Secure the Gains

With a few men by his side, he sailed on the canal, admiring the natural scenery on both banks, and a sense of "pointing out the landscape and writing passionately" arose spontaneously in his mind.

Unfortunately, the further he went, the less satisfied he became with the canal. At its narrowest point, the water was only about twenty meters wide; at its shallowest point, it was only four meters deep.

A waterway like this is fine for small boats of a few hundred tons to navigate. But if several large boats of one or two thousand tons were to meet on the river, it would probably look like a scene from a country lane where cars have to pass each other.

"Jacob, what's wrong with your Department of Political Affairs? Why didn't it meet the design requirements?"

Hudson angrily questioned.

The canal, built with such a huge investment of manpower, financial resources, and materials, failed to meet expectations. Wasn't this a slap in the face for Lord Hudson?

According to the original plan, this artificial canal, which is more than 200 kilometers long, will be the most navigable canal in the Alpha Kingdom after it is opened to traffic.

Hudson even had a slogan in mind. In the future, this "Swamp Grand Canal" would be a calling card for the Mountain Territory, demonstrating to the outside world the territory's advanced transportation, so that it wouldn't always be seen as a small, rural place.

Unfortunately, plans can't keep up with changes. As things stand, the Swamp Grand Canal's transport capacity is about the same as several other artificial canals within the kingdom, so it can't claim the title of having the largest navigability.

"Your Excellency, we constructed the ship according to the plan. Theoretically, it is fully capable of supporting two giant ships side by side."

However, the water flow in the canal cannot keep up, and even though we have introduced multiple water sources from within our territory, we still cannot achieve the expected results.

However, it's currently the dry season. Once the summer rains are plentiful, the water level will rise and reach the design target.

Jacob explained with a wronged expression.

They dared not take the canal project, which was personally overseen by the lord, lightly. However, some things cannot be solved simply by hard work.

Mountain Territory receive ample rainfall, but even the most abundant rainfall has its limits.

The water flow is limited, so no matter how the canal is built, its maximum capacity is capped.

Theoretically, the Hudson could also be constructed as a stepped canal, with dams built along the way to store water and maintain water levels, and the gates opened at fixed times each day to prevent flooding and allow navigation.

Unfortunately, the technology these days is substandard. Building a few gates is easy, but when it comes to actual operation, no one can guarantee whether they can be opened and closed smoothly.

Looking at the navigation situation along the route, it's clear that apart from the dedicated management agencies at both ends that charge fees, the middle section is completely open to free navigation.

The poor management isn't the Department of Political Affairs's fault; everyone does it this way these days. The management of the Swamp Grand Canal also copied the operating model of other artificial canals in the kingdom.

Hudson also lacked experience in this area, and when it came to specific operations, everyone could only explore and learn as they went.

Copying other people's management models may not be the best choice, but it is the most effective way to build a management system in a short period of time.

"Besides waiting for the rainy season, doesn't the Department of Political Affairs have any other options?"

Hudson continued to inquire.

Clearly, he was still somewhat resentful that the canal's navigation capacity was not as good as expected.

"There is a solution, but it requires a large investment and takes a long time, and there is no guarantee of success."

The Department of Political Affairs plans to widen the canal's tributaries once the entire swamp area is developed. This will facilitate daily irrigation and also allow water accumulated in the Black Stone Mountain Range to be channeled into the canal.

At the current pace of development, it will take us at least five years to complete the transformation of the swamp into farmland. Subsequent water conservancy projects will have to be postponed further.

Given that monsters frequently roam the Black Stone Mountain Range, the Department of Political Affairs is also considering whether to leave some swampy areas as a buffer between the two sides.

These two plans are in direct conflict and are currently under internal discussion; no relevant solutions or feasibility reports have been prepared yet.

Jacob replied seriously.

Hearing this answer, Hudson sighed. There are many unsatisfactory things in the world; to gain something, you have to pay a price in other ways.

Whether or not to get closer to the past and become neighbors with the Warcraft, Hudson himself dared not make a decision easily.

Warcraft creatures have a strong sense of territory, and once they get close enough to each other, a conflict is almost inevitable.

Hudson didn't care about the low-level magical beasts on the outskirts. Anyone who dared to cause trouble would be captured. The females would be used as breeding stock, and the males as mounts.

However, he had to consider the ideas of higher-level magical beasts. According to Beldens, there were quite a few terrifying creatures in the Black Stone Mountain Range.

Hudson's proud bear knew that the monsters inside were not to be trifled with, so he naturally wouldn't want to cause trouble for himself.

Even offending just one of them, let alone all of them, is a huge risk.

If you offend a simpleton like Maxim, that's easier to handle. Just set a few traps and you'll be able to get the beast into trouble.

If you offend a rogue bear like Beldens, who's good at ambushing you, then you'll never have peace again.

I reckon that when it comes to that, Hudson will have to take his monster with him even when he goes to the toilet, otherwise he might die without even knowing why.

"Just handle it normally, at your own pace!"

Now that the canal is open, the next step is to make good use of it to boost the territory's economy.

Your Department of Political Affairs has a heavy workload ahead. Economic development is a long-term process, and in the short term, we can only select industries suitable for the Mountain Territory.

Being backed by the sea is our greatest advantage, and we must make use of it as soon as possible.

More than 90% of the salt circulating in the Southeast Province came from the sea and was monopolized by the Dalton Family.

In the past, our reach couldn't extend to the sea. The vast swamps were a barrier, and even if salt were produced, management and transportation would be a huge problem, leaving us only able to watch others prosper.

The situation is different now. The ocean doesn't belong to the Dalton Family alone. They can extract salt from seawater, and so can we.

The specific salt-making process is detailed in the database within the territory; you can retrieve it using my token.

Besides salt, there is another industry – fisheries.

Don't underestimate the fishing industry; if developed well, it could become another major pillar industry in the territory.

A group of young and strong men were selected from the local population and allowed to practice swimming in the canal. Once they were familiar with the water, they were sent to the nearshore areas to conduct trial fishing.

We have everything in the warehouse: building fishing boats and making various fishing tools. You can find it yourselves.

..."

Hudson's words didn't surprise anyone else, but Jose, standing to the side, was quite shocked.

As an inland noble family, the Coslo Family shouldn't normally possess such obscure information. However, judging from Hudson's tone, his lord not only has it, but also a great many different kinds of information.

Purchased from the royal family?

Just think about it; it's already quite a miracle that the royal family was able to sell the shipyard to the Mountain Territory.

If you're dreaming that someone will sell you all the technology needed to develop their territory, then you're dreaming! Even if the royal family were willing to sell, it would have to be at an astronomical price.

These things are usually accumulated little by little through time and experience.

This is another tacit understanding among the great nobles: deliberately setting up technological barriers to increase the difficulty for emerging nobles to rise to power.

However, considering Hudson's position later in the war, Jose instantly understood. A classic example of getting rich through war.

Thinking of this, he felt endless sorrow. They all went to the battlefield together, but Hudson rose rapidly through the ranks, while he himself fell to the ground.

"Mr. Jose, the port construction and shipyard relocation are now entrusted to you!"

Hudson immediately gave the order.

Port construction is one thing; as long as there is relevant technical data, a group of craftsmen and laborers can be selected and carried out accordingly.

Relocating a shipyard is a troublesome task. It involves not only moving factory buildings, machinery, and shipbuilding raw materials, but also relocating employees and their families.

Originally, everyone was associated with the royal family, but suddenly they had to go and work for a country nobleman. The sense of loss was bound to be significant.

Add to that the reluctance to leave one's homeland, and it's almost inevitable that some people will resist relocation.

Hudson had encountered similar situations many times during previous immigration and relocation processes. However, the immigrants at that time were mostly serfs and lacked the courage to confront their lords directly.

The shipyard craftsmen, though also lacking personal freedom, were still superior to the serfs in terms of vision and knowledge.

Especially those designers, who are all educated and have their own ideas.

If you want people to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to their work in the future, you can't simply solve problems with force; you must appease them when necessary.

If Jose hadn't joined, Hudson would have personally gone over to demonstrate his respect and humility in order to win people's hearts.

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will handle this matter properly."

However, the Berkshire Shipyard doesn't border us; the route passes through the Dalton Family territory, and I'm worried they might sabotage it.

Even if relations have eased, they are still competitors. In particular, the Coslo Family's move towards the ocean has directly led to a clash of interests with the Dalton Family.

It's perfectly normal for unexpected things to happen along the way. The real problem would be if the Dalton Family didn't react.

"Don't worry, Mr. Jose! Governor Pierce is a man who considers the big picture and won't stir up trouble at a time like this."

Besides, I recently gave the Dalton Family a very generous gift, so they wouldn't be so quick to turn their backs on me.

As for underhanded tactics, I'll have Maxim hang around there from time to time to deter those petty thieves.

Hudson said calmly.

When it comes to fighting and causing trouble, Beldens is more quick-witted and has the upper hand; but when it comes to scaring people, Maxim is more professional.

Her already enormous size made her quite appealing. Especially after she joined his group, her body underwent further development, growing another two meters tall.

The extent of his increased strength is unknown, but his physique is certainly more intimidating. If he were to go out and impersonate the Dragon King, probably 99.99%... of people would be fooled.

Just as the mission was assigned, a pair of Griffon Cavalry suddenly descended from the sky and landed precisely on Hudson's ship.

"Your Excellency Count Hudson, we are here on the King to deliver this letter to you!"

After casting a detection spell and confirming there were no problems, Hudson took the letter and opened the envelope in front of everyone.

"Go back and tell His Majesty that I have accepted this secret mission."

It was clear that Hudson was extremely unwilling. But there was no other way; the Church was willing to lose money to deplete the kingdom's cash flow and force the kingdom to declare a debt default.

Caesar IV's response this time was very much to his liking. Since the Church wanted to buy war bonds on the market, he might as well sell them as many as possible.

However, these bonds certainly cannot be sold within the kingdom, otherwise the Church will soon discover that something is amiss.

The best approach would be to transport the bonds to various parts of mainland China, sell them to the Church in batches, and then collect them back for public destruction through redemption.

Based on current market prices, even with some back-and-forth trading, there's a minimum profit margin of 10%. If bond prices continue to recover, the profit could be even higher.

The Church's money is free money; if they want to ruin the kingdom's finances, they'll have to pay the price.

However, the biggest problem here is transportation. Sending ordinary people to deliver it would be too time-consuming, not to mention the safety issues.

God knows how many bonds the Church received during the transport. If a massive amount of bonds were to come crashing down all at once, the Alpha Kingdom wouldn't be able to handle it.

The original plan was to have the Griffon Cavalry escort them, but unfortunately the griffins had limited stamina and could not carry a large number of bonds.

Moreover, they are easily exposed, and if they are intercepted on the way, the kingdom will suffer a great loss.

Of all the Dragon Knight in the kingdom, only Hudson was the most suitable to carry out this task.

It ensures both efficiency and sufficient military force. Operating at night also allows them to evade the Church's spies.

Of course, he wasn't the only one on the mission. The kingdom would also send Sky Knight and Great Sorcerer to escort him.

There's no way around it; the kingdom has gone too far this time.

In order to take advantage of the Church, Caesar IV not only seized all the war bonds held by the royal family, but also borrowed a huge amount of bonds from the nobles.

In any case, as long as the Kingdom government is willing to acknowledge the internal debts, the existence of the bond will not affect the final repayment.

Lending out a pile of paper to help the kingdom overcome its financial crisis shows a certain level of patriotism.

Hudson didn't know the exact amount, but it was definitely an astronomical sum.

If something unexpected happens along the way and the bonds fail to be delivered safely, Alpha Kingdom will truly be left with only one option: defaulting on its debts.

Caesar IV did not speak to him, presumably because news of the bond sell-off had spread earlier on the steppes.

As for the recent call for everyone to buy war bonds, in the eyes of Caesar IV, it was just Hudson putting on a political show.

It is wishful thinking to believe that the Mountain Territory is financially weak and simply cannot come up with a large amount of cash to take over the kingdom.

The flawed understanding led to the flawed result, and Hudson naturally wouldn't help correct it.

The fact that they were able to deceive Caesar IV proves that their subordinates did a good job of keeping secrets, and that the news of their massive bargain hunting had not yet leaked out.

This is undoubtedly good news. The news of the bond acquisition hasn't leaked out, so if he sells the bonds in the future and causes market volatility, no one will suspect him.

After hesitating for a moment, Hudson decided to smuggle in some personal items and send the low-interest bonds out to be disposed of along the way.

Money can never be fully earned; there's no need to tie up large amounts of cash for the sake of a few percentage points of profit.

It doesn't matter if they get caught by their peers; they have ready-made excuses: help their underlings liquidate their bonds.