Although Arda and Beldin don't have enough blacksmiths, there are in other territories.
Among other things, the blacksmiths in Earl Price Parker's territory were well-known in the Northwest Gulf for their expertise in making weapons and armor. Apart from a large number of such blacksmiths among the people, the Earl himself ran a large weapons workshop.
This is also the reason why the old earl dared to organize an alliance against the Kent family.
So Paul invited his allies to Huxin Town, and proposed to them the idea of jointly manufacturing and selling weapons—he would provide raw materials, let the blacksmiths in each collar process them into weapons, and then sell them outside, and distribute the profits together.
"Alda and Beldin can produce a large amount of iron, whether it is pig iron or wrought iron, as much as you want, we can provide as much as you want."
Paul said the words that made all the lords dumbfounded, and this brat's tone was too loud.
"Can you give an approximate figure? For example, how many tons of pig iron can be produced a year?"
Earl Parker asked this question on behalf of the lords.
"Uh…"
What number should I say? Would it be considered bragging to tell 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 places will be able to reach an annual output of 400 tons."
He gave Paul a wink, no matter whether it can be done or not, let's blow up the bull first, anyway, they don't need so much.
Damn, you are really bragging, increasing production is not just about building a few more blast furnaces and reverberatory furnaces, but also taking into account the increase in production of iron ore and coal mines, the refining of coke, and most importantly, these few training of industry-related workers.
Forget it, regardless of these, first pull up the demand. Paul slapped the table and followed Hansel's words:
"Yes, if you need more, we can increase the production even higher!"
Sure enough, the cowhide of the two shocked everyone, and the lords looked at each other in blank dismay.
Either Graiman was blessed by God, or he made a deal with the devil—if they hadn't seen miraculous inventions such as muskets and cannons in the previous joint operations, they would 100% think so.
"Cough! If what you are talking about is real data, my lord earl, that would be a very good thing. Not only can it be sold to other places, but it can also be used to arm our own troops, so that when we fight against Maltz Kent's army It's even more beneficial."
"Exactly, Monsieur Viscount. To be honest, I'm planning to equip every one of my soldiers with a breastplate."
Paul smiled at Viscount Johnston. The Viscount shrank his shoulders guiltily. A year ago, he sent spies to infiltrate Arda to steal papermaking technology. Who would have thought that Arda at that time could develop into a monster with 2,000 regular elite soldiers and an annual output of 400 tons of iron. Fortunately, he was now in the same camp as Earl Greyman.
Earl Malcolm asked: "But after the weapons are built, how should we transport them to the south in large quantities? This is not an ordinary weight cargo."
Paul gave the answer: "It's very simple, use sea freight. Not only is the freight volume huge, but it can also avoid the tariffs on various territories on the southward road. 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 Arda's shipyard is manufacturing a new type of ship, which is not only driven by wind power, but also has a huge cargo capacity.
"I heard that you wiped out the pirates in the Northwest Gulf. Is it to pave the way for large-scale shipping?"
Earl Parker stroked his beard and asked.
"Yes, I already had this idea at the time."
"And you've sent expeditions to the Horn?"
"That's right, Jiaowan will be my key trade partner in the future."
"Hey, speaking of eliminating pirates, we coastal lords owe you a thank you."
Earl Parker's words reminded everyone that during the pirate rebellion last year, when Greiman asked for help but was pushed back and forth by them, they couldn't help but feel hot.
"Haha! It's a trivial matter, nothing to worry about!"
Although he complained in his heart, Paul was still very happy that his achievements were recognized by everyone.
There are 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 blacksmiths to exchange technologies with each other and improve together. skill."
"What's more, since it is a joint production, I strongly suggest that each of our territories unify the standard of weapon production, and use the prefix of 'Northwest' or 'Gulf' to create a brand effect. Please rest assured , The world is not peaceful, there are so many wars, we can't just focus on the rebellion in the south. After we unite, there will never be a phenomenon where some people eat meat and others can only drink soup."
Derrick Heller echoed: "That's right, I heard that the Gabela Empire is preparing for a war with its neighbors in the east. A large-power war of this level requires a huge amount of weapons and equipment."
Price Parker nodded and said, "It is indeed better to have a unified system, and I agree with that."
Driven by him, other lords also agreed.
"Everyone, the unified standard I'm talking about is not just about making the weapons and armor into the same shape, but also having the exact same size, with an error on the order of millimeters."
"Paul, you are too strong."
"No, I think quality is the number one factor that makes our name Remember the word - standardization!"
"standardization?"
"Yes, standardization, I made a special thing to achieve this purpose. Come on, bring up the ruler!"
Several servants came in from outside the hall, and placed a strange thing on each lord's table.
The lords picked up a large amount 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, and the specific method of use is attached to the instruction manual. With it, we can work towards standardization."
At this time, the accuracy of the vernier calipers can not be compared with the same kind on the earth, but it is enough for the production of course.
The lords fiddled with the vernier calipers in amazement, and some secretly cursed Paul as a pervert.
…
After a whole day of deliberation, the lords decided to set up a so-called [company] in Paul's mouth. The name of the company was named [Northwest Industries], specializing in the production and sales of weapons and equipment.
The people allotted the shares, and because Paul was the promoter and almost monopolized the raw materials and freight, he occupied the largest share, followed by Price Parker and Myron Gardner, and then the other lords.
This is not fixed, and shareholders' meetings will be held regularly to adjust the shares according to their respective contributions.
In the end, everyone drew up a general charter, and elected the Earl of Bairding, Myron Garnard, to be in charge of the daily affairs of Northwest Industry, because his territory has been handed over to the administration of Huxin Town, so he is the most leisurely.
"Quality! Quality! It's still quality! I will not ship unqualified products!"
Paul emphasizes this at the end.