Chapter 440: A New Unit

"Hahaha!"

Laughter suddenly erupted inside the government office, breaking the tense atmosphere that had lingered throughout the negotiations.

Prince Simon leaned back in his chair, unable to conceal his satisfaction.

After hours of negotiations, he had resolved the Split Rock crisis without shedding a single drop of blood. Even better, he had secured something far more valuable than an island: a direct trade route connecting Brambleford to Europe.

This was an excellent deal.

Once his laughter subsided, Simon turned to Grey.

"I’m glad you were able to accept these conditions. If the Dutch are sincere about trading with my domain, I guarantee that your future commercial activities in the East will not suffer. On the contrary, I believe you will earn even greater profits than before."

Grey forced a smile.

"I certainly hope so, Your Highness. Our purpose as Dutch merchants is to trade and make profits. As long as you honor your promises, we have no reason to oppose you."

Simon nodded.

"Excellent. Since we have reached an understanding, why don’t we sign a trade agreement now and make our commitments official?"

He turned to Monti and instructed him to prepare paper and ink. The governor immediately complied, arranging everything needed to record the terms of their agreement.

Grey offered no objections.

The two sides discuss the remaining details, refining the conditions until both parties had a clear understanding of their respective obligations.

Eventually, the agreement was finalized.

Its principal terms were as follows.

First, the Dutch would return the main island of Split Rock to the Eldorian Empire, placing it under Prince Simon’s authority. In exchange, Simon would guarantee the security of the Dutch trading base at Zeelandia Fort and ensure that their commercial routes remained open.

Second, the Dutch Trading Management and Brambleford Chamber of Commerce would jointly establish a Foreign Trade Department in Ashenford. All future commercial transactions between the two parties would be registered and approved through this department.

Third, the Dutch would be permitted to maintain a garrison of 2,000 musketeers and four warships at Zeelandia Fort. Brambleford would station an equivalent military force there, with both sides maintaining their own troops and supplying their respective military establishments.

Fourth, if Zeelandia Fort came under attack from a foreign enemy, Brambleford’s forces would cooperate with the Dutch garrison in its defense. Both parties would also share responsibility for protecting their merchant vessels from pirates operating along their maritime trade routes.

Several additional clauses addressed commercial disputes, the treatment of merchants, and the responsibilities of both parties.

One by one, the terms were recorded on paper.

Soon, the agreement was complete.

Simon first had it written in the official script of the Eldorian Empire. Then, without hesitation, he produced a second copy in Dutch.

The sight left Grey staring at him in astonishment.

"Your Highness, how do you know our language?"

Simon looked up from the document and smiled faintly.

"How do you explain Alonso’s situation?"

"That’s different!" Grey immediately replied. "Alonso can speak our language, but he cannot write it."

Alonso’s past had hardly been respectable. Before becoming involved in the affairs of the Dutch, he had been a pirate who traveled with crews from various countries. During those years, he had picked up the Eldorian language through experience.

Speaking a foreign language was one thing. Reading and writing it fluently was another.

Simon, however, had done so without hesitation.

"That’s unfortunate," Simon said casually. "I learned Dutch from a particularly knowledgeable missionary."

"A missionary?"

Grey’s eyebrows rose.

"Then I suppose you also learned about flintlock firearms and cannons from this same missionary?"

Simon simply nodded.

Since the two parties had agreed to cooperate, he needed to provide some explanation for his seemingly extraordinary knowledge. Claiming that he had learned from a well-traveled missionary was convenient enough.

Grey stared at him for a moment before forcing a bitter smile.

"Your Highness, that must have been an exceptionally knowledgeable missionary."

If this mysterious man truly existed, Grey almost wished he could find him.

A missionary who could teach a foreign prince not only Dutch but also advanced firearms technology and artillery knowledge was hardly an ordinary individual.

Unfortunately, Grey had no way of knowing that Simon’s explanation was nothing more than a convenient excuse.

Simon chuckled and passed the agreement across the table.

His ability to learn languages had always been exceptional. More importantly, his mysterious technology crystal made retaining information remarkably easy. Once he had memorized a word or sentence, it remained readily accessible in his mind.

As far as Simon was concerned, learning Dutch had been no more difficult than learning another subject.

"Now, let’s sign," he said. "Once this agreement takes effect, we can put the possibility of war behind us."

Grey’s expression grew solemn.

He drew a deep breath, took a quill from his pocket, and carefully signed his name at the bottom of the document.

Although the agreement was humiliating, he understood his position.

Split Rock had been developed and administered by the Dutch Trading Management. In practice, the management had considerable control over its assets, and Grey possessed the authority to negotiate their transfer, provided that the arrangement protected the organization’s remaining commercial interests.

With the island’s return secured, he had at least preserved the possibility of continued Dutch trade in the East.

After signing, Grey pushed the document toward Simon.

"Your Highness, it’s your turn."

Simon picked up the quill and signed his name without hesitation.

With that final stroke, the agreement became official.

Simon examined the document with satisfaction before extending his hand.

"I hope our cooperation will be successful."

Grey’s expression remained complicated.

There was no denying the outcome. Prince Simon had emerged from the negotiations with almost everything he wanted.

The Dutch, meanwhile, had surrendered their claim to Split Rock Island, accepted a foreign military presence near their trading base, and agreed to a new commercial arrangement that placed their activities under closer supervision.

For Grey, it was a bitter defeat.

The Dutch had once aspired to dominate the maritime trade routes of the East. Yet their position had steadily weakened, and now a young prince from the Eldorian Empire had forced them to accept conditions they would once have rejected outright.

Their maritime supremacy in Europe was already under pressure. Losing their freedom of action in the East only made their predicament worse.

Grey looked directly at Simon.

"I hope Your Highness will honor every promise written in this agreement. If you betray our trust, the Dutch will fight until the last soldier stands."

His voice was firm, though the circumstances behind his words were less reassuring.

Simon returned his gaze with equal seriousness.

"I always keep my promises."

Grey studied him briefly, apparently searching for any hint of insincerity. Finding none, he finally nodded and rose from his chair.

"In that case, we shall await Your Highness’s arrival at Zeelandia Fort."

"Very well."

Simon had originally intended to invite Grey to stay for a meal. However, looking at the Dutch representative’s strained expression, he decided against it.

There was no need to make an already unpleasant day worse.

Even a defeated opponent deserve to retain some dignity.

After exchanging their final courtesies, Grey left with Alonso.

Only when the Dutch delegation had left the government office did Monti allow himself to relax.

The governor had remained beside Simon throughout the negotiations, observing how the young prince had gradually maneuvered Grey into accepting one condition after another.

Now, he could no longer contain his admiration.

"Your Highness, I never imagined you possessed such extensive knowledge. Your understanding of foreign affairs, languages, and commerce is truly remarkable. I must say, I deeply admire you!"

Simon glanced at him.

"Save your flattery and concentrate on your work."

Monti immediately straightened.

Simon tapped the newly signed agreement with his finger.

"With this agreement in place, Ashenford will become the principal commercial port for our trade with the Dutch. From now on, goods arriving from Dutch-controlled territories will be unloaded here, while our exports will be loaded onto Dutch vessels in the same port."

This was the arrangement he had wanted from the beginning.

The Dutch possessed established maritime connections, merchant fleets, and commercial networks stretching across distant regions. Brambleford, on the other hand, had valuable manufactured goods and abundant resources but still needed broader access to overseas markets.

By making Ashenford the center of their commercial exchange, Simon could gradually establish a direct connection between his territory and the European trading world.

More importantly, he would no longer have to rely entirely on intermediaries.

Every ship arriving at Ashenford would bring opportunities to expand his influence.

Monti had been anticipating this development for months.

Simon had first mentioned the possibility of establishing the port’s foreign trade operations roughly two months earlier. Since then, the governor had repeatedly imagined the benefits such an arrangement could bring to Ashenford.

Now, the agreement had finally made it possible.

"I’ll immediately arrange for the courtyard beside the government office to be cleared and converted into the Foreign Trade Department," Monti said eagerly.

Before Simon could respond, the governor was already preparing to leave.

Watching him hurry away, Simon shook his head with amusement.

It seemed Monti was even more enthusiastic about the agreement than he was.

Once the governor left, Simon’s expression became serious again.

Signing the agreement was only the beginning.

He still had to take possession of Split Rock and the fortress known as Flipper, located opposite Zeelandia Fort.

He also have to arrange the deployment of Brambleford’s troops to Zeelandia Fort. Under the agreement, his soldiers would be stationed alongside the Dutch garrison, allowing both sides to monitor the surrounding maritime routes.

Although the Dutch had agreed to cooperate, Simon had no intention of becoming complacent.

An agreement could prevent a war, but only the strength to enforce it could guarantee that the agreement would be respected.

The Dutch were experienced maritime traders with a long history of overseas expansion. If Brambleford wanted to protect its interests, it needed a military force capable of operating effectively at sea and on foreign shores.

Thinking of this, Simon immediately summoned Desmond.

Controlling the maritime routes naturally fell within the fleet commander’s responsibilities.

It did not take long for Desmond to arrive.

In recent weeks, he had been busy training the fleet and improving its coordination. When he learned that Prince Simon was in Ashenford, he had come running to inquire about the situation surrounding Split Rock.

He had expected news of a possible battle.

Instead, Simon broke his glass.

"The Dutch surrendered?"

Desmond stared at Simon in disbelief.

Then his shoulders slumped.

"No way! How disappointing!"

His reaction was so exaggerated that Simon almost laughed.

Desmond had always possessed an aggressive temperament. Ever since taking command of the fleet, he had dreamed of testing his ships against a worthy opponent.

Now that the opportunity had seemingly disappeared, he looked like a fighting rooster that had spent all morning searching for an opponent, only to discover that everyone had gone home.

Simon gave him an amused look.

"They haven’t surrendered, Desmond. We’ve reached an agreement to cooperate."

"Isn’t that practically the same thing?"

"Not at all."

Simon’s expression gradually grew serious.

"Cooperation doesn’t mean abandoning our vigilance. In fact, the reason we’re stationing troops at Zeelandia Fort is precisely that we need to ensure that both parties honor their commitments."

Desmond’s disappointment eased slightly.

Simon continued.

"Soon, you’ll send several warships to Split Rock. They’ll help establish our presence in the area and protect the surrounding trade routes."

Desmond nodded, his interest returning.

But Simon wasn’t finished.

"There’s something else. I’ll be organizing and training a new unit of soldiers for your command."

Desmond frowned thoughtfully.

"A new unit?"

"That’s right."

Simon leaned forward slightly.

"A Marine Corps."

The moment those words reached Desmond’s ears, his eyes lit up.

"Marine Corps?"

He repeated the name, his earlier disappointment disappearing as if it had never existed.

This was exactly the kind of force he had always dreamed of commanding.

Ordinary infantrymen were trained primarily to fight on land, while sailors were responsible for operating ships. Yet naval warfare often required soldiers who could do both—men capable of fighting aboard ships, storming enemy positions, and securing hostile ports.

A dedicated Marine Corps would fill that gap.

With such a force, Desmond’s fleet would no longer depend entirely on ordinary soldiers being hastily transported aboard warships whenever a landing operation became necessary.

Instead, he would have troops specifically trained to fight at sea and on land.

And if Simon’s vision proved successful, the capabilities of Brambleford’s navy would increase considerably.

Desmond could barely contain his excitement.

"Your Highness, how many men are we talking about? And when can I have them?"

Simon smiled at his enthusiasm.

"Don’t get ahead of yourself. Before I give you a single soldier, I intend to make sure they’re properly trained."

Desmond’s excitement did not diminish.

On the contrary, he looked even more eager.

"Then tell me what you need, Your Highness. Ships, training grounds, equipment—whatever it takes, I’ll make the arrangements."

Simon nodded.

"Good. Because if we want to protect our interests overseas, we’re going to need more than warships and cannons."

He glanced toward the window, where the late afternoon sun illuminated the busy harbor.

Merchant vessels continued moving through Ashenford’s waters, their crews unaware that the agreement signed inside the government office might change the future of maritime trade throughout the region.

For Simon, the agreement was only the first step.

Brambleford had secured a foothold in overseas commerce. Now it needed the military strength to protect that foothold.

And the Marine Corps would be one of the instruments through which he achieved that goal.