Ethan stood at the head of the long table in the royal conference room, his ministers and advisors gathered around him. The air was thick with the weight of the discussion that was about to unfold. The kingdom of Veldoria had made great strides in the past year, but the financial strain was becoming evident. Infrastructure projects, military spending, and humanitarian efforts had drained the royal coffers, and something had to be done to replenish them.
The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the silence as Ethan looked over his ministers. He could see the concern in their eyes, the uncertainty of what the next move would be. He knew what had to be done—it was time to take a more aggressive approach to the nation's finances.
"I've reviewed the numbers, and we're reaching a point where our expenditures are outpacing our revenue," Ethan began, his voice steady. "We need to generate more income, and we need to do it fast."
His finance minister, Minister Loraine, adjusted his glasses and looked up from his notes. "Your Majesty, the cost of maintaining our military is rising exponentially. While our army and air force are essential for national security, we can't ignore the reality that we're overextended. I suggest we start by selling off some of our older military equipment."
Ethan nodded. "That's a good starting point. We have surplus weapons and equipment that other nations might find useful. If we sell them off to one of our neighbors, we can raise some much-needed funds."
"I've been in talks with some of the neighboring countries," Minister Loraine continued. "They've expressed interest in buying outdated tanks, artillery, and aircraft. It would be a modest but steady source of income, especially as we phase out these older systems in favor of modern equipment."
"Let's move forward with it," Ethan said. "And while we're at it, we need to look at the bigger picture. How's our oil production? Is it enough to start generating significant revenue?"
Minister Graysen, the Minister of Energy, cleared his throat before speaking. "Our oil production has increased significantly over the past few months. We're still in the early stages, but we're now producing about 300,000 barrels per day. It's not enough to rival the largest suppliers yet, but if we continue at this rate, we could become one of the leading suppliers within a decade."
Ethan leaned forward, his interest piqued. "300,000 barrels a day is a solid start. But we need to maximize this resource. Who are we selling to right now?"
"Currently, we've been trading primarily with smaller, less reliable nations for food supplies and basic goods," Minister Graysen explained. "But those nations don't pay much, and the trade agreements are often one-sided. We're not getting the value we deserve."
"Let's change that," Ethan declared. "We'll cancel the agreements with these nations. We need to focus on larger markets. Start negotiating with the major oil consumers—countries with the cash to pay for our resources. It's time we sell at premium rates, not give our oil away to those who can't afford it."
A murmur of agreement passed through the room. Minister Graysen nodded. "Understood, Your Majesty. I'll begin setting up meetings with representatives from the larger nations."
"Good," Ethan said, turning to his military ministers. "Now, about the military. We can't afford to keep relying on outdated equipment, and we need to modernize. Start planning how we can acquire new, state-of-the-art military technology. I want to look into buying modern aircraft and tanks. It might take time, but we need to start negotiations with other countries to get the best deals."
Minister Varek, the head of the military, spoke up. "We've been in contact with several nations that have advanced military technology. Some are willing to sell, but we'll need to find the right balance between cost and quality. It's a matter of prioritizing our needs."
"We'll prioritize what we need most," Ethan said decisively. "Air superiority and armored vehicles are top priorities, but I also want to make sure our military is well-equipped for the future. That means looking beyond just purchases. We need to invest in developing our own capabilities."
The room quieted as the ministers absorbed his words. Ethan continued, "Let's begin construction of factories—factories that will be focused on designing and producing our own aircraft and armored tanks. We're landlocked, but that doesn't mean we should be limited by that. We have the talent, and now we need the infrastructure."
Minister Varek looked intrigued. "That would require a significant investment, but if we get the right engineers and resources, we could start developing prototype models within the next few years."
Ethan smiled, the spark of ambition igniting in his eyes. "That's the kind of thinking we need. We need to build for the future. And we'll start with these projects. The people of Veldoria deserve a military that's not just well-equipped but self-sufficient."
"And the space program?" Minister Loraine asked, glancing up from his papers. "What about our communications? If we want to keep growing, we need better technology, and that means satellite coverage."
Ethan nodded. "We can't afford to stay behind when it comes to communications. I want to start negotiations with one of the spacefaring nations. See if we can arrange for them to launch a satellite for us. But beyond that, let's begin exploring the possibility of starting our own space agency. We have the resources, and with time, we could join the ranks of those who can reach beyond our borders."
Minister Loraine gave a slight smile. "That's a bold move, Your Majesty. But it's one that could pay off in the long run."
Ethan stood, his resolve clear. "Veldoria has come a long way, but we're just getting started. We will rise to new heights—economically, militarily, and technologically. We'll no longer be beholden to others. We'll build our own future. And we'll do it together."
The ministers nodded, inspired by his vision. The plans for the future were ambitious, but Ethan's leadership was driving them forward. It was clear to everyone in the room that the kingdom of Veldoria was on the cusp of something great.
As they began discussing the specifics of each plan, Ethan couldn't help but feel the weight of his position. Every decision he made now would shape the future of Veldoria, but he was ready for it. The kingdom would thrive—there was no other option.