"Mr. Colin, what do you plan to do with all this money you've raised? I'm not trying to pry into your private affairs, just curious, so if it's inconvenient for you, please pretend I never asked."

After all, he's the master of this country and could easily send someone to the bank to find out.

Luo Yan naturally couldn't overlook the intentions already written all over his face, he smiled faintly and said.

"Most of it is intended for the development of colonies on the Kao Continent. I will use this money to procure some industrial goods to transport to the New Continent in exchange for resources there, such as the textiles and steel tools that are desperately needed locally. Besides that, this money will also be used for local mining and exploration operations to further expand resource output, especially in searching for high-value diamond mines. Not only that, I will also place orders with the shipyards of the Campbell Duchy to build the largest ocean-going trade fleet in the Vortex Sea, opening up a route from the northeastern shore of the Vortex Sea to the New Continent to increase trade between the two sides."

Although he was bragging, Luo Yan wasn't lying; he indeed planned to do this, and had even started to arrange for people to work on it.

The citizens of Thunder City would soon see the news in the "Thunder City Daily," he merely picked out these pleasant words in advance, which happened to be exactly what Duke Edward loved to hear.

Even beyond Duke Edward, Baron Ges standing by the side felt a surge of excitement.

Textiles and steel tools!

Although there was no iron mine on his land, there was plenty of land, whether cultivated or uncultivated!

If he converted some of the lands into pastures for wool production, it would surely be more profitable than farming!

While Baron Ges was calculating in his mind, Duke Edward was also having similar thoughts.

However, his vision was much broader than that of the Baron, seeing not only the wool industry but also the sea beyond Thunder City.

After hearing Mr. Colin's grand blueprint, his eyes were filled with eager light, and he was invigorated with excitement.

"...That would be wonderful! The timber of the Ryan Kingdom is the finest on the entire Aus Continent! Not only that, but we also have the most advanced power machinery factory, even the Imperial Royal Shipyard has to place orders with us."

"That's what I have my eyes on," Luo Yan said with a smile on his face, continuing calmly, "To be honest, I was stunned by the industrial foundation here when I first arrived in Thunder City, and that's also what I regret the most."

"Regret?" Edward was slightly surprised, instinctively asking, "Is there something that makes you dissatisfied?"

"You've misunderstood; I'm not dissatisfied with anything, I'm just feeling regret for you."

Luo Yan gently shook his head, looking at the puzzled Duke Edward, and spoke in a voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"You have the most advanced power machinery factory, and abundant natural resources. From my understanding, the spark of industry first began burning on your land. However, during my years studying in the Academic State, I've only heard about the renowned Imperial Royal Shipyard, but never heard the name of the Thunder City Shipyard, until I set foot on the land of the Ryan Kingdom."

This wasn't his regret, but it was indeed Duke Edward's regret.

The latter was silent for a long time, sighed, and said.

"This can't be helped, after all, the northeastern shore of the Vortex Sea is too far from the New Continent, and the share we can get from the Imperial's ocean-going trade is limited. Moreover, nobles like you from the Empire would certainly prefer to invest in the ports of the Empire, in your eyes, we are merely an ally."

Luo Yan shook his head and continued speaking.

"I don't think that's the core reason. The Empire's nobles are not averse to investing in allies; we are all servants of Saint Sis and should make no distinction among us."

Edward curiously asked.

"Oh? Then what do you think is the reason?"

Luo Yan smiled and said.

"Based on my humble observations during my studies abroad, I found that any land where people are forced to depend on the land to make a living tends to struggle with mere subsistence, often supporting only a couple of affluent classes on vast stretches of land. In contrast, those city-states not reliant on land often live quite well, with entire streets filled with wealthy people clad in silks and satins."

Edward pondered for a long time and said.

"This situation does exist, but I think it's too far-fetched to link people's poverty directly with the land."

"Your Majesty, you misunderstand; I'm not saying that poverty is caused by the land," Luo Yan gently shook his head and continued, "What I'm suggesting is that the same individual, if self-sufficient as a farmer, might produce just enough to sustain themselves all year and spend the rest of their time wasting away in taverns listening to adventurers boasting. But if they were a citizen of Thunder City, the value they produce would not only satisfy their own sustenance but could also support a third of a full-time soldier."

"If we could liberate the farmers from their monotonous lives in the fields and send them to the factories on the outskirts of the city, can you imagine what a formidable force that would be? They would be as cheap as self-sufficient farmers, consuming only products sufficient for subsistence, yet producing a massive amount of wealth for your Duchy."

"The Empire's handcrafters would be no match for you, nor would the impoverished in the colonies, for the fact that they are willing to sail overseas shows they still have a modicum of ambition; it's hard to convince them to forsake butter on their bread for the glory of the Colin Family. But those tenant farmers, I dare bet that most of them don't even know what butter is, because it's the same with the Empire's tenant farmers. They will become an invincible army, sweeping across the entire Imperial market under the leadership of those factory owners!"

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