Chapter 406: Prince Valeric Envoy

Inside the mail hall, after Andrew and Magnus Fletcher left. Prince Simon stood with his hands behind his back while Richard waited before him.

After receiving Prince Simon’s instructions, Richard said; "My Lord, the secret guards have already been dispatched to Prince Valeric’s domain. If something this major has happened, we should receive confirmation soon."

There was confidence in his voice.

Over the past two years, the government has invested enormous resources into expanding the secret guards’ network. Thousands of agents were now scattered throughout the region and stationed in strategically important places.

They operated in strict secrecy, maintaining their own channel of communication and constantly sending intelligence back to Brambleford.

Simon placed a hand over his chin as he nodded and said. "The secret guards have indeed developed rapidly. But their intelligence network still needs to be strengthened."

He paused before continuing.

"The arrest of Holy Moly Merchants was discovered by the Emperor almost immediately. That means the imperial court posseses it own intelligence network around.

Richard nodded.

"We understated them. After investing, we discovered that the people monitoring us belong to the Demon Moon Cult."

Prince Simon narrowed his eyes.

"That’s not necessarily a bad thing. At least now you have finally found an opponent worthy of competing with."

He walked slowly toward the open window.

"However, don’t focus solely on the Imperial Court. Keep a close watch on Prince Valeric and the other as well. Whatever happens in those two regions could have a significant impact on us."

"Understood."

Richard bowed before turning to leave.

Once he was gone, Simon remained by the window, his expression thoughtful. The information Andrew had brought back had genuinely surprised him. He had never expected Prince Valeric to actually go to war with the Dutch.

But thinking about it carefully, perhaps it was inevitable. The Dutch have become far too aggressive. They had practically forced Prince Valeric into a corner.

However, for Simon, the appearance of such an arrogant Dutch force in the waters around was not good news on its own. The maritime trade rights had effectively fallen under Dutch control. And to Simon, trade rights meant wealth.

He couldn’t simply sit back and just watch the Dutch monopolize such an enormous source of revenue for themselves.

The overland Silk Road had already been disrupted. And now the sea routes were being seized as well. The situation was becoming increasingly chaotic. And Simon had no intention of allowing the Dutch to profit from the chaos.

***

Two days later, Richard finally returned with detailed information about the naval battle that took place in Greenfeather City. The result was disastrous.

The fleet of Prince Valeric had been decisively defeated by the Dutch. More than twenty warships had been destroyed, while Damien had nearly been captured by them.

Even the harbor had been reduced to ruins. Most humiliating of all, Prince Valeric had ultimately been forced to board a Dutch warship and sign another agreement under military pressure.

Simon’s expression darkened as he read the document.

The agreement recognized the Dutch control over maritime. The new agreement stated that every ship passing through the designated trade routes would be required to pay a certain amount of tax to the Dutch.

At the same time, goods imported from Reeds Island by the Dutch into any part of the domain would be exempted from taxation.

It was an unequal treaty in every sense.

"Is this information reliable?" Simon looked for the document as he asked.

"Completely reliable," Richard replied. "The Dutch apparently wanted to humiliate Prince Valeric. They deliberately allowed the contents of the agreement to circulate among the maritime merchants. The information eventually reached our merchants through those people."

Simon gave a cold laugh.

"I never expected Prince Valeric to set such a precedent."

He placed the document on the table.

"The first unequal treaty in the history of the country, signed under the threat of foreign guns." Simon smiled.

"Prince Valeric has always been ambitious. After suffering such a defeat, I’m afraid he will come begging us for a weapon." Richard Said.

"You are probably right."

A faint smile appeared on Simon’s face.

"Prince Valeric has just been taught a painful lesson by the Dutch. With his temperament, there’s no way he will simply accept this."

He leaned back.

"He will certainly want to strengthen his arm force."

Then Simon’s grin from ear to ear.

"But the Dutch have already defeated him. Do you think they will be foolish enough to sell him a weapon afterward?"

Richard immediately understood. His eyes lit up.

"Probably not."

"Exactly."

Simon tapped his finger against the table.

"This may become very interesting."

Before the two could continue, a guard hurried into the hall.

"My Lord, an envoy from Prince Valeric has arrived and is requesting an audience."

Richard immediately burst out laughing.

"Speaking of the devil."

Simon shook his head with amusement.

"It seems Prince Valeric is even more desperate than we thought." He waved his hand at Richard. "Wait outside for now.

"Yes, My Lord." Richard withdrew.

A moment later, a light-skinned man dressed in a red rope stepped into the hall. He bowed deeply.

Duncan Mainman pays his respect to his Royal Highness."

Simon gestured for him to rise.

"There’s no need for formalities." With a frown, he asked. " What’s the purpose of your visit?"

Duncan straightened.

"Prince Valeric asks me to convey his greetings to you. He hopes His Highness will extend a helping hand."

Simon’s eyebrows rose.

"And what exactly does he want?"

"A thousand naval guns."

"A thousand naval..." Simon Nealy laughed.

He stared at Duncan as though wondering whether he had heard correctly. Then he asked again.

"Prince Valeric wants one thousand naval guns?"

"Yes."

"Is he planning on rebuilding his entire armed force?"

Duncan remained calm.

"Prince Valeric believes that only with sufficient artillery can we defend our maritime interests."

Simon frowned. Then he suddenly realized something.

"Wait. How did Prince Valeric learn about our naval guns?"

Duncan smiled bitterly.

"The Dutch told him about it. Apparently, they mentioned Brambleford naval artillery while boasting about their own strength."

Simon immediately understood. The Dutch had intended to humiliate Prince Simon. Instead, they had inadvertently revealed one of Brambleford’s greatest military advantages.

Richard continued.

"Prince Valeric said that if His Royal Highness can provide the one thousand naval y, he is willing to seriously consider your request."

Simon rolled his eyes.

One thousand naval guns. That was an enormous order. A thousand heavy naval guns could equip an entire fleet. And those were not ordinary defensive cannons. Naval artillery required considerable quantities of high-quality iron, precise casting, and extensive production capacity.

Even Brambleford could not simply produce one thousand naval guns overnight. Even with magic involved.

More importantly, Simon didn’t have enough to spare.

"I can’t agree to this." He shook his head. Overall, this business is really tempting.

"The military workshops are already operating at full capacity. The number of guns it can produce each year is limited. One thousand is far beyond what I can provide immediately."

Duncan remained surprisingly composed. He seemed to have expected this answer.

"Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand." He said as he bowed slightly.

"Prince Valeric said that Brambleford needs ships, while we need cannons." He had a beaming smile on his face.

"Prince Valeric has enough ships and shipyards. Brambleford has advanced artillery."

Simon’s eyes narrowed as the conversation continued.

"Go on."

"Prince Valeric is willing to exchange merchant ships and shipbuilding Craftsman for the naval guns."

Simon’s fingers stopped tapping the table. As he weighed his options.

’Merchant ship and Shipbuilding Craftsman.’

These were exactly the things Brambleford desperately needed. The rapid expansion of maritime trade had placed enormous pressure on the Shipbuilding industry.

The navy needed warships, Merchants needed cargo ships, and the government needed transport ships. And there were never enough skilled shipbuilding craftsmen to meet the demand. Prince Valeric had actually offered him a way out. Who will be foolish to miss such an opportunity?

Simon leaned back in his chair. After a while he said. "I can provide some naval guns."

Duncan’s eyes brightened.

"But, not up to one thousand."

"Of course."

"Good! The first shipment can contain slightly more than a hundred guns."

Duncan nodded.

"The rest of it can be delivered gradually over the next few years." Simon’s gaze became sharp. "I have another condition."

"Sure, go on," Duncan said.

"I need to personally inspect the merchant ships and meet the craftsman before the transaction is finalized."

Duncan immediately bowed.

"That’s reasonable."

Simon nodded. "Also, the first batch must be delivered. That has always been so in Brambleford business rule."

"There will be no problem." Duncan’s smile became much deeper. Prince Valeric has already anticipated those conditions.

Simon couldn’t help but smile. It seemed Prince Valeric was truly desperate. But that desperation was exactly what Simon needed.

A thousand naval guns sounded like an enormous number yet when spread across several years, it wasn’t particularly threatening.

"Tell Prince Valeric he has my attention."

Duncan bowed deeply.

"Upon my return, I shall report this to His Highness."