As production of the new firearms were undergoing testing, the batch that was finished was now in the hands of the volunteer militia. As the first volunteers trained within the new proving grounds within the castle's walls, Ibraim was watching from the ramparts above, viewing how the peasants wielded and fired the muskets and cannons under the command of one of the officers, who was personally trained by Ibraim on his knowledge of Napoleonic warfare. Though, it wasn't much as he wasn't too interested in the era and only understood the basics from his past life. And the introduction of these new weapons of war could not have happened soon enough as news of a faction of the empire declaring independence. Forming what Ibraim knew from his past life as more and more factions are starting to break away from the fading empire, no doubt his father would be marching off to war with the lord under him for independence as a new kingdom. There was also the possibility that while his father was away, he would also declare war on his enemies and march on their lands in order to assimilate them.
The sounds of the 20-pounder cannons firing quickly took Ibraim's mind off of the matters of the viscounty, as he watched the solid cast iron balls rip though the many straw dummies within the target area. While the peasants were currently being trained on the weapons, by the looks of it, they had become quite proficient in the art of reloading a cannon in a timely manner, getting it down the 45 seconds from the several minutes it took when they first tried. Eventually, enough was enough, and Ibraim had decided that he had seen enough. With him retiring back inside of the castle he ran into his father, who was looking increasingly tired.
"Father? Just what happened to have you looking so tired?"
With this question in mind, the lord sighed and took a deep breath before answering his son.
"As you most likely know, regions of the empire are starting to declare independence and form their own factions. With this happening, I can only see our liege declaring his independence and drawing most of the coast of the empire with him. I fear something may happen to you and your siblings while I'm away."
As Ibraim heard this, he grew decently surprised as his father voiced his concerns as he was certain his father would declare independence and not his liege. With this happening, it certainly threw a wrench in his plans as he thought about forming his own kingdom along the coast of western Sub-Saharan Africa.
"Well father, depending on how long our liege takes to declare his formal independence, there is a chance part of the militia I am training will become proficient enough to protect our lands and our family."
His father, now given this information, smiled at his son.
"I see. Well then, when I am called to march to war on behalf of my liege I will crown you regent in my stead and viscount if I should ever perish in battle."
With a bitter smile, Ibraim accepted the terms from his father.
"Alright… Just make sure you come back with no holes in you father. It would be a shame for you to die at such an age!"
Ibraim's encouraging words caused the mid-aged viscount to chuckle and gain some hope for his salvation within the up and coming war.
"I cannot promise you anything, my dear son. But if I do perish, I want you to lead our army and eradicate the fool that has decided to take up arms against our family!"
A sinister grin appeared on the young heir's face as he heard his father's will.
"It shall be done. I will utterly destroy any foe that dare attack you or our city!"
With that said, the two men shook on it, further deepening their bond into something that could transcend life and death. As his father left, Ibraim found himself alone and nothing to do. With that said, he decided on doing some community service and give out free stew to the people of Kakandé. After all, his sister's propaganda network has been spouting about all the amazing qualities he has but all the people have seen are him introducing new industrial technologies and some new agricultural innovations for the farmers. He hasn't actually done anything to validate the claims about himself. While he will introduce soup kitchens for those of the poorer society, as a truly utopian society cannot happen without some poverty or poorer living conditions for the less fortunate.
So, Ibraim found himself in the kitchen with the rest of the staff and decided to introduce a soup classic from his past life. Chicken noodle soup. He immediately got to telling his staff on how to make spaghetti from the dough they have before helping cut and cook the chicken they have. Soon, after many hours and several failed attempts at making noodles, they had finally made a sizable portion of the food in a very, very large pot. With the help of the staff and a few servants, they had set up a table in the city center, giving out ceramic bowls of chicken noodle soup. "Everyone gets at least one!" Ibraim would say to those that stopped by to ask questions or to get a bowl of soup. Within 2 hours, they had run out of soup. Mainly due to the ongoing famine which, while being taken care of by the new rail system and agricultural innovations, it would still be a long time before a new harvest came in.
Before long, Ibraim found himself within his quarters, burning the midnight oil once more as he created more designs that would produce more luxury items for the common people, such as cola, standard wages and currency, better paved roads, brickyards and glassworks. He was also busy introducing a more sophisticated palette for his people, largely based on American BBQ but held to much higher health standards while keeping all the flavors and goodness one could find in traditional Texan BBQ. If anything, he valued American values when it came to a person. He was a true believer in inalienable rights for a human being, the only difference was that he knew the problems that would come if he incorporated those values into society while keeping around institutions like slavery. He was not against bringing forward the enlightenment a few hundred years early if it meant he got a nearly utopian society where everyone is truly equal.
Unfortunately for him, if he ever wanted to institute the many cultural and societal reforms that were currently brewing around in his mind, there was certainly going to be a civil war in the lands he would inhabit, though he was quite confident that his militia, and eventually standing army of muskets or potentially more advanced firearms would stand more than a chance to the hordes of men he would be facing. But for now, he just wants a variety of colas to enjoy with his meals.
(Story is available here and on Wattpad! Go check it out if you want.)