LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 101.1
The Waves of Turmoil (2)
“Golden Tower, direct all research efforts toward steam engines.”
“!!”
An imperial decree issued out of the blue.
The command to develop steam engines instead of magic engines left the mages, who had sought an audience, shocked and jumping in disbelief.
“Y-Your Majesty!”
“No, I don’t even need to entrust the creation of steam engines to you mages. The artisans of the imperial workshops should be more than capable. All of you, just leave!”
Of course, Canbraman had no genuine intention of disregarding or persecuting the mages.
Even directing the artisans of the workshops to produce steam engines under an imperial decree was a burdensome task.
The artisans weren’t fools; they wouldn’t eagerly manufacture machines that could jeopardize their livelihoods. While they might engage in some research and production due to the imperial order, their efficiency would undoubtedly drop.
“From this moment on, all funding for the Mage Tower will be cut!”
Thus, this was all part of a ruse.
“Your Majesty! We… we’ll do our best! Please, don’t cut off our support!”
“If the funding is cut, low-ranking mages who can’t even create proper magical tools yet will have no means to grow.”
“Without funding, research on magic engines will come to a complete halt!”
“Magic engines are definitely feasible! Please, just grant us more budget and time!”
The results were spectacular.
“In that case, here’s what I’ll do. I won’t cut the funding. But there will be no increase, either.”
“…….”
“If you want to conduct research beyond what the current funding allows, start making magical tools to earn your keep!”
“U-Understood.”
“In fact, it might be better to set quotas. The mages will earn money, and the empire will benefit from producing high-quality magical tools. Do you agree?”
“…Yes.”
In the end, the mages of the Imperial Mage Tower had no choice but to bow to the Emperor’s will.
Though not fully adopting the division of labor as in the North, they were now obligated to accept custom crafting requests to some extent.
After dismissing the mages,
“Ugh…”
Canbraman leaned halfway onto his golden throne with a long sigh.
He had thought that once he ascended to the throne, everything would fall into place effortlessly.
But reality was far from it. The responsibilities weighing on him as Emperor were even more burdensome than when he served as regent.
“Is there still no news about Arad Jin, the sorcerer of the North?”
“No, Your Majesty. Still no word.”
“If nothing comes up soon, send an envoy to the North.”
“Understood. I’ll make preparations immediately.”
Nodding, the Emperor rose from the throne.
“To the office.”
Staying here any longer would only make him feel more suffocated and irritable.
What unfinished approvals were waiting in the office again?
Heading to his office, Canbraman recalled the document he had set aside earlier in the morning.
Ah… It was about textiles.
Recently, the empire had seen a surge in textile production.
This was due to the steam engines, spinning wheels, and looms imported from the North by the Bishop Trading Company.
Not only had they devastated the empire’s textile market in an instant, but they now produced so much that they had to export cheaply outside the empire, causing massive upheaval.
It’s not just textiles; even the prices of paper and books have dropped to absurd levels.
The increase in production and abundance of goods was undoubtedly a boon for the empire.
However, whether it was beneficial for himself and the imperial family was another matter entirely.
The benefits skewed heavily toward the empire’s nobility, the clergy, and merchants.
Still, forbidding it outright isn’t an option.
He wanted to draw his sword and issue a decree, but hesitation was all he could muster in reality.
The matter involved stakes too lucrative to ignore.
If he targeted the Bishop Trading Company with an imperial edict, the noble council and clergy would likely leap into action as if they had been waiting for it.
There’s a high likelihood the empire would be plunged into civil war.
While the royal family held an advantage in the number of Sword Masters, victory couldn’t be guaranteed.
A civil war would almost certainly invite interference from the North and the allied kingdoms.
And there’s no just cause, either.
Entir Bishop, apart from his domestic scandals, was an exceptionally shrewd merchant.
Recently, Entir had presented the Emperor with two steam engines, spinning wheels, and looms each.
Far from being pleased, Canbraman had felt his heart sink.
The Courtiers’ Faction has started showing signs of division.
The guilds and workshop artisans supporting the royal family wanted those abominable machines discarded immediately.
Meanwhile, the Courtiers’ Faction nobles and merchants, having witnessed the immense production capabilities, wanted the machines replicated as soon as possible.
I can’t side with just one group.
Both groups were forces the Emperor could not afford to lose.
It would be great if those steam engines and factories could be used to produce imperial steel and weapons…
A mix of intense temptation, regret, and impatience swirled within him.
If that happened, I could supply even the lowest-ranking soldiers with armor and weapons made of imperial steel.
His thoughts continued to churn.
If only I could find some justification to suppress the guilds and artisans…
An imperial decree could forcibly impose his will, but that would inevitably lead to trouble elsewhere.
The repercussions ranged from corruption and sabotage to leaks of technology and information, and at worst, rebellion.
Still, it must be done!
The empire was surrounded by enemies. Lately, the North had been a particular thorn in his side.
I’m certain the North has already begun mass-producing Northern Steel using those steam engines and factories.
It was obvious what the Northerners would do with their mass-produced steel.
Before the Bishop Trading Company starts mass-producing imperial steel, I need to resolve matters with the guilds.
The North was a problem, but the empire’s internal issues were even more pressing.
According to Sigma’s reports, the Bishop Trading Company hadn’t yet shown signs of producing imperial steel with the steam engines and factories from the North.
But they were undoubtedly conducting research and preparing in secret.
If only I could just crush them all…
Despite being Emperor, Canbraman felt suffocated by the political realities preventing him from acting as he pleased.
He could even feel his wrinkles multiplying by the day.
“Hmm?”
Lost in thought, he reached his office and noticed someone waiting for him at the entrance.
“What brings you here?”
It was Crown Prince Julian.
“I have something to discuss with Your Majesty.”
“You?”
“You’ve been deeply troubled by the North lately, haven’t you?”
His son had been showing an unusual interest in state affairs of late.
“….”
Rather than feeling pleased, Canbraman felt a tinge of wariness.
The thought crossed Canbraman’s mind as he looked at his son. Did his late father, the previous emperor, feel this same blend of wariness and intrigue toward him?
“Indeed, you’re spot on. The North has always been a troublesome region, but lately, it’s become an even greater thorn in my side.”
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t just the North. It was the combined issue of the North, the Bishop Trading Company, and the divisions within the Courtiers’ Faction. Still, Canbraman believed that resolving the North alone might significantly alleviate his insomnia.
“I have an excellent idea to address this,” Julian proposed.
“An idea?”