In the days after the public debut of the train, Neverwinter City was filled with a high-spirited atmosphere. (Quality#……Net)
Even sitting in the castle, Roland could feel the soaring emotions of the people—this wasn't from his speculation, but real data from the City Hall report.
"In the past three days, we've received sixty percent more settlement applications than usual, nearly half of which, or seven hundred and twenty-five, are from newcomers who migrated less than two months ago! This has reduced the average submission time for settlement applications from five months to three and a half months!" Barov, holding a report, beamed with joy, "And after the devil attack, the data had a slight decline. Now, not only has the decline been filled, but there has also been a substantial increase, indicating that people's worries about devils are no longer a concern! Your Majesty, this demonstration event was a great success!"
Since Roland introduced the concept of data statistics and comprehensive analysis to the management, the numbers reported by the City Hall chief have become more and more numerous and specific, as if no conclusion can be drawn without providing two sets of data. Not only that, but he has also created many analytical formulas himself, one of which is the "Arrival-Settlement Interval."
According to Barov, it reflects the determination of migrants to join Neverwinter City—due to the establishment of the ID card system, migrants who want to become official residents must apply to the City Hall, with the condition of either possessing a skill or obtaining a fixed residence. In addition, residents who have passed the review and lived for a year without any adverse records, their recommended persons will also be accepted by the City Hall.
For newcomers, observing is almost an instinct, and the time it takes to save enough for a down payment on a house varies depending on the salary, so an average value method is used. The shorter the interval, the more loyal they are to the king and the more confident they are in the new capital.
Roland had some different views on this conclusion. He never trusted the loyalty of strangers. Confidence was a more acceptable reason. Ultimately, the people were most concerned about whether their future interests could be guaranteed.
Hugging big thighs is a beneficial choice at any time, so showing strength at the right time can greatly increase the cohesion of the people. The train is undoubtedly such a tool—even if most people know nothing about its essence, it doesn't prevent the oppression brought by its burly body, roaring cylinders, and hundreds of tons of weight.
When it drove through the castle district crossing with an indomitable momentum, even Lightning marveled—unlike maritime transport, the confrontation between the earth and gravity has always restricted the limits of land transportation, and the emergence of the train has obviously broken this situation. He even joked that when he was too old to take risks, he would move his whole family to Neverwinter City, because there were so many new things here, and settling here was an adventure in itself.
Even the most famous explorer in the fjord was so amazed, let alone ordinary people.
With such a promising place to stay, where else could they choose to go?
"In addition, the City Hall has also received many invitations from merchants, including large chambers of commerce from Chishui and Yinguang," Barov continued, "They are eager to meet you, presumably to find out more about the train."
"Reject them all," Roland smiled, "The train is not a commodity at the moment, and even if I were willing to sell it, the price is beyond their reach. But you can sell them some other goods—such as the first and second-generation steam engines that were replaced from the mining area."
The current Neverwinter City is no longer the poor and desolate border town it once was. Any chamber of commerce can get an audience with the lord. Without special friendship, it is enough for the City Hall chief to deal with them.
"I understand," the latter stroked his beard.
"Since the public mood is high, the new reserve system can also be implemented, right?" Roland changed the subject.
Barov nodded, "I think there should be no problem. But... Your Majesty, do you really think we'll fight to that extent?"
"Just in case. It's a war that determines the fate of mankind, so we should take it seriously, shouldn't we?"
Drafting a new reserve system was a task he assigned to the General Staff after his return from the expedition. The main content includes the popularization of military training and the expansion of reserve sources. The former requires the inclusion of military training content in primary education to cultivate the most basic discipline awareness and combat common sense. The latter aims to organize people to carry out various combat training in batches without affecting production, which is also a disguised militia system.
Since the new system is mandatory, it is obviously most appropriate to implement it while the atmosphere is hot. Once the system is running, the Graycastle army becomes a self-healing organism. When there is a shortage of front-line soldiers, they can be directly replenished from the rear, thus avoiding the need to spend two or three months teaching each batch of new recruits from scratch as in the past.
As for the Second Army, which was originally a reserve force, Roland also plans to transfer it to Neverwinter City. The Longsong area no longer needs to resist the invasion of Tiffeco and the Church, and the previous Two Ribs operation also made him feel that it was necessary to establish a second combat force—it was impossible for him to personally command a large army to rush to the front line after the War of Divine Will broke out.
"A new round of army recruitment can also be prepared," Roland instructed, "After the Evil Moon ends, I want to see the number of combat personnel in the formal army exceed ten thousand, and the supporting resources must not be left behind, understand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Barov agreed immediately.
"Very good, you can go down... Wait!" Roland suddenly frowned.
"Do you have any other instructions?" The chief stopped immediately.
Roland's attention was now completely attracted by Nightingale's words, "Sylvie has news that the devils have made new moves! The Terror Beasts seem to have expanded their patrol area, and a suspected new camp is under construction."
"Tell them to come back quickly," Roland whispered, then looked at Barov, "Immediately summon the ministers of various departments to the castle for a meeting, there's trouble in the north."
……
Soon the castle conference hall was filled with people.
It was Sylvie's first time participating in such a meeting, and she looked a little nervous. Fortunately, Lightning stood up in time and helped her tell the whole story completely.
This was originally a routine reconnaissance.
Due to the existence of the flying Terror Beasts, Roland, for safety reasons, prohibited Lightning, Maggie, and Lorgar from approaching the ruins of Taqila alone again. But the movements of the devils could not be ignored, so every three days, Maggie would carry Sylvie to conduct a near-border reconnaissance—this was also the problem caused by the failure of the Phantasmal Instrument to accurately locate before, and could only be compensated by the witch's ability.
Fortunately, the observation distance of the Magic Eye far exceeded the enemy's range of activity. In addition to frequent dispatches, there were no other disadvantages, and it was basically only necessary to take a look at a safe distance.
But this time, the reconnaissance team discovered traces of Terror Beasts in an area that was usually absolutely safe.