Chapter 79: Finally Arrived
TL: Etude
Young Master Queller, is that large lake ahead Lake Weiss, isnt it? a young man in the group, still with a hint of youth in his voice, excitedly exclaimed.
Old shipwright Benjamin chuckled. This apprentice named Vito was indeed full of enthusiasm. After a days journey, while others in the group showed signs of fatigue, he alone continued to look around with great interest.
Riding on his horse, Queller responded with a smile, Yes, youve never seen such a big lake, have you? See that island on the lake? Thats our destination for this trip.
Lakeheart Town, thought Benjamin, is this the place where the lord mentioned by Young Master Queller resides? A slight excitement stirred in him.
Benjamin, nearing forty, was an experienced shipbuilder. Having spent half his life building ships in various shipyards, he was somewhat renowned in the shipbuilding industry of Horn Bay. However, Benjamin was not one to follow the trodden path. He always pondered how to improve the current designs of ships.
Three years ago, he wished to experiment with ships that relied solely on wind power, not oars. This concept wasnt new historically, but it hadnt gained popularity in Horn Bay due to environmental constraints. After building galleys for decades, Benjamin yearned for something fresh.
However, as a mere craftsman, he lacked the funds to build large ships. He approached the shipyard owner with his idea. As a respected foreman, his opinions were valued, and the owner promised to consider his proposal. But, there was no follow-up.
Frustrated, Benjamin resigned and worked at several other shipyards, but no owner was willing to invest a significant sum in a ship type that might not sell in Horn Bay.
During this period, he met a 16-year-old boy named Vito, whose dream was to see whats beyond the sea. He came to the shipyard to learn shipbuilding, hoping to construct a vessel that could venture deep into the ocean. For such a ship, human rowing was impractical; it had to rely on wind power. Benjamin found the young mans dream aligned with his own, so he took Vito as his apprentice.
After facing continuous rejections together, their enthusiasm waned. Thats when they encountered Queller Foster, who was recruiting shipbuilders around the world.
Benjamin, trying his luck, went to inquire. Queller happened to be at the recruitment site that day. Seeing an experienced shipwright, he personally welcomed Benjamin and described the two models he had seen at Port Frans Shipyard. Benjamin was so intrigued that it felt like a second spring in his life.
Without hesitation, Benjamin quit his current job, registered with Queller, and brought along his apprentice, who was eager to explore new lands. Knowing they were headed to the Northwest Bay, the young apprentice was more than willing.
Now, they had finally reached their destination.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the town, a team was already waiting for them. Queller had sent a fast rider to notify Paul from a distance.
Queller dismounted and walked towards a familiar figure, who had already extended his right hand.
Its been a long time, Queller.
Indeed, a long time, Paul.
Their hands clasped firmly.
Turning around, Queller gestured with his hand and said, Here are the shipbuilders you wanted. Thirty this time, just the first batch. More will come, along with talents in other fields you requested.
Paul clapped Quellers shoulder hard, Thanks, I was getting gray hairs waiting.
He then warmly greeted everyone behind Queller, Welcome, everyone. I hope you enjoy living in my territory.
He also recognized other familiar faces, greeting them, The members of the Lichman Adventure Group, hello to you all.
The group behind Queller also greeted him in return.
Paul ordered his people to properly settle the individuals Queller had brought, while Queller and Christopher, the actual person in charge of the merchant convoy, were invited to dine at the lords residence. They were accompanied by Count Baylding, Malron Ganard, as well as Ford, the chief administrator, Hensel, and other high-ranking officials of the administrative council.
The dinnerware used for the meal was porcelain, and not just any porcelain, but ones adorned with patterns, which greatly astonished Queller and Christopher.
Particularly, Christopher, the manager, picked up a porcelain bowl and examined it closely under the candlelight, involuntarily uttering words of amazement.
Tapping lightly on the porcelain bowl with a knife and fork produced a crisp and pleasant sound, truly a miraculous and beautiful creation.
As the dinner commenced, Queller conveyed his father, Marquis Fosters intentions for cooperation: his family wanted to secure exclusive rights to distribute porcelain and paper in the south.
No problem! Paul agreed immediately, adding, But there should be a time limit. After it expires, we can renew the contract only if both parties are satisfied.
Paul, currently weak in the north and even more so in the distant south, understood the necessity of relying on the Foster family, a powerful ally, but he also knew he couldnt depend on them forever.
Christopher, beaming, said, Of course, of course, thats how we always do it. Lord Grayman, rest assured, doing business with the Foster familys guild, you will definitely not suffer any loss.
He was determined to secure the rights at all costs, planning to take back a batch of porcelain and paper to the south.
By this time, truly practical porcelain had begun mass production. After gaining the support of Baylding, Lakeheart Town had expanded its porcelain kilns capacity.
There were now over fifty workers capable of producing 3,000 pieces of everyday porcelain monthly. However, due to the majority being novices, the quality of the produced porcelain varied.
Lakeheart Towns porcelain kiln had two main lines of business:
1. Producing their own standard line of everyday porcelain. For instance, a tray was priced at 2 silver coins, while bowls and plates cost 1 silver coin each.
2. Making custom-ordered porcelain as per clients requests, priced according to the complexity of production, with some pieces costing dozens of silver coins each.
The thought of turning a pile of kaolin clay into a pile of shining silver coins was exhilarating.
However, the target market for porcelain wasnt ordinary civilians, as many common folk hadnt even handled a silver coin, let alone considered purchasing porcelain. The primary clientele were nobles and wealthy merchants.
Following two military victories, Paul started feeling a bit inflated and no longer feared attracting too much attention. He instructed Ford, the chief administrator of commerce, to lift trade restrictions and gradually expand Aldas trade routes eastward and southward.
Porcelain and paper were in high demand. Lakeheart Town was no longer the quiet place it once was, showing early signs of busyness. Merchants from other regions frequently visited, leaving with large quantities of paper and porcelain.
Paul was considering whether it was time to replace the rickety floating bridge with a proper stone bridge, as it was significantly impeding traffic and affecting the towns image.
Alternatively, relocating some residents to the southern shore of Lake Weiss, and establishing a new settlement could be a way to expand Lakeheart Town into a real city.
He believed that day wasnt far off.
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