Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

"My Lord, Prince Vaelric’s merchant ship has arrived. It’s said that they’ve brought cotton seeds, but..."

"Let me guess. They want the cannons in exchange for the cotton seeds, right?"

"It seems you’ve already figured it out, My Lord." Baldwin smiled.

Simon was currently writing a training manual for the musket troops.

The previous day, he had visited the lathe workshop, armaments workshop, machinery department, and gunpowder workshop, delivering all his instructions.

Whether it was the bayonet, cleaning rod, or oil-paper-wrapped ammunition, all of these were simple to produce.

A bayonet was merely a cylindrical base, a cleaning rod was just an iron rod, and oil-paper-wrapped ammunition was even simpler: wrapping the bullet and powder in oil paper.

It wasn’t a question of technical difficulty; it was more about the right idea, or rather, experience.

With the flintlock musket soon to be issued, Simon had to consider the establishment of a modern military academy. With the advent of firearms, war was entering a more structured phase, no longer relying on the traditional three moves of old.

Because of this, he was writing the manual, preparing to teach Brambleford’s commanders about modern warfare.

Putting down his brush, Simon walked out of the main hall. He had already shed his heavy winter coat and was now dressed lightly.

As he walked toward the castle gates, Simon said. "Percival managed to bring in the cotton so smoothly. Do you think it’s because Prince Vaelric has suddenly developed a kind heart? No, this is all just an exchange of interests. He wants cannons, and I want cotton."

"That’s true, but I’m afraid Prince Gerad won’t be happy. I’ve heard he’s been complaining about Your Highness in Burrows Town." Baldwin replied.

"Don’t worry about him. Prince Gerad has never gotten along with Prince Vaelric. We sell cannons to Prince Vaelric, so of course, Prince Gerad isn’t pleased. But right now, we don’t need to get involved in the infighting between the princes. The real strategy is to profit from their rivalry by selling them weapons."

After analyzing the situation in the Eldorian Empire, Simon decided to adopt a policy similar to America’s isolationist diplomacy during World War II.

He would not get involved in any of the factions’ disputes. Instead, he would focus on making money quietly.

After all, the internal divisions within the Eldorian Empire couldn’t be reconciled, and the various princes were all suspicious of each other. In such a situation, it was safest to profit by taking advantage of their conflicts.

"Your Highness is right. Since Prince Gerad is displeased, we should just sell him more cannons. If the quantity increases, won’t he be satisfied?" Baldwin said.

"Exactly. Selling cannons to Prince Vaelric also serves to stimulate Prince Gerad to buy more." Simon replied.

The two discussed the matter as they arrived at the docks, where Simon had already sent men to the armaments workshop to deliver the thirty cannons to Prince Vaelric’s fleet and simultaneously unload the cotton seeds.

When Percival had initially gone to the Vael region, Prince Vaelric had refused to hand over the cotton seeds.

But after Prince Gerad’s cannons arrived, Prince Gerad, eager to show his strength, fired cannons into the Bison River, almost like fireworks. This greatly provoked Prince Vaelric.

In Brambleford, Simon had been pressing for the cannons to be delivered to the Vael region, but the cotton seeds could wait. After all, Prince Vaelric couldn’t block the sale of cotton. The textile workshops could still operate, but without cannons, Prince Vaelric had no leverage and ultimately had to reluctantly send the cotton seeds.

Upon inspecting the cotton on the merchant ship, Prince Vaelric’s envoy said. "Your Highness, Prince Vaelric has ordered that the cotton seeds cannot be handed over unless we receive the cannons first. If Your Highness insists, I will have to burn the cotton seeds."

Simon and Baldwin exchanged glances. The envoy had some courage, and Simon smiled. "I’ve always kept my promises. I’m not interested in the three ships of cotton seeds. But Prince Vaelric’s choice to send them at this time seems... Suspicious."

Prince Vaelric’s envoy looked embarrassed. He understood Simon’s point. March was the planting season for cotton, and sending the seeds now was clearly meant as a form of pressure. If Simon didn’t fulfill his promise, it would be another year before the cotton could be planted.

After waiting at the docks for an hour, the armaments workshop finally delivered the cannons.

Prince Vaelric’s envoy inspected the cannons and ammunition before agreeing to have the workers unload the cotton seeds.

Simon personally supervised the delivery of the cotton seeds. He valued cotton as a key crop for Brambleford, since it could be used to produce a wide range of industrial products, with clothing being just one example. There was also a significant demand for cotton in the medical industry.

If the cotton planting were successful in Brambleford, they would no longer have to rely on Prince Vaelric for cotton, ensuring the steady development of Brambleford’s textile industry.

This batch of cotton seeds was delivered directly to the official farm. With the spring sowing season upon them, Brambleford’s soldiers once again played the role of farmers.

"My Lord, are we really going to plant cotton?"

On the embankment of the official farm, Benjamin followed Simon and asked.

Once the cotton seeds were delivered to the official farm, Benjamin had brought soldiers along.

Though Simon had already briefed him, Benjamin was still hesitant. To him, food crops were far more important.

Although food production in the six cities had improved, last year there had been a surplus, but with the ongoing war turmoil, the situation could easily change.

If there weren’t enough military rations, it could be deadly.

"Old General, don’t worry. Although Brambleford’s grain supply is limited, Prince Gerad, Prince Vaelric, and Prince Aurelia have more than enough food. During the cannon deal, I bought a large reserve of food from them." Simon reassured him.

Benjamin sighed with relief upon hearing this. He had always prioritized agriculture over trade, understanding well the sorrow of a front line cut off from food supplies.

Though Simon’s dual focus on both agriculture and commerce didn’t align with Benjamin’s personal beliefs, as a general, his only job was to fight and train the army. He knew better than to interfere with such matters.

Now that Simon had assured him that food reserves were taken care of, Benjamin was at ease; Simon hadn’t lost his mind yet.

Bags of cotton seeds were handed out, and the soldiers scattered the seeds across the official farm’s fields.

This year, in addition to the official farm under Brambleford’s jurisdiction, Simon and Baldwin had established several slave-run plantations. These plantations wouldn’t grow staple crops this year; instead, they would plant cotton, sugarcane, and rapeseed.

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