Building an empire which the sun never set-Chapter 47: Ocean Exploration

Three months had passed since the peace treaties were signed with the kingdoms of Aragon and Fasi. During this time, Pendralis had fully solidified its military presence in the Maraz Strait. The restoration and maintenance of the damaged ports and infrastructure were completed, and the strait was once again open for trade.

In this period, Pendralis dispatched envoys to the other kingdoms of the Altharion continent, where Aragon was located, as well as to the nations surrounding the White Sea. Their mission was to inform these rulers that the strait was now open for all nations' trade ships and, more importantly, to propose free trade agreements.

It was important to note that in this world, tariffs on trade were generally quite high. Even within a single kingdom, merchants had to pay separate taxes to each city they passed through, levied by the local lords. Before Arthur's rise, Pendralis had already taken steps towards economic liberalization by abolishing internal tolls, allowing goods to move freely within the country. Unlike other kingdoms, Pendralis had established a centralized government nearly a century earlier. Aristocrats in Pendralis did not maintain independent armies like their counterparts in other nations. Additionally, those living within its borders were subject to laws set by the capital and enforced by centrally appointed judges.

When Arthur was reborn in this world, Pendralis had already begun an early stage of capitalism. The essential foundations—a centralized authority and an internal market—were already in place. Furthermore, private property was well established, ensuring that the kingdom was primed for further economic expansion. Unlike other nations, Pendralis' aristocrats could not tax the produce of peasants living on their lands. Tax collection had been entirely centralized, and instead of extracting feudal dues, noble landlords leased their lands to tenant farmers. Because of this, Arthur faced no significant social upheavals when implementing his initial reforms.

Thanks to its economic and social preparedness, Pendralis had already begun mechanization and industrial production. The introduction of steam engines boosted productivity, railways improved the transport of goods across domestic markets, and the creation of a stock exchange accelerated the economic transition. However, despite Arthur's efforts in expediting these changes, it would still take at least another decade for the kingdom to reach its full economic and military potential.

Education remained a major obstacle. While primary education continued to expand, the number of highly educated individuals was still far below Arthur's desired levels. The development of an advanced workforce, particularly in engineering and sciences, would take much longer.

Nevertheless, Arthur was satisfied with the progress. Steel warships were already under construction. While the full transition to an all-steel fleet would take several more years, the mere existence of steel ships meant that Arthur could finally embark on his long-planned oceanic exploration initiative.

This endeavor was crucial for multiple reasons. Arthur needed to chart the world, understand which regions possessed which natural resources, study the cultures of distant peoples, and analyze the relationships, alliances, and rivalries between foreign states. More importantly, through trade, Pendralis needed access to resources that were absent within its own borders, ensuring a steady supply for its rapidly growing industries.

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Now, with three months having passed since the war's end and stability restored, Arthur felt confident that it was time to begin his grand exploration plan. Sitting in his study, he began outlining the details.

He decided to dispatch two exploration fleets. The first fleet would sail westward. If an unknown continent—akin to Earth's Americas—existed in this world, Arthur wanted Pendralis to be the first to reach it. The second fleet would be sent southward to explore Velmora, this world's equivalent of Africa. The southern reaches of Velmora remained largely uncharted, and the fleet's mission would be to sail south until they found a passage that allowed them to continue eastward, ensuring a viable maritime route to the distant nations of the world.

Each fleet would include not only naval officers but also geologists, botanists, and scholars from various disciplines. Their task was to survey the lands they reached, catalog the flora and fauna, and, most importantly, map the mineral wealth beneath the surface. Since Pendralis' navy depended on steam-powered ships, two key resources were necessary: water and coal. While water was relatively easy to find, coal was not. The geologists would be tasked with mapping coal deposits, ensuring a future supply for both the navy and Pendralis' growing merchant fleet.

As Arthur refined his plans, he realized that Pendralis did not yet have an official geological survey institution. He made a mental note to establish one. Such an organization would not only support the exploration fleets but also aid in resource development within Pendralis itself.

Checking his pocket watch, he noticed it was nearly two o'clock. For the past three months, since the war ended and peace treaties were signed, Arthur had been deeply involved in rebuilding the Maraz Strait and restoring trade in the region. Today, at two, a government meeting was scheduled under King Cedric's leadership to discuss the latest developments.

Since Arthur's return from the war, his father had increasingly involved him in governmental affairs. Arthur's recent actions and battlefield successes had earned Cedric's trust, leading the king to gradually assign him more responsibilities in governance.

Gathering his notes, Arthur made his way to the meeting chamber. As always, the meetings took place in a large hall featuring a long rectangular table, with portraits adorning the walls. Upon entering, Arthur gave a formal nod to his father in accordance with protocol and then took his seat. King Cedric sat at the head of the table, flanked by his ministers. Arthur sat directly opposite him, at the other end of the table.

Once Arthur was seated, the meeting officially commenced. The first topic of discussion was the progress on the naval base in the Maraz Strait, along with the repairs to the damaged ports and fortifications. Arthur occasionally contributed to the discussion, ensuring that the military's needs were met.

The conversation then shifted to ongoing diplomatic negotiations regarding free trade agreements with foreign nations. The ministers reported that talks had been largely positive, and numerous agreements had already been signed.

After an hour, as King Cedric prepared to conclude the meeting, Arthur raised his hand. "Before we adjourn, there is one more matter I wish to discuss."

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to him.

"Gentlemen," Arthur began, "as you are aware, the number of factories in our nation is steadily increasing. With each passing year, our production capacity expands. In some sectors, supply has already surpassed domestic demand, and this trend will only continue as our industries grow."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing.

"This means that our economy will become increasingly reliant on maritime trade, both for exporting our goods and for importing raw materials. As we saw during the Maraz Strait conflict, depending on a single trade route is a dangerous vulnerability. Thus, we must resume the oceanic exploration initiative, which was delayed due to the war.

Arthur stood and addressed the room. "We must send two fleets for exploration. One will sail directly westward, searching for a potential route that could connect us to Indoria, the eastern land from which we currently purchase cotton. Since the world is round, continuous westward travel should eventually lead us there. The second fleet will sail south along the Velmora continent, exploring its uncharted southern regions and determining whether a navigable sea route exists that would allow us to travel eastward. Additionally, since we know little about the lands to the south, this fleet will also focus on mapping and gathering intelligence."

He paused, scanning the room before continuing. "This is only the first step. The initial information gathered by these fleets will help us identify potential trade partners and resource-rich areas. Establishing supply bases, particularly in coal-rich regions, will allow our future expeditions to travel even farther. This is a long-term endeavor. The ultimate goal is to open new trade routes and map the entire world. It will take time, but the rewards will be immeasurable."

After hearing Arthur's reasoning, the council generally agreed on moving forward with the plan. Arthur then delved into further details. He emphasized the importance of cataloging both surface and underground resources in newly discovered territories. Since coal was crucial for Pendralis' navy and industry, geologists would be tasked with mapping deposits along the way. He then proposed the establishment of a government-funded geological survey department to oversee these efforts.

For a while, the council debated the benefits and responsibilities of such an institution, but in the end, they approved its creation. The discussion then shifted to the financial aspects of funding the expedition. After careful deliberation, they decided to move forward with the necessary preparations."

The ministers exchanged glances, understanding the significance of Arthur's proposal. The era of Pendralis' expansion had only just begun.

As the meeting adjourned, the ministers left, leaving Arthur alone with King Cedric. The king, having listened to Arthur's explanations, sensed that his son's vision extended far beyond simple trade expansion. The emphasis on mapping resources, understanding foreign nations' internal affairs, and even the initial push for lower trade tariffs in the Aragonese peace treaty suggested a much grander strategy.

Cedric leaned forward, studying his son. "Arthur, what exactly is on your mind?"

Arthur met his father's gaze. "As you know, more factories are being built every day. Over time, our production capacity is increasing. In just a few years, we will produce more goods than our domestic market can consume. We must find external markets for our surplus production."

He folded his hands before continuing. "At the same time, our demand for raw materials is growing. We must secure reliable sources of these materials. Additionally, we need to establish access to foreign markets. Take the textile industry, for example. Right now, we can produce vast quantities of clothing at a much lower cost and higher quality than traditional hand-woven garments. In just a few years, our factories will produce far more than our own population can use. We will need to sell these goods abroad. But in many nations, small-scale weaving workshops employ thousands of workers. If our products enter their markets, those businesses will collapse. Their rulers will resist this because they want to protect their domestic industries."

Arthur's expression was serious as he continued. "That is why we must diversify both our sources of raw materials and our potential markets. By doing so, we will have alternatives if any nation refuses to trade with us."

Cedric listened carefully before nodding. "I understand."

They spoke a while longer before Arthur bid his father goodnight and left for his chambers. However, there was one crucial thought he had not yet shared. He knew that in the future, production capacity would reach such levels that even nations unwilling to open their markets would become potential targets for forced trade agreements. If necessary, Pendralis would have to use its military power to ensure access to vital markets. But that, Arthur thought to himself, was a matter for the future.