The grand blueprint was unfurled, yet the most practical of problems now confronted Lacey and his Cabinet—a shortage of people.
Or rather, a shortage of enough skilled professionals capable of turning that blueprint into reality.
"Your Majesty, this is the industrial project plan for the first quarter." The new Minister of Industry wore a troubled expression.
He had formerly been the chief engineer of a large machinery plant and had now been unconventionally promoted by Lacey.
"As per your request, we plan to build twelve large-scale steel mills, twenty chemical plants, and their supporting energy hubs in Ruperkan, Caplania, and the Schtong Grand Region."
"But... we are severely lacking in qualified engineers and senior technicians."
He paused, then added, "We don't even have enough designers to complete the blueprints for all the factories."
Lacey's gaze swept over the Cabinet members; all of them wore similar expressions.
The Minister of Medicine and Education chimed in with his own grievances: "Your Majesty, the schools have been built, but we don't have enough teachers."
"In many places, we can only have literate veterans and workers teach the children the most basic reading and writing. It's far from enough."
Meklen Neum, the Minister of Economy, now wore a rare look of gravity.
"Your Majesty, the problem is more severe than we imagined."
"The old aristocratic class monopolized the vast majority of Leithanien's quality educational resources, but the people they cultivated were either literati who spouted archaic prose or artists who only understood lavish indulgence."
"Talent that truly understands technology and management is exceedingly rare."
He spread his hands. "Right now, it's like we're sitting on a mountain of gold, but we don't have enough miners or tools to dig it out."
"If this continues, the people's expectations will turn to disappointment, and our promises will become a joke."
The conference room fell silent.
Without talent, industry and the economy could not be developed; and without a developed industry and economy, more talent could not be cultivated.
"If we don't have any ourselves, then we'll find them outside."
Lacey's calm voice broke the silence.
All eyes focused on him.
"Find them outside?" Wolner von Hochberg was somewhat hesitant.
"Your Majesty means... recruit from other nations?"
"Precisely."
Lacey's fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop.
"On the continent of Terra, is Leithanien the only place with unrecognized talent?"
"In Victoria's House of Lords, are there no ostracized scholars? In Kazimierz's Commercial Federation, are there no engineers weary of their games of money?"
His words lit a spark in the eyes of everyone present.
That was right. The oppression of the old systems was everywhere. The Leithanien revolution might hold a fatal attraction for those in other nations who felt equally suffocated.
"I propose!"
Lacey stood up, surveying the room.
"In my name, in the name of the Third Holy Leithanien Empire, we shall issue a recruitment edict to all of Terra."
"We promise to all who possess a skill: regardless of your origin, race, past, or even whether you are Infected!"
"So long as you possess true talent and are willing to serve this new nation, Leithanien will provide you with the best compensation, the most liberal research environment, and the broadest stage on the entire continent of Terra."
"Gertrude." Lacey looked toward the gray-haired countess in the shadows.
"Present."
"Your intelligence department is to immediately establish contact points in all neighboring countries."
"We must ensure that everyone who answers this call can arrive in Leithanien safely and secretly."
"At the same time, conduct the most stringent background checks on them. I need builders, not spies."
Gertrude smiled confidently. "As you wish, Your Majesty."
"Serafina."
"I am here."
"Your Foreign Liaison Department is to find a way, through various channels, to spread our recruitment edict to those nations with official information blockades."
Serafina nodded with a smile. "Leave it to me."
"Meklen."
"Your Majesty?"
"You will draft the compensation standards."
"Use the same vigor you used to poach talent from your competitors. I want everyone to see that in Leithanien, knowledge is a truly priceless treasure."
Meklen's eyes lit up instantly. He rubbed his hands together and said, "I guarantee they'll be satisfied, Your Majesty!"
...
Three days later, the front page of the 'Workers' Daily' published 'A Proclamation to the Talented of the World', personally authored by Lacey, in a large headline font.
At the same time, every radio station in the empire repeatedly broadcast the contents of the recruitment edict.
This decree sent shockwaves across the entire continent of Terra.
Many engineers, scientists, and artists who had languished in obscurity under old aristocratic regimes, and even some craftsmen and warriors with unique skills, turned their gazes toward that land undergoing drastic change.
A nation that didn't ask about one's origins or background, that only valued ability and talent?
An empire led by a people's emperor, promising a stage for all?
It sounded like an unattainable utopia.
But the events that had transpired in Leithanien made it all seem incredibly real.
One week later, the first batch of talents responding to the recruitment edict arrived in Trullinczentyr through the secret channels established by Gertrude.
Among them were a mechanical engineer from Columbia, a scientist from Victoria, an architect from Minos, and even an agronomist from Yan specializing in crop improvement.
With a complex mix of apprehension, curiosity, and anticipation, they walked into the Twin Towers.
In the throne room that once belonged to the Twin Empresses, Lacey received them personally.
He wore casual clothes, similar to their own, shook each of their hands, and inquired about their expertise and aspirations.
"...So, Mr. Drummond, you believe the research direction of the Victorian Royal Academy of Sciences on materials is mistaken?" Lacey listened with great interest to the middle-aged scientist's complaint.
"More than mistaken, Your Majesty! It's downright idiotic!" Drummond's face was flushed with agitation.
"They only care about creating more vibrant dyes and more luxurious fabrics, yet they turn a blind eye to the immense industrial and military potential of this material!"
"I submitted seventeen reports, and every single one was rejected by that bunch of fools who have nothing in their heads but afternoon tea and balls!"
Lacey smiled.
He turned his head and said to the Minister of Industry beside him, "Did you hear that? Immediately establish a materials research institute, with Mr. Drummond as its director."
"Budget, personnel, equipment—whatever he needs, we give it to him."
Drummond was stunned. He stood with his mouth agape, unable to speak for a long moment.
Just like that... he agreed?
Lacey then looked at the architect from Minos.
"Ms. Palati, you said in your letter that you want to design a stadium that can hold one hundred thousand people?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." The young female architect adjusted her glasses nervously.
"A... an arena for the people, not a beast cage for nobles to flaunt their wealth."
"It should be filled with sunlight, with simple lines, symbolizing strength and peace..."
"An excellent idea."
Lacey walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and pointed to a vacant plot of land in the distance. "There. That is the land of your ideals."
"I hope that on the tenth anniversary of the Third Empire's founding, I can be there with the people, watching our own games."
An incredible light instantly shone in Palati's eyes.
Lacey said no more.
He knew that for true geniuses like these, no verbal promise was as powerful as giving them the opportunity to realize their dreams.
Understand them, and help them.
When these scholars and artisans walked out of the Twin Towers, the apprehension and doubt they had carried upon entering had long since vanished.
In their place was a sense of mission, born from being recognized and entrusted with responsibility.
They knew they had come to the right place.
________________________________________
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