On the tenth day of the expedition, on the Chishui River.
Roland stood on the bow of the shallow water heavy artillery ship, looking at the sparkling river in front of him, feeling quite heroic.
Behind him is a huge fleet. Although some of them have turned around and sailed towards the east three days ago, the remaining ten steam paddle steamers are still a rare sight on the inland river. The chimneys that stood like iron forests were painted a striking snow white, and the black smoke that spewed out pulled a "dark cloud" above the river.
After entering the central area of Graycastle, there were significantly fewer ships, which meant that the kingdom's trade center was shifting to the west. However, the influence of the major cities in the central part is still there. Compared with the numerous sloops in the west, most of the sailboats running here are much more delicate and beautiful.
Along the way, the merchant ships encountered along the way all pulled aside to avoid them, and the daring sailors would lie on the side of the ship, pointing at the flagship made of steel in amazement. And the captains or merchants who recognize the meaning of the flag of the tower and the spear will hold their chests and bow their heads to salute the fleet.
Roland was very satisfied that he had been able to accumulate such a wealth in three years, but what made him even more gratified were the young officials trained by the city hall.
They do not have a 100-year-old lineage, nor a wealthy family background. They just received a short-term general education and mastered writing and reading. If you put it in the past, at best, you can only do some clerical chores under the nobles, but in Neverwinter City, they have gradually become the backbone of various departments.
Because of the lack of backers, the new generation of officials will wholeheartedly support Roland. Apart from him, no one will use civilians regardless of their status.
Because they have never held a management position, they will act carefully in accordance with the rules, and they will take the trouble to ask their superiors for instructions when they encounter any problems, and they have not contracted the flamboyant and conceited problems of the nobles.
Because they were selected from ordinary citizens, they did everything by themselves. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture led farmers to plant wheat, and officials from the Ministry of Construction demonstrated the characteristics of cement to new workers. This is a common sight in Neverwinter City. A powerful centralized government must have strong control over the people at the grassroots level in order to realize its potential of being fast and efficient, and this move just satisfies this point.
Of course, the populace's leap to administrators is not without its flaws.
Just like the poor who have never owned property suddenly got a fortune from heaven, it is easy to fall into the trap of greed and shortsightedness. According to the education level of Neverwinter, not to mention personal qualities and professional ethics. Fortunately, Roland still has Nightingale by his side. The internal review of the Security Bureau can effectively curb this tendency. After several screenings and severe punishments, those still in the City Hall have basically understood the bottom line of His Majesty the King.
Today's growing number of young officials has become the guarantee for Roland to expand his power. It can even be said that his plan to regain the kingdom is based on the number of available officials.
Now, he finally has the foundation to unify the whole country.
"Notify the staff and come to the upper observation room for a meeting," Roland turned to Nightingale and said, "How to take over Chishui City, they should also come up with a plan."
…
In fact, it was not the first time that Neverwinter's fleet went to Chishui City. As early as half a year ago during the tooth extraction operation, the First Army had visited this large central city.
Therefore, the plan given by the staff department is also reasonable and well-founded: "Your Majesty, Chishui is the second largest city in the central region after the old capital. Not only does it have a vast territory, but there are also many nobles, so I'm afraid it won't be like Liuye Town a week ago. In that case, it is enough to force the lord to hand over his power."
Dawn Morning Light's father Sir Sylt further elaborated, "The Count Delta, the ruler of Chishui City, is not an ambitious person. This can be seen from the taxation of the city, sitting on the intersection of the river, and he can completely ask for it. More. The Delta family has been operating here for generations, and even if they give up their fiefdoms, they will not go anywhere. Rather than committing a rebellion and ruining their lives, the Count should make a wise choice."
"But it doesn't mean that other nobles will follow suit. It is not easy to unify their opinions, especially the Sanhe family and Panshiling. It is rumored that they themselves are not very good at dealing with Count Delta." He pointed to the map. "And once your request is officially declared, it is very likely that the opponents will gather into a group, just like in the West. So we speculate that the first army may have to go into battle and use force to force them to surrender. that power."
"Of course, this is not bad. Killing the conspirators can reduce the trouble of follow-up management, and your strong strength will surely deter the remaining ill-willed people. Therefore, we suggest that you first summon Count Delta alone and persuade him before publishing the decree. Although those nobles should already know more or less of your intentions. If there is any disobedience, you can directly send troops to clear it up."
Roland nodded, looking at the map silently.
He didn't mind using the truth to persuade his opponents. The First Army itself was used to do this, but Sir Sylt's words "the same as in the West" made him a little apprehensive. At that time, it took longer to clear the five major families than to capture the Changge Fortress and the capital, because the area of these fiefs was much larger than a city, and it would take several days just to circle around. There are only a lot of feudal lands around Chishui City. If you really have to clear them one by one, plus follow-up pacification measures, I am afraid it will not be over in two or three weeks.
"Isn't there a faster way?"
"Well, Your Majesty, faster means..."
"I don't want to spend too much time on this. There will be several cities in the future. If we do this, it is estimated that half of the summer will be over by the time we arrive at Cold Wind Ridge."
"This..." Jazz and the others were silent for a while.
"There is a way, but it may be detrimental to your reputation," Edith said suddenly. "Call them together and announce it on the spot."
"Oh?" Roland looked at her, "Go on."
"I have encountered the same problem as you, or even worse," Pearl of the North succinctly recounted her plan for the Hoth family and the Lista family. Act, I am afraid that the northern border is still in their hands."
After listening to her plan, everyone in the staff could not help but take a deep breath.
"Your Majesty, this..."
"If there is no evidence and no trial, it is difficult to convince people!"
"If it spreads out, I'm afraid it will arouse the suspicion of other nobles."
"Have you forgotten that besides Your Majesty, there shouldn't be any other nobles in Greycastle?" Edith said, "When nobles dealt with commoners, they didn't need any judgment." She looked at Roland. , "But whether to do this or not depends on you, after all, fame is such a thing"
"Only the victors are qualified to write history," Roland interrupted her. "For example, if you don't say it, no one knows that you have done such a thing. I have to thank you for your trust in me, and this matter is not It will be rumored. As for the takeover plan of Chishui City, you can formulate it according to your ideas."
Then he saw a strange look in the other's eyes, and at that moment, Beidi Pearl's breathing seemed to be a little short.
However, she quickly concealed her expression and lowered her head deeply.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."