Fatty Shi hurried into Laurist's study with a folder in his hand.
"What's wrong?" Laurist raised his head and asked.
Fatty Shi shook his head with a bitter smile. "There was an accident when the Monolith Corps was practicing boarding and disembarking. A boat capsized, and 25 family soldiers fell into the water. Only seven were saved …"
As the main force of the attack on the Madras Principality's West Grad Province, the Monolith Corps had already moved to the Blade Peak Mountain Range, which was the White Stone Beach in the middle of the secret tunnel where the four families of Northern Field Town used to smuggle goods. They had set up a temporary camp there. From there, the Silver Beach in the West Grad Province was very close, and it only took five to six hours. There were still two months before the battle time Laurist had set. The Monolith Corps was using a few large ships from the Sea Corps to assist them in their boarding and disembarking exercises. They did not expect such an accident to happen.
"How did it happen?"
"Knight Bofinger reported that the boat used for the landing was originally a lifeboat on a ship. It was used by sailors and crew to escape. The family soldiers of the Monolith Corps found it difficult to control the balance of these small boats, and they could easily capsize if the waves were slightly stronger. Furthermore, the soldiers were all fully armed and heavy. Once they fell into the water, they would sink straight to the bottom. Even the driftwood lifeboats were useless. Now, the Monolith Corps has submitted a request to improve the landing boats and lifeboat equipment … "
Fatty Shi opened the folder in his hand and took out a piece of kraft paper to pass to Laurist.
Laurist stood up with a heavy expression. He had been careless. He had planned for the landing operation, but he had not prepared for it. For example, the lifeboats on a ship had a flat bottom and were very weak against wind and waves. They would capsize if the waves were strong. It was fine if they were sailors and crew members. They all knew how to swim, and the training of the navy included this lifeboat program. There had never been any accidents because the boat could be flipped over.
However, this was a landing operation. Most of the family soldiers of the Monolith Corps did not know how to swim. They were wearing standard equipment and weapons, and the boat was like a huge piece of metal when it capsized. Eighteen family soldiers were gone just like that. Laurist felt very regretful when he thought about it. There was also the driftwood lifeboat. It was a piece of light wood that could float on the water like a pillow. Usually, when someone fell into the water, they would be thrown to him to catch them and float on the surface of the water, waiting for rescue. But at this time, the family's soldiers were sinking to the bottom of the sea. Even if they threw a piece of driftwood, they wouldn't be able to catch them in time!
Laurist picked up a quill and drew a picture of a lifejacket and a lifebuoy on a blank piece of paper. "Send this to the Iron Stove Castle production base. Have Manager Camora order people to work on it. Life vests are made by stuffing small pieces of driftwood into the vest, and this life buoy is made of driftwood. It's worn around the waist so that it won't sink. "
With the life jacket and buoy, he didn't have to worry about falling into the water for the time being. But what about the landing ship? If a wing could be inserted under the bottom of the boat into the sea, it would certainly prevent the boat from capsizing. But then, landing became a problem. The gondola could rush up to the beach in one go, but if there was an extra wing under the gondola, it would not be able to get close to the beach. The landing time was set at the end of December. At that time, it would be suicidal for the family soldiers to wade ashore. No one could withstand the temperature of the sea, and they would definitely freeze to death.
Right, if they couldn't add a wing under the gondola, they could add plates on both sides of the gondola. Increasing the surface area of the gondola would also prevent it from capsizing. A thought flashed through Laurist's mind. He had an idea. He first drew on the paper the shape of a flat-bottomed landing ship, and then drew a stick straddling the ship. The two ends of the stick were two large flat plates pressed against the surface of the sea. A small boat had three of these sticks with large plates at each end, and the space between them would not hinder the rowing of the oars.
"Alright, that's it. These three poles are movable and won't affect the transport of the gondola. Put the gondola into the sea and install the three poles before boarding the soldiers. This way, the boat won't capsize easily. Send someone to Oxhorn Bay Shipyard and have them build a few gondolas for Bofinger to test. At the same time, send a few craftsmen over. If there's anything that needs to be improved, we can make changes on the spot. "Laurist handed the paper to Fatty Shi.
Fatty Shi nodded and took out another document from the folder. "Sir, this is the report from the Hunter Cavalry Regiment. Knight Josk and Knight Yuri have already selected more than 28,000 soldiers who are good at riding horses from the various corps and garrison teams. They have already formed the first Hunter Cavalry Regiment of 15,000 people. They are divided into five battalions of 3,000 people each. They are divided into four battle brigades, one chariot and ballista brigade, and one logistics brigade. They have 5000 war horses, 100 ballista chariots, and 100 four-wheeled cargo trucks. The second Hunter Cavalry Regiment is currently being formed, and they are currently recruiting soldiers in the family territory. "
"Huh?" Laurist asked curiously. "Why are the Hunter Cavalry Regiment equipped with chariots and ballistas? They are responsible for fast and agile guerrilla warfare. Won't it slow them down if they are equipped with chariots and ballistas? "
Fatty Shi looked at the document and said, "Sir, Knight Josk said that this is to protect the logistics of the Hunter Cavalry Regiment. It is to prevent the enemy from attacking the place where their rations and horses are located. If the people don't have food, they can find a way to make do. But if they don't have enough horses, the Hunter Cavalry Regiment will be finished. "
Laurist thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright. Since Josk and Yuri are in charge of forming the Hunter Cavalry Regiment, I will trust their judgment. We can order the Camorra to allocate these ballista chariots to them."
"One more thing. Josk and Yuri submitted a joint request yesterday. They want us to confirm the long-range weapons and standard equipment used by the Hunter Cavalry Regiment so that they can train the First Hunter Cavalry Regiment as soon as possible so that they can be used in battle. They believe that the current standard equipment of the family soldiers is not suitable for the use of the Hunter Cavalry Regiment. They hope that the family can provide lighter and more durable standard armor. "
"I understand. There is no need for them to destroy it. Master Sid and Master Fallin will bring the samples here this afternoon. Come take a look in the afternoon. I have already ordered El to send a letter to Josk and Yuri, asking them to come as well. "Laurist asked," Is there anything else? "
Fatty Shi picked up another document and said, "Sir, this is the official report submitted by Spear Spear. Our family has been spending money like water for the past two years. Last year, we spent nearly three million gold fords to reorganize the 20 guard battalions. We also spent nearly one million gold fords to relocate the freed slaves to the north and develop the Tai Chuan Plains in the west of the north. Including some additional expenses, our family overspent by nearly five million gold fords last year.
Even though we can earn five million gold fords from the arms deal with the Fisablon Family this year, you have allocated one million gold fords to Master Sid and the gunpowder laboratory for research and development, two million gold fords to purchase battleships for the Sea Legion, and other gifts for daily necessities and arms. The compensation and rewards amount to almost one million gold fords. Almost all of the profits from the arms deal with the Fisablon Family have been spent.
Now we have to build a new Hunting Cavalry Legion, which is estimated to cost no less than three million. Also, the war against the Madras Principality that you are preparing to launch will cost no less than one million gold fords. Including the cost of helping the Kenneth Family and the Shahin Family to exchange their territories, it will also cost one million gold fords. In addition, we have to support the establishment of the Dawn College in the north and other miscellaneous expenses. It is estimated that we will overspend by another six million gold fords this year.
That is why Chief Spear has specially sent this document to remind us not to be so extravagant. Even if we destroy the Haneabada Kingdom and take over the slave kingdom's decades of savings of up to 27 million gold fords, our family will be out of money again in two or three years if you continue to spend like this, sir … "
Laurist laughed disapprovingly. "Chief Spear is always like this. She can't wait for the treasury to be filled with gold coins. In fact, you also know that it is impossible to produce small gold coins in the treasury, and there is a high chance that the value of the gold coins will depreciate. Maybe a cow can be bought for five gold fords now, but in a few years, it will cost seven or eight gold fords. Only by letting the gold coins circulate in the market can we earn more gold coins in the future. Spending a lot now doesn't mean that I am spending money recklessly. This is all investment, laying the foundation for the future of our family. "
Fatty Shi smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, this is 27 million gold fords. What you said makes sense, but even if it is an investment, I suspect that your grandson's grandson's generation will not be able to get this money back from the family's territory. In fact, if we don't build a new legion for new development or start a war, our family's income and expenditure for the past two years has been very good. If we save a little, we may have a net profit of more than a hundred thousand gold fords.
One more thing, sir, our family implements the policy of hiding wealth from the people. Currently, the family only collects 40% of the taxes from the developed Fengle Plain, Xingan Plain, Red River Plain, and North Sea City. The families of the local garrisons collect 30% of the taxes, and the families of the family soldiers and administrative officials collect 20% of the taxes. The family knights collect 10% of the taxes. Although there are still some leftovers after offsetting the administrative expenses, it doesn't help with the huge military expenses of the family's armed forces.
Currently, the military expenses of the family's armed forces mainly rely on the trading of various workshops and workshops run by the family, benefiting from the large amounts of snow salt and daily necessities purchased from our family by the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce, which are dumped on the Fisablon territory and the Iberian Kingdom. But as you said, once the Fisablon Family opens the trade route to the four central duchies, it will obviously reduce its dependence on the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce for material purchases and supplies. At that time, I'm afraid that the huge military expenses of the family's armed forces will become a burden …
Sir, Chief Steward Spear has made a suggestion. She wants to raise all the taxes in the family's territory by 10%, and increase the family's 30% shares in the private workshops and shops to 50%. The small snack bars and small grocery stores that originally only collected 10% tax should be raised to 30% tax. Compared to the 60% to 70% tax of other nobles, even if we raise it, it will still be very kind to them. And this way, we will earn more than 300,000 gold fords every year, which is almost half of the military expenses of the family armed forces. "
Laurist shook his head. "Raising the tax rate is the stupidest idea. There are many ways to get gold coins out of the pockets of the commoners. Leave Chief Steward Spear's official report here. I will write him a reply when I have time. He is concerned about the family's expenses and his suggestions for extorting confessions are very worthy of my thanks, but I can't take his suggestion because it will lose the trust and loyalty of the commoners in our family territory. "
"Alright then, I'll go out and get someone to do what Sir has instructed. See you in the afternoon. "Fatty Shi turned and left.
…
At noon, Delia had lunch with the pregnant Delia. She was already six months pregnant, and her belly was very big. The apothecary who came to check on her said that it was likely to be twins, so she needed more nutrition. Now, this young aunt of the Dena Family had become extremely plump, almost twice her previous size. Apart from the change in her figure, she was also very sleepy, yawning as she went to take a nap right after lunch.
As for Miss Dena, because she had successfully advanced to the silver rank, she happily dragged her younger sister Miss Dena to Nicole Academy to visit her younger brother. She was going to hold a ceremony there to make herself the female knight of the Dena Family and the acting head of the family. When her younger brother turned 18, she would hand over the power of the head of the family. It would probably be a while before they returned to Monolith Castle.
Laurist also went to take a nap. After waking up, he went to the study. An hour later, Schwald came in to report that Master Sid and Master Fallin's carriages had arrived. Knight Josk and Knight Yuri were also waiting in the reception room downstairs.
"Let them go to the reception room on the third floor. It's connected to the back of the mountain, and there's a huge square there. If Master Sid and Master Fallin brought long-range crossbows, we can use them there to see if Josk and Yuri are satisfied. Also, call Knight Shredder over to test it together, "Laurist said.
"Yes, Sir."
Soon, everyone was gathered in the reception room on the third floor of the central castle. This time, Master Sid and Master Fallin had brought three large boxes. The first box contained a set of steel chain armor. It was completely different from the standard armor that the Norton family was currently equipped with. The helmet of this set of steel chain armor was shaped like a bamboo hat, like a round pointed shield.
Master Sid explained, "Sir, you said that the hunting cavalry needed light and sturdy equipment. I also asked many of our family's soldiers who had served as light cavalry scouts, and adopted their suggestions to design this set of hunting cavalry standard equipment. Since our family's newly formed Hunting Cavalry will be the imaginary enemy of the Fisablon Family's Rangers, and the standard equipment of the Rangers is also produced by our family, this set of Hunting Cavalry's standard equipment has been improved according to the characteristics of the Rangers. Compared to the standard equipment of the 103 Hunting Cavalry sold to the Fisablon Family, this set of Hunting Cavalry's standard equipment is lighter, more flexible, sturdier, and stronger in defense.
The main attack methods of hunting cavalry and rangers are mid-range and long-range attacks. Rangers often dismount from their horses when they are a hundred meters away from their enemies, use their longbows to fire three consecutive shots, and then mount their horses and gallop away. This is their main method of harassment. Mid-range attacks are the stone crossbows, which have an effective range of fifty meters. For close-range attacks, they use javelins and flying axes. Therefore, the hunting cavalry's main defense is the ranger's long-range attacks, and not the spearmen of our family who charge and kill.
The armor with the strongest defense against long-range attacks is chainmail. We used steel wire to create this set of samples. Its defense against long-range attacks is even stronger than plate armor, especially this conical hat style helmet. As long as it is pressed against the head, the projectile shot from the longbow will be rendered useless. It can even be used as a shield to defend oneself in close combat. As for this steel wire chain mail armor, there's also a set of black demonic cow leather armor on the outside. Not only does it increase defense, it can also keep the wearer warm and provide cover.
Apart from this, we also designed a steel wire vest for the warhorses, which provides the necessary protection for the mounts. The weight of the entire set of equipment and the vest is one-fifth lighter than the standard equipment for the 103 cavalry of the Fisablen Family. This ensures that the weight and durability of the mounts can be maximized. In addition, we have standardized the saddles, stirrups, and other accessories on the warhorses, making them more durable, lighter, and more durable than the old-fashioned saddles and stirrups you are using now … "
"Very good." Laurist nodded in approval. "Thank you for your efforts, Master Sid, Master Fallin. I'm very satisfied with this set of hunting cavalry equipment. You've all thought it through, but can your production keep up? "
Hearing Laurist's praise, Master Sid was very happy. "Of course, my lord. These steel wires are now drawn using hydraulic machinery. I've designed a new set of machinery that can easily snap the steel wires and buckle them into a ring shape. Apart from the fact that weaving requires manpower, it's not troublesome. I estimate that a thousand people can produce a thousand sets a day. "
"Alright, then the hunting cavalry will use this set of equipment. I'll instruct Manager Camora to arrange manpower to complete the army's needs as soon as possible. However, Master Sid, have you finished designing the long-range weapons for the hunting cavalry? I hope that the hunting cavalry will have a long-range weapon that can completely defeat the ranger cavalry. Only then will we have a higher chance of defeating the ranger cavalry. "Laurist asked.
"Hehe, my lord, please come over and admire the masterpiece that Master Fallin and I have spent a lot of effort to design." Master Sid opened the second large chest, and Master Fallin took out a strange-looking crossbow.
"My lord, this is the Crossbow, the new long-range weapon!"
… …
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