Chapter 70
Glenn and Prague's conversation ended as they got ready and left for their classes .
***
Meanwhile, at John's Mansion, there was an important meeting taking place where all the officials were present today .
Recently Joseph had arrived back and so too had Jack after handling all the matters concerning at their home .
Meanwhile, Tornwall had completed his next prototype with half the firepower and Jay had selected all the required men for his police force which would help him keep the internal order of the town . These Days Ryfon was most busy with his work as he had to coordinate with multiple individuals for the construction of various projects . He also had to coordinate with Brick factory, cement factory, concrete factory and other various factories which required the construction of buildings . So basically he was the head of all the major constructions taking place in the city these days . In short, he had most manpower allocated to him after road construction which was headed by Arnold .
Ryfon first reported his work to John at the meeting, "Lord, as per your orders we have immediately finished the construction of Testing grounds for weapons at the earliest . We have especially chosen a place on the outskirts of the city so that there won't be any commotion during the tests in the future . Additionally, if any suspicious individuals wander there we can immediately report and investigate their backgrounds and arrest them if required . There are some men already deployed at the testing fields . "
"The construction of for the police headquarters and Ministry of Internal affairs are near completion .
As per our plans, School and University grounds have been built at the center of the city near Lord's Mansion as we will expand later on so it will be better built there . "
John, "Were there any problems that need to be addressed?"
Ryfon shook his head and said, "No, Sir, the only problem is manpower however we are continuously being supplied with more manpower every day so there is no need to worry about a lack of manpower . The most important thing is, the people from nearby villages have started to migrate to the North-frontier town because of the lucrative wages and less travel time from their villages . "
John thought, 'Maybe I should introduce Wheelbarrow's and Bicycles to increase the efficiency of construction and reduce travel time, any way we will leave it for later . '
John signaled Tornwall as he asked his question, "Okay, Tornwall what's the progress of our Ballista . "
Tornwall immediately understood and said without any fluctuations in his emotions, "We have just recently finished our prototype for the ballista and conducted tests with which we were quite satisfied and as per your orders, we have started the building of Ballista factory . It is in the outskirts and marked as a classified place which comes under Military laws as these are secrets which can't be leaked . We can begin a public test for officials at any time with short notice . "
John smiled a bit and made a decision, "Hmm . . . that's good, we will conduct a test later on just before or after Prince Hector's Banquet which would also serve to send a message to some people . "
"Okay, Taylor make your report . "
Taylor: "Previously, because of a low response to our invitations for the University and after your plan to reveal some of the information on our papers and printing, some of the professors from the imperial university have been moved and started to respond to us . Professor Hague is one who has responded first to us after you wrote a personal letter to him, He was especially more interested in how you were systematically going to remove the Slave trade from North-frontier city . Previously he wasn't interested because he heard that you were aggressively involved in the Slave trade . He has also visited the city recently after our guards noticed him and have reported about him . In a few days, he would most probably visit us at Mansion . Meanwhile, The letter from Professor Glenn and Prague has responded to our previous letter and they mentioned that they would come to visit us in a few days after they complete all of their preparations . However, there is one matter which is quite concerning . "
John thought and said, "Hmm . . . Its good that the Printing house and Papermaking factory made quite an influence and moved them enough to join us . Make sure to short-list people who are capable and can be lured over here and we don't need to worry about money . "
John continued as he frowned when he heard there was some concerning matter, "What are the concerning matters that you are talking about?"
Taylor hesitated a bit but finally said, "It's the Radiant church and some representatives from other churches, they wanted to buy paper in huge quantities with some people interested in our printing and they were making some unreasonable demands which included their dislike for the presence of demons and demi-humans . And most of important of all they didn't like our close relationship with Vlad . They also were expecting to have a meeting with you in the future,"
John frowned as he heard about the churches being interested in the papers they were producing as he replied to Taylor, "Hmm . . . Tell them we are on shortage and don't have resources to fulfill their demands, delay them as much as possible . Sell them some paper to appease them however say no when it comes to our printing methods .
As for the presence of demons tell them its all business and we have already signed our contracts so we can't go back on our contracts . I will think about meeting them later on, tell them these days I am busy in training . " John understood that this was a pretty sensitive and tricky matter where Radiant church was trying to show their influence and power to him .
Taylor, "There was another matter, they subtly told that if we don't heed their advice then they would most probably use other means so that we listen to them . I think they would most probably use their church and refuse to offer healing services altogether which they usually provide in all the domains . It won't be a problem now that we are a small city but they could become a big influence when our city grows and would need their services as there are very few alternatives for light magic and 60% of the light magicians are in Radiant church while the remaining 30% is mostly hired by Royal family and remaining 10% is with other Aristocrats . The Royal family faced the same problem 128 years ago and since then they have always been trying to balance out the power which Church has over the masses and hence the Royal family cultivated their own light magicians over the years . "
John thought and said, "It seems I will have to speed the construction of Medical school and Medical department if we are going to face this problem in the future . You don't need to worry about their threats for now as I will have a solution to their threat of healing services . As you might know that I am a potioneer and if the need arises I will personally head the creation of medicines and medical departments in the North-frontier city . Are there any other matters which you wanted to report?"
Taylor immediately reported other matters and ended his report, "There is some good news, because of our maintenance of roads, traders are quite happy and had a positive view regarding the smooth concrete roads which we repaired during there days . Meanwhile, we have started the construction of the brewery to meet the current demands of North-frontier City . "
This time Jay reported his work which he did over the few days, "I have selected a few men already who would finish their initial training for police force in a few days and start their work for keeping internal order in the town, I think it would be best if we launch the police force after announcing our new laws as people would accept them much easily after new laws are announced and the need for a new force to keep internal order of the town where miscreants don't roam free without any punishment for their actions . However, I would still need time to select a guy as a new chief . "
John nodded and replied, "It's good that you already selected people, I was only waiting for you since I too planned to announce the launching of the police force and new laws on the same day as it would have more effect and understanding among the populace . Taylor hand me the document which I already prepared a few days ago . "
Taylor handed over the document which John asked him for .
John took the documents, handed those documents to Jay and said to him, "Take these documents and look for any changes which you want it to be changed . However, only the serious ones which needs rectification would be changed . Hand all the copies of these laws to the men in training . If they can't read and write, send them to the school's immediately from now on . "
****
Meanwhile, Jack and Joseph were conversing after meeting at the restaurant in North-frontier town,
Jack asked Joseph after he heard his decision, he was quite shocked, "Are you sure you want to do this . this is quite a big decision because in your absence your brothers will cease more power and resources from the main family . "
Joseph then said to Jack, " I have decided at last that I will move my headquarters and base of operations at the north-frontier city from now on and I have already discussed this with Phillip, he will handle the trade in Pearl city for some time and groom a man for handling the business over there . I understand the consequences of this decision but from what I know it can go either way and I don't want to regret because of delaying my decisions . Plus as you know, a lot of pirates have already started to target our fleet and I can't expect to get more help from Marquis or father as they will ask for more share to balance out my power with my brothers as I am growing rapidly because of this trade route as I am also selling raw materials to John . "
Jack sighed as he heard Joseph's decision to move his headquarters here at North-frontier town .
Jack thought as he too was influenced by Joseph, 'Maybe I need to take a decision as well . What am I fearing?'