The foreman came forward immediately to us and I handed him the 50 gold coins as promised and he gladly receives. We told him that we are pleased with the progress and wanted him to elaborate on the next day's planning.
*If we don't engage in this kind of manner, some foreman took the fact that we take if for granted as we leave the work entirely to them*
"Senior and Junior Master, we had completed the foundation of marking the floor plan of the house, erected the main 6x6 pillars near the 4x4 hardpoints where we had inserted into the ground. The whole frame of the roof had already been completed and erected and secured with bolts and nuts."
"Our plan for tomorrow would be as follows:
1. Setting up the reed bamboo for the entire roof with waterproofing and glazing with an elevated opening in the kitchen area as well as the middle of the house about 6 inches of opening to let the draft out and protected with a wire mesh so that birds or bats won't be able to enter through the opening.
The design would look like a small roof on top of a roof. The kitchen one would be a 4x2 feet ventilation while the main house would be a 6x6 feet in size.
2. Setting up the gutter for the roof and side drainage outlet for a water catchment at the back of the house.
3. Installation of all exterior panelling boards, windows, louvres as well as the main door for the entire exterior walls.
4. Setting up the bathroom, concrete tub, concrete base with drainage and both clean and dirty kitchen complete with the sideboards, cabinet and rocket stove area.
5. Setting up a drainage system around the house that leads to the sewer system by a 6x6 half-round pipe underground with a mesh on it.
We will update you on the status when we're midway through the construction.
"Thank you Kayu-San for your elaboration on the plans for tomorrow. You are a man with an eye for success and aims higher than the usual target. I am proud of you to be engaged in our process of building this house."
"Furthermore, this house even looks better than the one we are living in," I added and praised to elevate his ego and pride in his profession.
"It is an old fabricated design. However, if you planned to rebuild it next time, please do consult me and we could work around a simpler budget." offered Kayu-san of his service that he had made a good impression on the first day.
"Depending on our Master here. If he wishes to, then we will consult with you, if not then we just leave it as it is then. But do you think you could build a second storey?"
I asked since we would be paying higher tax in the future. I intended to create living space on the 2nd floor while the 1st floor would be used to store our goods and materials.
"Yes, we could. The extension of the existing pillars would be made by a mix of 6 millimetres round bars and the middle part would be encased in concrete about 8x8 inches from the centre. It's like joining 2 pieces of free-standing pillars."
*Luckily I had witnessed the construction of such buildings before when I was stationed in the Philippines and can use it as an example*
"Very interesting Kayu-san. Please enjoy the mid-afternoon tea and touch up what your men had been doing for the whole day. Thank you for sharing your plans for tomorrow and we hope to see more progress after this."
Kayu-san bowed deep and left to join his workers and quickly attended to their work since they would be ending their work by 5 pm. Hiko-sama was happy that at last, he could tell the time and not lose track of time ever.
Later we saw 4 people walking up to our paths and I recognised one of them to be the Blacksmith's apprentice. "Here comes fortune, Sensei!" I remarked as I saw them and said I go and hide first and Hiko-sama to stall them. To hide first means I would be bringing the plates of [Refined Iron] plates from the Realm of Mind to the real world. All 118 plates of them.
I hurriedly left the terrace and closed the door after me and went to my bedroom. I immediately went into my meditative state and soon I opened up my eyes and was in the Blacksmithing area. I quickly knocked out the [Refined Iron] plates on the ground and made sure I emptied everything from the moulding set.
After ensuring that everything had been cleared I immediately logged off my meditative state and returned to the real world. I took the piece that I had given to Hiko-sama and placed them together. I took several cloth bundles and made a bundle of 30 plates each and tied them up. After making 4 bundles I carried them slowly to the main door and put on my face mask.
I opened it up a crack and Hiko-sama was entertaining the apprentices of his experiences as a Samurai. I signalled to Hiko-sama that each bundle contains 30 plates. Hiko-sama then told the apprentices to wait a while and took the bundles out one by one.
Exchange of good and coins soon performed and Hiko-sama checked all the coins are exactly at 540 gold coins which were made up of 27 bundles. The apprentices also checked the quality and quantity and were surprised to see a mark on the plates and they asked what it meant.
Hiko-sama proudly mentioned it was the name of his corporation and RI means [Refined Iron] at 97% purity. We both knew what Kuro-san was doing with the plates and we need to mark it in case someone would claim it is theirs. So right now, soon the other 2 blacksmiths would deal directly with us in the future.
Business is a cutthroat deal. We can't depend on one but as a general. We can't afford others to monopolise but we should be the one monopolising instead.
Hiko-sama pushed the money to me and I double-checked it. Well, as long as there's scrap, there would be money in it. Dealing with hot property is simple. It's all sold within a blink of an eye.
After they had gone, I opened up the door and unmasked my face. "Just like that. One or two hours of work and we earned 540 gold coins! So what is your plan now?"
"We can make 120 pieces at one go for the moulding sets. I was thinking of creating up to 200 pieces which means I need a total of 40 moulding sets."
"The making of the [Refined Iron] is simple as its a single process. For [Purified Iron] plates, it would be a double process. The first process would be removing the slag and then it would be aerated and poured from a height into another smelting pot."
"It means it would be 2 furnaces, 2 bellow pumps and 1 would be higher than the other, right? Why should it be aerated because I know removing the slag, removes the impurities, right?"
"Aerated improves the oxygen content level inside it and also churns out from the bottom of the smelting pot thus the slag could be properly removed."
"What can the slag do?" Hiko-sama asked while I explained its just another part of iron oxide that is useless and can't be used at all except turning it into weights."
Hiko-sama nodded as he thought of this. Then an idea strikes me. We could use the worker to collect weapon scraps at the northside after their work and to send in by hand carts. There are 10 men and 5 handcarts would be good enough to fill the upcoming orders.
"Sensei, could you talk to the men if they want to earn extra for another hour of work? 10 men 5 handcarts full of weapon scraps. 1-hour extra work. 1 silver each."
Hiko-sama understood what I meant and he approached the men. All of them agree since they would be paid 1 silver for just an hours work to collect weapons parts for 5 handcarts full. No questions asked.
Hiko-sama showed a thumbs-up and I prepared the coins and passed to Hiko-sama, so he would be the paymaster while I hide in the shadows like bushido and throws coins like a shuriken. Whoosh! Whoosh!
My gold coins that were acquired from the sales also was kept safe by Hiko-sama. I advised him that tomorrow he would bring the hangers to Patent it and then make a deposit of 500 gold coins to my savings account.
I looked at our handcart and discovered that we still had some weapon scraps that could be made into 2 batches of [Refined Iron] plates and hope that the killings over at the duelling grounds would not cease as other's losses are someone's gains. I sneered at the idea of taking advantage such as these.
What would happen if there are no more weapon scraps over at the duelling grounds? Should we be miners to look for iron ores then turn them into pig irons thus turning them into [Refined Iron] instead? Because it seemed that the process would be more tedious.
Or I straight use iron ore, coal and limestone to create steel instead? Hmm... I should ask the Director of the corporation for more insights into these matters. Why should we buy something when we could gather things for free instead, right?
*Ding! *Another idea struck me. I approached Hiko-sama and asked him if he could make the foreman drunk again and then entice him to hand over his metal junk for us at a few pieces of silvers per hand cart or several pieces of gold per horse-drawn wagon.
Hiko-sama smiled as he soon fetched 2 jars and 3 cups for our little session later. Soon Hiko-sama called for the foreman and he came running expecting that he had made a mistake somewhere. "Yes Senior and Junior Master, is anything the matter?" he asked in a panic matter.
"Nothing is wrong, we would like to invite for some drinks later after 5 pm because we have a business proposal for you," Hiko-sama said as he spreads his hands.
"Oh, alright... What kind of business proposal are you talking about?" he asked hurriedly half expecting a windfall of fortune coming his way.
"Remember we discussed smelling nice for the ladies? I have the samples here with me. I would like to show you and let you try and see if your wife and mistress would be impressed. I am sure you are impressed with it right?"
"Yes... Yes... I would definitely join you. Is it the sake that we drank the other day? The taste is exquisite, rather mild and fruity but really intoxicating! In that the case, I see to my work first because as you can see I can't talk or walk straight after I drank half a jar of that fine yumeshu." he quickly bowed and then back to work.
"Good man! No drinks during work and pose a hazard to workplace safety." I thought to myself and I asked how many jars he got left and was told it would run out in 3 days time.
"Haa... Haa... Its time to top up again soon. It's on me, Sensei. No problem, as long as you are happy, I am happy as well. Haa Haa Haa!" we both laughed as we joked about us having a relaxed time together after clearing some hurdles in life.
Soon it was close to 5 pm and after tidying up their workspace and their tools, the workers then proceeded to carry the 5 handcarts and heads to the northern gate.
Hiko-sama went to fetch his 5 treasured bars of soap and sat down at the garden while I helped to carry a jar of yumeshu and joined them. Hiko-sama poured the 3 cups and handed one to the foreman and was advised by me to take sips instead as we do not him to be drunk and clouded his visions and thoughts.
Hiko-sama presented the 5 bars of soaps and asked him to take a whiff on every single one of them. I just remembered that after smelling the bar of soap, the person would not get drunk! Instead, he would feel fresh and rejuvenated!
"Wow...! It smells like perfume! The perfume here is too dear. 2 gold coins for a 10 ml bottle. But this..... Aaaahhhhh..... It feels so fresh, so invigorating and leaves me with a tingle of freshness!"
"These are my treasured samples. It is out of shape and I used them for samplings only. Like a sales gimmick. The actual size is a 3x3x3 inch and weighs 50 grams."
"And you told me its 1 gold a piece? It is very cheap you know, it is like buying 5 bottles of perfume for just 10% of its value!"
"I am glad you like it very much Kayu-San. Come, let's cheers on it! Kanpai!" as Hiko-sama raised his cup and we 3 clinked it.
"By the way, Kayu-san, what do you do with your scraps of metal? So you send it to a foundry for sale or remodelling into something else?"
"Ah... There's no foundry here in Kitakata. We just keep it in the factory and collect rust and dust. We had many projects before and it nearly filled up a quarter of our warehouse."
"Oh...so Kayu-san, you mean to say that these scraps of iron had been sitting there, for at least 5 years or so? You don't really need it, do you?" I asked, setting a psychological trap for him to start committing to our deal.
"Yes, it's pretty useless... Bits of pieces of iron bars, bent bolts, rebars, bent metal rods of all sizes, metal plates and angle bars... You know what I mean. Bits of pieces here and there with no beginning and no end."
"So, it's pretty useless to you, right?" I asked and making him commit that the junk which is useless to him would prove very beneficial for us.
"Hmm, in that's the case, since they are useless and pointless for you why don't we clear those useless junk and make your warehouse empty so that you can stock up on your fine collection of furniture and woodcraft? It's better that way right? At least customers can walk through your showroom and you can extend your business within your warehouse too."
"You really mean that? Help me clear all those stupid junk that I had been accumulating all these years? It's a good idea, young master. Now I could expand my collections of woodcraft!"
"Yes... Yes... Since its junk to you then we could help you clear it for a small fee. All I need is to borrow your horse-drawn wagons so that I could park them here. How many wagons would you need to clear those junk of yours since it is of no value to you?"
"It would take about 6 wagons at most. Do you really need so much of that junk? And how much are you going to charge me if I send it to you?"
"I would need it to be delivered once a single wagon is being cleared. If let's say 1 wagon is cleared every week, then it would take about 2 months for the useless junk to be cleared. Since you had been storing it for many years now, you could wait for another 2 months right?"
"That's right, young master. As long as I could clear those junk, I could finally free up enough space for the warehouse."
"Just imagine how grand your warehouse is going to be when you see its splendour every time you enter it. Your customers would also be able to walk freely and have a relaxed time to view your fine craftsmanship. Also, you see this garden furniture, do you know people are asking where we bought them? I told them, go to Kayu-san and view his many fine products there."
"Yes...yes...young master. You are very correct. I like your idea very much. People would talk about my furniture and knows that they could only get the best from me. So how much is your fee for helping me clear my useless junk."
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"Kayu-san, since we are already acquainted, I am only and merely asking for 1 copper for 1 whole wagon full of junk!"
"Wooohooohooo...! Just 1 copper?! Its a deal young master it's a god damn deal!"
"Yes, let's drink to this and by the time the house is complete, you can send the wagon over."
"Kanpai...!"
We raised our cups and saw a sly wink from Hiko-sama thinking of the conversation we had earlier, I managed to turn the whole situation towards our favour and advantage.
We had a few more drinks and noticed the foreman was getting all slurred and was not steady in balancing himself on the stool. Hiko-sama shoved a soap to him and asked him to take a few deep breaths.
"Fuuuuuhhhh....! I feel fresh already. Your soap is really magical, it clears up my muddled head the moment I smell in it. How about this, once your stock is ready, I would like to place an order of 20 bars of soap for every scent at a price of 1 gold each. Since you help me clear my warehouse, I help you in your business as well."
As simple as that, we had gained another 100 gold coins for the soaps. We raised another cup and cheered.
A few moments later the 10 men returned with 5 handcarts full of weapon scraps and placed them near the clothesline. Hiko-sama paid them one silver each and they bowed and thanked both of us before leaving to their homes.
Soon after, Kayu-san took his leave and left us both alone in the garden and we both we laughing and giggling without exchanging a word as we both understood how we could easily turn the tides around.
With the additional so-called junk from Kayu-san, we would not run out of metal products and could easily turn it into [Refined Iron] and [Purified Iron] as well.
Hiko-sama looked at his pocket watch that was hanging like a necklace and soon noticed its close to dinner time and our guests would be arriving soon.
"I'm amazed, kid. Do you always mix around with people and read their thoughts? At first, you wanted to buy for a few gold coins per wagon, now you got it for free and getting paid 1 silver per load even. Haa haaa haaaa... I can't beat you at this, kid. Your mind really is a super genius at making money. This corporation would soon be a giant in a few months time based on your efforts alone."
"No, Sensei. You also made valuable contributions to the corporation as well. I'm just merely producing so that at least we do not have to depend on other people for work. We ourselves can make money out from nothing."
As soon as I heard that, the 6 girls came by our courtyard and greeted us." Kumbawa" the entered and bowed to us in one line and was awed at the sight before them. Even if the house was merely made of its foundation, all 6 of them were milling around it and was awed by its size and design.
"Senior and Young Master, is this our new home? I can't believe it because yesterday there was nothing in this piece of land! Look at the size of the layout. It's as big as your house, right?" asked Hanna as she flitted like a butterfly from one pillar to the other.
Fei, Gina and Riko were delighted that they were playing around the skeletal structure of the house as if it was some kind of playground. To them, their joys were simply beyond words, the moment they saw the barren land had sprung up a house overnight, as this land was part of a magical Realm.
"Senior and young master, we can truly see how sincere you both are when you mentioned that you would be building a house and a workplace here for us. I know it costs a lot of gold coins and even through our deaths, we would not be able to repay you back."
"We are truly indebted to you," Hanna spoke up and bowed deeply. As being the more matured one, she became the spokesperson for the group. I then noticed that she had a slight tinge on her complexion that accentuates her beauty and yes its the first time I saw that she looked rather smashing.
Too bad in this series I ended up a kid if not there'd be a lot of woo woo time in between. Hahahaha.
"Hey, you girls hungry? What do you want to eat for dinner?" hollered Hiko-sama at those girls who were playing around the foundation of the house.
"Yes, of course, we are hungry. If not we won't come here for dinner and supper. Whatever you eat, we also eat together, Hiko-Dono!" replied Riko without a hint of shyness with her choice of blunt words again amidst her giggling.
I looked at them and realised that their youth was taken away at such tender age that they may have forgotten how to play, laugh and joke around.
"Fei, Gin and Riko... Come and sit at the garden, we won't want to see you get hurt. Dinner would swing by pretty soon later. Do you still have money with you?"
"We never spend any today. We were full since yesterday and decided to keep the silver as our lucky coin. See, we all are wearing the silver coin you gave us!" replied Riko as the three I called out finally calmed down and sat in the garden, and they were soon joined by Izumi, Hanna and Eko after they had gone to check the foundation of the house.
Riko showed us the threaded silver coin around their necks as Fei and Gin showed theirs too. "Oneesama also hang theirs around their necks too! Oneesama, show to Senpai your necklace!" Riko laughed gleefully as Izumi slowly pulled out hers and then slipped back inside her kimono.
How I wish I could be that coin right now, safely nestled in between their cleavages the whole day...Mmmmmmm
A yatai seller soon called out the first meal for the day and it was yakisoba! Everyone was excited and Hiko-sama helped to call out to the seller and asked for 8 servings while I stood up intending to proceed to the kitchen when Izumi ran to me and said, "Let me help you with the bowls, Senpai!"
"Eh... How can you enter a man's house? But anyway, what can a minute or two happens, right?" Hiko-sama mentioned to Izumi and she was taken aback as she had forgotten about the rules of not entering our space but seeing Hiko-sama waved Izumi in, she proceeded.
As I placed the bowls, plates and chopsticks on a tray, I mentioned that these should be placed on the table outside and handed the tray to Izumi. The moment she took it and turned around I heard a barely audible sentence that made me rooted to the ground.
"I like you, Senpai....." she said as she quickened her pace and left me standing there and staring at her back. I shook myself and tried not to be distracted as I made a kettle of water for green tea afterwards. I arranged 6 drinking cups on a tray and set it aside.
Realising that Hiko-sama had changed the soap on the small dish plate I brought it out with a half bucket of water and a scoop. This would be for them to wash their hands and face since they had just left their work and had no time for a shower and such.
Izumi returned back in and took the bucket and stuff that I was holding and brought it outside. "Did you say something earlier?" I asked and she turned around and faced me, just a few inches from my face and she said,"That's what my heart is saying, Senpai." and smiled, turned her back and walk to the group.
"Haa... Himura remembers. So girls, please form a line and wash your hands and face first before dinner." commanded Hiko-sama as he handed out the towels while I went to fetch the dried laundry that was hung by the hangers.
After they had washed their face and hands the girls looked radiated and their complexion seemed to glow and they can't help but keep smelling their hands. With the help of the induced psi energy spheres, the girls' tiredness slowly faded away.
I went inside and sorted out which was mine and which was Hiko-sama's and hang them accordingly at their location.
Soon we were having yakisoba for dinner and even though it was quite normal to us, the girls find it extremely enjoyable. I thought of the coin and decided to buy some snacks for them to bring back for their breakfast tomorrow.
Soon after dinner the rest of the yatai came and we ordered supper and some extras for them to eat on the way back and for breakfast. We bought the following for them:
8 sticks of chicken Yakitori
4 portions of squid Yakiniku
4 packets of seafood flavoured Senbei
6 servings of red beans paste Taiyaki
18 pieces of chicken Kare pan
18 pieces of seafood Gyoza
18 pieces of potatoes and mixed vegetables Korokke
12 pieces of Kushikatsu
The girls made up their minds which one to eat and which one they would bring back and they slowly sorted out their share of joys.
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