Chapter 398: Meeting (1)
Early in the morning, a loud rooster’s crow shattered the silence.
Because of tiredness the night before, the two had gone to bed early. Now Simon woke up, but Elin was still sound asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, he quietly got out of bed alone.
He had many official matters to handle today. It had been a month since he last returned, and he wasn’t sure what had happened in his domain during that time. Most important was the potato situation.
He needed to promote potatoes this year, so the people of the six cities would accept this new crop. By next year, they could start planting it.
After dressing, washing, and a simple meal, Simon headed straight to the governor’s mansion.
Baldwin was still excited from yesterday’s potato surprise. Seeing Simon, his face was all smiles, quite rare for such a serious man.
"Don’t just focus on potatoes. There’s government work too. Immediately notify the military, Oxford Academy, the military workshop, and others to come for a meeting." Simon said.
Baldwin nodded and quickly sent messengers to notify everyone. After waiting half an hour at the castle, people arrived one by one. They all wore joyful expressions, Simon’s wedding celebrations still fresh in their minds.
After some greetings and light talk, Simon asked them to sit and began inquiring about the domain’s condition.
"Commander Benjamin, how is the West Ham army formation coming?"
Benjamin replied. "In the past month, we strictly screened slave soldiers. Now, seven thousand have been assigned to the Brambleford army. After opening granaries and distributing grain, many commoners in West Ham have enthusiastically joined. The new West Ham army totals 12,000 soldiers. Along with 8,000 from Squad Divincox Cavalry, the total is now 20,000. Francis pulled core members from the Squad Divincox to serve as officers at various levels. The Oxford Academy has selected excellent staff to assist officers with military affairs."
He paused, then continued. "With Brambleford army’s help, West Ham army has started firearm training, and artillery drills are underway. In about six months, West Ham troops can rotate with Brambleford army."
Simon nodded. "Snake Pass is critical. Dunmere’s troops can be transferred there. The garrison must maintain 50,000 soldiers and push fortress-building strategies to restrict reaver raids on the Eldorian Empire’s border."
"Yes, Your Highness. Reavers have scouts outside Snake Pass. The Squad Divincox patrols often. But the northern weather is getting cold, and soldiers’ uniforms are thin. I worry the cold winter will severely hurt morale and fighting power. Please prepare winter clothes for Snake Pass’s troops."
Simon frowned. This was a serious issue. In history, German troops failed to invade the Soviet Union due to winter.
Southern soldiers unaccustomed to the cold suffered low morale. Meanwhile, the reavers were adapted, wearing fur coats and ear-covering hats for winter.
After thinking, Simon said. "It’s perfect timing. Father recently sent over ten thousand bolts of cloth. Have the weaving workshops make cotton-padded winter clothes for Snake Pass soldiers."
Benjamin was overjoyed. This had troubled him for days, and now Simon’s return solved it immediately.
Besides clothing, Benjamin reported. "The military workshop recently delivered 4,000 flintlock rifles. Brambleford army now has 20,000 flintlocks, one per soldier. The surplus can go to West Ham and Dunmere armies. That’s all from me."
Simon nodded and looked at Bjorn. "How are the Machinery Department and military workshop? The court wants to purchase 5,000 matchlock rifles. Any problems?"
"None, My Lord. The Machinery Department has divided the lathes into separate workshops. The drilling lathe workshop alone has expanded to 600 machines, enough to produce 5,000 barrels a month." Bjorn said.
"Six hundred machines? That many?" Simon was surprised.
Bjorn nodded. "Since adopting hydrogen purification for tungsten powder, pure tungsten powder production is easier, speeding drill bit manufacturing. We are also trying hydrogen purification for other ores. The metal refinery is under construction. Craftsmen like Tony are studying precision metal gears to build the clock Your Highness requested."
Simon smiled. "Good. Keep it up. The industrial base depends on your Machinery Department."
"My Lord, the Tiger Cannon is progressing too. Recently, we successfully test-fired it against a gunpowder barrel. Its range exceeds trebuchets by 300 meters, reaching 500 meters." Fjord said excitedly.
"Five hundred meters." Simon laughed. "Not bad. You’re finally able to handle things independently. After this meeting, I’ll go see your Tiger Cannon."
"Yes, Your Highness," Fjord said eagerly. He had been researching various cannon types and had made progress on the Tiger Cannon.
Simon then asked Gru about matchlock rifle production. With craftsmen’s skill and assembly-line use, production was steadily increasing.
Simon’s first questions about the army showed his serious attention. He knew upcoming wars might be continuous. Even bringing the East into his sphere would be difficult.
After army updates, Simon looked to Desmond, who hadn’t attended the last meeting due to work at the Ashenford shipyard.
"Desmond, how is the navy?"
"My Lord, this year I recruited 3,000 sailors and trained captains, helmsmen, sailmen, and gunners according to the number of warships launching. We’ve been training on three galleys for months. Once the ships launch, the fleet will be ready immediately." Desmond’s voice was steady and deep. This training made him an excellent naval officer.
Simon nodded with satisfaction, then said to Richard. "Before the new year, deploy secret guards south to Prince Vael’s domain to gather intelligence on the Dutch ships, troops, and defenses on Split Rock Island. Report all to me."
"My Lord, will the navy be at war?"
Desmond’s expression grew intense. He hadn’t forgotten the humiliation at sea, British Redcoats and Dutch Greycoats rampaging through their waters, killing indiscriminately.
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The governor’s mansion was silent.
Desmond’s question drew all eyes to Simon. After the northern campaign, was Brambleford preparing for another war? And what was the purpose?
"That’s right! The navy will fight for sea power!"
Simon’s words struck hard. He knew the generals had no real concept of maritime rights, which was why the Empire’s navy had fallen behind.
For centuries, land power shaped civilization, and enemies came from the north. It was only after Western cannon and huge ships breached the gates centuries later that people woke up, but it was too late.
"Sea power?" Baldwin and Benjamin looked puzzled. Benjamin said. "My Lord, the Eldorian Empire’s enemy is the reavers in the north. We should continue the northern campaign until they submit."
"General Benjamin’s words are reasonable. I hope Your Highness will reconsider." Baldwin agreed.
Simon expected opposition when planning this, but he was determined. Without maritime trade, Brambleford couldn’t rapidly build wealth.
"War costs money. Without food and bullets, how can we keep fighting north? Don’t forget, the reavers lost few troops last time. Invading their lands now is like breaking eggs against rocks. Plus, two recent wars with them drained troops and hurt Brambleford’s growth. This sea power fight aims to open southern trade routes to ease Brambleford’s development." Simon said firmly.
Even if the Eldorian Empire spent everything fighting reavers now, it would be a costly stalemate, especially with Simon’s current resources.
After the recent victory, the army was restless; he wanted to cool that down.
Mentioning money, Baldwin and Benjamin grew silent; they knew Brambleford’s army was funded by silver; without it, nothing worked.
Aiden thought over Simon’s idea and agreed. "Your Highness is right. The Emperor has no will to campaign north, and other princes won’t cooperate. Deep grassland incursions alone are unwise. For now, defense against reavers is best. After building a strong army and finances, we can campaign north."
Everyone nodded. Baldwin and Benjamin finally realized development must take priority.
Desmond was displeased with their narrow view. "Do you really think the Eldorian Empire is still the world’s center? Ridiculous! Foreign ships roam our seas. You only care about land, but we’ve lost vast maritime territories. Without sea trade, how do we get potatoes, chili peppers, or corn?"
The governor’s mansion fell silent. Desmond’s words made everyone reflect. Before, their eyes only saw northern reavers, but now they understood many nations spread across the world.
Seeing their thoughtful faces, Simon nodded inside. He wanted to change old ideas because the future belonged to sea powers. Once he amassed capital and upgraded weapons, the northern reavers would be easy to beat.
Having set the tone for naval strengthening and development, Simon asked about the Oxford Academy’s progress.