Chapter 362: The Harbor That Never Sleeps

At this time, Sanger and his party had already wandered to the south coast of the New World.

Beyond the Jewel Port, a prominent point on the north-south route, most of the sea area is in the hands of the white-skinned people.

After all, they have a first-mover advantage of more than ten years. Not only have they completed the construction of a series of colonial ports, they have even supported several indigenous kingdoms.

Because of the lucrative profits in the New World, there are also many white-skinned people who come here to pan for gold.

Especially in recent years, competitors have emerged, which has increased the investment of the interest class.

When the local technology and population flow back, it has promoted the development of the south coast.

It was under such circumstances that Sanger sailed across the ocean to the southern continent.

Originally, his mission was just to open up a trade line, even if it was a loss.

Who knew that everything went so smoothly that the arrogant Northern Principality government directly let him steal a lot of information, and even brought back early models of steam engines.

This kind of object with great research value, plus a bunch of books and materials, can completely imitate the steam engine by rote.

When the Holy Cross Royal Family began to go to sea, the white-skinned scholars had already tried to imitate the steam engine through the translated documents.

And soon there were results. The original model of the steam engine actually had limited technical barriers.

Even if it could not be compared with the model that the Northern Principality had improved many times, it was enough to make these white-skinned people happy.

They first installed the steam engine on a wooden sailing ship of the 100-degree class. After a simple modification, they soon got a steam turbine ship.

Although the size determined that this modified ship was difficult to sail on the ocean, it was the first step after all.

Sangger, who had been promoted and made a fortune because of bringing back important technical information, was met by the senator again, and he was promised more benefits, and then asked to go to the southern continent again.

This time, the caravan was larger and more manpowered.

Sangger left happily, but the bigwigs on the south coast did not slack off because of this.

The research and development plan for larger and more efficient steam engines began, and even ironclad ships began to be designed and manufactured, and the scale of shipyards began to expand.

A single move can affect the whole body, and even this trend has spread to the mainland.

This is a revolution. The storm brought by the steam engine brutally destroyed all opposition forces.

Driven by the greed of capital, technological progress will be very fast.

...

The Holy Cross Kingdom has come to an end.

The Northern Principality Navy, which had been hiding, has also begun to exert its strength.

The Principality Fleet under the Ministry of the Navy directly dispatched more than 20 ironclad ships. The pure fleet composed of Warrior-class and entry-level ironclad ships directly defeated the fleet of the Griffin Kingdom.

In less than half a month, the Principality Fleet arrived outside the port of the Griffin Kingdom.

Although the heavy artillery at the port drove away the Principality Fleet, it still caused great panic.

As a peninsula country, the navy is of great significance to the Griffin Kingdom.

However, not everyone is unhappy. A large number of bourgeois compradors are jubilant.

Relying on the capital of the Northern Principality, they invested in factories in the coastal ports of the Griffin Kingdom and engaged in marine trade.

This group of compradors is also mainly aristocrats, but they are obviously suppressed by the aristocrats headed by the royal family.

But with the arrival of the fleet of the Northern Principality, they straightened their backs and their voice was greatly increased.

Of course, there were also mixed feelings.

For example, Count Andre, his original intention was to revitalize the kingdom with industry and achieve the goal of saving the country in a roundabout way.

But the facts do not change with personal will.

A comprador class was formed around him, and most people don't care about the kingdom.

These new aristocratic comprador class recognizes interests and money.

Whoever brings them money is the king.

They turned to Andre because Andre has deep cooperation with the Northern Principality and is a like-minded friend.

But once Andre shows the intention of resistance, the helpers around him will instantly become enemies.

Today, Andre only tentatively proposed some possibilities, and immediately encountered fierce opposition.

Therefore, he was in a very bad mood and drank alone at night.

Outside the hotel where he lived was a port city with brilliant lights.

Only port cities with extremely developed commerce can have such a gorgeous night.

Because all the people in the city do not rely on the land for food.

Maritime trade, industry, and other industries with greater profits have brought lights to this place at night.

In this era, this is a symbol of development, a prosperity that many people envy.

But Andre still felt bored. Is this really what he wanted?

Just as he was thinking, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

Andre frowned, remembering that he had ordered not to be disturbed.

But he knew that his servants would not disturb him unless he was special.

"Come in!"

The door was opened, but the servant's panicked voice was heard: "Mr. Peter, you can't break in, Mr. Peter."

Andre put down his glass and saw Peter, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

He saw the servant's panic and waved his hand: "Okay, all of you go out."

After the servant left, Peter put the brown paper bag in his hand aside, came to Andre and sat down, and put down the bag in his other hand.

"Count Andre, I heard you were drinking alone, so I came here to keep you company."

"You are well-informed." Andre laughed at himself: "There are many of your people around me?"

Peter did not answer his question, but spread out the beef he brought, and took another wine glass to fill it for himself.

"Old friend, the Principality fleet is cruising in the open sea, you should be happy, our business will be easier to do." Peter tried to clink glasses with Count Andre, who did not respond. He smiled and drank it all in one gulp: "You are still so stubborn, old friend."

Things are different now. It is not easy to get off the ship of the Northern Principality.

Count Andre had no choice.

Peter ate and drank by himself, then took out the cowhide bag: "Count Andre, I think our cooperation should enter the next stage.

Tomorrow, I hope you will propose to set up a port administration. We will manage this port independently, and the Duke has also given it a nice new name... Never-Sleeping Port, what do you think?"

The cowhide bag contained a written proposal. Although this port has always been a leased area for merchants from the Northern Principality, part of the management rights are still in the Griffin Kingdom.

A powerful kingdom has the confidence to maintain this power.

But now it is different. The Griffin Kingdom is no longer worthy of the title of powerful.

So, everything has to change.

Cooperate or refuse?

Andre is caught in a choice, a struggle between his ideals and reality.

He knows the consequences of choosing a representative.

Be friends or enemies.

So... is the original intention important?