Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 630: Chapter 369: Harvest and Voyage (Part 2)

He took the transcript handed to him by the clerk, casually flipping through a few pages, his eyes scanning over it.

“The most precious thing here is actually the core of the Thunder Cannon and a few bottles of special alchemical petroleum.” He spoke, his tone carrying a hint of satisfaction, “Send it back for Hillco to study, see if they can excavate something new.”

He picked up a roll of sea charts and spread it out on the box lid, his fingertips lightly tapping on the marked red lines: “Verify these routes, if accurate, they will be of extraordinary significance to Dawn Port.”

Eliot immediately responded, calling on the clerk to execute the task.

Louis continued flipping downward, uncovering several letters sealed with emblems, including correspondence from Jade Bank, commercial contracts, and a few letters bearing the ash seal.

He sneered coldly: “Keep these. Might be useful someday.”

The clerk promptly stored these letters, cautiously packing them into a waterproof leather bag and sealing it with wax.

Louis looked at the stack of neatly arranged boxes and smiled: “Since the pirate matter concludes, it’s time for Dawn to truly set sail from the port.”

Eliot immediately stood upright, his expression serious and excited: “As you command, my lord. The Dawn fleet is always ready, all supplies, crew, and loading are prepared.”

Louis turned to him: “Prepare, the first voyage of Dawn Port is about to begin.”

……

On the fourth day after defeating the pirates, all ships underwent proper repairs, and the Dawn fleet was set to embark again, this time targeting the Empire’s Southeast Province.

The morning light broke through the heavy sea fog, illuminating the orderly Dawn fleet docked at the port.

This colossal sea fleet has been on standby at the port for several days; today, it finally will welcome its first voyage.

This is not merely a simple transportation action; it symbolizes the independence and rise of the Northern Territory, marking Dawn Port’s leap from a remote port to the Northern Territory’s economic hub.

Countless efforts, decisions, and transformations culminated in this day, the sail of the Dawn signifies the future influence extending to the Empire’s coastal cities, especially the Calvin Clan in the Southeast Province.

The pirate treasure was exceptionally abundant, enough to make many lords in the Northern Territory envious.

But to Dawn Port, these spoils are merely insignificant bonuses, far less significant compared to the meaning embodied in this voyage.

The construction of Dawn Port aims to break the Northern Territory’s trapped fate.

Whenever winter arrives, ice and snow lock all land routes, halting nearly all trade between the Northern Territory and the South.

To transport the Northern Territory’s minerals to the South and return Southern goods to the Northern Territory, carriages traversing the rugged mountain roads often require months, with round trips lasting up to a year.

With every food shortage, every break in resource supply, for the Northern Territory, it feels like a blade hanging overhead.

In this trapped situation, the Northern Territory lacks autonomy, unable to free itself from the Empire’s feeding, always trapped in extreme cold and poverty, only able to trade soldiers’ lives for food aid.

However, this sea route is the Northern Territory’s dawn.

Its cost is only one-fifth of land transportation and capable of delivering goods to the Empire’s Southeast Province in a mere two months.

Moreover, the warship escort method renders sea navigation safety far superior to land, especially for a supply-dependent area like the Northern Territory, sea transport is undoubtedly the most reliable form of transportation.

“Dawn Port isn’t just a port, it’s the first step of the Northern Territory from dependence to independence.”

Louis stood atop the embankment, gazing back at the bustling port, sighing inwardly.

The fleet preparations commenced days ago, now undergoing final readiness.

Louis’s gaze swept over the busy port workers, focusing on the cargo being loaded onto the ships.

The main items were minerals produced in Carlson Territory, Chi Pulse Stones, Demon Marrow Ores, Flint Marrow Oil, and Ember Sunken Iron.

Each of these precious minerals presents substantial value in the South.

Besides, there are some cheap weapons produced by steam engines, inexpensive fabrics, and some magical beast furs.

These ores and resources have long been the primary income source for Red Tide.

And today, after months of preparation, they will be shipped for the first time to the Empire’s Southeast Province, bringing unprecedented wealth to Red Tide and the nobility under its system.

Sailors’ rough shouts and cargo loading noises emerged from the ships, heavy wooden boxes being loaded onboard, sailors’ faces covered in sweat, yet each one’s movements seemed exceptionally steady.

“Hurry up, mates! Get those grain boxes up here! We must set sail today, no time to dawdle!”

A bearded sailor shouted at a nearby young sailor, his tone rough, filled with urgency.

“Got it, Smith! Don’t just yell, lend a hand!” The young sailor quickly jumped onto the deck, joining others to move the heavy box into the cabin.

On the other side, several sailors were inspecting the main cannon on the ship, “Fill the gunpowder for the secondary cannon, ensure main cannon aiming accuracy, adjust the gunner’s position to optimal.”

Everyone understands, this isn’t just a transportation mission, it represents their future.

As everything completes in preparation, the port’s atmosphere grows ever tenser and more exciting.

The salty sea breeze and scorching air permeate, crowds densely gathering on the docks, almost making Dawn Port’s pier packed beyond capacity.

These workers, who had personally helped build the ships, proudly observed the vessels about to embark.