chapter 13

Faisalq stood at the highest point of the village, overlooking the valley where Rahim Khan's newly expanded domain stretched far into the distance. The consolidation of power had begun. Five more warlords had submitted to Rahim's control, bringing with them new villages, new resources, and—most importantly—new people. Afghanistan was a land of tribes and scattered settlements, but if Faisal could unite them, he would have the manpower to stand against the foreign threats looming on the horizon.

But the task ahead was immense. Afghanistan's population, spread across rugged mountains and isolated valleys, was far from unified. Each tribe had its own customs, leaders, and rivalries. Yet Faisal was not discouraged. He had seen what technology and a shared purpose could do—how even a small village could be transformed by innovation. The key now was to scale that vision.

The windmill blades spun lazily in the distance, a symbol of the progress Faisal had already brought. But it wasn't enough. Not yet.

Back in the workshop, Faisal reviewed his resources. The system points he had accumulated were substantial, and he needed to use them wisely. The time for small changes was over. If he wanted to truly build an empire, he needed to create an industrial base that could sustain a population spread across the mountains, deserts, and plains of Afghanistan.

The system's cold voice interrupted his thoughts.

[System Points Available: 1,500]

[New Technologies Available for Unlock: Factories and Mass Production, Advanced Farming Tools, Basic Electric Grid]

Faisal stood over his blueprints, knowing exactly what he had to do. Mass production would change everything—the ability to build weapons, tools, and machines on a scale that no other warlord in the region could match. With factories, he wouldn't just be producing technology for Rahim's army. He would be building the infrastructure of an empire.

He selected Factories and Mass Production from the system's interface, spending 1,000 system points. The blueprints immediately filled his mind—the layout of assembly lines, the designs for efficient production of weapons, farming equipment, and even basic household goods.

The workers in the village would need training, but they had already proven themselves capable of learning quickly. It was time to build the first factory.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Faisal, along with a team of engineers and craftsmen, began laying the groundwork for the first factory in the region. It was a simple structure, made of stone and wood, but inside it housed the heart of a new economy. Steam-powered machines were installed to automate the production of muskets, farming tools, and basic equipment that would soon flood the region with new resources.

The villagers watched with a mixture of awe and confusion as the massive machines were assembled piece by piece. This was a level of innovation that none of them had ever seen before.

On the fourth day, as the final pieces of machinery were installed, Faisal stood before the village, addressing the people who had gathered in the square.

"This is more than just a building," he said, his voice carrying over the crowd. "This is the future. With these machines, we can build faster, work smarter, and create more than we ever have before. This is not just for war—this is for your families, for your homes. The tools we produce here will make life better for everyone."

There was a murmur of agreement from the crowd, and Faisal could see the spark of understanding beginning to form in their eyes. They were starting to see that this was more than just survival—it was progress.

As the factory roared to life, Faisal turned his attention back to the bigger picture. Rahim Khan now controlled ten villages, each one bringing hundreds of new people under his domain. With the addition of the smaller warlords who had submitted to his rule, the population of the controlled territories had grown to nearly 30,000 people. But that was still a small fraction of Afghanistan's overall population, which Faisal estimated to be around 3 million.

If he wanted to bring the rest of the country under control, he needed to move faster. The tribes and villages that remained independent wouldn't wait forever. Some would resist, and others would be swayed by foreign powers, especially as the British and Russians began to make their presence known.

That evening, Faisal sat in his quarters, reviewing the next step. 1,000 system points remained, and he knew exactly how to use them.

[System Points Available: 1,000]

[Selected Upgrade: Advanced Farming Tools and Irrigation]

The system downloaded the blueprints for more efficient farming tools, including plows, seed drills, and irrigation systems that would vastly increase crop yields. With food security guaranteed, the people would prosper, and more villages would be drawn to Rahim's expanding domain. The villagers would follow anyone who could offer them stability and resources in a time of uncertainty.

Faisal wasted no time in implementing the new tools. Over the next few weeks, farming production skyrocketed. Crops that once took months to grow were now ready in weeks, and the irrigation systems ensured a steady supply of water even in the dry season. The people were thriving, and word spread quickly to the surrounding villages.

But not everyone was pleased with Faisal's progress.

A message arrived from the north—a group of tribal leaders had formed an alliance, determined to resist Rahim's growing power. They saw the consolidation of villages as a threat to their own independence, and they had no interest in submitting to a leader backed by strange machines and foreign ideas.

Faisal read the message carefully, weighing his options. It was inevitable that some would resist. The tribal structure of Afghanistan was deeply ingrained, and many warlords and leaders feared losing control of their own small domains.

He turned to Rahim and Rustam, who were seated across from him. "The northern tribes are uniting against us. They've formed a coalition and are preparing to defend their territory."

Rahim grunted. "Then we take it by force."

Faisal shook his head. "If we use force now, we'll only drive more tribes into rebellion. We need to show them that there's more to be gained by joining us than by fighting us."

Rustam frowned. "What do you propose?"

Faisal leaned forward, his mind already calculating the next step. "We'll send an envoy—offer them the