After a meeting with the Minister of State, Alexander exited the headquarters and made his way along with Julieanne to a waiting car where they would be taken back to the Volkshalle.
He looked at his wristwatch and noted the time. It was already noon, and he hadn't had his lunch yet.
Ever since becoming a ruler of this new nation, he was spoiled by his servants with utmost care. He had to follow his strict schedule, which included regular, well-prepared meals.
Upon arriving at the Volkshalle, Alexander was greeted by his staff and escorted to the dining hall. The aroma of freshly prepared seafood wafted through the air, making his stomach growl in anticipation.
"Welcome back, Your Excellency," greeted Chef Marcel, bowing slightly. "Today, we have prepared an array of seafood dishes for your lunch. The main highlight is a butter-poached lobster served with a garlic herb sauce. We also have a selection of fresh oysters, grilled scallops, and a seafood paella."
Alexander simply nodded and made his way to his seat. Every day, there would be a sumptuous feast where the chef would prepare a variety of exquisite dishes. This time, the spread looked particularly inviting.
The first course was presented: a platter of fresh oysters on a bed of crushed ice, garnished with lemon wedges and a tangy mignonette sauce. Alexander squeezed a bit of lemon on an oyster and savored the briny, fresh taste.
Next, the grilled scallops were served, perfectly seared and accompanied by a balsamic reduction and sautéed spinach.
Finally, the main course was brought in: the butter-poached lobster. The bright red shell glistened with a rich garlic herb sauce. Alexander took his time, enjoying the succulent lobster meat.
"Do you want to join me, Julieanne?" Alexander asked, looking up from his meal.
Julieanne shook her head politely. "Thank you, Your Excellency, but I must decline. We have a busy afternoon ahead, and I need to ensure everything is in order."
"Very well. What's on the agenda?"
Julieanne retrieved her clipboard and began to outline his schedule. "This afternoon, you have a meeting with both the Defense Minister and the State Minister. It's a follow-up on the discussions we had this morning regarding our strategic and diplomatic plans."
Alexander listened intently, savoring another bite of his lobster. "I see. What specifically will we be discussing?"
"We'll be reviewing the defense protocols and the initial steps for establishing contact with the Kingdom of Zambesi," Julieanne explained. "Minister Thompson will present updates on our current military readiness, while Minister Harris will outline the proposed diplomatic approach and potential risks."
Alexander finished his meal, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. He opened his system and checked his stats.
***
Three o'clock in the afternoon. Volkshalle, at Alexander's office. Alexander, Julieanne, the Defense Minister, and the State Minister were seated around a table.
"Now...what do we know about the Kingdom of Zambesi?" Alexander began the meeting.
Minister Harris opened a dossier and began her briefing. "The Kingdom of Zambesi has a population of approximately 4 million people," Minister Harris began, opening a dossier and distributing copies to everyone at the table. "Their government is a constitutional monarchy, with King Malabo IV as the head of state.
The king is advised by a council, which includes representatives from various regions and sectors of society."
She pointed to a section of the dossier highlighting Zambesi's governance structure. "The council is responsible for legislative functions and ensuring that the king's decrees align with the needs and aspirations of the populace. They have a relatively stable political environment, though there are occasional regional disputes."
Alexander nodded, absorbing the information. "What about their economy?"
"Their economy is diverse but primarily driven by agriculture, mining, and trade," Harris continued. "They are rich in natural resources, including gold, diamonds, and rare earth metals. Agriculture is also a significant sector, with crops like coffee, cocoa, and various fruits being major exports.
They have trade agreements with several neighboring countries and some Western nations, though they are cautious about over-reliance on any single partner."
Minister Thompson interjected, "From a military standpoint, Zambesi has a standing army of about 50,000 troops. They focus heavily on defense, with a small but well-trained force. Their equipment is a mix of old and new. They are slowly modernizing to counter the influence of Western countries. They don't have a navy and an air force."
Emily nodded and added, "In terms of foreign policy, Zambesi maintains a stance of anti-foreign influence and seeks to limit the presence of foreign powers within their borders. So they won't welcome us with open arms the moment we show up on their doorsteps."
Now you might wonder again, how are those ministers knowing information about the world? It turns out that those ministers who were summoned were already given knowledge about the world, especially those ministers who are dealing with international relations. It was a convenient perk but limited as the knowledge is general.
"Well it doesn't matter if we are going to be welcomed or not," Alexander said. "We just need to establish connections with them and my mission will be complete. Defense Minister, what's our plan for establishing contact with them?"
Minister Thompson nodded and opened another folder. "Your Excellency, we have an expeditionary force ready to go. One battleship, one aircraft carrier, escorted by five destroyers, two submarines, and one cruiser. We are going to saber-rattle a bit to show our strength. That should convince them that we are not to be messed with."
Alexander leaned back in his chair and glanced at Julieanne. She gave her a nod, indicating that everything was good.
"Very well...let's show ourselves to the world now," Alexander declared.