Chapter 48 The Cruelty of the War
Thinking of the "benefits" that a war may bring, even Purficott is considering whether a war should really be launched as a cover-up for the disaster response plan .
But she finally gave up such an idea, not for any reason, because she knew how much a large-scale war in the industrial era could cost.
In the original world, the Seven Years' War, known as the real World War I, was a fierce battle between the Anglo-Prussian Alliance and the Franco-Austrian Alliance that involved Europe, America, and Africa in the war. The two sides fought for seven years.
The war caused a total of about 900,000 to 1.4 million deaths, which indirectly contributed to the independence of the thirteen North American states at that time and the outbreak of the French Revolution.
However, for the major participating countries in this war, it was far from a traumatic event. Russia even gave birth to a talented and strategic empress, Catherine the Great, which allowed the aging Tsarist Russia to carry out a war. An attempt at modernization reform.
Even Britain, which lost thirteen states in North America, relied on the dividends of the war to become an empire on which the sun never sets.
It can be seen that during this period, people did not realize how much wealth a world war would destroy and how much damage it would cause.
They were still advocating war until the outbreak of World War I. Whether they were the people or the nobles, they were all eager for war.
Then, in World War I, they witnessed the tragedy of 60,000 casualties a day.
Countries not only suffered financial bankruptcy, but also lost a whole generation of young adults, and they have not been able to recover until decades later.
This is also the reason why Britain and France implemented the policy of appeasement in the early days of World War II. They were really afraid.
Thinking of this, Purficott could only persuade Princess Anne: "Don't do it! The cost of the war is too great, and the empire cannot afford to carry out a full-scale war while also To support the consumption of the disaster response plan, we not only need a lot of resources, but also a lot of labor, and we cannot send them all to the battlefield to be consumed in vain.”
“Yes. I agree with you that the empire's finances cannot support such consumption, but our opponents also know it." Princess Anne shook her head regretfully, and then sighed: "If they are destined not to survive, guess what? Will it drag us to death together? ”
"So my Steam Knight has become the empire's military deterrent?" Purficott felt a headache. She just wanted to deal with the disaster that was about to destroy the world and survive, but she didn't expect to have to worry about these things now. Work hard.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh: "Can I get the drawings of the Steam Rider back, and you will pretend that nothing happened?"
Looking at Purficott and sighing Princess Anne couldn't help but chuckle, then shook her head and said: "I'm afraid not, those old generals immediately took Qi's drawings to find alchemists who could make it, and planned to make a few first to have a look. Effective.
Even I have to bring the Guard Knight to you. I think Butler Foster has told you the value of this technology in war, right?"
"I designed this. Of course I know what role it can play on the battlefield." Purficott is still very satisfied with his design, but when he thinks that it will be used in war, It still made her feel slightly complicated. There is both a sense of pride that one's invention can affect the war situation and that one's name is destined to be written in the history books, and there is also a sense of unbearability that one's invention will be used in war and cause a large number of casualties.
Just like Dr. Maxim invented the heavy machine gun to reduce casualties on the battlefield, and Kalashnikov designed the AK47 to protect his comrades, sometimes the purpose of the weapon is often contrary to its inventor. .
So Purficott didn’t dwell on this, and just said to Princess Anne: “When I designed the Steam Knight, I took Grandpa Foster’s physical fitness as a reference, so it requires a high knight level. It can be controlled only by the physical fitness.
However, if part of the body's performance is weakened, the formal knight should be able to control it, but the strength will be reduced a lot, and the corresponding cost will also be reduced
If. If it is to be used by knights of honor, it is recommended to strengthen some key parts so that it can withstand their torment. ”
She still gave her suggestions for improving the Steam Knight. After all, even if she didn't mention these things, the alchemists of the empire would discover them if they understood her drawings thoroughly, so there was no need to hide them.
It’s just that she didn’t want to be entangled in this matter anymore, so after giving her suggestions for the improvement of the Steam Knight, she also solemnly said to Princess Anne: “As for the follow-up transformation of the Steam Knight, I can leave it to you. For other alchemists, although they lack the enterprising spirit in innovation, their basic knowledge is still solid enough. It shouldn't be a problem to improve the steam knight.
I don't want to get involved in this matter, so I will leave as soon as possible. New World, Auntie Anne, please notify the Imperial Exploration Company and ask them to prepare what I want as soon as possible."
"Okay, I will leave these matters to the alchemists of the military department." Princess Anne. He also understands the priorities of things. Compared to the Steam Knight, Purficott's trip to the New World is the real priority and there is no room for any mistakes.
So she glanced at the guard knights outside the window, and then said to Purficott: "Your exploration team needs some extra people. I will send a team of guard knights to you later. They will Take charge of your security
You are now indispensable to the empire, so security issues also need to be taken seriously. The personal protection of a team of guard knights is necessary. "
"By the way, I'd better give each of them a Steam Knight, right? "Perfect made a joke angrily. Although she said so, she was really thinking about it seriously in her heart.
For those who have successfully developed For her as a steam rider, wanting to mass-produce a few sets is not a problem for her except a waste of time
And Princess Anne followed her words and smiled: "If that's the case. It couldn't be better. After all, although the Steam Rider is indeed very attractive, its production and manufacturing may also be a problem. You still need to think more about this aspect. "
Faced with Princess Anne's request, Purficott immediately shook his head and refused: "If you don't have time, find someone else!" In the future, all my energy will be focused on building shelters, and other things will not bother me. There are so many alchemists in the empire, why do they have to hold on to my sheep? ”
"He who can do it should work harder! You also said that the alchemists of the empire lack enterprising spirit in innovation." Princess Anne smiled and complimented Purficott.
(End of this chapter)