It has been one month since the opening of the stock exchange in Pendralis. During this time, diplomats representing Pendralis were sent to the Kingdom of Aragon to address two pressing issues: the reduction of taxes on Pendralis trading ships passing through the Maraz Strait, and the protection of Pendralis-flagged vessels in the White Sea from increasing pirate activity. Due to the transportation limitations of the medieval era, these envoys are expected to reach Aragon's capital, Sador, around this time.
Meanwhile, back in Pendralis, Arthur has been diligently overseeing the modernization of the military. To ensure the necessary funding is in place, he has expedited various initiatives, including the procurement of modern rifles, cannons, and steam-powered warships. Orders for cargo vessels and other naval assets have also been placed in large quantities. To meet this growing demand, existing shipyards and arms manufacturing facilities have been expanded, and new ones are under construction. Additionally, specialized training programs for technical personnel to operate and maintain these innovations have commenced.
Arthur's leadership and engineering expertise have been instrumental in accelerating infrastructure projects. By designing and producing essential equipment for construction, he has enabled the Ministry of Transportation to cover 80% of the country with a railway network. It is anticipated that the entire nation will be connected by rail by the end of the year, further boosting economic and military mobility.
Despite advancements in engineering and chemistry, Arthur has noted that medical progress in Pendralis remains slow. Reflecting on historical accounts of how disease claimed more lives than warfare during the colonization of new continents, he has taken steps to address this issue. He has provided significant funding and guidance to biology departments at universities, including the one in the capital that bears his name. While his background in engineering limits his expertise in biology and chemistry, his high school-level knowledge of these subjects still represents a significant leap forward for this era. In addition to research efforts, he has implemented strict hygiene laws in cities and the military to prevent the outbreak of diseases. However, he emphasizes that such measures are only preventive; the development of medicines remains essential for combating potential epidemics.
To further advance the nation's intellectual capacity, a national basic education system has been implemented. Literacy rates are steadily increasing, and the government has introduced scholarships for talented students to pursue higher education. This initiative is expected to supply the economy and military with the highly skilled workforce necessary for sustained growth.
After an intense month of overseeing military modernization, guiding scientific research, and managing large-scale industrial expansions, Arthur decided to take a much-needed day off. Following his morning exercise routine and a refreshing shower, he enjoyed a long breakfast before settling into his room with a book and a cup of tea imported from Indoria. Around midday, a report from the Bureau of Statistics arrived. Arthur sat at his desk to review the data.
The report highlighted several positive developments: the railway network was nearing completion, literacy rates were rising, urban populations were increasing while rural populations were decreasing, and agricultural productivity was improving despite fewer people working in the sector. These trends pleased Arthur greatly. However, one statistic caught his attention—the rising crime rates in urban areas. This observation reminded him that, while he had modernized the military, no formal police force had been established to maintain law and order within the cities.
Additionally, Arthur noted the increasing tensions with foreign nations and the potential for conflict. He recalled the delayed response to the Maraz Strait incident, which underscored the need for an intelligence agency to monitor both domestic and international developments. Determined to address these issues, Arthur began drafting plans for the establishment of a police force and an intelligence agency.
For the police force, Arthur outlined its primary responsibilities: maintaining public order, investigating crimes, collecting evidence, and apprehending offenders to be handed over to the judicial system. He proposed that police departments operate under municipal governments, with their salaries funded through local tax revenues. This decentralized structure would ensure that law enforcement could effectively address the unique challenges of each community.
Next, Arthur turned his attention to the intelligence agency. He envisioned a dual-structure organization: an internal intelligence agency to oversee domestic security and an external agency to handle espionage and foreign intelligence gathering. The external agency's duties would include collecting political and military intelligence from foreign nations, using methods such as bribery, blackmail, and infiltration. In more extreme cases, it could orchestrate sabotage or assassinations to weaken hostile powers. Arthur meticulously detailed the organizational structure, responsibilities, and operational strategies for both agencies.
With his plans complete, Arthur gathered the documents and headed to his father's chambers. When he arrived, the guard at the door announced his presence. Upon receiving permission to enter, Arthur stepped into the room and immediately noticed how busy his father, King Cedric, was. The king was surrounded by documents, likely due to the ongoing diplomatic tensions with Aragon and other nations. Despite his busy schedule, King Cedric set aside his work to address his son. "Yes, Arthur, what is it?" he asked.
Arthur handed him the statistical report and began to speak. "Father, I've reviewed the latest figures from the Bureau of Statistics. The data confirms that urban populations are growing rapidly due to industrialization. As more people leave rural areas to work in factories, the cities are becoming increasingly crowded. While we anticipated this shift and made preparations for infrastructure and housing, the report indicates a troubling rise in crime rates in urban areas. To address this, I've prepared a plan, and with your permission, I'd like to present it."
King Cedric finished reading the report, set it down, and nodded for Arthur to continue. Arthur placed the documents outlining his plans on the table. "To maintain public order and address the rise in crime, I propose establishing a police force. These officers would be responsible for law enforcement, evidence collection, and ensuring offenders are brought to justice. I've outlined the specific roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure of the police in these documents."
After reviewing the details, King Cedric said, "You're right. Rising crime is becoming a significant problem in our cities. Your proposal for a police force is well thought out, and I will issue the necessary orders to establish it."
Encouraged by his father's approval, Arthur continued, "There is another matter I'd like to discuss. Our delayed response to recent events, such as the increased taxes on our ships in the Maraz Strait and the rise in piracy, demonstrates the need for an intelligence agency. We must have an organization capable of gathering information both domestically and abroad to better understand and respond to foreign political developments. I've also outlined plans for both an external intelligence agency and a domestic security agency in these documents."
King Cedric's expression grew serious as he examined the plans. After a few moments, he looked up and said, "The recent incidents have indeed shown us the importance of a well-organized intelligence network. Your proposal makes sense. I will give the orders to establish these agencies. Since the idea is yours, you should decide what they'll be called."
Arthur smiled and replied, "For the internal agency, I propose MI5, and for the external agency, MI6."
After discussing further details about the police and intelligence agencies, Arthur left his father's chambers, satisfied that his plans were moving forward. Returning to his room, he reflected on the progress made over the past month and the new systems being set in motion to ensure Pendralis's security and prosperity.