In the morning at Dawn Port, the fog had not yet cleared, but the sounds of craftsn and workers echoed with their labor chants.
"Heave-ho—heave-ho—"
They were building what would beco the largest and most important port in the Northern Territory.
Strange machines roared in the construction site.
White mist sprayed from valves, swirling through the air. Heavy iron hamrs powered by steam were propelled upwards and then slamd down, causing the mud on the ground to bubble.
These steam pile drivers are the latest creation of the Red Tide Territory steam craftsn group.
Under Louis’s suggestion, they added rails and counterweights above the steam hamr fra.
Thus, compared to manual labor, it’s more precise, faster, and almost without deviation.
A few young workers stood by the furnace adding fuel, while others held the piles, and another shouted out chants to ensure unified and orderly movents.
anwhile, Eliot, the overseer of Dawn Port, was carrying finished piles with a few workers toward the steam machines.
He was one of the earliest knights to follow Louis to the Northern Territory, loyal and reliable, making Louis appoint him as the overseer of Dawn Port.
Under Louis’s guidance, after arriving at Dawn Port, he made himself an example in everything he did, so even if things were tough and exhausting, no worker dared to complain.
On the other side, Russell, the technical director of Dawn Port, squatted in the mud, discussing with the craftsn who ca to the Northern Territory with him on how to build a port on this muddy shoal.
But they were sowhat pessimistic, as the port location was a muddy tidal flat, constantly washed by tides, making it easy for piles to sink or tilt.
Traditional construction thods would require years and a massive amount of stone to stabilize.
Soone whispered, "This muddy place might swallow a house... even if the piles are driven deep, who knows if they can hold?"
Russell said nothing but furrowed his brows.
At this mont, a young knight trotted through the mud and water, quietly saying to the two heads of Dawn Port, "Lord Louis is on his way and will arrive within two days."
Upon hearing this news, Eliot imdiately showed a relaxed smile.
Although he was highly regarded by Louis, this was his first ti independently overseeing such a large territory, and Louis had told him that it was Red Tide Territory’s most significant project for the coming years, placing enormous pressure on him.
Sotis he couldn’t sleep at night, worrying about whether he could shoulder such a responsibility and not betray Lord Louis’s trust.
Now hearing that Louis was coming, a large weight was lifted from his heart.
In Eliot’s heart, Louis was capable of anything; as long as he ca, the matter would surely succeed.
But Serral, standing beside him, was sowhat dazed.
Having arrived in the Northern Territory only last autumn, he had t Louis a few tis but had held effective conversations only twice.
Once was when he first arrived in Red Tide City, where the young Lord warmly welcod them.
Another was before leaving for Dawn Port, where Louis had t them separately, offered encouraging words, and highlighted so key points.
Only then did Serral realize that Louis indeed understood so aspects of port construction, being a scion of the Calvin Clan.
He was an extraordinary noble, yet his appearance seed too youthful, not appearing older than twenty.
But upon hearing Louis was coming, unease still surged within him.
After all, he’d built ports for many aristocrats, and so projects were ruined by the misguided directions of higher-ups.
If this young man simply ca for a look, it would be fine, but if he truly believed he had so expertise to guide these professionals, it might likely result in mishaps.
Moreover, in Serral’s view, this place wasn’t suitable for building a port at all.
The worries in his heart lingered endlessly.
......
After resolving the crisis left by the Desperate Witch, Louis rushed to Dawn Port.
He dismounted, his shoes sinking into the semi-wet sand, and his gaze swept across the construction site.
The outer fence was erected, several rows of work sheds emitted cooking smoke, with separate housing for workers and craftsn, relatively orderly.
Such housing wouldn’t be considered crude in the Northern Territory, but could only be deed temporary accommodation in Red Tide Territory.
Looking further out, the port’s prototype had just begun. Pile drivers rumbled, craftsn drew lines in the mud, and workers sweat profusely as they carried piles forward.
"Lord Louis." Eliot and Russell almost simultaneously stepped forward, halting two steps before him.
They reported their respective progress:
The work sheds and camp were completed, and the craftsn settled;
Line asurents were done, and port basin bounds were marked;
Steam pile drivers operated normally, with results surpassing expectations;
So material consumption slightly exceeded estimates, requiring continued shipnts from the South.
Although Louis had learned most of these situations through the Daily Intelligence System, he still listened quietly.
After listening, Louis nodded and said, "I know there are many difficulties, like your incoming tide level and so unknown enemies; these difficulties are sure to arise."
He paused, his tone firm, "So difficulties are ant to exist, but the port must be built. Because it’s the Red Tide’s throat for establishing in the Empire, only after building this port can there be a chance for developnt."
Eliot straightened his back, while Russell swallowed subconsciously.
Louis turned and said, "Gather all the foren and technical personnel, let’s have a eting."
......
The eting was held in a larger wooden house, with various maps and line asurent drawings laid on the table.
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