The arrival of His Royal Highness Philippe was, at least superficially, warmly welcomed by the Poitou people.

It was the first official visit from a member of the royal family in the history of the Fifth Empire. After all, this place is too far away from the Holy City. When the founding emperor Carlos I founded the Fifth Empire, his army did not even cross the Ott Mountains, and the south declared its submission in general.

Of course, the last time Princess Elizabeth didn't count, although it is now known that she lived in the rose garden for a while last year.

The Criman was slowly docked at the dockside under the guidance of two steam dinghys, and from this position it was possible to see the busy scene on the other side of the harbor.

"That's the shipyard over there, Kang's Shipbuilding?" asked Philip Governor Byrne, who had come to greet him.

Byrne humbly replied:

"Yes, Your Highness. Kang's shipyard does not stop working 24 hours a day, and the workers work in two or even three shifts, and can build five ironclad ships at the same time. In fact, in addition to Kang's shipbuilding, there are three other smaller shipyards in Poitou, all of which are building new steam ironclad ships, and the total water displacement of Poitou ships launched per month has reached 20,000 tons. ”

"That's a staggering number. Philip exclaimed.

The shipbuilding industry was originally the pillar industry of the north, in addition to economic needs, the north has a large amount of shipbuilding timber, but no one thought that the south sprung up, technically it is a revolutionary development, once the technology is mature, the construction speed is faster.

Now it seems that Sean has great foresight and overall planning ability, and the steel and coal produced by his steel and coal companies in North Genoa are transported directly here by rail, and whether it is shipbuilding, steam engines, or railways, they consume huge amounts of steel and coal, and the various undertakings are very linked, and produce extremely high overall benefits.

As for the chimneys behind the shipyard, it is the industrial area of East Poitou, with a railway line branching through the entire industrial area.

As one of the undesirable consequences of economic development, the air here always smells of soot, so the wealthy people move to Sipuitu to live.

Philip feels like he's back in Gyeonggi, but it's clear that the industry here is more concentrated, with heavy industries led by shipbuilding and locomotives. Fundamentally, it's the two black economic powers, steel and coal.

Philip didn't see Sean in the warm welcome crowd.

He was told that Sean had taken a train southbound yesterday because he was training the National Army in the north, and that he was expected to arrive in Poitou in the evening.

The Poitu people held a grand ceremony for the prince, and the journey from the pier to a private residence prepared for him by the Koval family was filled with flowers and a procession.

Refusing to ride in the carriage, Philip rode slowly and waved to the populace, deliberately showing the kindness and affinity of the royal family in order to save the royal family's credibility at stake.

The prince had always been known for his intelligence and affability, and he always had a good image among his subjects, with many even subconsciously distinguishing him from the royal family.

And it seemed to the prince that at least the Genoese were satisfied with their present life, which could be seen from the well-dressed and excited mental state of the ordinary citizens on the streets.

Count Scott-Koval also accompanied the prince back to Poitou, but due to the space constraints of the Climan, Philip and Count Torres and their personal guards and servants filled the battleship, which was the result of repeated downsizing of the prince's party.

So, Count Koval had to take another warship.

This trip was nothing for the young prince, but it was not easy for Count Coval, who was nearly sixty years old, after all, it was a warship, there were no luxury suites, and the cramped space inside the warship and the hard bed board made his waist almost break.

Returning to Poitu was even more touching for Count Coval, because in the ten years since he left Poitou, his hometown had changed so much that he couldn't recognize it so quickly.

This change has occurred mainly in the last six or seven years.

After accompanying the prince to a luxurious private residence of the family, Count Koval got into a luxurious carriage sent by the family.

His nephew, Stia Kovar, made him an important news:

"The Earl of Connelly has recently submitted a report to the Estates-General, requesting that he be allowed to send troops north. ”

"This is a big event, what does public opinion think of this?" asked Count Koval.

"Half to half!" replied Stydia, "morally and duty-wise, the Genoese are supposed to make their own contribution to the country, but others claim that the national army does not have the urgent need to cross the Ott Mountains and is not worth the bloodshed and risk." Another part of them believed that if the national army were to go to war, all the expenses should be borne by the state, and that the Genoese had already paid too much money. ”

"yes, we've given too much money, and people are selfish. "Why did Count Connelly make this report?"

"It is said that Count Connelly wanted to make his own contribution to the country, after all, he was the recipient of the Golden Great Dragon Medal. "Of course, no one doubts his military talent. Opponents do not target him personally, but believe that the war in the north has nothing to do with us in the south. ”

"But at this point in time, it's very delicate. Count Koval shrugged, "Isn't it?"

"What do you mean, uncle?" asked Stia.

"I guess Count Connelly is just taking his position, especially when His Highness Philip arrives. "As a nobleman, I am also of the same opinion, and we must be impeccable in matters of national justice. ”

"I see. "Stya said.

"My nephew, you have to remember that the interests of the Koval family and Count Connery are currently aligned. The Count's influence has far surpassed that of the Koval family, as he is able to bring benefits to the widest range of people, including the Koval family. It's terrifying!"

"Yes!"

"In fact, I was surprised when I received the order to accompany His Highness south, because I had not received any information beforehand. But today I seem to understand that His Highness is here specifically for the National Army. Such an army cannot but say that there are some signs of uneasiness for the royal family. "By the way, Your Majesty needs to see for himself the true thoughts of the Genoese through the eyes of His Highness." By the way, where is Professor Major who openly proposed the 'Southern Union'?"

"Mr. Major is now Earl Connery's confidential secretary. "This is a very good scholar, and many people admire him." Of course, there are also those who call him a conspirator and a traitor. ”

"That's intriguing. "I have heard in the Holy City that there are people who want to arrest him for treason, and it is evident that he is now under the protection of Sean, and no one dares to touch him, at least in Genoa. ”

In fact, he had already discussed deep issues with Sean in cryptic language in his letters, in order to test the young nobleman's opinion, and it seemed that the young earl was already beginning to prepare.

The carriage stopped because there was a railroad crossing in front of it, and someone lowered the railing, prohibiting pedestrians from passing.

Soon, a train laden with coal rumbled by, and a dozen freight cars dragged behind the front of the car were like a long line.

Count Koval watched for a long time, until the carriage left the crossing, and he still looked back at the back of the train.

"It's the train. Uncle must not have seen it before, I'll take you for a ride by train another day. Sidia couldn't help but laugh.

This is said as if his uncle is a dumpling.

"Nonsense, of course I haven't seen it before, I just lament that my hometown has changed so much. "I have to admit that Count Connelly has brought many benefits to Genorace. This is where his confidence lies. ”