Chapter 471: Matters Arising

A gentle breeze swept across the countryside, causing the robes of Aiden Smith and Prince Simon to flutter lightly.

After inspecting the public school in Brambleford City, the two continued their tour of the surrounding counties, checking on the progress of other school construction projects. With the new school term approaching, Simon was determined not to let another year slip by without putting his educational plans into action.

After confirming that the schools were ready to receive students, he ordered the officials in all the localities to begin preparations for the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, another farming season was fast approaching.

"My Lord, last year’s winter promotion was remarkably successful. Since the beginning of spring, many commoners have visited the government offices to inquire about growing potatoes. Unfortunately, I’m not sure we have enough potato seedlings to distribute to everyone," Baldwin reported as he approached the prince.

With the farming season drawing near, no one was more excited than Baldwin. For several days, he had risen early and personally visited the villages surrounding Brambleford City to learn about the farmers’ experiences and preparations for the coming season.

To him, nothing was more important than agriculture.

"There certainly won’t be enough for everyone," Simon replied. "The seedlings we currently have will probably only be sufficient for the people of Brambleford City. The other counties will have to wait a little longer, but I’ll find a way to address the shortage. If this year’s harvest is successful, I’ll establish potato cultivation bases in the other localities next year."

Within his domain, potatoes could be planted twice a year.

The first planting season ran from March to April, with the harvest taking place in June or July. The second season began between August and September, allowing the potatoes to be harvested in November or December.

The current period was therefore ideal for planting spring potatoes.

Simon had instructed Eden to cultivate potato seedlings the previous year. However, because the initial supply had been limited, the number available for distribution remained insufficient.

Baldwin looked disappointed.

"What a pity. If the entire domain could cultivate this high-yield crop, the people’s living standards would improve considerably. I’m certain of it."

"We can’t rush everything, Baldwin," Simon said calmly. "Even if only the people of Brambleford City plant potatoes this year, the resulting harvest will still be substantial. Besides, Eden has been carefully managing the cultivation process. Ordinary farmers may not achieve the same yields immediately. If they can produce three or four times as much as they normally would, that will already be an excellent beginning."

"Three or four times the usual yield would be remarkable enough!" Baldwin exclaimed, his disappointment quickly fading.

He then remembered something else.

"My Lord, what about corn and chilli peppers?"

"We won’t distribute those to the commoners just yet," Simon answered. "For now, we’ll reserve them for the slave plantations. Once we have enough seeds, we can make them available to the people. Those who wish to grow them can receive seeds from the government, but we won’t force anyone to plant them."

Baldwin nodded in understanding.

Corn and chilli peppers were still in limited supply, and the quantities currently available were barely sufficient for the plantations. Distributing them prematurely would only create unnecessary difficulties.

After a brief pause, Baldwin recalled another matter that had been troubling him.

"My Lord, didn’t you once mention a crop that could produce an even greater harvest than potatoes? When will we be able to cultivate it and witness its remarkable productivity?"

At the mention of that crop, Simon couldn’t help feeling frustrated.

During his previous expedition, his admiral had risked his life sailing across dangerous waters. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the expedition had failed to bring back sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes were even more productive than ordinary potatoes, and they could also be stored for extended periods under suitable conditions.

Simon remembered eating them frequently during his childhood. When there were too many to consume at once, his family would slice them into strips and dry them in the sun. Properly dried sweet potatoes could be preserved for a long time.

They could also be processed into vermicelli, noodles, and numerous other dishes.

In a world where food shortages remained a constant threat, such a crop was practically a treasure.

"Don’t worry. It won’t be long," Simon assured him. "I’ve already asked the Dutch to transport a batch of sweet potatoes to Ashenford. They should arrive soon."

Like ordinary potatoes, sweet potatoes originated in the Americas. To the Western powers that had established colonies there, they were hardly unfamiliar crops.

Consequently, when Simon asked Grey to arrange a shipment, the Dutchman had readily agreed. From Grey’s perspective, the transaction was an excellent opportunity to strengthen commercial relations with Ashenford.

Baldwin’s eyes brightened.

"In that case, I’ll eagerly await My Lord’s good news!"

Having finished their discussion, Baldwin and the other officials prepared to head into the countryside to supervise the farmers’ preparations for the new planting season.

Simon, however, had already turned his thoughts elsewhere.

Split Rock.

More than a month had passed since he began preparing his forces for the operation. After weeks of training, his admiral should be ready to lead a fleet and establish control over the main island.

If everything proceeded according to plan, the operation ought to have been relatively straightforward.

Unfortunately, the world rarely followed anyone’s plans.

Just as Simon was contemplating the situation, the sound of galloping horses suddenly echoed outside the governor’s office.

Moments later, a scout hurried inside.

"Your Highness! Urgent news from Ashenford!"

Simon turned toward him.

"Speak."

"Split Rock’s main island has fallen into the hands of the Red Wolves pirates! Blackthorn Castle has been captured!"

Simon’s expression darkened.

Another problem had emerged just when he thought the situation was finally under control.

He had expected the takeover of Split Rock to proceed smoothly. After all, he had already made arrangements and secured the cooperation of the Dutch.

Yet the Red Wolves had somehow beaten him to the island.

Something was clearly wrong.

"How did the governor obtain this information?" Simon asked sharply.

"The report came from Alonso, the Dutch ambassador," the scout answered. "According to him, most of his forces consisted of Latin mercenaries, and they have now betrayed him. He claims that if the Dutch fleet hadn’t been stationed at Fort Zeelandia, that position would have fallen as well. The Dutch are requesting that Your Highness send troops to help them repel the enemy."

Simon clicked his tongue.

"Now, this is getting interesting."

The timing of the betrayal was far too convenient.

The Latin mercenaries had turned against Alonso precisely when the Dutch were cooperating with Simon to resolve the situation on Split Rock. It was difficult to believe that such a development was merely a coincidence.

The most likely explanation was that the Latin commanders had grown dissatisfied with the Dutch alliance with the Eldorian Empire. Rather than allow the arrangement to continue, they had decided to act first, seize the main island, and claim it for themselves.

But that raised another question.

Did the Red Wolves truly believe they could withstand the might of the Eldorian Empire?

Their actions suggested that they did.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have dared to seize Split Rock while apparently preparing to expand their influence through Greenville.

Simon shook his head slightly.

This wasn’t confidence.

It was sheer arrogance.

After considering the situation for a moment, he turned toward the scout.

"Return to Ashenford and deliver my orders to Admiral Desmond. He is to hold his current position and await reinforcements from Brambleford. He must not launch an attack until further instructions arrive."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Also, inform Alonso that he must hold his position for a few more days. Reinforcements will come, but not before I’ve determined what is really happening."

The scout bowed and hurried away.

Once the man had left, Simon fell silent.

Having spent so much time navigating the complicated world of politics, he had learned an important lesson: never trust an alliance simply because both sides appeared to share the same interests.

The Dutch had their own ambitions. The Latin had theirs. And the Red Wolves were clearly pursuing a plan.

The question was whether these interests had suddenly collided or whether someone had deliberately arranged the entire situation.

Simon couldn’t rule out the possibility that the Latin mercenaries had genuinely betrayed Alonso. However, he also couldn’t dismiss the possibility that the Dutch were staging the crisis to draw his forces into a trap.

If the Dutch and the Latin commanders were secretly cooperating, rushing to their aid could leave his army exposed to an ambush.

And if that happened, the consequences could extend far beyond Split Rock.

He needed reliable intelligence before committing his troops.

"Richard!" Simon called.

A moment later, one of the guards hurried away to summon the head of the Secret Guards.

Richard arrived shortly afterwards.

"My Lord, you summoned me?"

"Have you received any reports concerning Split Rock?"

Richard hesitated before answering.

"Not yet, My Lord. The Secret Guards are monitoring the situation around Fort Zeelandia, but information from that region takes time to reach us. It may be several days before we receive a detailed report."

Simon nodded slightly.

That was unfortunate, but not entirely unexpected.

"Once you receive any information, send it to Ashenford immediately. I want to know everything happening on Split Rock, especially anything involving the Dutch, and the Red Wolves."

"Understood, My Lord."

Richard paused before asking, "Are you planning to travel to Ashenford yourself?"

"Yes."

Simon’s answer was immediate.

"Whether this is a scheme by those incompetent Latin commanders or a trick orchestrated by the Dutch, it seems that a war is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid."

He walked toward the window, his expression growing serious.

"The Reaver tribes have already begun stirring up trouble, and now the Red Wolves are making their move. If we allow these people to threaten our maritime routes, our trade will suffer."

He turned back toward Richard.

"And trade is the foundation of everything we’re building in Brambleford. Without secure sea routes, our merchants cannot operate safely, our ports will lose their value, and our treasury will suffer."

Richard understood the implications.

Simon wasn’t merely concerned about a single island. Split Rock occupied a strategic position along the sea routes connecting the surrounding territories. Allowing hostile forces to establish themselves there could threaten Brambleford’s commercial ambitions for years to come.

The Red Wolves had made their move.

Now, Simon had to decide how to respond.

"Have the necessary arrangements made," he ordered. "I’ll head to the military camp immediately. Prepare the troops and ensure that our supplies are ready for transport to Ashenford."

"Yes, My Lord!"

Richard bowed and departed to carry out his instructions.

Simon remained still for a moment, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

He had spent months developing Brambleford’s economy, expanding its industries, improving agriculture, and strengthening its military. He had done all this to prepare his domain for the challenges that lay ahead.

Yet some people seemed determined to test his patience before he was ready.

Very well.

If the Red Wolves wanted war, he would show them what it meant to provoke the Eldorian Empire.

This time, he would make sure they regretted their arrogance.