Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 607: East and West Fronts
"I didn't expect that in the fourth quarter of last year, our fiscal and tax revenue growth would be so much better than expected!"

Harvey closed the report in his hand and gave Reiner a satisfied smile. "I believe that in the first quarter of this year, the various economic data will continue to maintain this momentum."

You have to know that in the past year, the North has been experiencing wars of varying sizes almost every once in a while, and the work of recruiting population has hardly stopped. Once the military expenditures and various relief subsidies are opened, the funds will be poured out like a flood.

However, the year-end summary showed that not only did they not fall into financial difficulties, but they became richer and richer... Especially in the winter, the population growth and tax gains exceeded the harvest season. A large number of manufacturing industries sprang up like mushrooms across the kingdom. The labor force liberated from the farmland poured into the cities, filling the labor gaps in various factories.

You have to know that in the past, when the cold winter came in Saint Valen, which is located in the northern part of the southern border, after the land and rivers froze and the mountains and forests were covered with snow, 99% of the ordinary people would choose to huddle in their simple homes, relying on the fire and the meager rations saved up by hard work for a year, and struggle to get to the next spring... If it weren't for the tax collectors waving whips and swords to drive them away, they would never step out of the house in the wind and snow and the risk of catching a cold to repair the city walls or perform labor for the noble lords.

Ignoring the wind and snow, the ironclad ships and trains that shuttled across the plains and rivers day and night completely broke the dilemma of heavy snow blocking roads and frozen rivers. Food shortages and high prices no longer existed in various parts of the kingdom. The various medical hospitals built by the government and the free distribution of vaccines and medicines completely eliminated people's fear of plague and death.

More and more people are finding that working diligently in a factory with 24-hour heating, no fear of wind and snow, and provided food and accommodation, is far more secure and comfortable than staying in their own leaky homes.

"Going to the city to work" has become the first choice in everyone's mind to create a better life in the future!

After the Emperor's coronation ceremony, Spark City, which was officially established as the new capital of the United Kingdom... became the best destination for "working in the city".

The Ralph River, which runs through the entire kingdom, has become the most crowded and busiest waterway. Grizzly Castle, located at the northern terminus, is even more overcrowded. A large number of southern chambers of commerce have stationed here and opened transit warehouses so that they can buy the popular goods produced in the northern capital nearby. The berths have reached the point where people have to queue up to get a boat.

Hundreds of people arrive spontaneously every day and then take the train to their final destination of "chasing their dreams" - the royal capital, Spark City.

This completely spontaneous large-scale population migration had never occurred in the southern countries before, and it also caused the population of Xinghuo City to quickly exceed 100,000, and directly approached 130,000 after the New Year's spring plowing.

The continuous influx of new immigrants does not have to worry about a lack of suitable jobs... With the unlimited expansion of the city, the old city wall that was once majestic and long has now been officially designated as the inner city wall. A new city wall has been built from the north section and is actively recruiting personnel. Recruitment booths and promotional notices are even hung directly at the entrance of the central railway station, vowing to take in all the new immigrants pouring into the capital before other factories.

Conspicuous banners can be seen hanging high everywhere, and slogans such as "Once you come here, you are a northerner" and "Labor can create a happy life" often ring in people's ears.

"City Hall... Oh no, it should be changed to the State Department now. Reiner, you did a great job last year!" Harvey picked up the teacup and smacked his lips, making the final approval on the work report sent by Reiner.

From the old subordinate's metal body, a slightly comical cackle erupted, the high-frequency resonance of the gears and soul core resonating... For him, no reward could compare to Harvey's praise. After Harvey personally completed the core upgrade, he was filled with the passion and drive to serve His Majesty for another hundred years.

At this time, Asdalen and Pierce also walked into the office, and the news they brought immediately made the atmosphere less pleasant.

"So, it's basically confirmed now that Iron Hill City has completely fallen in the massive attack by the Lizardmen?"

The Chief Political Advisor nodded, copied the intelligence document in his hand and handed it to Harvey. He explained in a deep voice, "The report sent by Wolf Fang Ridge... According to the explanation of the head of the Stoneheart Hermitage, we have also completely understood why the intelligence informant who infiltrated the city when Iron Hill City was attacked did not immediately send us a warning signal."

The loss of intelligence this time was indeed a self-defeating move. Ever since the Stoneheart Priory was officially "recruited", their leader, Old Hughes, has been active in various parts of Isengard and has also sent a number of carefully trained spies to infiltrate Iron Hill City as internal support.

But the problem is that these spies are almost all low-level spellcasters. Although they are extremely cautious when moving around in Tieqiu City on weekdays and dare not reveal their identities at all, for fear of being reported by the people of Tieqiu City who regard them as heretics...but when they encounter the lizardmen attacking the city, the fluctuations of magic power in their bodies cannot be concealed at all. They are as conspicuous as bright lights in the dark night. They are the first to be targeted and eliminated by the alien race, and there is no chance for them to escape or communicate.

"Fortunately, after the fall of Isengard's capital, the enemy didn't rush south immediately... We still have ample time to respond." Harvey looked at the hanging southern naval chart and pointed to the path of the Chatlan River after it passed through Iron Hill City. "They must have new small floating islands, submerged in the underground waterways where their troops passed. According to the chart, their next target... should be Glenmore Lake, a hundred and fifty miles north of Highland City."

It is also the southernmost end point that the floating island can reach by diving within Isengard. It is only three hundred miles away from the border Wolf Fang Ridge. The Winged Creatures can reach the border defense line in almost two or three hours, and ordinary land-based demon lizardmen, with the help of some small river tributaries, can also carry out surprise attacks from morning to night.

Pierce said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the current strategic dispute between the military and the General Staff is mainly about how to determine the offensive and defensive postures on the eastern and western fronts..."

To the east, they captured the mountain kingdom of Arred and deployed troops on the border of the holy city of Goreth to prevent a gap in the defense line if the holy city was attacked and fell. To the west, Isengard had already given up the entire territory of Isengard, which had a strategic depth advantage, and was now forced to retreat to the border Wolf Fang Ridge.

Both "baskets" need to be filled with troops in a timely manner, and the General Staff headed by Asdalen tends to stabilize the Langya Ridge area on the western front first, and find ways to push the front line back so as to erode some of the neighboring countries' territories. At the same time, the eastern front, which is farther away, should suspend its actions. After all, the church is guarding the front line in Goris. No matter how tense the situation is... there will be scapegoats to help them delay some time.

The military headed by Pierce had a more radical attitude. With sufficient manpower and firepower, they decided to do both and make both strong. They also hoped that the two-front offensive would be carried out simultaneously, and they were unwilling to suffer any loss.

After listening to their respective opinions and considering them comprehensively, Harvey finally made the final decision: "If we give the army three days to quickly capture Yarid in a blitzkrieg, a two-front war plan is not completely unfeasible."

(End of this chapter)