When I got out of the Sheldt Dentist's office, it was already the beginning of the lights.

Instead of returning to his apartment in the city to save time, Carmen went to his uncle LeBron's employment agency for a night.

Early the next morning, Carmen and his uncle went to the noodle shop opposite, eating noodles and reading the newspaper.

The social life in the Holy City is not only much richer and more colorful than that of Genoa, but also the pace of people's lives.

Of course, bachelors rarely cook their own breakfast, and even many couples who both work often choose to buy breakfast out to save time, and their time is determined by the time the machine is running.

The front page in today's newspapers certainly belongs to the Xia Navy.

The Xia navy brought a lot of bad news, compared with Europa, the Xia suffered more heavy losses, the west of the country is separated from Europa by the Eastern Ocean, the east is separated by the Western Ocean and the Western Ocean Alliance countries, more dependent on overseas trade, its loss of merchant ships, passenger ships and fishing boats in the tens of thousands.

At the same time, there are many islands outside the mainland of the Xia Kingdom, and due to their early development, these islands have a large population. With the fall of these islands one after another, the Xia people suffered heavy casualties.

Fish monsters seem to have spread across the oceans of the entire planet overnight.

The Xia navy also lost most of it, and the remnants of this force, which had spread civilization across the world for a long time, could only retreat in the military port.

One of the reasons is that in addition to being good at diving and chiseling through the bottom of the ship, as well as good at using the ocean whale shark, the fish demon uses a special arson tool - a flammable material that looks like ice, and they often quietly dive near the ship, and then suddenly come out of the water, throw the incendiary material into the cabin, especially light the sails, so that the ship loses power, and then it is the end of the man-made fish and my sword.

It is not yet known where this combustible was obtained.

The only good news is that the fish demon dominates the sea, but not the land. Obviously, they could not have the conditions for land warfare, trying to force humanity out of the ocean.

The Xia people risked their lives to come to Europa, and within half a year, they sent a total of ten warships, and only one of them successfully arrived in the Holy City yesterday, precisely to seek a military alliance with the Europa Empire to fight against the fish demons.

The commentary held that in view of the current maritime situation, it is a matter of course for the two sides to form an alliance, and there will be no objection from anyone. But the two sides can't fight together, because they are isolated by the huge Fish Demon Army, and are actually in a state of fighting on their own, if the two countries can join forces, it can only mean that the Fish Demon is already at a disadvantage.

Another source said that in view of the needs of future naval warfare, armored ships are in great demand, and the navy is ready to equip a large number of armored ships. It is not yet known where the construction funds will come from, but there is news of a general tax hike, which is likely to be a tentative news from the cabinet, but it is undoubtedly good news for the mining and steel smelting industries.

At this time, there was a sudden commotion in the streets, and people rushed to the direction of the docks.

By the time Carmen arrived, the dock was already crowded, and a black ship was slowly approaching the wide Ossella River.

It was flying the flag of the Imperial Navy, had three sets of masts but did not raise sails, and two huge chimneys were emitting black smoke.

"Ironclad, Genoese ironclad!"

"Look, it doesn't need sails!"

"This is a steam ironclad, and it's all iron guys!"

Once again, Carmen bears witness to history.

The first ironclad ship in history set off from his hometown, Genoa Puitu Port, and after more than 20 days of bloody fighting, he successfully reached the holy city by sea.

This largely experimental battleship gave the empire hope of victory.

"This is the pride of the Genoese. Carmen said to herself.

In fact, the ironclad ship named Bess encountered the Fish Demon at sea half a day after leaving Poitou, and the Bass itself had no new tactics, but the Fish Demon had no effective restraint against it.

This all-cast iron warship is not afraid of collisions, nor is it afraid of headwinds or even loss of sails. Except for the lack of intelligence and anticipation of the enemy, a pair of sails were burned by the fish demon with incendiary bombs and caused a moment of chaos, there were no major losses.

The officers and men on the ship lowered their sails and started the steam engine, never staying in one place, using artillery at a distance, a giant crossbow at a close distance, and a rifle at a closer distance. Their most basic principle is not to let the fish demon get too close.

There were too many fish demons besieged, but the officers and soldiers followed the route they set, while advancing, attacking the fish demon army in hot pursuit, killing countless fish demons.

During the more than 20 days, they made only a brief stop at Pu Mao Port to replenish fresh water, fuel and ammunition.

But their original destination was Pu Mao Harbor, not the holy city.

Marshal Moko, who had set up a naval front command in Pumao Harbor, was greatly boosted in confidence when he learned of the Bass's achievements.

He felt the need to keep the Bass on its way north to the Holy City, both for the sake of excitement and propaganda.

The Navy needs such a victory, and the Empire needs such a victory, although this victory can only be described as a ray of light.

Apparently, Marshal Moko's purpose was achieved, and the appearance of the Bass regained the confidence of the Empire.

As yesterday, His Royal Highness Philip was once again on the docks.

This time, not only the marshals and generals of the Military Command Department, but also the prime ministers and key ministers of the cabinet also appeared.

The ministers were full of admiration for the small size of the ironclad ship, and they were even more amazed at the ingenuity of the Genoese.

It is well known that overseas trade was also mainly accumulated along the northern coast and along the Otera River to the Holy City, which was also the center of the empire's economy and industry, so the shipbuilding industry was also mainly in these places.

In the eyes of these bigwigs, the South was synonymous with backwardness, but now Southerners are leading the way.

"The combination of the steam engine, the iron hull and the propeller, the three latest technologies, represents the future of the Navy and the future of the Imperial Seas. ”

His Royal Highness Philip boarded the Bass, and as President of the Royal Society of Science, he was sensitive to all new theories and technologies. Of course, because of this, he knew that it all had something to do with a viscount he knew.

His Royal Highness has a good impression of Sean, especially since the latter is always subverting old ideas, which is impressive every time.

Of course, His Royal Highness had heard of Sean's career in Genoa, because he had also seen Sean's name in the reports of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister on increasing revenue.

Therefore, His Highness himself went down to the sweltering, dark and damp bilge, checked all the details, and promised to take credit to all the officers and men of the Bass.

"But it's expensive, and it's said that such a small ironclad is worth the cost of a capital wooden sailing ship. Chancellor of the Exchequer York Newaldau.

"How many?" asked Prime Minister Cuarón.

"700,000, not counting artillery. "Neval Dao.

"If you want me to say, it's okay to sell it for 1 million. Because 10 capital wooden sailing ships are not comparable to the combat effectiveness of one of them. I'm referring to its defensive capabilities, the honourable Chancellor of the Exchequer, and we should be mindful of the results. Give you 10 of these capital wooden galleons, and will you be able to sail safely from here to Poitou?" said Marshal Lewis, the Minister of Military Orders.

Marshal Lewis pointed to a battleship docked not far away, it was the main battleship of the Xia Kingdom, and it was a matter of luck that this battleship could come to the Holy City.

"It would be nice to build bigger. The prime minister said, "40 artillery pieces, not enough firepower." ”

"I've heard it's because of technology. His Royal Highness Philip said, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is now clear that although this 1,000-ton ironclad ship lacks firepower, it is relatively cheap to build, and it should be used in the battle against the fish demon." ”

Marshal Lewis apparently understood the subtext of the second prince: "The military command supports the new shipbuilding program, and the resources are inclined to ironclad ships as much as possible." In addition to the first ten ships, we are preparing to add ten more. ”

Philip looked at the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. "If that's the case, then the construction program of armored ships will have to be curtailed," Neval said. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, I will not object, but the consortium side ......"

Those consortia are the creditors of the Empire, and when they lend money to the Empire, they have some right to advise on how to use the money they lend. And those warship builders are inextricably linked to these consortia.

Philip was often at the emperor's side, and it is said that cabinet reports often passed through his hands before reaching His Majesty. Therefore, His Highness is well aware of the financial situation of the Empire.

The Prime Minister did not know whether Philip meant the will of the Emperor, so he said cautiously:

"It is not impossible if, on the basis of not reducing armored ships, the order for ironclad ships is increased. For example, next year's tea tax in Genoa is estimated to be in the tens of millions, which is a considerable amount. ”

"No, Your Excellency Prime Minister, the tea tax has already been there!" said the Chancellor of the Exchequer, even though the tea tax will not be levied until next year.

Marshal Lewis immediately said: "Isn't it the best place to go for the tea tax when it is used for national defense? York, it's a time of war." Don't think that just because the fish demon can't get ashore, the war is still far away. ”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer retorted: "I know that national defense is important, but the Empire's finances are no longer sustainable, unless you take the initiative to reduce the size of the army." I don't think your army needs to maintain such a large number of troops, if you reduce one division, you can have at least 2 ironclad ships at once, and the more you cut, the more warships you have. ”

In the eyes of civilian officials, the army is undoubtedly a gold-swallowing monster, and no amount of money is too much. In the eyes of the military, civilian officials are all misers, always putting obstacles in the way of the army's logistics.

Of course, His Majesty the Emperor is happy to see this contradiction between the civilian and the military. But in today's more difficult circumstances, the more you don't invest in the navy, the more the empire's maritime frontiers will be at peace, and it will become a landlocked country.

"This is absolutely impossible!" Marshal Lewis flatly refused, "the Assyrians and Bilisians are our enemies at first, and it is even less likely that they will let their guard down against our enemies under the present circumstances. ”

His Royal Highness Philip frowned, and lamented in his heart: it seems that there is only one way to raise taxes.

Carmen on the dock didn't know what the bigwigs on the bass were discussing, and he stopped on the shore with the citizens to watch for a while, and then dispersed with the crowd.

He had his own business, and according to the plan he was going to visit the Marquis of Walker.

The Marquis de Walker had three grandchildren, the youngest of whom disappeared a year ago. The marquis usually lived in the manor house outside the city, not too far from the marina, and only half an hour by horse-drawn carriage along the coastline.

After making his intention known, the Marquis's porter refused Carmen's visit on the grounds that he had not made an appointment. Carmen was not discouraged, and waited a full day in front of the Marquis's estate.

Early the next morning, Carmen blocked the door of the Marquis's estate.

It was not until the fourth day that the Marquis had the butler let Carmen in.

"Mr. Gable, I don't quite understand what you're here for. I had already reported the disappearance of my grandson to the police, who had detailed information. The Marquis was impatient, "It's not worth your three days guarding the gate of my manor." This is an ordinary case of disappearance. ”

"My lordship, I just wanted to investigate it myself, and given the current high incidence of disappearances, I think it is necessary to conduct an in-depth investigation...... Carmenle explained.

"You journalists always want to make big news. I'm sorry, Mr. Gable, I don't have anything to tell you, please don't bother me again. The Marquis issued an eviction order, "The reason why I let you in is that I don't want to see you again, this is a warning to your face!"

Carmen was thrown out of the manor by the Marquis's servants.

Next, Carmen did not "harass" Marquis Walker, he found Martin, the personal physician of the Walker family.

Dr. Martin was known for his medical prowess, so he often served members of high society.

But Dr. Martin was a man who loved wine, favored a certain brand, and preferred to visit a certain wine store, and it took several days for Carmen to get in touch and become a "drinking buddy" of Dr. Martin.

Once Dr. Martin drank high, he talked a lot:

"I have never met the young grandson of the Marquis de Walker, and it is said that because this grandson has been suffering from leprosy since he was a child, he was locked up in a room in the manor by the Marquis......"

It is strange that a leper who is trusted by the Marquis of Walker, who has never seen an important member of the sick family, suddenly disappears one day.

Receiving this useful information, Carmen turned to other cases of disappearances and accessed a large number of reports and files on disappearances through various means and connections.

A thread about a series of missing children looms in Carmen's mind.

However, his frequent visits to various police stations and police stations have also attracted the attention of some people.

Late one night, Carmen dragged her tired legs to her apartment.

In the silence of the streets, only the sound of Carmen's own footsteps remained.

Suddenly, several suspicious people rushed from the dark corner and surrounded Carmen.

"Who are you?" asked Carmen aloud.

"Secret police!" said the leader.

Carmen did not resist, he had a hunch that this time he was meeting the real secret police.