Chapter 260 258: Inspection and Progress (Two in One)

Brussels, ten miles east of the city,

Inside the military camp.

This is the base of the Lion Knights. Although not all knights are here all year round, there is always a period of training every year.

They will bring their knight apprentices here to meet up, eat, live and train together, so as to deepen their mutual understanding and cooperation.

Of course, more importantly, healthy competition will make the knights more motivated in their training and will not let a comfortable life erode their will.

Therefore, a huge military camp was built outside the city specifically for the knights to live in.

However, at this time it was mainly used to detain prisoners of war!

Not to mention the pirates, all of them were nailed to crosses on the coastline.

Those imprisoned here are all official knights, knight squires, and even militiamen from the Wick and Carlisle families.

Nobles have their own rules. Although they were captured, the quality of life of these knights could not be bad.

Therefore, all the people who lived there were the rooms of the Lion Knights, forcing some of the Lion Knights to settle down in the city.

The Raymond family had to provide them with enough food and meet their not-so-large demands.

For example, wine, drinks, and snacks!

Some picky nobles also took a bath every day, went out for some fresh air, and exercised.

Those injured on the battlefield also require treatment and care.

Anyway, there are so many things to do and it’s very troublesome!

Old Hoover had to spend an hour or two every day carefully dealing with their problems.

Of course, there is no need to worry about those knights' squires. They are not knights and have not entered the circle of aristocrats.

It's just one step away, and the treatment inside and outside the door is worlds apart.

The living environment they live in is much worse, with large dormitories and multi-person rooms. All they need is enough food and warm clothes.

The worst were the militia. In such a large room, a group of people were crowded together, and it was considered good enough if they had a place to lie down.

You have to queue up to use the toilet, the sanitary conditions are extremely poor, and you just have to eat and drink enough to avoid starving.

In the entire prisoner camp, there were 315 official knights, 874 knight squires, and over 5,000 militiamen.

However, the resources consumed by formal knights are more than twice the total of knight squires and militiamen.

Even for the Raymond family, supporting these people is a huge burden.

This is what Roy saw when he inspected the military camp. It cannot be said that there was something wrong with Hoover's arrangement, but rather that this was the rule.

The more Chloe looked at it, the angrier she became;

Especially when he saw those official knights, who were enjoying themselves like masters, his anger rose rapidly.

"Alfonso, Alfonso!"

"My Lord Earl, I'm here!"

"Gather the Knights of the Lion and drive everyone out. Put them to work in the mines, on the railways, on the construction sites.

If you don’t have any technical skills, just move things, transport goods, and do the most basic physical work!

Anyway, they have plenty of energy.”

Grand Knight Commander Alfonso Zecque hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are those knights like that too?"

"Didn't you hear me clearly? I meant everyone!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Butler Hoover!"

"My Lord Earl, your orders."

"From today on, those who don't work won't eat, those who work hard will eat more, and all other privileges will be revoked.

As for the militiamen, let them take a bath and eat some dry food before going back to work!"

"yes!"

"Oh, right, I can give them some paper and ask them to write a letter demanding the ransom. If they don't get a satisfactory amount, I can just let them keep doing it!"

"I just don't believe they're not in a hurry!"

At Loyi's command, all the Lion Knights started moving. The militiamen were mostly afraid, and the knights' squires did not dare to say much.

But the knights started to make a fuss!

There was a person who, although he was fed a drug to suppress his fighting spirit, his energy and spirit were obviously that of a third-level transcendent.

He stared at Roy with resentment in his eyes: "Count Raymond, you are trampling on the dignity of the nobility and insulting the honor of our knights!"

"And then? Then, what can you do?"

Luo Yi said indifferently: "If you have the ability, you will win the war and naturally gain glory and dignity.

Now that you've lost, if you don't want to die, just do what I say. Otherwise, you won't just lose your dignity and honor, you'll have to starve and get beaten."

"Of course, you can also try to escape, since all of you are on record anyway.

If one person escapes, I will look for your family; if I can't find your family, I will look for your family's higher-ranking nobles!"

"So, don't drag your feet, just pay the ransom and get out of here as soon as possible.

Otherwise, I'm afraid if I see you too many times, I might kill you!"

Having said this, Luo Yi turned around, looked at the assembled knights, and said, "You have seen my attitude, so, do you understand what to do next?"

All the knights shouted in unison: "Yes!"

Then, when they looked at a group of captured knights, they could no longer conceal the mockery in their eyes.

Luo Yi walked away without looking back, and finally uttered one sentence: "It's all because of you!"

…

In the study.

Daisy Wick looked at the list in her hand with an extremely ugly expression. She said, "My Lord Earl, this, this is too much?"

Luo Yi ignored her expression and said nonchalantly, "A knight under my command said a few days ago, how can you win a war and still lose money?

I think it makes sense!

So, Knight Daisy, I didn't send any troops to occupy any of your Wick territory, and I even exercised restraint and didn't plunder.

Do you think asking for a higher ransom is excessive?"

"But, but, this is three times what my Wick family calculated. That's three times the gold. Really, really..."

"If you can't get everything, you can always use other things as substitutes. I'm not picky. Gems, jewelry, magic materials, fine weapons, any good stuff can be discounted!"

Loyi said it lightly. Daisy's chest was heaving up and down. The special armor that had already highlighted her curves made her look even more majestic and up and down.

After a long while, she finally said, "My Lord Earl, you are even more greedy for money than those dragons!"

"You started the war. I won, so I must have gained something, right?"

"My Wick family is quite powerful, don't you really want to make friends with them?

In the future, we can also be allies!"

"Come on, when the Marquis of Carlisle died, those two allies didn't help. So, allies are the most unreliable. You have to rely on yourself!"

Luo Yi finally lost his patience and said, "If you can't make the decision, then go find your grandfather!"

"Also, let me remind you that my asking price won't change, but you can still make up for it from other places."

"You mean the Carlisle family? But, but, but..."

"What do you mean by "but"? If it doesn't work openly, then we'll just do it covertly. I'm unfortunate that your grandfather doesn't have any ideas.

The Carlisle family is indeed powerful, but distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. If you are fast enough, it will be over by the time they arrive!"

"Okay, okay, go ahead. I really don't want to chat with you anymore."

"By the way, tell your grandfather that if he wants to do something and wants my Raymond family to support him, that's fine!

But that’s another price!”

…

In Lion Manor,

That half of the mage tower.

Dozens of magicians were busy, chanting spells or waving wands, as gracefully as if they were conducting music.

Each piece of building material seemed to be numbered and automatically flew to a fixed position and landed.

The wizard then casts a spell to glue the stones together using the "fossils into mud" technique, and then stabilizes it using the "mud into stone" technique. The magic patterns within the magic patterns also need to be adjusted to communicate and link with each other to form larger and more complex magic patterns.

There was also an old wizard with a white beard sitting cross-legged on the magic carpet, emitting powerful magic power. He communicated with the magic circle of the entire wizard tower and made continuous fine adjustments during the vibrations.

This wizard tower will be completed in just four or five days!

Although the interior decoration still needs to be continuously refined, the main project has been completed. The operation of the elemental pool also means that this mechanical mage tower can be used.

By then, Lilia would no longer need to go to the magic factory outside the city for practice or research.

Luo Yi climbed up the stairs step by step and finally stood on the edge of the sixth floor.

One more step forward and he would fall.

But this height is enough to take in the entire city of Brussels.

I saw a jade belt running from northeast to southwest, with three floating bridges built on it. Countless people were busy and there was constant noise.

There are also those low buildings lined up one after another, paved to the end. The streets are like lines passing through a scroll, and pedestrians are like ants, shuttling back and forth on the lines, as if strung together into one.

It was a weird idea, but that's how it came to me.

Luo Yi couldn't help but smile, turned his head and looked at the Imperial Ambassador, Lord Robin Water, who was standing beside him. He said, "The view from here is really nice!"

"The Mage Tower is now complete. You can come and see it anytime you want!"

Luo Yi turned around, pounded his chest with his fist seriously, and said, "Thank you very much for your help this time, Ambassador!

Whether it was the Mage Tower or the events on the Silver Sea, I will always remember them."

Lord Robin Water took a step back and imitated Roy, patting his chest with his fist: "I also have to thank Sir Roy, because of you, the empire's plan has not completely failed.

More importantly, you saved my career!"

After a pause, he continued, “However, the Earl fought these two battles beautifully.

The Marquis of Carlisle would never have dared to imagine that you had the guts to kill him; and the Pirate King Davis would never have known how you found him.

Luo Yi grinned and said, "This is a cross-imperial education. If I hadn't gone to study in the empire, I wouldn't have broadened my horizons, let alone achieved what I have today."

"That's because the empire's systems are far ahead of the rest, and Hohenzollern III is as great as a god!"

After a pause, Lord Robin Water rubbed his hands a little embarrassedly and said, "There's one more thing..."

"Why should we be so polite to each other?"

"I heard that the Earl captured the magic ship of the Mist Pirates, but didn't find anything else?"

Luo Yi's eyes flickered, and he suddenly asked, "Are you talking about the nautical charts recorded by Davis, and those account books that record the black accounts?"

Lord Robin Water nodded: "My Lord Earl is also a wise man, so I won't beat around the bush."

“Those nautical charts record many pirate strongholds and the locations of sea beasts, which are of great use to the Imperial Navy.

As for those black accounts, they would be useless to the Earl, but if they were in the hands of the Empire, they would be evidence of liquidation."

"Of course, the Empire would never take advantage of its allies for nothing. Depending on the value of those black accounts, we can exchange them for what the Earl needs."

Luo Yi nodded slowly, thought for a moment, and then said directly: "I agree to this matter, but the goods are on the way, so you need to wait for a few days."

"As for what I want, I wonder if the ambassador can help me find a potion that can help me break through to the fourth level, as well as a rapier that is worthy of me.

You know, my main weapon was taken away by that half-dragon, so I was helpless!"

"What about the fourth-level potion?"

"My captain of the guard, Oliveira, I believe you should know him."

"Hahaha, if that's all, then I can promise you now."

…

Three miles south of Brussels.

There is a completed railway station here. Although it is not large, it has all the necessary facilities and is built with great care.

There is a dome and windows made of colorful glass, and a mechanical clock is hung on the spire to tell the time on time.

In front of the station are two east-west railways.

The gravel base is made of wood sleepers, and the rails are placed on top, and then fixed with screws...

This is the most basic mechanical structure, without any magic involved, so the railway can be built by mortal Muggles.

At this time, of course, there was no magic-powered train running, but there was a simple flatbed car.

The balance beam in the middle can be used to move left and right, providing power and allowing the child to move quickly on the rails.

At this moment, Luo Yi was standing in the front, feeling the wind blowing towards him. He raised his head slightly with a relaxed expression.

Although the speed is not fast, it feels pretty good.

However, the flatbed truck didn't run for long before it reached the end of the track, where a group of people were busy working.

Some were laying the foundation, some were leveling the land, some were laying stones, some were transporting supplies, some were placing sleepers, and some were moving the tracks...

It should be said that the rails were actually the heaviest, and it took more than a dozen people shouting slogans to move them bit by bit.

The commanders were all professionals from the empire, who were giving instructions and arranging what to do.

They are usually accompanied by two or three people, who are their apprentices.

Once the railway is completed and they have learned a lot, they will be the ones to maintain and operate the railway in Huahua County.

In addition, the most striking thing is that there is a large number of workers who are obviously different from railway workers.

From clothing to temperament, to work efficiency, they are far inferior.

The only thing worth mentioning is that they are stronger.

That’s right, these are the prisoners of war who were sent here by Loy for forced labor.

Seeing Loy's arrival, someone immediately ran over. It was Lord Shik Cruz, who was in charge of magical machinery.

When he saw Luo Yi, he was very surprised and asked, "My Lord Earl, why are you here?"

"Of course I came to see the progress of the railway construction."

Luo Yi looked him up and down and said, "You've gotten quite tanned these days. Your Excellency has worked hard."

Xike Cruz grinned and said nonchalantly: "What's the hard work? It's just what I asked for."

Having said this, he added: "My Lord Earl, how about I tell you about it?"

"I've read the information you gave me, but I really want to hear you tell me in person."

As Xike Cruz led the way, he said, "Although the war has continued these days, it hasn't happened in Flower Territory, so it hasn't had much impact on us."

“The railway is actually progressing the slowest, mainly because of the Earl’s order at the time to hold it back.

However, the manpower that was redeployed was put into other projects, and they are progressing smoothly, especially those mines."

"A large iron ore mine has been installed with a magic energy transmission system, which has increased transportation efficiency by dozens of times and greatly reduced the number of miners required.

Overall, mining efficiency is at least ten times higher than before.

Now, what's lacking is the magical blast furnace you mentioned. Otherwise, all the iron ore would be piled up there, and the magical machinery factory would lack raw materials for production."

"What about the construction of the Magic Steelworks?"

“You’ll have to ask Ms. Lilia about this.

In fact, what I discussed with Ms. Lilia was that she would be in charge of the construction of factories around the city of Brussels.

As for me, I am mainly responsible for running around everywhere."

After a pause, he continued, "That is, the Earl has returned triumphantly, and I have to welcome him, so I am staying in Brussels.

Otherwise, I should be going to the mine in the north now. The Habsburg Empire has sent people to help with geological exploration, and I want to keep an eye on it.

If, I mean if, we can find a stone mine in the wilderness, that would be great."

Luo Yi looked serious for a moment, and finally said: "Thank you for your hard work, Lord!"

"It's not hard. As I said before, this is what I want."

After an inspection, Luo Yi found that the construction site was messy but also somewhat orderly.

He wrote down a few things that needed to be dealt with, and decided not to stay here, so he prepared to leave.

The little old man, Shik Cruz, walked him all the way to the flatbed truck, but he looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Seeing that he had something to say, Luo Yi waved his hand, asked everyone to step back, and opened a silent scroll.

The magical light enveloped the two of them, and Luo Yi then asked, "If there is anything you want to say, Lord Shik, you can speak freely. I am not someone who will not listen to advice!"

"I know, I know, the Earl is actually very deep-seated and I am no match for him.

Even the promotion of this magic machinery has been much smoother since you came.

There is just something I want to say, but I don’t know how to start.”

"Then it's here. It comes out of your mouth, enters my ears, and no one else knows it!"

Lord Xik Cruz took a long time to organize his words before saying, "My Lord Earl, don't you feel it?

The Habsburg Empire has paid too much. The technology, support, and even invisible assistance are actually worth far more than 500,000 gold tyres."

"I'm not saying this is bad, it's a great deal for us, but...

Do you understand what I mean?"

Luo Yi's smile froze, slowly receded, and then rose again, saying, "You said this today, I listened, and let's leave it at that!

Lord Hick, you are right, there are some things that cannot be said casually."

This was the last sentence. Luo Yi removed the silent force field and quickly left with his men.

On the flatbed, Luo Yi stood facing the wind again, but he was less comfortable than before, and even the pride brought by a series of victories had been soothed.

In fact, Shik Cruz's words were still rather vague, but the old man wanted to give Roy some advice with his rich life experience.

Luo Yi does not despise it!

Because, in a sense, his advice makes a lot of sense.

If Luo Yi were to express himself, what he actually wanted to say was: The empire has given too much, so much that it almost grants every request.

But all investments are secretly priced, and no one knows how much it will cost to pay back the flowers!

I revised the last chapter three times before it was passed!

I felt it was inappropriate to divide this chapter into two chapters, so I just merged them together.

(End of this chapter)