Volume 1: Raging Waves City Chapter 162: Society
Since the beginning of this small group meeting, Councillor Ibul has been very careful, fearing that he would say the wrong thing. After all, as a businessman and politician, he has a large share of the smuggling in Nutao City. If the princess is going to crack down on smuggling this time, not only will his own interests be damaged, but if he is investigated in the future, even if he can save his life, he will inevitably suffer.
This time, Inspector Meteor said he could open a smuggling channel for his own people, which gave Congressman Ibel a reassurance.
Who does the smuggling protection money go to?
It is said to be for His Majesty, but it must first pass through the hands of Her Royal Highness the Princess. Only after the Princess takes the money can the people below do their work with confidence.
Councillor Ibel, who was used to the money-and-power trade, found his own adaptation zone. He immediately became more energetic and assured Luke: "Inspector, don't worry... Just leave it to me to persuade the other two councillors."
Viscount Iscolane said: "Those two MPs may not necessarily side with us just by lobbying, so we still need to put some necessary pressure on them.
The inspector has recruited a group of Naga pirates and is also planning to build a fleet. He should be preparing to set up a maritime anti-smuggling fleet."
this……
To be precise, it should be a smuggling fleet, but if you insist that it is an anti-smuggling fleet, I cannot deny it.
"Yes, I know I can't hide it from the Viscount. The anti-smuggling work in Nutao City was originally under the jurisdiction of the city security department, but the original anti-smuggling fleet has been abandoned, and the few broken ships are too slow to go out to sea to fish.
Maritime anti-smuggling efforts must start anew, and the original team cannot be used again.
As soon as I arrived at the Cape, I contacted the Naga Queen of Fishbone Island, Lady Tasia. The pirates of Fishbone Island have not committed any serious crimes, and the Naga tribe on Fishbone Island is also facing serious survival problems. I have reached a cooperation and development agreement with Lady Tasia to build a fleet in the name of Yanyang Trade Group, and currently there are 36 ships of various types.
I plan to purchase another 100 to 200 small speedboats, and when the time is right, I will convert this fleet into an anti-smuggling fleet directly under the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau, specializing in combating maritime smuggling."
Mrs. Michelle and Councillor Ibel were shocked again.
Collaboration with the Naga pirates was the crime that Virgil gave to Meteorite Detective Chang'an. When the Cape District Secret Service attacked the North City Mining District, many people saw a large number of Nagas appear in the Secret Service's team.
Now, after Viscount Iscolan's explanation, they finally understood...it turned out that Inspector Meteorite recruited pirates in order to establish a maritime anti-smuggling fleet.
There are strong ships and powerful guns on the sea and Nagas underwater. Anyone who wants to smuggle must consider whether his ship can get out of this big net before entering or leaving the port.
Mrs. Michelle said: "My husband's mechanical laboratory can design a speedboat for the inspector's anti-smuggling fleet. The speedboat is fully steam-powered. Although it consumes a lot of energy, it does not need to consider the problem of resupply when used in the near sea."
Councillor Ibrahim then said, "Leave the task of shipbuilding to me. My shipyard can deliver 100 ships of less than 100 tons in just three months . The money for shipbuilding can be put on the account first, and the inspector can pay it when he has money... or it can be deducted from future taxes."
Luke didn't expect that with just a few words, he would get himself a hundred steam-powered speedboats. However, this kind of speedboat cannot be used for ocean voyages, and the sideline of his anti-smuggling fleet is anti-smuggling.
Smuggling is the main business.
"Can your shipyard build large, all-metal, all-steam-powered ships?"
Councillor Ibel was stunned for a moment. Apparently he had not expected that Inspector Meteorite would want this kind of ship.
"Inspector, all-metal, all-steam-powered ships are definitely the future development trend of ships, but there are still many technical problems that cannot be solved. Although my shipyard is also researching this type of ship, it will not be able to build it in the next few years.
I heard that the Imperial Royal Shipyard has built a test ship that weighs 5,000 tons, but due to power problems, its speed can't even reach 7 knots.
If it is a large wooden ship with full steam power and metal dome armor, my shipyard can build it."
Luke, knowing that all-metal battleships would soon appear, had no interest in wooden ships.
It just so happened that he had a battleship DIY guide on his mobile phone, which he could use now.
The so-called DIY Battleship Strategy is a guide to making your own ships compiled by a group of players who love naval battles in Anno. In order to improve this guide, they traveled all over the shipyards and research and development institutions related to ships in the Anno world, and recorded and integrated the technologies and manufacturing capabilities they had in different time periods.
The fun of this group of naval warfare players is to gather the best technologies of all maritime nations and build the strongest warships of their own.
For fun, they even designed the world's first all-metal, all-steam-powered battleship in the era.
Although this DIY warship named "Unit-01" had very poor performance in all aspects, it appeared two years earlier than the real ironclad warships in the Anno World. During these two years, "Unit-01" was absolutely the overlord of the ocean.
Unit-01: Fully steam-powered, all-metal battleship
Full load displacement: 2894 tons
Length: 59.99 meters, Width: 12.19 meters
Power: 2 coal-fired horizontal 2-cylinder steam engines produced by the Als Federation, 4 round coal-fired boilers produced by the Kingdom of Nago, and a speed change assembly from the Ego Emirate. Dual-shaft propulsion, 2,400 horsepower, 10.5 knots, 50 mm thick armored deck, 200 mm thick armored waterline.
Armament: 1 240mm front main gun, 2 150mm secondary guns, 2 57mm guns produced by Jindun Empire Heavy Industries. 4 18-inch torpedo tubes produced by the Kaiti Republic.
Luke didn't know whether the "Unit-01" could be DIYed in the real era world, but the materials for assembling the battleship could be bought now. It all depended on the integration and redesign capabilities of the shipyard in the hands of Senator Ibul.
"Our Secret Service is actually also secretly developing ironclad ships." Luke's words aroused everyone's interest: "But unlike the Imperial Royal Shipyard that develops warships on its own, we mobilize spies around the world to spy on the progress of ironclad ship research in various maritime countries.
Then there is an assembly list. Now countries do not have strict restrictions on this type of technology and equipment, most of which are produced by private factories or laboratories and can be bought with money.
I will give you the equipment purchase list, which contains detailed equipment specifications and performance data. You order according to the list, build the ship according to the hull design I give you, and then install these equipment.
As long as we prove that the performance of this warship meets the requirements, we will purchase a large number of equipment before other countries discover and restrict exports. By then... we will have the world's strongest anti-smuggling fleet at sea."
The three of them didn't know what kind of smuggling ship needed to be dealt with by such a powerful anti-smuggling fleet. But they knew that with such an ironclad ship in hand, it might not be able to do anti-smuggling work.
Now that the Princess has such a powerful fleet that is unique in the world, His Majesty has to consider the contribution that his daughter can make to the empire.
But is it reliable to buy equipment from everywhere and assemble them into warships?
These are not toy blocks!
Ibel asked, "This is a very large sum of money."
Mrs. Michelle said, "My husband's laboratory can provide assistance. As long as there is no problem with the performance of the equipment, slight assembly deviations can be corrected using alchemy. For such a epoch-making warship, no matter how high the cost is, it is worth a try.
I believe that when this battleship sails on the sea outside the city of Raging Waves, there will be no more voices in this city opposing us."
Viscount Iscolan also said: "I agree with this attempt... Of course, it also depends on the capabilities of Councillor Ibrahim's shipyard."
"There is absolutely no problem with the capabilities of my shipyard." Ibul did not allow any doubts about the quality of his factory. "Leave the assembly of this battleship to me . I will personally organize the best engineers and shipbuilders. As long as there is no problem with the drawings and equipment, I can build it.
Inspector, what is the name of this battleship?
"Unit-01..." Luke continued the name given to this DIY battleship by the players, and comforted Ibul: "I will pay for the construction of this battleship in full. Just build it. No matter what it looks like... I want it.
Now you all know what I have done to combat smuggling in Raging Tide City. What can you do for Her Royal Highness the Princess?"
Luke returned to the original topic and looked at Viscount Iscolan.
You have interpreted everything that this inspector has done, it's time for you to reveal some of your own information.
Viscount Iscolan replied: "I think I can take on the security work. The Iscolan family has some influence in the city of Raging Tide. I can also win over some members of the Brotherhood and provide protection for you based on the Assassin's Tavern. I can also conduct intelligence gathering.
As we get closer and closer, our opponents may use any means. With the ability to counterattack, when they consider using assassination and other means to deal with us, they will also be afraid that we have the same means of retaliation. "
Iskoran functions are indispensable in this group.
The capabilities of the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau are a disgrace to the name of the Secret Intelligence Bureau. The only person the entire Secret Intelligence Bureau can come up with on the intelligence and security fronts is Thomas, which is obviously not enough.
The Iscolan family is the local boss of Nutao City. Their security protection is real security protection, and their security deterrence is also real security deterrence. If the new nobles don't want to risk their lives, they must abide by the rules of the game of this fight and don't resort to assassination.
Viscount Iscolan was the cornerstone of the security of this small group.
"Viscount Iscolan is an indispensable member of our team." Luke nodded and looked at Councillor Ibel.
Councillor Ibul said quickly: "I am a member of the Nutao City Council and the head of the city's finance and taxation department. I am a famous entrepreneur and philanthropist... I own four fleets, five factories, and an entire commercial street..."
Luke stopped him from continuing: "Councilman Ibel is an indispensable member of our team."
Madam Michelle said, “I am a member of the Parliament of Raging Waves City. Although I don’t have the family background of Viscount Iscolan or the wealth of Councillor Ibel, I believe that my brain can help our group.
Besides, Miss Qingkong and I are very good friends. Miss Qingkong's strength and charm can bring us a lot of convenience. I think Inspector Meteorite is very clear about this."
Mrs. Michelle knew that compared with Viscount Iskolan and Councillor Ibel, she had very little to offer, so she could only bring out Qingkong.
"Yes, we are lucky to have Miss Qingkong on our side. The abilities that Mrs. Michelle has demonstrated during this period have made you an indispensable member of our group." Luke finally said, "Now I declare... the establishment of the Raging Waves City Innovation Society. Kaileena, send the founding declaration of our Innovation Society to everyone."
"Yes, Inspector." Kalina, who was standing behind Luke, took out documents from her shoulder bag and distributed them to the three people.
Mrs. Michelle and Councilman Ibel have already received a notice from Luke, which is to establish a reformist faction that is different from the old system of Raging Waves City.
This time, he officially named the Reform Society and took out its program, which means he is preparing to make the society bigger and stronger. This must be the instruction of Her Royal Highness the Princess, who is secretly cultivating her own team and has obvious intentions to compete for the crown prince. The two of them looked at the founding declaration of the Reform Society with joy, thinking that they were one of the elders of the entire political group.
One step closer to becoming a cabinet minister.
Viscount Iscolan had just returned and it was the first time he heard the name of the Reform Society. He looked at the document handed to him curiously and was immediately attracted by the content.
At the same time, he couldn't help but ask Luke: "Inspector, what are the requirements for joining our Reform Society?"
Luke said: "Our Reform Society is open to everyone, not just officials, even the poor, as long as they understand our program and are willing to fight , we will accept them. But if you want to truly become a member of the Reform Society, you must have a higher level of awareness...
First, there must be two official members of the Reform Society as introducers, and second, there must be a spirit of dedication to the society.
Be loyal to the empire and the community, actively learn, and follow the trend of the times. Use new ideas and new technologies to lead the city of Raging Tide along a new development path.
Our Innovation Society is not a political society, but a society of thought and philosophy, a society of literature and art, and a society of technological innovation..."
But in the ears of Viscount Iscolan, Councillor Ibr and Lady Michelle, this is a political society. And it is a society that intends to include all social classes. You must know that the various existing groups in the empire have their own small circles. The members of the Blade Brotherhood are mainly hereditary nobles; the main body of the Cross Foundation is the new nobles; the sisterhood founded by Lady Michelle cannot even enter the hall without a certain status.
And the Innovation Society actually has such a standard ... The eldest princess is going to play a big one this time!
