Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 178 Visitors from Alayeh
Harvey sat on a chair in the castle study, drinking the warm fruit tea that the guard had just brought him, while listening to Reiner report to him on the recent work results of the territory city hall.

"President George Santos of the Dragonstone Chamber of Commerce has urged us for the third time, asking when we can sign the next batch of orders for magic stone steam engines."

"Huh? Have the first batch of twenty machines been delivered to him?" Harvey was a little surprised. Two months ago, the director of the Ministry of Industry took advantage of his inspection of the new industrial park to secretly complain to him about the insufficient supply of iron ore in the mines. As a result, many factories had reduced production efficiency due to lack of raw materials. Now they didn't even have to arrange three shifts. They were in a hungry state waiting for food to be cooked.

Reiner said excitedly, "Yes, we delivered the first batch of magic stone steam engines he ordered before spring, and we've already received the full payment of three thousand gold pounds... Hehe, the Dragonstone Merchants Guild is very satisfied with the efficiency of the machines and wants to purchase another batch to cover all their mines in Orland!"

Reiner is most concerned about the export of territory goods, mainly because he is currently in charge of the territory's finances and municipal affairs. In addition to printing paper money and gold coins for internal circulation, all materials needed for production and life in the territory need to be imported and purchased with real gold and silver coins from Harvey's own small treasury.

This roughly means that a large part of the daily supplies for the territory's current population of more than 10,000 still need to rely on Harvey. Seeing his lord's small treasury go from being full to gradually depleted, Reiner always felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart.

Now the territory can produce valuable goods that can be sold externally, which can increase the income of the city hall - although it is not as much as the profits from plundering the evil orcs and demons, it is also worth being happy about, which means that under his management, the territory can finally start to make money for Lord Harvey!
"Give them an order for another twenty units. Don't overindulge them, Reiner. These cunning businessmen might just turn around and sell our painstakingly crafted magic stone machines to someone else for double the price!"

Reiner, who had been with Harvey the longest, was no longer as honest and ignorant as he had been in the past. He let out a cunning laugh with a metallic friction in his throat, "Hehe, sir, I know what you mean. This is called... hunger marketing! Right!"

Harvey laughed and glared at Reiner, then asked, "How's the training going for those skilled workers transferred from the Magic Stone Machine Factory and the Iron Foundry? Next month, I want to see them officially put to work in the transport factory!"

Reiner imitated Harvey's habit, slapped his forehead and said with a grin, "By the end of the month! They will have completed the production line process training by the end of the month. The transportation factory has been completed, and the production line is being assembled at full speed!"

After saying this, he bowed and hurriedly left the territory castle and returned to the city hall.

Standing aside, completely unwilling to get involved in these trivial matters, Asdalen waited until Reiner left before slowly speaking, "Sir, the group of alchemists and apprentices that the Alchemy Exploration Society agreed to transfer to us arrived in the Wizard Kingdom of Daeus a week ago. They've been hosted by the Dragonstone Chamber of Commerce for quite some time. The people from the Chamber of Commerce asked me to ask you when you can arrange for someone to bring them to your territory?"

Harvey slapped his forehead and remembered that he almost completely forgot about this group of high-end alchemical talents that he had obtained by selling his blood... and Pierce's blood.

"What? They've already arrived in Ers?" Harvey stood up and said in surprise, "If we send someone to pick them up today, how long will it take for them to reach the territory?"

Asdalen said helplessly, "We definitely can't use war beasts as transport vehicles to enter the southern border. Being too conspicuous will attract the attention of the nobles and the Federation. The mountain roads are not suitable for carriages. We can only pick them up on foot, which will take about three days..."

Traffic is a big problem...

I wonder if these frail alchemists and apprentices can safely cross the towering Jackdaw Mountain and traverse the dense and rugged northern forests to reach the Frontier Territory. "For the journey from Daeus to Jackdaw Town, I'll hire a few carriages for them to ride. Once we reach my warehouse in Jackdaw Town, I'll have them cross the mountains on foot..."

……

A group of people had just arrived at the edge of the territory's city wall after a long journey across Jackdaw Ridge. They were now slowly and arduously moving towards the south gate of the city wall.

Most of the team members were teenagers who were about fifteen or sixteen years old and wore dark brown short robes. They walked with a limp, their faces covered in dust and dirt, and from time to time needed help from the Northern Army soldiers who were accompanying them.

On the back of the half-orc officer Daf was a young man in his early twenties with short blond hair. He was wearing a lace-up robe that was a little dusty and dirty, but clearly made of luxurious material and embroidered with gold thread. He was a novice alchemist who had been officially certified by the Alchemy Exploration Society.

After the towering five-meter-high city wall appeared in everyone's sight, Chris remained in a daze, muttering to himself, "Beyond the border... in the northern wasteland, there's such a vast expanse of land? Which descendant of a hereditary noble came here to create this great achievement?"

He subconsciously turned his head to look behind him, at the group of young apprentices who followed closely behind him and were brought here from thousands of miles away. He found that their expressions were also filled with shock and confusion.

Although the journey across the mountains was so difficult, these children followed silently all the way, and no one complained. This tenacity was enough to support them in making steady progress on the path of alchemy.

Only I... My frail body could not withstand the rugged road. I accidentally sprained my ankle when I reached the halfway point of the south slope. I had to ask this ugly and strong officer to carry me all the way to the pioneer area.

Thinking of this, Chris narrowed his eyes in shame, twisting his body and asking the officer carrying him, "Mr. Officer, I wonder which descendant of the hereditary royal family pioneered this magnificent pioneering territory?"

Dafu hurried on his way, his head down. He didn't expect the light bamboo pole on his back to suddenly ask a question. He couldn't understand the question at all, so he could only speak in a rough voice, "What hereditary succession? What royal family? What pioneering achievements? I don't know!"

He raised his head and gestured for Mr. Bamboo Pole to look at the nearby city gate. He said proudly, "This is the lord's fiefdom, and it's also my home... My home is two stories high, with six rooms inside and outside!"

Chris was choked up and paused before continuing, "I'm not asking about your family... I mean, which lord is it? What is his title?"

Dave was stunned for a moment, then turned his head and looked at me like I was a fool. "A lord is a lord, what's the point of a title?"

(End of this chapter)