I will be crowned king

If Anson were asked to list the ten things he least wanted to do in his life, riding a boat would be at least in the top three.

This is not because I, as a member of the Royal Army, have any objections to Clovis's other great pride, the Royal Navy; on the contrary, considering the empire's blockade of Clovis on land, in a sense the navy is even more important than the army. .

After all, even if the Wang Army disappears tomorrow, relying on the production capacity and basic mobilization capabilities of the military industry, a new army capable of emergency response can be reorganized in a short period of time; but if the battleships of Beigang disappear, at least in the next few decades, Clovis People really have to say goodbye to the sea.

If it weren't for physical problems, Anson would actually prefer the navy - Army officers still need to prove themselves with military merit, while the Navy would make the greatest contribution to the kingdom as long as they ensure that they and the ship are still alive.

Moreover, Clovis's army has nearly two hundred thousand standing troops, and even more than twice that if you include the improvised levies to fill the trenches. The navy has only one fleet, but its annual military expenditure budget alone is more than two-thirds of the army's.

This does not include the annual dock maintenance funds, special allocations for naval recruitment, maintenance and new ship costs... all are accounted for by the royal bank, and do not even need to be approved by the Privy Council.

Considering that even the Guards have been disbanded and reorganized and are under the supervision of the Privy Council, the Navy, which still maintains a high degree of independence, is definitely more qualified to be called the "Royal Family" than the Army.

Of course, as a member of the Royal Army, Anson absolutely firmly believes that the brave and fearless Army is ten thousand times better than the gang of pimps in the Navy; such as salary allowances, overseas subsidies, tax exemptions, retirement insurance...these side effects are not worth mentioning. No matter the last moment, it cannot affect my absolute loyalty to the army!

With infinite loyalty to the Royal Army, Anson grabbed Carl Bain, stopped a rental carriage on the roadside, and headed to the Royal Navy Headquarters at the North Port.

This is a giant coastal fortress full of modern style from the 100th century of the Saints calendar. Its size is even larger than the southern fortress that Anson once served. The tall and thick gray city walls and countless large coastal defense batteries are enough to make all third Guests who visited once were impressed.

"So I still don't understand, why do you insist on leaving now?"

Looking at the fortress gate opposite that seemed to be prepared for giants, Carl Bain, who was standing by the roadside, looked at Anson with a confused look on his face:

"It's obviously going to be winter soon. Can't we spend the winter in Beigang and wait until spring starts before leaving?"

Regarding this obvious question, Anson, who remained silent, just rolled his eyes and sighed deeply.

[Dear Anson, this is just a small suggestion from Thalia - if there are no changes or accidents, you and your stormtroopers should arrive before February of the 101st year of the Saints Calendar. Ice Dragon Fjord. 】

[According to some clues that cannot be confirmed, Beluga Harbor is not as safe as most people think at the moment; of course, poor Thalia does not understand military affairs, everything still has to be decided by dear Anson himself...]

Recalling Talia's "kind reminder" before leaving, it would be difficult for a normal person not to think of it as a warning from Party A urging them to beat the workers.

But Anson knew very well that the "accident" she said was most likely true!

As early as the Battle of Eagle Point City, Louis Bernard had reminded that in order to break the current deadlock on the Western Front battlefield, the emperor was trying to increase troops and expand to the New World, and at the same time, he also tended to mobilize fleets to block routes.

It is not difficult to understand that the empire would have such a plan. Anson would do the same thing - compared with the vast empire, Clovis, with its limited territory, would definitely have to deal with trade if it wanted to win a full-scale war. Especially trade from the colonies created a high degree of dependence.

Coal mines, wood, steel, animal skins... war will always be the most terrifying gold-eating beast in the world. Without the continuous input of colonial raw materials and even large-scale primary agricultural products, Clovis would not be able to cope with the size of the Empire. A long-term war of attrition.

According to some unreliable gossip, this is also the reason why the Army finally bit the bullet and recognized his rank of colonel. Relying on Hantu, a slightly unreliable ally, greatly eased Clovis's influence on many junior officers. materials, especially agricultural products.

To a certain extent, Clovis City was able to recover from the riots in just a few months, and its own storm divisions at least indirectly contributed.

Because of this, if Anson doesn't want to be "lucky" to become the last garrison commander of the colony, he must not wait until next year and must set out immediately, even if he has to brave a severe winter snowstorm.

The two walked into the headquarters and were greeted by a Commodore named Taro Cecil; he was wearing a neat silver-black military uniform, spotless military boots and brand-new white gloves. On his weather-beaten cheeks were a pair of sharp Eyes like an eagle, and a perfectly trimmed beard.

Although Clovis's navy and army used the same military rank system, the actual gold content was actually different.

Take brigadier general as an example. This is basically the pinnacle of most middle- and high-level officers' lives. In the army, he is almost the commander of the standing army or the deputy commander of the corps.

But if it were placed in the navy... the opponent would most likely be the captain of a heavy cruiser or the first mate of a battleship.

Clovis could raise twenty or thirty armies with a wave of his hand, but even if he sold iron and steel, he would never be able to raise twenty battleships.

And the other party's surname is Cecil... They had already inquired before they came, and the mayor of North Port "happened" to be from the Cecil family.

This "coincidence" made Anson and Carl in awe. The two of them tacitly agreed that they had found the right person; they also firmly believed that the brigadier general's status was earned through his own hard work, and that he was in harmony with the powerful Cecil family in Beigang. It doesn't matter at all.

Yes, just like the Archbishop's own son...the great Major General Ludwig Franz.

"...The Wang Navy already has a general understanding of your and Storm Division's requirements."

After some meaningless nonsense and pleasantries, Brigadier General Taro Cecil paused and was silent for a few seconds before speaking: "But it is very unfortunate that we must reject your request, Colonel Anson Bach."

"This is not because we intend to disobey the Privy Council's decision, nor is it a meaningless dispute between the navy and the army; it is simply because we must abide by the rules and regulations of the Royal Navy. Unless there is His Majesty's personal will, the fleet will not be allowed to fly in the winter. Any additional military operations will be carried out."

"Please believe that we are really just doing things according to the rules - there is absolutely no intention to embarrass you." Brigadier General Tarot was extremely candid.

I understand, it must be because of this... Anson nodded slightly and looked at Brigadier Tarot seriously: "I believe you."

"But at the same time, please understand that we understand our naval brothers..."

"It's the Royal Navy." Brigadier General Tarot corrected.

"...Understand the difficulties of the Royal Navy." Anson said with a smile: "So we are not asking you all to dispatch, we are just requesting to send a small fleet, about two or three light cruisers to escort; besides, we have to go from North Port to Ice Dragon The fjord cannot survive without an excellent pilot and helmsman.”

"Except for the elite Royal Navy, where else in Clovis can there be such talents?"

"Your statement is very objective. I haven't heard such a pertinent comment from an Army friend for a long time." Brigadier General Tarot praised:

"But even so, we still cannot accept your request - as I said, unless there is His Majesty's personal will, the Royal Navy will not perform any additional missions in the winter."

Looking at the smiling brigadier general, Anson couldn't help but sigh in his heart and glanced at Carl Bain beside him.

Feeling a suggestive gaze directed toward him, the conscientious chief of staff immediately sat up straight, coughed twice, and smiled meaningfully at the brigadier general:

"I'm sorry, my commander's description just now is a bit... wrong. We don't want the brave and fearless Royal Navy to escort us."

"Oh, then you hope..."

"We hope to rent a few from you..."

"What, you want to rent a battleship?!"

Before Karl could finish speaking, Commodore Tarot, whose expression suddenly changed, jumped up from his chair as if someone had stepped on him, and became furious at the two men: "This is the greatest humiliation to the Royal Navy!"

"I'm really shocked that a dignified upstart in the army, a hero of the Hantu War, is this kind of thing! This kind of humiliation will never be forgotten by the Wang family's navy!"

"Colonel Anson Bach and Major Carl Bain, I assure you that the proud Royal Navy will never yield to the Privy Council or any powerful force behind you!"

"Of course the Royal Navy will not surrender to the emperor... or any force!" Karl said quickly:

"We just want to rent a few from you..."

"Battleship?!"

"No, it's a cargo ship!"

"cargo ship!"

"right!"

"What is it for?!"

"Doing...the arms business!" Karl quickly glanced at Anson beside him, and after receiving confirmation, he quickly replied:

"To protect the Luen family's arms business."

The office suddenly became quiet.

After a long silence, Brigadier General Tarot looked at Anson suspiciously as if he had just recovered from the shock:

"...the Luen family?"

"The Luen family of Lund Manor, yes." Anson replied casually, pretending to be relaxed: "And the Franz family... they were all my investors before my storm division officially became a regular one."

"To tell you the truth, even my position as garrison commander was arranged by them in order to expand the market and open the August Military Factory to the New World."

"But I am an Army soldier. If I want to move my soldiers and factories to the New World, it will take a lot..."

"Cargo ship?" Brigadier General Tarot raised his eyebrows.

"Yes." Anson showed him a knowing smile: "A cargo ship that is fast and sturdy enough."

Brigadier General Tarot nodded thoughtfully and raised his eyebrows at Anson:

"Dear Colonel Anson Bach, I must remind you that the Royal Navy's cargo ships are... very expensive."

oh?

Anson and Karl looked at each other, and they saw a tacit smile on each other's faces:

"Transfer or cash?"

"cash!"

Brigadier General Tarot said without hesitation: "How many war... cargo ships do you need?"

"We have six thousand soldiers, twenty light and heavy artillery, and three hundred horses." Carl Bain said solemnly.

"Then I recommend the 'Serious' and the 'Bullfight' light cruisers... cargo ships."

Commodore Tarot's eyes lit up: "These two ships are of average strength, very fast, and can carry a considerable amount of baggage; the most important thing is that they are equipped with at least twenty 18-pound cannons, which are enough to deal with most threats."

"Of course, six thousand people plus equipment and livestock cannot be squeezed into two ships; so if you want, I can rent two or three more lower-level ships, but the load and speed will remain the same."

"Are there many threats in rough seas?"

Karl couldn't help but ask.

"It depends on how you define 'threat'." Brigadier General Tarot showed a meaningful smile:

"Newcomers who have just gone to sea generally have two views on the sea: the first one believes that the legendary monsters, rocks, storms and the magic of the old gods are the greatest danger; the second one believes that driving a battleship, owning and owning Guys who are equal to or even better than you are a threat.”

The chief of staff nodded, thoughtfully: "Which one is right?"

"None of them are right." Brigadier General Tarot shook his head:

"On the sea, nothing is not dangerous - you will die if you hit a rock, and you will die if you are eaten by a sea monster; you may be killed by visible enemies, or you may be killed by invisible enemies."

"Every time we go to sea, we are racing against death, and every time we return, we are escaping from death. Therefore, the entire Royal Navy is the most devout believer in the Circle of Order."

"..." Carl Bain.

After settling the matter of the battleship, the two of them said nothing more and stood up to say goodbye to the Commodore.

"Please wait!"

Just as they were about to leave, Brigadier General Tarot, who suddenly remembered something, spoke quickly and stopped the two of them.

"Well, it suddenly occurred to me...do you need a fishing boat?"

"...fishing boat?"

Anson and Carl looked at each other.

"Yes, I just suddenly thought that if we want to open a military factory in the New World, it would be best to send a fishing boat to transport it." Brigadier General Tarot said matter-of-factly:

"Of course, I am referring to a fishing boat with a carrying capacity of two thousand tons, three decks, a displacement of 3,500 tons, equipped with sixty twenty-four-pound guns and two sixty-eight-pound guns, and a speed of ten knots. "

Anson Bach: "...are you talking about the battleship Coronet?"

"No." Commodore Tarot objected: "I'm talking about the fishing boat Crown."

"With your number of people and goods, renting at least four or five cargo ships will be enough, but if you change it to a 'fishing boat', only one will be enough."

Anson Bach: "..."

"And if it's a 'fishing boat', I can give you another 30% off - of course, it must be in cash." Tarot Cecil asked:

"What do you two think?"

Anson and Karl looked at each other, smiled and stepped forward to hold the brigadier general's hand:

"make a deal!"