Chapter 246: Chapter 242 Parts Arrived
The first batch of parts for the tunnel boring machine arrived slightly earlier than Perfikot expected. Andrew, who personally escorted all the parts over, explained to Perfikot, "In fact, when the telegram was sent, we were already at sea. Plus, with the favorable ocean current in early spring, we indeed arrived about three days earlier than expected."
"Is that so? It seems you’ll take more time going back?" Perfikot casually asked upon hearing Andrew’s explanation.
"Not necessarily, we’ll take the outer sea route on the way back, which can avoid the ocean current. Although it might be a bit rough, it won’t be a problem." Andrew had consulted the captain carefully on the way over and had a comprehensive understanding of this route.
After all, he estimated that he would be traveling this route frequently in the next year or two, and being unfamiliar could cause delays.
Perfikot didn’t mind this much. Seeing that Andrew had arrangements, she didn’t say anything further, just nodded and then asked, "How prepared are you for the factory relocation?"
Though she had already persuaded the Empire’s local factory owners and capitalists to come to the Northern Territory, and a batch of factories and enterprises from the New Continent would relocate as well, Andrew played an extremely important role in this plan, serving as a chess piece she used to control and restrain all the factory owners and capitalists. She had to ensure that there would be no issues on Andrew’s side.
Of course, for Perfikot, even if Andrew did have problems, those factory owners and capitalists wouldn’t be able to stir waves in her hands.
Because the simplest and most practical solution to trouble is physical destruction, and she was exceptionally talented in this regard.
"I’m almost ready. I plan to transport the new equipment, initially intended to replace the current factory’s equipment, to the Northern Territory and establish a new steel plant here." Andrew explained his plan to Perfikot, "As for the current factory’s equipment, it can still be used, although its efficiency is not on par with the equipment using the new technology.
Originally, I planned to replace the old equipment with the new one and then sell it. But now, it should still serve its purpose for a while. When the time is right, I’ll also transport this equipment to the Northern Territory, upgrade it with new technology, and continue using it.
In this way, I’ll have two sets of steel equipment in the Northern Territory to serve you."
The last time Andrew encountered Perfikot was when he went to Langton to purchase new steel technology. He had originally intended to carry out a technological upgrade on his factory, and now it’s just that the new factory will be built in the Northern Territory. This doesn’t greatly impact his own business plans.
"Well, since you have a plan, remember that our time is running out. Some enterprises from the Empire’s mainland will also follow the plan I negotiated with them to build factories in the Northern Territory this year. I won’t interfere in your commercial competition with them. Everything relies on you." Perfikot encouraged Andrew a few words, but then warned him, "Although commercial competition is within my tolerance, stability in the Northern Territory is non-negotiable. If any of you use unfair competition methods or disrupt the stability of the Northern Territory, I will make them regret being born into this world."
Perfikot issued a warning, and upon hearing it, Andrew felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation and pressure.
If Perfikot were simply a fifteen-year-old noble lady, her words would carry no weight, and Andrew might even find them laughable.
But if the person who said these words had just a few months ago destroyed three cities with a million-strong population each, causing millions of casualties and annihilating hundreds of thousands of soldiers from three countries, then every word she spoke should be remembered deep in the heart. Otherwise, one might not even know how they died.
Although Perfikot herself would not easily resort to these actions, Andrew seriously committed her words to memory, as this was not a topic to joke about.
Perfikot was very satisfied with Andrew’s attitude, even if it was purely due to the fear induced by military intimidation.
For her, if inducing fear in people was more effective than earning respect or affability, and could subdue people better, she didn’t mind spreading fear in this world.
Facing the worst apocalypse in the future, what Perfikot needed was obedience, nothing else.
She chatted with Andrew about topics related to steel production, reminding him to pay attention to the issue of mining, to avoid the embarrassment of having the factory built without raw materials.
Andrew naturally placed great emphasis on this matter. As an aspiring steel industry mogul, he understood how bad it would be if such a situation arose.
So from last year, after knowing he would be relocating his factory to the Northern Territory, he began intentionally collecting relevant information, investigating the distribution of mineral resources in the Northern Territory, and sought to find suitable iron ore and coal mines.
Iron and coal are the indispensable skeleton and blood of industrial production.
In this matter, Perfikot didn’t assist Andrew much. She merely stated that the first mine Andrew discovered would be his fief, ensuring his interests would not be harmed.
For Andrew, this was tantamount to receiving a ticket to nobility.
Though in the coming years, the entire world might be frozen into a snowy apocalypse, a noble status or title was still quite favorable for now.
At the very least, it meant he could do more, and could leverage more resources through his noble identity.
For capable individuals, a noble status was already enough to do many things.
But Andrew still asked Perfikot a rather crucial question, which was related to his future development plans, "Count, may I have my own personal militia?"
Upon hearing Andrew’s question, Perfikot turned to look at him, making him anxious before she said, "You can have a force for maintaining order and self-defense, limited to using light weapons, and do not use it to suppress the people."
Particularly the last sentence, Perfikot was extraordinarily solemn and serious when she spoke these words.
Seeing Perfikot speak so seriously, Andrew hurriedly nodded earnestly and said, "Rest assured, I will not do so. I merely hope to have a means of self-preservation amidst the chaos brought about by the upcoming apocalypse."
"If that’s the case, I can send a unit of White Bear Knights to station on your territory to provide security protection." Perfikot looked at Andrew as if probing.
However, Andrew nodded and agreed to this proposal, "That would be most excellent."