Black Iron’s Glory

Chapter 488: Trains

Claude was staying at home as a grandfather, and in mid-February Kevin added a little daughter to Claude, and in late March, her sister Anna gave birth, and she and Michael had a son. Two small lives were added to the Fields estate, and the people who came to congratulate them for a while kept Claude busy with his chicken dog jumping and couldn't handle it. Fortunately, McJackie was also at the estate, relieving Claude as she waited for her sister Anna.

Claude was not home when Kevin had his eldest son, Tess Orey, and his second son, Barghazi, who was trained at the Wangdu Military Academy, and who was fighting with the Standing Army of the Kingdom of Hicks when his second son was born. It is now the birth of a little daughter, who rarely stays in the manor, accompanied by his wife from beginning to end, to welcome the arrival of a new life. He was upset when he found out he was born with a daughter.

Mothers are no longer bedridden and ill because of the birth of two small lives, nor do they care about Blovik, who hides in Anna Ranch. It's just that Adele's expected date is the end of June, and there's two months left. Browick, his younger brother, offered the regiment a six-month vacation to celebrate the birth of love crystals with Adele.

The situation in the Overseas Autonomous Territories is now very calm, as is the news coming from the mainland side of the Kingdom, which is gradually improving, apart from the somewhat unclear debts of the Kingdom of Nasseri and the King for those three high-interest loans. It may be said that the more than 1.6 million refugees and displaced persons from the kingdom who Claude had moved from the kingdom itself were a great help to the new Frederie I, who had eliminated the kingdom's greatest destabilizing factor.

According to information received from the Kingdom itself, the reason why no agreement could be reached between the Wangdu side and the Kingdom of Nasseri on the debt dispute was that no one was willing to assume the three high-interest loan debts of Sterling XI and the Kingdom of Nasseri, and even some suggested that they should not be recognized. The kingdom of Nasserli can go to Sterling XI to collect debts and prepare to die or not, anyway, Sterling XI is already cold and can be pushed away to the dead.

In contrast, Frederick I was more human. Perhaps he was sober enough to know that this was not the case and that it was no longer the time when the Kingdom of Ovieras had dominated the situation in countries in the eastern part of the continent. He said he could negotiate with the special envoy of the Kingdom of Nasserley. With regard to the three high interest loans totalling 8 million gold kroner, the king was willing to repay the principal plus normal interest amounting to 5.6 million gold kroner. Sterling XI also received only 4.8 million cash...

However, the Special Envoy of the Kingdom of Nasserli did not agree at all with the Frederick I proposal, and his two requests were simple, namely the repayment of the full amount of KK 8 million before the end of the debt period. The second is the signing of a three-year loan agreement of 8 million gold kroner, which means borrowing new money to repay old debts, except that the total amount of this new loan agreement will become 12 million gold kroner after the expiration of three years.

These two demands of the Special Envoy of the Kingdom of Nasseri were rightfully rejected by senior members of Frederick I and Wang Du, who have been peeling to this day. But the expiration date for those three high-interest loans was August of this year, and the envoy of the Kingdom of Nasri made a harsh statement to the effect that we could send the army to collect it ourselves if you didn't repay it.

No one would take seriously the harsh words of the Special Envoy of the Kingdom of Nasri, even if the Kingdom of Nasri did send two standing regiments to the border counties of the border between the two countries, Frederie I merely ordered the Red Dragon Corps, which was stationed in the border area, to increase its security. Even if the kingdom of Auvellas is badly wounded today, the soldiers of the kingdom still fail to see the defeat of their former men, and the military threat of the kingdom of Nasserley is more like a joke to the soldiers of the kingdom.

The most important matter for the Overseas Autonomous Territories at present is the laying and construction of the second railway that is being arranged, and the formal operation of the first railway has already benefited all the Autonomous Territories. Travel is more convenient, faster and safer, freight forwarding saves a lot of energy and transportation, and the whole overseas autonomous territory, like being pulled by a train head, is extremely fast, vibrant and dynamic in economic development. Anyone can find a well-paid job if they want to.

Instead, the Autonomous Leadership Region is carrying out planned construction on schedule. In the first half of this year, 150,000 members of the two regiments will complete the weapons change and uniform change, all equipped with new rifles and uniforms. Today, both the Thunder Legion and the Rock Legion have formed a new regiment of reinforced field regiments and direct special forces, as well as a mobile light mounting battalion, bringing the total strength of each regiment to 75,000...

Next, the Autonomous Leadership Region will replace 20 local guard regiments with new rifles, while equipping both regiments with new infantry light field artillery. Load all ocean cruise fleet battleships with marine steam engines and become dual-use warships for wind sails and steam engines. The new Iron Shell Battleship has been experimentally developed in the dock and is expected to complete its maritime testing in the second half of the year.

......

Lanhu City Southeast District Railway Station, the largest and most crowded railway station in the entire overseas autonomous territory.

“Wow, there are so many people in Langhu City!” The long-faced man stepped out of the train station to marvel at the scene he saw in front of him: “It looks a little like the king here, so many people and cars, and so many wide roads...”

The head man looked at the simple map of Lanhu City purchased from the small bookstore in the station and said: “It says here that Lanhu City has a permanent population of nearly 400,000, it is the capital of the entire overseas autonomous territory, the economic, financial and administrative center, the large number of people is inevitable. ”

The round-faced man sighed: "If, during the civil war in the Kingdom, this army of overseas autonomous leaders could do everything in its power to help His Majesty, His Majesty would not have been assassinated and we would not have fallen to this point. We used to think of this overseas autonomous territory as similar to the colonies of those countries on the West Coast, and it seems we were wrong..."

The head man looked iron and blue: “Even if they governed the area better, it was the rebellion of the kingdom. They have not only betrayed His Majesty, but even the traitors of the kingdom itself, otherwise no autonomy will be proclaimed. When we get rid of that vile woman, we'll see if there's a chance to teach the dirt packs here a profound lesson so they understand that betrayal of the kingdom doesn't end well... well, go find a place to stay, then you'll find out where that woman is..."

“Okay, head.” The round-faced man and the long-faced man replied.

“Hey, you guys stop, wait...” Two patrol cops in black uniform in the distance noticed a dozen guys over here and called them: “Where are you from and what are you doing here? Do you have ID? ”

The first man turned his face and greeted him with a smile: "Hello, we are from Crusoa and this is the ID we received from Customs...”

The two patrol officers looked at the identification form handed over for the first man and took out an official seal stamped on it, which showed that they had gone through several patrol inspections.

“You are here to buy goods, then you should go to the West Side, which is the commercial district of Lanhu City and the wholesale market for bulk merchandise.” A patrol policeman and a cheerful man said, "You can stay there directly. There are plenty of big taverns and hotels, and there are plenty of restaurants, some open day and night. ”

“Thank you...” said the first big man in a row, “We're here for the first time, thank you for pointing it out. Otherwise, it would take us half a day to find it ourselves. Thank you so much. ”

Another patrol cop patted the big backpack with the drum bag on the back of the round-faced man, and the head of the drum bag looked stiff, but heard the patrol cop say: “When you first arrive, I'm here to remind you not to take your guns and long-range weapons shopping with you, preferably in a place of accommodation. If you run into any trouble, go straight to the patrol police, and I guarantee you will be dealt with fairly. ”

“Okay, thanks, we get it. ”

When the two patrol officers left, the round-faced man wiped the sweat off his forehead: "This seems to be tougher than the train station elsewhere, and we just got off the bus and the patrol was watching us. ”

The leader looked at the back of the two departing patrol officers and sighed: “This is the capital of the overseas autonomous leaders. Of course, the vigilance will be stricter. Let's go. Tell the wagon to go to West End and find a place to stay. ”

......

“... what do you say, the laboratory at the Blackstone Firearms Manufacturing Workshop has made a rifle that can be fired continuously, with 38 bullets in one breath without having to pause?” Claude was a little surprised, looking at the messenger standing in front of him. Lady Sonia knew the importance of secrecy, so instead of sending a hawk message, she sent a messenger to tell Claude.

“Yes, General, I saw with my own eyes the fire-fighting rifle that fired 38 bullets in one breath after pulling the trigger, smashing the entire target.” The messenger answered honestly.

“Well, you can rest in the estate for two days, and come with me to the manufacturing workshop in two days.” Claudella pulled the bell rope, Major Mason Hughes walked in, and Claude told him to entertain the messenger, and also to send a letter to the railway station to prepare a box for himself, and in two days he would go to Port Vibator State himself.

The Overseas Autonomous Territories also have this privilege for five generals, who can hang a special compartment behind the train, also known as a box, which covers thin armor and can withstand firing of guns and bombardment of light infantry field artillery at close range. This makes it easier for the generals of the Autonomous Leadership Region to deal quietly with official business and strategic issues in their compartments.

Claudena wondered how Mrs. Sonia had come up with the idea of making a machine gun, and she had never told her what it looked like. Didn't Master Byrd ask her to study the heavy artillery loaded on the Iron Shell after the new infantry light field artillery was last set? When did she switch targets to study machine guns...

But anyway, Claude had to see for himself before he knew what was going on.

Two days later, Claude arrived at the train station with a squadron of guards, and the train that was ready to leave was parked on the platform. The passengers had entered the cabin and were measuring the convoy of guard squadrons and Claude who arrived at the station through a glass window...

Claude entered the last special compartment, which had a kitchenette bathroom, bedroom and small meeting room, and a study, the front of which was a security room, connecting those normal passenger compartments to the cargo compartment. However, that compartment in front of the special case had also been occupied by guards, who had taken fifteen battle horses to the car in case of an accident while driving.

The station manager, a chubby middle-aged man, came over and sent Claude all the latest newspapers available near the station so that Claude could read them while riding. Claude thanked him, and soon, the whistle sounded and the train began to drive.

From Lake Lan City to the banks of the river Dorinibara, if you used to march on horseback, it would be a day and a night, and the speed would increase by half a day. This is mainly about caring for horsepower when marching on horseback, at most from half an hour to more than forty minutes, and getting off horseback and riding together or taking a break from dragging across horsepower. By comparison, horseback riding is sometimes really not as fast as the speed of four long-distance coaches. That horse can run for an hour or two and rest for half an hour at a time, without the hassle of a war horse.

And now by train, you can reach the banks of the Dolinibara River within six hours, get off and cross the river, and there's already a train across the street waiting for the arrival of the passengers. This is how the autonomous railways are now divided into two parts by the Dolinibara River, the three northern states and the five southern states. Rocky Mountain State is automatically excluded from the northern railway line, generally referred to as the three northern states, as the latest available Rocky Mountain State is mountainous and the railways have not been able to pave the way.

Claude picked up a newspaper, the newly published Langhu City Journal this morning, headlined Blood Sued, and the killer fled. Claude came and said he remembered that Lan Lake City had always enjoyed good security and order. There had been no murders in most of the year. He hadn't read the newspaper himself in two days. How could there be another bloodshed?

From the beginning, Claude realized that two smugglers, not local residents, had been killed in a homicide the night before in a residential area southwest of Langhu City. It is said that a female pharmacist came here half a month ago and rented the house where the blood had occurred, selling a cream that was effective for rheumatism.

And the two dead smugglers, a group of smugglers from the Croatian colony of the Kingdom of Riznia on the west coast, some twenty people, were supposed to have arrived in the Langhu City business district. According to the investigation, the group of smugglers began to inquire about the whereabouts of the female pharmacist from the town of Ankano, Tyrsim, because the female pharmacist had been brought to the attention of the group of smugglers for treating a severe rheumatism of a restaurant owner with ointment in the port of Cobichous.

One of the smugglers reportedly said that his father was also suffering from severe rheumatism and was unable to sleep, which is why he wanted to find out where the female pharmacist was and buy that kind of ointment for treatment. But now the detectives suspect that the smugglers want to beat the idea of the ointment formula in the hands of the female pharmacists, and it's very simple that most sailors and smugglers have lived on board for years with the wind waves, getting older and more or less suffering from rheumatism in their hands and feet. If you can get this ointment formula from a female pharmacist that can effectively treat rheumatism, it's almost a gold mining industry that can be passed down to future generations of the family.

The detectives' suspicions stemmed from the fact that the two smugglers who had died at the pharmacist's house were heavily armed, carrying special guns and bow weapons with poisonous arrows, and visiting the pharmacist's house in the middle of the night, making it clear that they were unfavourable. A neighbor said he heard several gunshots that night and a terrific dog scream...

Currently, the female pharmacist is missing, not knowing whether it was the absconding of the residence or the capture of the two dead smugglers' accomplices, who also left the Mona Grand Tavern in the West End where they were staying after the murder. When the detectives went to investigate, they found the trail of the smugglers in a hurry, leaving a lot of baggage behind. The Patrol Police has issued a wanted circular today to screen this group of smugglers in the Autonomous Territory.

Claude was not convinced that the most smugglers originating from the colonies of the West Coast countries had arrived today, and that the Autonomous Territories were selling goods originating from manufacturing workshops in the states to the colonies on the West Coast. Generally speaking, as long as smugglers do not infringe on the rights and interests of the local population, most of the autonomous patrol police force makes a blind eye. This is not the case if it is harmful or harmful to the local population.

The female pharmacist in the newspaper was also an outsider, and it was likely that the case would be dragged down, too. Don't read the newspaper that a wanted notice has been issued to the smugglers, but Claude suspects that the Langhu City Patrol Department will do most of the work by posting the wanted notice at the station pier in these places, and it's not even possible to send the wanted notice to another town.

Around 3 p.m., the train arrived on the banks of the Dolinibara River, with a floating bridge dedicated to train passengers crossing the river, and a high fence and brick wall were erected on all sides of the parking station to prevent people from getting into the station. After getting off the train, passengers cross the floating bridge and take the train ticket to the station across the river. There is also a train parked there. The number of cars is the same, and passengers crossing the river can take the same cars and seats by using the train ticket in their hand.

Claude waited for the passengers to cross the river before crossing the pontoon bridge with guards, and a special compartment was added behind the train on the other side. After entering the compartment, Lieutenant Colonel Mason Hughes came to inform Claude that the train would take about half an hour to get on the road, as some of the people who had crossed the river bridge in front were lined up at the station to buy tickets, and they were taking the train here.

Until 6 o'clock, when the train had started selling dinner to passengers, the train made a whistle sound, slowly started, gradually accelerated, started driving...