Post by omega on Nov 3, 2022 15:57:53 GMT -5
The economic situation was... not good.
"Not good? Laughable, truly laughable! We're about to experience the worst recession in history, and we're getting reports that it's 'not good'!?" Understandably so, the officers present at the meeting were in disbelief. The internal market bubble created in order to aid in reconstruction was finally showing signs of falling apart, threatening to send the country spiraling downwards into the depths of a titanic recession - perhaps even force them to default.
"Which is why we have called this meeting, gentlemen." Came the short, but curt reply from the Minister of Economics, a civilian in a world dominated by the military, Evgenyy Chuitsky. He was not a stout man, but neither was he scrawny, a perfect, unimpressive middle line, unremarkable if not for his position as the economic minister of not just the country, but of the cadres as well. "There are very few solutions which will work, and fewer still which will see the military's admittedly monstrous budget left intact. However, before proceeding with my strategies, I would like to hear input from those present."
"General Stepanović and I are vehemently against this, and you know it." The boisterous voice of Air Marshall Vatutin sounded off within the office. The Air Marshall, who wore his uniform with pride, medals clinging onto it with invisible glee, was always a proponent of military expansionism, and having him reconsider his stance would be nigh impossible. "Debasement of our armed forces will not sit well with any soldier tasked with defending our proud country."
"Your points are valid, if entirely biased, Air Marshall. I bring a more practical reasoning." It was a commanding, though calm voice that ended Vatutin's comments, the man in full regalia standing up from his chair, the Wolf's Guard, the guard unit primarily assigned to the Vozhd, flanking him on either side, the two soldiers tightly gripping the straps of their rifles. General Soll's eyes scanned the room to see if there was anyone who wanted to make a comment and continued as soon as he found none. "A decrease in the military's budget, even incremental, would be catastrophic. The economy is already on its death throes, and if even one mistake is made, it will crash entirely. With it, comes unrest, and with unrest, civil war. The army is the only adequately equipped force capable of ending such a situation before it consumes us again. I urge all of you to consider that when making your comments."
"As much as I personally disagree with General Soll, he proposes an entirely valid point." The Vozhd himself now spoke, a more tired, though nonetheless equally commanding voice emanating from his mouth. "We must assume, for our sake, that we are already dealing with a recession. With this in mind, what would be the best option in starting to restore our economy?"
Chuitsky cupped his chin, thinking on Yagoda's question as the gears spun in his head. "The first option coming to mind, as well as the easiest to implement, is opening up the Orthorian market more than we already did." He elaborated, already shuffling through a stack of papers and procuring a copy for each officer present, handing it to them. "To summarize what is on the papers, encouraging foreign investments will aid us, but the brunt of the work would need to be done by our domestic companies."
"Security will be an issue." Admiral Lysenkovich noted, following up with another comment. "I propose that the Gendarmerie intensify their work, and to start shuffling public service funds into the police forces."
"This still won't help. The army will also need to step in-"
"Vatutin, the army will worsen things internationally." Yagoda exclaimed, massaging his forehead. "I won't let ourselves ruin the one chance we have of dragging Orthoria out of the gutter. The Gendarmerie and the local police forces will suffice."
"As much as I hate the man, I will talk with Andreev to have the Solidarists de-escalate the situation with the anti-monarchists." Lysenkovich added, pausing long enough to give Soll another opening to speak.
"I will enter negotiations with the nationalists, in this case. Their demands will be more extreme, but I assure everyone that they will not be debilitating." Yagoda cringed internally - another power play, he already knew what the demands would be. He'd simply manipulate it in his favour.
"Moving on," the minister said, clearing his throat in order to bring the officers back to the task at hand "our industrial capabilities must also be increased in order to keep up with demand from the more open market. Volgora's reconstruction will remain untouched, but other cities might need to be de-prioritized in order to fix the factories still collecting dust. Modernization of some of them will also benefit us in the long-term, but that is if we find an opening to do so." He flipped through a few pages, landing on the fifth one. "If all goes well security-wise, we might be able to squeeze in the modernization of a few factory complexes. I'll leave the list on your desk, sir, if the opportunity presents itself."
"Of course." Yagoda replied, nodding his head as Chuitsky put the papers back onto his desk. "We have much work ahead of us, but with the diligence of the armed forces, we will come out of this stronger than before. You have your tasks, make our country proud." The officers shot off sharp salutes to one another as they began walking out of the room one by one, Yagoda being the last one to leave. Within the hour, the announcement was made before the National Plenum.
"Not good? Laughable, truly laughable! We're about to experience the worst recession in history, and we're getting reports that it's 'not good'!?" Understandably so, the officers present at the meeting were in disbelief. The internal market bubble created in order to aid in reconstruction was finally showing signs of falling apart, threatening to send the country spiraling downwards into the depths of a titanic recession - perhaps even force them to default.
"Which is why we have called this meeting, gentlemen." Came the short, but curt reply from the Minister of Economics, a civilian in a world dominated by the military, Evgenyy Chuitsky. He was not a stout man, but neither was he scrawny, a perfect, unimpressive middle line, unremarkable if not for his position as the economic minister of not just the country, but of the cadres as well. "There are very few solutions which will work, and fewer still which will see the military's admittedly monstrous budget left intact. However, before proceeding with my strategies, I would like to hear input from those present."
"General Stepanović and I are vehemently against this, and you know it." The boisterous voice of Air Marshall Vatutin sounded off within the office. The Air Marshall, who wore his uniform with pride, medals clinging onto it with invisible glee, was always a proponent of military expansionism, and having him reconsider his stance would be nigh impossible. "Debasement of our armed forces will not sit well with any soldier tasked with defending our proud country."
"Your points are valid, if entirely biased, Air Marshall. I bring a more practical reasoning." It was a commanding, though calm voice that ended Vatutin's comments, the man in full regalia standing up from his chair, the Wolf's Guard, the guard unit primarily assigned to the Vozhd, flanking him on either side, the two soldiers tightly gripping the straps of their rifles. General Soll's eyes scanned the room to see if there was anyone who wanted to make a comment and continued as soon as he found none. "A decrease in the military's budget, even incremental, would be catastrophic. The economy is already on its death throes, and if even one mistake is made, it will crash entirely. With it, comes unrest, and with unrest, civil war. The army is the only adequately equipped force capable of ending such a situation before it consumes us again. I urge all of you to consider that when making your comments."
"As much as I personally disagree with General Soll, he proposes an entirely valid point." The Vozhd himself now spoke, a more tired, though nonetheless equally commanding voice emanating from his mouth. "We must assume, for our sake, that we are already dealing with a recession. With this in mind, what would be the best option in starting to restore our economy?"
Chuitsky cupped his chin, thinking on Yagoda's question as the gears spun in his head. "The first option coming to mind, as well as the easiest to implement, is opening up the Orthorian market more than we already did." He elaborated, already shuffling through a stack of papers and procuring a copy for each officer present, handing it to them. "To summarize what is on the papers, encouraging foreign investments will aid us, but the brunt of the work would need to be done by our domestic companies."
"Security will be an issue." Admiral Lysenkovich noted, following up with another comment. "I propose that the Gendarmerie intensify their work, and to start shuffling public service funds into the police forces."
"This still won't help. The army will also need to step in-"
"Vatutin, the army will worsen things internationally." Yagoda exclaimed, massaging his forehead. "I won't let ourselves ruin the one chance we have of dragging Orthoria out of the gutter. The Gendarmerie and the local police forces will suffice."
"As much as I hate the man, I will talk with Andreev to have the Solidarists de-escalate the situation with the anti-monarchists." Lysenkovich added, pausing long enough to give Soll another opening to speak.
"I will enter negotiations with the nationalists, in this case. Their demands will be more extreme, but I assure everyone that they will not be debilitating." Yagoda cringed internally - another power play, he already knew what the demands would be. He'd simply manipulate it in his favour.
"Moving on," the minister said, clearing his throat in order to bring the officers back to the task at hand "our industrial capabilities must also be increased in order to keep up with demand from the more open market. Volgora's reconstruction will remain untouched, but other cities might need to be de-prioritized in order to fix the factories still collecting dust. Modernization of some of them will also benefit us in the long-term, but that is if we find an opening to do so." He flipped through a few pages, landing on the fifth one. "If all goes well security-wise, we might be able to squeeze in the modernization of a few factory complexes. I'll leave the list on your desk, sir, if the opportunity presents itself."
"Of course." Yagoda replied, nodding his head as Chuitsky put the papers back onto his desk. "We have much work ahead of us, but with the diligence of the armed forces, we will come out of this stronger than before. You have your tasks, make our country proud." The officers shot off sharp salutes to one another as they began walking out of the room one by one, Yagoda being the last one to leave. Within the hour, the announcement was made before the National Plenum.