While Berengar spent a considerable amount of time, effort, and expense improving the industrial capabilities of the fatherland, a young woman in a similar position on the other side of the world was struggling to introduce reforms in her new Shogunate that would allow her to exert absolute power over her country.
The Ashikaga shogunate had fallen, Itami Riyo and her fanatical followers ruthlessly purged the head of its dynasty, as well as all living heirs. The woman in question had forced the Imperial Family to recognize her as the Shogun. Despite this, there was fierce resistance from the daimyos of Japan. In Berengar's past life, few women were ever made Shogun, and it was the same in this world. Because of this, it was difficult for those in power to accept Riyo's reign.
