Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

At the Brambleford Government Office, when it came to the idea of a bank, Simon once again explained the concept to Baldwin. Although it was called a bank, it was essentially the same as a pawnshop.

Baldwin understood.

After discussing the bank, Baldwin took out the blueprints for the city’s infrastructure project.

This project was divided into two parts: the construction of cement roads and the laying of underground pipes.

The cement roads didn’t need much explanation, but the underground pipes included drainage and sewage pipes.

Simon wanted Brambleford to become a highly prosperous commercial hub, and he naturally aimed to look ahead. Thus, the design for underground pipes was incorporated into the plans.

At first, Baldwin didn’t understand the reasoning behind this design, but after Simon explained, he realized the significance. He smiled and said, "My Lord, this underground pipeline is unprecedented. No city in the Eldorian Empire has such a sewage system. Brambleford will be the first. But where will the sewage pipes ultimately lead?"

Simon had already been planning this underground system for a while. Once it was completed, he could also transform the castle to enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle with proper sanitation.

Moreover, the sewage system would serve another important purpose.

"It will lead to my official farm., Simon said with a smile. "No manure, no rice fragrance."

The end destination for the sewage pipes would be a large compost pit. This compost would not only provide fertilizer for the official farm, but Simon also planned to experiment with biogas production.

Being from a modern world, Simon was naturally thinking long-term.

"I understand now. Your Highness is truly brilliant." Baldwin said, impressed.

After going over the detailed plans with Baldwin, Simon instructed him to begin preparations for both the bank and the city infrastructure project.

"To forge iron, one must first be strong," Simon remarked. Just as he had built the army, he was now turning his attention to the development of the city.

Three days later, the Brambleford government posted the blueprints for the road and underground pipeline construction and officially announced the bidding process in the Brambleford Daily.

At a Shop in the Eastern Market

Jack Walker looked at the newspaper with interest. The term ’bidding’ was something he had never heard before, and it intrigued him. The newspaper provided an explanation of the term and various technical construction terms.

After reading the article, it was easy for him to understand what ’bidding,’ ’contracting,’ and ’projects’ meant.

"Boss, It’s a shame we can’t take on the road construction in Brambleford." Jack’s steward said to him.

"Of course it’s a shame. His Highness is clearly favoring the local merchants this time. It’s clear that he wants more merchants to join Brambleford’s residency program and settle here. I can see through this small trick." Jack replied as his steward poured him a cup of tea.

"Since that’s the case, can we collaborate with the merchants who win the contracts? That way, we could still get a share of the profits." The steward suggested.

Jack’s eyes lit up, and he replied. "You’re foolish. The local merchants in Brambleford are hardly wealthy. We should just offer them high-interest loans instead."

"Master, you’re so smart. I feel like I’ve learned more in a day with you than I would in a year." The steward flattered.

Jack chuckled, but his mood soured when he saw another report. This article mentioned that the Brambleford government was planning to establish a bank across the six cities, similar to a pawnshop. The people of Brambleford would be able to deposit and borrow silver there.

"For any loans, you only need to pay two pennies per cap of silver in interest every month., Jack muttered to himself, his face turning slightly red. "This Prince is ruthless. I didn’t expect him to cut off this money-making route for outsiders."

He was filled with both resentment and envy. Brambleford was indeed incredibly accommodating to merchants, but unfortunately, he was aligned with Prince Gerad.

If his life and fortune weren’t tied to Prince Gerad, he might have considered settling in Brambleford himself.

As a businessman, Jack had a sharp instinct. He could feel that Brambleford was going to become a thriving hub for commerce. Missing out on this opportunity was a huge regret.

But he was also skilled at hedging his bets. He told his steward. "Go fetch Gary."

The steward was taken aback. Gary was Jack’s illegitimate son, and only he and Jack knew of his existence.

After arriving in Brambleford, Jack had brought Gary with him and put him in charge of Brambleford’s business operations.

The steward went off, and a short while later, he returned with a young man. Jack was sharp-eyed, with a quick, calculating look, a man clearly accustomed to business.

"Father, did you call for me?" Gary asked respectfully.

Jack nodded and said. "In the next few days, go to the Brambleford government and apply for residency here."

"Apply for Brambleford residency? Father, didn’t you promise me that I would join the Burrow’s Town registry?" Gary’s face shifted slightly.

His mother wasn’t from the Eldorian Empire but from the northern steppes. When Jack was young, he had gone to the steppes to do business, where he had a brief affair that resulted in Gary’s birth.

Later, Jack had made his fortune in Burrow’s Town, gaining the favor of Prince Gerad and marrying a distant cousin of Prince Gerad’s wife.

Since then, Jack had never mentioned Gary’s mother again, though he secretly brought them both to Burrow’s Town. Eventually, Gary came to Brambleford with him.

"Do you not understand the situation in Burrow’s Town? If you and your mother are discovered, you’ll be dead. Bringing you to Brambleford is to protect you. In case anything happens in Burrow’s Town, we’ll have a fallback here. Don’t you see the current situation in Brambleford?" Jack scolded.

Gary had thought for a moment that his father was abandoning them, but now he realized that his father was thinking ahead for their safety.

"I understand, Father," Gary said.

Jack nodded. "And once you become a Brambleford resident, you’ll be able to do business here freely. Remember, once you’re a part of Brambleford, you must swear loyalty to Prince Simon. If anything happens in Burrow’s Town, we’ll have Brambleford as our backup. We can rely on each other when times get tough."

"You’ve thought this through, Father. I was too hasty. I’ll apply for Brambleford residency this afternoon. Maybe I can also get involved in the Brambleford road project."

Jack nodded approvingly, then sighed. Being a businessman often meant playing both sides, and sometimes there was no choice.

"Even with all the money in the world, the government can seize your property with a single word," Jack muttered bitterly.

But he also saw a new world in Brambleford, one where the government was more merchant-friendly and far less oppressive than elsewhere.

It was for this reason that he had decided to have Gary apply for residency here. He could afford to wait and see what kind of changes Brambleford could bring.

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