.

Once alone, Edel pondered the situation, suspecting foul play. Miloc, recognizing the gravity of the task given the crown prince's involvement, took the assignment seriously. He understood that King Carroll was gradually delegating more authority to the crown prince, and Miloc was keen to prove his competence.

Miloc returned to his office and summoned one of his most reliable agents, Hilka. "I have a task for you," he stated plainly.

"What's the task?" Hilka asked nonchalantly, hinting at his desire for some time off after completing it.

After explaining the assignment, Miloc agreed to Hilka's request for a break, emphasizing the urgency by demanding the report on his desk by the morning after next.

True to his reputation, Hilka delivered the report promptly. The findings were shocking: Duzweigan had been deeply involved in corruption, collaborating with an Italian businessman to buy outdated equipment at inflated prices, pocketing a substantial kickback in the process.

With the investigative report in hand, Miloc immediately reported back to Edel. The crown prince was astounded but not entirely surprised, recalling similar patterns of behavior from officials in his previous experiences. He instructed Miloc to take swift action to recover the embezzled funds and bring those responsible to justice.

Following Edel's orders, Miloc's agents swiftly apprehended Duzweigan and the Italian businessman. Under interrogation, they confessed to their crimes, revealing a larger network of corruption that Duzweigan had facilitated during his tenure.

"Karastu, I want a thorough investigation of all state-owned factories. Miloc will assist you discreetly," Edel commanded after reviewing the interrogation report.

"Understood, Your Highness," Karastu replied.

Edel also instructed Viscount Adli, the palace chief, to audit the royal factories, ensuring that the corruption purge was comprehensive.

In the weeks that followed, inspectors descended on every state-owned and royal factory. The crackdown led to several arrests and warnings, cleaning up the system significantly and serving as a stark warning to other officials: corruption would not be tolerated under the crown prince's watch. This decisive action not only curbed immediate malpractices but also set a precedent for governance, reinforcing Edel's commitment to integrity and efficiency in his administration.

Thanks to the large-scale production and application of fertilizers, Romania's grain production has seen a significant increase. A considerable portion of this bounty is consumed locally, particularly in the burgeoning industrial cities. Recognizing the potential, some astute entrepreneurs have ventured into the grain processing industry, which has helped enhance the image of Romanian grain from merely a low-cost export to a value-added product.

"It seems that I have overlooked the grain processing industry," Edel mused to himself. As a major grain exporter, he had missed focusing on this rapidly growing sector of deep grain processing. Although it was a light industry, Edel did not plan to get directly involved but considered supporting it financially. With this in mind, he penned an instruction and summoned a guard.

"Give this to President Wariochi," he instructed.

"Very well, my lord," the guard replied, taking the document.

At the Industrial and Commercial Bank of Romania, President Wariochi examined the instructions from the crown prince. Being a bank under royal patronage brought many responsibilities, including acting in accordance with the crown prince's directives.

"With the bank's current limited funds, we must select the most promising enterprises to support," Wariochi murmured to himself. He then called his secretary. "Send this to all the branches."

"Right away, President," the secretary replied, taking the document to dispatch a telegram to each branch.

In Ukba County, Moldova, an area known for its agriculture, landowners and merchants were deeply invested in food cultivation. The local economy thrived on businesses related to seeds, fertilizers, farm tools, and livestock, while the nobility focused on crop yields and planning seasonal plantings.

Recently, a local entrepreneur named Bubak had opened a grain processing factory producing flour, which proved to be quite successful, especially with sales extending as far as Constanta. Encouraged by this success, Bubak now aimed to establish a biscuit factory but was concerned about financing.

"Vilas, manage the factory for now; I'm going to see Lex at the bank," Bubak told his son.

"Father, are you sure this is wise? You've approached him several times already, and we still have a significant mortgage gap. Perhaps we should consider other options," Vilas cautioned, wary of the predatory loan sharks known to bankrupt many desperate borrowers.

"I've seen too many fall prey to those vultures. I will not turn to them unless absolutely necessary, and neither should you," Bubak sternly advised his son.

Despite the presence of major state-owned and royal banks in Romania, a robust private lending market persisted, offering high-interest loans to those unable to secure bank financing. These lenders, often influential locals, were not easily intimidated by defaulters. Although the major banks had impacted their business, some resilient lenders continued to operate, a fact well-known to Edel. However, the involvement of local nobles and wealthy individuals made it difficult for even the crown prince to intervene decisively.

Dressed appropriately, Bubak headed to the ICBC branch in Uqbar.

"Is President Lex here?" he inquired at the reception, adjusting his attire.

"Mr. Bubak, are you here regarding the branch manager or the loan again?" the staff member asked politely.

"Yes, the previous loan amount was insufficient for our new factory. I need to discuss increasing it," Bubak replied, maintaining a courteous demeanor essential for business dealings.

"The branch manager is available. I'll inform him you're here," the staff member said, slightly embarrassed by Bubak's politeness.

"Thank you," Bubak responded, sitting down to wait.

Shortly after, the staff member returned. "Mr. Bubak, the branch manager will see you now."

"Thank you for your assistance," Bubak said, proceeding to knock on the door of Lex's office.

"Come in," came the response.

Entering, Bubak found Lex busy at his desk.

"Mr. Bubak, please have a seat. I'll be with you shortly," Lex said without looking up.

"Of course, I can wait," Bubak replied, finding a stool to sit on.

After a few moments, Lex addressed him. "Mr. Bubak, are you here for another loan?"

"Yes, I need 230,000 lei for the biscuit factory, but currently, I only have 40,000 lei," Bubak explained.

"Mr. Bubak, you know the bank's policy on mortgages," Lex started, feeling a headache coming on with the familiar scenario.

"I understand," Bubak interjected, "but is there truly no flexibility?"

"Mr. Bubak..." Lex began, just as there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," Lex called, slightly irritated by the interruption.

A staff member entered, handing Lex a telegram from the head office, signed by Wariochi. The message instructed that branches could offer preferential treatment to the food processing industry, with the possibility of expanding loan amounts for well-assetted companies.

Reading this, Lex's attitude shifted. "Mr. Bubak, in light of this new directive, we can offer you a loan of 180,000 lei."

Overjoyed and without questioning the sudden change, Bubak expressed his gratitude profusely.

"Thank you, President Lex. This means a great deal," he said, nearly overwhelmed.

Lex instructed a clerk to finalize the arrangements, reflecting on how a simple order from Edel had significantly impacted the local food processing industry. With this support, many entrepreneurs like Bubak could now hope to expand their businesses, contributing further to Romania's economic growth and, eventually, reciprocating the crown prince's foresight and support.