Munitions Empire

"My lord, we dare not! This…this…" An elder stood behind Tagg, looking at a section of the city wall in the distance and pleading with a sobbing voice.

That was the city wall of Dongwan, the defensive fortifications their ancestors had maintained for so many years! Each new official would strengthen it further, when had the rules ever changed?

But now, these newcomers actually said they wanted to dismantle these cumbersome walls and even use the rubble to build roads and houses... wasn't this absurd?

Which was more important, city walls or roads and houses? If the enemy broke through, what good would houses and roads do? If everyone was killed, of what use would those be?

Yet he did not dare to defy this powerful figure who had just taken control of Dongwan Island. The fact that the man agreed to meet with him was an honor, how could he dare to give orders?

"Soon you will understand, all these things are obstacles in the expansion of our city and the growth of our economy. If not dismantled, do we keep them for the New Year?" said the twenty-year-old Dino, who stood beside Tagg, nonchalantly.

The elder wanted to argue, but the words stuck in his throat, unable to muster the courage to continue nagging. Had it been within his own family, and had a child dared to speak to him like this, he would have long since used his walking stick to greet the other's face.

But now, the young man standing beside the warrior seemed to have an exceptional background and spoke without any reservations, appearing to be someone in charge as well.

"You don't have to worry. What if I told you even the artillery batteries are going to be dismantled... would you not be scared out of your wits?" Dino did not conceal his plans at all.

In his vision, all these useless obstructions had to be removed without exception.

According to his plans, the current location of the artillery batteries should be transformed into larger docks for producing bigger ships, and to construct the second largest shipbuilding factory under the Great Tang Group.

He had even decided on the name: Dongwan Shipyard, specializing in building transport ships and passenger liners, to supplement the Great Tang Group's insufficient shipbuilding capabilities.

Then, using the dismantled stones and other building materials, they would upgrade the entire port and docks, installing various cranes transported from Dragon Island and turn Dongwan Port into a modernized, large-scale harbor.

If not like this, how could they support the ambitious expansion of the Great Tang Group into Zheng Country? How else could he live up to the trust Tang Mo placed in him?
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Dino was determined to exert his influence here, to help Tang Mo transform Dongwan Island into a brand-new strategic base. Offensively, it could threaten Shen County of Zheng Country or even affect the Dahua Empire; defensively, it would ensure anyone trying to encroach on Dongwan Island would break their teeth attempting it.

All this did not rely on some ancient artillery batteries or the decrepit city walls, but on the power of Jade City-class battleships, the massive Navy of the Tang Group, and advanced Army weapon systems.

If the enemy reached the vicinity of the harbor, rely on Shireck's muzzle-loading cannons? Don't make me laugh. The 155mm howitzers he deployed much further away were far more effective than the junk on those batteries.

Moreover, he knew that his teacher, Tang Mo, held an Air Force unit unknown to outsiders! Not those sluggish airships, but a genuinely powerful aerial force, swift as the wind!

Although this new secret weapon didn't yet have large-scale capabilities, Dino knew this was the future!

"What, what? The artillery batteries? The batteries must be dismantled too?" The old man was so frightened that he could hardly speak clearly.

He had never heard of such a thing. A port city without city walls or artillery batteries, what would they use to defend if the enemy came?

Could it be that these seemingly powerful occupiers were planning a smash-and-grab, to take what they could and run? Perhaps they had no intention of holding their ground? The old man suddenly felt as though he had stumbled upon the truth. When he raised his head again, the gaze with which he regarded Tagg and Dino was tinged with a different meaning.

Tagg didn't think much of it, but Dino was astute despite his youth and seemed to understand the old man's intention.

So, he prevented the old man from mulling over it any further, glanced at his mechanical watch on his wrist and confirmed with Tagg, "The city wall part is left to your Army, and the artillery batteries to the Navy. There shouldn't be any problems, right?"

"No problem at all!" Tagg answered very precisely, "Before I came, I had already confirmed with General Bernard. Although he cherishes the ammunition, we are indeed in a rush."

"The old man probably only heard the sound of the cannons during the battle outside the city, not aware of our capabilities." Without any intention of avoiding the few country gentry behind, Dino directly referred to these respected local elders as "old men."

Upon hearing themselves addressed in such a manner, these elders instantly showed displeasure on their faces. In their view, even the non-humanlike goblins of Shen County gave them some courtesy, yet this unruly youth didn't even understand politeness.

However, constrained by the other side's military force and the hundreds of soldiers stationed in the city, they did not dare to show their anger, silently inscribing their dissatisfaction in their hearts.

After all, fortunes change, and when these imposing soldiers come to grief, falling from grace, these outsiders will then learn how formidable the gentry and magnates of Dongwan City really are.

"So let those people who are preparing to deceive out in the open, but defy in secret, lose all hope. Don't let me catch them in the act..." Dino said, all the while looking coldly at those elders who were already distraught and anxious.