"Parchment will soon become a thing of the past. This kind of paper is the trend of the future."
Roddy was no longer holding the thick and slippery "parchment" in his hand, but the real "paper" he had the "Elsen City Magic Research Department" make.
Paper-making was one of the Four Great Inventions, not because Cai Lun had invented paper, but because he had improved the papermaking process, reducing the cost of paper to an unprecedented level. Low-cost paper meant that the cost of spreading knowledge had been reduced, and it also indicated that civilization had made a leap forward.
But Roddy did not intend to talk about the impact of "paper" on the whole country and the world in the future, and the cabinet members present, including Sally, did not realize what low-cost paper meant. So he waved his hand, motioning everyone to look at the contents of the paper.
It was a simple diagram, and although it was not standard enough, he could still figure out the proportions as he had learned engineering drawing. The load, speed, road standards, and construction consumption were all estimated. After the lords looked at it, they quickly constructed a general image in their minds. While they felt that it was all incredible, they also raised their own questions. "Prime Minister, where are these things going to be built?"
"The first phase is expected to start next year, extending directly from Elsen to Hollier, and the route will roughly pass through these cities." Rody walked to the map of the territory at the side and stretched out his hand to draw a line. He then pointed to the southernmost coast of the territory and said, "The second phase will be delayed by one year. Go all the way south until you reach here."
"Seaside? Why are we going there? "
"Prime Minister … You're not going to build a port there, are you?"
These words made everyone silent. Efta was not a mountain of gold and silver. The cost of the railway system alone was shocking enough, not to mention building a port?
If there was a port, there would be ships, right? What about the docks? Who would build the ships? At present, only the royal family of Charles II had the shipbuilding technology, and would he agree?
"Yes, I'm going to build a port here. And you must remember … this will be the most important city in the Kingdom of Karen in the future, and I hope — this will be the crossroads of the world. "
Roddy pointed at the blank area on the map. "Everyone must be wondering if we have enough manpower, resources, and money to complete all of this. In fact, the answer is here."
He took out a standard charging crystal. "Be it the Cullen royal family, the Lassiman Kingdom, or Tasman … they will all be taken care of by it."
*****
While the situation in the Kingdom of Karen was gradually calming down, the Bergen Territory was the only place that was still in turmoil.
Count Milnor was in a terrible mood. He had lost count of the number of teacups he had smashed, but the messages he received only made him angrier …
"Viscount Nusko said that his soldiers suffered heavy losses. Two of his three knights were heavily injured, so …"
"So this coward chose to become a deserter? Hmm? "
The butler did not know how to answer Milnor's question. This was the sixth noble who had expressed that he did not want to participate in the battle. In this way, one-third of the nobles and knights that Count Moore had gathered had chosen to withdraw. They would rather pay a huge amount of military expenses than fight in the battle …
Milnor had nowhere to vent his anger. His hair had turned white over the past few days, and his eye sockets were sunken. He looked like half a skeleton soldier. He waved his hand and said to the butler, "Forget it. There are still knights who are willing to fight in the territory. I will raise the military expenses even if I have to sell everything I have. The quality of the soldiers is more important than the quantity. It's not a competition of numbers to fight against Efta. "
Of course, those words were meant to comfort him, but the butler's next words almost made him spit blood. "Master, after Count Moore stepped down from his position, there was no one to take care of the injured knights and nobles. If we don't settle them down … I'm afraid the knights who could have continued fighting will also choose to withdraw."
"That damn old fox!"
Milnor's shrill voice changed. For a noble army with cavalry, the logistics were definitely an unlimited number … Putting aside the fact that they had to pay for their own labor and resources, as the leader of this mission, they had to pay for it themselves. Did you expect them to prepare their own rations to fight with you? Dream on! They could leave at any time!
Count Moore had relied on the prestige he had accumulated over the years to quickly gather such a team. However, with Sauron's unstoppable charge, the morale of the troops had been greatly reduced, and it was difficult for them to take on any heavy responsibilities. Many of them had rushed to the battle with their own logistics. Now that the battle was over and they had yet to return, who was going to pay for the food and drinks for them? If Mirno didn't serve them well, the remaining nobles would definitely cause trouble for him at the first instance.
In other words, it was the repercussions of Moore quitting his job. Now, Milnor was pinching his nose and swallowing his anger.
"Give them everything! At the same time, tell them that this is a 'war of conquest', not a 'war to reclaim territory'! " Milnor waved his hand fiercely, the veins on his forehead bulging. "As long as we can conquer Efta, we will take as much as we can!"
As soon as he said that, the butler's expression changed. The internal war in the Kingdom of Karen had never stopped. There were conflicts between various families and forces every year. However, even if there were casualties, there would never be any bad behavior such as robbery or plunder. This was because the nobles would usually capture their enemies after they were defeated and exchange them for ransom. Even the soldiers could be returned with money.
However, as soon as the word 'war of conquest' was spoken, it meant that Efta was treated as an enemy. There was no more ransom, no more gentlemen's battle or duel. There was only naked attack and plunder!
Although 'whatever they snatched would belong to them' could greatly increase the enthusiasm of the participating nobles, if they really wanted to conquer Efta, such an action would definitely cause endless trouble in the future …
However, the problem was, if Milnor wanted to start a war as soon as possible, this was the only way to go.
After making such a decision, Milnor felt a little exhausted. He sat back in the armchair and asked tiredly, "Oh yes, those things called … 'newspapers', have they been thoroughly investigated?"
The butler had a bitter look on his face. He replied in a low voice, "We have found out that the merchants in Paer territory are behind it. However, the merchants in Bergen territory have all evacuated. The merchants in other areas are still protected. It is difficult to forcibly disperse them."
"Who dares to protect them?!"
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