Chapter 0003: How to Spend All Your Money

If the production scale is expanded and the output is doubled, the territory can obtain twice the profit each year, which is sufficient to cover the increased gold tax.

It is estimated that there will be 20 artillery pieces and 200 shells" replied Stride

The power of industry is reflected in costs, being both intuitive and effective. Once the state of mass production is established, it will inevitably overwhelm all small workshops and dominate the broadest market

A rough calculation reveals that this is a business that exceeds 3,000 gold coins a year, which can be considered a significant venture even in the Arant Empire. Those noble individuals who can earn several thousand gold coins annually are indeed rare in the surrounding area.

Where is Vagrong? ! '' Chris exclaimed

Currently in the woodworking workshop, there are five chairs that are completely identical in specifications. In the past, it was not easy to find chairs that were exactly the same; today, everyone here has certainly had their eyes opened.

Of course, sir, we will follow your instructions entirely. The three of them replied in unison

"Yes, my lord," Stride nodded and said

Consider this: if your chairs are priced at 20 silver coins or even 30 silver coins each, no matter how high the market demand is, how many can you actually sell?" At this point, Chris smiled and pointed to the chairs made by the apprentices: "For chairs like these, I would dare to sell them for 1 silver coin. Can you guess who makes more profit?

"No problem, my lord! I will mobilize the troops tomorrow." Vagrond responded decisively and immediately.

"Let’s treat this as the prelude to a war. I need both of you to prepare according to this standard, alright?" Chris said, gazing intently at the two individuals he relied upon. "Just like preparing for battle, it requires planning, preparation, execution, and adjustment, understood? This is a beginning, crucial for me and for the future. I need you both."

"Oh, the gods... I truly cannot believe it; this must be some sort of magic for making money," Dean said in admiration

If you make some improvements, you can create a pattern composed of many concentric circles—this is very simple, just give it a try. He explained how to carve the pattern while providing guidance.

The old craftsman, leading the way, shook his head in disapproval of the "mass-produced goods" resulting from such a production model, stating that the sense of beauty can also be destroyed by uniformity, which is undoubtedly a disaster for art

Strid, who was listening to this news, became even more excited, as it indicated that the production and economy under his supervision would soar to great heights in the coming months

Then he demonstrated the operation briefly, which left everyone gasping in shock

"Your chairs are sold to the nobility," he said, looking at the old craftsmen. After speaking, he pointed to the chairs beside him: "These products are sold to the common people"

Even more frightening is that, as some wood was processed and delivered, the apprentices, now with raw materials, had new toys to play with, and they produced 5 more of such chairs in one go

In fact, I have already begun to have our craftsmen create more precise equipment. With this equipment, a few individuals can complete the production of tables, chairs, and cabinets, thereby further reducing costs. " After taking a bite of chicken, Chris said to Deans.

What do you mean, my lord the city lord? ... ... What do you want to say? Stride and Wagrong fell into confusion once again

The scrap rate of parts that are handcrafted is actually very high; for most parts, being able to be assembled for use is already a tremendous piece of good news for Chris

Of course not! Dear Stride! Not only will we not raise the tolls, but we will also lower them!" Chris said with a smile as he revealed his plan

In no time at all, a cylindrical wooden stick, shaped like a gourd with a thick end on both sides and a thin middle, appeared uniformly before everyone, taking less than a minute in total.

Certainly, the carpenters were not idle for five months; they received orders in the third month to begin mass production of various wooden furniture. Although everyone was very busy, their admiration for the speed and quality of production never ceased. The greatest contradiction and confusion in their hearts was regarding the price of these furniture, as yet another abnormal order has continued to this day, which is to only produce and store, without allowing negotiations or sales

Due to the excessively fast cutting speed, a shortage of materials soon arose. While Chris was assembling the fourth woodworking machine, several carpenters had already completed the first chair produced by the machine

Why? Stride looked at his lord with some confusion, and for a moment, his mind was still trying to catch up.

Unfortunately, if we continue to sell carpentry products at such a low price, the prices will soon drop... In the past few months, we have been able to sell for about 5 silver coins, but in a few months, we will only be able to sell for 3 silver coins.

However, Chris and his right-hand man were not idle. In terms of development, waiting is a helpless act, and before they could begin to flood the market with their wooden products in Celis City, they had to wait for the assurance of another matter. Paint? Certainly not. That was a piece of artillery for which Chris had meticulously drawn up the plans on the very night after his crossing.

By stepping on this pedal, a balanced rotational force can be generated... Thus, cylindrical products can be processed! Chris stepped aside, indicating for an apprentice to come up and give it a try, and the apprentice quickly got the machine to start running.

Vagron is aware of the importance of money for the army, yet he cannot immediately connect the chairs before him with the slaughter on the battlefield. The legs of those chairs always unconsciously remind him of overly thick axe handles, which appears awkward, causing his smile to be rather stiff. Fortunately, he has been assigned a relatively simple task, which is to repair the road

In summary, once he takes the step into industrial civilization, everything will no longer be a problem. He can rapidly accumulate the wealth around him into his own pockets at a speed akin to that of robbing money.

Therefore, selling woodworking products is merely a way for us to make a small profit!" Chris continued to speak about his plans with a smile, his words at that moment were as captivating as the alchemy of turning stone into gold: "What truly makes money is selling machines!"

Well-versed in market dynamics, he is thoroughly familiar with this kind of dumping model. Once products begin to flood the market, prices will inevitably continue to decline.

A master can create a chair that sells for 300,000, but while he is crafting this chair, nearly 300,000 chairs worth 30 each are being produced in factories around the world.

I do not know, sir, said Stride, looking a bit innocent. However, our finances can no longer hold up; for roads, factories, and artillery, as you suggested, we have already spent all the money.

Can I first dismiss those apprentices in the factory who have been living off my meals for a week?" Stride asked somewhat reluctantly

I can assure you of this; my nephew is planning to go there as an apprentice said Stritt

"Well, it's better than being robbed," Chris said. "Making money that you can't spend is the worst thing. A more direct way to make money than intelligence, skills, or even luck is to rob. I can think of this, and those damned robbers can think of it too, so I have to be prepared to let all those who covet our wealth die"

The machines for cutting wood have increased in number, and several woodworking apprentices are operating the machines, quickly producing several exquisite legs for stools. Even under the most discerning scrutiny, these products can undoubtedly be considered high-quality.

To conduct the smelting experiment with steel, it is also necessary to find the raw materials for black powder. This is not merely a physical cutting of chair legs. Chris and Stride have been tirelessly engaged in the development of artillery for nearly six months after they raised their glasses. For the sake of efficiency and confidentiality, Chris divided the processes of steel smelting, parts casting, powder preparation, and ammunition manufacturing into four independent operations, only secretly assembling and successfully testing them in the fifth month

It is also time for him to take over, Chris sighed, let the military handle the assembly and testing of all the artillery, and it must be kept strictly confidential. Can we estimate how many pieces of artillery we will have?

"By the way, you just mentioned that the finances cannot hold out any longer... Is there any way to manage to sustain it for a while? I need to give Gewalon time to train the soldiers in using the artillery," Chris said somewhat awkwardly.

Amidst the astonished gazes of everyone, Chris assembled one part after another, explaining the principles of assembly to those around him, and soon completed the assembly of a machine tool

According to Chris's plan, the manufacturing of woodworking machinery was first expanded throughout the city, with the establishment of ten new woodworking processing factories. However, all factories were required to adhere to a rule during the first two months: they were only permitted to manufacture and test machinery, and were not allowed to mass-produce wooden items. Many craftsmen and apprentices were attracted by the high salaries offered by these factories, engaging in the production and attempts to improve this complex large tool, enjoying their leisure while awaiting the second command.

Due to having the blueprints in his mind, he installed it very quickly, even faster by a third than a highly skilled veteran worker

This is a miracle! An old craftsman gazed at the machine tool that could be operated so easily, watching the complex cylindrical wooden rod being cut by the saw blade above, and exclaimed: "It is truly a miracle"

Gentlemen! We are no longer the same as before! In the future, we will be wealthier, and now your tasks have become more burdensome. Chris raised his glass and toasted to his three subordinates with the poor wine inside: "You need to think about how to spend this money."

Once the products we mass-produce begin to gain a reputation around us, the local lords will set their sights on us. In the past, everyone lived in peace because everyone was poor... However, if we become prosperous first, the situation will be different!" Chris continued.

Having become accustomed to mass-produced products, he did not feel that there was anything wrong with these identical chairs. He patted the backrest of one of the chairs, a satisfied smile appearing on his face: "There is nothing wrong with this."

Then forget it, we can start selling chairs right away, ensuring they are always in a working state. As for the training, I will think of a solution! Chris had to change his mindset about saving money.

"The transportation itself is a significant issue for us, given the large scale of our export of woodworking products. If we do not encourage more merchants to come here, how can we possibly sell so many products?" Chris answered directly without any preamble.

He was dressed in noble attire, yet disregarding his image, he sat down on the ground and began to piece together the world's first manual machine tool

Do you think it is sufficient? Chris asked casually

Indeed, I have received the will of God," Chris said with a smile, pointing to his head while assembling the second identical device.

Indeed, we were a bit too optimistic. However, even an income of 100 gold coins is not a small amount for us. Dean began to comfort Chris in return, leaving Chris somewhat amused and exasperated.

Chris observed the two with a smile that was not quite a smile. After taking a sip of his drink, he suddenly became serious: "You know? I have no interest in furniture at all. Fortunately, I didn't see any hint of mockery on your faces regarding my selling chairs; otherwise, I would be even more serious."

Upon hearing this statement, the three individuals each laughed. Stride seemed to understand it perhaps better than Wageron; he appeared to have already envisioned the glimmer of gold coins, their radiance lifting the upward curve of his face, thus making his smile even more radiant.

Deans also had a strong interest in the machine tools developed by Chris. According to Stride's calculations, they could earn nearly 300 gold coins more in a year, which certainly amounts to a substantial sum

By that time, producing these identical chairs, we can reduce the cost to 20 copper coins or even lower. At this point, his tone was filled with pride

Although this item is produced quickly, identical chairs will soon become worthless. An old carpenter, stroking the three identical chairs in front of him, said with concern to his fellow craftsman beside him

This is undoubtedly good news, a piece of news that excites him greatly: "In this way, Lord Chris, we will not need to raise the tolls."

Indeed, such chairs will soon lose their charm, for they... they lack the soul imparted by the craftsman... Another master carpenter also disapproved of the items produced by the apprentices

During the time of this conversation, the apprentices at the back, who have not stopped working, have already produced two identical chairs.

"Not only do we need to reduce the tolls, but we also need to repair the roads! We should deploy 500 guards to fix the roads, so that more carriages can come to the city of Selis!" At this point, Chris looked towards Waggon.

Amid the admiring gazes of the master craftsmen, Chris discarded a substandard component to the side and selected another replacement part to fit into the gear assembly

In Chris's view, everything before him is merely a beginning. He possesses beautiful dyeing formulas, the loom, a powerful tool of the Industrial Revolution, and power devices such as the steam engine

With this equipment, we can continuously produce chairs and tables. Based on the calculation of 5 silver coins for a set of seats, we can earn 1 gold coin in a day!" At dinner, Stride said to Deans with great enthusiasm.

Therefore, before having means of self-protection, we will first accumulate some woodworking machinery bit by bit, improve our equipment, and reserve some talent Chris decided to temporarily slow down the pace of revealing his strength, believing that he should first develop some means of self-protection before making further plans

Chris hopes to earn 9 million, rather than waiting for that elusive 300,000—this is the cruelty of modern industrial civilization, a stark and blatant contempt for art

In their view, even a set of chairs must emphasize coordination and variation; identical items are nothing short of a desecration of the spirit of craftsmanship

We sell this woodworking machine! 15 gold coins each! What do you think, how much can we earn?" Chris extended a finger, his smile even broader: "In less than half a year, our equipment will be widespread in the surrounding area, overwhelming all the workshops!

Chris could hardly imagine what level the cost of furniture from this era could be compressed to if the density board materials of future generations were developed—perhaps a set of tables and chairs could be purchased for just a few copper coins

This is a manual machine tool that operates on principles similar to those of a sewing machine. This type of machine is used for sanding wood, and its sanding speed is ten to even a hundred times faster than manual sanding

"He is just about to meet you," Stride replied, "He has been repairing the road for five months, and it was basically completed yesterday." Stride added specifically.

The second machine was quickly assembled and joined the production line. Chris began to have people assemble the third piece of equipment, while he guided them from the side, highlighting some important steps.

Unfortunately, Chris did not think so. He put down the parts in his hands and walked over to the chairs.