Chapter 830: Chapter 54: Immigration Issues

New Basilicata.

The war has made the livelihoods in Texas desolate. Relocating border residents sounds simple, and the land Texas owns is indeed broad, but the expenses involved are extremely high. It’s only thanks to Texas’s accumulated enormous wealth over the years through foreign trade and gold mining that it’s barely able to sustain this.

Furin’s mood, from the mundane and tedious task of setting up formations every day, has now turned into a faint enjoyment.

"See this ’Cross Killing Array’? As soon as an enemy steps in, they’ll be shredded into pieces. Furthermore, the materials are cheap, the setup is simple, and once we return to our world, it will be easy to find substitutes."

"And this one, as soon as someone approaches, there’s a ’bang’, not even a shred of flesh will remain. Instead, it will spawn a blood demon dog from its remains..."

"Speaking of blood demon dogs, I have a bunch raised in the Royal Court, each one covered in blood and so adorable. They always bring the blood back right after killing prey. Speaking of which, it’s been so many years, neither Kurs nor I have been home, I suppose other vampires might have eaten them already."

Cherina quietly listened to her ramble, occasionally taking out a box of chocolate bars and handing over one. Their usual mode of interaction is pretty much like this—she is always an excellent listener, even friends find it hard to see through her thoughts at times.

In fact, she simply felt that this scene was familiar, reminiscent of the time she trained with Valentina.

Back then, she too would exuberantly talk about her visions for the future, her plans for Saluzzo, the development of the Wolf Race... topics she originally didn’t quite understand.

Until the familiar figure waving with a smiling face appeared in her sight under the city wall, she was still somewhat bewildered.

"Furin, can you see that person?"

Furin frowned; she didn’t quite like this woman: "I can see her. She seems to be greeting us."

"Really?"

Chelina couldn’t quite believe it.

How could the elder council of the Saluzzo Family, known for being overly cautious, allow Valentina to bring people to Texas at such a critical time for Texas’s survival?

If this were to spread, the fate of the Saluzzo Family also hinges on the whims of the Wolf Lord.

...

By this time, Clan Leader Juliano had already come out with a group of Texas executives to welcome her.

Although the protocol is somewhat exceeded, the favor of a timely aid must be acknowledged by Texas.

"Miss Valentina, thank you for coming to assist Texas in such a critical moment. Texas and the new Wolf Race will not forget your kindness."

"Uncle, talking like this is pointless. Our two clans have had hundreds of years of friendship, although some unpleasant events happened in the past, those responsible have basically disappeared, you can believe in my sincerity for this trip."

Valentina spoke frankly, already carrying the air of a family helm.

In recent years, she has purged those old-fashioned elders from the council and vigorously promoted the younger generation, effectively becoming the head of the Saluzzo Family.

Juliano smiled, the intelligence reports were true; this former playmate of Chelina is now capable of managing things independently. If Nina had been by his side back then, she’d probably be more remarkable now.

"Mr. Juliano, let’s talk about the current situation. We’ve heard all kinds of rumors while at sea but don’t know which ones are true and which are false."

The two of them walked side by side, discussing the matters at hand.

If not for her winking at Chelina when passing the city wall, even Nina wouldn’t recognize this childhood acquaintance.

"Mr. Juliano, I have high hopes for your plans."

"Indeed, but unfortunately, the population of Texas is already too small, and New Mexico fares worse than Texas. The combined population of the two places doesn’t reach two million, it’s uncertain how long it will take to offset the war’s losses."

The old clan leader spoke with deep implication.

Texas was quite prosperous originally, rich in minerals, vast land, and had the accumulation of the family of Basilicata over millennia.

But the problem lies in the impending war. Texans can’t keep their wealth rather than expand their military, especially since relocating war zone civilians, the post-war recovery would need a lot of funds.

The formal mining of white crystal and magic stone ore after the war will be a matter for the negotiation table. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

If the United Kingdom doesn’t allow it, or blockades Texas’s ports, or sends out a few cruisers to exclusively target Texas’s ships, there’s really no solution.

Maritime supremacy is truly invincible.

"No wonder your envoy in the Old Continent has been trying to persuade us to join you in New Continent expansion."

Valentina said with a smile, "Once this battle is over, the name of the Lone Star Republic will surely resonate across Europe. By then, I will help you convince those old codgers too."

She paused slightly before continuing, "The wealth those old guys have accumulated is not going to breed pups in the cellar; it should have been brought out long ago to serve the Wolf Race in exploring a new world."

Juliano emphasized, "Mainly immigrants. Texas needs a huge amount of manpower, especially literate people who possess certain knowledge and skills. Basilicata is not a miserly family, and this place is not only the territory of our family but—as we claim—a paradise for all new Wolf Race members."

The old clan leader had long set his eyes on immigrants from the Apennine Peninsula, Italy being a major immigrant source, especially from the powerful old Wolf Race area of the Two Sicilies region. Although Northern Italy has some industrial foundation, Two Sicilies, save for a few port cities like Naples, remains a vast rural area of the old era.

Seeing so many Italian immigrants moving to North America each year, he felt envy to the core.

Italian immigrants are what he values most.

In Texas, the primary languages used are Spanish and Italian.

Mexico, as well as Central and South America, are known as Latin America. Except for Brazil, they all belong to the Spanish-speaking circle. Spanish and Italian both belong to the Latin language family.

In an age where nationalism is on the rise, the idea of forming a Great Latin Empire integrating all Latin nations—comprising the Spanish, French, and Italians—has emerged in France.

This idea contrasts with the German notion of "Great Germania."

Both have made significant progress compared to the original timeline. France secured Spain; Germany acquired Austria, Bohemia, Prussia, and the Baltic Knight Order Country, expanding its influence over the Three Northern European Countries and forming an alliance with the Germanic offshoot "Anglo-Saxons," the British.

Thus, these concepts greatly expanded their market compared to the original timeline. In their view, liberating fellow countrymen enslaved by the Wolf Race on the Apennine Peninsula is a divine mission.

Of course, all this is off-topic, but Italian immigrants and Spanish-speaking immigrants share some commonality in language. Basic everyday communication between the two is generally not problematic.

The extensive importation of Italian immigrants wouldn’t require as much caution as Northern American immigrants would.

"Rest assured, I will help you solve the immigration issue. With so many immigrants leaving Italy each year, once they’re on the ships, who knows if they’re heading to North America or Texas—oh, right, Texas counts as part of North America, doesn’t it?"

Valentina winked, "As long as there are free tickets, it’ll be easy to lure a group of bankrupt immigrants. Other families in Northern Italy surely welcome this as well."

Juliano said with a smile, "Thank you for that, does the Saluzzo Family plan to establish an estate of its own in New Mexico?"

Valentina laughed, this is where discussing concrete cooperation starts, including proportion of shares, upfront investment, and so forth; sentiments in family affairs ultimately have to give way to interests though such scenarios may not be as harmonious as it is now.

"Let’s go inside for a detailed discussion."