Although Ernst attached importance to the development of the domestic soda ash industry, he could not possibly follow every aspect of it himself. After all, he had far too many matters to attend to, especially during the First Five-Year Plan. To put it bluntly, every trade and profession needed Ernst keeping an eye on it. And on this day, Karina forcibly put a stop to his work.
Karina said, "Darling, even if you're busy with affairs of state, you can't forget food and sleep like this. And have you forgotten something important?"
Recently, Ernst's mind had been filled entirely with work. The First Five-Year Plan had only just begun, and together with all the other affairs of state, he could hardly find any free time. So he truly did not react at once, asking uncertainly, "What important matter?"
Karina said displeasedly, "How old is Friedrich this year?"
Ernst said, "Twenty... three!"
As he said that, Ernst came to his senses as well. His eldest son, the Crown Prince of East Africa, was already twenty-three years old—a bachelor well past the usual age.
Karina said, "Two years ago, I told you to find a princess for Friedrich, but Friedrich always kept putting it off, and you never took it seriously. If we don't start looking now, I'm afraid we really won't be able to find a fine daughter-in-law of suitable rank."
At this, Ernst also revealed a troubled expression. He was indeed partly to blame for this. The main issue was that the current crop of European royals was a motley assortment of crooked melons and split dates, truly incapable of satisfying him. The princesses of this generation were not only rather ordinary in appearance, but also entangled in plenty of unsavory affairs. Most were either the wrong age or of