Munitions Empire

Tang Mo knew it was time to negotiate, "My troops need rest and resupply…"

"You will be responsible for the north!" Knowing that Tang Mo deserved some compensation after the battle at the crossroads, the Earl was very generous with his promise.

"I'm very grateful, Lord Earl," Tang Mo did not overreach his abilities, but immediately accepted the generous favor.

Actually, they were distributing the directions of the subsequent attacks: according to Lord Earl's plan, the Northern Ridge Legion was to head south to block the retreating Suthers army, while Tang Mo led his army north to invade Suthers Kingdom.

It was an interesting arrangement because the main forces of Suthers were almost entirely within Leite Kingdom, so the country was undoubtedly defenseless.

With the combat power of Tang Mo's troops, they were certainly unstoppable. Therefore, heading north was an easy task, and a lucrative one at that.

With each town they captured, Tang Mo could seize some of the local reserves, including money, and other things—by just taking a look in the nobility's mansions, there were always plenty of surprises.

"However, since Lord Earl is so generous, I can't be too stingy, can I?" Tang Mo rubbed his hands together, chuckling, "What do you say? I want to present to you, with great emphasis, the new artillery that supported me in winning the battle at the crossroads…"

Tang Mo was no fool. Although going north to attack Suthers was a profitable assignment, it also took courage to leave his rear to Fisheo.

Once his troops penetrated deep into Suthers Kingdom and if Fisheo's troops had any problems behind them, and Suthers' reinforcing troops broke through, then Tang Mo would be enveloped by the Suthers army.

Should such a situation arise, the tables would completely turn: with an enormous supply train and innumerable seized goods and Gold Coins, Tang Mo's troops would move slow and be caught in an encirclement, a truly desperate plight.

So Tang Mo simply decided to go all in and sell the new artillery to Fisheo, giving him the capital to firmly hold the defensive line and cover Tang Mo's retreat!

Even, Tang Mo thought it might be a good idea to leave Tagg with Fisheo. With Tagg's straightforward character, he would definitely not do anything to harm the interests of Great Tang Group.

"I was curious, it seems you have new weapons again? Sell them to me? How much?" Fisheo Earl became excited at the mention of new weapons, bombarding with a flurry of questions.

Tang Mo did not hide anything and promptly began introducing his artillery. His demeanor was absolutely professional to the utmost degree.

When he learned that the price of a single artillery shell was so expensive it hurt, Fisheo started to take a keen interest in this costly artillery.

He understood a simple truth: expensive things often have a reason to be expensive! If Tang Mo's weapons were exorbitantly priced, that almost certainly meant they were incredibly powerful and capable of changing the course of war!

After all, his army had already been extensively re-equipped with Tang Mo's bolt-action rifles, and officers were also provided with revolvers, the power of these weapons was a tangible reality, undeniable.

"No problem! I'll take all 6 cannons!" As soon as Tang Mo finished introducing his C64 field guns, Fisheo Earl waved decisively, not even haggling over the price, and agreed at once: "And all of the shells!"

He knew he was already a rich man—wasn't there still more than two hundred thousand in war reparations?

However, he was unaware that nearly half of those hundreds of thousands in reparations had already found their way into Tang Mo's pouch. After all, part of that compensation was meant to repay the debts previously owed to Tang Mo.

This included the credit purchase of over twenty steam engine setups, matching mining-specific tracks, mine carts, and the corresponding training fees for the personnel.

Moreover, there were the design fees for Northern Ridge's own bullet factory, the procurement costs for the bullet processing plant equipment, and the costs of workers' learning and training.

Now, this not yet received compensation expense was going to increase further with the addition of 6 advanced C64 field artillery howitzers, along with the necessary munition carriages for dragging, and the costs for procuring the corresponding ammunition.

This is the arms dealer. The biggest benefactor in a war.

Tang Mo was quite curious as to why Alice, who liked to bargain and stood by, allowed the Earl to make such generous purchases this time without saying a word to stop him.

But then he set these minor details behind him as he had to return to his own troops to share the good news about the attack on Suthers Kingdom.

"Alright, I need to go back now, after all, I cannot leave them for too long…" Thinking of this, Tang Mo paid his respects to the Earl, then prepared to turn and leave. Only then did he feel tired, after all, a day's fierce battle was no easy matter.

Wes nodded slightly to Fisheo and then followed Tang Mo towards the distant horses.

"Lord Earl." Tagg did not immediately follow, but went up to Fisheo, his face flushed red.

"Tagg? What's the matter?" Fisheo saw his trusted lieutenant approach, smiling as he asked.

Tagg carefully considered his words, then plucked up the courage to say, "I once swore loyalty to you… I ought to devote my life to your service…"

Hearing Tagg speak so suddenly, Fisheo's brow furrowed, realizing that the trusted lieutenant standing in front of him was seemingly making a decision that would put him in a dilemma.

So, he waved his hand to cut off Tagg's words, and asked, "What exactly happened? Speak slowly, there's no need to be so anxious."

"It's like this, my lord." Tagg took a deep breath and removed his military cap: "I hope you will allow me to retract my oath."

He looked at Fisheo, who seemed somewhat astonished, and began to explain: "I am loyal to you, but Mr. Tang Mo's courage has also inspired me. I cannot offer you my loyalty and work for Mr. Tang Mo at the same time. So please forgive my selfish decision."

"I think I understand." Fisheo nodded, reaching out to pat Tagg on the shoulder: "Your character is like the brightest gem of the Northern Ridge, my old friend, Tagg."

He nodded again: "I grant you permission to retract your oath, Tagg! And I have to say, Mr. Tang Mo is indeed a good choice."

"I hope you can become a link between me and Mr. Tang Mo; please keep this in mind whether you work for me or him." After saying this, he let go of the hand resting on Tagg's shoulder.

"I... will." Tagg felt a wave of loss in his heart, but at the same time, he felt an immense sense of relief.

After wrestling with the decision for several months, seeing Tang Mo silently take his life-risking advice and truly launching a do-or-die charge, he finally made this decision.

He nodded slightly to Fisheo, then dashed toward the distant Tang Mo.

"Does he know some kind of magic... the sort that can clutch at one's heart, taking it for his own?" Watching Tagg's receding figure, looking even farther at Tang Mo's silhouette, Fisheo asked with some loss: "Tagg too... and you..."

Alice also looked at the distant young figure, uncertain if she was answering or just talking to herself: "Who knows..."

...

In the distant Poplar Kingdom, at the port city of Seaton, within the huge castle belonging to the Augustin Clan, the guards, now with revolvers hanging at their waists, stood at attention and saluted the passing young man.

"Father, the third steam engine has been assembled and tested; judging by the speed of the production line blueprint, we can start mass-producing Tang's K1 Quick Guns next month."

"That is indeed good news." Augustin Raitt Earl set down his pen and looked up with satisfaction at his son, John: "You did well, John, very well! These things will soon become the cornerstone of the rise of the Augustin Family, and you will be the most dazzling new star in the family."

Influenced by the monsoon, John's return to the Poplar Kingdom had actually been very fast, perfectly described by sailing smoothly with the wind.

However, the season was wrong at this time, so forcefully returning to Brunas meant sailing against the wind, and much time would be wasted in transit. Thus, the 4 months he promised Tang Mo for the return to Brunas did not consist of a two-month journey each way.

Because, when the battle at Northern Ridge broke out, John had already returned to the Poplar Kingdom for half a month. However, during that half-month, he was constantly assigned by his father to supervise the construction of the factory and did not organize the fleet for another long voyage.

John, once again dressed in finery, gave his father a deep bow and said, "Thank you for your praise, Father."

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"I hear that the work attitude of that family is not bad?" Earl Lett waved his hand, indicating John should be at ease, and then continued to inquire.

"Yes, the technical advisor from the Great Tang Group is very forthcoming, earnestly nurturing the other workers without any reservations." John answered truthfully.

"Not sure if he's truly simple-minded or just feigning it," Earl Lett chuckled coldly: "Pay him double the salary! Find a way to keep him, let him forget that he's a technical advisor! Make him work for us, here!"

"Yes, Father." To John, this seemed like a trivial matter of no great consequence.

"Now, let's talk about the debt." Earl Lett was very pleased with his son's efficiency and attitude, a smile appearing on his face.

"On my honor and the family's credit, I assured Mr. Tang that within 4 months, I would bring the remaining payment to Brunas. Father, I might be late," John said, clearly with some resentment.

Earl Lett ignored his son's subtle complaint and explained, "Yes, you are an honest child, John. However, the family is currently expanding the factories, recruiting workers; the fleet you sold also needs timely replenishment. Our finances are tight right now."

"Father... what do you mean?" John asked cautiously.

"I'm afraid I can't arrange such a large sum of money within the time you promised," Earl Lett said with a smile, revealing his intentions.

"Then, Father, how much can you give me?" John asked, somewhat unwilling to give in.

"You still don't understand, John... I'm not planning to spend another penny on a cost that doesn't need to be paid." Earl Lett said with a scornful smile, giving a cruel answer.

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Feeling unwell, the update is late, sorry to keep you waiting.