Chapter 1104: The Thriving Works

Xu Housheng casually wiped his face. The gesture didn't make him any cleaner — if anything, it made him dirtier. Grinning, he said, "This is exactly how a man of the Xu family should look. My sister will definitely be happy to see it."

After that, Xu Housheng said with boundless excitement, "Brother-in-law, do you know how much good iron that furnace of yours can produce in one batch? Ten jin of pig iron yields eight jin of wrought iron, and if the heat is controlled just right, it can yield eight and a half!"

As Xu Housheng spoke the numbers, both his hands waved with excitement, his usual low-key and restrained demeanor completely gone.

"Brother-in-law, one jin of top-grade pig iron costs barely one fen of silver, but one jin of top-grade wrought iron sells for seven or eight qian. That's dozens of times the profit with just a flick of the wrist. Brother-in-law, that liquor was your method, the spinning machine was your method too — just how many ways do you have to turn stone into gold!" Xu Housheng grew more and more worked up as he spoke.

Zhao Jin had no way to respond to these words. He simply smiled and patted him on the shoulder. Once Xu Housheng had calmed down, Zhao Jin asked, "How are the sixteen-pounder and eighteen-pounder cannons coming along?"

"With that mold, casting them isn't hard. It's making the molds and sand casting that takes time. In a few more days, we can produce them for you to inspect, eldest brother-in-law," Xu Housheng replied.

After saying this, Xu Housheng instinctively lowered his voice and said, "Big Brother, we can also use this wrought iron to cast cannons. I want to try using it now to make cannons of twelve pounds and above. If it works, our Zhao Camp won't have to worry about copper supplies anymore."

"There can be no cutting corners with firearms. Since copper is best for casting cannons, use copper as much as possible. Don't you worry about this — I'll handle the arrangements," Zhao Jin said with a smile.

Xu Housheng's earlier excitement hadn't yet faded. Picking up on Zhao Jin's words, he said, "Big Brother, now that we have a good method for producing wrought iron, the drain on our supplies for fire lances and armor won't be so great. We can afford to buy wrought iron and copper. This is a business we can make work."

Zhao Jin, however, did not respond. He simply looked toward a few people not far away. Those men wore the same short jackets as the blacksmiths, but their builds and features were quite different. Moreover, the sense of detachment they had from the others was very conspicuous. One look told you they were the several missionaries captured and brought here.

Following Zhao Jin's gaze, Xu Housheng hurriedly explained, "Brother-in-law, two of these foreign monks are very diligent. Although they don't know much more than we do about firearms and smelting, they do have some insights and a few tricks. They're also quite good at calculation, which can be a great help to us. Casting cannons and making fire lances these days requires an enormous amount of calculation. I've only just realized that firing angles can be corrected through calculation. As for the other few, they're not much use. They haven't shown any intent to resist or cause trouble, but they stay shut in their quarters all day, endlessly chanting their scriptures..."

Hearing this, Zhao Jin couldn't help but laugh. Xu Housheng continued, "Not content with chanting themselves, some even go out to find others to join them, trying to get them to chant scriptures and believe in some religion. Even those helpers, Tang Ruowang and Jin Lige, do the same."

The smile vanished instantly from Zhao Jin's face. Sternly, he said, "Inside this works, only the foreigners themselves are allowed to practice their faith. None of our people are permitted to believe. Whoever believes will be severely punished. Make sure you emphasize this rule repeatedly. Understood?"

"I understand. Brother-in-law, you can rest assured. It's funny, really — just these few foreigners, all speaking a language we can understand, yet their faiths are different. Old Mai has no kind words for these missionaries. They've nearly come to blows several times, each telling the other they'll be burned at the stake and such. As for Mr. Lu, he doesn't take sides with either. He doesn't seem to be on the same path as anyone," Xu Housheng replied, then shared this anecdote from within the camp.

Zhao Jin couldn't help but laugh. Old Mai seemed to be from the Protestant regions of Germany, so naturally he and the Catholic missionaries couldn't stand the sight of each other. It was only because order was maintained here in the works that those seemingly gentle and mild-mannered missionaries hadn't actually tied Old Mai up and burned him to death.

Many people in Xuzhou disliked this ironworks, and the same was true for the companions around Zhao Jin. They found the air inside the firearms works too choking and couldn't stop coughing. Zhao Jin, however, very much liked the smell here. It bore a faint resemblance to a scent in his memories.

The two walked forward a stretch. Not far from the iron furnace was the area for animal-powered machinery. Zhu Xingshu had also hurried over by this time. He was in charge of this animal-powered machinery section.

"Having this animal-powered machinery has been a tremendous help. Before, forging a suit of armor required a master craftsman with seasoned skills to lead apprentices, hammering away for days. Now, using this drop hammer to pound it out blow by blow, we can produce one very quickly," Xu Housheng explained.

"It's all thanks to the fine iron produced by Lord Jin's furnace. With that iron, making armor is much easier," Zhu Xingshu said with a grin, stepping forward to pay his respects.

The craftsmen of the firearms works and all the various workshops under the Zhao Camp system — especially the high-ranking craftsmen who had reached the level of supervisors — all shared a feeling: the lofty Lord Jin showed particular favor to craftsmen. The household troop leaders at the rank of Grand Squad Leader and Regiment Commander, the manor heads of various estates, and the chief stewards of various branch shops were already figures of importance within the Zhao Camp's sphere of influence. Yet before Zhao Jin, they dared not show the slightest negligence and were treated with stern formality.

The craftsmen, however, initially behaved the same way — trembling with fear, they had an accurate assessment of their own status. In this realm of the Great Ming, the station of craftsmen was the most humble and lowly. But after spending time with him, they discovered they had been mistaken. Zhao Jin treated craftsmen with exceptional kindness, was willing to inquire and discuss, and whenever they talked, Zhao Jin did not seem like a nobleman but more like a craftsman himself — one who knew a little about everything.

Time and again, the craftsmen grew close to Zhao Jin. They also learned that invention, creation, and improvements to production could earn generous rewards. Some had already earned several hundred taels, even several thousand. After busy days at the works, they went home to live as great masters. This made everyone work with ease and filled them with drive.

For someone newly arrived like Zhu Xingshu, this land of Xuzhou was paradise. He had never imagined there could be a place that treated craftsmen so generously — and what's more, a place within a thriving, rising power like the Zhao Camp.

With such a good state of mind, Zhu Xingshu was naturally willing to say a few more words: "Lord Jin, you may not know this, but the old master craftsmen in this works told me in private that this machine of mine is a trade-killing business. This machinery can be driven by livestock, and it can also be driven by water power. Any apprentice with a bit of know-how can use it to turn out fine goods. If this goes on, everyone's craftsmanship will become worthless, and these good days we've only just begun to enjoy will be ruined along with it."

Xu Housheng frowned and said sullenly, "These people truly don't know gratitude. What could their craft have earned them before? What can they earn now? Really..."

Zhao Jin, however, didn't mind. Smiling, he said, "They aren't wrong to think that way. If those machines in our textile works were placed outside, people would probably storm in to smash them. Master Zhu, how did you answer them?"

These words set Xu Housheng thinking. Zhu Xingshu, however, answered with a smile, "I told them, if everyone wants to cling to the old craft and starve to death, then I can't help it. The machinery is right here, and no one's stopping anyone from learning it. Wouldn't it be better to learn this new craft and earn even more?"

"Well said," Zhao Jin nodded with a smile, then added with a grin, "Master Zhu, you can't just cling to this one craft and stand still either. You have to keep improving it, so you can earn even more. Our Zhao Camp is willing to give anything for something useful!"

Hearing Zhao Jin speak this way, Zhu Xingshu put away his smile and solemnly agreed.

As the few of them talked, the tremendous noise of the machinery in operation constantly surrounded their ears. Everyone couldn't help but raise their voices. Everyone assumed Zhao Jin would find it unbearable — even the perpetually indifferent Niu Jinbao was frowning — yet Zhao Jin was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Looking at the freshly forged armor plates that hadn't yet been finely finished, and the rough blanks of various weapons and tools, the smile on Zhao Jin's face grew thicker and thicker. With these, and with the manpower constantly streaming in, an incomparably mighty force could be forged. Others might not see it, but Zhao Jin was utterly intoxicated by everything in this ironworks.

Just then, the sound of quarreling and shouting came from not far away. Zhao Jin pulled himself from his thoughts and turned to look. Sun Dalin, Niu Jinbao, and several personal guards had already taken their positions.

However, inside this firearms works, everyone was the most trusted and reliable personnel of the Zhao Camp. There was no worry of any sudden harm. They could see a foreign missionary over there, bowing repeatedly as if pleading for something.

"... That Tang Ruowang wishes to request an audience with Lord Jin..." The reason was quickly relayed back.

"... Honorable Lord, if you could graciously grant us our freedom, we would serve you even better. We not only understand the skills related to firearms, but also know much more. We hope to serve you with all our devotion..."

Tang Ruowang behaved with extreme humility and courtesy. Though his accent in the official tongue was peculiar, he expressed his general meaning very clearly.

Seeing his behavior, Xu Housheng, Zhu Xingshu, and Yu Cun, who had hurried over, all showed expressions of disdain. Clearly a man captured by force, yet without a shred of backbone — already bowing his head. Louis, on the other hand, looked as calm as ever, though his expression was a bit tense.

"Wanting to work for me isn't impossible, and wanting freedom isn't impossible either. But you'll have to trade for it with things I want," Zhao Jin replied calmly.

This attitude from Zhao Jin gave Tang Ruowang a sense of hope, yet also made him feel awkward and troubled. He said respectfully, "Honorable Lord Zhao Jin, neither I nor my companions understand the things you need. And without freedom, we have no way to go search for them on your behalf."

"If you have ways or methods to find them, tell the people here. That will also count toward your merit. The more you say, the more you do, the faster you'll get what you want," Zhao Jin stated the terms quite directly.

Although Tang Ruowang could understand Zhao Jin's words, Louis, who had hurried over, still translated them into Spanish. Tang Ruowang was silent for a moment, as if steeling his resolve, then spoke: "Honorable Lord, such conduct damages your dignity and status. We came here to spread glory, with no ill intent whatsoever. We..."

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