Struggle in the Steam Age

The territory of Viscount Surrey is located on Green Island, the largest island in the Northern Archipelago. This is a giant island of nearly 4 million square kilometers. It is also the largest colony of the old power of Briton in the New World.

However, although the start was not good with Lawrence, once it is developed, it can be said to be very different from the tropical island. This huge island close to the cold north can be said to be extremely barren.

Except for some places in the south that can grow some hardy rye and raise livestock due to ocean currents and geothermal heat, most of the land in the north is cold glaciers or wastelands that are not suitable for any animals over the size of mice.

Also because of this terrible natural environment, even the Briton nobles who have a strong desire for the territory can't take much interest in this territory.

As a result, after the island was discovered more than five hundred years ago, only 1/10 of the entire territory was sealed off, while the remaining areas are still all royal territories.

The acquisition of fiefdom by the nobles is more than just the transfer of some documents. This power corresponds to obligations, and the core of it is the task of developing territories.

And civilized races also rely on this set of primitive power distribution methods to continuously march toward the wild, and gradually rise from the edge of the world and occupy a place in this world.

Therefore, the granting of territories is a matter of two-way choice for the nobles and the royal family. The royal family must repeatedly consider before enclosing a territory, and those nobles may not receive these territories every time.

For example, this is the case in this colony called Green Island. According to Viscount Surrey, many aristocrats would rather stay in the capital to be inferior court nobles than acquire a piece of territory on this island.

"My family was moved here back then. There is no other way." When disembarking the ship, Viscount Surrey told Lawrence with a helpless expression about the history of his family's relocation here.

In the distance, a cargo ship full of coal is slowly leaving the port and heading in the direction of the White Eagle Federation.

"Because my family was involved in a cult case because of in-laws. Although we had nothing to do with this case except for our blood relationship, some local nobles used this as an excuse to swallow us. A lot of benefits."

Having said that, Viscount Surrey showed a very helpless look on his face.

"In that case, my ancestors could only choose to give up the local manor and avoid the other's blows. So they chose this territory."

"Compared with the original manor houses in the mainland, this territory is a mess. The only thing better than the original territory is that it's large in size, and it's convenient for transportation by the sea."

"Everything is good and bad." After getting on the carriage, watching the carriage drive on the newly paved road with cinder, feel the carriage running smoothly. Lawrence said with a smile.

"At least this place can now see that it has a very good future. It can be seen that the discovery of coal mines has a strong role in promoting the development of this territory."

Unlike Lawrence’s construction of the Port of New Sauer, the dominant center of the island, directly by the sea, Fort Surrey, the capital of this territory, was built in a valley more than twenty kilometers from the coastline.

After several generations of construction by the Viscount Surrey, this valley has been built into a small but completely fortified city.

Or to be precise, this city is a large-scale defensive fortress. For example, Lawrence saw a large number of small platforms built from bottom to top on a cliff in the valley, and all of those small platforms were buildings made of stone.

In addition, Lawrence also found that the way up the mountain was narrow and curved, and there were some small bunkers in the middle that were obviously used for defense.

"Welcome to my city." After getting off the carriage, Viscount Surrey showed a proud look on his face, pointing to the building complex on the mountain. "And the city you see now is only a small part of the city."

"A small part, what do you say?" Viscount Surrey's words successfully aroused Syfiel's curiosity.

"Come with me, you will soon know what this city is all about." Viscount Surrey said, leading Lawrence and the others towards the largest building on the upper level of the city.

Walking on the road, Lawrence was even more certain that the city was built as a military fortress when it was built.

Because on the way to the Viscount’s mansion located high in the city, Lawrence found that the entire road was distorted, and the height of each step had a subtle difference.

If people who are not familiar with this area just came here and walked fast on this road, they would easily be confused by those strange roads.

"Those roads can actually be used for the entire city's layers of fortification." Saifeier also discovered some abnormal conditions at this time.

"You see, if the passages used to communicate with various buildings are matched with a low wall that looks like a protective fence, it can be just a line of defense against the valley below."

With these doubts, Lawrence and the others walked into the Viscount Mansion at the top of the cliff. This is also a stone building built on a platform.

Compared with other buildings, the only feature of this building is that it looks bigger.

But the four small bunkers in the four corners that can shield each other, and the soldiers standing at the door in gray uniforms and snow-white cloaks can well illustrate the identity of the owner who lives here.

"I think the guns you equip the soldiers are the latest." When entering the black steel door, Lawrence turned his head and said to Viscount Surrey.

"And I also saw a lot of glass greenhouses outside the city. I think these should be built after you excavated the coal mines on your territory."

"Yes, because I don't know how to invest next. So I simply saved most of the money and prepared to wait for investment opportunities." Viscount Surrey shrugged and said.

"But I still used a portion of the money to renew my armed forces, and at the same time build a batch of infrastructure related to people's livelihood."

"Your choice is correct. At least when I came to New Sauer Island, I slowly cultivated my strength on the island through such infrastructure construction and gathered a group of people at the same time."

Lawrence also shrugged. "Of course, you are a hereditary aristocrat with several generations of the family here, so you shouldn’t need to start all over again like I did. But at least it’s a safe investment to spend on infrastructure when there is a sum of money and don’t know how to spend it. ~www.ltnovel.com~ Thank you for your compliment." A smile appeared on Viscount Surrey's face. In fact, after knowing the identity of Lawrence, Viscount Surrey silently regarded Lawrence as his idol.

Because compared to his hereditary aristocracy, Lawrence's self-made existence can indeed serve as his role model.

"Oh, little Robert, are there any guests here?" Just as they walked through the hall into a room, a thick middle-aged man's voice came from the side.

"Yes, Uncle Huck." Viscount Surrey turned his head and said to a dwarf who came out of the corner. "This is the Earl of New Sauer, a new friend I just met. He came here to think. Help me find out if there are any ways to promote development in my territory."

"Is it the earl who developed a desert island into a vibrant territory in a year?" The dwarf squinted his eyes for a few seconds and said, then walked to Lawrence.

"Welcome, Lord Sauer. I am Huck Conglomerate, the steward of the Viscount Surrey. I hope you will have a good time in this place."