It was the end of September when Laurist received the news that Princess Silvia had arrived at the Rock Castle in the company of Earl Kenneth. He had been at the Oxhorn Bay Shipyard for about a month. Not only had the shipyard started building three training ships and a survey ship, but it was also working on the concept of fast cruisers that Laurist had proposed.
The countries and regions on the Galinthia Continent that had naval fleets still used the traditional method of boarding battles. Just like the powerful fleet of the Ford Commercial Federation that Laurist had seen when he was still studying in Morent City, their warships were like square city walls attached to the hull of the ships. When the warships of both sides were two to three hundred meters apart, they would use ballistae and longbows to launch long-range attacks. Then, they would slowly approach each other and engage in boarding battles to destroy the enemy's counterattack and capture the enemy's ships to end the battle.
It was a pity that Laurist's gunpowder experiment had ended in failure. Otherwise, he could have at least created bronze cannons and started the era of large sail warships. As the director of the art craft factory in his previous life, he was no stranger to the famous sail warships of the Age of Discovery. He had made more than a dozen models, but without cannons, these warships could only be used as merchant ships in this world.
However, Laurist still used his experience of making sail warships in his previous life to design a three-masted sail warship that mainly focused on long-range attacks. It emphasized speed and agility. As for long-range attacks, chariots, ballistae, and catapults could all be installed on the warship to avoid boarding battles. Using kiting or running away to eliminate the enemy was the best way to fight on the sea.
"Alright, let's build one according to my design and see how it works. In terms of long-range attacks, if the Norton Family claims to be number two, I believe that no other country or family dares to claim to be number one. You must have this confidence. After building this warship, we can practice it on the sea. By then, we will know if this fast cruiser is suitable or not, "Laurist said to the shipbuilders around him.
"Yes, Sir …"
After leaving the shipyard, Laurist returned to Maple Villa and spent three days with Elina, teasing that silly brat of his. Only then did he return to the Rock Castle unhurriedly.
Before he could take a bath and wash off the dust from the journey, Shihuard came in to report that Princess Silvia had come to visit. Loriste had no choice but to wash his face and change his clothes before coming out to meet the guests.
Princess Sylvia only had a maid with her, and she looked furious. She hurriedly complained to Laurist the moment she saw him. After listening for a long time, Lollister quickly understood the cause of the matter. The main reason was that the negotiations between Princess Sylvia and Fatty Shi had reached a stalemate. Princess Sylvia thought that Fatty Shi's ransom of three cows for a single Border Legion soldier was ridiculous. It was practically an exorbitant price.
Loriste smiled warmly. "No matter what, Her Royal Highness has graced us with her presence. As a lord, I have to give Her Royal Highness face. Let's do it this way. A border guard's ransom is one cow, a squad leader's ransom is ten cows, a platoon leader's ransom is a hundred cows, and a senior captain's ransom is a thousand cows. As for Viscount Christopher, do as you see fit. Is this okay? "
This was really a great deal of face, almost reducing the price by two-thirds. Princess Sylvia looked at Loriste and suddenly blushed. She lowered her head shyly and said, "Thank you, Brother Locke …"
Loriste didn't think there was anything to be polite about. Anyway, he and Fatty Shi had already discussed this beforehand. One played the good cop, and the other played the good cop. In the end, they would give Duke Fisablun face and let him owe the Norton family a favor. Now that Princess Sylvia had come in person, it was even better. This was a big enough favor. As for Princess Sylvia calling him Brother Locke, it wasn't strange for them to call each other that way on the way back when he escorted her back.
At this moment, Loriste was anxious to send Princess Sylvia away. After taking a bath, he would go to Miss Tresti's place to see his daughter. He had been away for more than a month, and he really missed her. Loriste didn't have any intention of delving into Princess Sylvia's childish feelings. Although Princess Sylvia was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen and the goddess in Earl Gammus's heart, Loriste had lived two lives. Not to mention his mental age, just his current identity alone was eight years older than Princess Sylvia. In his heart, Princess Sylvia was just a very cute and lively girl next door.
However, after Princess Sylvia negotiated the ransom price, she didn't leave. Instead, she rambled on for a long time. Loriste was a little impatient. He smiled and asked, "Your Highness, is there something else? Please tell me directly. If I can help, I will do my best. "
Princess Sylvia heaved a long sigh of relief. "Brother Locke, actually, I'm not only here for the ransom. I would also like to ask if you can sell a batch of weapons and equipment to the border guards."
"Huh?" Loriste was stunned. He didn't expect this request from Princess Sylvia. He pondered for a moment and raised his head to look at Princess Sylvia. "As a friend, I hope you can tell me why you've come to my family to buy weapons and equipment …"
Princess Sylvia looked very aggrieved. "Originally, the weapons and equipment needed by the border guards were all provided by the Iberian Kingdom for free. My grandfather signed an agreement with His Majesty that a third of the output of the two iron mines in the Iberian Kingdom would be forged by His Majesty's Ordnance Factory into iron armor and weapons for the border guards.
However, I didn't expect His Majesty to return to the capital after he was defeated by the Norton family in the north. He actually rented out the two iron mines in the Iberian Kingdom to the Visia Merchant Group for thirty years. This way, although the Visia Merchant Group acknowledged the agreement between my grandfather and His Majesty, they were only willing to provide a third of the output of the iron mines and not the forged weapons and equipment. This was not clearly written in the agreement …
When I came to your family, the Visia Merchant Group had just sent us a notice saying that they wanted to replace all the mining equipment. It would take two years, so they were willing to use gold to compensate for our losses. However, what we need is not gold, but weapons and equipment.
The main enemies of the border guards were the grassland barbarians in the northeast. Although the quality of the weapons and equipment provided by the Kingdom's Ordnance Factory were poor and damaged, they could still be replenished. But now, without the iron mines, without the replenishment of these weapons and equipment, after a few small scale battles, the border guards could only wield their broken weapons to face the savage grass-barbarian cavalry.
So, Big Brother Locke, please take into account that the border guards are the same as the Norton Family. They are both protecting the borders of the former empire. Please lend us a helping hand and sell the weapons and equipment produced by your family to the border guards. The Fisablen Family and the border guards will remember the Norton Family's friendship … "
"Visia Merchant Group?" Laurist didn't answer Princess Sylvia's question about selling weapons and equipment. Instead, he focused his attention on the Visia Merchant Group that she was talking about. "Strange, why did the Visia Merchant Group extend their hands into the Iberian Kingdom?"
"Brother Locke, you know about the Visia Merchant Group? Oh yes, you said that you studied in Moronte City when you were young, so you should know about this Visia Merchant Group very well? "Princess Sylvia's ears were very sharp, and she heard Laurist muttering to himself.
Laurist nodded. "Yes, I've heard of the Visia Merchant Group, but I don't know much about it. Although I've been in Moronte City for ten years, the Visia Merchant Group is one of the seven largest merchant groups in the Forde Merchant Alliance, and is ranked in the top three. Such a merchant group is high up above, and we mercenaries who make a living in Moronte City at that time don't have much to do with them. However, the Visia Merchant Group is famous for producing high-quality weapons and equipment.
You know about the Michek steel chainmail, right? It's said to have the best defence in the world. It's produced in the Temanda Kingdom, but the sales rights of the twenty or so sets of Michek steel chainmail produced every year are all controlled by the Visia Merchant Group. It can be said that the Visia Merchant Group is the largest manufacturer of weapons and equipment in the Galinthia Continent … "
"No wonder …" Princess Sylvia came to a sudden realization. "When we received the notice that the Visia Merchant Group wanted to replace their mining equipment, our family's knights were very angry. They thought that the Visia Merchant Group was lying to us, and requested to send troops to teach them a lesson. However, my grandfather smiled bitterly and shook his head, rejecting their request. He only said that the Visia Merchant Group is one of the seven giants in the Forde Merchant Alliance, and that they are not to be trifled with. If we were to fall out with them, I'm afraid that the trade between the Eastern Wasteland Province and the Muye Province would be cut off, and it would greatly affect the people's livelihood …"
Laurist smiled without saying a word. Although Duke Fisablon controlled two provinces, and had a border defense army of more than seventy thousand people, his true strength might not even be comparable to the Kenneth Family. The territories of the two provinces were only grasslands, and there wasn't even a single mine. Even if they wanted to grow food, they would first have to invest a large amount of money in water conservancy projects. To put it bluntly, even a clay pot had to be brought in from outside merchants, and the products they produced were cattle, sheep, fur, and dairy products.
Currently, the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce, led by Earl Kenneth, was no longer just selling Snow Salt. They also wholesale large quantities of daily necessities from the Norton Family, and the places where they dumped their goods were the Eastern Barren Province and Makino Province controlled by Duke Fisablun. Although these daily necessities were trivial and complicated, they were abundant in quantity. Even the Norton Family, who only had a ten percent share of the profits from the Snow Salt Merchant Group, could earn an additional two to three thousand gold coins a year.
If not for Duke Fisablon being a Level 3 Great Swordsman, powerful, and the fact that he had an elite border defense army that obeyed his orders, the Iberian Kingdom would not have been able to be established. From Laurist's point of view, dealing with Duke Fisablon was actually the easiest. As long as the borders of the two provinces within the Iberian Kingdom were sealed, and commercial activities were strictly prohibited, then the border defense army would collapse without a fight in two to three years.
"Brother Locke, you still haven't said whether or not you're going to sell weapons and equipment to our family …" Princess Silvia urged.
"We can sell them, but I'm worried that your family won't be able to afford them …" Laurist smiled bitterly.
"Our family is rich, we can still gather a few hundred thousand gold coins." Princess Silvia was very unconvinced.
Laurist shook his head, "It's not that I'm looking down on a few hundred thousand gold coins, but the problem is that this amount of gold coins might not even be enough to equip a corps …"
"Ah? It's that expensive? "Princess Silvia was a little dazed.
"It's not a matter of whether it's expensive or not, but whether it's worth the price. Your Highness, you don't know much about weapons and equipment. How about this, I'll hold a banquet at noon tomorrow to welcome Your Highness to Monolith Castle. After the banquet, I'll put out the models of the equipment for sale for your family to choose from. With Viscount Christopher present, you don't have to worry about us deliberately raising the price. He's an expert, after all, "Laurist said.
"My apologies, Brother Locke. I really don't know much about weapons and equipment. I didn't mean to offend you, please forgive me. I'll take my leave then. See you tomorrow. "Princess Silvia lowered her head.
"It's alright, don't worry about it. See you tomorrow." Laurist waved his hand graciously.
Princess Silvia bowed and took a few steps before turning around again, "Thank you, Brother Locke. You're a good person …"
"Huh?" Laurist was confused. Why did she suddenly give him a 'good person' card?
The next day, after the grand welcome banquet, Laurist led Princess Silvia and her party to the hall on the second floor where all kinds of armour and equipment were displayed.
"Princess Silvia, Grandmaster Swordsman Sandy, Viscount Christopher, all the armour and equipment that our family can sell are listed here. You can choose from them. However, the prices below are all our internal prices, and we're selling them to our allies. If you purchase from our family, the price will be 20% higher. That's already a very good deal, "Laurist said bluntly.
"Ah! A hundred gold coins for a set. Isn't that the standard equipment of Earl Kenneth's family? " Princess Silvia was very surprised. She'd passed through Kenneth's territory this time, and she'd had a deep impression of the shiny silver armour that the Kenneth family wore. At that time, she'd only thought that it looked nice. She didn't expect a set of equipment to be so expensive.
Count Kenneth nodded, "Yes, Your Highness. This is indeed the standard equipment of our family's armed forces. I bought it from Locke at the same price. "
"Uncle Chris, you said that the armour that His Majesty provided us was only worth about ten gold coins. Why are the weapons and equipment that the Norton family sells so expensive?" Princess Silvia was very depressed. It seemed like it was just as Laurist had said. The family's hundreds of thousands of gold coins couldn't even equip a single army.
Viscount Christopher smiled bitterly. He was a discerning person, and he could naturally tell the quality of the weapons and equipment. "Your Highness, Earl Norton's armour is of excellent quality, and its defense is very strong. The armour that His Majesty provided to the border guards in the past is like trash compared to this. Let's put it this way. The defence of that type of armour is only slightly better than the leather armour that our family makes. A soldier can easily wear out one in a year. The armour here, on the other hand, is far superior to that type of armour in every aspect. If we take good care of it, it can even be passed down to our descendants as a family heirloom. "
The Great Swordmaster Sandy also nodded in agreement with Viscount Christopher's words.
"But our family doesn't have that many gold coins …" Princess Silvia hesitated.
"Please take a look at this set of standard equipment." Laurist took the opportunity to lead everyone to a set of simple, standard armor. "This set of armour was originally prepared for light cavalry scouts. It also comes with a set of throwing weapons, longswords, and spears. It's very suitable for the rangers of your family's border guards. It's also only sixty-five gold coins. Although it's the cheapest set of armour here, its defence is actually very good. Compared to the standard armour of the former empire's White Lion Legion, it's only twenty percent weaker. I think this should be enough for the border guards to deal with the grassland barbarians. If you don't have enough gold coins, I have another suggestion. You can use cattle and sheep as compensation. What do you think, Your Highness? "
"Very well, we'll use cattle and sheep to make up for it. If the quantity is not enough, I can bring my troops to the northeastern plains to rob some." Viscount Christopher was very excited. He didn't even wait for Princess Silvia to speak before he agreed.
Three days later, Princess Sylvia, who had come to an agreement, was escorted by the Great Swordmaster Sandy, Viscount Christopher, and three thousand border guards who had been released earlier. Princess Sylvia embarked on her return journey. The remaining twelve thousand prisoners of war would be equipped with the standard equipment purchased from the Norton Family when the cattle and sheep arrived before being sent back in batches.
"F * ck, Locke, are you crazy?" Fatty Shi cursed, which was rare for him. "The Fisablund Family is going crazy, and you're going crazy as well. They actually asked for a hundred thousand sets of standard equipment, and you agreed immediately. Including the ransom for the prisoners, it's a total of nearly two million cattle and sheep. Is that even possible? Even their two provinces combined don't have that many cattle and sheep … "
"Viscount Christopher said that he would bring his troops to the northeastern plains to rob the cattle and sheep from those grassland barbarian tribes," Laurist said lazily.
"Ugh …" Fatty Shi was stunned. He didn't expect the Fisablund Family to have such a move. "Even if we snatch them back, we don't have enough manpower to graze so many cattle and sheep!"
"Yes, it's fine. The agreement is for five years, so there's only about four hundred thousand cattle and sheep a year. It's good to keep a few tens of thousands each year, and slaughter half of the rest to make jerky. The other half will be sold in the family's territory. We should be able to consume them quickly. After all, our family has nearly eight hundred thousand people now, and the demand for fresh cattle and sheep is very high. As for the people who graze the cattle, I've already discussed it with them. They will provide us with a thousand households of about five thousand people, and each household is equivalent to ten cattle. When the time comes, we can set up a town in the western part of the Northern Lands and arrange for these shepherds to live there. It should be enough for them to graze four to five hundred thousand cattle and sheep. "
Laurist's words were very reasonable. Fatty Shi had nothing else to say, so he turned around and left.
"Go out and close the door. I'm going to take a nap. I'm so tired." Laurist placed both his feet on the desk, preparing to take a nap on the chair.
"Bang!!!"
…
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