Chapter 37

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Chapter 37: The Scum of the Earth

"Baron Schultz, please explain why my healthcare reform policy has not been effectively implemented."

The prince regent took off his hat, glasses, and coat, casually tossing them on the office sofa before calmly questioning the Cabinet Secretary.

The Cabinet Secretary and Chief National Affairs Assistant, Baron Schultz, was born in England, grew up in France, did business in Hannover, and served in Prussia. He had experienced many different customs and habits from various nobles.

"Respected Your Highness the Regent," Baron Schultz slightly bowed, "We will do our best to promote this matter and quickly complete your healthcare reform policy."

Leader One, "Complete nonsense! You haven’t done anything at all. I just disguised myself and went out to inspect. I found no improvement in Berlin’s hygiene situation. It’s been two months. Have you done anything?"

Baron Schultz, "Recently, I have been studying Eastern culture. I really like a phrase, ‘governing by doing nothing.’"

Leader One (angrily), "So, does your understanding of governing by doing nothing mean not doing anything at all?"

"Respected Your Highness the Regent, the implementation of any policy must consider a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the actual social needs, objectively view social issues and reform resistance, carefully analyze the impact of the policy on various social classes after implementation. Recklessly implementing an immature policy without practical validation will bring unforeseen disasters to the Kingdom of Prussia, causing irreparable damage to the government’s credibility and cabinet support. We believe that this healthcare reform strategy should be launched after objectively considering many realistic problems and demonstrating feasibility."

Leader One, "What?"

Baron Schultz, "It means it can’t be done for now."

"Then give me back my money. I’ll give you the money to add more trash bins, clean up the garbage blocking the river, and set up some landfills in the outskirts. It’s such a simple thing. If you say it can’t be done, then give the money back." Leader One reached out his hand.

Baron Schultz smiled slightly and adjusted his bow tie before preparing to sing.

Leader One interrupted the "spellcasting", saying, "Don’t give me nonsense, return the money!"

Baron Schultz replied, "Your Highness the Regent, you are a noble person, how can you speak in such vulgar language."

"I’ll give you two more weeks. If I don’t see the effects of the healthcare reform by then, you must return the money. If you try to deceive me again, I will have Catherine kill all of you pests." Leader One slammed his hand on the table.

"Yes, Your Highness, we will implement the healthcare reform as quickly as possible within two weeks."

Cabinet Secretary Schultz calmly left the office, leaving Leader One sitting in frustration.

These officials representing the nobles exuded a foul odor that disgusted Leader One, but he had to make use of them for now. It would take time to promote competent officials and cultivate loyal followers, so he had to rely on these experienced individuals for the transition period.

Leader One understood very well the root cause of the resistance to the healthcare reform.

Those darned nobles lacked the ability for reform, but they were skilled at using it as an excuse to make money, and quite adept at it.

Why couldn’t they set up trash cans even though they wanted to? It’s because a group of noble’s factories are competing with each other for the money from the trash cans. The government is also considering how to manipulate the winning bidder to profit.

Why couldn’t they plan a garbage landfill? It’s because a lot of the land in the suburbs of Berlin belongs to nobles and Jungerherr. They are eager to sell their useless land to the government to get a good price, so they argue every day.

The nobles are fighting among themselves over the benefits of health reform. The government and parliament need to wait for the nobles to settle their differences, accept their rewards, and then they can go ahead with the reform.

Two months have passed, but there are still no trash cans in Berlin city center, and the garbage landfill in the outskirts of Berlin is still not planned properly.

Leader One opened a bottle of red wine, gulped it down, and sat behind his desk, lost in thought with his head in his hands.

He is a powerful prince regent who can appoint all cabinet members and government officials without needing parliament’s approval. He can directly mobilize all the troops and can eliminate anyone without a trial.

But if he kills off this group of bugs, only worse bugs will take their places. Leader One relies on and cultivates competent young confidants—too young, with an average age in their early twenties, they lack the ability to manage state affairs.

His people will not reach maturity until after 1845. In 1837, they are still young and inexperienced, serving in various departments and institutions to develop their skills.

The government and parliament are slow in implementing Leader One’s policies not because they can’t do it, but because they delay and procrastinate until they have no choice but to start slowly.

The situation in the military has improved a lot. The Ministry of National Defense and General Staff Department are quite loyal to Leader One, and his trusted followers are growing quickly in the military.

The military actually welcomes Leader One’s placement of trusted followers. The General Staff Department is a purely military organization, and they are very happy when the army is strong. Each follower that Leader One places is very capable.

Ron, a senior officer in the General Staff Department, is highly praised. He has unlimited potential and is sure to become a great strategist in the future.

Moltke has shown excellent military skills and tactical strategic thinking. He has the qualities of a great general and is capable of being the commander-in-chief in a major battle.

Hans has a strong technical and tactical proficiency, coming up with innovative ideas for warfare. It is said that his inspiration comes from the "In the Year" series of science fiction novels. Hans is optimistic about technological progress and believes that many weapons in the books will soon become a reality.

However, some people in the General Staff Department find Hans a bit annoying. He may be competent, but he is of common birth. If it weren’t for Your Highness the Regent pushing him in, a commoner like him would never have entered the General Staff Department.

Catherine, from the esteemed Bittenfeld family, is the most powerful female Magic Energy Knight in Prussia. Despite initial contempt due to her gender, her unparalleled combat skills and determination quickly win over others. She is set to become the best commander of heavy cavalry in Prussia.

The military greatly favors Leader One’s four trusted followers. These four individuals are quickly rising in status within the military, with their ranks and positions increasing rapidly.

In another two to three years, Leader One will have absolute control over the Prussian military.

Having military power is not enough. He also needs money from the Prussian treasury, and a group of dedicated and talented officials who truly work for the country. Only then can Prussia truly enter a period of prosperity.

"I still need a Prime Minister, a reliable Cabinet Secretary."

"Right now, my Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary are like weaker versions of Jim Hack and the mediocre Hanfrey. "

"What use do I have for this pair of useless people!"

Today is another day of Regent King Redel’s incompetent and angry table-banging.