Munitions Empire

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"Excuse me, are you a student from the Great Tang Military Academy?" On the streets of Brunas, an elderly man dressed in respectable clothing, smilingly stopped a few young students.

These youths were clad in military uniforms but did not bear the shoulder patches of the Great Tang Group's security forces. Their jackets were well-tailored, and they wore badges on their chests that represented their identities.

From the armbands on their sleeves, it was evident that these students had already attended classes for over three months, which meant they could essentially be considered second-year students.

There was no helping it; the Great Tang Group adopted the cramming method of teaching. In addition to combat and physical fitness classes, these students had to earnestly complete four semesters' worth of courses in just three months.

In this era, there were no gaming consoles or Internet cafes, and even storybooks and comic strips were rare sights. The sole recreational activity for all the students was to stroll along the bustling streets of Brunas.

Actually, if one understood the significance of the badges worn by the students from the Great Tang Military Academy, it would be easy to recognize that the students who had been stopped in the street had in fact been attending classes for five months.

After passing exams, such students could fully qualify to join the security forces of the Great Tang Group, or choose to work for the Great Tang Group according to their preferences.

Alternatively, they could also actively decide to become like a dandelion seed, traveling to other kingdoms or even other continents.

Realizing that their path was blocked, the tallest and most handsome boy among them, somewhat sheepishly scratched his head and responded, "Hm? Is there something you need? I am indeed a student at the Great Tang Military Academy."

He was unsure why he had been stopped and tried hard to recognize the old man across from him, attempting to recall if he had ever met him before.

In reality, before coming here to study, he had been just a hunter's son. Owing to his notable talent, he was selected to stay and became a proud student of the Great Tang Military Academy.

Given his former status, it was unlikely that he could have known such a person of high nobility.

Before he could remember whether he truly knew this elderly man, the old man took the initiative to introduce himself, "It's like this, I am the butler of Viscount Qiao from the southern province of the Gobur Kingdom."

Clearly, the old man's introduction was to no avail, as none of the students recognized any Viscount Qiao from the southern province of the Gobur Kingdom.

They did recognize the Gobur Kingdom, however, since they often simulated battles on sand tables, invading the Gobur Kingdom, capturing the opponent's king city, or even competing to see who could conquer this not-so-powerful kingdom in the least amount of time.

Of course, they also knew that the Gobur Kingdom lay to the south of the Taren Kingdom and was a rubber-producing country with dense jungles and a population that was generally very tanned.

The curious students from the Great Tang Group's Military Academy eyed the old man blocking their way and inquired, "Oh, hello. May I ask what brings you here?"

To be frank, he had no idea what the other party wanted, as he was sure he didn't know the Viscount Qiao's butler.

The old man did not leave him guessing, but directly stated his purpose: "The Viscount's daughter hopes to have dinner with you... Would you be willing, sir?"

Of late, many nobles seemed very willing to send their daughters or granddaughters to travel to Brunas, even spending hefty sums to arrange for them to study among the students at the Great Tang Women's Academy.

These daughters and granddaughters of the wealthy nobility also enjoyed visiting or studying in Brunas because it was the fashion capital, a place they dreamt of going to.

Here, exquisite jewelry and lavish clothing were everywhere. Here, one could wear skirts that showed the legs without being regarded as peculiar.

Likewise, here they could meet many other wealthy girlfriends, and throw parties with handsome military officers from various countries who had come to purchase arms.

There were ten to a hundred times more wealthy people here than elsewhere, and consequently ten to a hundred times more chances to meet them. So, women sought to try their luck here, to see if they could snag a wealthy husband.

However, recently, with a piece of news gradually spreading, these noble ladies started directing their attention towards the student body of the various schools of the Great Tang Group, following instructions from their families.

This news was that in just 17 days, Professor Redman from the Great Tang Military Academy, previously of little renown, had actually stormed into the king city of the Kingdom of Germelin and captured the king of Germelin!

In the past several hundred years, there had never been a war fought so swiftly, nor a person so divinely skilled in the art of war!

As a result, Redman suddenly rose to fame. Some called him a contemporary great general, while others hailed him as the new War God of the Northern Ridge.

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The previous Count Fisheo was indeed skilled in warfare, but he did not possess the same level of renown as Redman. No matter how capable Fisheo was, he had never led a force that could vanquish a kingdom.

Redman, however, was different; he led a mere contingent of slightly over 4,000 troops, not even fully utilizing them, as he took just 1,500 men deep into the heart of the Kingdom of Germelin and triumphed in three battles, seizing the King City.

Now, the defeated monarch of the Kingdom of Germelin was being escorted back to Brunas, yet everyone had already confirmed the news of Germelin's demise.

The well-informed nobility and the wealthy families of generals had heard the news and confirmed one thing—the military academy of the Great Tang Group was truly a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

If one could find a son-in-law there, or recruit talents willing to work for them, it would undoubtedly add wings to one's family, one's career, one's nation…

This Viscount Qiao in front of them obviously belonged to those privy to information… He knew so early because he was currently doing business in Brunas.

Thus, he wisely had his daughter wait here like a hunter ready for its prey, ready to catch a husband through an encounter that resembled a modern twist on the ancient practice.

This young cadet who had finally earned a day off awkwardly waved his hand, showing no realization of the romantic encounter before him, as he asked, "Ah? I don't know the young lady of Viscount Qiao's family… why would she want to invite me to dinner?"

The elderly man stepped aside, extended his arm, and pointed towards a luxurious carriage parked in the distance, blatantly and straightforwardly explaining, "Our young miss is in that carriage over there. She is very interested in the uniform you are wearing, and in you…"

The handsome young man invited was struck speechless. He truly had never expected that the girls of Brunas were so bold as to start stopping people in the streets for a chat.

The atmosphere suddenly turned a bit awkward, and ultimately, the cadet looked at his classmates beside him and declined, "I'm sorry, sir, I think I must decline the viscount's daughter's invitation, as we have training in the evening and I cannot ask for leave."

Being a straightforward guy, he always felt women could affect the speed with which he drew his weapon… Yes, literally, don't misinterpret.

However, upon hearing his refusal, the persistent old butler continued, "Oh… that is truly regrettable news, then… Sir, may I have a way to contact you? We will be staying here for quite some time, and if there's a chance…"

In the end, the young man couldn't resist the butler's persistence and told him of his next break, "If you want to find me… well, the weekend after next, I have a day off. In the evening, you can go to the front gate of the school and let the messenger room send me a message, just say it's for Hershel from room 319… they will help."

"I am truly grateful to you, sir," the old butler immediately expressed his thanks enthusiastically, making sure to bow slightly after the young man had walked away.

"Father! Do you really think that handsome young man is better than the eldest son of Sir Byton's family?" the young girl inside the carriage asked through the window, puzzled.

"You don't understand, all the cadets here have the potential to become a great general in the future…" The middle-aged man beside the girl watched the group of military academy cadets walking away, reassuringly said, "Besides, you like that young man, don't you?"

"Indeed… he's much better than the sons of Sir Byton," the girl thought back to the dopey son of the landlord who resembled a round ball of flesh, and felt that the handsome young man she just saw was simply perfect.

Yet she still worried about her prospect after marriage, "Father! Aren't you rushing to marry me off without even investigating his background? After all, I am your daughter!"

"Do you have any idea how much the King of Leite Kingdom would pay for a young student like him? Money? To these people, it's just a number!" Viscount Qiao earnestly advised his daughter. "Don't mess this up! This is the best match you could possibly make!"

"It's still all for your business," the girl muttered under her breath, not daring to say more.

At that moment, the butler returned to the side of the carriage, bowed slightly, and reported, "Master, I've found out… the young man's name is Hershel… He has agreed to meet with the miss in two weeks' time."

"Prepare well!" Viscount Qiao directed his daughter. "Don't go messing around with those flighty friends of yours anymore!"

"Humph," the girl turned her head away, displeased with her father's arrangements.

On the other side, the students were stopped once again on their way…

Almost exactly as before, there was another daughter of a rich and powerful family inviting them over, seemingly wishing to get to know these young talents.

But this time, the butler who was rebuffed returned to the side of a luxurious automobile... It was clear that the one who had approached them this time, had a status far above a viscount's daughter.

Even in Brunas, not many could afford such a luxurious car, so this was likely the granddaughter or daughter of an earl.

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