Translator: CinderTL
At Alvey's strong urging, Paul decided to reopen discussions on the Grassland war.
A conference was convened in Alden Town. Crystal Glare had explicitly refused to continue supporting the northwest army's deep incursions into the Grassland and had rejected authorization for inter-domain conscription. With support from the Royal Capital cut off and Alden Town's finances nearing their limit due to long-term war bond issuance, the central question became: how to maintain military pressure on the orcs?
Paul personally chaired the meeting, which included key members of the Council of Administration, military department staff officers, economic affairs officials, and others.
After hearing Alvey's report on the orcs' systematic consolidation of Grassland resources and their emulation of human institutions to establish a state apparatus, everyone agreed that halting the offensive now would give Abal a chance to regroup, leading to a future threat that would grow exponentially.
Participants voiced various opinions, but Hansel proposed a particularly enticing solution: the Resource Contracting System.
The core of Hansel's proposal was to divide the Grassland region under Abal's regime into several resource blocks and contract them out to financially robust industrial and commercial enterprises within Northwest Bay through competitive bidding. The contracting companies would gain priority rights to explore, exploit, and operate natural resources within their designated areas for a ten-year term, and they could establish "armed merchant guilds" affiliated with their enterprises to protect their interests.
Crucially, these lands would not be seized by the Northwest Legion. Instead, companies would be required to organize their own forces to seize and maintain control of the territories from Orc Clans. The government would provide three forms of support: 1) supplying firearms and ammunition at preferential prices; 2) lifting restrictions on civilian firearm use, allowing merchant guilds to equip themselves with standard-issue rifles and light artillery; and 3) recognizing the legitimacy of companies establishing strongholds, levying resource taxes, and undertaking infrastructure development within their controlled areas.
During his presentation, Hansel emphasized, "The inherent nature of private capital is profit-seeking. Rather than relying on continuous public funding, we should guide private capital to proactively assume risks. To protect their investments, companies will spare no effort in driving out Orc forces. This not only alleviates pressure on the army's front lines but also transforms the war into a 'profit-driven' expansionary campaign."
The proposal sparked fierce debate during the meeting. The military worried that civilian militias, lacking discipline, might disrupt battle lines or foster separatist factions. The Council of Administration feared the plan would lead to resource monopolies and social inequality.
Lord Paul Grayman, the lord himself, remained outwardly noncommittal, though inwardly he was intrigued.
After the meeting adjourned, the attendees gradually dispersed. Hansel's "Resource Contracting System" proposal had ignited heated discussion, but Paul never voiced a clear stance.
Upon returning to his office, Alvey quietly reappeared.
"Lord Grayman," he said in a low voice, "Sir Abbot's proposal may seem like a solution to our current difficulties, but it conceals grave dangers. You must proceed with caution."
"Oh? Please elaborate," Paul gestured for him to sit.
Alvey said gravely, "Seeking to alleviate the war's burden through private capital is understandable. But have you considered this? Once these corporations establish armed forces on the Grassland, seize territory, and control resources, they will rapidly evolve into semi-independent powers. They will no longer be mere merchants, but de facto lords. And you, Lord Grayman, are not the supreme authority in Aldor."
He paused, his voice growing more emphatic. "The Aldor Royal Family still exists. If you allow these commoner-born industrial and commercial leaders to maintain armed forces abroad, what do you think the Royal Family will do?"
He looked directly at Paul. "A title, a fief, a royal pardon—do you really believe these merchants will remain loyal to you, or to the legitimate Royal Family's bestowal? Oh, perhaps you think they've always been loyal to you. But don't forget, they never possessed proper armed forces before."
"What does a commoner strive for their entire life if not dignity and recognition? The Royal Family can provide exactly that. Once they possess both status and military power, will they still obey you as they did before?"
"This is extremely dangerous!" Alvey warned. "With just a royal decree and a noble title, the Royal Family could turn an entire armed merchant company against you. If these armed groups, controlling vital trade routes, suddenly declare independence or defect to your enemies, the Northwest Bay will be caught between two fronts. Instead of expanding your influence, you'll have invited disaster upon yourself."
Paul remained silent for a long time. He had initially believed this was merely an economic maneuver, but now he realized the inherent danger.
He was not a king; his fiefdom derived its authority from the Royal Family—at least nominally. The Royal Family could exploit this very fact to reclaim all the power he had cultivated.
Several days later, the Resource Contracting System proposal was officially shelved, but businesses were permitted limited cooperative development in military-controlled areas.
A transformative initiative that might have birthed a foreign version of the East India Company was thus stillborn.
Just as Alden Town was growing tense due to the stalemate on the Grassland front, an urgent dispatch from across the ocean shattered the silence.
On the new continent across the ocean, an Alden expedition had ventured deep inland and discovered vast deposits of precious metals in a region known as the Silver Ridge Mountains. Preliminary surveys revealed clear surface veins of silver, while deeper drilling struck rich gold seams. The ore was of exceptionally high grade, and extraction would be far easier than mining the deep deposits in Aldor.
When news reached Alden Town, it ignited the populace. Taverns, docks, and marketplaces buzzed with talk of the new continent's gold mountains. Many were already planning to sell their possessions, desperate for a passage to the new continent.
Rumors spread like wildfire among the populace. Some claimed gold dust could be panned from the riverbeds, while others said the natives adorned themselves with gold, oblivious to its true value. A quiet gold rush began to stir.
Paul's eyes lit up as he read the detailed report from the Council of Administration, but he quickly fell into deep thought.
Funding—the long-standing bottleneck restricting the northwest army's expansion—might finally be resolved.
Systematic mining of the new continent's precious metal deposits could rapidly replenish the national treasury, repay war bonds, and secure substantial military funding.
Mass production of new-type firearms, soldier salaries, and supply transport could all be revitalized, eliminating the need to rely on high-risk private capital.
He mentally outlined his plan: establish an official mining bureau, dispatch trusted military officers as escorts, establish mining outposts, issue "mineral bonds" to raise initial capital... A self-sustaining war economy anchored by precious metals quickly took shape in his mind.
Yet he knew the new continent was distant, the voyage perilous, and the natives posed a threat. Moreover, large-scale development would inevitably attract the covetous eyes of other powers—news of the new continent's discovery had already spread throughout Aldor. Gold and silver mines were not merely wealth; they could become the epicenter of a storm.
(End of the Chapter)
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