The Black Dragon Emperor's words on the West Coast were quickly amplified and spread to the outside world. The craftsmen in the shipyard rubbed their hands in anticipation. Even if they couldn't get the huge reward of ten thousand gold, as long as they could give out groundbreaking ideas and techniques, the Evil Dragon Monarch wouldn't be stingy.
The trading city-state, the inner city of the sea, Nice.
This city that was once famous for its shipbuilding technology was now more and more dilapidated and unworthy of its name.
In the middle of the third era, the power of magic began to rise. This era was a beautiful era for those ambitious and ambitious people, but for those at the bottom of society who had no power and wanted to live a stable life, it was no less than a nightmare.
Nice was one of the oldest cities in the trading city-state. This water capital located on the coast was hit by storms every year, and there were no main materials to support the shipbuilding industry within its borders — wood and steel. Everything could only be imported from other cities.
In the beginning, the successive heads of the trading city-state were very supportive of Nice's development and gave the city all kinds of conveniences. However, as the world changed in recent years, the city-state's sea power had reached a critical point. After the rulers shifted their focus to land construction, Nice was gradually neglected and slowly declined.
The increase in the price of materials caused the profits of shipyards to continuously decline. Coupled with the economic downturn of the whole industry and the lack of support from the state's policies, business continued to decline. In order to survive, many shipyards began to actively transform.
What followed was: the number of unemployed people increased, and a large number of unemployed people were forced to hoard, causing the security of the entire city to deteriorate and the reputation of the city to deteriorate. Nice's popularity among the ten cities was now at the bottom. Unless it was necessary, very few people were willing to come to this city. The decrease in the floating population further led to the rise of unemployment in other industries, and a vicious cycle appeared.
The government was indifferent to this, and the people couldn't rely on themselves to get out of this predicament. The disheartened residents gave up on themselves and were intoxicated by the anesthesia of alcohol. They were indifferent to their families and children, and the whole city was lifeless.
Many people who grew up and loved this city were pessimistic when faced with this situation. Unless there was a war on the sea and the demand of the city-state skyrocketed, this city would become an island drowned by the sea sooner or later and completely die.
Many people who could afford to leave this city were trying to find ways to escape from this hopeless and hopeless city.
Corvitt walked into the shipyard workshop.
"Mr. Mentor." After seeing him, a few scattered apprentices bowed their heads and saluted.
He waved his hand. "You can continue."
The apprentices squatted down again or sat on the ground, busying themselves with their work.
The outermost area of the workshop was the showroom. Ship models from all over Airadia were displayed one by one. The design of the room was also very ingenious. The cabinets spiraled up along the stairs, and the magic warship that represented the most advanced technology of the era was placed at the top, like a bright pearl.
Light shone in from the windows on both sides of the wall, reflecting on the stone floor and singing a long strip of light across the room. Light and darkness formed an overlapping silhouette, like the stripes of a giant dragon.
The apprentices would study here for three to five years, until they had a thorough understanding of the ship's structure, working principles, basic data, and other theoretical knowledge. Only then would they have the opportunity to be selected as disciples by their mentors to learn more advanced manufacturing techniques.
At its peak, Corvitt's workshop had more than a hundred apprentices studying there. Now, there were only seven children studying in the workshop.
Corvitt stepped on the alternating light spots and walked into the core area of the shipyard workshop — the forging room.
When he pushed open the door, his vision suddenly opened up. Twelve huge molten steel pillars supported this extremely spacious room. There were windows on all four stone walls, and the roof was covered by an exquisitely designed ventilation system. The furnishings in the forging room were extremely simple, even a little messy. All kinds of casting parts and fasteners were casually piled in the corners, some of them covered in dust and untouched for a long time.
"Charlie, how did your discussion with them go?" he asked.
A young man in his twenties walked over, shaking his head. "These damned merchants are all vampires. They think that we don't have the ability to repay the debt and are unwilling to give us any funding."
After saying that, the young man paused for a moment, then added, "Mentor, why don't you want to go to the North to take a look? We haven't found any support in this city since we asked for help. But if you go to the North, with your experience and skills, who can stop you from obtaining the bounty?"
"From the publicity there, the North attaches great importance to the seagoing industry. Your work there will be great support, and you will be able to focus on the research of the new seagoing ships."
"I've heard enough of your words."
Corvitt looked at the only disciple who was willing to stay by his side and said disapprovingly, "You're not sure about the standards of the North's shipbuilding. What if we have to start from scratch?
And Charlie, you have to remember that we don't build ships for money. If we only build ships for money, we won't be able to build good ships. Because sooner or later, you'll have to rush to make more crude products in order to earn more money. "
"Shipbuilders don't need money, but building ships requires money, mentor."
The young man quickly retorted, "Before talking about dreams and feelings, we have to ensure that we can survive."
He took a sip of the bitter coffee and continued, "This city can't be saved by your perseverance alone. Even if your skills are at the peak of Airadia, you won't be able to change the fact that Nessie is declining day by day.
I've seen enough of the ugly faces of those in power. Without the support of loans, I'm afraid we won't be able to survive this month.
Going to the North isn't asking you to give up on your dreams. It's just changing to an environment where you can realize your ideals and ambitions. "
Corvitt didn't say anything after hearing this. Instead, he looked at his proud disciple and asked softly, "Charlie, is this what you think?"
Under his mentor's gaze, the young man hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.
"It's understandable that you have such thoughts. Young people should explore the outside world. If you want to go, then go. I'll support you."
Corvitt smiled gently, "But I choose to stay here, Charlie.
If everyone chooses to flee, then this city will truly become a dead city. This is my home. My acquaintances, friends, and memories are all here. How can I abandon it?
You should understand me.
Don't worry, let an old man like me stay here. As long as there are people here, there's still hope for Nessie. "
Corvitt's words were powerful and resonant, and the room became quiet for a moment.
After a long while, the young man sighed, "If that's the case, I'll think of something else."
He was an orphan and regarded Corvitt as his master and father. How could he abandon this old man who was over sixty and leave alone?
However, as soon as he finished speaking, he heard a commotion outside.
"What are you doing!"
The apprentice's shocked and angry voice traveled in, accompanied by the dull thud of a heavy object falling to the ground.
Both of them were shocked. Corvitt quickly stepped forward and pulled open the door to check the situation in Chen Lie's reception room.
The gleaming swords reflected the sunlight, so bright that he could not open his eyes. A group of fully armored guards rushed in and pushed the apprentice to the ground in a rude and unreasonable manner.
"Stop, soldiers!
What are you doing here? "
Corvitt berated loudly. As a rather famous shipbuilder, he'd traveled extensively in his youth and met many important people. These soldiers couldn't intimidate him.
"Mister Corvitt."
The leader of the metal cans paused, only two eyes peeking out of his helmet. He glanced at Corvitt expressionlessly and said stiffly, "In view of the city's planning, your dock has been expropriated."
"Expropriated?"
Corvitt was so angry that he laughed. He looked directly at the soldier without fear and rebuked, "I purchased and built this land and dock twenty years ago. It's private property protected by the city's laws. You have no right to expropriate it, no one!"
"I know."
The soldier's eyes were smiling with a bit of mockery, "So, Mister Corvitt, you can bring your proof from back then to the city hall to receive a subsidy of twenty gold coins."
Twenty gold coins?
What a joke!
However, no matter how much Corvitt resisted, he was dragged out of his dock by the strong soldiers in the blink of an eye. Even when his buttocks came into intimate contact with the cold ground, he still couldn't believe the barbaric treatment he'd received. His eyes were full of disbelief.
This city was truly hopeless.