Chapter 160: Money is the Biggest Problem!

Deathly silence.

After Martina's voice fell, the entire study fell into a deathly silence.

The expressions of ecstasy on Hart and Falco's faces were replaced by nothing but embarrassment and shame.

They lowered their heads like two children who had done something wrong, not daring to look into Roko's eyes.

Yes.

War, war.

As knights, all they thought about was charging into battle and making contributions.

But they forgot that war was never won by passion alone.

Intelligence, logistics, weapons, grain—which one of these wasn't exchanged for mountains of gold coins?

Without money, even the most brilliant plan is just talk on paper.

Even the most powerful army is just a group of hungry lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

"We—we'll go and raid the nobles' assets again right now!"

Hart held it in for a long time, his face flushed red, before he suddenly raised his head and said.

"Those guys must still have plenty of good things hidden away!"

"It's useless."

Martina shook her head, a trace of exhaustion in her voice.

"We have already scraped clean everything that could be scraped; what remains are all real estate and territories, which cannot be liquidated in the short term."

"Moreover, we are now the leaders of the New Wind Alliance, not bandits. If we use these methods again, it will only cause the nobles who have just surrendered to become alienated."

Hart opened his mouth, but couldn't say a single word.

He knew Martina was right.

The atmosphere in the study became oppressive once again.

Roko leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping the tabletop, the crisp sound echoing in the silent room.

No joy or anger could be seen on his face.

But in his heart, a stormy sea had already been stirred up.

Out of money.

This news was more direct and more fatal than the First Prince's defeat or the Obsidian Legion's destruction.

The crisis in the Royal Capital seemed distant, but at least there was still time for a buffer.

But a fiscal collapse was a sword hanging over his head, which could fall at any time and shatter everything he had worked so hard to build over these past few months.

Expanding the army costs money.

Pacifying the people costs money.

Building city defenses costs money.

Even maintaining the most basic operation of the entire territory requires money.

Once the capital chain breaks, Vanguard Valley will immediately fall into chaos.

By then, he wouldn't even need the Poison Scorpion Society or the Third Prince to make a move; he would be overthrown by angry people and mutinous soldiers first.

What to do?

Roko's brain was spinning at high speed.

Increase revenue?

Taxes within the territory were already at their limit. Increasing taxes further would be no different from killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

The only hope was the trade of strong liquor.

But brewing requires a large amount of grain, and right now, they didn't even have enough grain to feed themselves.

Cut expenditure?

Martina was already doing her best to compress expenses.

But the soldiers' pensions couldn't be withheld, and their pay couldn't be stopped; these were the foundations for maintaining morale and stability.

This path was also a dead end.

Was he really at the end of his rope?

No.

Roko's eyes suddenly narrowed.

Absolutely not!

He had worked so hard to get to where he was today; how could he be stumped by mere gold coins!

There must still be a way!

Silas's face, with that merchant-like smile, suddenly flashed in his mind.

Commercial Alliance!

Political investment!

A meaningful arc appeared at the corner of Roko's mouth.

Someone brings a pillow when you're sleepy.

Now that he was short on money, someone had brought a money bag.

The timing of this Commercial Alliance's appearance was always so perfect.

"Martina."

Roko spoke, breaking the silence in the room.

"Is that Mr. Silas still in the Lord's Mansion?"

"He is, Master."

Although Martina was somewhat puzzled, she answered immediately.

"I arranged for him to stay in the guest room on the west side; he said he would wait for your reply."

"Very good."

Roko stood up and straightened his collar.

"Invite him to the reception hall."

"I will go see him now."

"Master, are you thinking—"

A flash of realization crossed Martina's eyes.

"Correct."

Roko looked at her and nodded.

"Since someone is willing to be this sucker, why shouldn't we accept it?"

"But, Master, dealing with a tiger—"

Hart couldn't help but speak up to remind him.

"Those guys in the Commercial Alliance are all vampires who eat people without spitting out the bones!"

"I know."

Roko said lightly.

"But right now, we need this tiger."

"As long as we can always be stronger than him and run faster than him, then he will always just be a 'fierce tiger' that can provide us with help."

"And not a hungry wolf that bites its master."

Having said that, he offered no further explanation and turned to walk out of the study.

In the reception hall.

Silas was leisurely tasting the black tea specially supplied by Vanguard Valley.

When he saw Roko walk in, a signature enthusiastic yet shrewd smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Master Roko, it seems you have thought it through."

"Yes."

Roko sat down opposite him and got straight to the point.

"I accept your investment."

A flash of joy crossed Silas's eyes.

But he still feigned calmness and said, "Oh? I wonder what kind of help Master Roko wants us to provide?"

"Money."

Roko said only one word.

"I need a large amount of gold coins, the more the better."

"No problem."

Silas agreed immediately, as if money to him was just a number.

"Our Commercial Alliance is least lacking in gold coins."

"I can make the decision immediately to provide you with an interest-free loan of 500,000 gold coins as a gesture of our sincerity in cooperation."

500,000 gold coins!

Even though Roko had been prepared, he was still shocked by this number.

This sum of money was enough to solve his current urgent needs.

"In return."

Silas continued.

"We need the exclusive sales rights for the strong liquor produced in your territory and the Obsidian Gold equipment."

"Of course, we will purchase them at 90% of the market price, ensuring you won't be at a loss."

Roko's eyebrows twitched slightly.

What a shrewd merchant.

Using an interest-free loan to try and exchange for the exclusive sales rights to his two biggest trump cards.

This plan was truly loud.

"Exclusive sales rights, impossible."

Roko refused without hesitation.

"Strong liquor and Obsidian Gold equipment are the foundation of my Vanguard Valley; I cannot hand over my lifeline to others."

"I can promise you that for the next three years, I will provide you with no less than 100,000 barrels of strong liquor and 500 sets of Obsidian Gold equipment annually."

"The price will be at market rate."

"As for those 500,000 gold coins, consider it a loan from you. Three years later, I will return it to you with interest, not a single cent less." Silas's smile stiffened.

He didn't expect Roko to refuse so decisively, and furthermore, to turn around and paint a big picture for him.

"Master Roko, you are playing a game of empty-handed white wolf here."

Silas shook his head with a bitter smile.

"I am just stating a fact."

Roko's gaze became sharp.

"You invested in me because you saw my potential, my ability to topple the Third Prince and the Poison Scorpion Society in the future."

"If I handed over my lifeline to you now, I would become a puppet controlled by you."

"A puppet has no ability to realize the future you want."

"Therefore, this investment is a sure win for you. The only difference is how much you earn."

Silas fell silent.

He had to admit that Roko made a lot of sense.

The Commercial Alliance certainly didn't want to support a puppet.

What they needed was a powerful ally capable of breaking the existing landscape.

"Fine."

After a long while, Silas nodded.

"We will do as you say."

"Happy cooperation."

Roko extended his hand.

"Happy cooperation."

Silas gripped his hand.

Two men, each with their own thoughts, reached an initial cooperation at this moment.

Having solved the money problem, Roko's mood immediately lightened significantly.

But he knew this was only an expedient measure.

The real way to break the deadlock still depended on himself.

He remembered what Martina said; the biggest problem in the territory right now, besides money, was grain.

Brewing liquor was precisely a major consumer of grain.

If only there were a way to solve the grain problem while improving the efficiency of brewing—

A thought suddenly flashed through Roko's mind.

Technology!

That's right, technology!

Use more advanced technology to improve productivity!

But where in this world could he find technical talent capable of solving these problems?

In Roko's mind, the captured soldiers of Enade and members of the Poison Scorpion Society appeared.

Perhaps—he could look for them among them?

Although the hope was slim, it was better than doing nothing.

After making up his mind, Roko immediately set off for the prisoner-of-war camp.

The prisoner-of-war camp stank to high heaven.

Thousands of prisoners were huddled together, dejected, their eyes numb and hollow.

Roko frowned, walking slowly through the camp, carefully observing everyone.

Most were ordinary soldiers, with some who looked like small leaders.

There was nothing special about them.

Just as he was about to be disappointed, his gaze was attracted by a thin, small figure in the corner.

It was a Dijing.

He was curled up in the corner, dirty all over, looking timid and cowardly.

But unlike the other prisoners, he was holding a small wooden stick in his hand, constantly drawing strange symbols and lines on the ground.

Roko's heart stirred, and he walked over.

He activated the 【Probe】 skill.

【Name: Klazz】

【Race: Dijing (Slave)】

【Profession: Alchemy Engineer (Individual Rank)】

【Talent: Mechanical Heart (A-Rank, possesses extraordinary understanding and creativity for all mechanical alchemy creations)】

【Status: Fear, Hunger】

Alchemy Engineer!

A-Rank talent!

Roko's eyes lit up instantly!

Truly, he had searched everywhere for this, only to find it without effort!

He suppressed the excitement in his heart and walked up to the Dijing, trying to make his voice sound as gentle as possible.

"What is your name?"

The Dijing was startled, and the wooden stick in his hand fell to the ground.

He raised his head, looking at Roko in terror, his lips trembling, unable to say a word for a long time.

"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you."

Roko slowed his tone.

"Tell me, what were you drawing on the ground just now?"

Klazz looked at the pattern on the ground tremblingly, then looked at Roko, and said in a small voice: "It's a waterwheel, and—"

"And a distiller."

"Waterwheel? Distiller?"

Roko's heartbeat accelerated violently.

"Why are you drawing this?"

"I—I want to improve them," Klazz's voice was as thin as a mosquito's.

"In my hometown, this kind of waterwheel is used to irrigate fields, but the efficiency is very low; I want to make it drive more water—"

"And this distiller, it—it was made by Master Enade for me to brew liquor, but it always explodes, and the liquor brewed tastes very strange—"

"I want to make it safer and more efficient—"

Speaking of his professional field, he seemed a bit more confident, and his speech became more fluent.

"Draw your design for me to see."

Roko's voice carried a hint of unquestionable command.

Klazz didn't dare to disobey, picked up the wooden stick, and drew quickly on the ground.

Soon, a complex and exquisite blueprint appeared before Roko.

It was a multi-stage linked irrigation system driven by water power that he had never seen before!

And a set of high-efficiency brewing equipment that utilized sealing and cooling principles!

Although Roko was not an engineer, with his perspective from modern society, he could see the value of these two designs!

These were simply revolutionary inventions!

Once realized, the grain yield of Vanguard Valley could at least double!

And the efficiency and quality of the liquor brewing could also increase several times over!

This—this was simply a genius!

"Very good! Very good!"

Roko couldn't help but praise loudly.

"Klazz, from today on, you are no longer a slave."

"I appoint you as the Chief Engineer of Vanguard Valley!"

"I will provide you with the best laboratory, the most sufficient materials, and the most excellent assistants!"

"I only have one request: build these two things for me!"

Klazz was stunned.

He stared blankly at Roko, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

He, he was free?

And he was going to be some Chief Engineer?

Happiness came too suddenly, leaving him somewhat at a loss.

"Mas—Master, I—I am willing!"

After reacting, Klazz was so excited that he knelt directly on the ground, speaking incoherently.

"But Master, the things I designed require some very special materials—"

"What materials?"

Roko asked.

"It requires a metal called 'Red Copper' produced in the Dwarf Mountains, and a mineral called 'Ice Crystal Stone'—"

Klazz said cautiously.

"Only these two materials can withstand the high temperature and high pressure required by the equipment I designed."

Dwarf Mountains?

Roko's eyebrows relaxed again; didn't this just happen to align with his next plan?

The next morning.

In the study of the Lord's Mansion, the core members of Vanguard Valley gathered again.

Unlike the gloom of yesterday, today's atmosphere was significantly more relaxed.

Roko had already told everyone about reaching cooperation with the Commercial Alliance and discovering the genius Dijing engineer Klazz.

The huge sum of 500,000 gold coins and the two revolutionary blueprints reignited hope in everyone. **CHAPTER 161**

The massive sum of 500,000 gold coins and those two revolutionary blueprints reignited hope in everyone.