Infrastructure Throne

City East Market.

Boss Mo of the gift and iron shop has been very anxious recently.

He has not sold a single piece of ironware for three days in a row, not even a customer from the ironware shop came to the consultant's price, and even the clerk in the shop ran away. Factory helper.

Since Mo Yun, the backer behind him, was stabbed to death on the sacrificial altar by Earl Yan En's gecko with a broken tail, Boss Mo's life has become more and more difficult.

Especially the newly appointed officiant, who was actually the blacksmith youth who had clashed in front of the shop that day!

Boss Mo was worried all day long, for fear that the new priest would suddenly think of someone like himself one day and feel revengeful, but soon, his worry was replaced by another matter.

That damned ironworks opened a shop specializing in selling ironware in the east market of the city, just opposite to his house.

That's all, but the ironware sold in the ironworks shop, especially the iron farming tools, are so cheap that they outrageously cheap!Every piece of iron farm implement looks exactly the same, and the quality is still good.

Since the opening of the iron factory in the opposite door, their business has plummeted. Everyone rushed to the opposite door to buy, and even many people scolded themselves as profiteers behind their backs. Otherwise, why would the price gap be so big?

I sell ironware with a few silver coins or even a dozen silver coins. When I arrive at the opposite side, I only sell dozens of copper coins, which is less than one silver coin. Boss Mo is puzzled. No matter how he calculates, let alone making money, this is a price at a loss. ah!

Even if the workers in the iron factory are all slaves who don't need to be paid, they still have to eat, right?

Could it be... that the iron factory is doing charity?

If this goes on like this, sooner or later, my shop will close down!

Boss Mo stared viciously at the shop opposite where there was an endless stream of customers, and sold iron farm tools at a loss price to see how long the opposite side could last!

※※※

Jin Da was also worried about the loss-making business of the iron factory.

Being a follower by Shen Qingze's side for a long time, he has long since forgotten the original intention of hugging his thighs for a meal, and has already regarded himself as a die-hard member who presides over his lord's cause.

Seeing that the wages and various expenses of the workers in the iron factory are being spent like water, the price of selling iron farm tools is almost the same as the cost price, or even slightly lower.

"My lord, it's not an option to go on like this!" Jin Da found Shen Qingze, who was busy writing and drawing in the study, with a worried expression on his face, "Anyway, our reputation has already been established, why don't we raise the price, even [-]% OK!"

Shen Qingze is trying to sort out the raw materials and process of firing ceramics. The system store does not have this technology for the time being, and he is not an engineering student. He can only rely on some rough memories and common sense from his previous life to make a rough recall.

Most of Yuanliu City uses pottery, and there are many craftsmen who specialize in making pottery in the city. According to the craftsmen, only the Great Xia Empire in the East has the more moist and exquisite porcelain.

Occasionally, porcelains flowed into the Northland along with the caravans. Once they appeared, they were immediately bought by the nobles at high prices.

Aristocrats and even royal families in many cities regard beautiful and expensive porcelain as a luxury that symbolizes status and wealth. Among them, the rarer colored porcelain is especially sought after, and the market is in short supply.

Since the introduction of the hydraulic blower, the temperature in the ironmaking furnace has risen to a higher level, and with the addition of coal instead of charcoal, the furnace temperature has easily exceeded 1200 degrees.

The vicinity of Yuanliu City is rich in mineral resources, and the mined mines contain quartz stone and other stone materials, which are completely suitable for firing porcelain.

The only thing to worry about is the lack of experienced craftsmen, and the lack of money!His little coffers are about to bottom out!

Shen Qingze was thinking about building a porcelain kiln, writing non-stop in his hand, absent-mindedly asked: "What's the [-]% price increase?"

Seeing his relaxed appearance, Jin Da became more and more anxious: "My lord! Ironware! Why did you set such a low price for the first batch of iron farm tools made in the iron factory? Isn't it a loss for nothing?"

Shen Qingze raised his eyelids to look at him, then lowered his head and continued to do his own thing: "Where is the loss? I didn't pay for the raw ore."

Jin Da: "There are also wages, food expenses, and transportation expenses. What's more, the city lord agrees to transfer the raw ore to you, and he also requires you to exchange enough money and food!"

Shen Qingze finally put down his pen, took a sip of tea from his teacup, and said slowly: "Don't worry, there are only iron farm tools, I don't plan to make money, and when the batch of steel knives and swords that are being made are out of the oven, we will transport them to Mingzhu City Go sell it, sell it at a high price!"

Jin Da was a little confused, and rubbed the back of his head: "Why don't iron farm tools make money? Aren't they all iron tools made by everyone?"

Shen Qingze shook his head: "Iron farm tools are different. Our Yuanliu City lacks food, the soil is not fertile enough, and the yield per mu is low. Another important reason is that farmers' farming tools are too outdated and inefficient."

He came out from behind the desk, pointed to the map hanging on the wall, and slowly slid his index finger around the surroundings of Yuanliu City for a circle.

"Look, there are large wastelands all around us. We don't actually lack land, but because the area that each person can cultivate is too small, no one takes care of those wastelands."

"I have observed that the wooden farm tools used by most farmers are blunt and easily damaged. Only some nobles and landlords have the money to use iron farm tools for tenant farmers. The nobles are not because they feel sorry for the heavy workload of tenant farmers, but because iron farm tools are more efficient. Higher, one person can cultivate more fields. In this way, nobles and landowners can save manpower."

Jin Da nodded half-understanding: "But, what does it have to do with us?"

Shen Qingze dragged the high back chair away, sat down again, leaned his elbows on the armrest, clasped his hands and fingers in front of his chest, raised his eyes calmly to look at Jin Dazi's puzzled eyes:

"In order to popularize iron farm tools to the whole Yuanliu City, I specially distorted the price."

"If the farmers all use cheap iron farm tools, the extra manpower can be used to reclaim more wasteland. Not only can the farmers hoard surplus grain, but the city can also harvest more grain taxes."

"You just said that the raw ore needs to be exchanged for more money and food. Look, isn't this a way?"

Jin Da opened his mouth wide in surprise, and stammered: "It seems... there is some truth to it. But, they made money, and we still lost money?"

Shen Qingze pressed the corner of his forehead, his eyes fell on the porcelain firing technique book that was about to be completed in front of him, and he said flatly: "So, we need to make up the losses from other places."

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When Shen Qingze was planning a new big business to make money, he didn't know that the people whose interests he had imperceptibly damaged could no longer sit still.

Gift and iron shop.

After the death of the former chief priest Mo Yun, the oil lamp that had been dusty for a long time lit up the underground secret room again.

When he came in with a tea set tray, Boss Mo bent even lower. He had no backer, and the wealth and life of his family depended on Earl Yan En. None of the few nobles sitting in the secret room is He can afford to offend.

After he lowered his eyebrows and offered the brewed tea, the middle-aged man sitting opposite Earl Yan En took a cup impatiently: "Why so slow?"

Boss Mo said sincerely and fearfully:

"Your Excellency, Viscount Boya, I'm very sorry. A few blacksmiths in the shop insisted on arguing for a wage increase just now, and threatened that if there is no increase, they will leave here and go to the iron factory on the outskirts of the city. I am busy dismissing these tricksters." Work, wasted time."

Viscount Boya's family is a rising star in the city. His grandfather died in a fierce beast tide decades ago, and was later crowned by the city lord at the time to show his meritorious service. Somewhat distantly related.

Hearing this, Viscount Boya sneered, and the teacup made a crisp sound on the stone table.

"Lord Earl, look, this newly appointed Lord Priest is really good at tricks, not to mention the following troublemakers, those artisans raised in my family, have recently begun to move around, they dare not say it out loud, secretly People's hearts are floating, and resentment is soaring!"

Another nobleman with a long beard echoed:

"Originally, as long as we fed those craftsmen and servants every day, ten copper coins a month would make them happy and grateful. Now those guys are all greedy and completely forget who is feeding them!"

Salt and iron officer Berg took off the cloak behind him, and held the teacup in both hands, with a hint of worry in his black eyes:

"Lord Earl, earlier, the City Lord's Mansion issued an order, which was sent by Fan Mizhou himself, requesting the mine to send half of the coal and iron ore to the iron factory for smelting and processing. I cannot refuse."

Seeing Earl Yan En closing his eyes and resting his mind, and remaining silent, Viscount Boya frowned: "No wonder the dividends from the mine have decreased recently."

Berg thought for a while, and continued: "In this way, the share we can control will decrease a lot in an instant, and it will not be convenient to continue to make false accounts like before. It is easy to be seen."

The long-bearded noble said disdainfully: "So what if you see it? The ores we intercepted were all smuggled to Mingzhu City. If you have the ability, let the city lord go to Mingzhu City to arrest witnesses and confront them!"

Viscount Boya picked up his teacup again, and took a sip slowly:

"Yes, even if they are aware of it, they can't do anything to us, otherwise, he will be against the nobles in the whole city, not to mention, the old lady is still alive, the last time the sacrificial ceremony was so violent, the city lord dared not Lord Earl, do you want to do it!"

"Okay." Yan En suddenly opened his eyes, frowned, and interrupted the self-comfort of several people, "Don't get too complacent, that boy Yan Zui has a dark heart."

They immediately shut their mouths and looked at him anxiously.

"But you're right. We really can't sit still and let the iron factories on the outskirts of the city grow bigger, poach our servants, and squeeze our share."

※※※

Suburban ironworks.

When the iron factory was officially on the right track of rapid development, Shen Qingze ordered someone to pick up Old Man Li from the village, and appointed him the post of honorary factory director.

Although Old Li's legs and feet are inconvenient, his many years of experience in blacksmithing, coupled with the first contact with Shen Qingze's new technology from the system, he can be the technical backbone of the ironworks, guiding those new craftsmen, More than enough.

"Master officiant! My lord officiant! Something is wrong!" Panting, Jin ran all the way into the workshop, and found Shen Qingze who was discussing with old man Li.

Shen Qingze glanced up at him, and said coldly: "What's the matter, speak slowly."

Jin Da was followed by the manager of the construction team, wiping his sweat tremblingly:

"It's like this. I don't know what happened today. Many craftsmen in the iron factory suddenly refused to do it. There were many people who came to recruit workers every day, but today there is no one. There is also your plan to build a porcelain kiln last time. , and now I can't spare any manpower at all..."

Shen Qingze slightly paused the hand that was pouring tea, then nodded lightly: "I see."

Jin Da was so anxious that he was sweating profusely: "Master Officiant, you...you should give me some response!"

Shen Qingze slowly brewed the tea in his hand, and stood up: "Let's go, follow me to the City Lord's Mansion."

The author has something to say: Yan: Quickly let the city lord come out and clean up these grasshoppers after autumn!

Subordinates: Brother, forget it.jpg