What's wrong with building a steel torrent in a dungeon?

py, only transactions.

"Moreover..." Wallenstein said, "If it weren't for the help of the officers sent by Lord Fran, with just the incompetent officers under my command and the private soldiers of the various dukes, the Fourth Legion would not have been able to survive the undead plague. I'm afraid they would have scattered long ago."

"Well... blame me. The army expanded too quickly and I didn't think it through." Margaret sighed.

Because Wallenstein's military capabilities were well known, the Fourth Legion was the worst among the five legions in terms of weapons and equipment as well as the quality of its officers.

Margaret had even designated the Fourth Legion as a reserve force, and had stuffed some third- and fourth-rate soldiers into her place, not expecting her to be of any use at all.

If it weren't for the arrival of officers from Orila City, who helped the Fourth Legion to transform itself, how could the Fourth Legion have turned the tide in the face of the Undead Scourge and saved the face of the Holy Roel Empire?

The current Fourth Legion has become Margaret's only reliance. However, in terms of military construction and elite capabilities, it is already ranked among the best in the entire Calradia continent.

Margaret waved her hand, no longer bothering about this matter. Seeing this, Wallenstein couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and then said: "So the city lord plans to send soldiers to sneak into the Duke of Normandy's army and take the opportunity to influence the conscripted soldiers."

"Soldiers? These soldiers are all people of my Holy Roll Empire. Why should I infiltrate them? I want to infiltrate the elves and the officers sent by the Northern Alliance!" Fran said.

Chapter 269 Infiltration

"How to deal with them?" Hearing this, Margaret and Wallenstein were confused again: "How to deal with them? They are different from the officers of the Fourth Legion before. They are elves!"

"It seems to me that there is no difference?"

"why?"

Fran said: "The officers who will be sent to the Holy Roel Empire are obviously not those pampered elven nobles, but ordinary officers who were born in a low-class family and do not have much background. No matter which country or race, there will always be a group of vampires, and in contrast, there will always be a group of exploited and unhappy people.

An ordinary person who has achieved success. Whether in the Holy Roel Empire or the Elf Empire, it is the same. "

"So... the city lord not only has to infiltrate the lower-level soldiers, but also has to win over these unlucky officers sent by the Northern Alliance?" Margaret said thoughtfully.

"Yes." Fran said, "They are not our enemies. They are the same as us, being oppressed and bullied by the Northern Alliance nobles. If we can win them over, it will be like planting a dagger in the interior of the Northern Alliance countries."

Wallenstein said: "And it's different from the direct garrison of the Northern Alliance. This dagger is invisible! As long as the nobles of the Northern Alliance continue to suck blood, this dagger will never disappear. It is like a ghost, always echoing over the heads of the nobles."

After hearing this, Margaret didn't take it seriously at first, thinking that she was influenced and that it would be better to just get rid of them. However, when she put herself in the perspective of those noble rulers, she suddenly realized that things were not that simple at all.

Because you never know who is affected.

Fran influenced them not with money, not with beauty, and certainly not with power! She relied on faith, a belief that could open the shackles and overthrow the chains.

There is no evidence of money transactions, no traces of beauty, and no power-for-power transactions or money-for-power transactions. It would be harder than climbing to the sky to find them in the vast crowd. You can't just cut open their hearts. The only thing you can do at that time is probably to launch a purge, and you would rather kill the wrong people than let them go.

However, whether the Great Purge can eradicate the problem is another matter. First of all, it will seriously damage the vitality of the army. And as long as the purge is not over, the army will always be in a state of panic. Everyone will not focus on leading the troops to fight, but on attacking each other and protecting themselves.

When she thought of this, Margaret broke out in a cold sweat.

Although I think that I am much better than other countries in Calradia in terms of military construction, in the final analysis, it is still a feudal army where the nobles exploit the common people and the soldiers are the generals. As a noble, when have I ever cared about the lives of the lower-class soldiers? All the credit goes to the nobles, and all the blame is borne by the soldiers.

If there hadn't been this undead disaster, there would have been no doubt that he would have been competing with Fran for supremacy in the Holy Roll Empire.

Of course, rather than a struggle for supremacy, it was more like Margaret was being beaten unilaterally.

I'm afraid that before I launched the attack, most of my officers would have mutinied. Those military plans that should have been kept secret hadn't been sent to the lower levels, but Fran had already started to comment on them. All the intelligence was sent to Orila City faster than it was to Vienna.

After the military, economic and cultural defeat, as an emperor, he would definitely be treated as a heinous noble and be humiliated and tortured by Fran, or even become a lowly maid to satisfy Fran's various strange hobbies.

Thinking of this, Margaret blushed slightly.

What's going on? Why is Margaret blushing? Fran looked at Margaret with some confusion.

"But..." Wallenstein asked with some doubt: "Before, the city lord relied on the grassroots officers. It was convenient to influence the soldiers and colleagues as an officer. But this time it is different. A large number of grassroots officers are either controlled by the Duke of Normandy or the people of the Northern Alliance. In their army, the soldiers and

The gap between the ranks of officers and soldiers is like a chasm. Ordinary soldiers don’t even dare to talk to officers. It’s really difficult for soldiers to influence officers.”

"Don't worry, I've already thought of this." Fran said confidently, "But before that, we need to wait for another guest to arrive."

"Who?"

"The high priest of the elves - Galannodiel."

"It's her!! I didn't expect there was a connection between the city lord and her!" Wallenstein exclaimed.

During the Scourge of the Undead, Galanodiel was rescued by Fran's troops and sent to Orilagle to recuperate. In the subsequent siege, Galanodiel used his powerful magic to command the elves who came together to fight against the undead and fought side by side with the warriors of the Vienna Alliance.

Margaret had a very good impression of this elf priestess (not only because she was stunningly beautiful), but most importantly, she was not arrogant at all, but was humble and well-mannered. It was just a pity that she was an elf after all, and she left Orilagle as soon as the war ended.

"She insisted on staying to fight the undead and refused to make peace with Arthas. That's why she offended the elven nobles." Fran said, "But because of her great contributions, the elven nobles didn't want to make things difficult for her, so they demoted her to the Feruman District and made her the chief priest of the Feruman District."

"A promotion in name only, but a demotion in reality." Margaret said, "Although she has become the chief priestess with real power, she has been completely kicked out of the elf ruling class because she is far away from the center of power. As long as she can't go back, she will never be able to turn things around."

"I heard that an organization called the Labor Guild suddenly emerged in the elf settlement on the east bank of the Soul-Guiding River. This guild has a great influence on the lower-level elves, even to the point where one person can command the support of hundreds of people. This can't be the work of the city lord."

"Ahem... I didn't do anything," Fran said, "I just helped Galanodiel."

"Oh? Just a matter of convenience?" Wallenstein chuckled. "The mainstays of those guilds have very strong organizational, critical thinking, and even tactical qualities. They have obviously received systematic training. I also heard that the city lord opened a special school in Gondolin. It brings together the lower-class civilians of various races.

And aspiring people, but they just don’t know what to teach.”

"Of course! Ordinary cultural courses!" Fran avoided the question.

After hearing this, the three people present couldn't help laughing, and the atmosphere became extremely cheerful for a while.

The secret conversation between the four people came to an end for the time being.

In the following time, with Fran's voluntary company, they quietly visited the newly renovated Leopold Castle and enjoyed a meal of Fran's new invention - hot pot.

I have to say that sitting in a warm house, listening to the sound of the biting cold wind blowing outside, eating hot pot and singing songs is truly one of the most beautiful things in the world.

Chapter 270: For this vinegar, guests

"Hot pot? What is that? It doesn't sound like food, but more like a machine used to make steel."

Margaret and Wallenstein looked at Fran suspiciously.

Not long after, a strong orc maid carried a huge copper pot to the table. She first put a lot of seasonings, then poured thick and mellow soup, and finally lit the charcoal fire skillfully.

With the blessing of the flame, waves of mist filled with the aroma of food slowly rise up, which makes people cry (from their mouths).

"Is this hot pot?" Margaret looked at the huge copper pot in front of her curiously, and then asked, "But what do we eat? Do we just drink the soup inside?"

"No, no, no! This soup is just the base. The real food hasn't come yet." Fran explained.

Fran found it very interesting to see Queen Margaret stirring the hot pot with a spoon, looking eager to try.

Wallenstein also imitated her and stirred the hot pot base, but an expression of surprise immediately appeared on her face.

"What's wrong? Were you splashed with soup?" Margaret asked.

"No... no..." Wallenstein said, "This soup contains peppercorns, red peppers, fennel, fennel, and spicy peppers! I saw no less than ten kinds of spices! These spices alone would cost at least 120 magic crystal coins!"

"As expected of someone who works in logistics and transportation." Fran gave a thumbs up and said, "I can tell what's involved at a glance."

"A bowl of soup costs one hundred and twenty magic crystal coins. The city lord is spending a lot of money." Margaret said with a smile.

"This is only the price in the summer when trade routes are open!" Wallenstein said, "In previous years, when there was heavy snow in the winter, transportation was blocked and the prices of various materials soared, not to mention luxury goods like spices! If the snowstorm is serious, the price of these spices will probably increase several times."

"Then Duke Wallenstein, guess how much this pot of soup costs?" Fran asked with a smile.

"Although it snowed heavily this year, the main roads have been kept open due to the city lord's winter conscription order..." Wallenstein thought for a moment, "Plus, many countries in the Indo-Asia continent have joined the Vienna Alliance, and trade has been smooth, causing the price of spices to plummet. But luxury goods are luxury goods after all, and at least thirty pieces are needed.

A magic crystal coin."

After hearing this, Fran and Christina smiled at each other. Finally, Christina said, "Thirty magic crystal coins? I'm afraid it's less than thirty Roll coins."

"What? How can it be so cheap? Don't lie to me! Although spices are not military supplies, when I was a privateer in the Habsburg Principality, I intercepted a lot of spices! How can the price be so low?"

"That's because our Chamber of Commerce has a partnership with the Eagle Empire. We pay to contract the land and hire local people to produce spices, fruits, etc. Now there are eight spice gardens under the name of the Jingxi Chamber of Commerce alone, not to mention some joint ventures and spice gardens invested by subsidiaries." Fran said: "With the efforts of both parties,

The Eagle Empire's spice production has increased more than tenfold, and since these spices are exclusively for us, the price has naturally become cheaper."

"Eagle Empire?!" Margaret said in surprise, "I remember the leader of the Eagle Empire was Mr. Allende, who was known as the Eagle of the Pampas. He was very wary of foreign forces. When the dwarves wanted to pass through the Eagle Empire, he refused. How could you convince him to cooperate with him? And even willing to provide land?"

"This is cooperation! Cooperation!" Fran said, "I do business based on my conscience. Of course, it doesn't count when I'm in the demon clan..."

Is it just the time of the demons? What happened to the tulip storm? Christina glanced at Fran.

Fran continued, "I'm not just investing in the Eagle Empire! I'm also helping them build schools and steel mills. And when I hire locals, I pay them very well. Ahem, the salary can't be compared to Vienna, but it's already very high in the Inya Continent!"

"You're even paying us?" Wallenstein said, "The dwarves only provide food when hiring people in Inya. The elves are even more ruthless. They say we're here to help you build your homeland. We don't ask you to pay us, but it's not too much to bring your own food to work for us."

It is indeed the style of elves and dwarves.

"Because of their behavior, the forces of the Northern Alliance and the Chinese Alliance followed suit and frantically lowered the price in the Indian Continent." Wallenstein continued: "The city lord is much better than them in terms of compensation alone."

Fran said: "How can I compare with them? They regard the Indian continent as a colony, but I regard the Eagle Empire as a friend!"

"Okay... no wonder Mr. Allende agreed with you. But I can't understand one thing." Wallenstein said: "Since the city lord is just going to buy spices, why bother so much. The Inya continent is vast and sparsely populated. Just find a country to contract a piece of land and let the local nobles grow crops themselves. Build schools, build factories, and cultivate

What can the locals do? It is of no benefit and only increases costs.”

Hearing this, Christina couldn't help but smile.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Seeing Christina smile, Wallenstein asked curiously.

"No...it's just that the Duke's question was also asked by Mr. Allende."

"So, what did the city lord say?"

Christina said disdainfully: "Heh... I thought Fran would at least give a dignified and serious answer to one of the only four Saints on the continent. But she ended up saying something that no one could understand."

"What did she say?" The two became more curious.

Christina thought for a moment, then said, "What Fran said... The proletariat can only liberate itself by liberating all of humanity. I don't understand. Mr. Allende seemed to understand, but he didn't say anything in the end."

The proletariat can only liberate itself by liberating all mankind?

Wallenstein often interacted with the Chamber of Commerce in Orila City, so he knew the concept of the proletariat, but he really didn't know the following words. As for Margaret, she was just like a kindergarten kid listening to quantum mechanics.

Finally, Margaret and Wallenstein looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly.

"It's okay, it's okay. It doesn't matter if you don't understand now! I believe you will understand it in the future." Fran waved her hand.

Just at this moment, a maid pushed open the door and brought up many dishes and a beautifully packaged bottle.

Seeing this, Fran immediately took the bottle and poured a little on the small plate in front of each person.

"This is the New Year's gift from Mr. Jinzaka, the Grand Elder of the Troll Empire, to me - Troll aged vinegar. I have to say that this is the most flavorful aged vinegar I have ever tasted. To be frank, I made these dumplings today just for this vinegar... no, I prepared this hot pot! Okay! Let's eat!!"

Chapter 271: Sea, You Are All Water

After Fran simply taught the two how to cook hot pot, it only took three minutes for them to fall in love with this food.

Dip the prepared vegetables and meat into the soup and let the food be soaked in the fragrance of the spices during the cooking process. The originally single taste will suddenly become layered and rich in texture.

Margaret asked herself, as an emperor and having been a privateer for so long, what kind of delicacies must she have not seen! But this time, her taste buds went straight to these ordinary ingredients.

It really proves the saying that real delicious food often only requires the simplest ingredients.

While enjoying the hot pot, Wallenstein kept exclaiming in amazement.

Behind this hot pot is actually a microcosm of Fulan's commercial trade. Specialties from different regions, races, and countries are gathered on this small round table, and they must be as fresh as possible.

A few years ago, this was simply impossible. Even the most extravagant nobles did not have the confidence to obtain so much exotic food at once.

Judging from Fran's expression of being accustomed to it, it is obvious that these foods that were originally only enjoyed by the rich and powerful have now become part of the dining tables of ordinary people.

Such achievements may not be as glamorous as the victory in the Endless Ocean War and the Defense of Orilagle, but in terms of significance, they definitely far exceed the former.

Later, taking advantage of the alcohol (after two drinks), Fran revealed all the arrangements made at sea over the past two years, so that the two original founders of the Vienna Alliance and its most steadfast allies could understand how strong the Vienna Alliance's naval power was now.

The sea areas that have been explored in the main plane mainly include the Saint Serux Sea, the Endless Sea, and the South China Sea.

The Saint Selux Sea is located between the Calradia continent and the Elven continent. After hundreds of years of cultivation by the elves, the Saint Selux Sea can be regarded as the private sea area of ​​the elves. Even the dwarf navy dare not enter. As a new force, Fran naturally did not get involved.

After that is the Endless Sea, the largest sea in the entire main plane. It is located in the southern part of Calradia, facing the Inya continent to the west and the Volsas continent to the south. This sea area is extremely vast and is surrounded by three continents, so almost all the major and minor naval battles in the main plane take place in this area.

Originally, the overlords of this sea area were the dwarves, but after the dwarves were defeated last time, they took the initiative to withdraw from the northern part of the Endless Sea, leaving the southern part of the Holy Roll Empire without any worries. At the same time, Fran's fleet could also go smoothly to the Inya continent for trade.

The last sea area is the South Sea, located in the south of the Volsas continent where the dwarves live. There are countless islands of different sizes scattered across this sea area. The largest ones are as big as Venice, while the smallest ones can barely be considered an island reef.

In addition to various rare minerals, the biggest commodity produced on these islands, large and small, is labor - the black orcs.

Relying on their geographical advantage, the dwarves often went to Southeast Asia to hunt down black orcs and use them as a labor force. Thanks to the exploitation of countless black orcs, the Dwarf Empire was once extremely prosperous in material terms. Even the poorest dwarves would not starve or freeze to death.

But such prosperity is built on the lives of countless black orcs. Therefore, the dwarves are also called overlords sitting on slaves.

What Fran controls is the passage from the continent of Calradia to the continent of Inya.

Unlike the elves and dwarves, Fran would not occupy, colonize, or enslave the forces of the Indo-Ya continent. Instead, she would help them develop the local area and carry out infrastructure construction, which was naturally welcomed by countless forces on the Indo-Ya continent.

With the Eagle Empire as a model, other forces in the Inya continent rushed to cooperate with Fulan, fearing that they would be left without a place if they arrived too late. The locals also actively participated in the labor, after all, these constructions were for them, not for the businessmen who invested.