Chapter 261 Vernier Caliper and Northwest Industry
Although Alda and Bailding do not have a sufficient number of blacksmiths, there are some in other territories.
Among other things, the blacksmiths in Earl Price Parker's territory are famous in the Northwest Gulf for their expertise in making weapons and armor. In addition to a large number of such blacksmiths among the private sector, the Earl himself runs a large weapons workshop.
This was also the reason why the old earl dared to organize an alliance against the Kent family.
So Paul invited his allies to Lake Town and proposed to them the idea of jointly manufacturing and selling weapons - he would provide raw materials, let the blacksmiths of each territory process them into weapons, and then sell them outside, and the profits would be shared together.
"Arda and Bailding can produce a lot of iron, whether it is pig iron or wrought iron, we can provide as much as you want."
Paul said something that made all the lords stunned. This young boy also spoke too loudly.
"Can you give an approximate figure? How many tons of pig iron can be produced in a year?"
Earl Parker asked this question on behalf of the lords.
"Well……"
What number should I say? Would it be considered bragging if I told you the real numbers?
Still waiting for Paul to think about it, Hansel on the side stretched out four fingers:
"By the end of this year, our two locations will be able to reach an annual output of 400 tons."
He gave Paul a wink, no matter whether he could do it or not, just brag first, they wouldn't need so much anyway.
Damn it, you are really bragging. Increasing production is not just about building a few more blast furnaces and reverberatory furnaces. It also needs to take into account the increase in production of iron ore and coal mines, the refining of coke, and most importantly these few things. Training of workers related to various industries.
Forget it, forget about it, let’s stimulate demand first. Paul slammed the table and followed Hansel's words:
"Yes, if you need more, we can increase the production even higher!"
Sure enough, the two men's cowhide shocked everyone, and the lords looked at each other.
Graiman was either blessed by God or made a deal with the devil - they would 100% think so if they had not seen such magical inventions as muskets and cannons in previous joint operations.
"Ahem! If what you are talking about, Lord Count, is the real data, it is a great and positive thing. Not only can it be sold to other places, but it can also be used to arm our own troops, so that when fighting against Maltz Kent's army It’s more advantageous.”
"Exactly, Mr. Viscount. To be honest, I am planning to equip each of my soldiers with a breastplate."
Paul smiled at Viscount Johnston. The Viscount shrank his shoulders guiltily. A year ago, he sent spies to sneak into Alda to steal papermaking technology. He wondered if Graiman would bear him a grudge. Who would have thought that Arda could develop into a monster with 2,000 standing troops and an annual output of 400 tons of iron. Fortunately, he is now in the same camp as Earl Grayman.
Earl Malkan asked: "But after the weapons are made, how should we transport them to the south in large quantities? This is not an ordinary weight of goods."
Paul gave the answer: "It's very simple, use sea shipping. Not only is the freight volume huge, but it can also avoid customs duties in various territories on the way south. Taxes are not included in the selling price, and the competitiveness of our products has increased by 10%." ”
Shipping? It is indeed an innovative method. The lords have heard that the shipyard in Arda is building a new type of ship, which is not only driven by wind power, but also has a huge cargo capacity.
"I heard that you destroyed all the pirates in the Northwest Gulf. Is it to pave the way for large-scale shipping?"
Earl Parker asked, stroking his beard.
"Yes, I already had this idea at the time."
"And you've sent an expedition to sail to Horn Bay?"
"Yes, Jiaowan will be my key trading target in the future."
"Well, when it comes to destroying pirates, we coastal lords owe you a thank you."
Earl Parker's words reminded everyone of the incident when Grayman asked for help from the surrounding people during the pirate rebellion last year but was blocked by them, and they couldn't help but feel hot on their faces.
"Haha! It's just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning!"
Although he complained a little in his heart, Paul was still very happy that his achievements could be recognized by everyone.
We have solutions for raw materials and transportation capacity, and everyone is willing to join the plan to jointly manufacture and sell weapons. After all, no one has trouble with money.
Paul further suggested: "Everyone, in order to improve production efficiency, I suggest that you use your power as a lord to gather the blacksmiths who make weapons, merge small workshops into large workshops, and encourage the blacksmiths to exchange techniques with each other and improve together. skill."
"Also, since it is joint production, I strongly suggest that our various territories use unified standards when producing weapons, and use the name prefix of 'Northwest' or 'Gulf' to create a brand effect. Please rest assured. , The world is not peaceful, there are so many wars, we cannot just focus on the rebellion in the south. After we unite, there will never be a situation where some people eat meat and others can only drink soup. "
Derrick Heller echoed: "Yes, I heard that the Gabela Empire is preparing for a war with its eastern neighbors. A war between great powers of this level requires absolutely massive amounts of weapons and equipment."
Price Parker nodded and said: "It is indeed better to have a unified system, and I agree with it."
Following his lead, other lords also agreed.
"Everyone, the unified standard I'm talking about is not just to make weapons and armor into the same shape, but also to make the size exactly the same, with an error of millimeters."
No mistake, one post, one content, one 6, one 9, one book, one bar!
"Paul, you're asking too much."
"No, I think quality is the primary factor in making our name famous. Please remember this word - standardization!"
"Standardization?"
"Yes, standardization. I made something to achieve this goal. Come on, bring up the ruler!"
Several servants came in from outside the hall and placed a strange thing on the table of each lord.
The lords took it up and looked at it carefully. As Paul said just now, this is a ruler with scales on it, but the structure is quite complicated.
"I call this thing a vernier caliper. It can accurately measure the size of things. The specific method of use is attached to the instruction manual. With it, we can work towards standardization."
The accuracy of the vernier caliper at this time cannot be compared with that of its counterparts on Earth, but it is sufficient for production.
The lords fiddled with the vernier caliper and marveled at it. Some of them secretly cursed Paul as a pervert.
…
After a whole day of discussion, the lords decided to set up what Paul called a "company". The company was named "Northwest Industry", specializing in the production and sale of weapons and equipment.
The people divided the shares. Paul, as the initiator, almost monopolized the raw materials and freight, took the largest share. Next came Price Parker and Myron Garnard, and then other lords.
This is not fixed. Shareholders' meetings will be held regularly to adjust the shares according to their contributions.
Finally, everyone drafted a general charter and nominated Earl Myron Garnard of Bayerding to be responsible for the daily affairs of Northwest Industry, because his territory had been handed over to the government council of Lake Heart Town, and he was the most idle.
"Quality! Quality! Still quality! I will not ship unqualified products!"
Paul emphasized at the end.