Magic Industrial Age.

Chapter 501, Page 499: Mediation (Please Subscribe)
Loy rushed back in a hurry, not just to meet with the Imperial Ambassador, Lord Robin Waters.

This was just one of the things he urgently needed to deal with. In fact, along with the victory on the battlefield, all sorts of complicated matters followed one after another.

For example, some people who previously reneged on a business deal with a flower shop owner have now changed their minds again.

Of course, we'd have to ask around and find connections to get back into the ranks of Flower Territory's trading partners.

That's the thing, it's not easy!
Luo Yi had given them a choice before, so she wouldn't easily give in now, thus keeping a tight grip on the situation.

However, where there's a policy, there's a countermeasure. Many people approached the merchants still in the flower distribution cooperation sequence, hoping they could help place orders.

These businessmen were also hesitant, trying to find out what Lion Estate was saying.

Of course they wanted to do this business, after all, just passing through would mean sharing the profits, which was like Gintil being delivered to their doorstep.

But they would never offend the Raymond family for that; that would be utterly insane.

In the end, after careful consideration, Luo Yi chose to turn a blind eye.

It's in a businessman's nature to pursue profit; there's no point in demanding too much.

For example, although the legions dispatched by the three leaders of the Allied Forces did not enter Brussels, the destruction and losses they caused along the way were not uncommon.

Small towns and villages were either reduced to ruins or burned to the ground.

Even if a scorched-earth policy is implemented and most people have fled, the process of relocating them back to their hometowns, rebuilding the town, re-registering households, and compensating for losses will be extremely complicated and difficult to define.

Many things are already unclear, and to handle them properly, a large number of grassroots staff need to do the work bit by bit.

Of course, there's also a saying: Out with the old, in with the new!

These villages and towns that have become ruins are actually easier to rebuild, as they involve less demolition and relocation.

Loy sent designers to conduct on-site investigations and to carry out completely new urban designs based on the actual terrain of each place.

While we don't expect it to reach the level of a new Brussels city, essential amenities such as streetlights, public sanitation, clean drinking water, waste disposal, greenery, and walkie-talkie wiring should be prioritized.

The town that Luo Yi wanted, while not necessarily a truly modern city, absolutely could not be filled with excrement, much less be covered in mud with every step.

Furthermore, the Imperial Guard was divided into three, with tank battalions leading the way in conquering cities and territories. Loy also had to find a way to handle logistical matters.

However, once you leave the flower-lined area, there is no convenient railway transportation.

Even with magic-powered heavy trucks, the terrible roads make resupply difficult.

Loy had to send more people, expand the transport fleet, and allocate and intercept more magic-powered heavy trucks in order to maintain the three increasingly distant supply lines.

To be honest, only the three marquises were so badly beaten that their strength was greatly diminished, and they had almost no power to resist.

Otherwise, the ever-lengthening supply lines alone would be a huge vulnerability.

It's worth mentioning that after such a long battle, the magic tanks have finally started to malfunction in large numbers.

Ultimately, it's a magic-powered machine that hasn't been tested in war or had time to mature. How can you say it's perfect?

That's a joke!

If it can demonstrate its prowess on the battlefield and doesn't falter at crucial moments, then the design is already up to standard and the production process wasn't compromised.

At this point, large-scale, long-term application finally began to expose various problems one after another.

Fortunately, Luo Yi was prepared.

The repair team selected personnel early on, formed a squad, and replenished key parts. Led by Hill Douglas, they set off for the front lines to carry out repairs and rescues everywhere.

Hill Douglas also formed a dedicated opinion gathering team.

Wherever I go, I always make sure to have in-depth conversations with the tank crews, asking them about their experiences with operation, weapons, energy, and many other details.

This is all firsthand information on the optimization and improvement of the Magic Tank.

Luo Yi only glanced through it briefly, but she actually discovered quite a few issues that she hadn't noticed before.

For example, the shell casings of the main gun should ideally bounce off the tank after firing and be discarded, thus saving internal space to the maximum extent.

For example, the most frequent complaint from tank crews is the bumpy ride.

The tank's shock absorption is even worse than that of a heavy truck. When it goes fast, it's like a person is suspended in mid-air. After a while, the whole person feels like they're falling apart.

This is the biggest problem for tanks on long-distance raids.

Moreover, being inside a tank for extended periods of time presents challenges in terms of eating, drinking, and relieving oneself. While eating and drinking are manageable, such as nibbling on hard bread, defecating and urinating become problematic.

If you stop every time, you'll only waste time.

Hearing this question, Luo Yi was also a little flustered.

Regarding shock absorption, we can still work on it, try to fine-tune the chassis, and continue to improve it.

But what about pooping and peeing?

Are you suggesting he develop disposable diapers?
The thought of this is too beautiful, but the fact is that some things are indeed necessary.

Of course, some tank crew members also offered many excellent suggestions for improvement.

For example, handrails could be welded onto tanks, which could be used to haul cargo or even people when needed. This is no joke; when truck capacity is insufficient, infantry could advance quickly by sitting on the armored vehicles of tanks.

A very small change, yet it somehow gave the tank the function of an troop carrier.

Hill carefully collected all the scattered opinions. These seemingly minor changes were actually part of the process of continuously improving the Magic Tank.

In addition to these tasks, Roy also had to appease the people, publicize the victory, restore and rearrange factory production, and deal with the prisoners.

In fact, October has already arrived, and the autumn harvest and tax collection are urgent matters.

The areas that the three armies ravaged were ultimately limited; the harvests in other areas were still guaranteed, and harvesting grain was an absolutely essential task that could not be ignored.

That's all, not even counting the ups and downs outside of Flower Territory, all sorts of messy things.
This shows that even someone like Luo Yi, who likes to be lazy and delegate, is extremely busy.

Even so, there are some things that he still has to personally intervene in.

Mechanical Mage Tower, inside the secret chamber.

The magic mirror stood before them, and in its dim light, the figures of Grand Duchess Afra and Marquis Freud were revealed.

Luo Yi didn't have the patience to wait and spoke directly: "They still found you to act as their intermediaries?"

Marquis Freud: "You figured it out?"

"It's no use begging and pleading outside, so of course I have to ask you to step in. However, you should understand that I won't give in easily."

Old Freud smiled and said, "Don't you want to hear their terms first?"

They said that as long as you ask, they'll provide whatever they can without hesitation!

"What are the requirements?"

"Of course it was you who stopped advancing. The magic tanks are pushing forward and are about to reach their family fortress."

As he said this, Old Freud paused slightly and continued, "Florence, I know you are powerful now, but the people in the Noble Elder Council are also very worried."

"You're not afraid of the three marquises, but if the aristocratic circle reaches a consensus, it could cause you trouble."

Luo Yi laughed upon hearing this: "Your Excellency Marquis, I just want to ask, have I ever cared about those people in the Noble Elders' Council? Have they ever accepted me?"

"I dare to face even the three leaders of the allied forces head-on, so how dare those skeletons in their graves jump around in front of me?"

"If you're so capable, bring them to me, and I guarantee they'll be left with a whole corpse."

"Aren't you afraid?"

Do you think my current foundation of rule is still those nobles?

"This……"

Marquis Freud was completely speechless. He opened his mouth, but didn't utter a single word for a long time.

He understood that the Flower Territory had now distanced itself from them. Although they appeared to be equals, their strengths were no longer on the same level.

While they were still grappling with the conflicts among the nobles within their territories, Loy had already confronted several of the most powerful empires of the Old World.

Asking them to mediate is simply relying on the little bit of goodwill they've built up over the past to try and reconcile the situation.

At this moment, Grand Duchess Afra finally spoke: "Loy, what will it take for you to cease hostilities?"

Luo Yi raised his eyes slightly, meeting his gaze with that of his adoptive mother. After a moment of silence, he said, "What if I said that, no matter what, I am unwilling to cease hostilities?"

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Old Freud wanted to say something to ease the tension, but after glancing at Loy and then at Grand Duchess Afra, he didn't dare say anything.

Finally, Luo Yi spoke first, explaining softly, "You can try to consider things from my perspective."
Caught between the Empire and the Allied Forces, although I made some money and the Flower Territory developed quite well, my position was absolutely dangerous and sensitive.

I cannot back down, much less show the slightest sign of weakness; otherwise, countless people will perceive me as weak and easily bullied, creating a situation where a pack of wolves feeds a tiger.

"Therefore, I must resolutely strike at the three marquises, even at the cost of making them lose their territories and their lineages end."

"Only in this way can I establish a strong enough image, make others fear me, and maintain the stability of my territory."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Of course, I don't deny that the Flower Territory is ultimately a bit small, and many raw materials for industrial development need to be imported."

If war breaks out, we could easily be held hostage, so I also need the resources from their territory.

"What you said is all correct, and from your perspective, it's perfectly understandable."

Grand Duchess Afra also spoke up: "However, Loy, your dominance isn't just felt by those three guys; we also feel a strong sense of unease."

"To be honest, we're a little scared too!"

Her words truly revealed the current state of the Principality of Normandy.

The power of the Flower Territory has already exceeded the limits of the Duchy of Norman. If the three marquises are gone, will the Norman family and the Freud family be next?

That's why they're willing to act as lobbyists.

(End of this chapter)