Magic Industrial Age

Inside the manor, in the study.

This was clearly not Miller's usual office, but a private study.

As Loye stepped inside, he saw a half-length portrait hanging directly in front of him.

In the portrait, a man in a crisp military uniform had sharp eyes, tightly pursed lips, and deep lines etched on his forehead.

It was none other than Dorje Petrovich.

At the sudden sight, Loye's expression froze for a moment, but the next second, he returned to normal.

He then turned to examine the study, where a full suit of armor in the corner gleamed as if a real knight stood there.

Several weapons hung on the walls, including longswords, great bows, and shields.

The mahogany desk was covered with parchment scrolls, and the bookshelves behind it were filled with books.

With just a glance, Loye noticed that they were all about various battles, some of which were quite old.

However, what attracted Loye the most was a medal, respectfully placed in the most prominent position.

It was in the shape of a cross, entirely black, with red and blue ribbons.

The Iron Cross!

This was the highest award of the Habsburg Empire for imperial heroes, a glory that could be passed down in noble families.

It could even be said that it was the best proof of contribution to the empire, bringing all sorts of conveniences and advantages.

The simplest example: if two people were competing for a position, both with ability and seniority,

but you had this medal, you could squeeze them both out.

Seeing Loye attracted by the medal, Miller also approached, his gaze somewhat complex, his voice a bit low as he spoke.

"Loye, you should be able to guess whose medal this is? And whose study this is?"

Loye narrowed his eyes, organized his thoughts, and said, "Lord Dorje Petrovich was indeed a respectable imperial warrior!"

"Yes! His eyes were only for the empire, for His Great Majesty Hohenzollern III, and for the promotion and development of arcane machinery.

He had no thought for himself, nor for the people of Oakland City!"

Miller reached out and stroked the Iron Cross, a look of pain flashing in his eyes.

He didn't turn around, but his low voice spread out: "With your intelligence, you should have known long ago that His Lordship wanted to kill you more than once.

However, after discovering your achievements in arcane machinery, he instead asked me to remind you."

"That's his character. I once advised him, more than once, not to be so extreme in his actions.

Unfortunately, he never listened to me!"

Loye said, "Lord Miller, I am sorry, but if he had listened to you, he would not be Lord Dorje, let alone the most fearless imperial warrior."

Miller shuddered and couldn't help but nod, saying, "You're right, you understand him better than I do."

Loye hesitated for a moment and then said, "Lord Miller, I actually have some idea about some things, so I'm curious.

Lord Dorje made so many plans, shouldn't he have left himself a way out?"

Whether there was a way out, Loye naturally knew, but he had to ask.

Miller said, "Of course there was, the best teleportation scroll from the Imperial Mage Tower, with excellent stability!

But, you also know that was a battlefield, with transcendent beings fighting, cannon fodder being used, anything could happen."

"I actually didn't want to believe it for a long time, but until I found my uncle's body, only half of it was left, not even a complete corpse.

This should be the fate of imperial warriors!"

"Dying on the battlefield is what he wished for.

In fact, even if my uncle had been fine this time, opening fire in the city would have meant bearing great responsibility.

So, it was decided long ago that I would be the new governor of Oakland City."

"Although I have not held a position in the Political Affairs Hall, I have actually run through every department.

I know how some people try to be slick, and I know which departments must be changed."

"Of course, if you want Oakland City to truly rise, these are not enough."

Miller finally turned around, looking directly at Loye, and said, word by word, "So, we need a road, a road that can connect to the outside world!"

"Loye, do you favor a canal? Or a railway?"

Loye narrowed his eyes slightly, knowing that the main event was coming, his mind racing, but he didn't speak immediately.

Miller wasn't in a hurry to press him, but led Loye to the rest area, personally poured him a cup of red tea, and handed it to him.

Now, many people in Oakland City know that Loye doesn't like to add sugar to his tea.

Miller did a very good job, obviously, he had done a detailed investigation beforehand.

Loye held the teacup and finally spoke: "Lord Miller, you want to build a railway, right?"

"That's right!"

Miller actually took out a roll of parchment, and when unfolded, it was a partial map of the northern part of the empire.

He placed the map in front of Loye and said, "The geographical location of Oakland City is actually not bad.

To the northwest is Fisherman's Wharf, where the daily throughput of goods is a very exaggerated amount, especially after the signing of the 'Multilateral Convention'.

However, what limits the development of Fisherman's Wharf is actually transportation."

"Then there's Oakland City, with eighteen large and small arcane machinery factories. Although the products vary, the value they can create is definitely extremely high."

"However, it is very troublesome to transport these products out. Land transportation is easily damaged, and sea transportation prices remain high."

"So, I had an idea.

I want to build a railway, from Fisherman's Wharf to Oakland City, and then to Camote City, thereby connecting to the empire's railway network."

"Although Oakland City is close to the Silver Sea, there are no large rivers, so a canal cannot be built at all.

So, if we want to go out, we must build a railway."

Loye clapped his hands and praised: "This is a good thing! A great thing. I still say the same thing, if you want to get rich, build roads first."

"Without smooth transportation, everything is empty talk."

Looking at Miller, Loye didn't expect that this man could have such insight and courage.

He patted his chest and said, "Lord Miller, tell me, what can I help with?

As long as you ask, I still say the same thing, I will do my best."

At this moment, Loye let down his guard.

Because, he has determined that this Miller has not discovered the truth about Dorje's death.

This one has a plan in mind and wants to ask for his help!

However, facing Loye's words, Miller showed a bit of hesitation: "This, naturally, is that we are short of some money."

"How much are you short? Tell me. My Loye's reputation in Oakland City is also very loud.

If it's a thousand or eight hundred gold thalers, I'll pay for it myself, even if it's supporting the Political Affairs Hall, it's supporting you."

Miller's voice was even softer: "That, the difference is a bit much!"

"How much is a bit much?"

Loye tilted his head and asked, "Lord Miller, why are you so hesitant now? Just say what you have to say!"

Miller finally raised his head and said loudly: "Actually, we don't have a single penny!"

"What?"

Loye finally reacted: "In other words, this railway is not within the empire's plan, but you are advocating it yourself?"

"You also know that the empire's finances are not generous, I have also applied, or rather, my uncle has applied,

but they have all been rejected!"

"The empire's current energy is all focused on operating the Ruhr Arcane Machinery Industrial Zone, and they can't consider us here for the time being."

Loye could no longer hear Miller's mumbling, he looked up at Miller's young face, and then looked down at the map.

His gaze went from Fisherman's Wharf to Oakland City, and then to Camote City.

Although his eyes were not a ruler, and he couldn't estimate the specific distance, he knew clearly that the distance was not short.

It must be at least several hundred kilometers!

And the construction of the railway, the wealth and manpower consumed, is simply an astronomical figure!

Not to mention that Loye doesn't have it now, even when he was richest, that is, when he had just acquired the pirate treasure, his money was far from enough.

With a whoosh, Loye jumped up directly, he didn't say a word, turned around and walked out.

Miller reacted quickly and reached out to grab him, saying, "Loye, Loye, where are you going?"

Loye said, "I'm going to find a place, a high place, and jump down from it and fall to my death!"

"Falling to my death, it can be more straightforward!"

"It's not that bad, it's really not that bad!"

"It's not that bad? Have you thought about what you were just saying?

You want me to pay for the construction of such a long railway, my preliminary estimate, really just a preliminary estimate, is definitely less than 100,000 gold thalers.

The problem is, even if you sell me, I don't have that much money?"

"Cough cough, what I mean is, can you take the lead, you take the lead, start it up, and also ask other noble merchants to donate a little.

Of course, the bulk must be from the Political Affairs Hall.

I'll also tell you the truth, if it weren't for copying the Marquis family, this railway plan, I wouldn't even dare to think about it."

"However, the wealth of the Marquis family is not all I can take, leaving a part, I have to ensure the operation of the Political Affairs Hall.

There's not much left, so I need someone to support me."

A gleam flashed in Loye's eyes, and he asked again: "Then what are the benefits?"

"Benefits? What benefits? Isn't this for the benefit of the entire Oakland City?

Or else, I'll also erect a monument, so that everyone knows?"

"That's definitely not enough, definitely not enough!"

Loye looked at the map, his mind flashing with inspiration, he suddenly grabbed Miller's hand and asked: "Do you really want to build a railway?"

"Really want to!"

"Then I have a very bold idea, or else, you listen to it?"

"Hurry up and tell me."

"Since it is beneficial to the entire Oakland City, why don't we raise funds!"

The blood of the industrial revolution!