Chapter 99 Negotiating with the army headquarters
Seveni had a ghost of a smile and with her serious gaze, it made it hard for people to tell if she was joking or not.
Xu Yi quickly said with a smile, “Your highness, you really can joke. I am a loyal and law-abiding citizen, how could I think about starting a rebellion? Then again, my company has only recruited less than three hundred magicians, how could I have the ability to rebel?”
“You think three hundred magicians isn’t much?” Seveni looked at Xu Yi, “You have to know that even in the royal army, there are less than five hundred magicians in a single regiment. Not to mention that your Frestech Chamber of Commerce has a Great Magician!”
“Your highness, you can’t misunderstand me like this.” Xu Yi quickly complained, “Our Frestech Chamber of Commerce has recruited this many magicians because of our job needs, we aren’t trying to cause a rebellion at all. Even Great Magician Camilla is only in charge of studying magic machines, could it be that you think that I dare order an old man like him to rebel?”
“Of course you don’t dare.” Seveni shook her head before saying with a soft sigh, “But some people think you do. Do you know, because of this matter, there have been people advising my royal father that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce doesn’t have good intentions in recruiting all these magicians and all these people from other races. They hope that royal father will be more vigilant of the Frestech Chamber of Commerce and even directly supervise it.”
Xu Yi was surprised before knitting his brows, “Aren’t these people slandering me too much? Our Frestech Chamber of Commerce is honestly doing our business. We hired the people from other races for the special ability of their races, how could it be for bad intentions? I think that his majesty wouldn’t listen to this blind drivel, right?”
“Of course royal father isn’t listening to this, but this shows that your Frestech Chamber of Commerce has become more famous and people are starting to pay attention to you, wanting to take care of you. I hope that you will be more vigilant in the future and don’t leave too many things for people to take advantage of. For example…..your factory has recruited another three hundred elves, but you have never submitted the application for labour cards to the Royal Parliament. This matter could be used as proof for your ill intentions.”
Xu Yi patted his head and said with a laugh, “I’ve been too busy during this time and I had forgotten. How about this, give me two days to make a list and then I’ll apply for their labour cards. I promise I won’t let your highness worry about us again.”
“It’d be strange if I wasn’t worried.” Seveni gave a sigh. She shook her head and took out a document from her purse which she gave Xu Yi, “I’ve already submitted the application for you. You just need to make a list of the names and then I’ll add the names onto the application for you.”
Xu Yi looked over the papers and found that they were all properly written, only missing a list of names.
Xu Yi couldn’t help saying with a sigh, “Your highness, you really do take care of me. I really don’t know how to show my gratitude.”
“You don’t need to show it, you and the Frestech Chamber of Commerce just need to finish your matters in Banta City.” Seveni said with a smile, “I’ve heard that Great Magician Camilla joined your Frestech Chamber of Commerce because he discovered that the things your Frestech Chamber of Commerce could improve the lives of Banta City’s people. I am the same, as long as you and the Frestech Chamber of Commerce can keep doing this, I will support you.”
Xu Yi gave a shrug, “Since everyone can see that there are benefits for everyone in the things that I and our Frestech Chamber of Commerce does, why do people have ill intentions?”
“It’s because these benefits aren’t related to them and because you are standing on a different side.”
Seveni ambiguously replied and didn’t explain any further. She waved her hand at Xu Yi and brought him to another secret room in the City Lord’s Manor apart from the one they were talking in.
There were two people sitting inside. When they saw Seveni come in, they immediately stood up and gave her a bow.
Xu Yi looked over the two of them and found that one of them had a tense feeling to their actions and they were standing straight, while looking forward. It could be seen that these two came from the army.
The other person was a middle aged man with a moderate build that had a friendly smile on his face, looking very kind. He seemed like a normal merchant.
“Let me give introductions, this is the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s chairman Xu Yi.” Seveni first pointed at Xu Yi to introduce him to the two of them.
“Chairman Xu, I have long heard your name and finally being able to meet you today, it really fills me with deep honour.” The middle aged man who was like a merchant reached both hands out to tightly grip Xu Yi’s hand, looking very friendly. “Let me introduce myself, I am major MacConley of the kingdom royal army’s logistics department, I’m mainly in charge of handling the logistics for the soldiers. Helping the brothers buy their clothes, their food, and other things, mainly it’s just doing odd jobs.”
Xu Yi reached out his other hand and grabbed major MacConley’s hands, as he also revealed a friendly smile.
“Like this, everyone’s the same. I as the chairman am responsible for taking care of the odd jobs for my company’s workers.”
Major MacConley gave a laugh, “That is great, I’m certain there are many things I can discuss with chairman Xu.”
Xu Yi smiled. This major MacConley was quite modest, when in reality the logistics department was one of the most important departments of the royal army. For this major MacConley to be responsible for the logistics department, not mentioning his own abilities, his background must also be quite good.
After having these thoughts, Xu Yi looked at the other person.
That person looked to be around forty and seeing Xu Yi look over, he didn’t reveal any expressions as he gave a slight nod to Xu Yi. He said without any emotions, “I am Sah’rhee.”
Seeing that Sah’rhee had a completely different personality from major MacConley, Xu Yi didn’t say anything else and just nodded with a smile, “I’m very happy to meet you.” 𝒷ℯ𝓭𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓮𝓵.𝒸ℴ𝓶
Seeing that the three had introduced themselves, Seveni had everyone sit down before directly saying, “Chairman Xu, this time I came with major MacConley and major Sah’rhee to see you to ask you about information on the weapon factory. We hope that you will cooperate with us.”
“That’s easy.” Xu Yi nodded before looking at major MacConley.
Based on the expressions of the three, the one in charge of asking should be the one in charge of the logistics department.
As expected, MacConley gave a soft cough and pulled back the smile on his face as he asked Xu Yi, “Chairman Xu, first let me give you some good news. The weapon factory that the army headquarters was building is finished, right now we just lack the corresponding magic production equipment to run it. I want to ask, when is your Frestech Chamber of Commerce planning to deliver the armour and weapon magic production machines that you promised?”
“Actually after deciding to build an arms factory after discussing it with her highness, our company has been secretly producing these magic production machines. Right now we have already finished enough for two production lines and they can be delivered at any time.” Xu Yi replied.
MacConley and Sah’rhee looked at each other with happy expressions.
“Then chairman Xu, according to the contract you signed with her highness, other than providing the magic production machines, you also need to provide corresponding technical personnel to assist the army headquarters learn how to use these magic machines and the various standards required. Have you prepared those personnel?” MacConley asked.
“There is no problem there either. The corresponding workers are people picked from the hundred slaves under me and because of their identity, I can guarantee they won’t divulge these secrets. Of course, for further consideration, I propose that I give those slaves to her highness and let her highness control them. I believe that this will make it easier for the army headquarters.” Xu Yi said.
Seveni, MacConley, and Sah’rhee all looked quite stunned.
MacConley couldn’t help giving a cough. Actually last time Xu Yi had already told Seveni that the workers would be chosen from slaves under him and in this negotiation with Xu Yi, MacConley had planned on proposing this condition on behalf of the army headquarters, but he never thought that Xu Yi would mention it first.
“Chairman Xu, I have to say, you really are wise.” MacConley praised before turning to ask Seveni, “Your highness, what do you think?”
Seveni took a deep look at Xu Yi before nodding, “Alright, we’ll follow what chairman Xu said and transfer those slaves to me. But chairman Xu, according to my understanding of you, you wouldn’t give me the slaves under you for no reason, right?”
Xu Yi laughed, “Your highness really does understand me. Indeed, those slaves are not just my precious private property, they are also valuable workers for our company. To suddenly lose them, it would be a great loss whether it was for me or my company. If your highness and the army headquarters didn’t give me proper compensation, that wouldn’t be right.”
MacConley laughed, “Chairman Xu is right, there is no free meal in this world. Since chairman Xu has paid the price, then you have the right to propose your compensation. Chairman Xu, please tell us. As long as it’s not too much, with her highness here, she can definitely make the decision for you.”
Seveni didn’t say anything and just gave a slight nod to show that she agreed.
Xu Yi looked at the three slightly nervous people and said with a smile, “Relax, I’m not proposing anything that’s too much. Un…...This is very simple. In the territory of the Sack Kingdom that the royal army will control, all the mining rights will be given to our Frestech Chamber of Commerce.”
The expressions of the three changed at the same time.
Seveni didn’t even think as she blurted out, “This is impossible!”
Chapter 100 Vanilla Orchid Suburb
Seveni had come to Banta City many times this year, but other than the first time, she had only stayed a few days each time before leaving.
This time wasn’t an exception.
After discussing this issue with Xu Yi with MacConley and Sah’rhee for three days, Seveni and the two left Banta City together.
There was no official conclusion to the discussion this time because for Xu Yi’s proposed conditions, although Seveni had never directly rejected again, she had never shown that she would agree.
But Xu Yi was actually very generous. Although Seveni hadn’t agreed to the condition he put forth, he still guaranteed Seveni that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce would follow the contract they signed before and deliver the magic production machines the army headquarter factory would need. At the same time, on the day before Seveni’s group left, he had prepared the slave contracts and signed the contract to transfer them to Seveni.
After the contract was signed, the slaves that would work at the weapon factory would be the property of Seveni.
Xu Yi had done this so quickly that it made Seveni and MacConley feel a bit embarrassed.
If it wasn’t for the fact that they really couldn’t agree to Xu Yi’s condition, Seveni and MacConley wouldn’t have hesitated a bit to sign the contract.
Actually, what Seveni and MacConley didn’t know was that Xu Yi had never expected them to agree to this to begin with.
Based on what Xu Yi knew, not only was all the iron ore in the Lampuri Kingdom controlled by the Jole Family, according to the contract between the first king and the Jole Family, even when the royal army expanded the territory of the Lampuri Kingdom, the mining rights of the domain that they obtained for the kingdom would belong to the Jole Family.
So even if Seveni and MacConley wanted to accept Xu YI’s conditions, they couldn’t avoid the Jole Family.
But Xu Yi had proposed this condition that he knew was impossible for them to accept. To put it bluntly, he was asking a high price to make it easier to negotiate.
Seveni and MacConley didn’t agree to Xu Yi’s condition because the condition included the iron ore, which meant that the Jole family would interfere.
But Xu Yi had mentioned all ores and all ores was not just iron ores, but also non-ferrous metal ores.
Although the Jole Family controlled all the iron mines and under the tacit understanding of the king, controlling all the copper mines, the other non-ferrous metals weren’t important on the Sines Continent, so naturally the Jole Family didn’t care about them.
If Xu Yi wanted the non-ferrous metal mining rights or even the right to control them, he wouldn’t be met with that much resistance.
Of course, to mine ores under the Jole Family’s eyes in the Lampuri Kingdom, naturally they would be met with all kinds of trouble. So even if Xu Yi had the ore distribution map that the five dwarves had made, his first goal was still the non-ferrous veins in the Black Rice Wasteland.
His second goal was placed on the veins outside the country.
Actually the Lampuri Kingdom and the Sack Kingdom had been disputing over the northern border the entire time, with both sides pushing and retreating. After all these years, neither side had really controlled that area, so there was no need to mention either side turning it into their territory.
So for the condition that Xu Yi raised, Seveni’s group carefully considered it and found that it was no different from empty talk.
So while the three of them were strongly opposed to Xu Yi’s suggestion in the beginning, they showed that there was room for discussion, but they needed to head back and carefully consider it first.
This result was what Xu Yi expected and also what he had already planned for.
His goal wasn’t to reach a decision at once, rather it was to use these conditions to make the royal army place the Frestech Chamber of Commerce into their consideration. If there was anything like this in the future, they would consider Xu Yi and the Frestech Chamber of Commerce.
So when he sent off Seveni’s group, Seveni’s group all had smiles from Xu Yi’s quick response. Xu Yi also didn’t feel a bit of loss and revealed a bright smile.
Watching Seveni’s group leave, Kennard who had come to send them off whispered to Xu Yi, “Chairman, what do you think of her highness?”
Xu Yi was a bit surprised, “What do you mean?”
“Just that…..do you feel her highness…...Un, is a person worth following?” Kennard said in broken words.
Xu Yi looked at Kennard’s unnatural expression and revealed a faint smile, “I don’t know if she is worth following, but with my current understanding of her highness, she is a person with the same ideals as me. We want to improve the lives of the kingdom’s people with our abilities, so we move forward in the same direction. I think that as long as her highness doesn’t change her ideals, I will support her.”
Kennard didn’t think that Xu Yi would answer so clearly, so he looked at Xu Yi in shock for a bit. He nodded with a serious expression and said, “I also have the same pursuits, so I will work hard to help you, chairman.”
Xu Yi laughed and waved his hand, “Alright, we are people who prove ourselves with deeds, let’s not talk empty words. You said that you will work hard to help me, but what about the wage structure plan? It’s been more than half a month, it’s almost three half months and I still haven’t seen the plan yet. You’re still saying you’re working hard?”
Kennard immediately said with a bitter look, “Chairman, you can’t blame me. I was almost done and had prepared the plan, but I never thought that Great Magician Camilla would make such a shocking decision. It caused the employees of our company to greatly change and wasted all the data I had collected.”
“Then when will you be able to hand the plan to me?” Xu Yi asked without giving up.
“That…..” Kennard thought for a bit before saying with a sigh, “Because the company has recruited large amounts of magicians that can draw Magic Arrays and with the increase in orders, we have also recruited more workers to increase production, it will take some time to complete the wage data. As for when exactly…..I can’t say right now.”
“Shouldn’t you give me a general time at least?” Xu Yi said, “Moreover, we don’t need to wait until after the workers are recruited to make the wage adjustment. We should determine the standard wage before recruiting workers and use the standard right away after hiring the workers.”
“Un, I was thinking the same, so I’ve been taking care of this during the past few days.” Kennard took a breath before confidently saying, “Give me ten days, I will definitely have the plan prepared.”
“That’s more like it.” Xu Yi gave a satisfied nod.
“But chairman, I can take care of the wages of others, but there is one person I can’t take care of.” Kennard added.
“Un? Can’t take care of? Are you talking about yourself?” Xu Yi asked in a surprised voice.
“How could I match the old man, I’m talking about Great Magician Camilla.” Kennard said, “Chairman, you said that he would be a top grade researcher, so how should I set the standard wage for him?”
Xu Yi knit his brows and said with a bitter smile, “I don’t know the answer either. Last time I asked the old man how he should be paid and he just said that I should take care of it, he didn’t care. After carefully considering it, I found that it is a very serious problem. It wouldn’t be good to make it too low and it would be off to put it too high, which would destroy the confidence of the other researchers.”
“How about this, we won’t set Great Magician Camilla’s salary too high, but with the reward system of the magic research facility, his excellency Great Magician will definitely earn quite a bit of rewards. How about we increase the reward amount, which not only indirectly raises his excellency Great Magician’s salary, but also increases enthusiasm for the other researchers?” Kennard suggested.
“This is a good idea. Alright, carefully look this over when you head back and decide what is the most appropriate amount.” Xu YI waved his hand, ending this conversation.
Seeing Kennard writing things down in his little book, Xu Yi couldn’t help feeling a bit pleased.
Before Kennard came, he had to personally take care of many things for the Frestech Chamber of Commerce. Now that Kennard was his general manager, he just had to take care of the large things and give Kennard his thoughts to let him take care of it.
Although he had only been in the Frestech Chamber of Commerce for less than two months, Kennard had already displayed his excellent skills.
With the Frestech Chamber of Commerce being managed by him, everything was running much more smoothly and efficiency had increased compared to before.
Xu Yi even felt that he was a treasure that fell from the heavens, often worrying that he would suddenly leave. The Frestech Chamber of Commerce would have no one to take over and might collapse from this.
Kennard didn’t know that while he was writing, quite a few thoughts had passed through Xu Yi’s head. After writing down everything, he looked at the sky and said to Xu Yi, “Chairman, the opening ceremony for the Vanilla Orchid Suburb is about to begin, we should head over.”
Xu Yi looked up to see the sun at a slight angle over his head and gave a nod. He called the prepared horse carriage and headed to the southwest of Banta City.
###
The so-called Vanilla Orchid Suburb was the living area that contained the apartments that Great Magician Camilla mentioned before.
To be simple, it was a suburb.
According to the Banta City renovation plan that Xu Yi discussed with Count Sean, the first step was renovating the outskirts of Banta City.
In the first phase of the plan, Mildan Village that Great Magician Camilla and Still came from was included in the three villages that would be demolished.
This Vanilla Orchid Suburb was the prepared housing for the villagers of those three villages.
Speaking of apartments, it made people think of the apartments that were all over China back on earth.
They gave people the impression that they were of bad quality and had bad environments, with all kinds of shortcomings, making the villagers who were forced to move very unwilling.
But this Vanilla Orchid Residential Area’s apartments were completely different.
The quality of life for the people of the Sines Continent wasn’t high and it was even lower for the people of the Lampuri Kingdom who had just recovered from the kingdom’s turmoil.
For a normal village outside Banta City like Mildan Village, the villagers all lived in small log houses that were made from rotten wood, or stone houses that were made from soil mixed with stone.
There was no need to mention the quality of those two kinds of houses, they couldn’t even achieve the most basic function of keeping out the cold. If there was a slightly large rain storm, the houses would leak all over.
Living in these kinds of houses, the living standards of these villagers could be considered miserable for Xu Yi.
This Vanilla Orchid Residential Area was built by the Amrit Chamber of Commerce with financial support from Xu Yi. All the houses in the community were built with reinforced concrete beams and walls made from a mix of cement, so it was very firm and steady.
After it was built, the outside of the houses were coated in a layer of white lime that made the houses look pure white. The houses were designed by a specialist of the Amrit Chamber of Commerce, so they looked very elegant. It was simply the best quality housing.
Not to mention that outside the buildings, Xu Yi had the elves of his company help out, spending some time planting around the neighbourhood.
After it was built, the neighbourhood had beautiful rows of two story buildings lined together with all kinds of strange plants that people of Banta City didn’t recognize. The greenery provided shade and there was even a slight fragrance in the air, making it seem like a paradise on earth.
After seeing these apartments, all the worries that the villagers from the three villages had about moving were completely wiped away.
After seeing the apartments, there were some villagers who weren’t scheduled to move that asked to be moved.
Faced with this, Xu Yi could only sigh in his heart.
The poor had the advantages of being poor.