Chapter 973 Preparation
After various departments reported the situation, Ernst and his subordinates continued to chat about some commonplace issues. After determining the future development direction, the East African government was actually not too confused in the economic field. It only needed to continue to follow the 90-year plan. The development route of the 1990s has continuously promoted the development of the country's industry and agriculture.
In addition to economic matters, Ernst then began to introduce the key tasks of 1900. He said: "At present, our country is in line with the standards of a big country in terms of land, population, industrial level and other important indicators. The work of moving the capital of East Africa has also been basically completed. Therefore, in order to further enhance the political and diplomatic influence of East Africa, the kingdom is obviously not in line with the current situation of East African countries. Therefore, according to the original plan, our country's political system should also be upgraded to one level, so that the empire is more in line with the current situation of East Africa. level of national power.”
Everyone present was not surprised by Ernst's words. After all, Ernst had revealed similar ideas as early as a year ago when the capital was moved.
Sweet said: "Among the world's major powers, except for Spain, all other monarchies are called empires, such as the British Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Tsarist Russia, and the German Empire. Therefore, I agree with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince regarding the upgrade of East Africa to an empire. idea."
Ernst also said: "Of course, the transformation of kingdoms and empires does not have much practical impact on us in East Africa, so there is no need for too extravagant and complicated ceremonies. The government has to come up with a charter on how to conduct this ceremony. Reasonable range.”
After Ernst's words, everyone started a heated discussion. After all, Ernst's words were simple, but this was a major matter concerning the East African state body.
Of course, the vast majority of people definitely support the upgrade of the kingdom to an empire. After all, the empire is more prestigious than the kingdom. As the "new" continent, East Africa is also unhappy that East Africa, as a kingdom, is under Europe. This can be Refer to the Brazilian Empire that has been overthrown, and the Mexican Empire that Archduke Ferdinand once ruled.
"Your Highness, I don't know how to choose the time. It would be good if it is arranged this year. After all, it is the new century, but it is already February. If it is arranged this year, the time may be a bit rushed."
Ernst said: "I have already said that the ceremony does not need to be too complicated, everything can be simple, and there is no need to invite too many outsiders. People from within our government, all walks of life in East Africa, and diplomats from various countries in East Africa are enough. "
Ernst does not plan to invite too many European nobles to East Africa to participate in the empire-building ceremony in East Africa. If he invites "old European" nobles to East Africa, I am afraid they will say that East Africa is the crown jewel.
The arrogance of European nobles is no joke. If they are asked to recognize an African empire, I am afraid that more people will laugh at it than sincerely.
"Of course, we can still invite people from some friendly countries." Ernst added.
It's impossible not to allow any European nobles to come. Among other things, Leopold of Sigmaringen will definitely participate. In fact, Leopold is already considered a non-chief. He has replaced Prince Karl as the permanent resident of Chad. Rulers, other nobles such as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and France who are closely related to the Hechingen royal family will definitely also be invited.
"If there are not many people involved, then we have relatively little work ahead of us, so I plan to put the Imperial Ceremony and the Coronation Ceremony on May 1 this year," Ernst said.
As a result, there is only more than two months to prepare, which is too urgent for government officials.
Someone asked: "Your Highness, the rush of time may not be conducive to our arrangements. After all, even if the empire establishment and coronation ceremony is simple, it is quite solemn. It is impossible to make a decision easily."
Ernst had already planned it. He said: "I have my own ideas for this imperial ceremony. We don't need to follow European traditions completely. After all, East Africa itself is a new country, not a traditional country. Before us, There has never been such a power on the African continent.”
"So in terms of ceremonies and procedures, we in East Africa don't have to care too much about the opinions of foreigners. In essence, going from kingdom to empire is an opportunity to promote the country's prestige, so this ceremony simply has a military parade to show East Africa to diplomats from other countries. Military appearance.”
Ernst has long been itching to hold a military parade. When the East African Kingdom was founded, he didn't make any big plans, just to save it until now.
"The military parade selected a group of elite soldiers from various military units across the country and displayed some advanced weapons to give external deterrence and internal pride to the country's people."
At this point, Ernst suddenly thought that since he wanted to provide external deterrence, he would naturally invite personnel from some countries that did not have good relations with East Africa to participate. However, Ernst vetoed this. This would create trouble for himself and the hostile forces. It's a pleasure, after all, East Africa reported to the Imperial Ceremony. If the enemy is invited, it will inevitably increase their vigilance against East Africa, so it is better to treat it as normal.
Moreover, the main purpose of this imperial ceremony is not to show off one's power, but because this time point is very good, otherwise Ernst would not have been able to delay the time until 1900.
If Ernst had wanted to, he could have reported it ten years ago, especially after the South African War ended and East Asia officially joined the ranks of great powers.
One of the reasons why Ernst did not do this at that time was to avoid irritating the two losers in the war, Britain and Portugal.
East Africa is naturally not afraid of Britain, but Britain can cause trouble for East Africa, which is not in line with Ernst's national policy of keeping a low profile.
Therefore, even for imperial ceremonies and coronation ceremonies, East Africa should keep a low profile as much as possible to reduce the relevant heat in the international community.
Before East Africa rises completely, it is better to show off less. Currently, East Africa does not have the capital to show off. After all, there are four countries in front of East Africa: Britain, France, Germany, and the United States.
After the end of the next decade, which is the tenth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and after the industrial and military rise of East Africa, it would be best to engage in deterrence again. At that time, it would be close to the war point, which would be conducive to ensuring the security of East Africa.
Thinking of this, Ernst said: "This promotion ceremony to the empire should form a routine. After that, our country will establish May 1, 1900 as the founding day. A military parade will be held every ten years. The new country name will be positioned as the Rhine Empire. As for the national emblem , the flag and the national anthem do not need to be changed..."
The founding day Ernst mentioned was naturally the founding day of the Rhine Empire, not the current Kingdom of East Africa (Hechingen). In fact, the establishment of the Kingdom of East Africa was quite sloppy, so much so that there was no statutory National Day in East Africa at all. Now it has been supplemented. Pity.
At the same time, except for the modification of the country's name, there were almost no major changes in this founding ceremony. The national flag, national emblem, and national anthem were retained as they were, which represents the inheritance and upgrade relationship between the Princely Kingdom of Hechingen, the Kingdom of Hechingen, and the Rhine Empire.
As Ernst plagiarized all aspects of the previous Eastern powers, the specific procedures of the imperial ceremony and coronation ceremony in East Africa were also determined by the East African government. Then the East African government and military began preparations, including the layout of the Rhine City. Invite people, army rehearsals and more.