The signing of the Protocol of Total Supply marked the end of the Northern War and the beginning of Alex's biggest economic threat: the sudden disappearance of the massive, high-margin war contracts. The Arren Industrial Syndicate was now optimized for military production, and without a transition, it faced massive layoffs, plummeting steel demand, and potential collapse.
"The kingdom requires a new economic stimulant, Hemlock," Alex stated, pouring over urban population maps. "We must pivot from destruction to infrastructure improvement. We need a market that is geographically vast, financially stable, and fundamentally inefficient."
The obvious target was the Royal Capital itself—a massive, sprawling, inefficient city relying on smelly oil lamps, slow horse-drawn transport, and polluted rivers.
Alex proposed the Grand Electrification Plan (GEP): the total overhaul of the Royal Capital's energy and transport systems, funded by a long-term bond secured by the city's future tax revenue.
The first phase was conquering the darkness. Alex needed to replace millions of individual oil lamps with centralized, reliable power.
He ordered the construction of a massive, coke-fueled Central Power Station outside the Capital.
* Scaling the Dynamo: Garth and Marcus, using the knowledge from the portable generators, built a gargantuan steam-powered dynamo—a continuous system where a large steam engine turned an immense magnetic coil, generating electricity on an industrial scale.
* The Wire Network: They began stringing miles of copper wire—insulated with locally sourced rubber—on standardized wooden poles, implementing a rudimentary grid system across the capital.
The most challenging task was creating a reliable light source. After hundreds of failed experiments (carbon arcs that burned out too fast, metals that melted), they landed on a simple solution: a fine carbonized thread sealed inside a vacuum in a simple glass bulb .
The resulting electric lamp was fragile, but cheap to produce and lasted far longer than oil lamps.
***
While the power station was under construction, Alex tackled the Capital's mobility problem. The streets were clogged with slow, manure-dropping carriages—the epitome of logistical failure.
Alex proposed replacing them with electric trams.
He designed street rails (using his Iron Road technology) and electric trams powered by overhead copper cables. The trams would use the electricity generated by the new Central Power Station.
Lord Valerius, Minister of Public Works, was initially suspicious. "Viscount, your metal carts are noisy, and your wire will tangle in the air! Why should the Crown fund this expensive madness?"
Alex didn't argue safety or speed. He argued profit.
"Minister, the current carriage tax yields X per year," Alex explained. "The trams are faster and carry 20 times the load. I propose a fixed fare for all citizens, and the Crown receives a 30% cut of the gross revenue. We will generate ten times your current tax revenue, eliminate street manure (a public health risk), and provide rapid labor transit, which increases industrial output across the city."
Valerius, having already seen Alex convert logic into gold, signed the transport contract, viewing the network of wires as a brilliant new tax source.
***
The day the Grand Electrification Plan went live was transformative.
The Capital, previously a dark, dangerous maze at night, was suddenly bathed in the steady glow of electric light. Crime rates plummeted, and the city's nightlife immediately boomed, generating massive, unexpected revenue for the local populace—all tracked and taxed by the Crown.
The electric trams zipped along the streets, instantly speeding up commerce and allowing laborers to live further from the crowded center—a rudimentary form of suburban expansion.
Hemlock, now managing the accounts for a public utility, panicked. "My Lord! We are selling an invisible product! How do we charge for electricity? How do we stop people from taking too much?"
Alex solved this by having Marcus invent the electrical meter—a simple, calibrated dial that measured the flow of current over time. Consumers were charged only for what they consumed, a transparent system that encouraged adoption.
The Arren Industrial Syndicate was no longer just the king's armory; it was the engine of modern life. Alex had successfully secured the largest civilian market possible, ensuring a reliable, long-term return on his investments.
Next priority: The kingdom is now modernized, but the political structure remains feudal. To ensure the long-term survival and stability of his corporate system, Alex needs a political shield stronger than contracts. He needs to transition the kingdom from feudalism to a representative democracy.