Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

In the conference room of the Lord's Mansion in Lakeheart Town, senior officials from the Administration Council and the military gathered together.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was quite somber, as everyone pondered the situation in Horn Bay.

Old Ford, with his eyes closed, tapped his right hand lightly on the table. Cecil and Hansel stared blankly at the teacups before them.

Schroeder puffed on his pipe, thoughtfully watching the rising smoke rings, while Bryce's brows were furrowed, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't open his mouth.

Ladi appeared worried, probably concerned about the future of her hometown.

Paul glanced to his left and then to his right.

"Gentlemen, just sitting here won't do. Does anyone have any good strategies to mitigate risks?"

Undoubtedly, the outbreak of war posed a threat to the trade in the Northwest Bay.

A strategy? Hansel felt somewhat speechless upon hearing Paul's words.

The tense situation in Horn Bay was well known to every official in Lakeheart Town, evident from the volume of arms purchased by the Horn Bay Alliance.

A duck swimming in the river every day would be the first to know whether the water was cold or warm.

Half a year ago, the Northwest Bay merchants, who had significant business dealings in Horn Bay, jointly petitioned the Lord's Mansion to purchase or lease a small piece of land in Horn Bay. In the event of war, it could serve as a foothold for the Northwest Bay merchants, continuing to maintain the supply point on the route to the East.

However, the Count at the time refused, citing excessive costs.

Three months ago, the Administration Council revisited the merchants' joint letter, unanimously agreeing that it was no longer a time to worry about expenses. They proposed halting the chemical plant, postponing the construction of reservoirs and schools, and instead purchasing land in Horn Bay, preferably an island.

Count Grayman was displeased, declaring that no one should think of diverting funds from the established projects.

Now, with war looming in Horn Bay, the Count began seeking everyone's opinions.

But no one mentioned buying land anymore.

"Cough, cough!"

Ford, sensing that continued silence would embarrass Paul, broke the silence:

"Our trade activities are mainly concentrated along the coast, and it will take some time before the Horn Bay Church's influence reaches the coast, so there's a buffer period. But now, while money and people can be easily evacuated, the immovable properties there, including private enterprises and those of the Administration Council, are difficult to move. Once the war breaks out, inevitably some lawbreakers will take advantage of the chaos. So…"

He raised his eyebrows slightly, casting a seemingly casual glance at Chief of Staff Schroeder.

"It would be best if we had a military force in Horn Bay capable of deterring those with malicious intentions."

"Ah?" Schroeder, who was engulfed in smoke, was taken aback upon hearing the Administration Council's director mention a military force.

To be honest, as the Chief of Staff, Schroeder thought his role today was just to listen in. After all, what could the Alda army, which only ruled supreme in the Northwest Bay, have to do with the distant Horn Bay?

Alda could only deploy naval forces to Horn Bay, but what use would warships be in inland countries without even a single boat? Would they just stare blankly?

"This indeed is a problem, Schroeder!"

Paul looked at him. "Can we dispatch a military force to Horn Bay? Perhaps… a battalion?"

"Cough! Lord Grayman,"

Schroeder put his beloved pipe on the table and stood up to speak.

"I'm sorry, but our troops simply don't have that capability yet."

He first dampened Paul's expectations, then began listing reasons one by one.

"Firstly, although it's easy to send one or two battalions there, our military heavily relies on unique equipment like gunpowder, firearms, and cannons, which can currently only be produced in the Northwest Bay. These items are consumables and resupplying them in distant Horn Bay is a significant problem."

"Secondly, even if we had the transport capacity to move these items to Horn Bay, we still lack a stable base — or rather, a series of bases there for storing, transshipping, and distributing our supplies."

"Lastly, we are unfamiliar with the climate and environment there. Our soldiers are all from the Northwest Bay, and most have never left their homeland. Suddenly moving to the hot and humid climate of Horn Bay could lead to acclimatization issues."

"Gentlemen!"

Schroeder emphasized his point, looking around solemnly: "Do not underestimate this last reason. Acclimatization issues can be fatal, and there's the risk of serious contagions. Certain diseases might cause minor symptoms in locals, but for outsiders, they are like the grim reaper's scythe — more fearsome than any tangible enemy."

His eyes reflected a hint of reminiscence.

"Thirty years ago, when I first joined the Watchers' Legion, stationed at the Nerodan Corridor, which, like the Northwest Bay, is in the northern part of the kingdom, I suffered from diarrhea for a whole week upon arrival, even though I was a robust young man back then."

"In conclusion…"

Schroeder looked at Paul, summarizing: "I strongly oppose sending troops to Horn Bay now. It would be sending our soldiers to their deaths."

"However…" he shifted his tone, "If the Lord wishes, we can start preparing now. We could send intelligence officers to survey the terrain, collect information on the flora and fauna, and send doctors to understand the local diseases and medicinal herbs. Also…"

"We could send envoys to negotiate with the local rulers for a piece of land as a foothold."

"If we start these activities now, I estimate that in six months, we could be preliminarily ready to project our forces into Horn Bay."

Paul didn't respond, and the room fell into silence.

"Uh…"

At this moment, Hansel timidly stood up and cautiously said: "Lord Grayman, if an Ordo army appears in a war the kingdom is not involved in, it would put His Majesty the King in a difficult position."

"Alright!"

Paul's face showed his dilemma.

"You all make valid points. We can't send our men to their deaths, nor can we make His Majesty the King uncomfortable."

"Lord Grayman!"

Schroeder spoke again.

As the Chief of Staff, the most important person in providing military advice to Paul, he continued to brainstorm actively, trying to offer solutions.

"If it's just about deterring criminals, why not consider hiring mercenaries?"