Chapter 111: 112. Double Happiness

Luoning's successful sale of the Curved Plows and the successful promotion of the Ironwood Workshop's products this time were, on one hand, thanks to Lulansi taking the lead, and on the other, thanks to the fact that his items were indeed valuable and not being promoted out of thin air.

With these two matters settled, his trip to Wushan Castle this time could basically be considered mostly complete.

Once Financial Officer Kuli obtained the three thousand gold coins and the quartermaster provided the official order list, Luoning could plan his return journey with these two things in hand.

For the next two days, Luoning rested in the castle, studying the newly acquired Magic and sparring with Maiken to improve his own combat skills.

For Along time, whether it was Maiken or Ruidar, Luoning had been suppressed by the strength of these two subordinates; even during sparring, the other party would hold back some strength and lethal moves, which made it difficult for him to experience the thrill of going head-to-head.

He could only wait until he reached the Advanced Peak Knight level to have a few all-out contests with Maiken.

"My Lord, Financial Officer Kuli is here." A Wushan Castle Guard waiting outside the courtyard came in to report.

Wodun and Qiaozhi had already been arranged by him to go to Wushan City to recruit craftsmen.

Whether they were official craftsmen or apprentices, and whether they were carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, or potters, as long as they were willing to move to Shanlin Town, or even move their whole families, Luoning was willing to pay the corresponding remuneration and help them handle the procedures with Wushan Castle.

Although he only had a mere 35 gold coins on him at the moment, well, he would have money soon.

"Let him wait for me in the living room."

Luoning put away his longsword, had the servants waiting outside the courtyard bring hot water and a towel to wipe his face, and changed his clothes before going to the living room.

"Good afternoon, Baron."

Seeing Luoning come out, Kuli immediately stood up to salute, his attitude very respectful.

Luoning gestured for Kuli to sit: "My good sir, have you come today because the matter has been settled?"

"The Caravan has already set off for the various territories to promote the Curved Plows; there should be some results."

As Kuli spoke, he beckoned to the two subordinates behind him.

Those two immediately stepped forward and placed all six bags they were carrying on the table. The crisp clinking sound from inside told everyone that these were filled with gold coins.

"My Lord, this is the three thousand gold coins paid to you; please count them."

Luoning was in a state of shock at this moment, not because of the other party's words, but because two lines of text appeared in his field of vision:

【"Wealthy" Achievement reached, Attribute Point +50, Energy Essence +100】

【"Wealthy" Achievement reached, Attribute Point +100, Energy Essence +200】

After a moment of astonishment, Luoning reacted.

There was only one possibility for this situation to occur—

That was that these three thousand gold coins had both completed the current Wealthy achievement and simultaneously completed the advanced version of the Wealthy achievement.

Luoning remembered that the current achievement requirement was to obtain 1000 gold coins at once, so its next level was likely 2000 gold coins or 3000 gold coins.

He took the opportunity to open the interface and check; the new Wealthy achievement was:

【Wealthy】: Obtain 5000 gold coins at once, Reward: Attribute Point +250, Energy Essence +500

Judging from the reward values, the previous tier's requirement should have been 2000 gold coins.

The two achievements combined required a total of 3000 gold coins, which was consistent with the current situation.

"I didn't expect to be able to complete them consecutively."

Luoning revealed a smile.

He casually picked up a money bag, weighed it in his hand, and said with a smile: "I trust Mr. Kuli's reputation; there is no need to count these gold coins."

"Your trust makes me feel honored!"

Kuli said tactfully: "I have already had the craftsmen of Wushan Castle start making the Curved Plows these past two days, but after completing one, there is still a gap compared to the one you brought. I wonder if I could trouble you to go and provide some guidance?"

"Of course!"

Luoning said as a matter of course: "Providing technical support is part of this deal. Although the craftsmen of Shanlin Town are not here, I can still provide guidance."

"You arrange the time, preferably tomorrow or the day after. Any later, and you might need those craftsmen to go to Shanlin Town to find me in person."

Kuli hurriedly said: "Then tomorrow morning, how does that sound?"

"That works, I have time."

After the two exchanged a few pleasantries, Kuli left.

Luoning opened the Attribute Panel. After checking in on the 14th and 15th, Luoning obtained the second Warm Heart Gift Pack of October. Added to the two Achievement Tasks just completed, his current accumulation of Attribute Points and Energy Essence was quite significant:

【Level】: 3-Advanced Knight (0/300); 3-Advanced Mage (58/400)

【Attribute Point】: 177

【Energy Essence】: 557

By the time this month was over, the amount of Energy Essence would exceed 600 points.

Luoning even wondered if, when he broke through to Advanced, he invested all this Energy Essence into Ruidar or Maiken, would it allow the other party to directly promote from a Bronze Knight to a Silver Knight?

At that time, he would also face a dilemma: should he improve Ruidar's strength first, or Maiken's strength first?

He planned to send the former to the front lines, where the stronger the strength, the better he could hold the fort;

He planned to keep the latter by his side as a guard, where the higher the strength, the better he could deal with certain emergencies.

He briefly analyzed it; the possibility of the enemy sending a Silver Grade assassin right from the start should be very low, right?

After all, to the outside world, he was still just a novice who had just awakened a Battle Qi Seed, and Maiken by his side was only an Advanced Knight; arranging a Bronze Knight to come over was already giving him a lot of face.

Night began to fall.

The servants of Wushan Castle were preparing dinner for the several masters living separately, and Wodun and Qiaozhi, who had gone to Wushan City to recruit craftsmen, returned to the courtyard.

"My Lord, Qiaozhi and I have already achieved some results in recruiting craftsmen today."

Wodun said, submitting a list, "This is what the accompanying Scribe helped to record."

While taking the list, Luoning said: "I have quite a few Professional Knights under my command now, but not many who can write."

Among those knights who surrendered from the savage tribe, only Jennie's family was literate; the others didn't have much education.

Even Tangmu, who claimed his father was a Conferred Knight, could only write the names of two or three people; he was practically illiterate as well.

"Being illiterate is terrible! After returning to Shanlin Town this time, both of you, as well as Dawei, Dandi, Tuomashi, and Jisili, must all study for me; at the very least, you must master basic reading and writing."

Luoning thought for a moment, "Just let Ailin teach you all how to listen, speak, read, and write; it just so happens that Ailin won't be so bored either."

The moment Wodun and Qiaozhi thought about having to address that thirteen-year-old child as teacher, they immediately felt a bit awkward.

But they also had to admit that compared to Ailin, they were just unrefined people who couldn't write.

Forcing these people to study is actually a bit difficult.

But picking the tallest among the short, perhaps someone has a talent for learning, and they will be handy to use in the future; he cannot always arrange for a minor official to accompany him everywhere.

Luoning spread out the parchment and read the statistics on it, his brows slightly furrowed: "Why are these craftsmen all apprentices?"

Wodun scratched his head, feeling somewhat helpless.

"Those famous craftsmen either have large families and are used to living in Wushan City, or they have stable client relationships; even if the daily wage you offer is high, they are unwilling to leave easily."

Qiaozhi added: "Even these apprentices only agreed to move to Shanlin Town after hearing about your status and deeds."

Luoning frowned; it is normal for this situation to occur. After all, if one can be well-fed and clothed in their hometown, who would want to risk their life to leave their homeland and venture into the unknown?

These craftsmen are not Slaves; they are all Free Citizens of Wushan Territory and the Auduin Kingdom, and they have the right to choose their own lives.

Luoning could certainly take people and use force to drag them away, but this would not only be bad for his reputation, it would also provide a handle for others to criticize him.

When nobles violate the laws of the Kingdom, sometimes they can completely disregard it, but if someone with ulterior motives really wants to pursue it, that is a very troublesome matter.

"Four carpenter apprentices, seven mason apprentices, three Blacksmith apprentices, two potter apprentices..."

Luoning shook his head: "Too few, not enough, continue recruiting tomorrow!"

He knew deeply that relying solely on the attraction of a few extra copper coins in daily wages is not enough; if he wants skilled craftsmen to come to his territory to work for him, he needs to pay more money.

"Tell them that for any apprentice who goes to Shanlin Town, I am willing to pay a relocation fee of 1 gold coin, and for ordinary official craftsmen, I will pay 5 gold coins. This money will be paid before they complete registration and leave Wushan City. In addition, I will be responsible for their food and drink on the road."

The annual salary for apprentices and official craftsmen is roughly at this price point; the conditions Luoning is offering now are equivalent to them receiving a year's salary just by being willing to go to Shanlin Town, without doing anything.

Luoning thought for a moment and added: "If there are Master Craftsmen or Grand Master Craftsmen, I will offer an even higher price!"

Master Craftsmen and Grand Master Craftsmen are craftsmen who possess high skills; on the basis of mastering basic techniques, they can also draw inferences about other cases.

Especially Grand Master Craftsmen, who can use Magic materials to forge special products.

For example, using Magic Beast scales and armor to make special armor and weapons, constructing special defensive fortifications like Wushan Castle, and so on.

However, Luoning felt that such people probably wouldn't be willing to go to a small place like Shanlin Town.

"As you wish, my lord!"

Wodun and Qiaozhi immediately accepted the order.

They believed that with this newly offered condition, there would certainly be more people tempted.

(End of this chapter)