Chapter 102: Methods to Increase Production
Other methods?
Edwin was a little nervous. ’Is the Baron testing me?’
But he had been the Iron Official for many years, and he had indeed considered this problem before.
So, once he realized the Baron was testing him, he immediately presented the solutions he had thought of as if they were treasures.
"My Lord, the best way is to build a road to Broken Wave Bay."
He said, "That way, even without draft animals to help with transport, we can make simple carts to increase the amount we can carry in a single trip."
"Also, I suggest you increase the number of horses we’re raising. If that’s not possible, water buffalo for tilling the fields would also work. As long as we have enough livestock and a wide road, we can free up at least half of the ninety porters to work in the mines!"
He had suggested this method to Bard and Daniels, but neither of them had agreed.
After all, building roads, raising horses, and making carts all required a significant investment.
They were already at odds over the issue of distribution, so it was impossible for them to generously cooperate to complete these projects.
’But now Black Forest Island has a new master. With no more conflicts of interest, perhaps he will agree?’
Duane nodded slightly.
To get rich, you first must build a road. This principle held true in both worlds.
The path Duane had taken to get here was a narrow mountain trail, difficult even for horses, let alone wheelbarrows laden with heavy loads.
Right now, Black Forest Island needed manpower for farming, infrastructure, and land reclamation. He couldn’t just summon several hundred laborers to build a road at a moment’s notice.
Besides, even after the road was built, raising livestock and manufacturing vehicles would also require manpower and resources.
Therefore, implementing Edwin’s two suggestions was not something that could be accomplished overnight.
"How large is the mine?"
Duane suddenly changed the subject. "By your estimate, how many more years can it be mined?"
Edwin scratched his head, sending up a cloud of dust from his hair. He really didn’t know how to answer that question.
"Currently... we’ve surveyed five hundred meters to the north, and there are iron deposits all along the way. The iron ore seam is quite thick. At our current mining rate, seventy or eighty years shouldn’t be a problem... I think?"
Although the man’s tone was full of uncertainty, the fact that they had surveyed as far as five hundred meters out meant the scale of this iron mine was not small.
Coupled with his plans to develop toward the Hot Spring Mountain Range, building the road was a necessary task in the long run, despite the large investment and long construction time.
"First, show me around."
"Of course. This way, please."
Although Edwin was anxious about whether his answer had been satisfactory, he could only obey his Lord’s command and didn’t dare ask anything else.
Under his guidance, Duane strolled through the entire mining area.
The miners all knew the Lord was coming today, so they were working with extra diligence.
When Edwin called for them to assemble, they greeted Duane with great enthusiasm, showing no signs of being oppressed.
However, Duane could see that most of them were gaunt and skinny, which told him they weren’t living well.
After the inspection, the group returned to the shade of the tree to talk.
"How much food do these miners eat each day?"
Edwin answered truthfully, "It’s different for everyone. Those who dig a lot can eat about two pounds of grain, while those who dig less might not even get one pound."
Hearing this, Duane’s brows furrowed.
He knew that Guards in training ate at least three pounds of grain every day.
Mining wasn’t training, but it was still hard manual labor. How could they work if they couldn’t even get one pound of grain a day?
Duane glanced at Owington, signaling for him to take notes.
"From now on, the minimum food ration for miners must be raised. Ensure everyone gets at least one and a half pounds a day. Anyone who can mine thirty pounds gets two pounds a day. If they can mine fifty pounds, they’ll be rewarded with an extra pound of grain, or they can choose to take it home as unhusked rice."
He added, "Have Julian select someone from the city to be in charge of this matter."
The Iron Official, Edwin, was secretly alarmed.
In the past, he had often embezzled the miners’ grain.
With the Lord’s new arrangement, he would no longer have a reason—or the nerve—to embezzle.
He was now even more afraid that the Lord would investigate his past deeds. If he was found out, would his head roll just like Bard’s and Daniels’?
At this thought, Edwin began to tremble with fear.
Duane, however, couldn’t be bothered to pursue past matters. After all, Black Forest Island had been chaotic before. As long as the crimes weren’t unforgivable, he would let them be.
He was more concerned with the future: whether anyone would violate the standards and rules he was now establishing.
"I see children at the mine as well. What are they doing here? Are they child laborers?"
Edwin quickly shook his head. "They are the miners’ children. They’re probably brought here to play so they can get used to this environment early on. That way, when they grow up, they can also contribute to their families."
The child of a miner would generally grow up to be a miner.
Duane was powerless to change this for the time being.
He couldn’t exactly send these children back to the city to study...
Black Forest Island didn’t even have a school.
"Now, let’s talk about increasing production."
Duane finally brought the conversation back to the main topic.
"Please, speak!" Edwin listened intently.
"First, I plan to optimize the labor distribution at the mine by dividing the workers into four groups. A mining group of 40, a transport group of 40, a crushing group of 20, and a tool maintenance group of 20. The members of each group will only do their own group’s tasks and won’t have to worry about anything else."
Edwin grew anxious. "Baron, an arrangement like this could indeed increase production, but forty men won’t be able to transport everything, even if they work nonstop. Also, the tool maintenance group seems a bit large."
"Let me finish."
Duane said, "I’ve just inspected your smelting furnace. My initial judgment is that your skills are not as high as the castle’s Blacksmith, Yanger. Therefore, I will soon have Yanger come here to take over the smelting work."
Edwin trembled slightly. ’Is he going to dismiss me from my post?’
He wanted to say a few words in his own defense, but seeing the scrutinizing expressions of the people behind the Baron, the words caught in his throat.
"The porters will transport ore at their usual pace. Whatever they can’t move can be piled up here. Yanger will need it to forge weapons, Armor, and various farm tools—including the mine’s pickaxes, wedges, and Iron Hammers—which will improve mining efficiency."
"As for you..."
Duane looked at Edwin. "You will remain in charge of managing the mine. In your spare time, you can also learn Forging techniques from Yanger, if he is willing to teach you."
Hearing this, Edwin’s tension finally eased. He inwardly sighed in relief. ’As long as I wasn’t dismissed, it’s fine. As long as I wasn’t dismissed.’
Duane continued, "Additionally, I will arrange for some people to start building a road from here toward Broken Wave Bay."
Edwin chimed in with praise at the right moment, "Your approach is incredibly wise!"
"Paving the road is just one part of it. I also plan to lay down wooden tracks here and use railed carts to transport the ore. This will drastically increase transport efficiency."
Edwin was shocked. He was hearing a method he had never heard of, let alone thought of, before.
"Tracks? Carts?"
The isolation of Black Forest Island meant he’d never had the chance to see such things.
In fact, many places in the Pruck Kingdom had such facilities.
"Yes, tracks and carts. And also pulleys and winches to help the carts go up and down slopes."
The wooden tracks used for transporting iron ore required a hard, wear-resistant material, and the oak on Black Forest Island clearly met this condition.
At the same time, the recruited carpenter, Riesen, was quite skilled. He would probably know how to make the tracks and carts.
And even if he didn’t, Duane could draw out his ideas so they could build it together.
As for the pulleys and winches, he could just have Yanger forge them.
For Duane, this process was not just about increasing production. He could also use it to raise his Skill Level in Basic Manufacturing, Basic Construction, Basic Painting, and Basic Forging. It was a single effort that would yield multiple benefits.
Next, Duane explained his plan in detail.
Everyone looked as if they didn’t understand a thing, but that didn’t stop them from being amazed.
Edwin, in particular, began to admire Duane from the bottom of his heart.
’As expected, the Lord who unified Black Forest Island is truly different. Not only is he powerful, but he’s also so insightful and decisive in everything he does!’
"No wonder you reduced the number of transport workers! So you had a plan all along!"
The Iron Official exclaimed in admiration, "With a method like yours, I’m actually more worried the miners won’t be able to dig up enough ore to keep the carts busy!"