Chapter 310: Healthy Competition

"Since when did you start designing ammunition?"

"It’s not an ordinary shell. I got the idea from chemistry, it’s called a lime bomb."

Simon’s eyes lit up. He was even more impressed.

The lime bomb was indeed used in the 18th and 19th centuries. It could even be considered an early form of a chemical weapon.

"Go on," Simon said, wanting to see just how far James had come.

"My Lord, lime powder burns when it gets into someone’s eyes; it causes intense pain and can blind them. Soldiers sometimes used it in sieges. If we make this into a cannon shell, we could use it from a distance to blind the enemy."

"And they can’t rinse it out with water, only with oil. The reavers don’t have oil on the battlefield. So they’ll have no defense."

"Exactly right," Simon said with a proud smile.

"It’s been a while since I checked in, and already you’re growing so fast. James, I’m going to recognize you publicly at the Oxford Academy, you’ll be a role model for all the students."

"Oh, please, my Lord, that’s not necessary. It was all thanks to your teachings." James said, embarrassed.

"No, I insist. It’s not just for you, it’s for the whole Academy’s future."

"Here’s your reward: 5,000 silver caps!" Simon said generously.

It wasn’t about the money. It was about sending a message to turn education into real achievements.

For Simon, five thousand caps wasn’t much, but it showed he would always support those who contributed to Brambleford’s future.

"Since you came up with the lime bomb, go find Fjord and work together. The two of you are to make it a reality."

"Yes, My Lord!" James replied excitedly.

Simon gave him a final nod and left with Thomas and William.

James watched him disappear into the distance, then shouted with joy.

This was the first time Simon had praised him so highly; he finally felt he was truly doing something for Prince Simon.

Turning to the other chemistry students, he shouted:

"You all heard His Highness! He gave me 5,000 caps, but I’m not taking all the credit. We did these experiments together. We’ll split the reward evenly. And we’ll work even harder to repay His Highness’s trust!"

The students were thrilled.

That kind of money could give them a comfortable life.

Who could say no to silver?

Meanwhile, back at the castle, Simon sat down and wrote a public notice praising James and the Chemistry Department.

It would be posted at the Oxford Academy for all students to see, meant to spark a sense of competition.

After living in the Eldorian Empire for a while, Simon noticed something odd:

Neither the military nor the students had any competitive drive.

It puzzled him.

To him, it seemed like a side effect of long-term comfort and complacency.

So he was determined to change the culture, to ignite healthy competition at the Academy and in the military.

Achievement would be rewarded.

A lack of results would face criticism.

That’s how ambition is stirred.

After finishing the notice, he sent Thomas to post it in the Academy cafeteria, where every student would see it.

"Wow, His Highness is really generous, 5,000 caps! The Chemistry kids can eat meat every day now."

As the notice went up, a crowd formed.

"Well, what can you do? James’s team has made some real breakthroughs. Honestly, they earned it."

"And to think we were making fun of them earlier for blowing up the lab, turns out that boom was worth 5,000 caps!"

More and more students gathered. Some faces were flushed with envy.

"Hey, Physics Department! What’s wrong with you guys? Chemistry’s crushing it. Where are your results?"

"Yeah! Physics and chemistry go hand in hand. If they’re winning prizes, why aren’t you doing anything?"

A group of Physics students walking past scowled in frustration.

The truth stung; they had been completely outshone.

"Relax." Said a calm voice.

"Who says Physics doesn’t have talent? Just wait, we’ll catch up to Chemistry soon."

"Oh, look, it’s Ethan from Physics. Are you still talking big? Careful not to bite your tongue. Three years in a row and still no degree, how’s a bookworm like you going to beat Chemistry?"

Someone from the Public Administration Department jeered.

"Hahaha!"

The crowd burst into laughter.

But Ethan simply glared and said,

"Sparrows can’t understand the ambitions of a swan. Just wait and see."

---

In the glow of sunset, Thomas’s profile was lit in red by the lingering twilight.

On their way back from the Oxford Academy, he grinned and said to Simon.

"My Lord, many students were inspired by the reward notice. Some even said they’re determined to surpass James!"

"Good. These students really needed some motivation." Simon nodded.

"Here, take this and post it in each department tomorrow."

Having followed Simon around every day, Thomas and William had become informal students. Over time, they had even learned to read.

Thomas glanced at the new document Simon handed over. It listed detailed reward categories, including: Scholarships, Scientific Innovation Awards, Progress Awards, and Special Contribution Prizes

Each award came with specific prizes.

What stunned Thomas the most was the Special Contribution Prize:

A house in Brambleford City and 3,000 caps of gold.

Heart pounding, he bowed and left.

This wasn’t just for the Oxford Academy; it applied to everyone in the territory.

Anyone who submitted a scientific or technical breakthrough to the government would be evaluated and rewarded.

"If I win that prize, even ten wives wouldn’t be a problem!"

He drooled at the fantasy.

But then he remembered how Prince Simon had looked out at the sunset earlier...

Even though the sky was beautiful, he didn’t seem happy.

The sunset was indeed stunning, like colored glass painted across the sky.

But to Simon, this beauty was dangerous.

There’s an old saying:

"Morning glow brings rain; evening glow means drought."

Right now, Brambleford was filled with sunsets.

That meant exactly what Baldwin had warned about: drought was likely on the way.

Historically, Preston, Wondla, and Brambleford were hotspots for droughts and locust plagues.

There had been many disasters and uprisings in these regions.

In the 1942–1943 Preston Famine, under the Nationalist government, a severe drought hit in July, followed by a locust plague, leading to a massive famine.

The entire city starved. Countless people died.

Worse, the drought happened while there was war against the Latins, making things even more devastating.

Now, the Sunderland Tribe was watching hungrily from the north.

If drought led to chaos in Wondla or Preston, all the progress Simon had made might fall apart overnight.

But he was only human.

He couldn’t stop natural disasters or change the politics of other princes’ territories.

Wondla was controlled by Prince Lionel, and Preston by Prince Augustus. Simon couldn’t interfere even if he wanted to.

All he could do was protect his own land.

"Let it rain. A beautiful sunset won’t fill anyone’s stomach." Simon muttered.

Troubled all night by the thought, Simon went straight to the Chamber of Commerce the next morning to personally oversee grain purchases.

"My Lord, I’ve already ordered barter-based trade. We’re preparing to buy grain in large quantities." Said Percival as he explained the preparations.

"It’s not enough," Simon replied.

"Send all the merchant ships to the south and buy grain there. The north has never produced enough. We have to rely on the south."

After a sleepless night of planning, Simon had decided: buy surplus southern grain while they still could.

Percival now understood Simon’s urgency.

"My Lord, there’s someone you may want to meet. If he agrees to help, grain won’t be a problem."