Chapter 69 Tax deductions
It was mid October and it was time to plant fall crops. There was no sign of planting on Viscount Leslie’s land at all, rather there was an endless roaring sound all over the place.
Looking at it, several dozen large and small magic machines of different shapes passed through the fields, changing the appearance of the desolate land.
This was Viscount Leslie’s conviction.
With the support of large amounts of magic machines from Xu Yi, Viscount Leslie had decided to open up all the land under his name and carry out a large scale land restructuring based on Xu Yi’s plan.
Before this, because the land under Viscount Leslie had been planted by hand, he was very casual about the design of the fields. Now that he was opening all these fields, Xu Yi had given him a new plan and connected all the fields, dividing them into exact squares. At the same time, they were digging out spacious drainage ditches for the farms, making it more convenient to make rice paddies and prevent droughts.
Other than this, Xu Yi had also suggested to Viscount Leslie to put all his farms on a large piece of land at the same height, making it more convenient for machines to work on in the future.
To be honest, it wasn’t like Viscount Leslie hadn’t considered restructuring the land under his name, but because his manpower was limited, he didn’t have enough manpower to accomplish this task even if he had the thought to do so.
With the three hundred slaves and less than a hundred guards under him, he couldn’t have opened more than seven hectares of farmland even if he put in all his effort each year.
But this year he had the agricultural magic machines developed by Xu Yi, so this thought finally became reality.
He used the small Magic Plowing Machine to first break up the earth and then he transported this loose earth to lower areas.
After repeating this several times, the farms under Viscount Leslie’s name had become a flat area.
At this time, it was time for the new small Magic Excavator developed by the Frestech Chamber of Commerce to take the stage.
First they used the small Magic Plowing Machine to loosen the dirt in an area before using the small Magic Excavator to dig bit by bit. In the end, they created a large hole that had a depth and width of close to half a meter.
Then the small Magic Excavator kept moving back, as its mechanical arm kept moving back and forth. This hole was expanded and soon a large straight ditch was created in the land.
“Not bad. With this speed, in just a single day, we’ll be able to transform an entire hectare of farm land.” It wasn’t just Viscount Leslie and Xu Yi who came today, even Count Sean Samo had come after hearing the news. Seeing the high efficiency of the magic machines in the fields, Count Sean couldn’t help praising them, “If this was done by hand, it might not be finished even given a week.”
“Lord City Lord, actually I’m not satisfied with this speed.” Xu Yi shook his head and said, “The efficiency of the small Magic Excavator we designed is still to low. According to my designs, the real Magic Excavator wouldn’t need the help of the Magic Plowing Machine and it could dig the ditch by itself. My final goal was that it could dig out rocks. This is far from something the small Magic Excavator you are seeing now can compare to.”
“Of? It can even dig up stones? Are you not kidding?” Count Sean said in an astonished voice.
“No, of course I’m not kidding. If it wasn’t for the fact we were limited by our materials, we could achieve a stronger Magic Array output with this magic machine. Like this, the effect of the Magic Excavator would become much more effective and it wouldn’t be strange to achieve the goal of digging up stone.” Xu Yi responded in a confident voice.
This was not just him bluffing. After studying this for a long time with Great Magician Camilla, Xu Yi was very clear on how strong high level magic was. Even the legendary forbidden spells could be compared to nuclear bombs on earth.
Comparing it like this, as long as the right magic power was used in the magic machines, it wasn’t a fantasy for these magic machines to compare to the machines on earth.
It was a pity that the Sines Continent’s ironwork was very crude. These magic machines couldn’t take the power being released right now, so Xu Yi had to keep his plans in his mind for now.
“It’s good for young people to have lofty goals, but bread needs to be eaten mouthful by mouthful. You shouldn’t be in a rush for this.” Count Sean patted Xu Yi’s shoulder to comfort him, “The magic machines you have designed have already surprised me. If this was before, I never would have imagined that a large area of farmland could be improved in such a short period of time. It was no wonder that kid Leslie confidently said last tie that he wanted to open up all the farmland under his name. Looking at it now, there really is hope.”
Xu Yi suddenly laughed, “Lord City Lord, Lord Viscount is actually using all the farmland under him to help me do an experiment. Although our Frestech Chamber of Commerce has invented many magic machines, if they aren’t used to perform experiments with real results, that wouldn’t be right.”
“Un, this is the attitude a responsible company should have. As for this kid Leslie…..I can see that he is looking forward to letting you experiment on his territory. Don’t you know that the other nobles are all very jealous of him right now?” Count Sean said with a faint smile.
Xu Yi couldn’t help laughing. Not only did he know this, he had experienced it countless times.
It had to be known that after Xu Yi used the magic machines he developed to help Viscount Leslie change the farmland under him, the other nobles of Banta City had also made the same request of Xu Yi. It was a pity that Xu Yi’s factory capacity was limited right now and he could only meet Viscount Leslie’s request and couldn’t agree to the other nobles at all.
Moreover, even if the Frestech Chamber of Commerce could produce enough agricultural magic machines, Xu Yi wouldn’t easily agree to these nobles.
Viscount Leslie was fine since when Xu Yi introduced the small Magic Harvester and the small Magic Plowing Machine, he had been by Xu Yi’s side since the beginning, so the others knew that Viscount Leslie’s relationship with Xu Yi was not normal. But if Xu Yi agreed to help any other noble, perhaps he might offend to the rest of the nobles.
Xu Yi was not a fool, why would he do such a thankless job.
Of course, when Xu Yi turned down these nobles, he had also made a promise to them. He promised that when next spring came, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce will have enough magic machines and will meet all the requests of the nobles.
Although there were several months before next spring, Xu Yi had already received large orders worth close to ten thousand gold coins.
These orders contained all kinds of agricultural magic machines, guaranteeing that the dwarves led by Camby would be busy during the entire winter.
But this was a matter that also made Xu Yi quite worried.
The magic machine workshop was not just for making agricultural magic machines. Compared to this, Xu Yi hoped that they could completely focusing on studying production magic machines.
This was because to develop the industry, production machines were the most fundamental thing. The production of any machine couldn’t be separated from production magic machines.
If production magic machines weren’t developed enough, the development of the industry would be limited. This was not something Xu Yi wished to see happen.
But Xu Yi couldn’t reject these orders at all, so he had been facing a painful decision during this time.
If he wanted to develop the magic machine industry, he did have to make as much money as possible since studying magic machines required a large amount of money. Any random project would require large amount of funds and manpower.
But if he wanted more money, he had to shift his focus, slowing down the research of magic machines. It was basically putting the cart before the horse.
“In the end, we have too few people.” Xu Yi gave a sigh before turning to Count Sean to ask, “That’s right, Lord City Lord, has there been any progress with the thing I asked for your help with last time?”
Count Sean was surprised, but he reacted and slightly knit his brows, “You’re talking about helping you recruit craftsmen? This…..is a bit difficult. Your requirement of craftsmen are too high, so there aren’t many who meet it in Banta City and there are also only a few in other cities that meet it. Not to mention that the ones who conform to your standard are rare talented people and won’t easily move to other places, like running to our Banta City. So…..I’m also having some difficulties.”
Xu Yi gave a helpless sigh. Actually he was very clear that Count Sean was right and that if good craftsmen were easy to recruit, he wouldn’t need to worry so much.
It seemed like he could only depend on the dwarves.
He had raised this matter to Camby last time and Camby said that he would help him contact the dwarves of other tribes. If possible, he would recruit more dwarven craftsmen for the Frestech Chamber of Commerce.
“But Xu Yi, you don’t need to be disappointed. I can’t help you with finding craftsmen, but I can help you with something else.” Count Sean suddenly said.
“Oh?” Xu Yi looked at Count Sean with a surprised gaze.
Count Sean pointed at the magic machines working in the field and said, “I have already given a report on your agricultural magic machines to the kingdom’s agricultural department, while also writing a secret letter to his majesty mentioning these things. Whether it was the agricultural department or his majesty, they were all filled with praise for these things. They finally decided to give tax deductions to your Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s agricultural magic machines, while promoting you agricultural magic machines throughout the kingdom. If there are no surprises, his majesty will be summoning you soon. You better prepare yourself.”
Xu Yi’s eyes instantly lit up.
Tax deductions for everything?
It had to be known the business tax in the Lampuri Kingdom was very high. For a small company like the Frestech Chamber of Commerce, the highest tax was even at 40%!
For a small Magic Harvester with a price of seventy gold coins, if they received a full tax deduction, it meant that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce would earn an extra twenty gold coins!
This was equivalent to his majesty and the agricultural department giving the Frestech Chamber of Commerce a large amount of money.
Of course, it should be impossible for a full tax deduction. This would cause all the companies in the kingdom to become dissatisfied and his majesty definitely wouldn’t be this stupid.
But even if it was a partial deduction, that would bring many benefits to Xu Yi and the Frestech Chamber of Commerce.
The more important part was the latter half! His majesty and the agricultural department would be promoting the agricultural magic machines all over the kingdom!
This was basically official advertisement!
With the support of his majesty and the agricultural department, it meant the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s agricultural magic machines will be able to easily spread to every corner of the Lampuri Kingdom.
At that time, just based on selling agricultural magic machines, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce could jump to becoming a first class company in the Lampuri Kingdom!
Chapter 70 New alloy
“Of course, Xu Yi, his highness and the agricultural department has hoped that since they have provided tax deductions, your Frestech Chamber of Commerce can lower the price of your agricultural magic machines appropriately. At a minimum, make it so that all the nobles with territory in the kingdom can afford it.” Count Sean added.
“I ask Lord City Lord to pass to his majesty that this is something that our Frestech Chamber of Commerce should do. Perhaps you should tell his majesty of our company’s farmer support plan, that way his majesty can understand how much of a responsible company we are.” Xu Yi said with a smile.
“What is social responsibility? Why is there always strange words that come out of your mouth?” Count Sean looked at Xu Yi with a confused look, “Of course I have also reported to his majesty about your farmer support plan. His majesty has greatly praised it and has said that he wants you to further explain it when you make your audience. You should also prepare yourself on this matter.”
“Alright, I will definitely let his majesty completely approve of this place. The best case scenario is if he implements this plan throughout the kingdom.” Xu Yi said with a nod.
“You can raise this when you meet his majesty, but remember that you can’t speak randomly. If you carelessly mention this matter like you did in front of me and that kid Leslie, don’t blame me for not warning you when disaster hits.” Count Sean honestly said, “Xu Yi, you and your Frestech Chamber of Commerce is a company that people pay attention to, at least in our Banta City, so no matter what, you need to be careful.”
Xu Yi looked at Count Sean in surprise. The Lord City Lord wouldn’t casually say something like this and it was a friendly reminder.
“That’s right, I forgot that you are still a magician. The Magicians Guild’s test will be held in Anvilmar next month, you should be participating, right?” Count Sean asked.
“Un, I have already discussed this with Great Magician Camilla, I’ll be participating when the time comes.”
“Good, since you’ll be in Anvilmar next month, you won’t have to go on an extra trip. I’ll send a letter to his majesty telling him of this when I head back. When you head over to take the Magicians Guild’s test, his majesty can also summon you.”
Xu Yi quickly thanked him with a faint smile, “Many thanks to the Lord City Lord for caring about me this much.”
Count Sean gave a cold snort, “I am only taking care of you based on the fact that you invented the agricultural magic machines. If there are no good results with Leslie’s farms next year, you think I will be this polite to you when the time comes?”
Xu Yi laughed, “The Lord City Lord can be assured. Even if I have to go all out, I will let the Lord Viscount have a rich harvest!”
After two days, Xu Yi went to Master Lanus’ dwarven tribe again.
It was different from last time when he came with Master Lanus because once Xu Yi provided funding, the dwarves provided labour and laid a smooth road to the outside road from the dwarven village. Xu Yi could directly head to the dwarven tribe while riding his horse drawn carriage.
This was the first time many dwarven children of the tribe had seen something like the horse carriage and couldn’t help surrounding it.
Xu Yi passed out the candy he had already prepared and drew a wave of cheers out of the children.
The dwarven tribe chief Siluka came to welcome him with a wide smile, “Chairman Xu, you haven’t come in such a long time, I thought that you had forgotten about us dwarven friends.”
Xu Yi bent over with the same wide smile to forcefully hug Siluka before pointing to Camby who came with him and said, “How could that be? With Camby and those dwarven brothers who I work with daily, I always think of my dwarven friends who are here whenever I see them. I’ve been too busy during this past period, so I didn’t come here. How is it? Has everyone been well during this time?”
“Many thanks to chairman Xu for your bonus, the lives of our tribe is much better than before. Not only are the children not hungry each day, they can also have several sets of new clothes.” Siluka said with a wide smile.
“No, no, no, chief Siluka, that money is not a bonus, rather it is a research fund. Do you understand? Research fund.” Xu Yi deliberately repeated it again.
Siluka had an awkward look on his honest face as he rubbed his head in an embarrassed manner. He lowered his voice to say, “This…..Chairman Xu, I won’t hide it from you, we have tried experimenting based on the method you’ve given us, but we haven’t once successfully refined the alloy metal you mentioned…..Look…..”
Xu Yi revealed a faint smile. If this research was that easy to succeed in, would he have such a headache over this matter.
He patted Siluka’s shoulder to comfort him, “It’s fine, research takes a lot of time. I didn’t expect you to have any real results in just two short months. You can just keep researching, there’s no rush.”
A blush appeared on Siluka’s face.
With how simple the personality of the dwarves was, the more uncaring Xu Yi was, the more uncomfortable they felt.
Camby was anxious looking at this, but he knew it wasn’t right for him to say anything for the tribe chief. He could only keep scratching his head and letting out a sigh.
Seeing the response of the two dwarves, Xu Yi couldn’t help revealing a smile. If this was back on earth, the organization in charge of the research would find all kinds of ways to avoid taking responsibility, saying that they met difficulties and would need more investment.
But when it came to the dwarves, just a trivial five hundred gold coins was enough to make them feel this uncomfortable.
Actually Xu Yi had used this five hundred gold coins each month to pull in the dwarven craftsmen and now the hundred dwarves led by Camby had a value of over five hundred gold coins each month.
Not to mention that these dwarves had grasped the techniques to make the top of the line production magic machines and normal magic machines. This wasn’t something that could be valued with gold coins.
Camby had even told Xu Yi that several companies had secretly contracted him. They said that they were willing to give Camby and the dwarves under him a salary of twenty gold coins a month if they were willing to join them, but Camby had flatly rejected them.
Seeing that Siluka and Camby were a bit embarrassed, Xu Yi thought about it before waving his hand, “How about this, tribe chief Siluke, let me see the results of your research. Perhaps I can give some advice to you.”
Chief Siluka nodded, “Yes, yes, yes, chairman Xu understands this topic the best. If you look at it, perhaps there will be a pleasant surprise.”
Xu Yi and Camby were led by Siluka to a giant cave which hit them with intense heat waves.
Looking carefully, this over ten meter tall cave had a size that was bigger than a football field and there were all kinds of small and large furnaces made of stones inside the cave. At this time, most of the furnaces were filled with flames and the dwarves beside them kept adding more things into the furnace.
“Chairman Xu, look at this, we have begun experimenting with your methods, but we’ve never had any success. Later our clansmen have been adding different things into the iron liquid, creating all kinds of…...Un…...It can be considered the alloy you mentioned. But not a single one has met the requirements of the steel alloy you mentioned before.” Siluka was somewhat embarrassed as he gave his introduction.
“Oh? All kinds of different alloys? Where are they? Let me take a look.” Xu Yi asked in an interested voice.
“Here, they are all over there.” Siluka brought Xu Yi to a corner of the cave, pointing at the pile of iron lumps in front of them.
Xu Yi looked over the iron mountain that was twice his size and his eyes couldn’t help falling onto an iron ball that was reflecting the light.
He climbed onto the iron mountain to take it. Xu Yi was surprised to find that other than some parts that contained some impurities, the outside surface of the ball was very smooth. There was a silver glow to the surface and it didn’t have the rusty stain that normal iron things would have.
Xu Yi looked over the iron ball and found that this ball was very light. Reaching out to hit it, there wasn’t an echo from an empty core, which proved that the inside was quite solid.
“This thing is iron?” Xu Yi was a bit confused.
Siluka took an iron hammer and forcefully smashed down on it. The iron ball only slightly changed shape and it didn’t show any signs of cracking, so it could be seen that the iron ball was quite firm.
“Damn, what kind of alloy is this? It’s actually this strong?” Xu Yi couldn’t help becoming excited. He asked Siluka, “Chief Siluka, how was this iron ball made?”
Siluka took the iron ball from Xu Yi’s hand and found a mark at the bottom of the ball. He raised his hand to call over a dwarf with a long beard.
“Murru, was this iron ball made by you? Chairman Xu is very interested in it, tell us, how did you make it?”
The eyes of the dwarf called Murru lit up and he expectantly looked at Xu Yi, “Chairman Xu, this thing is useful?”
Xu Yi nodded, “Although we have no way to test its performance right now, based on what I just saw, it should be useful.”
Murru excitedly said, “Then that’s great! We’ve tried many things and have tested several thousand formulas, but we’ve never made the steel alloy you mentioned before. I never thought that there would be one that would be useful!”
Siluka glared at him, “Stop wasting words. Chairman Xu asked you how to made it, properly answer him.”
Murru suppressed the excitement in his heart. He looked at the iron ball and tilted his head to think about it before slowly responding, “This thing was actually made when I accidentally poured a cup of silver leaf liquid in……”