Chapter 319: What Do You Think?

"My Lord, I’ve assigned a team to each war chariot," Benjamin reported, pointing to the soldiers standing around one of the chariots.

These soldiers were specially selected to accompany the chariots. While cavalry couldn’t do much against the chariots directly, most armies would send heavy infantry ahead of a cavalry charge to destroy the vehicles.

That’s why each war chariot needed its own protection unit.

"Let me hear the details," Simon said.

He was currently focusing on training his subordinates. In the future, he would need capable generals to expand and protect the land. Doing everything by himself was no way to run a state.

Benjamin explained. "My Lord, the chariots you designed have four wheels and are pulled by two horses. They’re very stable when grouped into formations and can be quickly deployed against cavalry. To prevent the reavers from sending slave soldiers to destroy them, I’ve arranged for eighteen men per chariot: ten musket soldiers, six sword-and-shield fighters, and two drivers."

Simon was very satisfied with the arrangement. The musketeers could deal with cavalry and enemy infantry from a distance, while the sword-and-shield fighters could defend the chariots against close-range attacks.

These soldiers would ride inside the chariots and move with the army. That meant they could enter combat immediately upon spotting danger.

"Very well. Use that formation. Once the soldiers from the other cities arrive, have them train together with the musketeers."

Time was running out. Before the reavers made their move south, Simon needed his army ready for battle to ensure they wouldn’t suffer a devastating defeat at the hands of the nomadic cavalry.

---

After checking the first chariot, Simon went on to inspect the other squads and their training before returning to the castle.

Equipping the army with flintlocks was just one part of it. Proper training and strict discipline were what would allow the weapons to be used effectively in actual combat.

Back at the castle, Simon returned to his long-term project, writing teaching materials. The recent achievements of James and Ethan had made it clear that his books were making a real impact.

These weren’t just piles of paper; they were carriers of knowledge. The students of the Oxford Academy were beginning to understand and apply knowledge they had never seen before.

That was exactly what Simon wanted. Only when more and more people accepted scientific knowledge would the seeds of cultural revival take root and eventually erupt like a volcano.

Because of this, Simon felt even more motivated. Previously, he had completed the curriculum for middle school. Now, he was starting on the high school-level textbooks.

In addition, he planned to set up laboratories in every academy so that students could put their ideas into action.

---

Over the next two months, Simon personally traveled back and forth between the military camp, merchant guild, weapons factory, and slave plantations, supervising everything from training and exports to firearm production and crop cultivation.

Last year, Brambleford had grown too fast. As a result, many institutions were understaffed and disorganized.

That’s why instead of rushing into new ventures, Simon chose to slow down and focus on building strong foundations. Every department had to function properly.

In the military camp, after discussions with Benjamin and other officers, he announced the establishment of a military tribunal.

Simon wrote a military law code and handed it to Benjamin.

The laws included strict punishments for violations of military discipline. For example, desertion meant immediate execution. Crimes like raping women, leaking military secrets, and selling military supplies were all punishable by death.

These laws were based on modern military regulations. Simon had adapted them to fit the current time and handed them over for immediate use.

He also updated Brambleford’s civil laws, publishing the new regulations in local newspapers so that civilians would know what behaviors were considered illegal.

At the same time, to encourage people in every field to contribute to Brambleford’s development, Simon upgraded the reward system.

Those who made outstanding contributions would be granted noble titles. These titles came with matching social status and, in some cases, private land.

In total, there were eight noble titles. The system came from the Old Dynasty. There were also titles like Prince and Heir Prince, but those were too high; Simon didn’t have the authority to grant those. So he only included eight.

"What do you think of this system, Chief Secretary Baldwin?" Simon asked.

"You want to give noble titles to commoners?" Baldwin was more than shocked; he was stunned.

Yes, the Eldorian Empire had a nobility system. But these titles were typically reserved for royalty, noble clans, or awarded to heroes who had contributed to the founding of the state.

Now Simon wanted to hand out noble ranks to anyone who made contributions to Brambleford.

"That’s right," Simon said with a smile. "The titles will be mostly honorary, but they’ll also come with heritable land."

Baldwin was still struggling to process the idea. "Then... What kind of achievements would qualify someone for these titles?"

Simon had already prepared for that. He handed over a thick register listing the requirements.

Baldwin opened the merit log and began reading carefully.

The document separated achievements into different professions: government officials, farmers, merchants, craftsmen, students, and soldiers. Every category had its own criteria for earning a title.

Officials could earn titles through major public service. Craftsmen could earn them through invention and skill. Students could gain them through innovation. Soldiers were rewarded based on military merit.

Even the lowest title, baron, came with 300 square meters of permanent farmland, land that could be passed down to heirs.

The higher the title, the more land was granted.

After reading it all, Baldwin said. "My Lord, you are truly a bold and unconventional leader. In the past, titles were reserved only for soldiers. But now, you’ve opened it to every walk of life. This will greatly motivate the people in your territory. I have no objections."

Simon nodded. "Good. Then I’ll have the newspaper publish the new title system for everyone to see."

Baldwin smiled and nodded.

In the past, he would have argued against such drastic changes. But over the last year, Simon had proven that even his strangest policies usually worked.

Now, Baldwin supported every new reform Simon proposed, unless it was absolutely ridiculous.

With his chief secretary’s approval, Simon handed the job of promoting the noble title system to the newspaper office.

To him, the titles themselves weren’t the most important part. What mattered was what they represented: honor.

He wanted to build a Brambleford where honor and loyalty meant everything.