After nearly a year of preparation, Neverwinter is now running at full speed like a war machine.

The Demon Moon could not stop the fledgling royal capital from frantically absorbing the surrounding resources, and the Administration Department had thought that a population of 100,000 was an unattainable goal, but after only a year, the city's population had doubled. The infusion of a large number of fresh labor has led to the rapid expansion of various industries, with four new chemical plants added alone, and more than double-digit processing and assembly plants related to machinery.

According to statistics, the monthly salary paid by the Administration Department is close to the 10,000 gold dragon mark, and when Roland first arrived here, the largest income was only 24,000 gold dragons - after the looting of the Changge Fortress. In other words, the Duke of the West, who had accumulated half a lifetime of wealth, was only enough to pay two and a half months' salary until now.

Steam engines, paddle steamers, perfumes, and chaotic beverages constituted the main sources of revenue—these goods were sold to the fjords and the four kingdoms through the United Chamber of Commerce, and the rest of the money was transferred to a large quantity of raw materials and handicrafts, in addition to the necessary honorariums. There is a delicate balance between the coming and going of money, and the savings in the treasury have shown a tendency to shrink.

It can be said that this is an extremely uneven development model, but in the face of the threat of the war of divine will, Roland's choice is not easy.

Without pouring resources into heavy industry, machine guns would not be able to fire indiscriminately, and artillery would never be short of shells.

Only then will he have the strength to arm the entire army.

The expansion of the First Army from 8,000 to 10,000 was only the foundation, and the Air Force under the command of Tilly Wimbledon was also actively in preparation. In addition, the Militia Recruitment Requirements and the Mobilization Bill, which were intended to increase the war potential of Neverwinter, were drafted to impose a minimum of discipline for ordinary students, workers, and farmers, similar to later university military training. Although they cannot be allowed to carry their guns directly into battle, they can shorten the training time when they are in dire need of additional manpower.

Since the exact timing of the Red Moon has been significantly dismarked, no one can be sure when the Battle of the Divine Will will begin, and at worst it may be four to five years away, and at worst it should be about one or two years. For Roland, the biggest strategic goal at the moment is to turn defense into offense when the Red Moon arrives, so that the flames of war burn in enemy territory.

Therefore, the devil entrenched in the ruins of Tachira is the nail that he must remove.

In fact, the delivery of goods and the transfer of personnel began gradually in late winter and early spring.

This is the advantage of rail transportation, even if the snow covers the entire fertile plain, as long as the track is cleared, it can be continuously transported to the front line for the war.

Most of the steel produced in Neverwinter has been turned into steel rails, and the lines hidden in the Hidden Forest have been laid, so it can be said that a new Northern Expedition will officially start at the first order of Roland.

Both the army and the city are ready to go.

But before that, he has two more things to do.

......

The day after the end of the evil moon, Roland received a request from Thunder to meet with him.

"Why, you're leaving so soon?" he set up a relaxed afternoon tea party in the drawing-room, and while carrying Anna, he also extended an invitation to Margaery—there was only so much he could help the businesswoman who was a good match for Lightning. "Can't wait to go to the Shadow Sea to find out?"

"I knew I couldn't hide it from you," Thunder said with a calm smile, "Every moment I manipulated the steel ship, I imagined it sailing against the wind and waves. If I could, I'd even like to just head straight to the sea. ”

"In that case, halfway through, everyone will have to face the risk of running out of water and food. Margaery shook her head helplessly, "The other chambers of commerce that have invested heavily in you won't be happy to see you leave their fleet behind, unless you plan to never return to the Fiordland Islands." ”

"Haha, I just want to express my excitement to Your Majesty," he said, touching his chin, "As Margaery said, this expedition is not my own business, after all, for the fjord, the development of new seas means opportunities and wealth, and there is no chamber of commerce that will not be tempted." This is probably the largest expedition ever made to the Fiordlands, and I will only be well prepared if I return as soon as possible. ”

It seems that after Thunder's publicity and recruitment, this time the sea has changed from a team to a group. Roland smiled and took a sip of tea, worthy of being the most famous explorer in the fjord, just revealing his intentions can attract huge investments. "It seems that in just a few months, you have learned all about the steel steamer. ”

"It's all thanks to Her Highness Anna," Thunder said to Anna stroking her chest, "and she has been of great help in the subsequent improvement of the hull, and it is hard to imagine that such a massive iron ship would be more agile than a three-masted ship unless she had seen it with her own eyes." ”

"I'd like to ask you for one thing," Anna nodded, "This ship has only been in the shallows during its sea trials, and if I can, I'd like to get a report of the deep sea where any problems can be recorded." It's best to use Neverwinter's new waterproof ink and sealant bag, so that even if you fall into the sea, you can keep it intact. ”

Probably didn't expect the other party to make such a serious request, Lei Ting was stunned for a moment before he smiled and said, "I understand, please wrap it up on me, Your Highness." ”

Roland touched Anna's head dotingly, then looked at Thunder, "It just so happens that I also have something I want to entrust to you." ”

"You just command. ”

"I want to recruit a group of explorers. ”

"Nothing to do with this expedition?" Thunder quickly realized.

"That's right," Roland put down his teacup, "I want them to take a look at the Endless Cape." ”

"I remember there was nothing but yellow sand and black water. Margaery wondered.

"That's what I used to think...... Roland shrugged, "There's almost no risk in the Endless Cape, so there's no need for any experienced specialists, and it's fair to say that numbers are more important than skills." ”

Seeing that he didn't elaborate on the reason, Thunder didn't ask any further, "There are many such people in the fjord, I don't know what the screening rules are......"

"Nope. Roland replied, "Anyone can be an explorer—anyone can find something new and strange at the Endless Cape, whatever it is." ”

"Is it even a piece of ruin?"

"Nature, but only if it comes from the endless cape. "The more information a relic contains, the greater the reward." This message is valid for a long time, and as long as I am the King of the Greykeep, it will surely be honored. ”

"With your words as a guarantee, I'm afraid that place will be crowded in the future. Margaery covered her mouth and smiled, "I wonder if I should take the opportunity to open a tavern in Daqing Port first?"

"A great welcome. "Pulling the economy of the oil port is indeed one of Roland's purposes, after all, the painting of Chinese Ming has a history of at least 1,400 years, and it is still unknown whether it can leave anything behind, and launching a bounty recruitment is undoubtedly a way to kill two birds with one stone."

"By the way, Your Majesty," Thunder began, "since the steel ship has passed the sea trials and is officially put into use, does it have a name?"

"Of course, I'm going to call it the Yukikaze. ”

"Yukikaze...... "Is it?" the explorer pondered for a moment, "a nice name, but wouldn't it be too soft to match its steel body?"

"The combination of rigidity and softness is the most reasonable," Roland couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth, "More importantly, this name contains auspicious meaning, and it will surely bring good luck to your voyage." ”