Chapter 1681: Chapter 98: Arms Dealers of the New Era (Part 2)
This invasion by the Earth Core race made various countries realize the importance of cavalry, and plans to expand the cavalry force are included in the process of military reform.
The delay in implementation is not just about financial resources, but more importantly, the shortage of war horses.
The previous free-range model had not only a limited quantity but also no guarantee of quality for the war horses.
Market vacancy means profit!
After the trade routes are opened, the Noble Lords from the Southeastern Province will certainly expand the scale of war horse breeding, but it will take several years before results can be seen.
…
“Duke, based on the intelligence we have gathered, the shortage of war horses in the Three Kingdoms in the Central Continent is at least over two hundred thousand.
According to the plans announced by the three kingdoms, they intend to expand two standing cavalry corps and five knight corps each within the next three years.
The demand for war horses among the private armies of civilian nobles is even greater, even with internal provision of some, there still remains a massive shortage of war horses.
Perhaps fearing the reaction of the Elf Race, the Moxi Duchy has not directly expanded its military, but preliminary estimates put their shortage of war horses at over fifty thousand.
The situation in the South Continent is somewhat complex, and it is temporarily impossible to make an assessment; it seems their shortage would not be smaller than that of the Central Continent!”
Listening to Jose’s report, Hudson nodded slightly.
This number is relatively conservative; during the era of Noble Lords, it was always the noble’s private army surpassing the kingdom’s standing army.
Especially such poor governments of the Three Kingdoms in the Central Continent, are restricted by financial resources when expanding military power.
On the contrary, many wealthy households exist among the Noble Lords below.
Past peaceful years provided conditions for the accumulation of wealth.
Some well-established clans had hundreds of thousands stacked in cash in their warehouses alone.
After realizing the crisis, these clans will definitely find ways to enhance their military power.
The clan annihilated during the Earth Core race invasion serves as the best negative example.
If they had taken military preparedness seriously, investing half of clan wealth into the army, they wouldn’t be in their current predicament.
The political issues in the countries of the South Continent make it impossible for the Alpha Kingdom to sell war horses to them on a large scale until coordination is completed in the external departments of the three major nations.
“The kingdom’s war horse reserves have only become substantial recently; the mature war horses in government hands are less than thirty thousand, and due to war preparedness considerations, it’s almost impossible to sell them externally.
Not many nobles are raising war horses on a large scale; after meeting their own needs, only our household has more than five thousand mature war horses in stock.
In comparison to the market gap, our fifty thousand surplus war horses are not many; it needs to be used well.
The next ten years will be a golden age, even if everyone tries their best to expand, meeting the market gap will be difficult.
If political issues resolve, and the South Continent market opens up to us, the golden age will extend even longer.
The Government Affairs Department must seize the opportunities of the era, effectively coordinate with the Department of Commerce, and develop the industrial and manufacturing sectors within the territory!”
Hudson said seriously.
The kingdom government’s war horses are in the hands of the military; although yet to enter military service, they are already included in the militaristic lists in advance.
As the commander-in-chief, Hudson has significant authority over the disposition of these war horses.
Without his approval, even King Caesar IV cannot sell these war horses.
Of course, given the unique system of the Alpha Kingdom, it seems everyone lacks such a terrifying notion.
In the past few years, despite government finances nearly going bankrupt several times, no one has had the idea to sell the war horses, and now is no different.
Under this background, the Snow Moon Territory, which holds a large number of war horses, has effectively gained market pricing power.
When the market is short of stock, anyone wanting to obtain war horses in advance must accept additional conditions.
“Rest assured, Duke, we have already sent out signals externally, and more than fifty major intended buyers are currently in contact with us.
Thirty of them have paid intention money in advance, with prepaid accounts amounting to one million gold coins; the pre-order total directly exceeds one hundred and twenty thousand horses, undoubtedly assured of sales!”
Government Officer Jacob confidently stated.
With the expanding range of human activity, the grasslands of the Continent of Aslante are continually shrinking.
Currently, the only human kingdom possessing vast grasslands is the Alpha Kingdom, and inherent conditions dictate the kingdom’s authority in this field.
The critical task for the Snow Moon Territory now is to swiftly seize this authority before others react.
The buying and selling during the Noble era emphasize establishing connections; it’s not just transactions, it also builds relationships.
Once a deal is reached, unless major changes occur, it’s rare to change partners.
Moreover, this initial move by the Snow Moon Territory is merely seizing opportunities without monopolizing.
The Snow Moon Territory cooperates with nations and Major Nobles, consuming much of this market, temporarily leaving the market of small and medium nobles unattended.
Profit is made regardless of who is sold to.
Before the supply-demand relationship is overturned, there is essentially no substantive competition between parties.
“Be sure to grasp the balance when bundling sales, don’t make the trade overly restrictive.
When necessary, you can include some precious magic potions to soothe the hurt emotions of customers!”
Hudson calmly said.
It’s all for development!
The major industries of the Snow Moon Territory are not many; self-sufficiency in primary industries is still difficult and certainly does not have export value.
Aside from mining and smelting in heavy industry, light industry mainly involves processing agricultural by-products and cashmere textiles.
Undoubtedly, given limited preservation capability, agricultural products are unsuited for long-distance transport.
The export focus is on secondary industries.
While selling war horses, a cavalry exclusive bundle including utensils, along with a few sets of exclusive combat outfits and a cavalry ration package, is packaged.
In the short term, this is the maximum possible, during the Farming Era, demands are not significant, leaving little room for maneuver.
Perhaps when economic crop area expands in the future, further exploration may be possible, but that depends on market demand.
Truthfully, compared to these basic industries, Hudson is more inclined toward magic technology.
The world’s major magician gathering places give the Snow Moon Territory some advantages in this area, although currently stuck at the pure handcraft level.
Whether magic potion, magic equipment, or magic technology products, all are manually crafted.
Low production volume aside, the high costs completely hinder large-scale industrial manufacturing possibilities.
The worst part is lacking any experience to reference, given the world itself inherently lacks scientific basis.
The variety of professions has created diverse civilizations, equally filling the future with uncertainties.
Since the end of the Elemental Tide, nearly all of the strongmen have focused on personal cultivation, with few wanting to explore magic technology.
Unfortunately, these individuals are the most knowledgeable, and climbing the magic technology tree cannot be done without their participation.
Hudson suspects that if not for the Elemental Tide, no progress in magic technology would have occurred in the past three hundred years; societal productivity likely would remain at levels from three centuries ago.
…
Jade Palace.
Upon hearing about the actions of the Franks and Iberians, Caesar IV’s expression turned complex.
The international situation is rapidly changing, and considering the kingdom’s strategic challenges, the Conservative Faction doesn’t have time to trouble him further.
But the surprise is overshadowed by anger!
Among the numerous human kingdoms, the ones he truly regards as competitors are just the Frank Empire and Iberia Kingdom.
At this moment, both are infiltrating the Central Continent, clearly looking to undermine his position, which he cannot tolerate.
If the Three Kingdoms in the Central Continent were pulled over, the Five Nations Alliance would collapse, and the Alpha Kingdom’s major nation status would be challenged.
Recognition by external sources of the triumvirate comes not only from each one’s separate strengths but also takes into account the power of their vassal allies.
The Alpha Kingdom, distant from the human center, naturally has less presence, relying entirely on proactively asserting itself.
Only after the establishment of the Five Nations Alliance did quantitative change lead to qualitative transformation, gradually compensating for the lack of political presence.
“Palace Minister, issue an order for one month later; I want to hold a court meeting to determine the chancellor candidate, and all provincial governors must attend the meeting!
You visit the Snow Moon Territory on my behalf, asking Marshal Hudson to mediate the factional disputes in court, and simultaneously inquire about his thoughts on the chancellor candidate.
Also, arrange for some contacts with provincial governors to probe them initially.”
Experience the suffering, and gain wisdom.
Having learned from the disastrous defeat at the latest court meeting, Caesar IV’s self-confidence has been severely damaged, rendering him no longer as complacent as before.
To prevent the tragedy from occurring again, he has already become cautious at this time.
…