Volume 1: The Rise of Elanhill Chapter 0016 Lobbying
These two points are now clearly revealed, putting the rapidly developing city of Seris in an awkward situation: talents related to smelting have to go to the mechanical department to help, and the scammers who used to be in charge of alchemy have now become guests of honor in the chemistry department...
Even in this situation, the simple arsenal in Seris City was still working overtime to produce the weapons requested by Chris. The most important product was the improved 75mm caliber infantry howitzer. This weapon was not considered advanced and did not require high processing precision.
"The new 75mm caliber howitzers are being equipped to the troops. The Seris Arsenal has already produced a new cannon and is just waiting for you to come back." When it comes to weapons and equipment, Smith knows everything about them because he is not only a consultant to the steel plant, but also one of the chief engineers of the arsenal.
This also proves from another aspect that Seris is short of talent in industrial equipment nowadays - this Smith engineer is in charge of almost one-tenth of the machine tool production equipment...
"What's holding back our development is not steel production or any other reason, but the lack of talent." The engineer sighed with some regret: "Before you left, I had to tutor 50 people every night to learn industrial knowledge, but most people still didn't quite understand it."
"It's already pretty good. It took me 12 years to learn from being a blacksmith's apprentice to becoming a real blacksmith." When Smith thought of his apprenticeship experience, he felt that it was a sea of suffering.
He is one of the most outstanding craftsmen trained by Chris, and one of the chief engineers of Seris Industrial Group. Having received education and having a lot of smelting experience, he now participates in the research of Chris's new equipment almost every day.
"Do you know how fast our technology is updating now? According to the drawings left by Lord Chris, we have developed the artillery technology to the second generation." Smith finished talking about his past, proudly stretched out his fingers and gestured with a two: "The new howitzer is lighter and smaller in size!"
The 90mm cannon from the World War I era was technologically obsolete. Before it could be popularized in the army, it was completely eliminated by Seris's new technology.
At this rate of development, by the time Chris returns to Seris from Ferry City, the World War I technology cannons equipped on his main force will only be able to equip the second-line troops.
And if he wanted, he could probably use electric lights and telegraphs directly at that time...
"Lord Clark! Ceris is truly the victim! We were ambushed by Maine and Ferry, and we fought back to achieve the tragic victory!" In the hall with carved beams and painted buildings, Strid pleaded humbly.
Every candle here is a carefully crafted luxury item, and every candlestick here is filled with an artistic atmosphere. The cold marble floor is flat and smooth, and the patterns on it are even exquisite.
The Prime Minister's residence of the Alante Empire was definitely not comparable to a small city lord's residence in the countryside. Although it could not be built into a fortress, every detail here was luxurious, making Strid feel ashamed.
The old man sitting in the first seat had a face full of wrinkles. He held a wine glass in one hand, while the other hand was held in the palm of a young girl, who was carefully trimming her nails.
The old man's lips opened and closed slightly, and he said in a calm tone: "No matter what you say, it's useless. The Empire will immediately send a new city lord to the two places. If Seris cooperates, then nothing will happen. If Seris does not cooperate, then he will be an enemy of the Empire."
His voice echoed throughout the hall, as if several people were speaking at the same time. It had an ethereal feeling, and was filled with majesty and arrogance.
"My lord! We are truly the victims! Now that we have occupied Maine and the ferry, we are willing to pay taxes for both places! My lord, please do something for the city of Seris!" Strid appealed in a sad voice.
The Prime Minister of the Empire, Clark, was unmoved. He squinted his eyes and looked at the gold coins in the box in front of him. He picked up the wine glass and shook it twice, and said disdainfully: "I will accept these gold coins with pleasure. You don't have to bring them back and forth."
Hearing that he couldn't even take the gold coins back, Strid felt even more upset. He knelt on the ground and begged, "Please think twice, Prime Minister! Seris shed blood and sacrificed for the empire. If Mayne and other places invade again, we..."
"You keep saying the same two sentences over and over again. I'm tired. You can leave now!" Clark drank the wine in the glass and told the waiter beside him.
"My lord, Seris is willing to pay 4,500 gold coins in taxes and tributes to the two places every year! My lord!" Strid raised his head and seized the last opportunity to speak in a sad voice.
Clark sneered and waved his hand: "With such a small amount of tax, are you trying to get rid of beggars? Get out of here! You are asking for your own death!"
How could the empire care about paying an extra 1,500 gold coins every year? Moreover, these 1,500 gold coins had to be paid into the treasury, and had nothing to do with him as the prime minister.
In short, although the Lord of Seris City has the strategic vision to win over the Alante Empire, he has too few chips in his hand - Seris has no chips that can impress the Alante Empire, so it is impossible for him to swallow the fat fruits of victory.
As for going against Alante's will? Prime Minister Clark didn't even think about it - Alante had a million troops, and it would be easy for him to crush a small city lord.
Strid was "escorted" out of Prime Minister Alante's residence by the guards. As he was pushed out of the door, he looked at his subordinates waiting outside, lowered his head, not knowing what to do.
He spent all the gold coins he brought, but failed to complete the task assigned to him by the city lord Chris. This was a shameful and painful thing.
The next problem is the most difficult. Alante will send a new city lord to take over Mayne and the ferry. Seris's victory will become meaningless. The danger of the Four Wars will continue. The city lord's ambition will become a joke...
I am too embarrassed to see anyone! With a long sigh in his heart, Strider remained silent in frustration, but at this moment he suddenly heard a familiar voice: "Hey? Isn't this Mr. Strider? Why are you here?"
Hearing someone calling him, Strider looked up and saw the young man in front of him. He immediately bent down and greeted him, "Mr. Des... I... I am here to do some work under the order of my master."
"Seeking help from Prime Minister Clark?" Des chuckled twice, then looked at Strider's gloomy face and said with a smile: "It's not cheap to enter this gate. I guess Mr. Strider's request was not completed?"
"Yes, the Prime Minister did not agree to our request..." Strid grabbed this last straw and said, "But this is very important to us."
“Tell me about it!” Des took two steps forward and moved closer to Strid.
Strid whispered something in Des's ear for several minutes. Des's eyes lit up. "You mean... Mayne, and the ferry?"
"Yes!" Strid nodded and admitted, "Yesterday, the carrier pigeon caught up with my team. My lord... has already entered the ferry."
"Ha!" Des laughed excitedly, then reached out and patted Strid's shoulder. He grinned and said, "Leave everything here to me. Since Lord Chris gave me such a surprise, I naturally have to give Lord Chris a gift in return! Wait for me here!"
After saying that, he walked into the Prime Minister's residence with his hands behind his back. The guards at the door seemed not to see such a gorgeously dressed young man walking in, and no one came up to stop him.
"Des! I know the Longtate family is wealthy and powerful, but aren't you meddling too much ?" When Prime Minister Clark heard that Des, who came to visit him, was also here to inquire about the wars in Maine Ferry and other places, he scolded with an unhappy look on his face.
After a pause, he continued with a majestic tone: "Besides, you yourself cannot represent the Longtite family, right? Interfering in the empire's political affairs, don't you think you are a little ignorant of the situation?"
"Mr. Clark!" Des was not from the countryside, and the extravagance in front him had no effect on him. He smiled and waited for Clark to finish speaking, then took out a piece of paper and handed it forward: "I know your time is not cheap, but we can talk slowly."
A maid walked up to Des and took the gleaming brown paper. She was shocked by the number on it. Then the maid lowered her head and placed the large gold certificate commonly used by the upper class of the empire on the table next to Prime Minister Clark.
Clark glanced at the number above, and saw the word "ten thousand" after the five, and a smile appeared on his cold face: "The Longtate family is indeed rich enough to rival a country. This prime minister is willing to talk more with the young people. You all go down!"
After dismissing the attendants, the hall seemed much more empty. Des finally spoke, "The border war was instigated by me. So, does your Excellency not find it strange now?"
"The Longtate family intervened in the war between Seris, Maine and the ferry? What do you want?" The prime minister gestured to Des to find a seat and answered.
"Benefits!" Des leaned back in his chair and chose a comfortable posture to answer: "Mayne invaded Seris and wanted weapons and equipment! Seris wanted to resist Mayne's attack and also wanted weapons and equipment. No matter who wins, the Longtate family will get the benefits."
