Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

”Sails?”

When Harlan raised this issue with Simon, the problem became clear.

The ship itself was nearly built, but Harlan had no means to produce the sails. Moreover, the galleon’s tall masts required equally large sails.

”How did you make sails for ships before?” Simon frowned.

Harlan gave a bitter smile. ”My Lord, back when the Goldwynd family was still around, they operated a textile workshop that produced sailcloth. We used to purchase it from them. But after Your Highness eliminated the Goldwynd and Chandlier families, I later found out that the workshop had been taken over by the government and was still being reorganised, and production hadn’t even started yet.”

”That was my oversight,” Simon admitted. ”The Goldwynd family’s assets were all seized by the government. I had planned to reorganise the textile workshop earlier, but the war in Dunmere delayed everything. Then my trip to Eldora pushed it further back. Alright, for now, focus on completing the ship’s hull. As for the sails, give me the measurements and designs, and I’ll arrange for their production.”

”Yes, My Lord. I’ve already prepared the specifications.” Harlan pulled out a blueprint from his robe and handed it to Simon.

After reviewing the plans, Simon and Baldwin inspected the other two galleons. At this pace, they should be completed by the end of the year.

Now that the ships were nearly ready, the next step was recruiting sailors. A standard galleon required a crew of about 150.

This matter also needed attention, so Simon asked Harlan. ”Since the galleons will soon be ready to sail, you must know more about recruiting experienced sailors than I do. Where can we find skilled seafarers?”

Harlan looked confident. Having worked in shipbuilding for years, he knew exactly where to find the right people.

”My Lord, when you assigned me to oversee the Ashenford shipyard, I spent some time there and got familiar with the area. Ashenford is a coastal region where most fishermen make their living from the sea. In the past, many fishermen from Ashenford came here to buy boats. But in recent years, with pirates and Latin raiders infesting the waters, many fishermen have been killed and their boats stolen. Fear has driven most of them to avoid the sea altogether. I think now is the perfect time to recruit them; they’d make excellent crew members for the galleons.”

Baldwin nodded in agreement. ”My Lord, Harlan is right. Since ancient times, people have relied on the mountains or the sea for survival. The people of Ashenford have always depended on fishing. Now that their livelihood has been cut off, they must harbour deep hatred for the pirates and raiders. If we recruit them, they’ll surely respond enthusiastically.”

He paused before adding. ”Moreover, many in Ashenford have turned to smuggling salt out of desperation. The local governor, Montey, has repeatedly asked me how to deal with these salt smugglers.”

”Very well. In a few days, we’ll go to Ashenford together to assess the situation firsthand.” Simon said. ”My concern is that these people are accustomed to living off the sea and have no interest in farming. The land distribution policy offers them little benefit, and the crackdown on salt smuggling has likely bred resentment. If they join forces with the outsiders or Latin pirates, the situation could turn dangerous.”

Harlan agreed. ”Your Highness is absolutely right. Fishermen with no means to survive may turn to piracy, raiding and plundering along the coast. Desperate men are capable of anything.”

After settling the matter and instructing Harlan to speed up construction, Simon and Baldwin returned to Brambleford.

Currently, the reavers still posed a threat north of Dunmere, while pirates and raiders blocked maritime trade routes. This meant that Brambleford’s goods couldn’t easily be transported by sea to other regions or foreign markets.

The domestic market was important, but overseas trade was equally crucial.

Another issue was that some resources needed for industry were either scarce or nonexistent within the Eldorian Empire.

For example, rubber trees and ironwood. The former was essential for future steam engine components like pistons and belts, while the latter, native only to the Cotre, was prized for its hardness and resistance to decay, making it the best material for shipbuilding.

Currently, Harlan was using locally sourced pine and fir wood for the galleons, but these couldn’t match the durability of ironwood ships. During the Age of Sail, many vessels disintegrated and sank due to inferior materials corroding in seawater or breaking apart in storms.

Thus, securing resources like ironwood was critical, not just for shipbuilding, but also for military equipment, specialised machinery parts, and construction.

Moreover, historical records from the system showed that the rapid advancement of other nations during the colonial era was largely due to their ability to extract resources from across the globe, which in turn fueled industrial growth.

In essence, materials were the foundation of civilisation’s progress. Coal, oil, nuclear energy; some scientists even predicted that without discovering new energy sources, humanity would forever be confined to the solar system. This was why major powers invested in lunar and Martian exploration; everything was for resources.

This was precisely why Simon placed such importance on galleons. He didn’t lack technological knowledge; he lacked resources. And some of these resources either hadn’t been discovered within the Eldorian Empire or simply didn’t exist there.

The next day, Simon summoned Brambleford’s key officials to a meeting at the castle.

Having just returned from Eldora, he needed updates on the territory’s recent developments and to discuss the threat posed by the Sunderlanders Tribe near Dunmere.

”My Lord, the military restructuring into divisions, brigades, battalions, companies, platoons, and squads is now complete across all six cities,” Benjamin reported first.

”Good. The soldiers’ new salute and slogan at the city gates show the reforms are progressing quickly.” Simon said with a smile. ”Any difficulties adapting to the changes?”

Benjamin looked uneasy. ”Being called ’Division Commander’ instead of ’General’ feels... strange.”

”Exactly! Now they call me ’Brigade Commander,’ and it just doesn’t sit right.” Lancelot grumbled.

Simon nodded. He had indeed rushed the military reforms, and the officers were struggling to adjust.

”Very well. Keep the new salutes, slogans, and regulations, but for now, revert to the old titles. Consider this an educational phase; we’ll reintroduce the new ranks when necessary.”

”Yes, My Lord.” Benjamin and the other officers replied in unison.