Chapter 650: Launching the [Iron Hammer Operation] (I)

291 AD of the Britannian Empire/213 AD of the Holy Hiran Empire.

December 28th.

In the Holy Hiran Empire, which is located in the northernmost part of the continent, when winter comes, the severe cold outdoors is enough to turn people who like outdoor activities into "indoor lovers" who will never step outside unless they run out of food.

At this time, in a tavern in DìDū of the Holy Hiran Empire——Elian Muya——

"Phew! It's so cold!"

While rubbing his hands together, Gabriel returned to the bar of the tavern and sat down next to Camille again.

"Camille, do you know how cold it is outside?"

After sitting back next to Camille, Gabriel, who always talked a lot, began to chat to Camille.

"When I just went out to pee, the urine immediately turned into icicles as soon as it came out. It was really scary. Tell me - if I had just stretched out my little brother, would it have been frozen into ice? Where’s the block?”

"Maybe." Camille on the side said in a tone that was neither salty nor bland while sipping the beer in the glass, "But - it doesn't matter even if your little brother is also frozen into ice, right? After all - —You should never have the chance to use your lower body in this life."

"Camille, you are still as ruthless as ever when you talk. Huh? Where is my wine?"

"It's here with me." Camille said as she raised the beer in her hand.

"Ah, Camille, why are you drinking my wine? When you finish your own wine, just order more."

"What does it matter? Back then, when we, you, and El were wandering together, we always used the same bowl to eat and the same cup to drink."

"Speaking of El, I really don't know how El is doing now."

After saying that, Gabriel let out a long sigh full of melancholy.

"After waiting for more than half a year, I finally have the opportunity to return to DìDū and meet His Majesty. I hope El's promotion of muskets can be successful."

"I really don't know what's so powerful about that musket that it deserves so much attention from El."

"Not only did he persuade the teacher to use his private property to buy the 3,000 muskets, but he also begged the teacher to help him get the opportunity to meet His Majesty directly and sell the muskets to His Majesty."

"Who knows." Camille shrugged, "I don't know what your Majesty will think of this musket. I think it is very likely that your Majesty will treat this musket as waste."

…

…

at the same time.

Holy Xilan Empire, DìDū Ailianmuya, Weiyou Palace.

"Is this—the musket you just mentioned?"

Sitting on the throne, the current emperor of the Holy Hiran Empire - Vasily Peter Sokorov, played with the musket in his hand that El had just handed over.

At this time, El was kneeling respectfully in front of Vasili.

The highest etiquette in the Britannia Empire is to kneel down on one knee.

In the Holy Hiran Empire, their highest etiquette is to kneel down.

Vasily Peter Sokorov—the current emperor of the Holy Hiran Empire, and also the youngest among the previous emperors of the Holy Hiran Empire when he ascended the throne.

Four years ago, Vasili just ascended the throne as emperor.

Four years ago, Vasily just turned 20 years old.

In other words - Vasili is only 24 years old this year.

24 years old - this age is a bit too young for the profession of emperor.

"I think -" the young emperor threw the musket to the ground with disdain, "there's nothing special about this musket.

It is simply not worth studying and installing on a large scale. "

"This musket is not as useful as a crossbow."

"Not only is the rate of fire extremely slow, but the accuracy is also low, and it can't hit far."

"It's also troublesome to maintain and has many restrictions. It can't be used in humid weather."

"It's just scrap metal."

As soon as Vasili finished speaking, El, who was kneeling in front of him, said urgently:

"Your Majesty! This musket is definitely not some scrap metal!"

"Although the performance of muskets at this time is not as good as crossbows, it is only [at this time]!"

"Compared with crossbows, muskets have extremely high potential!"

"If enough craftsmen and funds are invested in research! It is not impossible to overcome the above weaknesses!"

"I implore Your Majesty to set up a department dedicated to the study of muskets! Develop muskets!"

After saying that, El knocked his head heavily again, bringing his forehead into close contact with the ground.

"..." Vasili was silent.

Vasily stared silently at El who knelt before him.

After a long time, Vasily said in a tone without any emotion:

"...You are a student of Marshal Dominic, right?"

"Yes," El replied immediately.

"Marshal Dominic is a veteran and famous general of our Holy Hiran Empire and has made great contributions to our Holy Hiran Empire."

"I know something about you."

"You, Camille, and Gabriel—the three of you are students of Marshal Dominic."

"Although in name, the three of you are students of Marshal Dominic, you are no different from the adopted sons and daughters of Marshal Dominic."

"Marshal Dominic also spent a lot of effort to finally help you get the opportunity to meet with me and sell this musket to me."

"Since you are Marshal Dominic's student and adopted son, I will give Marshal Dominic and you some face."

"Since you want to establish an organization specializing in the study of muskets, then build it."

"I declare that from now on, the "Musketeer Department" specializing in the study of muskets will be officially established. You will be the first minister of this musket department."

"You can recruit craftsmen on your own. The empire does not have any extra craftsmen to allocate to you now."

"As for the research and development funds... I will allocate you 100,000 nars every month."

After hearing the word "100,000 nars", El's pupils shrank suddenly.

A little hesitation flashed across his face.

But after a little hesitation, El still suppressed his intention to bargain with His Majesty Vasili.

After gritting his teeth, he kowtowed to Vasili again respectfully:

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I will never let Your Majesty down! I will definitely make the development of the new musket successful!"

"Well." After nodding gently, Vasili waved his hand, "You can go down."

"Yes."

...

...

Although Dominic is recognized as the most powerful and highest-ranking marshal in the Holy Xilan Empire, his life is surprisingly simple.

He does not live in a mansion, nor does he have a group of servants.

Marshal Dominic's home is just a simple three-story house.

Marshal Dominic, who is still unmarried and has no children, lives in his home with only two servants who are responsible for taking care of his daily life, as well as El, Gabriel, and Camille, who were adopted home a few years ago and are nominally his students, but in fact are no different from his adopted sons and daughters.

After El returned home, he saw Gabriel and Camille who just came back from drinking together.

After seeing El come back, Gabriel couldn't help but hurriedly asked:

"How is it? Did you succeed in selling your musket to His Majesty?"

"It's half successful." El smiled bitterly, "Although His Majesty agreed to my request and established a musket department dedicated to musket research, and appointed me as the first minister, the research funds allocated to me every month are only 100,000 nars. And I have to recruit craftsmen myself."

"100,000 nars?" Camille exclaimed, "This amount of money is too little for scientific research..."

"Yes." El sighed lightly, "It's indeed too little, so I said it's only half successful. But His Majesty agreed to build the musket department, and it's also It's a good start, and I'm satisfied. I'll slowly figure out research funding later."

At this point, El stopped and looked around:

"Where's the teacher? Did he go out?"

"The teacher just went out." Camille replied, "It seems he went to the palace. The teacher returned to DìDū this time to discuss some important matters with the high-ranking officials of the empire. It is said that even other marshals were recalled for this reason."

"Important matters..." El murmured, then raised his hand and scratched his hair with a wry smile, "Since the teacher was called back from the Far East in a hurry, the matter to be discussed this time is probably related to the war... Really, where are they going to use troops this time?"