Chapter 558: Changes and Waiting

Two years of time has not brought much change to the entire Aoerlante Continent, but for Luoning's territory, the changes have been significant.

The coal mine transport railway from Swamp Town to Wubei City has been completed, and through constant optimization and calibration, the current steam train has seen no small improvement in every aspect.

It is worth mentioning that the nobles who were initially shocked by the steam train have placed very few orders; compared to the massive expenditure, most of them care more about how much money they have in their pockets and how many gold coins they earn each year.

Duke Valjisi does have some ideas; after all, the Jisitana Duchy has no shortage of mineral resources, and if there were such a railway, it would surely greatly increase revenue.

It is just that the Jisitana Duchy is currently at war with Feilunsibao and the Baladun Principality, and lacks the energy and budget to invest in this area.

With external orders being few and far between, Luoning can only turn to his own territory and Wushan Territory.

Nowadays, he has already built a railway construction team; after completing the Wubei Territory railway, they have been building the railway connecting to Wushan Castle, as well as lines for transporting mineral resources from several locations within Moonlight Valley to the outside world.

During this period, the manufacturing of steel warships presided over by Ximeng has also been launched.

Nowadays, Kalada's steel fleet is composed of one steel warship plus multiple warships.

Back when they landed on the east coast of the Vila Principality, even after suffering an attack from a Level 4 Magic Energy Cannon, the steel warship did not sustain much damage.

To this day, this fleet has already landed in the south of the Tricia Kingdom, preparing to sail upstream along the inland great river to occupy the cities along the river.

Aside from the changes in heavy industry, other fields have also seen no small changes.

For example, the scale of Wubei City has expanded several times over; although the settled population has not yet reached five hundred thousand, it is not far off.

Another example is that due to the reform and popularization of the loom, coupled with Wubei City absorbing a large amount of raw materials from outside, there are many weavers in the city, as well as small workshops and even factories formed based on fabric processing.

Besides this, ceramics, papermaking, grain processing, and so on have also gradually become famous and grown, providing many jobs internally and attracting many merchants by land and sea externally.

Nowadays, wars in various places have not ceased, and the economy is not picking up.

However, once things settle down, Wubei Territory will undoubtedly become a focal city.

"Father..."

Seeing Luoning return, Luolan opened his arms and ran over unsteadily, "Hug~"

"Haha, were you a good boy at home?"

Luoning smiled and picked up the little one, teasing him in his arms for a while.

"Where is the Madam?"

Beila, who is now the head maid, has her main daily tasks as taking care of the child and serving Blanche; she hurriedly replied respectfully:

"Several merchants have come from the Wangdu, and it is said they need to order a large batch of porcelain; Madam Daianni has invited the Duchess to go over and take a look."

The Wangdu, that is, Golden Feather City.

Ever since Bruno died and Jialete was imprisoned, many of the Kingdom's affairs have been managed by the Six Ministries.

At the beginning, the effect was quite good, but when many people noticed that Luoning's main energy was not focused there, they began to have their own little schemes.

For example, installing their own people in positions, inventing excuses to allocate funds, and so on; the Auduin Kingdom's monetary reserves have likely been spent seven or eight-tenths away.

And among them, the Ministry of Works is especially egregious.

Minister Keben does not know how many supplies he has transported to Shuangfeng Ridge relying on his status and privileges.

Due to the special status of the Count of Shuangfeng Ridge, Yiben, Luoning has turned a blind eye and has not intervened too much.

It is estimated that the other party is scraping and hoarding wealth like this with the goal of establishing his own duchy.

"The merchants in the Wangdu are still wealthy."

Luoning sighed, then said: "Go and have someone notify Tangmu to come over."

The plan he discussed with Ruidar needs to be conveyed; at the latest, they must attack Dragon City by early April next year, and Maiken will need to be present by then.

As for the eastern front, it is time for it to end as well.

"Very well, My Lord!" Beila trotted off.

Luoning then took Luolan back to the study.

Although the little one is only two years old, he has begun to learn to recognize words through pictures.

In his subsequent teachings, Luoning will also pass on some of his own insights and ideas, cultivating Luolan into a qualified ruler.

Under normal circumstances, Luoning can live for over five hundred years.

He cannot manage national affairs for so long; after reaching a certain age, he can hand it over to his descendants.

Cultivating a qualified successor who can carry out his ideology is very necessary.

Dragon City.

This city, which has been gradually besieged, has long lost its vitality and vigor; everyone living in the city knows that the Tricia Kingdom is finished.

It is just that before it finishes, Dragon City is experiencing its most dismal time.

Chaotic and disorderly public security, endless squeezing and exploitation, grain prices higher than gold, and so on.

Many people in the city are even hoping, hoping that the Conqueror Duke's army can break through the city gates soon and overthrow this royal power on the verge of collapse.

Tricia VI, His Majesty Tailuo, is now disheveled, indulging in song and dance banquets every day, having completely lost his original high spirits.

In any case, he cannot leave the Wangong, and many nobles outside who are not controlled do not listen to his orders; rather than struggling in vain, it is better to seize the time to enjoy himself.

"Your Majesty!"

A Knight wearing light armor walked into the lively ballroom and whispered: "Bakesi City has been captured, and it was that team led by the Legendary powerhouse Ruidar."

Tailuo's expression twisted briefly, and then he smashed the wine glass in his hand, "Sir Dusang, how many times have I told you, in the future, report such matters directly to Yan Yi, no need to come find me!"

A year ago, when the confidant at Tailuo's side went to the front line and died on the battlefield, Dusang stepped to the forefront.

Although he is only Silver Grade, having a Silver Knight at Tailuo's side now is already quite good.

After all, the high-level ones were all used by Yan Yi.

However, the truth is that the real Dusang is already dead, and the current Dusang is Hameng, who looks extremely similar, in disguise.

Doing intelligence work right up to the enemy's side, this is truly something else.

Now, as long as Hameng is willing, it would not be a problem for him to assassinate Tailuo.

It is just that killing Tailuo would have a negligible impact on the overall situation.

Facing Tailuo's angry smashing of his wine cup, Dusang put on a fawning smile: "Lord Yanyi has already gone into seclusion; I cannot see him."

"Seclusion, it's always seclusion!"

Tailuo leaned back, pulling the nearly half-undressed beauty in front of him into his arms, "His cultivation talent is even worse than mine; does he think that by relying on the Flame Emblem, he can cross a major realm in a year or two like Luoning?"

"Watch your words, Your Majesty!" Dusang reminded him.

Tailuo let out a cold laugh, "Nothing good has happened ever since I met them!"

As he spoke, he looked at Dusang with cold eyes: "Get out, get out, get out! Don't hinder my drinking!"

"Very well~"

Dusang retreated helplessly. When he arrived outside the great hall, he let out a depressed sigh and thought to himself: "These days are finally coming to an end."

He looked back at what was behind him; the sounds of laughter and dance music rang out once again.

If Tailuo were still a normal human, he might have had the option of voluntarily surrendering.

But since he had become a Flame Seal Knight, he had no other choice.

Whoosh~

A violent gust of wind struck. Dusang was startled and looked over, only to see a tall, burly man wearing golden armor appear before him.

He hurriedly bowed and saluted: "Dusang pays his respects to you, my Lord!"

Yanyi gave a grunt, "News from the front line?"

"Bakesi City has already been captured. Based on the style of that Commander Ruidar, I guess he will likely rest in Bakesi City for a period of time; the time to attack Dragon City should be around February or March of next year."

Yanyi nodded upon hearing this, but the sounds from the hall made him very displeased.

He threw a punch, and the surging Battle Qi completely destroyed the entire hall, from which panicked screams erupted.

After everything calmed down, only Tailuo, who was at the Meteor level, walked out from inside safely.

"What are you doing?" he demanded.

Yanyi let out a cold snort, "The decisive battle is imminent. Even if you are to die, you must die for me on the battlefield. If I see this kind of thing again, never mind this group of women, I will kill you too without hesitation!"

Although he could not control Tailuo's words and actions, he had, after all, been transformed through the Flame Emblem. Relying on the power of the emblem, he could at least make the other party feel a great deal of psychological unease.

Tailuo shuddered, his entire person becoming much more sober. When he looked at Yanyi again, he seemed to be able to feel a pressure coming from their bloodlines.

Yet the displeasure in his heart had not dissipated, "What else can I do?"

"There is still much we can do!"

Yanyi let out a cold snort, "I now possess the strength of the Legendary Late Stage, and relying on the amplification of the Flame Emblem, my strength is infinitely close to the Legendary Late Stage! Furthermore, there is the array left behind by Selandier; as long as it is used properly, it is not impossible for us to turn the tables!"

Dusang recorded this sentence with a calm expression, deciding to secretly pass it to Ruidar after returning.

As Yanyi spoke, he looked at Dusang.

After Selandier died, Tailuo also gradually lost his sanity; nowadays, Dusang, a subordinate with a good head on his shoulders, counted as one.

"How many high-level Flame Seal Knights do we have in reserve now?"

Dusang maintained his bowing posture throughout: "My Lord, we currently have two Blazing Sun Knights in reserve, five Silver Moon Knights, thirteen Meteor Knights including His Majesty, and more than twenty Golden Knights!"

"This is our foundation!" Yanyi said.

As long as the Flame Seal is activated, their strength will climb; Golden Grade can become Meteor level, and Meteor level can become Silver Moon level.

Although Blazing Sun is still unable to rival a Legendary, holding one back for a while is possible.

At that time, as long as Luoning is lured into the array alone, he would be confident in dealing with him.

"As long as Luoning is killed, the Aoerlante Continent will be ours again!"

Yanyi stared at Tailuo, "Unless you want to become a useless person who cannot take care of himself like Jialete, then show me the spirit of your Telixiya royal family!"

Tailuo's gaze flickered a few times; although he knew things would not be as simple as the other party said, this was already his only hope.

It is just a pity that although both sides were waiting, there was a massive difference in their essence.

Yanyi and his group were waiting for Luoning to walk into the trap, while what Luoning was waiting for was the time to become a Sage. (End of chapter)