CHAPTER 518: CHAPTER 496: THREE-DISTRICT SYSTEM AND 1453

After bidding farewell to Petier, Horn returned to Joan of Arc Castle.

Upon entering the city, he did not ride his horse but led it slowly along the canal.

After winning over Petier, Horn had to consider the next step in the development of his territory.

Unlike his homeland, the territory he took over was not a large unified force, nor was it pockets of land deep in enemy territory.

He was a unified force deep in enemy territory, temporarily safe due to internal conflicts among the enemies, yet unable to project the Holy Path Faction outward.

Compared to the former, he had two distinct advantages — Holy Power and Aether.

Unlike his homeland, Horn was on the side of advanced productive forces from the start, only lacking the scale and market to reap the benefits.

In other words, he could independently complete industrialization as long as no one could remove Autumn Dusk Island, he would always be at the forefront of the industrial revolution.

He did not need to race against time like when the country was first founded.

The Church and feudal land forces were indeed difficult to eradicate, a project that would surpass an individual’s lifespan.

If taken slowly, once a leader died, if the transition of power went poorly or the successor was weak, it might end up in a cyclical tug-of-war.

Just like how royalists and republicans alternated in power in England and France, history’s wheel sometimes moves forward and sometimes backward.

This process of reform requires someone with enough prestige and capability to ensure the smooth progression of changes.

But lifespan is finite; to ensure the fruits of reform, impulsiveness and rash advancements are inevitable.

Amidst the deafening sounds of battle cries, Horn glanced at his unscarred hands with a smile that was part helpless and part satisfied.

The wounds he sustained in earlier wars left not a single scar.

Except for the scar on his neck and the ones he had before, it seemed he was fixed in this moment in time.

Since his resurrection, his body had undergone this special change.

Might he, like other witches, possess a life that surpasses mortals?

As a Witch Man, Horn is even younger than most leaders of major powers; he’s only 19 years old.

The fear reformers have that a leader’s death might halt progress isn’t a concern for Horn; he can ensure that the first generation of opponents will die before he does.

Not only is he alive, but the witches who form the core of his following are also still living.

Even when the first generation, like Jeska and Madlan, pass away, the second generation of Child Soldiers can immediately step in.

Thus, Horn can afford to take his time, stretching fifty years of reform into a hundred; he can bear that burden.

It’s not that Horn seeks a bloodless revolution; revolutions will inevitably shed blood.

If necessary, he would unhesitatingly order machine guns to suppress uprisings; he merely hopes to reduce internal friction and the growing pains of industrialization.

As a pioneer, besides paving the way for the Salvation Army, he also needs to pave a path for the world.

Recalling Ludvik, who was supposed to arrive in mid-September but was delayed internally until mid-October, and the Secret Faction forces at Black Snake Bay.

Horn finally made up his mind: "Even if there’s glass shards hidden in this piece of meat, I’ll swallow it. The three-zone system must be implemented."

The so-called "three-zone system" was a policy born to reduce such internal friction.

Simply put, it means implementing three legal systems within one country, the Pope Country.

After conquering a territory, if land sanctification can be done, it should be; if not, simple reform policies should be pursued instead of forced advancement.

Thus, the land held by the Salvation Army comes in three forms.

The first type is the Devout Zone, completely adhering to the "Edict of Fields of the Holy Country" and all related laws, exemplified by Daze Village and Red Maple Village (Kush Territory).

The second type is the Holy War Zone, partially adhering to the "Edict of Fields of the Holy Country," enacting reforms similar to the Juanist Faction, stripping lords of taxing rights, with taxes collected by the army and rent distributed to lords.

The typical examples are Ibe Village in the south and the two villages east of Kasha County up next.

The third type is the Mission District, surrendering diplomatic and waging war rights, reducing rents and interests while not obstructing the Holy Path Faction’s mission work, with other aspects remaining the same.

Currently, the only Mission District is Jinhe Town in the far south.

The future developmental process involves Mission Districts gradually changing into Holy War Zones, eventually becoming Devout Zones.

Though this process is somewhat slow, it does not matter, as Horn is young and has a long life ahead.

Even if a male witch’s lifespan is the same as a normal person, he still has Jeanne by his side, so there’s plenty of time.

If Moliat’s side is willing to discuss a union in the future, the five counties in the mountains and Hotam County could serve as Mission Districts.

The Thousand River Valley’s manpower is already insufficient and will be blockaded for a long time in the future. It’s best to minimize casualties without violating principles.

Otherwise, after a foreign war with Prince Kongdai, they’ll have to fight a civil war with Moliat, and once that’s over, the Chao Character Army will come, leaving no time for recovery.

Moliat and Horn are in a mutually beneficial or mutually destructive relationship; Horn just can’t ascertain if Duke Hemashi can set aside his self-centric nature to unite.

Hopefully, she can be a bit more rational.

Though Prince Kongdai might strut around Thousand River Valley, within the entire Empire, he is merely a minor figure.

Once Thousand River Valley truly becomes independent, what awaits them might be the Chao Character Army.

Thousand River Valley is strategically located on four fronts; although they have Norn and Falan’s secret support and guarantee of independence, between nations, there are no promises, only interests.

Strategically speaking, driving out Prince Kongdai is challenging, yet it’s a matter of two or three years.

The future goal is to avoid conflict between the two sides to prevent external forces from exploiting vulnerabilities.

If necessary, wait ten years, let Horn’s industrial machines start rolling, then seize an opportunity to tear up the treaty and wage a civil war.

By that time, the first wave of talents cultivated after ten years of Salvation Army growth should emerge, ready to take over the entire Thousand River Valley while resisting external threats.

Horn feels no psychological burden in reneging on treaties; after all, what’s another stain in the history books?

He has the advantage of low morals, with many stains throughout his journey, so he’s fearless.

"Four years, four years."

Walking on the hard mortar road, Horn lowered his head, unintentionally muttering to himself.

Due to the small size of Thousand River Valley and Horn’s even smaller domain, economic development was guided by a four-year war preparation plan.

Small, yet easy to control.

Starting in 1446, Horn would officially begin the war preparation plan.

This year of 1445, Horn needed to establish a basic administrative network, create foundational road infrastructure, restore post-war agriculture, and ensure that handicrafts and commerce in urban areas returned to normal.

This was to lay the groundwork for the upcoming economic development plans.

The result is the current Salvation Army Government and various levels of Hundred Households Districts, alongside revitalized rural and urban economies.

The following year marks the first year of the four-year plan, embarking on development.

The current main goals are to establish a reliable and orderly government system, ensure agricultural growth, and develop primary industries like farming, animal husbandry, forestry, and mining.

In urban areas, he planned to begin nurturing light industry, extend the mortar road mileage further, connecting the major Salvation Army villages.

Once the first four-year plan is completed, the Salvation Army would have achieved agricultural reform and preliminary industrialization within its territory, ensuring basic product exchange between urban and rural areas.

This way, Salvation Army industrial products can be traded externally, accruing sufficient profits.

During the second four-year plan, the focus would shift towards developing heavy industry step by step, including steel, alchemy, fertilizer industries, to form a system framework.

Establish the first batch of factories on Autumn Dusk Island and advance the entire Salvation Army handicraft workshops to their peak.

With ample funds, food, and weaponry, as well as the political and economic ideological transformations over these eight years, Horn was confident that the Salvation Army system could withstand the Chao Character Army’s attack.

"Watch out! Your Eminence!"

As he walked along the hard mortar road, Horn lowered his head, muttering unconsciously, until suddenly stopped by his guard in front of the Lion-bodied Hogo Statue.

If it weren’t for the guard’s intervention, he might have almost walked right into it.

Bowing his head, Horn unconsciously murmured as he walked towards the Holy Arrival Hall.

"Eight years, must endure these eight years, and the future will belong to the Savior Pope Country."

Wait, that’s—1453, isn’t it?

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