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

To take a step back, even if he really couldn't defeat Margaret on the front battlefield, she could hide far away overseas and continue to develop her own power.

So after helping Margaret defeat the three duchies south of Vienna, Fran began this series of plans.

A few days later, Margaret's expeditionary forces finally assembled and marched towards the west of Vienna. The two sides soon came into contact.

But at this critical moment, Fran welcomed an unexpected guest.

Margaret's right-hand man Wallenstein.

"Count Wallenstein! Why are you here? Nice to meet you." Fran said.

The situation on the battlefield is now on the verge of breaking out. Why does Wallenstein, as a general, come here instead of going to the front line to command?

"Just call me Wallenstein." Wallenstein gathered his golden wavy hair and said, "Lord City Lord, I came here this time to make a request that is... a little difficult to express."

"It's hard to talk about?" Hearing this, Fran frowned slightly. Could it be that Margaret had contracted some unspeakable disease? But I am not a doctor.

"I would like to ask the Lord Mayor, are there any firearms left?" Wallenstein asked.

Oh, it’s a firearm.

Fran understood it all at once. Since the war began, Margaret had never purchased firearms from Fran. At first, she thought that the other party had increased the production by force, but now it seems that things are not that simple.

So Fran pretended to be confused and said, "Yes, there is, but if I remember correctly, the empire's alchemy workshop should have thoroughly understood the principles and internal structure of firearms. In addition, there are so many skilled craftsmen in the empire, so there should be no shortage of firearms."

"Don't mention it." Wallenstein sighed, and then said, "I don't know why, the workshop's production capacity has not been able to increase. So many craftsmen gathered together, but they couldn't produce many firearms a day, and the quality is far from comparable to yours, the city lord. Until now, we still have 680

The notch of the musket."

"Six hundred, that's not a small number." Fran said, "Besides, the war is about to start, why did we only discover such a big shortage of muskets now?"

"This is mainly my fault," Wallenstein said. "I didn't do further research on the production process of firearms. I didn't expect it would be so difficult to increase its production capacity."

I'm afraid it's not that he didn't expect it, but that he underestimated it. Wallenstein must have thought that since Orilla City could easily produce so many firearms, he couldn't possibly have less than Orilla City. As a result, he fell flat on his face.

Of course, Fran would not point this out. She said with some embarrassment, "As you know, I have just sold a lot of muskets recently, so I definitely don't have 600 in stock. I'm really sorry."

"Alas..." When Wallenstein heard this, a look of frustration immediately appeared on his face.

Seeing Wallenstein in an awkward position, Fran also began to feel confused.

The war had been going on for so long, and the problem of insufficient firearms should have been discovered long ago. At that time, whether it was buying from Fran or increasing production, there was still room for maneuver. Why did they only think of solving such an important problem at the last moment?

With Margaret's ability and Wallenstein's shrewdness, such an oversight would not have occurred. There must be some hidden story behind it.

Fran remembered that of Margaret's two confidants, she preferred Tilly because Tilly was brave and good at fighting, and was also an excellent commander, which was very suitable for Margaret. In comparison, Wallenstein's battlefield command ability was only average. She was best at logistics, military construction, and even business.

Therefore, the empire's workshops, especially those producing firearms, must be handed over to Wallenstein for management.

Margaret obviously doesn't understand engineering. After seeing that Orilla City can produce firearms on a large scale, she must think that firearms production is a matter of little technical content, so she will demand higher production from Wallenstein and regard all of Wallenstein's complaints as excuses and problems with his ability!

The result was that when the deadline came, there was still a huge gap in the supply of muskets. Wallenstein had no other choice but to take the risk and find me to solve this urgent problem.

So Fran showed a sly look at her lips, and said, "For such an important matter, why don't we go to the palace? I will talk to Her Majesty Margaret in person."

"No, no, no!" Upon hearing this, Wallenstein immediately stood up and said in a panic, "Your Majesty, please don't worry about these things."

Seeing her like this, Fran became more certain of her guess.

So she said, "I'm afraid the Earl came here in a personal capacity this time. Your Majesty doesn't know about this."

"You! How did you know?" Wallenstein was shocked to see his secret being exposed.

"Haha... Dear Earl." Fran said, "You don't want His Majesty to find out that you can't complete the order. Why don't we make a deal?"

When others are in trouble, it is the best time to make money.

What I, Fran, like most is helping others in times of need.

Chapter 114 Wallenstein's Secret of Wealth

"I, I don't understand what the city lord is talking about." Wallenstein wanted to make a few more excuses.

"Alright, my beloved Count Wallenstein." Fran calmly poured a glass of wine for Wallenstein, and then said, "Based on your style, you must have prepared something as important as soldier equipment before assembling the troops. It is absolutely impossible to delay it until the army sets out."

Afterwards, Fran roughly told her guess.

After hearing this, Wallenstein neither admitted nor denied it, but just picked up the glass and drank it all.

"I understand you! Anyone would feel a headache if they have such a boss." Fran poured another glass of wine for Wallenstein, and then said, "You know nothing, but you insist on doing things your own way and setting goals that are totally unattainable! If you can't do it, it's your fault! You keep saying that I don't care, I want it! Do it now!"

Do it! If you don’t have enough time, give me 996!”

"That's right!" Wallenstein slapped his thigh, and then said, "Alas! I really have so much trouble! Your Majesty doesn't care at all, and doesn't want to care about the low production capacity of the workshop. He just puts the task on me. Producing 200 muskets a day, this is impossible! It's not like he wants to increase it tenfold.

With more manpower, the production capacity can be increased tenfold!"

Two hundred muskets a day, Margaret is really boastful. Even with the steam engine and so many prefabricated metal ingots, she can't produce a hundred muskets a day.

"In short... the city lord is truly my soulmate. Alas." Wallenstein drank another glass of wine, and a slight blush appeared on his fair face.

"Your Majesty, don't worry too much. Maybe things can turn around." Fran said.

"It's difficult, extremely difficult. To be honest with the City Lord, the shortage on my side is actually not just 600 swords, but a full 1,200! With the current production capacity of the workshop, we won't be able to finish them even if we work for another year." Wallenstein sighed.

One thousand two hundred.

This number surprised Fran. She wanted to know what kind of horrible army construction plan Margaret had drawn up that required so many muskets.

Fran also poured herself a glass of wine and said, "What if I tell you I can help you?"

After hearing this, Wallenstein's eyes lit up. She immediately put down her wine glass and said, "Oh?! Lord City Lord has so much inventory? If I can get through this difficult time, I will always remember the Lord City Lord's friendship."

"How could I possibly have so much inventory?" Fran said, "But I can draw weapons from the active troops. If you don't give up."

"No problem! Of course not! As long as we have firearms, everything is easy to deal with." Wallenstein immediately said, "Lord City Lord, please name a price! I am willing to buy it at a first-hand price."

"The price of a new piece? That's a lot of money." Fran touched her chin and said, "Even if it's based on the last transaction price... I didn't expect Count Wallenstein to be so rich."

"Hahaha." Wallenstein tied his long wavy hair into a big braid and leaned it on his left shoulder. "Her Majesty has entrusted almost all of her assets to me. She doesn't like to study numbers and sneers at such money-smelling things, so as long as I can raise enough military pay for her, the rest will be fine.

, she doesn’t care much.”

At this point, Wallenstein smiled meaningfully.

I understand, I understand.

Fran also served as Beelzebub's chief financial officer for a period of time.

"So, Her Majesty Margaret, with a small earldom, was able to support a heavy cavalry of a thousand men because of you who were in charge of the rear?" Fran said.

"It's too exaggerated to say that I'm in charge of the overall situation. I just did some minor work." Wallenstein shook his hands embarrassedly.

"Before we trade firearms, can I ask you a question? How did you make so much money?" Fran said, "After all, a heavy cavalry unit would cost an astronomical amount. I didn't expect that you could not only raise such a large sum of money, but also build your own treasury."

"Uh..." Wallenstein hesitated a little when talking about this, but finally said: "Hey! Actually it's nothing. Even if I don't tell the city lord, I believe you can find it out later. We have formed a privateering fleet, specializing in robbing ships traveling to and from the Feruman Empire. Of course, we are fair, and we will take any ship.

Robbery, never shield. "

My goodness, are they even robbing their own merchant ships?

"If I remember correctly, it was the Fruman Empire and Margaret's brother, Duke Habsburg, who jointly maintained order. Didn't they wipe you out?"

"We did a good job of keeping it secret. As a result, no one knows where our pirate group came from. In addition, we have an insider. We will know about any action to capture the pirates before it is sent to the front-line troops. Therefore, they can't wipe us out at all."

"Cat and mouse game?

"Yes. But later we stopped playing this game. After we became rich, we bought the best warships from Venice and Genoa at high prices and hired the best craftsmen and sailors. You know, as long as the money is enough, the Venetians will even sell their wives."

"Didn't Archduke Habsburg and the Ferumens think of going to Vienna to buy warships?" Fran asked curiously.

"The pirates did not cause Grand Duke Habsburg too much damage. These merchant ships did not stop at the ports within the Principality of Habsburg. Even if they were merchant ships within the Principality, they were affiliated with various chambers of commerce. The money they earned would not be given to Grand Duke Habsburg, but they would find ways to evade taxes. Grand Duke Habsburg did not have to defend a

An expensive navy."

"So, what about the Ferumens?"

"They were indeed very angry. After all, their goods were robbed eight out of ten times, which was like breaking a leg. But just when they were preparing to invest a large amount of money to form a fleet, this leg was connected again," said Wallenstein.

"Connected? How?"

Wallenstein said: "We have opened up a new trade route on land. In fact, our purpose has never been to plunder. Pirates can make a lot of money. Our focus is to cut off maritime transportation, force these merchant ships to dock early, and then use carriages to transport these goods to the empire. Coincidentally, this trade route

The line passes right through your Majesty’s fiefdom.”

"I understand... toll collection." Fran said, "By the way, that port that we docked in advance is not also the property of Her Majesty Margaret."

"I have to say, this is another coincidence," Wallenstein said with a smile.

"But if you do this, doesn't it mean that the caravan will have to take a longer route? And the ports of the Feruman Empire will suffer heavy losses. Even if the trade route is opened, will they be willing to give up?" Fran asked curiously.

"Although our Holy Roel Empire is a mess and is often ridiculed by them, the Feruman Empire is not a monolithic entity. Each principality has its own interests. The principalities along the coast of the Feruman Empire are weak and have no say. But the principalities that the land caravans pass through are different. There are even

There is the power of the Queen. Some suffer, some benefit, and disagreements arise.”

Fran never thought that Margaret would use the method of seizing trade routes to make money! And she succeeded. No wonder she thought of seizing the port first, and her purpose was also to seize the trade routes.

But this time they were snatching it from their old sellers, Venice and Genoa.

Now that I think about it, the reason why Margaret dared to boldly hand over the port to me and was not afraid of expanding my naval power was because she already had a fleet in her hands. This fleet has been operating all year round and has fought against regular armies, so it has extremely rich experience.

Such a fleet might have a hard time defeating elves and dwarves, but it would be invincible against the landlubbers of the Holy Roll Empire. And Orila City was the biggest landlubber in the Holy Roll Empire. They lived underground all year round and didn't even have a boat to cross the river, let alone form a fleet.

Even if Fran formed a fleet now, Margaret believed that it would take more than ten years to form combat effectiveness.

It's just a pity that Fran's warship is not an ordinary ship. It is a warship powered by a steam engine and equipped with cannons! Moreover, the requirements for sailors in the era of firearms are already very different from those in this era.

Fran is looking forward to her fleet fighting against Margaret in the future.

Chapter 115: System Debate

"Well, I wonder if these old stories can satisfy the curiosity of the city lord." After Wallenstein finished speaking, he looked at Fran with interest.

"Satisfied, satisfied! Completely satisfied." Fran said with a smile.

"Then I wonder if the city lord can give me a discount on the muskets." Wallenstein said with a smile: "Your firearms are priced so high. Although I have saved a lot of money secretly, after all..."

"You don't have to pay for the firearms. Just think of these firearms as being rented to you!" Fran said.

After hearing this, Wallenstein's eyes widened and he said, "That's true."

"Really." Fran said, "But if you borrow it, you still have to return it to me."

"Of course." Wallenstein smiled happily, and big dimples appeared on her face.

Fran said, "After the war is over, the Count can give me an equal amount of magic crystal coins, or a musket of similar quality. I will accept either."

Wallenstein nodded. But after the initial surprise, Wallenstein regained his composure.

Fran is a businessman. A businessman will obviously not do business at a loss. Fran is so generous, obviously she has something more important than gold coins.

As expected, Fran said, "But I have one more condition. Don't worry, this condition doesn't cost any money."

"Please speak, Lord City Lord."

"I want to send some people to your army as advisers. Don't worry, they are all human beings and will never be exposed. And you don't have to pay them a salary, just think of it as a training position." Fran said.

"No problem!" Wallenstein said with a smile.

Now it was Fran's turn to be surprised. She didn't expect Wallenstein to agree to her request so easily. You know, Margaret didn't even give her a chance to go to the battlefield in order to guard against her.

But before she could ask, Wallenstein answered her: "Lord, the city lord made this request because His Majesty did not invite you to join the battle this time. You are afraid that your officers lack relevant experience with firearms."

"Yes." Fran also admitted: "Her Majesty Margaret should also have this consideration. She wants to restrict the development of my troops, so she doesn't let me participate."

"That's right," Wallenstein said, "but it wasn't originally your Majesty's idea, it was Count Tilly's idea."

Earl Tilly?

I treated him to delicious food in the dungeon, but I didn't expect him to trick me. I have to find a way to make him a prisoner again.

Wallenstein said: "But I think that such strict defense is meaningless. There is more than one battlefield. In this chaotic world, it is not easy to find a place to fight. And I think that after the advent of firearms, the biggest change in war is not tactics, but logistics!"

"Oh?" Fran pretended to be puzzled and asked, "I wonder if the Count would like to tell me the whole story?"

It was unknown whether Wallenstein had started talking or had let down his guard after drinking too much wine. In any case, she did not hide anything and said directly: "The Lord of the City has also led troops to fight in wars. You should have noticed that with the advent of firearms, the pressure on the logistics troops is much higher than before! And with the increasing popularity of firearms, this pressure is

The strength will be increasingly raised, and the amount of military supplies will grow exponentially."

"And musketeers are different from traditional soldiers. They don't need years of training. Just grab a few farmers and give them a few guns, and they can quickly become combat-ready. This also means that if you want, you can expand your army crazily. With simple training, these farmers and craftsmen can also go to the battlefield.

It’s not like before when I could only be a follower.”

"When a small number of elite troops can no longer decide the life and death of a battle, the war becomes a logistical confrontation between the two countries. This includes the transportation of supplies on the battlefield, and even more so the production of supplies in the rear! The production efficiency of firearms and gunpowder, the output of food, the number of young and middle-aged people, these are all part of logistics!"