Chapter 905 - 129: Voice of the Tower of Babel
Yesterday’s Giant Ship World, Texas.
The coarse yellow sand struck the cowboy’s eyelids exposed outside his mask, making it impossible for him to open his eyes: "This damn sandstorm, those bands wandering from Arizona only dare to cause trouble on our land in such weather."
Leon rode his handsome horse, carrying a long spear, leading his Rangers slowly through the vast wilderness.
They had just defeated a group of bandits who robbed a bank in Chihuahua State. This group of bandits had crossed borders for crimes multiple times, fleeing back to the mountains of Arizona after their raid, and had once openly provoked the Texas Rangers during a robbery.
"Guys, relax, we’re almost home. You can take a nice hot bath, find a pretty girl, and enjoy happy days ahead."
Centurion Leon was clearly in a good mood. Taking advantage of the gradually subsiding sandstorm, he cleared his throat and sang loudly: "There’s a yellow rose in Texas that I long to see. No one ever forgets her, but their longing pales in comparison to mine..."
"When I left, she was heartbroken, which broke my heart. Once I find her, we’ll never part again."
"..."
The Rangers listened intently, and when he finished his song, someone laughed and clapped, "Boss, you’ve been single for so long, when will you bring out your yellow rose for us to see?"
Leon’s smile stiffened for a moment, saying nothing, he pressed his horse forward.
Behind him came the murmuring voices of the Rangers: "You idiot, the boss’s lover died ten years ago in the war with those British folks, this matter is taboo within our team!"
"But it’s been ten years, the boss should move on."
"Yeah, ten years have passed, but the Centurion remains trapped in those past days."
The Rangers quickened their pace, galloping alongside Leon.
The path ahead gradually became flat; they could see winding railroad tracks, and a steam train engine emitting thick smoke while dragging a long line of carriages, flying the blue and white flag of the Saluzzo Family.
New towns sprung up, the crisscrossed plantations were bustling with landowners busy moving goods.
Nowadays, Texas had been renamed "Republic of Texas Rio Grande". The Lone Star Country of yesteryear, with the British Empire’s acquiescence, had annexed large territories of Mexico.
The Wolf Race of the New Continent pushed the border to the Panuco River. The vast territory between it and the Rio Grande River, including Coahuila, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, had been incorporated under its rule, undoubtedly becoming a powerhouse in Central America.
As for defeating Great Britain... it was naturally impossible for such a world power to admit its defeat.
Although the whole world knew Great Britain took a great fall in its own backyard in the New Continent, Great Britain still claimed victory and turned Texas into its protectorate.
But aside from the public manipulated by rhetoric, everyone knew this was pure nonsense.
Just having made a name in Europe, Texas immediately turned to Debang’s side, using tons of White Crystal Ore loaded on giant ships to exchange for a massive amount of machinery, industrial products, and Veneto immigrants under its rule.
Meanwhile, the France-Spain Federation also had extensive economic exchanges with it—agricultural products, coal mines, petroleum, all shipped to France.
Moreover, Texas signed agreements with many families of the old wolf clans, intercepting and redirecting immigrants originally destined for British North America, channeling them into Texas with their help.
Many Wolf Race families, seeing the Wolf Lord’s indifference, simply followed the old Basilicata Family’s example, moving most of their industries and people to the New Continent.
When Texas first annexed Avella, Chihuahua, and Tamaulipas, the total population was less than three million. Now, only ten years later, it had doubled, approaching seven million.
Leon hurried back to Wolf Castle amid swirling dust, stopping outside the old Clan Leader’s door. He shook off the dust from his cowboy hat, respectfully knocked at the door.
Nowadays, the old Clan Leader’s status also rose with national strength; many in the Wolf Race world referred to him as the "New Wolf Lord," corresponding to Sicily’s "Old Wolf Lord."
In other words, equivalent to a Legendary Level figure in the Blood Royal Court’s Blood Great Monarch ranks.
To Leon, the old Clan Leader remained the same old Clan Leader. If there were any changes, it was him growing older, with more wrinkles on his face.
"Come in."
Leon walked into the room, only to hear the old Clan Leader seemingly conversing with someone, yet from his perception, only Juliano’s presence was in the room.
"Clan Leader, who are you talking to?"
"Mr. Leon, how have you been lately?"
Like an ethereal voice transmitted from the heavens sounded in the room.
"Mr. Losa?"
He was both surprised and delighted, looking around, unable to find the source of the voice: "When did you arrive? I was thinking of showing you Texas’s development these past years on my return."
Losa’s voice rang out: "You don’t have to find me, I’m speaking to both of you across another world."
"Ah, this truly is a miracle."
He felt a bit disappointed but quickly cheered up again. Though not meeting in person, chatting occasionally was still nice.
"Mr. Juliano, I just heard you mentioning Texas’s current situation, its development speed is fairly satisfactory. However, as far as I know, there’s only four years until the European War breaks out. With Texas’s current size, it won’t be easy to gain from war-time profits."
Seeing Losa returning to business, Leon dared not interrupt, listening attentively.
Upon hearing him assert "Only four years are left until the European War breaks out," he couldn’t help but widen his eyes—in no wonder the old Clan Leader seemed chased by something all these years, desperately striving for development.
He even made huge concessions to the British, including but not limited to allowing British funding to establish factories in Texas, combined with compromises to the old Wolf Race, many Texans had some complaints about him.
Turns out the root lay here!
The old Clan Leader smiled helplessly: "Indeed, but with Texas’s rapid growth, internal issues have become quite serious."
The European War was Texas’s only chance to become a world power amidst old strong nations preoccupied with war, unable to intervene. He didn’t want to miss it.
"Here’s a suggestion: Texas’s international reputation should be fairly good now, why not use this reputation as international loans, and no need to rush repayment? After all, once the European War ends, both sides will face an economic crisis. By then, their currencies will depreciate massively, especially the losers—they might need to spend fifty thousand francs just to buy a loaf of bread."
"Fifty thousand francs for a loaf of bread?"
Juliano and Leon could hardly imagine such a scenario.
"The European War is a quagmire, anyone who steps in will get muddied. Clan Leader, I must remind you again, absolutely don’t step in, no matter what price the Habsburg Emperor or the King of France offers you."
"Believe me, no price can match Texas continuing business with both warring sides, accommodating war migrants from both camps."
Losa smiled, using inflation to reduce repayment loans, a tactic commonly seen with foreseeing transmigrators.
Unfortunately, he was unsure of this European War’s outcome, whether in the original world line, he would certainly bet everything on the Empire Mark’s devaluation by the old Habsburg second emperor.
Juliano nodded solemnly: "I understand."
Separated by a universe, Losa held a shell-shaped special tool, placing it into Cherina’s hand beside him: "Talk to your father. He hasn’t heard from you in ten years, he must miss you dearly."