Chapter 1728: Chapter 115: Elf Empire
Tsunami and earthquake are just the beginning of the disaster. The intense collision also caused changes in the weather over the sea, where hot and cold air currents intersect, producing thick clouds.
With the help of the typhoon, these clouds are drifting continuously. In the process of movement, many clouds become overwhelmed and transform into rain, pouring down.
There are also many clouds that continue to drift with the wind. The rain started from the sea and gradually spread over the continent.
Just after settling the family, the rain poured down. Seeing this scene, Hudson once wanted to intervene manually but gave up after much consideration.
The raging storm and rain originated at sea. Although the collision was over, the ocean did not calm down because of it.
The energy generated by the collision was transmitted into the seawater and did not directly disappear; instead, it transformed into waves and stored. Various towering waves followed one after another.
The turmoil in the sea doesn’t stop, and the accompanying waves won’t end. Blindly intercepting is purely like an ant trying to stop a car.
Extraordinary power can interfere with nature, but the premise is within one’s capacity. Hudson clearly doesn’t have the instant ability to calm the sea’s waves.
If forcibly intervening, many clouds that were just passing by might transform into rain and fall as well.
“Has the loss been calculated?”
In the Council Chamber, Hudson concernedly asked.
Compared to the vast territory of the Snow Moon Territory, the Mountain Domain is much smaller, but because it was developed earlier, this area is the fiscal and tax stronghold of the Koslow Family.
In the long-term fiscal deficit situation of the Snow Moon Territory, the Mountain Domain has always played the role of the financier. If money is needed, they provide money; if grain is needed, they provide grain. The Standing Army of the Koslow Family is maintained here.
Developing to the present, the Mountain Domain holds a population of nearly two million, with complete agricultural and military production capabilities. Taken alone, this foundational land is also enough to support a Major Noble.
In recent years, Hudson’s influence within the Kingdom has been growing continuously. Apart from his distinguished military merits, the power he holds is also a crucial factor.
“Duke, at present we have only calculated rough losses.
In industrial terms: collapses in many mining areas, almost all original mines have been buried, and five thousand orc slaves responsible for mining have perished.
Besides, several factories have collapsed, materials and mechanical equipment have suffered varying degrees of damage, severely affecting industrial production.
Agricultural impacts are relatively smaller. However, multiple cracks appeared in the land, affecting the normal irrigation of crops, and many water projects need repair.
Fishery losses are the most severe, with many ships out at sea now unaccounted for. Half of those in port are damaged, and the surviving ones need major repairs.
Due to the tsunami impact, coastal shipyards suffered severe damage, with many mechanical pieces swept away by seawater.
The most troublesome are personnel losses, with fewer than one in ten craftsmen and technical workers working overtime on the earthquake day surviving.
…
After summarizing all losses, the Mountain Domain has over 18,000 dead and 13,000 missing; the damage to various facilities and industries totals over five million gold coins.”
Listening to David’s report of the numbers, Hudson’s face turned extremely grim. The loss of slaves is tolerable; after all, those dead were orcs, and they can simply send someone to capture more later.
The economic loss he reluctantly accepts. It’s just a matter of enduring hardship for a few days, and figuring out a way, they will get through it.
But the population loss in the domain cannot be compensated in a short time. Even if they get the serfs to start procreation immediately, it will take at least eighteen years for them to mature.
The missing population in the tsunami and earthquake is, in some sense, already linked to death, as Hudson doesn’t believe ordinary people can survive such disasters.
In terms of numbers, the population loss in the Mountain Domain is close to two percent. And the lost individuals are mostly young and strong, primarily engaged in shipbuilding and fishing. The sudden bad news is a fatal blow to these two major industries.
Without years of accumulation, there’s no hope to return to the peak.
“Immediately organize manpower to start post-disaster reconstruction work. Prioritize repairing houses to ensure residents’ daily accommodation, as this heavy rain won’t stop soon!”
Hudson said gravely.
First an earthquake and tsunami, then heavy rain, one disaster after another, clearly not intending to let people have a moment of peace.
The hot term “ten-thousand-year catastrophe” suddenly emerged from Hudson’s mind. This level of natural disaster is precisely a major catastrophe!
If the government’s organizational ability weakens even slightly, the destructiveness of this rain will exceed that of the previous earthquake and tsunami.
The weak and old are often the first to be eliminated in such natural disasters. If not careful, it could trigger a major epidemic, completely filling the tyranny quota.
“As you command!”
The crowd answered in unison.
The strong martial spirit has influenced every corner of the domain. Even civil officials can take up arms on the battlefield.
With years of Reserve training, everyone has somewhat adopted the military style. Coupled with the domain’s bureaucratic group filling with a large number of retired officers, this influence is further intensified.
Intimidated by Hudson’s momentum, people habitually regard government orders as military tasks, instinctively responding.