Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

TL: Etude

Horn Bay, a place brimming with opportunities and wealth.

This area is known for the most developed shipping lanes in the known world, where hundreds of massive cargo ships come and go daily on some busy routes.

These cargo ships are uniformly oared sailboats, with their hulls filled with a variety of goods. Hundreds of oarsmen, seated on either side of the cargo hold, sweat profusely as they pull the long oar handles in sync with chants or drum beats, providing the power for the vessel’s voyage. Only when the wind picks up and the relatively small square sail on the mast provides a bit of power are they allowed a brief respite.

Most of the oarsmen are slaves purchased by the shipowners, shackled to their seats, unable to leave. The reasons for their enslavement vary: some due to unpayable debts, some born into slavery, others captured in wars.

Once locked to the oar seats, their tragic fate for life is almost sealed. Many slaves, even in their old age with white hair, continue to be chained, living a life of darkness under the threat of the overseer’s whip.

The land near Horn Bay lacks substantial plains and is dotted with hills. The fragmented land never birthed a large nation, but rather a patchwork of city-states along the coast.

Due to geographical reasons, the area is unsuitable for agriculture, so the inhabitants chose commerce for sustenance.

Each city-state heavily favors trade, encouraging commerce where merchants play a significant role in national politics. The ruling nobility often also hold the status of major merchants.

Some closely allied city-states have even formed alliances, abolishing tariffs among themselves and imposing uniform taxes on non-member states. Some alliances even share foreign policies, speaking and acting as one. The Horn Bay Alliance is among the most influential of these.

Proximity to the sea naturally makes shipping the preferred means for trade. Relying on this, generations of Horn Bay merchants gradually expanded their trade to the outside world, selling furs from the north to the south, grains from the south to the north, and spices from the east to the west, trading whatever was profitable.

Such thriving commerce brought immense wealth, making the standard of living here arguably the highest in the world. Even the poor here live better than the poor in other countries.

The economic prosperity and comfortable life led people to pursue more in spiritual and cultural realms. This land has seen many historically renowned writers, artists, and thinkers. This was why Paul Grayman tasked Queller Foster to bring him some popular works, hoping some of these authors would make their mark in history.

The Southern Ship finally arrived in the waters of Horn Bay after more than half a month’s voyage.

The journey southward was smooth, encountering no pirates or similar troubles. However, when they reached the southernmost tip of the kingdom’s coastline, a sailor fell ill. Captain Quik had no choice but to order the Hope to shore, allowing the sick sailor to recuperate on land and leaving some money for his return to the Northwest Bay via land.

Untreated illnesses on board could lead to a serious outbreak.

“Ah, Captain Quik, I finally understand why all the ships here use oars,” Allen remarked. Entering the waters of Horn Bay, the Southern Ship was like entering a doldrums zone, moving as slowly as a turtle on land.

“I bet the people on the other ships think we are fools,” lamented another trainee, shrugging his shoulders.

Captain Quik encouraged them, “Humph! That’s only in this place. In other waters, our Hope would leave them far behind in speed and distance. By the way, have you learned to use the compass and sextant?”

The trainees puffed out their chests proudly, “We learned that long ago, Captain!”

“Oh? Then let me test you thoroughly!”contemporary romance

Whether these greenhorn trainees or the captain, a veteran of many years at sea, this was their first voyage so far, facing unfamiliar waters and environments.

The officers on board meticulously recorded information about currents, weather, temperature, etc., along the way. These valuable hydrographic data would guide subsequent ships, helping them to choose the best routes.

Captain Quik’s logbook was already thick with detailed records of his observations and experiences.

This voyage was also an excellent training opportunity for the naval trainees on board the Southern Ship, a chance not afforded to trainees on other warships.

…

Ladi, watching the trainees undergoing Captain Quik’s assessment, felt deeply moved.

When they were first rescued from the pirate’s lair by the navy, these youngsters’ eyes were filled with confusion and fear for the future.

Now, they had fully transformed into little sailors of the sea, adept at climbing masts, knowledgeable in the full process of sail handling, and even skilled in using compasses and sextants, possessing the professional skills of a navigator.

“Mr. Derrick!”

Suddenly, someone called out her ‘name’ from behind.

Turning around, Ladi saw it was a representative of the merchants. Speaking of the few merchant representatives on board, they had indeed suffered greatly. Soon after leaving Port Fran, they began to feel seasick, unable to eat. Captain Quik had suggested sending them back when the Hope was not too far out, but these men insisted on continuing, teeth clenched.

Their perseverance was admirable, although driven by the pursuit of commercial interests — the pursuit of money.

As for Ladi, having experienced a rather lengthy adventurer’s career, she was accustomed to various environments and didn’t find anything particularly uncomfortable on this journey.

If there was anything that made her uncomfortable, it was the inability to bathe at will. The long sea journey was indeed inconvenient for a woman.

The merchant representative asked, “Is it true, Mr. Derrick, that you hail from Horn Bay?”

Ladi nodded slightly. “Yes.”

As they drew closer to Horn Bay, her sense of homecoming grew stronger. Recently, she often found herself standing on the deck, gazing into the distance, hoping to see land appear on the horizon.

“May I disturb you for a moment?”

In this age of limited knowledge, ordinary people always held scholars in high regard. Since Ladi was disguised as a man, she seldom spoke freely, afraid of revealing her true identity. This gave everyone on board the impression that she was aloof and proud.

“Not at all, what can I do for you?”

Ladi smiled slightly, causing the merchant representative to be momentarily dazed.

The merchant, pleasantly surprised that the scholar was so approachable, was briefly confused by his own reaction to a man…

“So, do you think our goods will sell well in the south? Will people buy them?”

The merchant representative asked tentatively, his and the others’ biggest concern being a wasted journey.

For them, originating from the Northwest Bay, Horn Bay was undoubtedly wealthy and prosperous. They worried about being seen as country bumpkins from the north, their goods laughed off as worthless trinkets, and being ridiculed for traveling so far to sell junk.

Ladi, sensing his concern, reassured him with a smile:

“Mr. Representative, rest assured, the items authorized by Count Grayman for your production should be very popular in Horn Bay.”

“As far as I know, the Count has already established a cooperative relationship with the Foster family of the Horn Bay Alliance. They arrange caravans to Lakeheart Town for goods every month, and even the southern wars of the kingdom haven’t hindered them a bit. The Foster family wouldn’t be so committed if it weren’t for significant profits.”

The representative was a bit surprised. “The Foster family?”

He knew, having done his homework before the trip, that they were a prominent family in the south.

“So, the lord has quietly connected with the Foster family, leaving us out of the loop…”

The representative sounded a bit resentful and wistful.

“Uh…”

Ladi looked embarrassed, suddenly realizing that both Paul and her own territory’s merchants were suppliers, technically in competition, albeit not prominently due to the current demand outstripping supply.

She had inadvertently revealed his business secret and hoped the Count wouldn’t blame her.

Realizing his words might have been abrupt, and seeing that this scholar seemed to have a close relationship with Count Grayman, the representative quickly changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, Captain Quik really commands great authority on this ship.”

Ladi agreed wholeheartedly. “Yes, before boarding, Commander Austin cautioned me that the captain is the lord of a ship, and no one should challenge his authority.”

“We received the same warning. It seems true now, as all the officers and soldiers are very obedient to him.”

“Indeed, even the largest and sturdiest ship seems like a tiny floating leaf in the ocean. The crew needs a brave and decisive backbone, a psychological support. In the face of great storms and danger, even a wrong decision is better than indecision and dispute.”

“You make a good point.”

Suddenly, a loud shout came from the mast. “Land in sight!”

Immediately, everyone on the deck looked towards the lookout, who was excitedly pointing eastward and shouting.

People crowded on one side of the deck, following the lookout’s direction. Soon, those with telescopes also began to shout excitedly.

“Land, it is indeed land!”

“Oh! Those are buildings! That’s a port! We’re lucky to have come directly to a port!”

The news of land sighting quickly spread throughout the ship, and everyone rushed to the deck, looking into the distance and cheering.

After everyone had their moment of excitement, Captain Quik yelled, “Get back to your posts! Do you think there’s no work to be done just because we’re nearing land? Back to work, all of you!”

The sailors dispersed, resuming their work but with faces lit up with excitement, eagerly discussing what exotic sights and experiences awaited them in this foreign land thousands of miles from home.

What’s expensive there? How’s the food?

And most importantly, what do the girls look like?

Then Captain Quik ordered the helmsman to adjust the course and head straight for the discovered port.

…

The coastal city of Horn Bay, Asta, welcomed an unusual ship to its port today.

The ship had no oars, just a thick and tall mast on the deck, with an exceptionally large sail.

It seemed the sail provided the power for the ship to slowly enter the port. But in Horn Bay, where sailing relied on oars, what were the builders of this wind-reliant ship thinking?

The port officials immediately took a boat to approach this strange vessel, signaling a common sea gesture — they intended to board for inspection.

The Southern Ship responded, agreeing to let them board.

Asta’s officials and soldiers climbed aboard the Southern Ship using a rope ladder. One official introduced himself, holding a metal badge:

“I’m the affairs officer from the Port Entry and Exit Office. Where are you from? This ship doesn’t seem to have appeared in our records before.”

However, he spoke in the local Horn Bay language, leaving most people on the ship bewildered.

Fortunately, Ladi, a native of Horn Bay, quickly stepped forward to greet the port officer, seeing everyone’s confusion.

“Hello, this must be the port of Asta.”

“Yes, sir.” The officer was impressed by the young man with green hair.

“This ship is called the Southern Ship, from the Northwest Bay of the Kingdom of Ordo. Its purpose is to establish a trade route from the kingdom’s northwest to Horn Bay. The people aboard are from Ordo… and they don’t understand your language.”

“I see, are you their translator? You sound like you’re from around Horn Bay too.”

“Yes, sir.”

The officer smiled, welcoming those who came to do business. However, he thought it strange they brought only one translator. He hoped they wouldn’t be too disadvantaged in dealings.

“Weary from your long journey, please come ashore to register.”

Ladi quickly translated in Ordo language to Captain Quik. “This is the officer in charge of the port. He says you need to register at the dock.”

Then she asked, puzzled, “Captain Quik, gentlemen representatives, doesn’t anyone among you speak Horn Bay language?”

Quik seemed clueless. “Horn Bay language? What’s that? Do people in the world speak languages others can’t understand?”

The merchant representatives were equally clueless.

People from the Northwest Bay had never left the Kingdom of Ordo, and most had not even left the Bay. In their understanding, there was no concept of foreign languages; they assumed everyone in the world spoke the same language, albeit with different accents.

“This…”

Ladi covered her face with her hand, looking defeated. If she hadn’t been on this ship, even entering the port might have taken half a day.

This wasn’t entirely Paul’s fault. He subconsciously thought, like in many fantasy settings, that everyone in the world spoke the same language. His interactions with foreign people, like the Lichman Adventure Team and the Foster family, who all spoke fluent Ordo, only reinforced this belief. So, he never considered the language barrier.

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