The next day, after wandering around Yinxin City, everyone returns to the capital. With the Midsumr Festival approaching, Divine Revelation City is under tighter security. No one would dare trouble the envoy during this period. Henwell takes this opportunity to request leave, planning to return to Peace Haven before the festival.
Henwell has a dual purpose for heading back to Peace Haven. Firstly, he needs to address so pressing matters that require his personal attention. Secondly, Catherine has finalized their partnership, agreeing to Henwell's terms. As long as Henwell can deliver military gear matching the sample quality, they are willing to proceed with the collaboration.
Henwell mounts his Night Charger, covering miles swiftly, and within a few days, he arrives back at Peace Haven. He orders the workshop to prepare the military gear customized for Catherine and selects a few key mbers from his caravans to form a specialized, semi-smuggling caravan.
This team is tasked with escorting the military equipnt to the Billie Kingdom. Once successful, Henwell plans to expand this caravan into several more.
The weapons aren't freshly made; they're stockpiled items, requiring only minor adjustnts to et quality standards, which can be done in ti.
Additionally, the heavy-duty four-wheeled wagons have been upgraded to a second generation. The improvents include wider wheels, enhanced braking systems, and increased load capacity.
Most importantly, based on feedback from the caravans and the repair experiences of the craftsn, the wagon's structure has been adjusted for greater stability. This caravan will exclusively use these second-generation wagons to further test their reliability over long distances.
Henwell also inspects the agricultural situation. Peace Haven has extensively planted high-yield crops, and advanced farming techniques have been widely adopted, resulting in satisfactory yields for the populace. Henwell remains committed to improving crops, maintaining dozens of experintal fields to cultivate better seeds.
The secret workshops are thriving as well. Steel production has surpassed one hundred tons, with a significant reduction in accident rates and an increase in quality yields. The slting workshop is constructing its fifth steel furnace, marking significant technological progress and preparing to phase out the first-generation rudintary furnaces.
The cent workshop has doubled its output and is now supplying materials for Henwell's small fortifications. The craftsn responsible for construction are carefully selected by Henwell for their skill. He intends for them to explore and develop new building thods using these innovative materials, establishing a standard practice. Without data or scientific analysis, practical experience will fill the gaps!
Henwell is particularly focused on the coal and iron mines, which have been fully surveyed, and the workforce is ready. They are currently conducting exploratory mining, and by the ti Henwell returns, Peace Haven should no longer need to import coal and iron.
This self-sufficiency will support the developnt of Peace Haven's small industrial workshops. As a result, the cost advantage of Peace Haven's goods will increase, boosting their competitiveness.
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The construction of the new city's walls is progressing steadily. In the six months since Henwell last saw them, significant sections have been added. As the new city thrives, it's beginning to draw people away from Peace Town, causing so discontent, though nothing too disruptive.
The city-building project has the approval of the Grand Duke and is a strategic necessity for the duchy's leadership. Only with a fortified city can Peace Haven be securely integrated into the Vorry Duchy.
Henwell's knightly estate is now at the stage of interior decoration, with the outer walls being constructed. If all goes well, Henwell will be able to move into his estate once the envoy's mission concludes.
Thanks to Henwell's population welfare policies, Peace Haven's natural population growth has reached a comndable level. As these policies are refined and dical personnel trained, the situation will continue to improve. Currently, Peace Haven is flourishing, and the people are grateful to Henwell, viewing him as the best lord they could have.
But not all news is good! Previously, the duchy's newly ford Seventeenth Legion is stationed north of Peace Haven. Henwell plans to use the presence of bandits to assert his importance. After Wind Raider defeats the Peace Haven Defense Force, Henwell's subordinate, Rawkins, leads a cavalry regint to eliminate a few bandit groups that are set up as sacrificial pawns.
However, things don't go as Henwell anticipates. Although the duchy doesn't deploy the Seventeenth Legion directly into Peace Haven, the duchy ensure that both the Ika Kingdom and the Ogiro Kingdom secure their borders and cooperate in the eradication efforts.
Additionally, the duchy dispatches the Twelfth Legion to the southern region. This isn't a newly ford legion but an experienced one that has participated in the War of the Six Kings.
Henwell is puzzled by this move. If the duchy intends to issue a warning, one legion should suffice. Bringing in another one is perplexing. Are they planning to reap the benefits and then discard him when necessary?
Yet, Peace Haven is currently in a period of rapid developnt, all thanks to Henwell's policies and strategies. Logically and emotionally, such an attitude seems unwarranted.
Henwell spends a long ti pondering but fails to decipher Duke Amir's intentions. Nevertheless, Henwell decides to plan to have a backup plan.
On one hand, he steadily expands his military forces, which are the foundation of his security.
On the other hand, Henwell tactfully seizes control of the Peace Haven Defense Force and the patrol cavalry. After all, Henwell is the appointed administrator of Peace Haven by Duke Amir, effectively the governor of the area. Legally, his actions are justified.
Of course, Henwell doesn't neglect the officers of the two military units. For Janice, the knight of the Defense Force, and Mark, the knight of the patrol cavalry, Henwell secures a knighthood from Viscount Jansen for both of them.
Although the title cos without land, it elevates them to nobility. Both are satisfied, also realizing they have beco obstacles to Henwell's plans in Peace Haven. Over the years with Henwell, they've amassed considerable wealth. They understand it's ti to step back from frontline duties and focus on managing their families.
Now that they have their desired titles and Henwell's promise of future lands, they don't object. Although they remain the nominal commanders of their respective units, Henwell effectively takes control. Henwell then expands the Defense Force to five thousand and the patrol cavalry to one thousand, reaching a small legion's size. This move is a test of the duchy's response. Surprisingly, the duchy doesn't react at all to what seems like an overstep on Henwell's part.
This lack of response puzzles Henwell. It suggests the duchy isn't guarding against him, nor are they planning anything specific against him. Yet, this conclusion leaves Henwell uneasy. If the legions aren't ant to guard against him, they might be aid at the Ika Kingdom or the Ogiro Kingdom, indicating a more serious situation.
After much contemplation, Henwell secretly summons his intelligence officer, redith...
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