area51novel Page 69
Page 69
The reason for this was not the delayed returns from investing resources in the black crystal mine, but rather that Arthur and his team did not have access to more advanced production resources.
In short, he lacked the connections that come with expertise in mining.
This is the disadvantage of living in a remote area—it is impossible to establish good and stable communication with outside caravans.
So, let's get back to the present.
Therefore, Arthur was very interested in this young merchant from the West.
Li Wei replied to Arthur:
"Of course, my lord!"
Our family has a long history of researching exotic energy minerals, and we are quite well-known in the Dragon Rock Mountains of the Western Region.
He paused, then took a black stone from the pocket of his fur coat.
He handed the black stone to Arthur.
Arthur recognized it as a piece of morion.
So he asked:
"Li Wei, what do you mean by this?"
"My lord, please take a good look!"
Li Wei took out a small knife with an extraordinary blade, which was engraved with some kind of runic circuit.
Immediately afterwards, he used the knife to cut the small piece of black crystal in his hand.
next moment.
Those present witnessed the dark crystal in his hand being easily sliced apart by the rune-engraved knife, as if it were a crumpled loaf of bread.
Immediately, Arthur realized the other party's intention:
"Would you like to use this tool for mining black crystals?"
Li Wei scratched his head, stopped his little trick, and smiled:
"Hehe! That's right, my lord."
"Are the runic circuits engraved on this knife something your family researched for cutting exotic energy ores?"
Arthur blinked and asked about the key to how the knife could easily slice through the dark crystal ore.
"I figured it out by accident while I was researching another type of exotic energy mineral."
Li Wei replied:
"I never expected it to be able to cut black crystal ore so efficiently."
But I didn't tell my father or siblings about this.
Li Wei paused deliberately, lowered his eyes, and then continued:
"I come from a merchant family in the Dragon Rock Mountains in the western border of the Kingdom of Grey, specializing in the purchase and sale of exotic energy minerals."
Therefore, our ancestors throughout the ages have been researching various rune techniques that can cut through exotic energy ores.
In my family, all younger generations must become self-reliant after reaching adulthood.
The requirement is to master a new cutting rune memory and use one's own abilities to expand the family's business.
However, my talent for rune research is not as good as that of my excellent brothers and sisters.
I haven't been able to come up with a new runic technique for cutting alien energy ore.
By chance, they developed a rune technique that could efficiently cut black crystal ore, but they were struggling to find rare black crystal veins.
Therefore, when I learned from Mr. Linton that there was a rich deposit of dark crystals within Blackrock Territory, I insisted on going there.
After hearing this, Arthur seemed to be deep in thought:
"So, you want to acquire a portion of the mining rights to my black crystal mine?"
"No, my lord."
Li Wei shook his head and boldly expressed his thoughts:
"I want to contract all the mining rights of your black crystal mine."
"Quite the boast."
Arthur glanced at the thin young man wrapped in an animal skin coat and wearing a hood with slight surprise, and praised his courage.
Then, he spoke with a questioning tone:
"Then why do you think I would contract out my territory's precious black crystal mine to you?"
Arthur needed a reason, a reason that would truly move him.
Li Wei gave his reasons:
"First, as you, my lord, have seen, I can provide advanced survival materials and special cutting rune techniques."
I can guarantee that this rune-cutting technique will be applied to large-scale mining equipment.
It's not just the embroidery technique you see.
Second, I come from a family of merchants who specialize in selling exotic energy minerals, and I have extensive sales channels for exotic energy minerals.
It can help the lord expand the sales channels for ink crystal ore and increase its selling price.
Thirdly, I am willing to enter into a partnership agreement with Your Lordship and serve you for at least three years.
From Li Wei's firm tone, Arthur could sense his determination to secure the mining contract for the Ink Crystal Mine.
But instead of answering the young man, he turned to look at Linton, the workshop's deputy manager:
"Mr. Linton, what's your opinion on this?"
After saying that, he deliberately put on a thoughtful and hesitant expression in front of Li Wei.
Linton, the workshop's deputy manager, frowned; he was bewildered by Arthur's appearance.
Now, he is caught in the middle of the two.
On the left is the son of a friend from the West, and on the right is the newly appointed lord.
He didn't want to offend either side, which put him in a difficult position.
At this time.
Li Wei cast a glance at him, then looked to Linton for help, asking him to say a few good words for him.
finally.
Linton, the workshop's deputy manager, sighed and looked at Arthur:
"My lord, I am willing to investigate this brat Li Wei."
Why not give him a chance and let him adapt to life in Blackrock Territory for now?
Let's see if his rune-cutting skills can be applied to large-scale mining of obsidian before making a decision, shall we?
Arthur smiled knowingly, his hesitant demeanor vanishing.
"Since Mr. Linton has already spoken, I'll give this matter some serious consideration."
Upon hearing that there was hope, Li Wei blinked with delight.
Then he quickly cast a grateful glance at Linton.
Then, after a moment of silence...
Li Wei stared intently at Arthur, waiting for him to speak.
finally.
Arthur spoke:
"Li Wei, I can give you a chance."
I'm giving you a month to prove that your abilities match your ambitions.
But I have a few requirements.
"Please speak, my lord."
Li Wei listened attentively.
Arthur continued:
"First, regarding the mining personnel, I require that you select them from the villagers of the two villages I have designated."
They also need to be trained to ensure the efficiency of mining.
Secondly, I will provide you with sufficient financial assistance regarding mining equipment; you can simply go ahead and do it boldly.
But I require you to put the mining equipment into use as soon as possible.
Third, I will also provide you with any human resources support you need in the mineral sales process.
At that time, I will give you a batch of already mined black crystal ore in advance.
I require you to sell this batch of black crystal ore within this month, demonstrating your promised expansion of sales channels and price increases.
Upon hearing this, Li Wei answered without hesitation:
"My lord, thank you for your trust!"
Li Wei assures you that he will do his utmost to fulfill your request!
Chapter 79 Battle Armor "The Tragedy of Flame and Blood"
Enter Blackrock Fortress.
Back in the office lobby.
Arthur instructed the workshop's deputy manager to help Levi settle down in Frostraven Town.
Arthur plans to entrust the subsequent takeover of the Ink Crystal Mine to his butler, Leon.
So he first summoned his butler, Leon.
"Young Master, was the trip successful?"
The butler, Leon, entered the office hall, bowed, and exchanged pleasantries.
"It was a close call, but we escaped unharmed, and even had an unexpected bonus."
Arthur spoke frankly to his loyal steward, first telling him the whole story of the conflict that had occurred in Crescent Lands.
Upon hearing this, the butler Leon first showed a surprised expression, but then quickly regained his composure.
He thought about it carefully and realized that given his young master's troublesome nature, he wasn't surprised that he would get involved in such a matter.
then.
Arthur also mentioned two important events to his butler, Leon, that would have a profound impact on the development of the territory:
First, Priestess Louise of the Moon is willing to develop a branch of the Church of the Moon in Blackrock Territory.
The church members being dispatched are expected to depart within the next month or two for their Blackrock Territory.
Second, Lord Tavis of Crescent Moon concluded a mutually beneficial friendly alliance with their Blackrock Territory.
He designated a piece of land to serve as a transit point for the forging workshop's fuel supply channels.
In response, the butler Leon sincerely praised Arthur, saying:
"I never expected that the young master would receive the support of the priests of the Moonlit Church and the lords of the territory."
In Arthur, the butler Leon saw again the precious quality that his father Richard lacked: humility.
Generally speaking.
A powerful viscountry needs at least one Gold-rank and five Silver-rank high-level combatants.
Although Blackrock Territory is nominally a viscountry, it is also a border territory due to its terrain and the existence of two wastelands.
Therefore, the general public believes that this is actually the lowest-ranking baronial territory.
At present, Blackrock Territory only has three Silver-tier combatants: the steward Leon, his mount Frost Raven King, and the second-tier rune forging craftsman Lawson.