Chapter 15 Don’t come back in the future
Xu Yi had to admit that he had underestimated the people of the Sines Continent before.
He thought that magic machines would be a new thing on the Sines Continent, so it would take people quite a bit of time to even accept this new thing, not to mention beginning to research it. So he always felt that it would take quite a bit of time to create an industrial system on the Sines Continent, perhaps he wouldn’t even be able to accomplish it in his life.
But reality had ruthlessly slapped his face.
Once the magic machines were released, it only took a short amount of time for the people of Banta City to accept it. Then after the king and the agricultural department announced they were cooperating with the Frestech Chamber of Commerce, it grew like a mushroom after a storm in the Lampuri Kingdom, as several large and small companies began producing magic machines.
These companies couldn’t compare to the Frestech Chamber of Commerce in scale right now, so their magic machines were just imitations of the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s early products, but they still earned a large amount in the places the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s sales network didn’t reach.
What made Xu Yi truly surprised and shocked was that these ordinary farmers like Freeman would actually use their experience with the small Magic Harvester to think of the idea of outsourcing the production of parts!
This mind for business couldn’t help surprising Xu Yi.
Xu Yi very happily agreed to Freeman’s idea, first letting them tour the factory before personally giving them some instruction.
As for Freeman’s group’s idea to buy production magic machines to outsource parts, Xu Yi had agreed, but he didn’t agree to them outsourcing large parts.
This is because with their current technological power and their shallow knowledge of magic machines, if they rashly made these large parts, it would be likely the parts they made wouldn’t conform to the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s requirements. In the end they wouldn’t be used and they would suffer a large loss.
In the end, under Xu Yi’s suggestion, Freeman’s group turned their eyes to the Magic Thread Rolling Machine.
Although the screw bolts were small, to the magic machines produced by the Frestech Chamber of Commerce, they were an indispensable part and were used in many machines.
Moreover the Magic Thread Rolling Machine was the first official production magic machine developed by the Frestech Chamber of Commerce, now that it had been improved on for a year, it was much more refined compared to before. Not only was it simple to operate, it was also more stable, so there were more kinds of screw bolts produced. It could meet the requirements for all the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s current magic machines.
After Freeman’s group considered it, they accepted Xu Yi’s suggestion and bought five entire Magic Thread Rolling Machine from the Frestech Chamber of Commerce.
The new generation Magic Thread Rolling Machine costed forty gold coins each, so five would require two hundred gold coins.
This was a large sum for normal farmers and although Freeman’s group had used the agricultural magic machine to earn some money, they couldn’t take out such a large amount.
So when Freeman hesitantly asked if it could be the same as when the received the Magic Harvester, using a postponing method to pay for the Magic Thread Rolling Machine, Xu Yi wasn’t surprised at all and directly agreed to their request.
To Xu Yi, for these normal farmers like Freeman to start producing magic machine parts, it was even more significant that the magic machines that had bloomed in the Lampuri Kingdom.
Although they were just normal farmers, since they were buying Magic Thread Rolling Machines, it demonstrated that an important part of the industrial system was appearing on the Sines Continent.
If it was given time and a small company like this gradually appeared, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce could just let this little company produce the parts for their magic machines. It would free up a lot of staff for Xu Yi to focus on the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s matters.
Of course, the ideal in Xu Yi’s heart would never be something everyone could understand.
It was Heinz before, but now that Heinz was in Karma City managing the factory there, the one complaining had changed to Sebas.
“Sir chairman, according to last month’s financial reports, we sold various kinds of screw bolts for a profit of seven hundred and sixty four gold coins. Not to mention the massive cost benefits that the screw bolts brought us, which added together would be a total of over two thousand gold coins.”
It was different from Heinz’s complaining. Sebas was someone who was serious and respected Xu Yi, so he would always bring out data first that supported his point.
“You sold those five Magic Thread Rolling Machines to those farmers for no charge and promised to help them master the method for producing screw bolts, which is basically giving these profits to them. Is this…..good?” Sebas looked at Xu Yi with a doubtful gaze.”
“Let me ask you a question.” Xu Yi asked back, “Sebas, do you think that our Frestech Chamber of Commerce will become a first class company?”
Sebas was stunned, never thinking that Xu Yi would suddenly ask this kind of question.
After thinking about it, Seba gave a slight nod, “Yes, sir chairman, I have no doubt that our company will become a first class company on the Sines Continent.”
Xu Yi revealed a faint smile, never thinking that Sebas was this confident. He just asked if they would become a first class company, but Sebas’ answer surpassed that.
“Then good, since you believe we will become a super large first class company, do you think that all large companies will take all the market for the products under them? Or accurately speaking, do you think that our Frestech Chamber of Commerce will take all the magic machine industry?” Xu Yi asked.
Gradually being influenced by Xu Yi, the people of the Frestech Chamber of Commerce were no longer strangers to the words magic machine industry. Sebas thought about it before shaking his head, “No. According to the sir chairman’s plan and estimates, the magic machine industry is a colossus and it is impossible for us to grab everything.”
“That’s right. Since we can’t possibly take everything, we have to give parts to people sooner or later. Then it’s better to take the initiative to give it out rather than passively give it out. Although it is just the screw bolt, it represents profit of over two thousand each month, or even more. But you should see that producing the screw bolt doesn’t take any technological knowledge, it just requires one to buy the Magic Thread Rolling Machine to make. Do you think we should sell the Magic Thread Rolling Machines?” Xu Yi asked.
Sebas was silent for a bit before hesitantly responding, “Actually…..Sir chairman, on your decision to give sell those small companies the production magic machines, I have always been…..confused. The production magic machine can only be produced by our Frestech Chamber of Commerce and only our Frestech Chamber of Commerce has the best quality in terms of magic machines, as well as the highest efficiency. Now that you are selling those production magic machines, there will be many companies in the Lampuri Kingdom making the same magic machines. Although those small companies aren’t any threat to us right now, there will be some influence in the end.”
Seeing the doubtful look on Sebas’ face, Xu Yi couldn’t help smiling. If it was Heinz instead, he wouldn’t be as tactful as Sebas and directly said that he was ruining them and raising a tiger to bite them…..
But for Heinz, Xu Yi could just refute him. He could say that this was part of his long term plan and he wouldn’t need to care.
But for Sebas, Xu Yi couldn’t directly refute him like this.
“Sebas, do you remember what I said last time at the product announcement?”
Sebas knit his brows to think about it, “This….sir chairman. I’m not too certain what you’re referring to.”
“I said at the product announcement last time that our Frestech Chamber of Commerce want to make a large cake. We wouldn’t snatch this cake from others, do you understand what I mean?”
Sebas hesitated for a while. The doubt on his face disappeared, but it was replaced with heavy confusion.
“Sir chairman, perhaps doing this will allow more people to understand magic machines and expand the market, making a large cake like you said, but…..With our Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s current strength, after making this large cake, it does not mean we can take the biggest slice.”
“What, are you doubting the strength of our company?” Xu Yi revealed a faint smile, “Relax, if I didn’t have confidence, do you think I would do this?”
Sebas looked at Xu Yi without saying a thing.
If he raised his doubts at this time, it would be disrespectful to Xu Yi and he definitely wouldn’t do something like this.
Xu Yi patted Sebas’ shoulder with a smile, “Alright, go back and tell the Lord Viscount that I have my ideas, tell him not to worry.”
“This is not the Lord Viscount’s meaning……” Sebas reflexively responded, but seeing the almost non-existent smile on Xu Yi’s face, he couldn’t help taking back his words. After pausing, he said with a nod, “Yes.”
###
Sebas didn’t need to send Viscount Leslie a letter because Viscount Leslie had returned from Anvilmar City two days after they had spoken!
Out of Xu Yi’s expectation, when Viscount Leslie came back, he brought back the legendary Baron Hannas who had been under house arrest for a full three months.
When he saw Xu Yi, Baron Hannas came forward with a wide smile and hugged him. Then he impatiently asked, “Xu Yi, how is my ?Banta Times? doing? Is it doing well now? Did any problems occur after I left?”
Xu Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “The ?Banta Times? is not your child. Don’t be disappointed when I tell you this, but although you left, the ?Banta Times? has been even better than when you left under Nakhi’s leadership. It now sells over ten thousand papers each day, being several times stronger than the nearby cities’ ?Saltan Morning News? and ?Karma Times?.”
Baron Hannas broke out in laughter, “Why would I be disappointed? I’m very happy! This is great, I was worried the most about the ?Banta Times? when I was in Anvilmar City. Now that I’ve heard that it has developed this much, I’m very assured.”
Xu Yi looked at the spirited Baron Hannas and found that compared to when he left Banta City, the childishness on his face had disappeared and he looked much more mature.
“Hannas, I’ve heard that there are two newspapers that appeared in Anvilmar City that are called the ?Anvilmar Times? and the ?Lampuri Weekly?. Be honest with me, are those two newspapers related to you?” Xu Yi asked.
Hannas laughed and patted Xu Yi’s shoulder before whispering in his ear, “It’s good you know, don’t ask too much.”
Xu Yi nodded with a faint smile and didn’t plan to keep asking. He turned to Viscount Leslie on the side and asked, “Lord Viscount, you’re finally back. If it wasn’t for the spring harvest, perhaps you wouldn’t have come back this time?”
Viscount Leslie nodded with a smile, “Indeed. After going there, there was something that happened back at home. If it wasn’t for the importance of this spring harvest, I wouldn’t have had the time to come back.”
Xu Yi couldn’t help saying, “This is a large part of your territory and you are a large shareholder of our company, so if you’re never here, there are many things that become troublesome.”
“With you here, what trouble can there be?” Viscount Leslie smiled before suddenly sighing, “Xu Yi, let me tell you some news that even I don’t know if it is good or not. After this spring harvest, perhaps I will have to leave Banta City and will never come back.”
Xu Yi looked at Viscount Leslie in surprise. Seeing that he didn’t seem like he was joking, he was speechless.
Chapter 16 Your highness queen
The two harvest seasons each year were the most important days in the Lampuri Kingdom and Banta City.
This year’s spring harvest was more important than other years. When Viscount Leslie conducted the harvest on his territory, not only did it attract all the nobles with territory to watch, even the Lord City Lord personally came to watch. He even gave a speech on the spot, praising Viscount Leslie for the ample harvest on his territory.
Other than this, what surprised people was that the crowd was made up of normal farmers from the various rural areas outside Banta City.
Among them were farmers who had received invitations before, so although they were a bit nervous coming this time, they weren’t as cautious as before seeing all these nobles.
As for the ones who were coming for the first time, their eyes were gathered on the farms with looks of praise.
For these farmers who had been working on farms for their entire lives, they have never seen such a uniform farm that looked like it came out of a painting.
And these farms were filled with long golden wheat, which created a beautiful image when it entered their eyes.
The reason why so many people were gathered here today was traced to last year’s fall harvest.
Under Xu Yi’s suggestion last year, Viscount Leslie used the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s agricultural magic machines to greatly change all the farms in his territory. He also opened up the lands that he hadn’t opened before because of a lack of manpower.
After the farm harvest, large amounts of agricultural magic machines had been operating non stop on his territory. It finished a project that seemed quite large to people in a very short period of time.
And now it was time to harvest the results of the project.
This farm modification plan was a pilot project for Banta City and for the king. As the Banta City’s City Lord, Coun Sean Samo had to be there.
Other than this, Seveni as the agricultural department’s representative was naturally also there.
The results of this farm modification plan would directly decide the agricultural department’s future plans.
And seeing the facts in front of her, the results were without a doubt very good.
Looking at it, the area in front was a very smooth and perfectly divided farmland covered in a sea of yellow, filling one’s eyes with golden wheat.
Even if it was someone without experience in farming, they could still easily tell that Viscount Leslie had a rich harvest this year.
When Count Sean finished his speech and Viscount Leslie finished the sacrifice ceremony as the owner of the land, dozens of small Magic Harvesters went in a straight line, choosing a piece of farmland to drive over.
In less than half an hour, each small Magic Harvester had finished harvesting a mu of land.
Looking at the small stalks left from the large fields of golden wheat and the sacks filled with grains on the side, the people watching couldn’t help giving sighs of praise.
It should be said that it was some people’s first time seeing the small Magic Harvester’s at work, but seeing such a harvest, everyone couldn’t help praising it.
“Chairman Xu, it seems like this year’s harvest is much faster.” A noble pointed at the Magic Harvesters preparing to move onto the next field as he spoke to Xu Yi.
“Un, our company has made some improvements to this batch of Magic Harvesters. They turn much faster and make more resolutions, so their harvest efficiency had been increased.” Xu Yi replied with a faint smile, “How about it, Viscount Samuel? You didn’t buy anything last year, are you interested this year?”
Viscount Samuel laughed, “Alright, I’ll definitely buy some this year! Not only this Magic Harvest, I also want to buy the Magic Excavator and the Magic Plowing Machines. In short I want to modify my farms just like Viscount Leslie’s. Seeing Viscount Leslie’s rich harvest this year, I’m indeed a bit jealous.”
“Be assured Viscount Samuel, it isn’t too late to start now. As long as you change it after the spring harvest, with our company’s magic machines, it can be done in less than half a month, so there will be plenty of time to plant the seeds. When the autumn harvest comes, your land will have a similar scene.”
“Alright, let’s set it as this. Chairman Xu, since you’ve already agreed to me, don’t tell me you don’t have the goods when time comes.” Viscount Samuel reminded him.
“Be assured, our company has increased our efficiency, so we definitely won’t be lacking in goods.”
Xu Yi wanted to keep talking to Viscount Samuel and set the deal when he saw Seveni in the distance waving to him. After excusing himself from Viscount Samuel, he walked over.
“What is it? Young miss Seveni, seeing this scene in front of you, do you have more confidence in our Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s agricultural magic machines?” Xu Yi asked with a smile.
“Un, it is indeed like this.” Seveni nodded with a faint smile, “But chairman Xu, I want to remind you that your Frestech Chamber of Commerce hasn’t finished our agricultural department’s high thirty thousand agricultural magic machine order yet. I hope that you can focus on our order first.”
Xu Yi looked back at Viscount Samuel and gave a shrug, “There is no way since our Frestech Chamber of Commerce is a Banta City company, so we can’t just ignore business in Banta City.”
“There is no problem doing business in Banta City, but it’s best if you don’t do business with other cities. This would also be very helpful to our agricultural department’s plan to promote the agricultural magic machines.” Seveni said, “Chairman Xu, I think that you should be very clear that if our agricultural department helps you promote the agricultural magic machines, it will be of great help to your Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s development, so I hope that you can finish our agricultural department’s orders first. As for the other magic machines, can you stop producing them for now?”
Xu Yi knit his brows, “Young miss Seveni, your request is a bit overboard. Our agreement said that the order needed to be finished in two years and with our current efficiency, we can easily finish this order. You requesting us to finish the agricultural department’s order isn’t a problem, but for us to stop developing and producing magic machines, this really is forcing others into doing something they do not wish to do.”
Seveni thought about and turned to look at the farmland being harvested. After being in silence for a bit, she suddenly gave a soft sigh, “Alright chairman Xu, I admit I’m a bit anxious. Based on the current scene I was a bit excited. I was thinking that it would be great if every other place in the kingdom could be like this, so I gave you an excessive request, I’m quite sorry.”
Xu Yi revealed a faint smile, “There’s no need to apologize. I understand your thoughts and your anxiety since as the ruler of the country, of course you want the country to become as strong as possible. Am I right, your highness queen?”
“Yes, I really hope that…..” Seveni was suddenly stunned. She turned to look at Xu Yi with bigger eyes and asked in surprise, “You…..When did you find out?”
“Not long ago.” Xu Yi replied, “Actually, I found it very strange as soon as I saw you. Why would a girl with such a noble aura be a normal official in the agricultural department? And you were this young. So when you came to Banta City, I found it even more surprising that a normal agricultural department official like you could contact the king and even act on the king’s behalf to negotiate with me. Of course, I just suspected that you didn’t have a simple identity, but I never thought that you would be our Lampuri Kingdom’s noble queen.”
Young miss Seveni, or rather queen Seveni was surprised for only a bit before she recovered. She said with a faint smile, “If my guesses aren’t wrong, it should be Viscount Leslie who told you? I clearly told him not to speak too much.”
“Honourable queen, this isn’t anything that needs to be hidden, right?” Xu Yi couldn’t help saying, “Although hiding your identity makes it a bit safer, it doesn’t really help for the work you’re currently doing. If I knew that you were the queen beforehand, it would have made our negotiations much more direct.”
“Direct? You’re talking about demanding for territory from me?” Seveni said without any politeness.
Xu Yi smiled, but didn’t say anything.
The so called queen was different from a normal princess.
The princess only meant she was the king’s daughter, but the queen meant that other than the identity, she also had the right to inherit the throne.
That’s right, as the Lampuri Kingdom’s king’s only daughter, queen Seveni had the same inheritance rights as her two brothers.
Because queen Seveni had been outstanding since she was young and she had high fame in the Lampuri Kingdom, many people even felt that she had more rights to inherit the throne than the other two princes.
If it wasn’t for the fact that she was a woman, the king would have already made her the only successor already.
Therefore compared to the princesses in other small kingdoms of the Sines Continent, queen Seveni had much more authority.
If Xu Yi knew that she was the queen, he would have directly asked her for territory.”
“You better give up on territory.” Seveni firmly said, “Other than special circumstances, the kingdom will definitely not confer any new territory and it is even more impossible for a normal merchant like you. Perhaps because of the contributions your Frestech Chamber of Commerce has made, royal father will consider making you a noble, but he definitely won’t give you territory.”
Xu Yi casually gave a shrug, “Noble queen, you’ve mistaken me. I actually don’t want territory, rather I just need some land to freely develop. Our Frestech Chamber of Commerce needs to develop and needs a large piece of land to build a factory. Since the king has already agreed to rent me a large piece of land, my request has already been satisfied and there’s no need for me to be granted land.”
Seveni looked at Xu Yi, “Chairman Xu, actually I’m very curious. What difference is there in land rented from the royal family and land rented from Viscount Leslie?”
“Of course there’s a difference, at least the royal family won’t take the land away if they suddenly become unhappy.” Xu Yi said.
Seveni narrowed her eyes before revealing a smile of profound meaning while saying, “Chairman Xu, you’ve obtained some news, right?”
Xu Yi revealed a bitter smile and looked at Viscount Leslie talking with Count Sean before saying with a sigh, “That’s right, there are some things that even Lord Viscount Leslie can’t control. I am just a small merchant, I am even more powerless.”
Seveni looked at the distant Viscount Leslie and thought about it before giving a sigh, “Viscount Leslie is a very good partner, but it’s a pity that he isn’t strong enough.”