Volume 2 chapter 69
"Gentlemen, the Seres Territory Year-End Summary begins now!"
Charlo sat at the head of the table, looking out at the assembly, and announced the start of another annual review.
This meeting was finally no longer a clandestine gathering in a small room. They had moved to the Grand Lecture Hall.
Alongside the original core leaders of Ironwood, many new faces had joined the ranks. These newcomers, having proven their abilities through trials at the grassroots level, were finally qualified to participate in the highest level of governance.
"As usual, Lawrence will report first!"
"Yes! Through the Midsummer War and the Late Autumn War this year, Seres Territory has expanded by over 6,400 square kilometers! We have discovered and charted 21 overseas islands totaling 2,400 square kilometers! Currently, the total area of Seres Territory has reached over 9,500 square kilometers!"
Lawrence reported with palpable excitement.
"The territory has gained 200,000 new citizens, bringing the total population to over 800,000. There were over 80,000 newborns this year. Total import and export volume exceeded 10,000 Maurice Gold Coins, with exports accounting for 9,000! We have constructed or renovated 12 cities and consolidated villages into 847 administrative units."
"Next, Speer!"
"Yes, Lord Charlo!" Speer stood up.
"Currently, the territory has completed 41 highways, totaling over 1,200 kilometers. We have 6 railway lines, totaling 240 kilometers. Annual steel production reached 350,000 tons, charcoal 65,000 tons, Mana Stones 185,000 tons, and chemical fertilizer 365,000 tons."
"Next, Griff!"
Speer sat down, and Griff rose.
"There are currently 245 Technical Schools in the territory. This year, 200,000 students enrolled, and 130,000 graduated. We established three new military academies (Army, Navy, Air Force) with 668 cadets. We also set up 3,500 temporary literacy classes, educating over 650,000 people!"
"Good. Mars, you're up!"
Mars stood up. "Arable land has exceeded 15 square kilometers (1,500 hectares). Wheat harvest exceeded 200,000 tons! Tractors have been distributed at a rate of ten per village, drastically improving efficiency. We have 3,500 square kilometers of pasture land with 450,000 cattle and sheep. Poultry numbers exceed 700,000. Secondary food production is 170,000 tons. Salt, sugar, and spice production are 300,000 tons, 240,000 tons, and 30,000 tons, respectively."
"Excellent! Your turn, Davis!"
"Yes!" Davis stood tall. "The total military strength is 101,000. Army: 65,000. Navy: 13,000. Air Force: 20,000!"
"We possess 180 heavy artillery pieces (150mm and above) and 600 medium-caliber guns. The fleet consists of one Battleship, two Cruisers, and five Destroyers! The Air Force has 200 Fighters and 260 Bombers! Logistics include 1,500 trucks, 320 tanks, and 4,500 draft horses!"
"Very good! Everyone, this has been a year of tremendous progress. You have all worked hard!"
After listening to the reports, Charlo stood up.
"Thanks to everyone's efforts, Seres is thriving. Our territory size approaches half that of a Marquisate, while our economic revenue rivals a Dukedom! It is time for me to formalize the institutions and regulations of Seres. The ragtag administration of a minor noble is no longer suitable for managing such a vast domain!"
"Lawrence! The Internal Affairs Department will be expanded. Split it into four ministries: Justice, Supervision, Foreign Affairs, and Economy. You will concurrently serve as the Minister of Interior and Minister of Economy. Thomas will be Minister of Justice. Model will be Minister of Supervision. Andrew will be Minister of Foreign Affairs."
"Yes!" Thomas, Model, and Andrew stood up excitedly.
"Next, the Department of Industry! Split into Transport, Railways, Shipping, and Engineering. Speer, you remain Minister of Industry. Carter will be Minister of Transport. Walker will be Minister of Railways. John will be Minister of Shipping. Smith will be Minister of Engineering!"
"Yes!" The four young men shouted loudly. "We will not fail your expectations!" Among them was John, the knight who had rescued Clyris.
"Education remains unchanged. Department of Agriculture! Split into Livestock and Food Safety. Silas will be Minister of Livestock. Philip will be Minister of Food Safety."
"Yes!" Two more young men stood up, faces full of passion.
"Finally, Davis. The Military..." Charlo looked at his lifelong guardian knight. "We will establish the Ministry of the Army, Ministry of the Navy, Ministry of the Air Force, and the General Staff Department! Where... do you want to go?"
For his childhood friend, loyal and capable, Charlo wanted to give him the General Staff Department. Modeled after modern military reforms, this was the supreme command center during wartime.
However, Charlo also wanted to be Chief of General Staff himself to secure Research Points during wars. If Davis took the spot, Charlo would have to give him a Sub-System.
Although he didn't want to expose the system too quickly, Davis was his brother in all but blood. He could afford one Sub-System! So, he let Davis choose.
"I..." Davis looked at Charlo. "I choose the Ministry of the Navy!"
"Hm... Huh?!" Charlo froze.
He thought even if Davis didn't pick the General Staff, he would choose the Army, his area of expertise. The Navy?
"Haha! My first time out at sea gave me a brand new experience!" Davis scratched his head and laughed. "Piloting a giant steel ship, sailing on the endless ocean, cutting through waves and storms, discovering islands and new things! It was like an adventure novel! That feeling was amazing! I can't wait for another real voyage!"
"Alright..." Charlo sighed with a smile. I worried for nothing. "Then I will serve as Chief of General Staff. Who should take the Army?"
"Let George do it! He has great experience with tank operations. In future wars, armored warfare will be the shining star! He is most suitable for Minister of the Army!" Davis pointed to a young Fourth-Rank Knight sitting upright, looking nothing like the wild charger he was on the battlefield.
"Alright. George will be Minister of the Army!" Charlo agreed after a thought.
Currently, no enemy had anti-tank weaponry. Tank charges would be devastatingly effective. George, leader of the armored units, had achievements second only to the bomber wing. No one would object. In the army, merit spoke loudest.
"Yes! I will live up to this heavy responsibility! Where your sword points, my troops will charge!" George stood and roared.
"Next, the Air Force. William will take charge!"
"Yes!" A young man in a white Air Force uniform stood up.
"Finally, the Research Institute!" Charlo looked at Alice and Freya.
"The Institute... doesn't need splitting for now. Continue your research into new technologies and magic!" Charlo said.
Seres still lacked high-level researchers. Including security and janitorial staff, the Institute only had about two hundred people. There was no need to complicate the structure yet.
"Alright. This is the foundational structure of Seres Territory. It will change in the future, but this should suffice for a long time!" Charlo gestured for everyone to sit down and spoke slowly.
He had many more ideas on paper, but implementing them now would create bloating.
"Next, let's discuss the Budget Allocation for the coming year..."
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