Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 590: Night Talk 2
Chapter 590: Night Talk 2
TL: Rui88
“I say, dear brother.”
While his father and brother were talking, Yuriko had been standing aside, fiddling with his emerald-encrusted ring. Now he suddenly interjected, “Since the industries in the Northwest Bay are so profitable, why not…”
A wicked smile appeared on his face. “…have Grayman dedicate his industries to the royal family.”
Hearing this, a playful smile also appeared at the corners of Prince Jassim’s mouth.
However, the expression on his eldest son’s face froze. He silently walked to the window of his room, closed the window that had been open, and then returned to his father and brother.
He asked his brother in a serious tone, “Then why don’t you have Jars the Wolf dedicate his title and territory to the royal family?”
Yuriko made an exaggerated expression and said with a helpless smile, “I’d like to, but Grand Duke Jars has to agree.”
Gerd continued to question him, “Then what makes you think Count Grayman would agree?”
Yuriko waved his arms. “Please, please, if I remember correctly, Paul Grayman is just a count in the Northwest Bay. Oh, of course, for many people, a count is a rather impressive title, but for the royal family, what does a count from a remote corner of the kingdom amount to? How can he be compared to a great lord like Jars with deep roots?”
“My brother,” Gerd shook his head, “when you accompanied me to the Northwest Bay, your observations were merely superficial, spending your days in the taverns of the bustling city and at the balls of the nobility. Just four years ago, most people in Crystal Shine had not even heard of this place. Those who knew of it considered it an incredibly desolate and remote land. Later, due to commercial development, many people came to know of it but regarded it as a place of nouveaux riches. But I must tell you, and those who hold the same view as you, that the Northwest Bay is a place with immense potential, especially Alda. It is a very powerful county. Unlike our usual standards for judging local lords…the size of their territory, the number of their subjects…Alda’s strength lies in its farms and factories. But you insisted that those were places for the lower class and were unwilling to inspect them with me.”
“Oh!” Yuriko was very helpless with his brother’s lecture and covered his forehead with his hand in some distress.
Gerd ignored his brother’s pained expression and continued, “In the Northwest Bay, at least in Alda, the organization of production activities is very strict and efficient. I saw in the factories how the workers worked nervously and orderly. They were divided into workshops or groups, each with its own task. They obeyed and could quickly understand the managers’ orders, operate machines, and cooperate with each other. In many factories, the final product was the result of the combined production of various work groups. The factories of the Northwest Bay are like armies composed of different branches of troops…spearmen, swordsmen and shieldmen, archers, cavalry. The different branches cooperate skillfully in combat to complete the final combat mission. With such organization and workers, it is no wonder that they can continuously produce all kinds of best-selling goods. However, I also saw another side…”
Gerd paused, his expression complicated as he said, “I think with such a tight organization and such high-quality workers, Alda could quickly adapt to a war. Those workers could become excellent soldiers with just a little training. Obedience to management orders and cooperation with others are already part of their daily work. What is even more frightening is that, according to my random inquiries, I believe a large proportion of them are literate. Now think about what the new recruits in our army are like; they can’t even tell left from right. And Alda’s factories, and those farms that are very similar to factories, will continuously provide material support for the army…as far as I know, many of the munitions in the Horn Bay war came from the Northwest Bay.”
After his brother had spoken for a long time, Yuriko said, “Since that’s the case, as you say, we can’t let Grayman grow stronger. While his feathers are not yet full, we should place him under the absolute control of the kingdom or simply…” His hand made a sharp chopping motion in mid-air.
Gerd refuted him, “The consequences of angering Grayman would be severe.”
At this point, his father, Prince Jassim, asked, “How severe?”
Gerd replied, “As far as I know, what Grayman controls is not just Alda. The other two counties, Baylding and Emden, are also under his control. In addition, more than half of the lords in the Northwest Bay are on good terms with Grayman, because Grayman is not one to monopolize everything. He has brought huge benefits to all the lords. And the current Duke of the Northwest, who has the highest status on the surface, also came to power with Grayman’s strong support during the so-called Usurper’s War. Therefore, my judgment is that once Grayman launches a rebellion, the damage he can cause to the kingdom will be no less than that of Jars.”
Prince Jassim sighed. “The decline of the royal family has been going on for a long time, allowing the local lords to become powerful one by one.”
Gerd comforted him, “Father, there is no need to worry. As far as I can see, Grayman is currently loyal to the royal family, and he is very satisfied with his current situation…I mean the territory he rules. As for seizing a higher level of power… he doesn’t seem to have much interest. A person with his kind of power might not find it easy to split the kingdom like Jars, but he could still get the title of Duke of the Northwest for himself. However, the Ferdinand family’s position in the Northwest Bay is currently very stable. Of course, Paul Grayman is not a person who is content with mediocrity, but his ambition is not in politics. He is an outstanding scholar, merchant, and inventor, but not a conspirator and power-monger.”
Prince Jassim nodded and said, “If he is really a person with great power but is just a novice in politics, do you… know what to do?”
Gerd: “Your meaning is?”
Prince Jassim: “Paul Grayman is not yet familiar to the major noble families of Crystal Shine. It seems that only you have had more contact with him.”
Gerd thought for a moment. It was the king who had sent him there in the first place. Who was it that let the king, who never left Crystal Shine, know that Paul Grayman was a person worthy of the royal family’s cooperation? Unable to figure it out, he said, “It seems to be the case at present.”
Prince Jassim said to his eldest son, “Then build a friendship with him. It is best to ensure that his connections with the power circle of Crystal Shine are made through you.”
AN: I apologize for missing yesterday’s update. My child unfortunately caught the virus and has been having recurring fevers. I’ve been busy for two days and a night. Fortunately, his temperature came down this evening and seems to be stable. I hope he doesn’t get a fever again.
I wish everyone a safe and healthy passage through this pandemic.
Chapter 590: Night Talk 2
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