"How many ships are you planning to buy?"
They had no choice but to buy ships. The Oxhorn Bay Shipyard could produce at most seven ships per year. Currently under construction were two whaling ships and a three-masted sailing warship designed personally by
Next, the family also needed a powerful armed fleet to safeguard the surrounding waters. These were the family's maritime territories, and although they hadn't yet encountered enemies like pirates, the family needed preventive security measures. The three-masted sailing warship nearing completion was an experiment in long-range offensive naval vessels. Over the next two years, the plan was to assemble a small fleet of five warships to escort the family's maritime transport and ocean development efforts.
With this, the Oxhorn Bay Shipyard's construction schedule was already packed to the brim. Although there were plans to also build a shipyard on Shilovas Island, that facility was primarily designated for constructing small coastal fishing boats and small cargo merchant vessels, as well as performing repairs on the family's large fishing boats and warships. In terms of timeline, the Shilovas Island shipyard would need at least two more years before showing initial results.
After Lorist arrived at Shilovas Island, he had managed to capture six seagoing vessels — all belonging to the noble children who had occupied the Wanghai Estate, plus one that Viscount Yasan had requisitioned to Shilovas Island for tax collection. They all became Lorist's war spoils. Two smaller ones were converted into ferry boats between Shilovas Island and Qilin Port, while the remaining four seagoing vessels, together with two whaling ships, formed a small cargo fleet between Oxhorn Bay and Shilovas Island.
Developing Shilovas Island required substantial support from the family's mainland territories, which meant possessing a large cargo fleet. With the family owning only the Oxhorn Bay Shipyard, purchasing cargo vessels was the only viable option. And the shipyards surrounding Hidden Gold Bay in
"I'm not sure yet. I'll look into the prices once we reach Morant City and decide then," Lorist replied.
"That's another massive expenditure. The family's finances aren't looking good!" Fatty Shi sighed.
As the former chief steward of the
However, Lorist had invested all those funds into developing the family's territories and enhancing the combat capabilities of the family's armed forces. Resisting the magical beast tide, resettling refugees, and developing Fengleyuan and Xing'anyuan had consumed nearly a million gold Forde coins. The subsequent investment in developing the Black Mud Swamp in the family's territory was projected to require another million gold Forde coins. Additionally, the Oxhorn Bay Shipyard, the
Regarding the development of Shilovas Island, after deliberation Lorist had finalized the plan — Fatty Shi's development budget came to approximately eight hundred thousand gold Forde coins. Now Lorist wanted to purchase a large number of cargo ships, which were not cheap items. Four to five thousand gold Forde coins per vessel was already considered secondhand pricing. With this, the family's remaining reserves would be around five hundred thousand gold Forde coins, and the family's annual military and administrative expenses approached three hundred thousand gold Forde coins. Fatty Shi was understandably worried.
"Don't worry about the funding," Lorist consoled him with a smile. "The development of Fengleyuan and Xing'anyuan is nearing completion. Based on this year's tax revenue, administrative and garrison expenses are already self-sufficient with some surplus. The processing workshops we established have also begun turning a profit — last year the family earned several thousand gold Forde coins from them, and this year profits are projected to exceed twenty thousand, which is a helpful supplement to the family coffers."
"From an investment perspective, the Black Mud Swamp on our side of the territory is already under our control. The next priority is building the riverside levee and the harbor city, which was planned long ago — funding isn't a concern there. The other major expense is the shipyard, which requires sustained investment, and that's also been arranged for. As for the bases in the Blade Mountain Range, they're already generating substantial profits for the family and don't require large research budgets — spending twenty to thirty thousand a year on their improvements is sufficient."
"The Snow Salt Trading Company, jointly invested in with the three great families, now brings us several tens of thousands in annual returns. As for the family's armed forces, recent years' investments have primarily gone toward forming new Imperial Guard and Naval Battalions. The rest have already completed their equipment upgrades and only need salary maintenance — military spending has decreased by nearly a hundred thousand gold Forde coins. I estimate that by next year, revenue from Fengleyuan and Xing'anyuan alone will be enough to cover the family's military expenses and the entire administration's costs."
"Impossible..." Fatty Shi shook his head in disbelief. "Even after cutting a hundred thousand, annual military and administrative expenses would still be close to two hundred thousand gold Forde coins. The family territories can't possibly generate that kind of income."
Lorist smiled. "They can. Fengleyuan and Xing'anyuan alone will produce over a hundred thousand gold Forde coins in tax revenue this year, and next year it will be even more."
"Besides, it's not like we're only spending without earning. Going to Morant City to buy cargo ships will require a large outlay, but as long as we transport the magical beast pelts accumulated over the years in Northland to Morant City, we can sell them for over a million gold Forde coins. Plus those smoked magical beast jerky and whale meat are all popular goods. We'll earn back the development investment soon enough."
"Right, I forgot we could conduct trade." Fatty Shi slapped his forehead. "But Locke, you returned all those captives to His Highness the
"He should agree. Krisha told me he's been quite troubled by those refugees too — every month he has to spend large quantities of grain to feed the refugees in the two southwestern provinces. Our recruiting them as laborers would lighten his burden, and he won't stand in our way. In a couple of days, Krisha will bring us the authorization documents, so don't worry," Lorist replied after a moment's thought.
"We've estimated that to complete the preliminary development of Shilovas Island within two years, we need over thirty thousand able-bodied laborers. The current tasks include relocating White Bird Town, expanding the dock area, building defensive walls and facilities, renovating Wanghai Estate, reconstructing seven villages and developing terraced fields, constructing the Naval Battalion and fleet docks, selecting a site for the shipyard, building the fortress castle for the Third Imperial Guard Battalion, and constructing the coastal levee — this whole series of projects requires a sufficient labor force..."
Fatty Shi shook his head and continued, "Developing Shilovas Island requires too much capital investment. Following the family's principle of selecting refugee laborers, we'll recruit those with families. These refugees who come with their dependents will increase our expenses and grain consumption. Locke, while you're buying ships, you should also place large orders for grain as reserves. Once the island's population grows, local production won't be enough..."
Lorist thought for a moment. "I forgot to ask Krisha last time. She said things have been quite good recently — the Andinak Kingdom had abundant harvests. Since taxes can be offset with grain in kind, His Highness the Second Prince has ample grain reserves. I'm thinking we could purchase a batch from him — I believe he'd be very willing. But going forward, we'll also need to stockpile large quantities of grain, the more the better."
"Why?" Fatty Shi asked.
"Simple. His Highness the Second Prince is just waiting for the Third Prince to die. Krisha said the Third Prince won't last more than three months. Once he passes, His Highness will surely launch his campaign to unify the empire. Once war breaks out, if there are any setbacks or defeats, the Andinak Kingdom could also be thrown into turmoil. If the war drags on, I'm afraid it'll be like the years of civil war in the empire — no one will be able to farm in peace. That's when our grain reserves will be used to save those refugees' lives."
"You're really that pessimistic about His Highness? I'd say with three hundred thousand troops, forget unifying the entire empire — sweeping through half of it would be easy enough. And with those fence-sitters joining in, His Highness's momentum will only grow. No one will be able to stop his advance." Fatty Shi couldn't understand why Lorist was always so doubtful about the Second Prince.
"I can't really explain it. It's just an intuition — a vague feeling that His Highness the Second Prince simply won't succeed. I don't know why I think that way. Never mind, let's not talk about this. If His Highness agrees to let us recruit talent and accept refugee laborers in the Imperial Capital, who will you assign to handle it?" Lorist asked.
"When the family's ship comes this time, both Stewards Codan and Hanske will be aboard. I'd like Steward Hanske to stay on the island to help me, and have Steward Codan take Hikde to the Imperial Capital. They can ask Caritoc and Krisha for assistance. As for recruiting refugee laborers, I might go to the two southwestern provinces myself," Fatty Shi replied.
"In that case, I'll have
"Also, handle the grain purchases — negotiate with His Highness the Second Prince on my behalf. And
Lorist patted Fatty Shi on the shoulder, then remembered something. "Oh right, write a letter home to your father and give it to me to take along."
"Why?" Fatty Shi asked.
"To buy glass. Isn't your father a glass distributor? Buying large quantities of glass from him and shipping it by sea to the family territory will reduce freight costs. You know, a piece of green glass that costs just a few copper coins in Morant City ends up costing us a full silver coin once it reaches Northland. Right now, many residents in the family territories still use wooden boards for their windows, so after purchasing the cargo ships, the first goods I plan to procure and transport will be glass." Lorist made his case with great conviction.
Fatty Shi laughed. "Alright, I'll write it tonight and give it to you. When are you leaving?"
"In a couple of days. I need to wait for the family's ship to arrive. This shipment brings five hundred thousand gold Forde coins, along with some magical beast pelts and other sample goods. I'll take a hundred thousand gold Forde coins as a deposit and for purchasing the ships, and leave the remaining four hundred thousand here for you," Lorist said.
...
Three days later, the Flying Fish from Dawn Academy once again set sail, heading south on a long voyage.
The further south they went, the more ships they encountered — small coastal fishing boats of various sizes along the shore, and all manner of small cargo merchant vessels.
The Northland region, or rather the areas south of it, had no organized fleets. The main reason was that there were no good ports along the northern coastline. Qilin Port was already the northernmost known seaport, and its waters were too shallow to accommodate large ocean-going merchant vessels or warships. The small ships operating in the waters to the south mostly belonged to coastal lords who leveraged their geographical advantage to profit from the sea.
Lorist recalled Mr. Tim, whom they had encountered years ago during the caravan's northern journey. This bastard whom Lorist had placed in the position of Viscount Teboli — he wondered how things were going for him now. Before Fatty Shi led the caravan north, he had facilitated cooperation between the Peterson Trading Company and Viscount Teboli's fief, and even helped Mr. Tim establish a garrison battalion. Thinking about it now, things should be going well for him. Perhaps Lorist could also get news about the Peterson Trading Company from him. This trip to Morant City would require President Peterson's strong assistance.
"Head for Viscount Teboli's fief," Lorist ordered.
Seven days later, the Flying Fish from Dawn Academy appeared in the coastal waters of Viscount Teboli's territory. Dolles and Ail had been to the fief with Fatty Shi several times before and quickly located the territory's cargo dock. In the distance, they could see the Teboli family banner flying above the estate castle on the hillside.
Only two small armed cargo vessels were docked at the pier — no large Peterson Trading Company cargo ships. Wilson directed the ship to pull up alongside the dock and anchor.
From the distant estate castle came the sound of horns. Before long, a unit of garrison soldiers rushed over, led by an old knight with a head full of white hair.
"Oh, that's old Kormos. We've dealt with him before," Dolles and Ail called out.
Lorist had heard Tim mention before that old Knight Kormos was the only surviving knight of the Teboli family, though he had never met the old knight in person. The old man must be around sixty by now.
Old Knight Kormos, though aged, still had sharp eyes. He recognized Dolles and Ail, dismounted from his horse with a hearty laugh, embraced each of them in turn, then formally saluted Lorist. However, when he heard that Lorist wanted to see Mr. Tim, he apologized — it was really unfortunate timing. The Viscount and his wife, along with their three children, had sailed with the Peterson Trading Company's fleet to Morant City for the winter.
What? Mr. Tim already had three children? Lorist was quite surprised.
Old Knight Kormos expressed his gratitude, saying that the marriage arranged for Mr. Tim by Lorist was a very happy one. The couple had a wonderful relationship, and over six years had two sons and a daughter. The Viscount's wife was now pregnant again. Thanks to the smooth cooperation with the Peterson Trading Company, Mr. Tim had earned quite a bit of money and had bought a house in Morant City through them.
Because the Viscount's wife loved it there, the couple now spent about half the year in Morant City, returning to the fief only in summer and heading back to Morant City before winter arrived.
Lorist said, "Then forget it. We're heading to Morant City anyway — give me the Viscount's address and I'll visit him there."
Old Knight Kormos wrote down the address and handed it to Lorist. After a moment's thought, he pointed at the swallow-tailed flag bearing the Andinak Kingdom's emblem flying on the Flying Fish and asked, "Your Lordship, are you now a noble of the Andinak Kingdom?"
Lorist nodded. Noting the hesitant expression on old Knight Kormos's face, he asked, "What's wrong?"
"Forgive my presumption, Your Lordship, but you may fly your own family's banner, or even our Teboli family's banner, but I would strongly advise against flying the Andinak Kingdom's flag when entering Morant City. The people there don't like allowing Andinak Kingdom ships into Hidden Gold Bay," old Knight Kormos said.
"Oh..." Lorist looked thoughtful.
...(To be continued.)