Chapter 299: Analyzing the Pros and Cons

Chapter 299: Analyzing Pros and Cons

The wharf Ronin envisioned was naturally intended to be a commercial port or a bustling transit hub capable of berthing countless vessels, rather than some small, ferry-style dock.

Yet, the sheer volume of timber, stone, and labor required to construct such a harbor would amount to an astronomical figure.

Though he possessed the confidence to complete the construction relying solely on the strength of the Northmist Territory, the timeline would stretch incredibly long—taking a few years at best, and a decade or even several decades at worst.

Furthermore, upon its completion, a vast contingent of experienced port administrators would be required to manage and maintain its operations.

Previously, his only thought had been to seek out seasoned craftsmen to first scout a suitable location for a harbor within the Northmist Territory.

Now, having caught wind of the Dennis family's plight, it immediately occurred to him that perhaps they could collaborate on this grand endeavor of harbor construction.

After all, the Dennis family had governed Cape Town for generations, their lineage intertwined with the seafaring harbor for at least three lifetimes.

If he could partner with the harbor-owning Dennis family, the difficulty of building and operating a port in the Northmist Territory would be drastically reduced.

"On my way here, I happened upon an assassination attempt,"

Ronin shifted the conversation away from the affairs of Cape Town and the Earl of Screaming Island. "The targets were Hammett's mistress and his son."

"Oh?"

Victorino failed to grasp why this matter was suddenly brought up, his countenance shifting into an expression of polite curiosity.

"What happened?"

Ronin then gave a brief, succinct account of the ordeal.

Believing that Ronin was pleading on Hammett's behalf, Victorino immediately promised a city-wide manhunt for the Wolf-Slayer Mercenaries to bring them to justice.

Ronin, of course, had no such intention; vengeance was a matter for Hammett himself to settle.

"When I passed through Thorn Valley, I asked Baron Hammett for a favor,"

he said. "I requested that he recruit some craftsmen capable of harbor construction for me here in Cape Town."

Victorino nodded slowly. At first glance, it seemed a trivial matter—recruiting laborers was common enough.

Yet a moment later, he froze, asking in stark astonishment, "The Northmist Territory is going to build a port?"

Ronin spread his hands. "Why not?"

"The Northmist Territory requires foreign trade. If I wish to transport goods to be sold on both shores of the Screaming Sea, I must travel overland all the way around Mount Wu to get here, which is far too arduous a journey."

"But if I possessed my own port, I could easily laden vessels to sail north from the harbor and then south across the Screaming Sea. Not only would it swiftly reach the royal capital, but it could even extend all the way to your domain here in Cape Town."

This was, in truth, merely a segment of the trade route.

Victorino was inwardly astonished, compelled to admit that the trade route Ronin mapped out held immense value.

Furthermore, with the Northmist Territory backed by Wushan Castle and receiving family support, there was a high probability the region would flourish.

Should they possess their own seaport, the Northmist Territory's commerce with the outside world would become far more convenient in the days to come.

Yet such a development would inevitably impact the business of Port Dennis.

Consider this: currently, if Horse-Breeding City, Resplendent City, and numerous knightly manors wished to sell goods to the lands of the royal capital, they all had to pass through Cape Town.

But if the Northmist Territory had its own port, Horse-Breeding City, if no other, would unquestionably utilize it for trade.

Consequently, the revenue of Port Dennis would diminish.

Yet Victorino knew that if Ronin was determined to build a port, even if he secretly ordered the craftsmen of Cape Town to withhold all aid and support, the Northmist Territory's harbor would still eventually stand.

Worst case, Ronin could simply turn to the Earl of Screaming Island, who was exceedingly enthusiastic about assisting in harbor construction.

Rather than allowing that, it would be wiser to consider an investment now to share in the future profits.

"Does Earl Ronin wish to discuss a partnership with me?" Victorino asked with a brilliant smile.

"Naturally!"

Ronin's tone was resolute. "Though Baron Hammett has lived in Cape Town for years and is familiar with Port Dennis, he cannot compare to the Dennis family."

Victorino nodded, though he did not immediately give his assent.

"Presently, aside from the trade between both shores of the Screaming Sea, there are also vessels that bypass the Northmist Territory, sailing south from the north to trade with the Duchy of Vera. However, there is a lack of harbors to berth along the way. If the Northmist Territory's seaport is completed, it will undoubtedly become a bustling haven."

He first acknowledged the value of the Northmist Territory's port, before changing his tone.

"Yet if your port is built, the cities north of the Wushan Territory will surely choose to depart from your harbor instead of crossing over through Cape Town's Port Dennis as they do now. This will inevitably harm the interests of my Dennis family."

Victorino looked at Ronin, his face maintaining that same pleasant smile.

"You ask me to risk the interests of the Dennis family to help you construct a harbor. This is a rather difficult request, my dear Earl."

Ronin understood the man's meaning perfectly.

The harbor construction had not even begun, yet the man was already looking to drive up the price.

"My dear Viscount, if you truly believe so, then I can only say your vision is short-sighted."

Ronin spoke earnestly, "You hope Wushan Castle will step forward to help Cape Town sign a peace treaty with the Earl of Screaming Island, ensuring he no longer blockades the vessels of Port Dennis.

Yet such a treaty on paper is never a permanent solution; it lacks binding force, and Port Dennis would likely still have to pay exorbitant fees to the other party."

Peace came with a price; Ronin deduced that even if a treaty were signed, Port Dennis would still end up paying something akin to escort fees.

Victorino remained noncommittal.

For him, as long as the merchant ships of Port Dennis could sail north unhindered, his business would increase, making a few protection fees perfectly acceptable.

Ronin countered, "To resolve this issue entirely and allow Cape Town to trade on equal footing with the Earl of Screaming Island, we must exert pressure upon him at sea."

Victorino narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing.

"The fleet of Screaming Island is formidable, casting its shadow over many harbors across the kingdom. Even if your port is completed, it would be exceedingly difficult to pose a threat to him."

"I do not need to pose a threat to his fleet,"

Ronin said. "Since he can blockade the vessels of Port Dennis, I too can blockade their ships that bypass the Northmist Territory to sail south to the Duchy of Vera. If he intercepts you once, I shall intercept him thrice."

"Port Dennis handles smaller trade, so you can bear a loss or two. But as you said, his commerce spans numerous ports; if hit repeatedly, whether he can afford the financial loss is one thing, but the blow to his reputation and maritime safety is quite another."

Victorino's index finger tapped incessantly against his thigh, a subconscious tic born of deep thought.

If a harbor were built in the Northmist Territory and a fleet assembled, a defensive line could be drawn across the north, much like the chain of islands the Earl of Screaming Island relied upon.

Naturally, Ronin could not use an official navy to intercept the ships of Screaming Island, but he could certainly employ the guise of privateers.

After all, it was only natural for pirates to roam the open seas.

As for where those pirates hailed from, who could possibly tell?

"Once passage to Port Dennis is unhindered, even if northern cities like Horse-Breeding City bypass your harbor, the various cities to the west and south of Cape Town will surely reconsider utilizing Port Dennis."

Ronin elaborated, "Take my own Crimson Hill Town for instance. Every year, I transport iron ore from there to the Northmist Territory. Carriages have a limited capacity, making each overland shipment small. But if we could use cargo ships from Port Dennis to the Northmist Territory, you would profit, and I would save immense time and effort."

This world possessed no heavy-duty transport vehicles like trucks.

Even when pulled by magical beasts, the cargo capacity could never rival a freighter, not to mention the constraints imposed by overland terrain.

Maritime transport was a different matter entirely—boasting immense volume, low costs, and a vast reach. So long as safety was guaranteed, such a shipping route would be immensely advantageous for Ronin.

"Viscount Victorino, do you still believe that a port in the Northmist Territory would harm the interests of the Dennis family?"

(End of Chapter)