When we left Shield Dental Clinic, it was already time for the lights to turn on.
In order to save time, Carmen did not return to his apartment in the city. He went to his uncle LeBron's employment agency to spend the night.
Early the next morning, Carmen and her uncle went to the noodle shop opposite, eating noodles and reading the newspaper.
The social life in the Holy City is not only much richer and more colorful than that in my hometown of Genoa, but the pace of people's lives is also much faster.
Of course, bachelors rarely cook their own breakfast. Even many couples who both work often choose to buy breakfast outside to save time. Their time is determined by the running time of the machine.
The front page of today's newspaper certainly belongs to Xia Guojun.
Xia's navy brought a lot of bad news. Compared with Europa, Xia's losses were more severe. The country's west is separated from Europa by the Eastern Ocean, and its east is separated by the Western Ocean by the Western Ocean Alliance. The countries are more dependent on the watch.
Overseas trade has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of merchant ships, passenger ships and fishing boats.
At the same time, there are many islands outside the mainland of the Xia Kingdom. Due to the early development, these islands have a large population. As these islands fell one after another, the Xia Kingdom suffered heavy casualties.
Fish monsters seemed to spread across the entire planet's oceans overnight.
The Xia Kingdom's navy also lost most of its power. The remaining force of this force that had spread civilization across the world for a long time could only huddle in the military port.
One of the reasons is that in addition to being good at diving and digging through the bottom of ships, as well as being good at using ocean whale sharks, the fish monsters also use a special arson tool - a flammable substance that looks like ice. They often sneak into ships quietly
Nearby, and then suddenly emerged from the water, throwing burning objects into the cabin, especially igniting the sails, causing the ship to lose power, and then it was the end of man-made fish and meat.
It is still unknown where the fish demon obtained this combustible substance.
The only good news is that the fish monsters dominate the sea and are not interested in land. Obviously, they cannot have the conditions to fight on land and try to force humans out of the ocean.
The Xia people risked their lives to come to Europa. Within half a year, they sent a total of ten warships, but only one successfully arrived in the Holy City yesterday. They were seeking to form a military alliance with the Europa Empire to jointly fight against the fish demon.
Commentators believe that given the current maritime situation, it is natural for the two sides to form an alliance, and no one will object. However, the two sides cannot fight together because they are isolated by the huge fish demon army and are actually fighting on their own.
, if the two countries can join forces, it can only mean that the fish demon is already at a disadvantage.
Another source said that in view of the needs of future naval battles, there is a huge demand for armored ships, and the Navy is preparing to equip a large number of armored ships. It is not yet known where the construction funds will come from. There is news that there will be a general tax increase, although this is highly likely.
This is tentative news released by the cabinet, but it is undoubtedly good news for the mining and steel smelting industries.
At this time, there was a sudden commotion on the street, and people rushed towards the pier.
When Carmen arrived, the pier was already crowded with people, and a black ship was slowly docking on the wide Osela River.
It flew the flag of the Imperial Navy, had three masts but no sails, and two huge chimneys were emitting black smoke.
"The ironclad, the Genoese ironclad!"
"Look, it doesn't need a sail!"
"This is a steam ironclad ship, full of iron!"
Carmen witnessed history once again.
The first ironclad ship in history set off from his hometown - the port of Poitou in Genoa. After more than 20 days of bloody battles, he fought his way through and successfully reached the Holy City by sea.
This largely experimental battleship brought hope of victory to the Empire.
"This is the pride of Genoese people." Carmen said to himself.
In fact, the ironclad ship named Bess encountered the fish demon at sea half a day after leaving Poitou. The Bess's own tactics were nothing new, but the fish demon had no effective way to restrain it.
This all-cast-iron warship is not afraid of collisions, headwinds or even losing its sails. Except for the fact that the fish demon used an incendiary bomb to burn off one of its sails due to insufficient intelligence and information about the enemy, causing a period of chaos, there were no major losses.
The officers and soldiers on the ship lowered the sails and started the steam engines. They never stayed in one place. They used artillery for those who were far away, giant crossbows for those who were close, and rifles for those who were closer. Their most basic principle was not to let the fish demon get too close.
There were too many fish demons besieging them, but the officers and soldiers advanced along the route they had set while attacking the chasing fish demon army, killing countless fish demons.
During these more than 20 days, they only stopped at Port Mao to replenish fresh water, fuel and ammunition.
But their original destination was Port Mao, not the Holy City.
Marshal Moko, who established the Navy's frontline headquarters in Port Mao, became more confident after learning about the performance of the Bess.
He believed that it was necessary for the Bess to continue heading north and sail directly to the Holy City, both to inspire people and for publicity.
The navy needs such a victory, and the empire needs such a victory even more, although this kind of victory can only be said to be a ray of dawn.
Obviously, Marshal Moko's goal was achieved, and the appearance of the Bess restored the empire's confidence.
Just like yesterday, His Royal Highness Philip appeared on the dock again.
This time, not only the marshals and generals from the military headquarters, but also the cabinet prime minister and major ministers also appeared together.
The ministers all sincerely admired this relatively compact ironclad, and they were even more surprised by the creativity of the Genoese people.
As is known to all, overseas trade mainly accumulates along the northern coast and up the Osela River to the Holy City. These places are also the centers of the empire's economy and industry, so the shipbuilding industry is also mainly located in these places.
In the eyes of these big shots, the South is synonymous with backwardness, but now Southerners are leading the trend.
"Steam engines, iron hulls and propellers, the combination of these three latest technologies, represent the future of the navy and the future of the empire's oceans."
His Royal Highness Philip boarded the Bess. As the president of the Royal Scientific Society, he was very sensitive to all new theories and new technologies. Of course, because of this, he knew that all of this was related to a certain Viscount he knew.
His Highness has a good impression of Sean, especially the latter who always subverts old concepts, which is impressive every time.
Of course, His Highness has also heard about Sean's career in Genoa, because he has also seen Sean's name in the reports of the Finance Minister and Prime Ministers on increasing fiscal revenue.
Therefore, His Highness personally went down to the hot, dark and humid hold, checked all the details, and promised to take credit for all the officers and soldiers on the Bess.
"But it is expensive to build. It is said that such a small ironclad ship is worth the cost of a main wooden sailing ship." Finance Minister York-Neval said.
"How much?" Prime Minister Cuarón asked.
"700,000, not including artillery," Neval said.
"If you ask me, you can sell it for 1 million. Because 10 main wooden sailing ships cannot compare with the combat effectiveness of one of them. I am referring to its defensive capabilities. Dear Minister of Finance, we should focus on the results.
.Give you 10 such main wooden sailing ships, can you safely sail from here to Poitou?" said Marshal Lewis, Minister of Military Command.
Marshal Lewis pointed at a warship docked not far away. It was the main warship of the Xia Kingdom. It was luck that this warship came to the Holy City.
"It would be nice if it could be built bigger," the Prime Minister said. "Forty artillery pieces are not enough firepower."
"I heard it's because of technical reasons." His Highness Philip said, "Everyone, it is clear now that although this 1,000-ton ironclad ship lacks firepower, its corresponding cost is relatively cheap. It should be used in the battle against the fish demon.
Show off your skills."
Marshal Lewis obviously understood the subtext of the second prince: "The Military Command supports the new shipbuilding plan, and resources are tilted toward ironclads as much as possible. In addition to the first batch of ten ships, we are prepared to add ten more."
Philip looked at the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance. Neval said: "If this is the case, then the armored ship construction plan must be reduced. As the Minister of Finance, I will not object, but in terms of the consortium..."
Those consortia are the creditors of the empire. They lend money to the empire and have certain suggestions on how the loaned funds are used. And those warship builders are inextricably linked to these consortiums.
Philip often accompanies the emperor, and it is said that various cabinet reports often pass through his hands before reaching His Majesty. Therefore, His Highness is well aware of the financial situation of the empire.
The Prime Minister didn't know whether Philip's meaning represented the emperor's will, so he said cautiously:
"It is not impossible to increase orders for armored ships without reducing the number of armored ships. For example, Genoa's tea tax next year is estimated to be tens of millions, which is a very considerable amount."
"No, Your Excellency Prime Minister, the tea tax has already gone somewhere!" the finance minister said in a voiceless voice, even though the tea tax will not be levied until next year.
Marshal Lewis immediately said: "Isn't it the best place to use the tea tax for national defense? York, this is war time. Don't think that the war is still far away just because the fish monster can't get ashore."
The finance minister retorted: "I know national defense is very important, but the empire's finances are already unsustainable, unless you take the initiative to reduce the number of troops in the army. I don't think your army needs to maintain such a large number of troops. If you reduce one division, you can at least
Immediately have 2 ironclads, the more you cut, the more warships you have."
In the eyes of civilian officials, the military is undoubtedly a gold-swallowing monster, and no amount of money is too much. In the eyes of the military, all civilian officials are stingy, always setting up obstacles for the army's logistics.
Of course, His Majesty the Emperor is happy to see this kind of contradiction between the civilian government and the military. But in today's more difficult circumstances, the less investment is made in the navy, the empire's maritime borders will be unrest and it will become a landlocked country.
"This is absolutely impossible!" Marshal Lewis flatly refused. "The Assyrians and Belis are our enemies first and foremost. Under the current circumstances, it is even less possible to relax our vigilance against our enemies."
His Royal Highness Philip frowned and lamented in his heart: It seems that the only way is to increase taxes.
Carmen on the dock didn't know what the big shots on the Bess were discussing. He and the citizens stopped on the shore to watch for a while, and then dispersed with the crowd.
He still has his own things to do. According to the plan, he will visit Marquis Walker.
Marquis Walker has three grandsons, the youngest of whom disappeared a year ago. The Marquis usually lives in a manor outside the city, not too far from the dock, and it only takes half an hour by carriage along the coast.
After expressing his intention, the Marquis's concierge refused Carmen's visit because he had no appointment. Carmen was not discouraged and waited in front of the Marquis's manor for a full day.
Early the next morning, Carmen blocked the door of the Marquis' manor again.
It wasn't until the fourth day that the Marquis asked the butler to let Carmen in.
"Mr. Gable, I don't quite understand your purpose. Regarding the disappearance of my grandson, I have already reported it to the police. The police have detailed information." The Marquis was very impatient. "This is not worthy of your guarding the door of my manor."
Three days. This is an ordinary disappearance case."
"Lord Marquis, I just want to investigate it personally. In view of the current high incidence of disappearances, I think it is necessary to conduct an in-depth investigation..." Carmen explained.
"You reporters always want to make big news. Sorry, Mr. Gable, I have nothing to tell you. Please don't disturb me again." The Marquis issued an eviction order, "The reason I let you in is because I don't want to see you again.
This is a face-to-face warning!”
Carmen was held up and thrown out of the manor by the Marquis's strong servants.
Next, Carmen did not "harass" Marquis Walker. He found Martin, the Walker family's personal doctor.
Dr. Martin is famous for his superb medical skills, so the clients he often serves are members of the upper class.
But Dr. Martin is a person who loves wine very much. He prefers a certain brand and likes to visit a certain store that specializes in wine. It took Carmen several days to establish a relationship and become Dr. Martin's "drinking buddy".
Once Dr. Martin gets drunk, he talks a lot:
"I have never seen Marquis Walker's young grandson. It is said that because this grandson has been suffering from leprosy since he was a child, he was locked up in a room in the manor by the Marquis..."
The doctor who was trusted by Marquis Walker had never seen an important member of the family who was sick. It was very strange that the leper suddenly disappeared one day.
After getting this useful information, Carmen turned to investigate other missing cases, and through various means and connections, he reviewed a large number of reports and files on missing cases.
A thread about a series of missing children vaguely appeared in Carmen's mind.
However, his frequent visits to various security stations and police stations also attracted the attention of some people.
One late night, Carmen dragged her tired legs to her apartment.
On the quiet street, there was only the sound of Carmen's own footsteps.
Suddenly, several suspicious people rushed over from a dark corner and surrounded Carmen.
"Who are you?" Carmen asked loudly.
"Secret police!" said the leader.
Carmen did not resist, he had a hunch that this time he met the real secret police.