[img]http://oi60.tinypic.com/2ailqhz.jpg[/img] 

The Royal Palace of Aldham

The turn of the Century was marked by little in particular in Corustaria, the state hadn't the money for any lavish affairs and for many the day simply passed like any other new years day. Deep inside, the Empress hoped that a few years from now the Corustarian Unification anniversary would be marked by much greater celebration. Tragically, even the nobles now had less interest in celebration. The state of the economy plagued the minds of everyone with any sort of power or national pride. Just a century ago Corustaria had been atop the world charges for it's economy, it's factories filling the skies with smoke and goods flowing from the harbours. Now it had been supplanted and needed to find a new way to lead the world.
This opportunity had presented it's self with the dreadnaughts. Corustaria had gone from being "one of the foremost naval powers" to the "indisputable ruler of the waves". But the Empress was no fool, ruling the waves provided little in the way of comfort when they could so obviously be supplanted once more as their economy lagged ever behind. Perhaps it was inevitable that a small collection of small islands with the least number of people of any great power would be economically supplanted. In figures, per capita Corustaria was in a better position than most. Corustaria's per capita for instance was 150% that of Lancia, 120% that of Vanjana and even 119% that of Aurora. This made the smaller people happy indeed and no doubt this contributed to overall stability. The little people felt they were wealthier than those of most other nations. This was all well and good as far as the Empress was concerned, but a good (if slightly misleading) per capita wasn't going to buy her additional ships or arms. It wasn't going to fund massive foreign ventures. It would simply be a bragging right and while she appreciated the chance to blow her Empires horn, the use of prestige had it's limits. 

And detracting from this prestige was the international joke that was the Corustarian Army.

Thankfully, a chance had come to rectify that little problem. At long last, her daughter had submitted to the prospect of a marriage. And a marriage with the Lancian heir, no less. It was of course, important that she make sure Lillian know exactly where her final loyalties must lie.

The door behind her cracked open and the rectangle of light was cut off by the silhouette of a woman. The Empress waved her hands for her daughter to approach and the figure paused, flicking on the lights and illuminating the room.
"By candle light again, mother? It's so quaint of you." She said as she brushed a strand of black hair out of the way of her eye and crossed the room with her usual dull expression on her face. It was clear from the way she moved that, despite her best attempts to hide it, she was tired and had recently been roused by the guards who had brought the order from her mother. Her eyes were green which had always confused Emmeline. Inheritance had been documented for many, many decades now and yet Heinrich had blue eyes and she brown. She did not understand why Lillian should have green eyes. Her great aunt had Green eyes, but other than her Emmeline could not name a single family member within living memory on the Wight side that had Lillians green eyes. Both of them shared the same black hair though, while Heinrich had taken his fathers blonde hair and blue eyes. Yes, there was definitely more of her in Lillian than there was of her late husband, all the way down to her thin, petite nose. You couldn't inherit a voice, though it certainly had more in common with Heinrichs. If Lillian yelled, not a single person in the room wouldn't jump in shock. At age eight she had once set a poor maid to tears... and had spent endless hours begging for forgiveness after. It certainly held a commanding tone around it, though it could be soft if she desired it to be. Lillian had a lot to learn, but she was already far superior to her brother in getting people to do what she wanted; when one wasn't bragging all day long about how good they were at firing their revolver they might actually pick up on reality.
"I suppose you already know why I called you here. You and Erichs little escapade isn't about 'love' Lillian, whether you or Erich wish it was. Marriage is for politics, Sex is for children- and love holds no place in this game we're playing. Do you understand why I am allowing this to continue?
"Of course- With the support of the second largest army in the world, there is the chance of a full scale Corustarian restoration; With Corustarian Naval might and Lancian Military prowess, the lands are a blooming orchard and we can pick and choose whichever juicy fruits we so desire." Lillian said as she ran her fingers along the map on the wall
"And you understand the predicament we're in, however?"
"Yes, Heinrich is young and admittedly good at poking men with a stick, but he is not considered fit to rule the Empire."
"Precisely." The Empress gave a wry smile and slowly set herself down in her chair, tilting her head slightly as she pressed the question "So, what is the solution?"
"Simply let me inherit the title anyway." The Princess replied as she sat down in the chair opposite the desk, placing her hands against it and leaning forwards as she reached out to shift through the papers. Emmeline pushed various diplomatics documents towards her and the young Princess raised them and read through them all in turn
"Lancian law says that you must drop all claims to foreign titles."
"Really? Is that what father did, when he ruled both Hantan and Corustaria? It's hardly unprecedented, we're all aware those rules are increasingly outdated. I want to be the Kaiserin AND the Empress, and no archaic laws are going to stop me from expanding my empires. [i]Both[/i] my empires." Lillian shot her mother a glance across the table, which she returned. There was a silence as the two locked eyes, before the Empress broke the silence again
"You're already talking as if Gabriel is dead and your Erich is rising to the throne, remember you've got a good two decades at least before Gabriel kicks it. And then when you kick it, who will you pass the title to? Heinrichs children, if he has any?"
"If? We're both aware you'll make sure he does, even if you have to force him to fuck his bride at gunpoint."
"Heinrich is a little lust filled beast, it's not him having children I'm worried about, it's him having [i]legitimate[/i] children. Remember when I caught him with that servant girl, Laura? I don't think he's ever quite forgiven me for that..."
"I'm not surprised, you sent her to work for Lord Brimsby in the Colonies." 
"4500 miles does wonders for destroying a relationship." 
"Who will you marry him to?"
"Honestly, whatever dregs we can dig up. Monarchies are a dying breed... I wish I had more daughters, so many men floating around and no suitable women."
"We could just legalise homosexuality" Lillian smirked "We'd see how the boys enjoy it when they're the ones getting married to some fat slob a decade older than them."
"Being a woman is the best when you're a monarch. Half the world wants your hand and the other half thinks you're just a feeble little  woman who is too feminine to be a threat. Your problem, Lillian, is that you never properly embraced your femininity. Use it, wear it as a shroud. Stop trying to prove you're as strong as the men and let them think they're in control... power doesn't rest where men think it rests, it rests where we decide. Manipulate him, Lillian. Spin him around your little finger."
"I don't think I could even if I wanted to, he's not fool, mother."
"No, he isn't. He's a brave, strong and nice boy, I must admit I am a little jealous. I feel too young to be a widow, even if I am 38. Your father was a lot like this Erich. Make sure yours doesn't run off and get himself shot too. Someone needs to remind the Lancians that the days of monarchs leading battles are over." There was another quiet pause, before Lillian spoke again
"What if he never asks me?" She said, almost dejectedly as she reached out and took the bottle of wine in her hand, pouring herself a glass. "What if the Kaiser won't let him?" The Empress simply burst out laughing, much to Lillians chagrin
"Oh, he'll ask you eventually. I think he's probably finding it takes more balls to ask a woman's hand than it takes to fight in a war. As for the Kaiser, don't worry about him. His ships could hardly leave the harbour without sinking. He's not about to let this opportunity fall through the net... which is why we have to milk it for all it's worth when it does happen. This is a massive political movement, Lily." Lillian cringed as she did whenever her mother called her Lily "When it all commences I'm going to see if we can't arrange a nice shipment of bolt action rifles and some officer training from Lancia as a wedding gift of sorts; When the wedding comes no doubts all sorts will be in attendance, enough to give us some more economic connections and possible allow me and Welkynd to push..."
"By the gods, he hasn't even proposed and you're already planning to turn an eventual wedding into a business meeting! Is there no occasion sacred to you mother? Even at fathers funeral you were playing this game!" Lillian exclaimed, then suddenly wished she hadn't when she watched the change come over her mothers face
"My personal life can't effect my politics, daughter, and nor can yours. Every move must be calculated, every speech made to act as a delayed attack, each phrase the point of a blade. A marriage, when it does come, will no doubt be a very happy moment for you, but that doesn't change the fact that you are a Princess of Corustaria. You will always be a Corustarian Royal and that entails a duty that you must never forget. If you do forget it then a day shall come when you think yourself safe and happy, but your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll never forget it again. Are we clear?"
"Crystal, mother." There was an awkward pause in the conversation as Lillian turned her attention back to the documents in her hands and then pulled one out, looking over it before quickly changing the topic "Mother, what is this?" She asked as she handed it over to her mother
"This is the letter I've been composing to Numburg. We have to open up our economy to potential foreign investment and Numburg are venture capitalists if I've ever met them. They have a strong industry, if I can negotiate some trade rights with them and get them to invest in Corustaria..."
"You are sure that is wise? Why not allow our allies in Lancia to invest instead, it will-"
"Lillian, your opinion of the Lancian people is far to high. I have invited them to invest in Corustaria, however they have the same problems as us... in fact, they've opened themselves up to investment.  They have restricted us to 5% by virtue of us possessing Oldenburg, which is a shame but that shall suffice for now. Even with the 5% restriction I think we can be earning a fair billion or two from them by the end of the fourth quarter next year if we invest correctly. None the less, I have proposals for increased trade with them so we can make more money from the tariffs. I don't even know the climate over there after the attempt however if the Kaiser is being savvy he will exploit the attack on his palace for his own ends."
"Are you finally going to move away from our economy being entirely state controlled? We haven't had any companies operating here since the Empire Trading Company over half a century ago now..."
"Yes, I am. I've set out the provisions and the acts are passing through parliament tomorrow morning. The Crown will maintain control over a lot of industry, of course."
"And what of the Crown Estates?"
"All will remain as our private property, as they always have been." Lillian placed the final documents back down on the table as her mother finished speaking, and glanced up to her
"Is that all, mother?" Lillian asked as she rose from the chair, reaching out and taking the glass before finally downing the last of the wine
"That is all... just remember your loyalty lies with Corustaria first and..."
"The family second, Lancia third and Erich fourth. I swear, I shall be chanting this as they bury my coffin before you are satisfied." She spun on her heel and cross the room, placing her glass to the side table as she exited the room. One of the Lifeguards moved in front of the door and closed it, blocking the Empress out from the hall way again. She relit the candle and crossed the room, flicking off the light switch before spinning and heading back to her chair, collapsing into it

[hider Message to Numburg]

[img]http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120423021059/elderscrolls/images/1/1a/BlackHand.svg[/img]
To the benevolent Grand Viceroy;

The United Empire of Corustaria would like to propose the opening of trade routes between our two nations, running from Vares to Stavedon via Dunworth and in our colonial territories in Kashtaken and Modensa. In addition, I would like to extend the offer of a semi-unique opportunity to the Numburgian Trade Empire; recently, a decision has been made to open our nation to foreign investors and we would like the affluent nation of Numburg to consider the opportunity to invest in the growing industry of Corustaria during our moves to modernise our industrial complex, which we note has shockingly fallen behind our continental brothers. Although some concessions will be granted to foreign businesses, the following MUST be followed at all times;

All holdings must abide by Corustarian workplace safety regulations as outlined by the Workplace Safety Act 1898
All workers must be paid the Corustarian Minimum Wage in compliance with the Minimum Wage Act 1891
Work days may not be longer than 12 hours in compliance with the Workers Health Act 1887
Industry's deemed vital to state interests will not be open to foreign investment and shall remain firmly under the control of the Corustarian Government.  Industry's deemed vital to state interests are as follows:
All industries related directly to the defence of the realm (As outlined by the Defence of the Realm Act 1899) such as the metallurgy, oil collection and refinement and security services.
All businesses related directly to the monarchy (As defined by the Act for the Prevention of Attempts on the Monarchs Life act 1782), these will be discernible by the presence of a royal charter
All industries related directly to the ship building industry (As outlined by the Navigation Act 1863)

In service to the Empire
Empress Emmeline Wight, first of her name[/hider]

[hider Message to Lancia] 


[img]http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120423021059/elderscrolls/images/1/1a/BlackHand.svg[/img]
To the most powerful Kaiser;

The United Empire of Corustaria would like to propose the opening of trade routes between our two nations, running from Biel to Albaport via Oldenburg, and from Hanshan to Oldenburg. In addition, I would like to extend the offer of a semi-unique opportunity to the Lancian Empire; recently, a decision has been made to open our nation to foreign investors and we would like the somewhat wealthy nation of Lancia to consider the opportunity to invest in the growing industry of Corustaria during our moves to modernise our industrial complex, which we note has shockingly fallen behind our continental brothers. Although some concessions will be granted to foreign businesses, the following MUST be followed at all times;

All holdings must abide by Corustarian workplace safety regulations as outlined by the Workplace Safety Act 1898
All workers must be paid the Corustarian Minimum Wage in compliance with the Minimum Wage Act 1891
Work days may not be longer than 12 hours in compliance with the Workers Health Act 1887
Industry's deemed vital to state interests will not be open to foreign investment and shall remain firmly under the control of the Corustarian Government.  Industry's deemed vital to state interests are as follows:
All industries related directly to the defence of the realm (As outlined by the Defence of the Realm Act 1899) such as the metallurgy, oil collection and refinement and security services.
All businesses related directly to the monarchy (As defined by the Act for the Prevention of Attempts on the Monarchs Life act 1782), these will be discernible by the presence of a royal charter
All industries related directly to the ship building industry (As outlined by the Navigation Act 1863)

I have also begun investing into your economy, all Corustarian assets in Lancia will be administrated by the revived Empire Trading Company, who shall act as a body corporate for Corustarian foreign business ventures and will be treated with all the respect afforded to employees of the Corustarian Crown

Additionally, I have heard of the attack on the palace and would like to extend my condolences. This telegram should be considered a prelude to the arrival of a shipment of fine wines from the vineyards of Vivia, courtesy of the Unified Crown of Corustaria and the Petty Crown of Vivia

In service to the Empire
Empress Emmeline, first of her name[/hider]

[hider Message to Civitas] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/q0Mh6s3.jpg?1[/img]
To the leaders of Civitas;

On behalf of the United Empire of Corustaria, the Empire Trading Company would like to propose a trade route between our two great nations, and would like to offer an investment of 2 billion directly from the Corustrian treasury into the industrialisation of your nations economy.
Any factories set up would be administrated by the newly revived Empire Trading Company, and we shall abide by business regulations and pay tax at a fixed rate of 5% on the total profits from the factories

In service to the crown
Director Orfai Welkynd[/hider]

[hider Message to Trastico]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/q0Mh6s3.jpg?1[/img] 
To the leaders of Trastico;

On behalf of the United Empire of Corustaria, the Empire Trading Company would like to propose a trade route between our two great nations, and would like to offer directly from the Corustarian treasury an investment of 1 billion into the further industrialisation of your nations economy. Any factories set up would be administrated by the newly revived Empire Trading Company, and we shall abide by business regulations and pay tax at a fixed rate of 5% on the total profits from the factories

In service to the Crown
Director Orfai Welkynd[/hider]

[hider Message to Nantnes] 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/q0Mh6s3.jpg?1[/img]
To the leaders of Nantnes;

On behalf of the United Empire of Corustaria, the Empire Trading Company would like to propose trade routes between our two great nations in order to get access to your wealth of resources while in turn granting you access to a large supply of colonial goods. Further more, we would like to offer you the opportunity to further exploit your vast wealth of resources by offering an investment of 3 billion directly from the treasury of Corustaria into the construction of more factories and the modernisation of mines within your nation. The Empire of Corustaria will abide by all local business regulations and pay tax directly to the government of Nantnes on the total profits earned. These mines and factories would be administrated by the revived Empire Trading Company.

In service to the Crown
Director Orfai Welkynd[/hider]

[hider Message to Albia]


[img]http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120423021059/elderscrolls/images/1/1a/BlackHand.svg[/img]
To the Gracious Co-Princes

The United Empire of Corustaria would like to propose the opening of trade routes between our two nations, running from Kyvern to Stavedon via Glassley and between our colonial territories in Modensa and Kashtaken.

In service to the Empire
Empress Emmeline Wight, first of her name
[/hider]

[hider Empire Trading Company Act 1900]

Short title: Empire Trading Company Act 1900
Long Title: An act to repeal the Empire Trading Company Act 1822 and restablish a Body Corporate company to act in matters of business abroad and to assist in the monitoring, regulation and expansion of trade routes.

Body:
Article 1.1: Hereafter the Empire Trading Company Act 1822 (Long Title: An act to repeal the Empire Trading Company Act 1689 and thus dissolve the Empire Trading Company and absorb it's assets into the hands of the Crown) is to be rendered null and void. 
Article 1.2: Articles 2 and 4 of the Empire Trading Company Act 1822 will remain in force at the pleasure of the Crown 

Article 2: Hereafter the Empire Trading Company shall be revived, operating under a Royal Charter that lasts for a period of 5 years after which it shall be reviewed and renewed according to the crowns interests. If the royal charter is not renewed, the company shall be dissolved and it's assets returned to the crowns control or to it's original owners as the crown desires, unless another course of action is deliberately specified, abiding by the principles of Parliamentary Soverignity

Article 3: The Empire Trading Company is hereby tasked with the expansion and administration of trade routes both internal and external, it shall be charged with the protection of these routes.

Article 4.1: All workers of the Empire Trading Company, regardless of the location of their work, are to abide by Corustarian law first and foremost, and are entitled to protection under these laws first and foremost. This includes workday regulations, workplace restrictions and minimum wage payment.

Article 4.2: To prevent the abuse of position to acquire funds. The wages of the director and upper management of the Empire Trading Company shall be set by parliament and parliament alone and cannot be decided by the Director.

Article 4.3: Regardless of location and local laws, the Empire Trading Company shall not engage with, endorse or partake in any activities involving slavery unless it is to free those slaves.
[/hider]

[hider Business Freedom Act 1900]
Short Title: Business Freedom Act 1900
Long Title: An act for the lifting of several restrictions on Enterprise within Corustaria to make it easier to start up and run businesses.

Body:
Article 1.1: Any person may establish a business with a £40 payment to the Census and Excise offices.
Article 1.2 The Census and Excise Office reserves the right to deny the ability to establish a business should it provide a valid reason.

Article 2.1: An additional payment of £20 to the local Census And Excise office shall set up the business being registered as a Body Corporate with Limited Liability, protecting the share holders from any debts the business may have if bankrupted. 
Article 2.2: The Census and Excise Office reserves the right to deny this status should it view the business as having a poor chance of success

Article 3: The Crown shall offer 0.1% interest loans through the bank of Corustaria in order to encourage entrepreneurs. 5 Billion shall be set aside for these loans, which shall be available from Quarter One 1900 to Quarter one 1901 after which time this article shall become null and void.
[/hider]

[hider Value Added Tax Act 1900]
Short Title: Value Added Tax Act 1900
Long Title: An act for the implementation and governing of the rules regarding Value Added Tax (VAT)

Body:
Article 1: A new tax known as the Value-Added Tax (hereafter referred to as VAT) shall be imposed specifically on the Value Added to a product. VAT is basically a tax on sales; It works by being charged on the sale price of new goods and services, whether purchased by intermediate or final consumers. VAT shall be set by the treasury and may be set to 0% should the treasury so desire

Article 2.1: Value added tax shall be charged in accordance with the provisions of this Act and at a rate set by the treasury.
Article: 2.2 Shall be charged on the supply of goods or services in the United Empire (including anything treated as such a supply),
Article: 2.3: Shall be charged on the acquisition in the United Empire of any goods
Article 2.4: VAT on the importation of goods from places outside the member States or Colonies of the United Empire shall be charged and payable as if it were a duty of customs.

[/hider]

[hider Research Project: Amplitude Moderation for the 'Wireless']

In the late 19th Century, a form of wireless transmission was developed, however it uses continuous wave code only. This allows for communication using morse code, however it's other applications are limited. By attempting to develop a Amplitude Moderation system for these wireless devices, known sometimes as "radio's", Corustaria hopes to eventually create a device which will allow for the transmission of voice, with potentially revolutionary application. Two billion has been allocated to various scientists in the fields who believe they may be able to come up with a solution and a Knighthood has been promised to the scientist(s) who succeed in creating a device capable of transmitting speech [/hider]

[hider Corustarian Investment Into Lancia Stage One]

Total investment size; 1.5 Billion

Buy ports, shipyards and dockyards in order to gain additional control over shipbound trade and pave the road for stage 2.
[/hider]

[hider Investment Plans for Corustaria]
The Corustarian Government has invested 5 billion into modernising and expanding factories and industries involved in the process of metallurgy and ship building

[/hider]


[hider Treasury Finance Report]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/fiFQS0x.jpg[/img]
Yearly Income: £50 Billion

Expenditure:

Invested in Lancia: 1.5 Billion
Total Foreign Investment Cost: 1.5 Billion

Money set aside for Loans to new entrepreneurs: 5 Billion
Money Invested in the Empire Trading Company: 10 Billion
Money Invested into expanding and modernising Corustarian Factories: 5 billion
Total Domestic Investment: 20 Billion

Money Invested in Amplitude Moderation Research: 2 Billion
Total Research Investment: 2 Billion

Total Expenditure: 23.5 Billion

Money placed into national reserve: 1.5 billion

Remaining money to be spent over the year: 25 Billion.
National Reserve: 1.5 billion. [/hider]

[hider Empire Trading Company Finance Report]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/S6Rj3C6.png[/img]

Income:
Investment from Corustaria: 10 Billion

Expenditure:

Invested in Civitas: 2 Billion
Invested in Trastico: 1 Billion
Invested in Nantnes: 3 Billion
Total Invested: 6 Billion

Remaining funds: 4 billion
[/hider]

[hider Orders Summary]

Acts implemented to encourage new businesses in Corustaria
Empire Trading Company established to act as a body corporate and management for foreign trade and investment, placed under the control of Director Welkynd. Operates under a royal charter that must be renewed every 5 years for the company to continue to exist legally, thus tying it to the wishes of the Corustarian government.
Offered investment in Civitas, Trastico and Nantnes
Offered trade routes to Albia, Lancia, Numburg, Trastico, Civitas and Nantnes
Invited investment from Lancia and Numburg, thus making them the only current foreign entities allowed to invest into the United Empire of Corustaria and are afforded all legal rights and responsibilities associated with Corustarian companies until such a time the Crown believes further restrictions would be required.
Implemented a new tax, the Value Added Tax, in an attempt to bring in additional income. Set at a mere 5% so to avoid angering the public.
Invested into buying dockyards in the Lancoan SEZ's
Invested into communications research
[/hider]