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Arthur hadn't expected the proposal to mount the Dragonhunter horizontally.
During their conversations in the cabin from early morning until noon, Eaton relentlessly introduced various shipbuilding techniques and weapon applications. He went into meticulous detail, explaining the entire manufacturing process starting from material selection.
Whenever someone in the cabin asked a question, Eaton answered it thoroughly. He gave particularly detailed responses to Arthur's inquiries, clearly hoping to secure financial support for his shipbuilding project.
Finally, Eaton extended an enthusiastic invitation. "Lord Arthur, gentlemen, if you are willing, I would like to invite you to the Carpenters' Guild. We have various models of small ships and weapons there; it would be much more intuitive to explain with visual aids."
"Eaton, I understand your expertise in shipbuilding." Arthur first affirmed the man's skill, then swept his gaze across the room.
"But words alone are not enough, especially since building a warship takes months. I need to see you prove your capability with tangible results."
The excitement on Eaton's face froze instantly. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed nervously.
"Let's do this," Arthur's voice broke the brief silence. "I will allocate a budget for you to build ten hundred-oar galleys first. Future orders will depend on the results of these ships and the development of the fleet."
Arthur understood deeply that building a navy couldn't be rushed. Trying to eat a feast in one bite would only choke you to death. It had to be done step by step.
Even if Eaton successfully built the flagship, without enough experienced, well-trained captains, sailors, and crew to operate such a complex vessel, its combat potential would be wasted.
"As you wish, my Lord. I will return to the Guild immediately to discuss the design plans and budget."
Eaton's eyes lit up again. Although Lord Arthur hadn't agreed to build his proposed flagship, at least there was work to be done.
Moreover, if this project was completed well, there would be a steady stream of shipbuilding orders in the future.
Previously, in the Smithing District, his Carpenters' Guild had merely played a supporting role to Karl 'Bi' and Quentyn, making tools, bows, shields, and doing odd construction jobs. Now, finally, they had their own core business.
After Eaton's footsteps faded away, Arthur turned to Jimmy and Mallick.
In the morning light, the dark circles under Jimmy's eyes were even more pronounced, but his gaze was exceptionally bright.
"You and Mallick can start preparing for the recruitment and training of the crew and sailors, as well as selecting the port location," Arthur said. "Don't wait until Eaton finishes the ships only to have no one to sail them."
Jimmy immediately asked, "How many men shall we recruit?"
Arthur pondered for a moment. "These seven warships have over four hundred oars. Let's recruit eight hundred men for the first batch. Additionally, those archers previously under your command—if they are willing, they can also be recruited into the fleet."
Jimmy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That makes a thousand men!"
Ignoring Jimmy's enthusiasm, Arthur turned to Mallick. "Training a thousand men won't be a problem, right?"
Mallick straightened his back, the onion badge on his chest gleaming in the sunlight. "If, as Jimmy said earlier, most of the recruits are fishermen and seasoned sailors who make their living on the sea, then naturally, there will be no problem at all."
Arthur nodded. As he pushed open the cabin door, the salty sea breeze rushed in to meet him.
On the distant pier, workers were chanting work songs as they moved cargo, just as they had in the morning. Chains clanked and pulleys creaked.
Having settled the fleet matters, Arthur rode back to Starfall without stopping. He knew someone would definitely be waiting for him in the city with a proposal ready.
Sure enough, as soon as he reached the outside of the small hall in the keep, he heard the sounds of discussion drifting through the oak door.
Jerry: "Building a port at Beacon Tower is very necessary to facilitate the future shipment of Peach Wine by sea."
Ser Barton: "The urgent priority right now is the wildling issue in the Red Mountains. If we can subdue those tribes, Arthur will become the Governor of the Dornish Marches in fact as well as in name."
"Even if the Marcher lords are unruly, they will naturally respect and obey us."
Karl 'Bi': "Rather than taking huge risks fighting wildlings in the Red Mountains for 'respect' that holds no tangible value, I agree more with Jerry's idea of building a port at Beacon Tower."
"There is high-quality river sand there that can be used to fire glass panes and mirrors. We can also use seawater to make salt. With a port, whether we are transporting these goods inland or exporting them, the transportation costs will be greatly reduced, bringing us the most practical gold dragons."
Arthur instructed Penrose to fetch some food from the kitchen before walking into the small hall. Seven hells, he hadn't even eaten lunch yet.
When he pushed the door open, the debate inside ceased abruptly.
The three men inside had clearly been waiting for a long time; most of the fruit and pastries the servants had served were already gone.
Seeing everyone fall silent as they looked at him, Arthur grabbed two blood oranges and a plate of pickled purple olives from their table. Peeling an orange, he asked:
"How is the obsidian smelting for the weapons going?"
"I announced your reward in the Smithing District and tried it myself," Karl 'Bi' shook his head.
"I ground the obsidian into powder and, following the method for forging Black Mamba swords, packed the powder into canisters for forging. The resulting sword had significantly reduced strength and couldn't withstand stress testing at all."
Arthur tossed an orange slice into his mouth and chewed a few olives, finally feeling slightly less hungry. "Ten thousand gold dragons aren't that easy to earn. Alright, show me your plans."
Having overheard their discussion before entering, he already had a general idea.
Ser Barton's plan was as Arthur expected: expanding the Mountain Corps. However, the plan was somewhat conservative, proposing to expand the current eight hundred men to one thousand and establishing a new base at Nightfall Keep.
Arthur simply handed his own expansion plan, written yesterday, to Ser Barton to execute.
"Arthur, isn't this too many recruits?" Ser Barton hadn't expected Arthur to support such a massive expansion and couldn't quite understand it.
"One thousand Mountain Corps troops, plus levies raised locally, are sufficient to deal with the wildling tribes of the Red Mountains."
"Once the tribes submit, maintaining a standing army of two thousand seems excessive."
"Follow this plan. The lords of the Reach, the Stormlands, and Dorne are constantly feuding. If we don't maintain absolute military superiority, no one will listen to us."
Arthur couldn't tell Ser Barton right now that he was expanding the army to prepare for the coming chaos in the Seven Kingdoms.
While Ser Barton read his plan, Arthur added, "Additionally, regarding the Mountain Corps base, I want to establish it directly at the Prince's Pass. Transportation is convenient there, and it will serve as a strong deterrent to the wildlings of the Red Mountains."
The wildlings in the Torrentine valley were completely docile now, so establishing a new camp elsewhere was indeed feasible. This was something Ser Barton hadn't considered.
"The Prince's Pass?" Ser Barton looked troubled. "Lord Franklyn Fowler will likely not agree to that."
Arthur replied, "I'll handle the Old Falcon later. You just focus on recruiting and training the Mountain Corps."