Chapter 510: Future Speakers

Theron felt from the bottom of his heart that the word "destiny" was extremely hypocritical.

Whether it was when the greenwood army came, or when the Salvation Army came, or when Alaric came with the guns of the Campbells... they all let him choose his own destiny, but did he really have a chance to choose?

Including when this fire first started burning, the respected Majesty didn't discuss with him about setting this fire, did he?

However, there is one sentence of Alaric's that Theron agrees with from the bottom of his heart.

They really have to take their destiny into their own hands.

Just like that, this council in the name of the Holy Light was born in a narrow and dark secret room in the Governor's mansion in Dusk City.

Although it is almost the same power model and structure, its destiny was destined from the beginning that it would go in a different direction from the Thunder City Council.

Born in a "black box," it will become a bigger "black box" after taking root and sprouting; this is like the potatoes planted can grow big, but they can never grow into wheat or pumpkins.

But these actually don't matter.

Oligarchs certainly have their hateful aspects, but no matter what, it is much better than feudalism.

Just like a feudal King is better than a cannibalistic chieftain; this is not necessarily not a kind of progress.

Looking at the four founders of the Twilight Duchy Council, including himself, Theron felt that the composition of this council was extremely abstract.

A Count of Stillwater Beach whose territory is still in the hands of the Campbells, a young master who inexplicably inherited the Count's territory, a Governor who is at odds with the King and has a close relationship with the neighboring country, and... himself who was hollowed out by the Saint and the "New Testament."

A province can actually gather so many abstract guys; Theron couldn't help but feel desolate for his own future-filled destiny.

Saint Xisi is above...

Is this also your arrangement?

And compared to desolation, what made Theron even more desperate was that after all four raised their hands, the other three looked at him at the same time.

Being looked at by those three pairs of eyes, Theron felt all the hair on his body stand up.

Baron Alaric's idea is very simple: the territory of Mr. Theron Gard is the most prosperous, and the position of the head of the Twilight Duchy in the future should naturally be given to him. According to the system that the Grand Duke helped him plan, the Twilight Duchy without a Duke has power in the council, and he, as a Baron, is enough to be a Speaker.

As for the profit-seeking Count Cormac, he is a cunning person to the extreme; the honey in the honeycomb is certainly delicious, but he will not reach out to dig it himself. If he loses, he is forced by the Campbells; if he wins, he can be the second Speaker.

As for Ed Tully...

He is purely without a mind of his own; the other two looked at Theron, and this young man suddenly realized that it turns out this guy is the mastermind!

No wonder Mr. Theron wanted to say that sentence at the beginning—

'Let our Governor say a few words.'

"Wait a minute, what do you mean by this?" Theron's lips were a bit pale, his bloated body squeezed against the back of the chair, making a creaking sound.

He only wanted to be a Count, eat, drink, play, and sleep with girls, and pass his title, wealth, and honor to his son generation after generation when he let go. Being pulled into this council was an accident in itself, and he didn't want to be involved in more trouble!

Yet the eyes of those three people told him that this time it was still not up to him to choose.

Alaric got up and walked to him, pressed his hands on his bloated shoulders, and looked at him with shining eyes.

"The Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng has no Duke title, and it's too late to create one now, and there's no need for that! The series of problems in the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng today is precisely because there is a King whose power is not constrained!"

"We plan to imitate the free cities along the Vortex Sea, for example, Thunder City, for example, Mist Storm Port, etc... We will establish a semi-republican autonomous regime with a citizen council and non-hereditary rule! Let the nobles, guilds, and rural gentlemen decide the future of this province together, instead of handing our heads to the King!"

Looking at Theron, who was stuttering and unable to speak, he didn't give the latter a chance to choose at all, and said in an irrefutable tone.

"The head of the Twilight Duchy, we plan to let you be it!"

Night completely shrouded Dusk City, and looking at the blasphemous people on the ground, even the moon hid its light in shame.

Theron felt that this Baron Alaric was really bad.

Clearly every sentence was his own idea, but this guy insisted on adding a "we" at the end.

It wasn't until he sat in the carriage returning to the mansion that he realized it, and suddenly realized that he would play shamelessly like this in the future!

If there are annoying guys in the future, he will never say "I hate you" again, but say "we hate you."

No, he also wants to go a step further—

We all hate you!

Just by modifying a few words, a fair duel between two people turned into a massive siege.

Theron decided to write this sentence into the ancestral teachings to educate his descendants.

The word more hypocritical than "destiny" is "we."

However, no matter how he cursed Baron Alaric for not being a human, he finally obediently tied himself to the carriage of the "Holy Light Council."

Whatever.

Anyway, there are already two people riding on his neck, so it doesn't matter if one more comes.

Just when Count Theron was praying silently for the fate of his family, the giant beast sleeping on the northeast coast of the Vortex Sea was opening its sleepy eyes and showing its sharp claws and teeth to the arrogant King.

The morning mist condensed into water mist on the glass window, and a black carriage with low-key decoration crushed over the road full of coal slag and stopped slowly in front of the heavy cast-iron gate of the Pangke Arsenal.

This factory is definitely one of the most imposing buildings in the entire new industrial zone, after all, it used to be the warehouse of the Royal Arsenal.

To be able to open another arsenal next to the Royal Arsenal, the entire Thunder City probably only has one person with such energy.

After the carriage stopped steadily, the young coachman hurried off the carriage and opened the door for His Royal Highness the Prince.

Pangke had already been waiting at the door.

This former coachman was no longer as thin as he was more than a year ago; his slightly fat body was wrapped into a narrow wine barrel by a brown vest, a pocket watch chain hung next to the bronze buttons, and he wore a black dome hat on his head.

Looking at His Royal Highness the Prince who got off the carriage, Pangke immediately stepped forward to greet him, took off his hat with a smile, and bowed slightly while saying.

"Good morning, respected Your Highness Kelin, your visit makes this small factory shine!"

"Mr. Pangke is too polite, our factory is not small at all, the entire industrial zone probably doesn't have many chimneys more magnificent than ours."

Luo Yan joked gently, then his gaze crossed Pangke's shoulder and fell on the slightly cautious man behind him.

"This must be Factory Manager Simon."

The man was about forty years old, thin and tall, wearing a white-washed work uniform.

His finger joints were thick, and there were still traces of machine oil in his fingernails; that focused and bright look didn't look like a factory manager, but rather like a dedicated watchmaker.

Pangke Arsenal is a place that produces "epoch-making weapons," and what is needed is precisely this kind of "engineer-type" manager.

It can be seen that Pangke has put his heart into this matter.

"Your Highness, good day." Simon bowed slightly, his voice a bit hoarse, but full of energy, "I am Simon, your loyal servant... welcome you to come for inspection."

It can be seen that this Factory Manager Simon also put his heart into it, preparing for today's meeting for a long time.

That impeccable etiquette was probably practiced in front of a mirror.

"No need for formalities, Mr. Simon." Luo Yan nodded to him, smiled and shook hands with him, "I have heard of your name for a long time, Mr. Pangke hasn't praised you less in front of me."

"Is, is that so? Thank you."

Thank you?

Luo Yan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and let go of his hand.

"You're welcome."

Simon felt his cheeks burning, as red as two branding irons, feeling uneasy and not knowing where to put his hands.

Didn't expect His Royal Highness the Prince to be even more approachable than the rumors, actually shaking hands with a commoner like him!

He quietly hid his hand behind his back, deciding not to wash his hands for the next two days.

After simple pleasantries, Pangke, worried that his honest factory manager would continue to play awkwardly, led His Royal Highness the Prince toward the depths of the factory area impatiently.

Everyone has things they are not good at, for example, his Factory Manager Simon is not good at socializing.

Huge factory buildings stood in the factory area, and the chimneys built of red bricks were spitting ink-colored fog toward the sky.

The female workers who rolled up their sleeves were using "long-handled mops" improved from clothes racks and rags to wipe the water mist hanging on the glass on the second floor. Workers pushing carts were running along the edge of the steel monorail, sending castings that were still warm into the assembly workshop, and the clanging sound was full of busyness.

And even busier was inside the workshop; the workers on the day shift had already started work, standing in front of the long table leading to the door to check tools, waiting for the foreman to assign tasks.

"Your Highness! Look!"

Standing next to the huge steam pipe, Pangke's voice had to be raised by eight degrees to barely cover the noise coming from the next workshop.

"Everything here is the most advanced! One hundred skilled workers can assemble fifty Roxai 1053-type rifles in one day! This efficiency, even the entire Duchy—no, even the entire Aos Continent can't find a second one!"

He hadn't been to the distant Holy City, but he thought the situation there should be similar to the Grand Duke's Royal Arsenal.

Thinking of those craftsmen with nostrils turned to the sky in the Royal Arsenal, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, carrying a hint of pride.

"That old-fashioned Royal Arsenal next door, even if you give them two hundred workers, working hard all day, they can only hammer out twenty smoothbore guns! We not only do it faster than them, but the quality is also much better than theirs!"

"No wonder the Grand Duke gave the order to you; it seems he is also annoyed by them." Luo Yan laughed when he heard it, but didn't comment.

Actually, if the guys in the Royal Arsenal were really working hard all day, with two shifts, the output would certainly not be just twenty smoothbore guns.

However, all the servants of nobles have a problem: a job, after doing it for a while, turns from a "post" into a "welfare."

After all, the Grand Duke Edward, who is busy with ten thousand things, certainly doesn't have time to stare at a factory, and his servants also have to focus their work on the court. Their loyalty is unquestionable, far exceeding the feelings maintained by money, but the efficiency is inevitably a bit poor.

Today's imperial chef is tomorrow's factory manager, and the day after tomorrow he went to the Governor's mansion to be a civil servant, and the next time he saw him, he ran to the City Hall to gild himself.

Just be happy if this gun can ring, anyway, if the barrel explodes, it can be blamed on the old farmers for pouring too much gunpowder.

Of course, Edward is a wise Grand Duke, and the reliability of the Campbell Duchy's equipment is certainly much higher than that of the Luo En Kingdom.

And, this Grand Duke is clearly also learning.

This is also why Pangke Arsenal can get the Duchy's order, instead of the Royal Arsenal. Clearly, in the eyes of the Grand Duke, what needs to be reformed is not just the council, but also those old royal industries.

However, this is after all cutting the cake of his own people, so he did it relatively tactfully.

Luo Yan and Pangke didn't get too close, just watching the situation in the factory from afar.

As the foreman finished assigning work, the workers soon started their busy day.

They picked parts from the wooden crates sent by the porters in an orderly manner, picked up the files on the long table to polish carefully, and then assembled them.

This is a handicraft.

Limited by the limitations of the era, whether it is the factory in Thunder City or the factory in Beifeng City, they are temporarily unable to produce standard castings that "close the door to build a car, and go out to match the track."

The vast majority of parts need to be adjusted by assembly workers using files, scrapers, and filing methods to a usable degree before assembly.

Therefore, besides ordinary assembly workers, each assembly line in this workshop will be equipped with an "adapter," responsible for checking the adaptability of parts to prevent someone from hard-pushing "active accessories" into "fixed accessories."

However, these difficulties are temporary.

Once more professional machine tools are born, these assembly workers can be upgraded to experienced fitters, and the assembly work will be the responsibility of real assembly workers.

By then, it might be possible to get the real assembly line out, and the production efficiency can be further improved.

Looking at the finished products placed at the door of the workshop, Luo Yan picked up a "Roxai 1053-year rifle" named after his old man.

The steep gun body felt slightly heavy in his hand, the wooden stock had smooth lines, and the steel parts reflected the cold light of metal, like a work of art.

Luo Yan skillfully pulled the lever, the receiver opened, the action was silky and smooth, emitting a crisp and pleasant metallic collision sound.

"Ding—"

Closing the receiver, Luo Yan nodded with satisfaction.

He remembered that at the end of last year, the products produced by this factory still had a significant gap with the factory in Beifeng City, and now these "fakes" are no worse than the "real goods" of the Kelin Duchy.

Worthy of being the wonder of the northeast coast of the Vortex Sea, the place where the "God of Machines" Lint Isaac once descended.

The industrial heritage here is indeed extraordinary!

"... Very good, Factory Manager Simon, your work is impressive, I hope you will make persistent efforts to contribute more power to the Duke of Campbell!"

Hearing the Prince's praise, Simon, who had been following beside, showed uncontrollable joy on his face and said excitedly.

"Thank you for your affirmation, Your Highness! This is all the credit of the workers, and the research results of the engineers day and night! Of course... also thanks to Mr. Pangke's emphasis on us."

"You are too modest, Mr. Simon, I didn't do anything." Pangke coughed modestly, that modesty didn't know who he was imitating.

"You are all meritorious ministers, I see it all... In addition, how is the order situation?" Luo Yan put down the rifle and asked casually, "I want to know, is our demand for rifles large?"

As soon as the order was mentioned, Simon's eyes lit up instantly, just like the kerosene lamp hanging above the workshop.

"Your Highness, you don't have to worry about this at all! Our factory is booming, the orders have been scheduled until next summer, and we are too busy to handle it! I am planning to expand two new workshops in the south, striving to increase the factory's monthly production capacity to six thousand in half a year! By then, we will be the largest arms supplier in the Duchy!"

Luo Yan smiled.

He didn't worry, just asked casually. This kind of epoch-making equipment is never hard to sell; people who buy things are more anxious than people who sell things.

At present, the production capacity of Pangke Arsenal is limited and not enough to meet the Duchy's equipment needs.

Once the production capacity here goes up, let alone becoming the largest arms supplier in the Duchy, becoming the arsenal for all "New Testament forces" on the entire Aos Continent is entirely possible!

However, there was no need to tell these distant goals to the few beside him.

Seeing the Prince's reaction was indifferent, Simon took out a small notebook from his bosom, opened a page, and pointed it to him diligently.

"... Look, Your Highness, these are the few big orders recently! Not only these, the Duke of Campbell also ordered a batch of Roxai 1053-type rifles without any marks of our factory not long ago, and the quantity is quite considerable! In addition, there is a batch of short-barreled rifles customized according to customer requirements, with shortened barrels, lighter, and more suitable for fighting in jungles or narrow terrain!"

Luo Yan nodded with a smile.

"It seems our customers are getting more and more."

Rifles without branding are naturally to be sent to the Twilight Saint Saint Xingsheng, eight out of ten are used to arm the private soldiers under the few Counts of the Holy Light Council.

And the short-barreled rifles are undoubtedly prepared for the Salvation Army who are receiving secret training in the depths of the Wan Ren Mountains; it seems that the Duchy's intelligence personnel are already in contact with them.

Just as he expected.

Edward's counterattack has already begun, and it is much faster than he expected.

Clearly, the dear Grand Duke has not forgotten the rebellion in the winter month of last year, and the blood shed by the Campbells in the civil war. He said he would make Theoden Devalu pay the price, and this price is already on the way.

"Isn't it, Your Highness! In addition, the Duchy's Army recently issued a tender announcement, it is said that it is the meaning of our Marshal Sir Wesley!"

Simon continued excitedly, his voice full of expectations for grand plans.

"Our boys need a standard rifle with longer range and higher precision, used to deal with transcendents who are rampant on the battlefield, and specifically aimed at the centurions and drummers on the opposite side!"

"Oh? If there really is such a weapon, I am also quite interested, do you have any ideas for taking this project?" Although the Necropolis already had similar things, Luo Yan still said kindly.

"Of course I have! Your Highness!"

Simon nodded excitedly and continued.

"We plan to attach magic to bullets through alchemy and inscriptions, and what remains to be solved is accuracy and range!"

"At present, our engineering team is overcoming a technical difficulty; they plan to change the metal rod connecting the receiver of the lever-action rifle into a kind of rotating rear-pull bolt like a door bolt! In this way, the airtightness of the receiver's locking can be greatly improved, allowing gunpowder gas to push the bullet more fully, thereby improving range and precision!"

"If we can solve the problems of accuracy and range through the improvement of mechanical structure, we can use more inscription space on improving the power of bullets!"

Good guy.

Dreyse needle-fire gun?!

Didn't expect these engineers to actually figure out a bolt-action rifle; Luo Yan's face finally revealed a truly interested expression, instead of just a polite smile.

"This is really... a creative idea. Mr. Simon, please tell our engineers for me, I am very much looking forward to their results! If you need financial or equipment support, don't be polite, just mention it to Mr. Pangke."

While saying this, Luo Yan looked at Pangke.

Almost without the Prince's explicit instruction, Pangke had already consciously taken an attitude of emphasis and looked at his factory manager seriously.

"Go ahead and do it, Mr. Simon, I will definitely support this project with all my strength!"

Didn't expect the Prince to attach such importance to this bold idea, Simon's excited voice trembled slightly.

"Great, Your Highness! I will definitely convey your encouragement to those boys! I bet they will jump for joy when they hear your encouragement!"

Carrying this exciting news, Simon rushed to hold a meeting with the engineers in the factory, wishing to get things done in front of the Prince immediately.

As for Pangke, he led the Prince away from the noisy workshop and came to the relatively quiet office.

Sending the secretary away, he personally poured a cup of steaming black tea for the Prince.

The aroma of tea leaves dispelled some of the stuffy coal ash smell, making the air in the office a bit more fragrant.

Luo Yan picked up the teacup and took a sip; the warm tea was indeed good, making him stretch his eyebrows comfortably.

Pangke stood respectfully to the side.

This person who calls the wind and rain in Thunder City was as cautious as a secretary in front of the Prince.

"I heard that the industrial zone has been very lively recently," Luo Yan cast his gaze toward the window, suddenly thinking of a matter, and said with a smile in a conversational tone, "I heard that many factory managers are busy running around for votes, competing for the seats of the next city councilors... Mr. Pangke, why don't I see you moved at all, haven't thought about going in and sitting for a while?"

"Your Highness, you are joking," Pangke's round face showed a simple and honest smile, and he said sincerely, "I am just a coachman, being able to handle the things you entrusted with this little skill is all thanks to your help, how dare I think about those things."

He put his posture very low, almost placing himself in the position of a servant.

No matter how others respect him outside, Pangke is clear in his heart.

He is very clear that he can have today's status and transform into an important figure in Thunder City entirely by relying on the Kelin Prince standing behind him.

If it weren't for this adult's help, he would still be a coachman in the suburbs of Thunder City, no different from that neighbor who farms.

It is precisely because of this that he dare not have any dissent, and even less dare to secretly attach himself to that powerful Duke.

It must be said that although Pangke has improved a lot compared to before, he is still a "God-Chosen" who has been pulled up by the roots, and his political awareness is not yet catching up with the textile factory boss who started from scratch.

Looking at Pangke's cautious appearance, Luo Yan guessed his thoughts, shook his head with a smile, and put down the teacup in his hand.

"You are too modest, Mr. Pangke, I see your work in my eyes, I have never doubted your ability and loyalty."

Pangke showed a simple and honest smile, holding the black dome hat in his chest.

"It is my honor to serve you."

"It is also my honor to have a servant like you."

Luo Yan nodded, and said gently.

"However, sometimes I still hope you can open your mind a little bit. For example... treat yourself as a partner of the Kelin Group, not a white glove of the Kelin Prince."

Pangke's heart skipped a beat, cold sweat broke out, and he was so scared by these words that he almost knelt on the spot.

This, what does this mean?!

Thoughts turned rapidly in his mind, thinking about where he had offended His Highness.

Looking at Pangke who was sweating profusely, Luo Yan laughed and said.

"... Look at you, I'm talking to you about business, and you're still trying to figure out my thoughts."

"Your Highness, I..." Pangke opened his mouth, stuttering and unable to speak.

"Alright, don't stand there, I'm not testing you, sit down and talk."

Luo Yan lifted his index finger, letting the teapot on the table float up and pour a cup of tea for him too.

Pangke sat down cautiously, holding the teacup with both hands, and took a sip carefully.

Luo Yan looked at him and continued.

"In addition, I was serious about that sentence just now. Thunder City is like a carriage running forward, new things are born here every day, I hope you can also keep pace with the times. If you can't accept my charity, how about this, I lend you money, you go and buy some stocks of the Kelin Group, buy 1% first."

Secular money is just a number to him, he never counted how much money he has.

As a senior worker, Pangke has reached the position of "CEO of Thunder City Branch," and he should be given the reward he deserves.

Working without pay is what slave owners do, the Demon King doesn't do that kind of thing.

Of course, not everyone can sit down and talk in front of the Demon King. For example, when managing the goblins in Black Wind Castle, he has another set of ways to deal with goblins.

As a Demon King proficient in human nature, he is good at responding to his demons in the way they expect in their hearts.

For example, dealing with succubi, he uses succubi's methods. Dealing with blood clans, he... well, there's really no trick for this.

Seeing that the Kelin Prince wasn't testing him, Pangke gave a bitter smile and was silent for a moment before saying.

"Your Highness, I am very grateful for your reward, but I always feel that I don't deserve to have so much. I... I am just a coachman."

Luo Yan shook his head.

"The problem lies here, Mr. Pangke, why do you feel that a coachman doesn't deserve to be a decent gentleman like a noble? For example, Sir Andes, I think his ancestors didn't have their own surname on the first day."

Looking at Pangke who fell into deep thought, Luo Yan continued.

"I am very optimistic about you, and I also hope you have more enterprising spirit, or more ambition. I hope that when the citizens of Thunder City talk about you in the future, they will say that the founder of the Pangke family is an amazing guy, instead of saying '... Oh, Pangke, I know him, the white glove of the Kelin Prince, without the Prince he is nothing,' do you understand what I mean?"

Silence lasted for a while.

Pangke took a deep breath, looked up at the Kelin Prince, and said sincerely.

"I understand, Your Highness. Thank you for your advice, I will seriously consider... no, I will definitely do it!"

He already understood the meaning of the Kelin Prince.

The Kelin Prince hopes that he will have a seat on the political stage of the Duchy, not just as a servant who follows orders.

Not only that—

He also gave him more expectations; that respected Prince hopes that he can become a stand-up Campbell!

Looking at Pangke who had opened his mind, Luo Yan nodded with satisfaction; it was not in vain that he took time out of his busy schedule to point out this guy.

As a Demon King, he doesn't lack servants, but he lacks a few smart people like Yan Andes.

Another thing, what is listed in Thunder City now is not just the stocks of the Kelin Group, but also the thriving Campbell Duchy.

The royal family is sharing royal power with citizens unprecedentedly to check and balance the conservative forces within.

In this process, many new legends are destined to be born, and it is a pity not to take a ride.

This guy has every opportunity to participate in drafting the "Charter" that the Campbell Duchy will embrace sooner or later in the not-too-distant future.

He has the opportunity to leave his name in history!

"You understand, Pangke. Like Factory Manager Simon's 'bolt-action rifle,' I look forward to your performance as well!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 511 =====