Pirate Kingship

The capital of Kingston, the homeland of the Kingdom of Hastings.

The city's martial law has been significantly relaxed compared to two months ago, but there are not many pedestrians on the road due to the increasingly fierce cold wind in late autumn.

But whether it is a restaurant, pub, club, chess and card room, or any other public place, the social atmosphere of the residents of the capital has a sense of relaxation that was not seen in the past period of time.

"The war to suppress the rebellion has finally come to an end. Little Jerry, who served in the royal party artillery unit, should be back soon, right?"

"It should be soon. The Channel Islands will soon start winter time. If he doesn't come back, it will snow in the north."

Of course, there are also complaints.

"Alas, why do we have to fight every year?

We first fought the Hundred Years' War with Iris, and then the Thirty Years' War of the Red and White Roses. We haven't even survived a year, and the Royal Party and the Earl Party have started fighting again.

This year, the war ended because of the arrival of winter, and it will continue after the beginning of spring next year. I don't know when it will end this time."

"Hush! You are going to die."

The complainer knew that he had said something wrong, looked around, and immediately lowered his voice by eight degrees.

The situation overseas was turbulent, and the situation in Hastings was somewhat unexpected.

The rebellion war surrounding the Hastings royal power fell into a stalemate. The seemingly dominant coalition of the Royal Party and the Neutral Party failed to achieve a quick victory in the past two months.

The weak Earl Party changed its tactics in time.

It retreated to the large number of bastions built during the Thirty Years' War of the Red and White Roses, and fought a war of attrition with them with the ammunition and armaments provided by Rheinmetall.

As we all know, although building bastions is quite energy-consuming and wealth-consuming, besieging it is also equally time-consuming and laborious.

Especially when a [Fortress Expert] is in charge of the commander.

It is recorded in the "History of Continental Wars" that a siege against a bastion often lasts for months or even years.

In the limited seasons suitable for war each year, if an army commander can capture 1 or 2 bastion fortresses, he can be considered outstanding.

It is said that even with a strong 7:1 military advantage, it takes about 20-30 days to capture a bastion guarded by a [Fortress Expert]. Each bastion is a hard bone that can make the enemy break its teeth.

What's more, the difference in military strength between the Royal Party and the Earl's Party is far from this level.

This delay allowed the Earl's Party, which chose the right strategy and tactics, to successfully delay until winter and usher in the opportunity to regroup.

Because the "winter time" of the Channel Islands is implemented on the last Sunday of October every year, the specific date this year is October 29, until the last Sunday of March next year.

The Treasure Fleet set out in early October. After a series of gusty sailing, sunfish raids, and pursuits, it is now mid-October, and there are only a few days left before winter time.

The latitude of the Kingdom of Hattings is high, and the distance from north to south is 1,000 kilometers. The further north you go, the earlier winter comes.

From this moment on, it means that the time suitable for fighting is over. If they dare to fight in the field again, the bad weather will give them a wake-up call.

Even if the attackers don't care about the lives of the soldiers, they are doomed to not fight.

In Ganquan Palace, Edward IV had already evacuated from the front line and returned to the capital in advance, and was handling government affairs in his study.

Especially everything about the war to suppress the rebellion, he had to personally inquire about everything.

A thick stack of documents has accumulated on the desk, and his face has always been not very good.

"If you don't fight, you don't know how expensive gunpowder and weapons are now.

I originally wanted to save costs by seizing weapons and ammunition, but the damned Warwick got weapons and ammunition from nowhere, which are totally incompatible with ours!

War is a battle of armaments and logistics. If the army is equipped with two different types of weapons, in order to achieve the original combat effectiveness, the logistics pressure will almost double, which is not worth the loss.

These seized items are almost useless except for gunpowder. Most of them have to be put in the warehouse to collect dust, and special people have to be sent to guard them strictly.

Fortunately, Richard found another "Xianyu Second-hand Trading Company" on the online financial street. This company can recycle at 10% to 30% of the original price, which can barely make the finances recover.

Last month, a part of the military expenditure was saved."

When the document was approved here, Edward IV's tense face relaxed a little.

Although he wore the "Emperor's New Clothes", his basic IQ was still there. Of course, he would not let himself hang on Rheinmetall, an arms dealer.

Richard, who was in charge of this matter, lived up to his title of "Devil Duke".

When selecting military contractors to recycle those arms, he did not notify only Rheinmetall, but pioneered the introduction of a bidding mechanism.

All arms companies interested in cooperation in the online financial street came to bid, and whoever offered the most favorable conditions would be selected.

The companies participating in the bidding included second-hand circulation platforms with slightly weaker strength: Xianyu Second-hand Trading Company and Nut Second-hand Guns.

There were also many regular arms manufacturers: Northern Heavy Industries, Raytheon Technology, and Sonic Power.

There were familiar-looking companies, and more were new companies.

Perhaps many forces have noticed the vast business opportunities opened up in the southern continent, and guns and ammunition are in short supply. Naturally, various arms companies have sprung up from the financial street like mushrooms after rain.

Edward IV finally felt that even the "Xianyu Second-hand Trading Company" with the most generous conditions was still far from his psychological expectations, but he could only accept the result of the bidding helplessly.

After all, it is impossible that these dozen companies came together to bid, and they were all colluding, right?

But in fact.

Hey, guess what?

They are all shell companies "accompanying the bid"!

While the York brothers were still complacent about their "wisdom", they did not realize the business secrets hidden in "Sun Xingzhe, Zhe Xingsun, Xingzhe Sun", "Sprite, Lei Bi."

[Mithril Dragon] Although these arms companies registered by Catherine do have their own office addresses.

In fact, they are all OEM production, and the real source factory is only the arsenal of "Riptide Fortress".

They are all the use of the "all shills" model of the stock fraud group at the beginning. It is not a great new thing, but the effect is unexpectedly good.

Not only did they take the opportunity to make a fortune, but they also successfully confused the royal party and the earl party, making it difficult for them to discover the truth of "selling two companies with one hand" in a short period of time.

When it is really found out one day, it will no longer matter.

Edward IV picked up another report from the major royal arsenals, and when he saw the final figures, he finally showed a satisfied smile:

"It is indeed the right choice to outsource the business of these arsenals to Rheinmetall.

By drastically cutting off the military manufacturing industry that has high investment but can never directly create profits, the country's financial burden has suddenly been reduced a lot.

The financial report of the last quarter has successfully turned losses into profits.

Investing the saved money in Rheinmetall, just make a direct request to them, saving a series of troubles such as procurement, management, production, maintenance, etc.

Military outsourcing is really a genius idea.

By extension, other Can industries be fully outsourced like this? For example, the whale oil power technology that is in a hurry?

The last time I communicated with the people of Rheinmetall, they said that they were also preparing to launch related projects, but they lacked funds, and asked me if I wanted to invest.

It all comes down to money.

I will hold a royal meeting tomorrow and ask them to cut the Academy of Engineering, use the research and development funds to make a plan, and then invite bids again.

When I quell the rebellion, I will use the whole country's strength to develop the southern continent. As long as we can get a few gold mines, we will have everything. Hmm? "

At this time, Edward IV suddenly found that the legal network was triggered, and an expedited letter from the colony Jamestown fell into his heart.

Seeing the emblem on it, he immediately frowned deeply:

"Earl of Stromgarde? A sudden letter at this time, could it be that the last Lancaster has done something again? "

The Earl's Party has made Edward IV anxious, and now the last thing he wants to see is news from the Bantaan Islands.

No news is already the best news.

But he had to patiently open the letter.

Skip the irrelevant greetings and go straight to the main text.

"Your Majesty, today I got an important message from [Wild Hunt] Byron Lancaster through the pirate insider in Blacksail Harbor.

I learned that he actually united all the pirate warlords and big pirates in the Bantaan Islands and prepared to plunder the Castilian treasure fleet!"

"What? The Wild Hunt cracked the [key of the treasure ship]? We must not let him get the money!"

When Edward IV saw the content of the letter for the first time, his hand trembled suddenly and he looked down quickly.

"Due to the urgency of the situation, I had to lead the colony's Seventh Fleet to an emergency dispatch immediately.

Thanks to the blessing of the Creator and the Three Phantom Suns, we caught up with the Treasure Fleet and the Pirate Alliance who were already in a melee in time.

And the early battles went smoothly.

Taking advantage of the opportunity when the Black Sail Pirates were entangled with the vanguard and rearguard troops, the Seventh Fleet successfully defeated the flagship [Niucheng] and the remaining Castilians, and captured a treasure squadron.

I was also lucky enough to break through the fourth level, and with the extraordinary knowledge I had previously plundered the Lancaster Party, I successfully changed my job to [Storm Lord]."

"The Earl of Stromberg actually captured a treasure squadron? Great, I'm going to get rich!"

After Edward IV was overjoyed, his eyes immediately flashed with cold light:

"[Sea Hunter] not only plundered the treasure fleet, but also successfully broke through the fourth level and became [Storm Lord] through this battle?

If I didn't If I remember correctly, the Earl of Stromgarde is only twenty years old this year.

Too fast, even if he is the reincarnation of the Holy Spirit that has not been confirmed in the legend, his progress is really too fast.

If this continues, how can I control this sharp blade?

I must find a way to continue to limit his growth.

It is not a good thing to climb too fast when you are young. If you want to go steady and far, you need more training. I am doing this for your own good.

And"

A trace of burning greed appeared on his face, and he said silently in his heart:

"The previous rule was to hand in one-tenth of the loot.

But this time, what we robbed is a fleet of treasures worth an average of one million pounds per ship. I have to help you withstand the pressure of the Castilians from the official level. How can one-tenth be enough?

At least it should be 70% and 30%, I will take 70% and you will take 30%.

No, I have to find a way to dig this big piece of meat out of his mouth. "

Unfortunately, he was still happily thinking about how to eat Byron's flesh and drink Byron's blood a second ago, but when he saw the "but" at the end, he couldn't help but stand up with a whoosh.

"But. [Puppet King] Louis suddenly came. The puppet theater was planning to rob the thieves with a plot to kill someone with a borrowed knife.

Then, [Wild Hunt] Byron Lancaster broke through on the battlefield and temporarily gained a powerful combat power comparable to the fifth-level [King] as a fourth-level [Storm Lord].

It is suspected that he has some powerful treasure.

And he killed the Puppet King in public, and was elected as the Black Sail Pirate King [Uncrowned King] on the spot by the Pirate Port.

I took great pains to escape the battlefield with the Seventh Fleet, but I also lost most of the spoils.

After deducting the battle losses and pensions, there is not much left.

Defense expenses, not a penny left;

Military pay, always thinking about it;

Purchase expenses, leaking everywhere.

Military expenses! Military expenses! Your Majesty, request support."

Seeing this, Edward IV's eyes went black, and he was hit by Byron's "suppress first and then praise" move, and his face was covered with flowers, breaking his defense on the spot.

I thought it was a surprise, but it turned out to be bad news. I was so angry that my whole body was shaking violently:

"My money! Where is the money? !!

Is the good situation gone?

Not only did they not give me a penny, but they still asked me for support?"

Just now I thought that [Sea Hunter] Byron Tudor was too talented and crushed all the Yorkists into slag.

Then I thought he was a bastard. He lost at the critical moment of the fight with [Wild Hunt]. Not only did he betray his trust, but he also lost the money that was already within his grasp.

How much money would that be?

But after Edward IV was angry, he had to start facing the reality.

Byron Lancaster is now a [King]!

Even if he can't last, he is still a [King].

[Sea Hunter] was able to bring the Seventh Fleet back intact without losing the entire colony, which was already outstanding. No one can fault his contribution.

If he could really stop the other party and bring the money back, Edward IV would not be angry now, but would be worried about whether there would be another covetous person for the throne.

The key problem facing White Rose now is not to hold [Sea Hunter] accountable, but to find a way to deal with [Wild Hunt], the uncrowned king.

After this battle, the last Lancaster will surely dominate the world again.

The extraordinary system that relies heavily on the power of mind and will is actually the same as economics. When everyone thinks he is a potential stock and wants to buy him to rise, he will definitely rise!

It can be imagined that with the example of this person who once fell from the throne and regained the top in the Age of Discovery, countless young people will go to the sea in the future, or even directly join his command.

Previously, there was a vacuum in the power of the Kingdom of Castile and the Star-Moon Empire in the Bantaan Islands. Now another pirate king has emerged and robbed the largest batch of treasures on the sea, the "Treasure Fleet".

With all the elements gathered, the Great Pirate Era is probably really coming!

The influence of [Uncrowned King] is immeasurable.

"Ah! I really regret not mobilizing the whole country to kill Byron Lancaster when I found him in Anchor Bay.

This is why we have suffered today."

Edward IV slammed his fist on the table, regretting it in his heart.

It's a pity that there is no regret medicine in this world.

Just like "Tao Intelligence" must have regretted countless times, why didn't it use the whole company's strength to acquire "Bing Duo Duo" when it just started.

It's just that subconsciously, it didn't regard the other party as an opponent.

Edward IV sat back in his chair somewhat powerlessly, and began to write a warrant with a gloomy face:

"White Rose cannot lose its colonies. As long as [Sea Hunter] can withstand the pressure, it must be supported.

Now I have no one who can replace the Earl of Stromgarde.

In addition, the domestic situation must be stabilized as soon as possible, and the winter offensive against the Earl's party cannot be stopped. The sooner the civil war ends, the better.

Since ordinary soldiers cannot fight, let the extraordinary people trained by various nobles go into battle to carry out assassinations and sabotage behind enemy lines. In short, the Earl's party must not have a chance to relax.

At the same time, continue to increase arms purchases from Rheinmetall and stockpile ammunition. It is better to suffer a short pain than a long pain. Try to flatten Warwick's party on the spot after the spring.

Now is not the time to save money. White Rose York has a lot of industries.

Even if it is to borrow money from the Poor Knights or the bankers of the Remit people, or even take the lead in recognizing the country established by the Remit people, this war must be fought, and it must be won!"

So far, Byron's plan of "raising the enemy to protect himself" has been perfectly achieved.

Things developed just as he expected.

With [Wild Hunt] Byron Lancaster, the "uncrowned king" of the Bantaan Islands and the Sapphire Sea, the sword is hanging over White Rose's head.

Now the York family, which is unable to take care of itself, can only rely on him more. Not only do they have to spend money to support him, but they also have to indirectly support the enemy.

It also means that the York family is bleeding faster, triggering a series of chain reactions.

This is also Byron's first plan to launch a counterattack against the mainland.

If you don't give them a good fight when you have the chance, are you still a human being? You don't even have the professional ethics of an "offshore balancer"!

To be honest, even if Byron plays when he is happy and stops when he is unhappy, what can White Rose do to him?

Now that offense and defense are changing, even if the [Sea Hunter] vest falls off, there will be no more losses other than losing a chance to backstab.

Come to the colony and beat me up if you can!

Beware that Rheinmetall will not even issue ammunition to you under the pretext of production line failure.

Each warrant was born under the pen of Edward IV:

“I am now transferring Lancaster’s Sauron Castle to [Sea Hunter], so that [Wild Hunt] can lock up its hatred because his wife and house were taken away by the latter.

Go against the [Sea Hunter] first to buy time for the homeland. "

After giving out all the orders, he pinched his forehead and muttered to himself feebly:

"That damn Byron Lancaster has grown faster than Byron Tudor, and he has attracted the pirates of Black Sail Port.

We must find ways to prepare in advance to prevent him from suddenly appearing on the mainland and catching us by surprise. "

At this time, a pair of delicate little hands caressed his temples.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten? We also have a secret weapon.

Although it has no effect on other enemies, it is a breeze to take down a small Lancaster. "

Edward IV looked back and found that his charming and beautiful queen was standing behind him, with her upper body slightly tilted and lying in his ear, breathing softly:

"Family is his weakness!"

These words immediately made Edward IV's eyes light up:

"That's right! During the last battle at the Strait of Dover, we didn't take advantage of Lancaster's weakness, but it's different now.

[Mad King] Henry VI's queen and [Wild Hunt]'s aunt Margaret, as well as all the female members of the Lancaster family were imprisoned in the monastery on the island of Malta in the middle of the sea.

Although it is isolated in the middle sea and very close to the front line of the confrontation between the church countries on the east coast and the Holy Spirit Church countries on the west coast, the island is the headquarters of the Knights of Malta and is heavily guarded.

The most elite Maltese knights are stationed in the San Angelo Fortress, and the overall leader [Holy Spear] Valette is a powerful fifth-level legendary [Paladin].

As long as we hold them firmly in our hands, we have no fear that the last Lancaster will not obey. "

Elizabeth had no consciousness of having a poisonous plan at all, and her face was filled with a smile:

"Then we will send a note tomorrow to transfer them from the Malta monastery back to the royal capital?"

Edward IV raised his hand and categorically rejected Queen Elizabeth's proposal.

"No! People in the country are currently unstable.

Except for us members of the royal family who have a sworn feud with Lancaster, no one knows which wallflower has different intentions, and maybe someone will be willing to be a traitor.

It would be better to keep it in the Maltese monastery.

We sent two female assassins to join the monastery and secretly fed the female relatives a chronic poison with no solution.

Become a sharp sword that always hangs over [Wild Hunt]’s head.

I'll see if he wants them alive or dead! "

Thinking of this, a big stone finally fell into Edward IV's heart.

Only then did he realize that his queen, [the most beautiful woman in the Channel Islands] Elizabeth, was only wearing a gauze nightgown. Her graceful body was looming, looking like a beauty under the whale oil lamp.

I couldn't help feeling hot in my heart, so I stood up, picked her up and walked to the bedroom.

"It's just a little strange. It's been more than two months since Elizabeth gave birth to her eighth child. Why is there still no movement in her stomach?"

The doubts in my heart only lasted for a moment, and then turned into excitement:

"This is probably the Creator's favor for me!

There have been too many things to worry about recently, and the Creator has allowed me to enjoy the most beautiful woman in my kingdom a few more times. "

When he put the queen on the bed, he felt a slight tingling and numbness in his lower back. He didn't take it to heart at all and took off his clothes and climbed up.

Edward IV is only in his early thirties and considers himself a great young man.

After returning to the palace some time ago, they have been singing and dancing every night, but they never thought that the love between husband and wife was a big problem.

I received Byron’s letter today, and I thought of the [Scarlet Holy Grail] again.

I couldn't help but become more and more eager for this "experiment" to obtain the complete ritual as soon as possible.

Recall some of the ritual requirements already obtained: “The person to be promoted must come from the ruling and exploiting classes (regardless of which generation);

The hands of loyal servants (thirteen); the bones of relatives (six, dead no more than three years ago); the ones of loved ones. What? "

Edward IV stroked the fair and smooth skin of the beautiful queen's back, causing her to giggle, but his own eyes suddenly became dark.

"Relatives" are not only Lancaster's weakness, they may also be his panacea for Edward IV!