4 Improvements that can be Made

November 29th, 1945.

Ever since Ernest took the position of the Party's mouthpiece, his impassioned speech has reached the ears of all the people in the capital city and people joined by the hundreds. 

Before Ernest's accepting a ministerial position in the Party, the number of members was a measly 200, but after six months, it had grown to about 9,000 people! Now that is still less considering that the Kingdom of Crentis has a population of 85,534,152. Still, there is progress being made, albeit slow.

Ernest knew how to solve this issue, and that is that they spread the message of the party through one of the powerful mediums, newspapers! 

At the party's headquarters, which was basically a two-story apartment, Ernest arrived at the doorstep of the Party's conference room where he could hear them chattering in low murmurs. 

The door creaked as Ernest pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit room with a large table at its center. Around it sat the party's leaders, each deeply engrossed in discussion. They paused as he entered, their eyes following him.

Ernest scanned the room, noting the usual faces. He knew they were eager to hear his plans for expanding the party's influence.

"Good evening, everyone," Ernest began, taking a seat at the head of the table. "Let's get straight to the point. Our current membership is growing, but we need to accelerate this momentum. To do that, we need to utilize every means at our disposal. My proposal is this: we need to raise funds to buy a newspaper that will serve as our primary means of spreading the party's message. With our own publication, we can control the narrative and reach a wider audience. It will also provide us with a consistent platform to share our views, ideas, and goals with the people."

The leaders nodded, intrigued by the concept. Ludwig von Kleist, who had initially recruited Ernest, leaned forward. 

"What do you have in mind? Are you suggesting we start a new paper from scratch, or should we acquire an existing one?"

"We'll need a solid foundation," Ernest replied, his tone decisive. "Starting a new paper would take too long. Instead, let's target an existing newspaper that's struggling financially. We can offer to buy it, revitalize it, and use its established readership to spread our message. This way, we can hit the ground running."

Emil Hoffman, the finance handler, adjusted his glasses, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Acquiring a newspaper won't be cheap. How do you propose we raise the necessary funds?"

Ernest had anticipated this question. "We can start with a fundraising campaign among our growing membership base. We'll host events, appeal to wealthy sympathizers, and even launch a membership drive with a small fee. Once we have a significant amount, we can approach our wealthy supporters for the rest."

Karl Schmidt, the outreach leader, spoke up. "And what about the existing staff at the newspaper? They might not be entirely on board with our goals." 

"It all depends on the attitude of the existing staff. If they're resistant to our party's ideology, it might be easier to replace them. However, if they're open to change and willing to work with us, then we can keep them on board."

Friedrich Bauer, the chief strategist, leaned back in his chair, tapping a pen against his palm. "There's a risk in acquiring an existing newspaper. It might come with debts or liabilities that we're not aware of. Have you considered that, Ernest?"

Ernest nodded, acknowledging the concern. "That's why we need to do our due diligence before we make any decisions. We'll need a thorough review of the newspaper's financials, a check on any outstanding debts, and a legal assessment to ensure we don't inherit any problematic contracts or obligations. Once we're clear, we can move forward with the acquisition."

Ludwig von Kleist looked around the table, exchanging meaningful glances with the other executives of the party. Ernest noticed it and spoke.

"Is there something I should know about?" 

"Well, Ernest, we have been discussing raising more funds and there was an opportunity to raise one. There will be a cocktail party which you should attend. The Crentian elites and industrialists will be there, and it's an excellent chance for you to meet potential donors who can help finance our newspaper acquisition. It's also a good opportunity to network and build relationships with influential figures in our society."

Ernest raised an eyebrow. "A cocktail party? What's the catch? The elites don't just give out money for nothing."

Kleist leaned back in his chair, a slight smile on his lips. "You're right, Ernest. They do expect something in return. This is why you'll need to be at your best to win them over. Our goal is to convince them that supporting our party aligns with their interests. They don't need to know the full extent of our plans, just enough to understand that we're aiming for stability and growth. You have the charisma to make it happen."

Emil Hoffman chimed in with a low voice. "Just be careful, Ernest. These people are shrewd. If they sense anything suspicious, they could withdraw their support or worse, report us to the government authorities. Keep it cordial, stick to the script, and avoid any controversial topics. The last thing we need is a scandal before we even get started."

"What's controversial about wanting our country to stand up again on its own feet and then grow stronger than before?" Ernest asked, his voice holding a hint of skepticism.

"Right."

"Okay, the cocktail party is a great opportunity, I will attend that party." 

"It's going to be a formal event so you have to buy new clothes to fit in with the elite crowd."

"Here, take this." He handed Ernest a small envelope, which contained a few high-denomination bills. "This should cover the cost of a suit and any other accessories you might need. We can't have you walking into the party dressed like you're heading to a protest rally."

Ernest glanced at the money and then back at Kleist. It was a generous amount, likely more than enough to purchase a high-quality suit. 

"Thanks, but are you sure about this? Wouldn't it be better to put this towards the fundraising campaign?"

"We need you to make a good impression, Ernest," Kleist replied. "The first step in raising funds is showing the donors that we're serious. If you walk in dressed like a common party member, they'll think we're not up to their standards. This isn't just about appearances—it's about gaining their trust."

Emil Hoffman nodded in agreement. "Kleist is right. The elites are all about status and image. If you look the part, they'll be more likely to listen to what you have to say."

Ernest took the envelope and slipped it into his pocket. "I understand. I will take care of this." 

"This is the details of the cocktail party, including the location and the guests who will be attending," Kleist said, handing Ernest a small card with the necessary information. "Make sure you familiarize yourself with these names. You'll want to know who you're dealing with when you get there."

Ernest glanced at the card. It listed several prominent figures in the Crentian business and industrial sectors, as well as a few high-ranking government officials. 

"No worries."