Indeed, more complete intelligence had already been delivered to the King City of Poplar Kingdom. Augustine Reibert had even obtained a very accurate sketch.
Looking at the sketch before him, looking at the obvious black smoke, he found it hard to describe his feelings.
The Elves, who had long been familiar with steam engines, needed only one glance to recognize the two tall smokestacks, to see the black smoke that seemed to connect sky and earth, and to know that there were two steam engines installed within this thing!
King Poplar XI of the Poplar Kingdom also stared at the painting, asking with some confusion, "A steam-powered warship? You mean to say, the Great Tang Group placed steam power on a ship...? Indeed, if such power can propel a ship forward, it certainly could replace the sea breeze."
Although he was aware of steam engines and the important technology, he indeed couldn't keep up with the specifics and the pace of technological progress.
There was no helping it; as a monarch, he had nearly all his skill points invested in domestic and foreign affairs, military, and other skills that could support his rule over the nation.
Augustine Reibert wasn't very familiar with technology either, but since he made his fortune through steam engines, he had a very good understanding of them.
Furthermore, due to his frequent contact with Shireck, he had learned quite a bit about the application of steam engines. In fact, he had just recently become aware of the use of steam engines in mining operations, but had not had the chance to promote them yet.
So at this moment, he explained to his sovereign, "On land, there are already steam-powered trains, so it's not surprising to have such ships at sea."
Then, he continued with a grim face, "However, when the opponent installs new types of cannons, new types of ammunition, coupled with new steam engine power on one ship... our numerical advantage in warships at sea is gone!"
He truly had not expected the obscure Great Tang Group to be able to introduce so many derivative technologies in a short time after trading the needle-gun technology and steam engine technology and quickly leave the entire world behind.
Shireck was now promoting C64-type cannons, lobbying Poplar Kingdom to purchase these cannons and using the sale of cannons to the countries surrounding Poplar Kingdom as leverage, preparing to regain control over Poplar Kingdom's military procurement.
The Augustin Family, which had been resisting Shireck's return to Poplar Kingdom, was indeed incredibly pressured and in total disarray.
Poplar XI sat in his seat, lamenting, "We once had 100 first-rate sailing warships! But now, they might be able to blockade one of our ports with just one such ship!"
Augustine Reibert also realized that the delay in intelligence could spell complete disaster for their navy, "Damn it... our naval commanders don't yet know what they will face! By the time our messenger reaches Osa Port, the naval warships would have already set sail!"
After all, he had just now learned that the opponent was not a sail-powered warship, but a new type of steam-powered warship.
He didn't know exactly how such a warship was controlled, but as the actual ruler of Southwater Port, he did have a certain understanding of naval equipment.
Facing new bursting shells and new cannons, the traditional naval warships were simply powerless—judging from the messages received, the innovative cannons that had performed brilliantly in the battle at Northern Ridge must have been equipped on this warship off the coast of Southwater!
This also caused King Poplar of the Poplar Kingdom to feel a serious crisis—a dire crisis of losing control of the seas!
Seeing his sovereign's troubled expression, Marquis Augustine Reibert felt compelled to speak further, "No one knew that the other side could pile so many new technologies onto a single warship."
King Poplar XI drew out his words, confirming with displeasure, "So you're saying there's a possibility... that they used steam engine technology to enhance power and thus could employ a metal hull... and then, they also equipped their warship with new-type cannons?"
"Very likely, they have also utilized other technologies. According to the depiction on this drawing, the opponent's cannons are installed inside iron boxes; to rotate such large iron boxes, they certainly rely on complex transmission technology," Leibart added, before consoling his King, "Actually... our fleet might not necessarily be defeated..."
"If we could win, that would certainly be good," the King was reassured, feeling somewhat relieved. "However, shouldn't we possess these new types of warships too?"
Not waiting for Augustine Reibert to say anything further, he continued, "...Why, why have we become enemies with such arms manufacturers? Augustine, is there any way we can mend our relationship with them, find a way to have them sell all these technologies... to us?"
Augustine Reibert promptly responded, "I have already dispatched envoys. However, since we can't send ships south through Southwater, we can only honestly travel by land... It will take a very long time to reach the Leite Kingdom by land."
In this regard, he still possessed a bit of the nobility's wisdom. With his experience, he could see that maintaining good relations with the rising Great Tang Group was crucial for Poplar Kingdom to stay ahead in weaponry.
Nowadays, simply relying on the Shireck Consortium didn't seem so reassuring anymore.
The King was obviously not entirely satisfied with Reibert's plan. After pondering for a moment, he said, "What we lack now is time! Find a way to have that warship escort one of our emissary ships southward! You personally go back to Southwater and must... at any cost, maintain a good relationship with them!"
Leibart nodded slightly, then stood up and took his leave. "I understand! Your Majesty!"
Since being promoted to Marquis by the King, he had always remained in King City, rarely leaving. Now that the King had commanded him to return to Southwater, he felt a small surge of excitement.
After all, the King City was king's land, but Southwater was his foundation. Therefore, when issues arose in Southwater, he was even more anxious than the King.
Thus, he was eager to return. "I will depart immediately!"
Shortly after he had left the room, a servant entered, bringing bad news to his King, "An envoy from Bai Kingdom has arrived! Your Majesty! He has brought a message... Bai Kingdom has rejected our proposal and decided not to form an alliance with us..."
"What did you say?" King Poplar XI rose to his feet in agitation, exclaiming, "Why?"
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I've wasted another day, the second update will be delivered tomorrow morning. I apologize.