Translator: CinderTL
Paul explained to Alvey the reasons behind the establishment of the Social Sciences Academy.
The Northwest Bay region had been expanding its overseas trade operations, bringing in immense wealth, but also increasingly frequent conflicts due to cultural differences.
Experience was a valuable asset, and those merchants who had already paid the learning costs and established mature channels were not particularly enthusiastic about guiding newcomers on how to avoid potential losses.
They might not understand the consumption preferences of the locals or accurately predict policy changes by local rulers, leading to unprofitable ventures.
Moreover, insufficient understanding of local customs and cultural taboos could lead to conflicts. It wasn't just about business; there were even cases where people lost their lives over such misunderstandings. The locals' impressions of individual foreigners often extended to the entire group.
"We need to understand the local way of thinking and predict the decisions they might make, especially those in positions of power," Paul explained somewhat helplessly to Alvey. "We can't just send warships to intimidate them every time something happens."
Alvey chuckled, "So you've done that before?"
When he was in Frand Port, he had seen Alden warships docked at the harbor. The majestic size of the ships left a deep impression on him. Having traveled extensively, he was well aware of the power of cannons and what the dense rows of gun ports on the Alden warships signified.
Imagine a warship the size of a castle, equipped with long-range weapons far surpassing the power and accuracy of ballistae. Just a few such ships anchored outside a hostile port would be like a noose tightening around the neck of any coastal city.
"Ahem!" Paul cleared his throat, "Our navy would do so when necessary!"
"You know, some societies are still in a rather primitive state—not just those places, even the Northwest Bay a decade ago. Back then, seizing the goods of passing merchants was just a matter of the lord's word. They could invent some fine or even create ridiculous new taxes on the spot, leaving you bankrupt. In such cases, we must respond with a bigger fist to their face!"
"However, there's another reason I want to increase research in the social sciences..."
Alvey clearly noticed that Paul Grayman's expression and tone had become more serious.
"That is, the orcs!"
"The orcs?"
"Yes! According to my intelligence—please note, I just learned this recently—the Great Chieftain of the Royal Tent, Abal, has summoned the tribes loyal to him on the grasslands and is about to launch a larger-scale invasion of Aldor." Alvey's eyebrows jumped in shock.
Paul continued, "Clearly, the previous peace talks were merely a desperate move by the first wave of orcs who entered Aldor due to insufficient follow-up forces. Once they recover and bring more of their kind from their stronghold, they will immediately bare their temporarily hidden fangs."
Alvey asked, "Forgive my ignorance, but what does the orcs' invasion have to do with what you said earlier?"
"Of course, there's a connection," Paul explained. "Those studies will also include the culture of the orcs, and at this stage, it is even the top priority."
"In the common perception of human nations, these barbaric creatures are nothing more than a group of simple-minded beings who only know how to fight and plunder, with intelligence barely surpassing that of goblins. But the reality is clearly not so. In the last war, the orc armies demonstrated strong organization, flexibly employing various tactics to attack us. After the war, they even thought of using proxies to rule the Yellow Earth region. Moreover, as far as I know, their shamans are inventing their own script, and Abal has started to emulate human nations by establishing various administrative institutions, even appointing humans willing to pledge allegiance to him as officials—if this continues, Aldor will face a powerful and well-established alien regime."
Alvey nodded, "I see, you want to understand them better to more effectively counter them?"
Paul revealed a cold smile, "I want to destroy them!"
A look of surprise flashed in Alvey's eyes; this young marquis's ambition was far greater than he had imagined.
Paul continued, "We all know the historical image of orcs—worshipping violence, greedy and barbaric, lacking in etiquette and righteousness, but also militarily weak—not in terms of individual strength, but their armies. They could raid human villages and towns in small groups, but once their numbers reached a certain scale and they faced human armies head-on, humans always defeated them with superior equipment and organization."
"In the last war, due to Abal's internal reforms among the orcs, this age-old impression was shattered. It's undeniable that they are also progressing. Yet, even in the past, when orc armies were weak, humans never truly eradicated them."
Alvey agreed, "Yes, whether it was Aldor or Gabella, historically, they have swept across the grasslands. Yet, each time after the cleanup, the borders would only remain peaceful for a while before orc tribes would emerge from some unknown corner. The grasslands are too vast, and the orcs are like weeds—cut one batch, and another grows."
He sighed, "Geography is a very challenging factor for us. The grasslands are barren and cannot sustain too many crops. Humans cannot station themselves on the grasslands for long. It limits the orcs' ability to grow and thrive, yet it also protects them from being eradicated by humans."
Paul said, "This analysis is correct. But I want to add that besides geographical external factors, there is also an internal factor—their culture. Although the orcs' culture is as barren as their land, it still plays a strong cohesive role. In my view, these two factors complement each other. The same harsh environment forces them to adopt similar lifestyles, and similar lifestyles give rise to a common culture, which is a crucial factor in the unity of the grassland orcs."
Alvey kept nodding. In fact, what Paul said was not new; similar views had been frequently mentioned in the Scholars' Tower.
Many people feel annoyed when young people flaunt their knowledge in front of them, especially when it's something they already know, but Alvey had long outgrown that stage.
Not only that, when he realized that Paul had independently deduced this set of ideas, his evaluation of the Lord of Alden rose even higher. Young leaders rarely delve into the deeper cultural contexts of things.
(End of the Chapter)
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