Chapter 71: 71 Prototypes of Two Manufacturing Factories

Chapter Seventy-One: Two Factory Prototypes

The efficiency of the curved plow was remarkably evident. If it could be implemented throughout Forest Town, ensuring each village possessed several, or even dozens of such plows, then both the cultivation of new land and the re-tilling of fallow fields would save considerable manpower and resources compared to before.

Then, Ronin could redirect the saved labor into other productive activities.

Moreover, this deep-plowing method, combined with the ridge farming technique Ronin intended to promulgate, would undoubtedly elevate Forest Town's crop yields significantly.

However, it was clear that to achieve widespread adoption, the issue of production capacity had to be addressed first.

Forest Town's blacksmith was Carless and his son (still an apprentice). Without the ability to cast plowshares, Carless alone had to hammer them out manually, making the production of plowshares and moldboards rather slow.

The plow body's construction, unlike crafting weapons and armor from ironwood, was not as complex. Even Ram, that half-skilled carpenter apprentice, could accomplish it. Finding a few individuals to practice, to operate it repeatedly, shouldn’t be a problem, especially since Forest Town had ample birchwood.

"Carless, during my recent trip, I purchased two thousand pounds of wrought iron. I need you to forge at least thirty of these curved plows for me."

The reason for thirty wasn't a lack of iron, but because Forest Town didn't have enough oxen.

There were only twenty-four blackwater oxen for plowing within Forest Castle, plus a few owned by individual tenant farmers in the town, totaling roughly around thirty.

"Oh heavens, thirty?"

Carless's eyes widened in astonishment; he had never received such a large order.

"Yes, this is just the initial batch. More will need to be forged later."

Ronin added, "The wrought iron and timber will be provided by me, and I will also assign four assistants to aid you. You can choose to become my exclusive blacksmith or serve me as a freeman of Forest Town. I will pay you a certain remuneration."

"Of course, if you choose the former, I will grant you a daily wage of ten copper coins. Additionally, your son Bal, as a blacksmith apprentice, would receive three copper coins daily if he serves me."

Craftsmen's wages were relatively high. In other cities, hiring Carless would likely cost more, but in this remote, impoverished Forest Town, the price naturally was lower.

Carless hesitated.

Subjects serving their lord was a matter of natural duty. Yet his current situation allowed him to accept the lord's tasks while also earning from miscellaneous jobs for others.

However, becoming Forest Castle's exclusive blacksmith typically meant he could only serve the lord.

Nevertheless, the lord's offered wage was indeed high. He considered that earning ten copper coins a day for even ten days out of the 336 days of a year would be fortunate.

"Your Grace, the wage you speak of is very tempting, but I wonder when you generally settle the payment?"

Ronin gave Chahal a glance, and the steward immediately understood.

"Rest assured, Carless, the lord is the most benevolent master; he never delays anyone's payment!"

As he spoke, he pulled out the 1 silver and 68 copper coins he had received this morning, displaying them boastfully. "See? The lord settles the previous month's wages for everyone on the sixth of each month."

The cattle herder, Gallon, and others also took out coins from their pockets.

Chahal continued, "Just this morning, the castle servants, the castle's professional knights and mages, and the guards—all their wages for last month were fully settled."

He emphasized strongly, "Please remember, the lord is the most benevolent, trustworthy, and kind noble—without exception!"

Ronin felt somewhat embarrassed by such praise, but he was also surprised. Why did these people all carry their money with them? Walking around with clinking coins wasn't very convenient, was it?

Seeing this scene, Carless no longer hesitated and immediately performed a gentleman's bow. "Then Carless wishes to become your exclusive blacksmith."

"Excellent, I will not treat you poorly!"

Ronin laughed heartily. "If you are willing to train apprentices, I will add an extra five copper coins daily to your wage."

Carless's eyes brightened. "I am willing, Your Grace!"

Ronin looked at Gallon. "Go inform Wilson, have him select three men and one woman from the slaves. Remember to find those slightly clever, who seem capable of learning."

"Also, have Wilson tell those slaves that if they diligently serve me for ten years, I can grant them a certain degree of freedom, allowing them to become my serfs."

"Very well, lord!" Gallon received the order and hurried out.

Carless looked at the lord before him with some astonishment. "You truly are a benevolent person!"

Benevolent?

To Ronin, it was merely giving these people some goals and motivation. Besides, ten years was too long.

"Carless, I notice your forging speed is too slow. Later, I will teach you a new iron-smelting method, enabling you to produce farming tools rapidly!"

The blacksmith paused, thinking he misheard, but seeing the lord's serious expression left him confused.

"Your Grace, my iron-smelting and forging methods were learned from my father."

Carless explained, "My father's master was a renowned blacksmith in Urshan City. Please believe that the technique he passed down to us is the most advanced!"

Craftsmen often stubbornly believed their techniques were the best.

However, Carless spoke truthfully; the iron-smelting and forging techniques indeed were as such.

Ronin smiled mysteriously. "Using my method, iron can be smelted into molten iron, then directly cast into farming tools, much faster than your hammering approach."

"Your Grace, is this the method of mages?"

Carless wasn't surprised by the term molten iron. "Legend says only mages can control that ultra-high-temperature flame capable of melting steel, but such flame is not something mortals like us can master!"

Was there such a thing?

Ronin was somewhat surprised; he was quite curious about which level of mage could control such flame.

"Rest assured, Carless. Since I can design such efficient farming tools like the curved plow, I certainly can teach you the method to produce molten iron."

Ronin had confidence in this. "Before that, continue using your method to forge plowshares and moldboards, assembling the curved plows."

After clearly outlining the tasks ahead for Carless, Ronin had the cattle herder transport the curved plow back to the castle. He himself, along with Chahal, proceeded to the next destination: the home of carpenter William.

Ironwood indeed was difficult to process. Over this half-month, William had completed four ironwood shields, three ironwood spears, and one ironwood chest protector.

Ronin tested them; the strength of these three pieces of armor met the requirements, fully suitable for ordinary guards, especially the ironwood shields, which likely could be used even in conflicts between intermediate knights.

The only unsatisfactory item was the ironwood chest protector. It looked like a piece of wood with a hole carved in the middle; the guard's head passed through the hole, hanging this piece of covering wood on the body, with the dangling panel just protecting the chest and back.

The structure was simple, but wearing it felt rather uncomfortable, somewhat stiff.

"Your Grace, relatively speaking, ironwood spears are easiest to make, followed by ironwood chest protectors and shields."

William introduced these armors. "I also considered using ironwood and flax rope to craft a lamellar armor more fitting and less stiff than the chest protector, but that would consume too much time!"

He shook his head. "Working alone, I estimate a month wouldn't suffice to complete one set of ironwood lamellar armor!"

Ronin was intrigued by the lamellar armor mentioned.

The ironwood chest protector was indeed too crude; suitable for ordinary guards. That lamellar armor could be worn by individuals of higher status or rank.

Correspondingly, the selling price would be higher.

Ronin had already planned last night to assign fifteen male and two female slaves to the ironwood workshop. Now, considering that crafting lamellar armor required fabric and assembling armor pieces, he intended to assign five more female slaves.

William only needed to teach these slaves how to assemble the armor pieces. This might take some time, but once successful, there would be ample manpower.

After discussions, he and William finalized the ironwood workshop's products: initially focusing on ironwood shields, ironwood spears, and ironwood chest protectors, then aiming to produce one ironwood lamellar armor per month would suffice.

Meanwhile, Ronin also extended an olive branch to William, offering him to become Forest Castle's exclusive carpenter, setting daily wages of seventeen copper coins for William and four for his apprentice son.

Of course, Ronin similarly required William to train apprentices.

Given Carless's precedent, William agreed almost without hesitation.

Thus, Ronin's two factories were preliminarily established.

Next came the issue of production.

According to Luoning's plan, the manufactured items would first arm the town of Shanlin before being sold to the outside world.

For equipment like ironwood armor, due to the unique nature of the black ironwood, outsiders couldn't replicate it, allowing Luoning to boldly market these products.

However, the curved moldboard plow was different. It didn't involve particularly high technical skill, and Luoning believed that any moderately skilled blacksmith who purchased one would soon be able to reproduce it.

If Luoning spent significant time stockpiling a batch of these plows, he might sell some initially, but quickly, imitations would appear in the market. Eventually, his stock might even fail to sell, even at discounted prices.

Moreover, Luoning currently lacked the capacity for rapid production or large-scale stockpiling.

Once iron-smelting techniques were refined and production of plow blades and moldboards could be accelerated through casting methods, he could reconsider the issue.

Thus, he temporarily decided not to focus on selling the physical curved moldboard plows. Instead, if he chose to sell, he would simply offer the plow's design schematics for a couple of transactions.

After all, knowledge held its own value.

(End of chapter)