Lord: My Shop Connects to Modern Times

The study was dimly lit.

Lynn put down the letter in her hand and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Reading letters in such an environment is truly a disservice to one's eyes.

I miss the days when we had electricity!

I wonder when we'll be able to get electricity working.

With a wry smile, Lynn dismissed these thoughts.

He turned his attention back to the letter.

This is the intelligence that Lia has gathered in Dawn City these past few days. The intelligence is extensive, and its contents are enough to warrant Lynn's attention.

The first version: Charles VI abdicates, and his fourth son, George, ascends the throne.

The second document details the coronation ceremony, noting the new king's "abnormal" behavior and his vacant, puppet-like gaze.

Thirdly, Maurice's position by the side of the new king was secure, and all the palace guards had been replaced.

In the fourth account, the second prince, Alfred, died in a "rebellion," but among the dead were military officers, knights of the North, and a high-ranking mage.

Each one had an eerie feel to it.

Lynn leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

Charles VI recovered from his illness but did not die; instead, he immediately abdicated.

Then George, one of the least likely princes to ascend the throne, became king. The second prince died, and the eldest prince, who should have been in line to succeed him, made no move.

Tsk!

Just as he had predicted, the royal family ran into trouble.

There is still no concrete evidence to prove whether the royal family's problems are related to those who have been harassing him.

But Lynn still considered the worst-case scenario.

If everything is related to that mysterious organization that wants their bloodline, then this new king is most likely someone they pushed to the forefront.

The Puppet King...

Controlling the Empire...

So what will their next step be?

As Lynn was thinking, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

"My lord!" It was Leon's voice, tinged with rare excitement: "Miss Lia is back!"

Lynn was taken aback.

Leah?

Wasn't she in the capital? Why did she suddenly come back?

He stood up and walked quickly outside.

As I approached the lord's manor, I saw a group of people coming in from outside.

The one in the lead had light blond hair, amber eyes, wore a drab gray cloak, and his face bore the weariness of a long journey.

It was Lia.

She saw Lynn, paused for a moment, then quickened her pace and walked over.

"Lynn".

"Why are you back?" Lynn asked, looking at her. "What happened?"

Lia did not answer immediately.

She glanced around, a rare serious expression on her face, then lowered her voice and said, "Let's go inside and talk."

Lynn was a little curious.

This girl rarely shows this kind of expression. Even during Gavin's attack last time, I never saw her so serious.

The two returned to the study, and as soon as the door closed, Liya spoke.

"The new king has given the order."

Lynn's heart tightened: "What order?"

"Gather all forces in the southern border and attack Grayrock Town." Lia said, enunciating each word clearly: "We will send troops within a month."

Lynn's mind went blank.

He considered many possibilities—the Earl of Karl would attack again, the Order would send more envoys, and even the capital might send people to "investigate."

But he didn't expect that the first thing the new king did after ascending the throne was to mobilize the entire southern border's military forces to attack him.

What is this for? To eliminate future troubles?

That's way too much of an overestimation of themselves!

Lynn wasn't entirely sure what the total military strength of the Southern Territory was, but he was almost certain it would exceed ten thousand!

The various nobles and lords of all sizes in the southern border could probably muster an army of 20,000.

Even if not all of them are mobilized, even if only half of them come, there are still 10,000 people.

In Grayrock Town and Ironstone Fortress, the total number of people capable of fighting is less than five hundred.

How the hell are we supposed to fight this?!

"Is this...reliable?" Lynn asked.

"It was announced publicly at the morning assembly," Leah said. "I spent a lot of money to buy it from an information broker."

Lynn remained silent for a few seconds.

He walked to the window and looked outside.

The sunlight streaming in was a bit too bright.

On the streets of Grey Rock Town, several children were chasing and playing, their laughter ringing out.

The sound of steam forging hammers echoed from the distant workshop area, thump, thump, thump like a heartbeat.

All of this could be reduced to ruins in a month.

"What's the reason for this attack?" Lynn asked.

"I'll tell you you're a cultist." Lia walked over and stood beside him.

"They said all your knowledge and weapons came from a cult. They also said the monsters in the Eastern Territory were the work of a cult, and that once they've dealt with you, they'll go support the Eastern Territory."

Lynn gave a wry smile.

Cultists.

This charge, like witchcraft, was very effective in this damned medieval society.

They can arbitrarily label you with this accusation, and then attack you without any psychological burden.

It could even be euphemistically called "purging heretics."

"Those ministers and nobles in the capital...do they all believe this?"

"I don't know, but I feel that whether I believe it or not is no longer important."

Leah stared into Lynn's eyes: "They can't directly oppose the king's orders."

Lynn nodded.

Yes, the king gives the order, who dares to disobey?

Even if someone has doubts, they can only keep quiet about it.

This was the first time Lin Enlai had felt a sense of despair.

To be honest, given our technological capabilities, we might still be able to fight a traditional aristocratic army of 5000 men.

But he wasn't really confident about getting over 10,000...

Unless his soldiers are all equipped with an AK, he might be able to blow the enemy's heads to smithereens.

But the key issue is that he can't build an automatic rifle right now. The precision and manufacturing level required for this thing can't be achieved with just a blueprint.

Putting aside everything else, even with smokeless gunpowder, Evan Labs is still in the early stages.

Direct exchange is too expensive; I can't afford it.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

Panic won't help. We need to think of a solution.

One month.

What can he do in a month?

Should we build more muskets? Should we increase the number of men from five hundred to one thousand? But there wasn't enough time, and production capacity couldn't keep up.

Digging trenches? Building city walls? But against an army of tens of thousands, these were no match.

unless……

He suddenly remembered that big guy.

"How's the artillery?" he asked.

Lia was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding.

Lynn didn't explain, and quickly walked out of the study towards the workshop area. Lia followed behind.

……

Hal's blacksmith shop was unusually quiet today.

There was no sound of hammering, no shouts from apprentices, only the occasional sound of metal scraping together.

When Lynn pushed the door open, Hal was squatting next to the cannon, using a piece of fine sandpaper to polish a tiny bump on the barrel.

Two apprentices stood beside him, holding various tools in their hands.

"My lord." Hal looked up, saw Lynn's expression, and paused, "What happened?"

Lynn didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "How many cannons have been built?"

"Um... there are two now, sir."

Lynn nodded, then walked over to the cannon and reached out to touch the barrel.

The iron-gray metal gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and every line on the cannon was clearly visible.

"How many more of this cannon can be made?"

Hal blinked. "Sir, you mean...?"

"Within a month," Lynn looked at him, "how many doors can you build?"

Hal paused for a few seconds, quickly making a mental estimate.

"If we only build the cannon barrels, and not the gun carriages..." He glanced at the apprentices around him, "probably... three cannons. Four at most."

"Too slow..." Lynn said.

Hal was stunned.

"Sir, this is the limit. We only have so many men, and every cannon needs to be carefully polished, otherwise it might explode..."

"Add more men," Lynn interrupted him. "Transfer men from Ironstone Fortress. Transfer men from other workshops in Grayrock Town. From anywhere, gather enough men for me."

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"Stop everything except muskets. This month, focus solely on manufacturing guns and cannons."

Hal opened his mouth, wanting to ask "why," but seeing Lynn's eyes, he swallowed his words.

"Yes, sir."

Lynn patted him on the shoulder and turned to leave.

Next stop, Ivan's laboratory.

Evan was busy. The table was covered with bottles and jars, and several newly hired assistants were helping him.

The air was filled with the smell of saltpeter and sulfur.

Ivan saw Lynn and put down his beaker. "My lord, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Evan," Lynn walked up to him, "gunpowder production needs to be doubled over the next month."

Ivan paused for a moment.

"Double...double?"

"Yes." Lynn looked at him. "Not just double, produce as much as you can. Put aside your current research and focus all your efforts on gunpowder production."

Ivan blinked. "Sir, what happened?"

Lynn didn't explain, she just looked at him.

Ivan swallowed hard and nodded.

"I...I understand. I'll arrange it right away."

"Hire more assistants," Lynn said. "Anyone who can work and is willing to learn, bring them in. Double the wages, room and board included."

"Yes."

Lynn turned to leave, but Evan suddenly called out to him.

"Sir, what...what happened?"

Lynn stopped and remained silent for a few seconds.

He was reluctant to tell his people this terrible news, but Lynn hesitated because Evan kept asking.

He turned around and looked at Evan.

"A month from now, someone will come to beat us up," he said. "A lot of people."

Lynn didn't mention the exact number, afraid of scaring the other party.

Ivan's face turned pale.

But he didn't ask any more questions, he just nodded vigorously.

"I...I will fight with all my might."

Lynn nodded and walked out of the laboratory.

……

Lia followed behind him the whole time, watching him give one order after another without saying a word.

She didn't walk over until Lynn stopped and stood by the roadside in a daze.

"Lynn".

Lynn did not turn around.

"How are you?"

Lynn remained silent for a long time.

Then he spoke, his voice very soft.

"Lia, do you know how many people live in Grayrock Town?"

Lia opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.

"More than 1,200 people. Adding the more than 2,400 people from Ironstone Fortress, the total number of people capable of fighting is probably less than 500."

He turned around and looked at Lia.

There might be tens of thousands of people on the other side.

Lia looked at him, her amber eyes showing no fear, only a calm.

"So what?"

Lynn was taken aback.

"Didn't we win when Gavin attacked before?" Leah said. "How many of us were there then? A hundred?"

"This is different...this..."

Lynn spoke, wanting to use data to tell the half-elf in front of him the cruel reality.

But before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted.

"Shh, I know..."

She took a step forward, stood in front of Lynn, and pressed her small index finger against Lynn's lips.

"But you'll always find a way."

Lynn looked at her.

His face still bore the weariness of a long journey, but his amber eyes were shining brightly.

A gentle breeze blew by, and Lia's long golden hair fluttered in the wind.

Lynn suddenly smiled.

He took Liya's hand and lowered it slightly.

"You trust me that much?"

"Yes. Ever since you rescued me from Ironstone Castle, I've trusted you completely," Leah said earnestly.

The two gazed at each other silently.

But the next moment, Lia seemed to realize the subtle state between the two of them.

Her face flushed red instantly.

Lia hurriedly pulled her hand back: "We'll...we'll talk about it later! What else can I do if you don't believe me! I...I can't run far by myself! If I get caught by those other damned nobles, I'll become a slave again!"

She lowered her head, not daring to look at Lynn.

Lynn looked at the slightly flustered Lia in front of him, smiled, and said nothing more.

He looked up at the sky.

The sun was already setting in the west; it would be dark in two more hours.

One month.

There's still enough to do a lot.

He turned and walked back.

"Let's go to Masha's place. I'll treat you to hot pot tonight."

……