CH 22

On the open space outside the castle.

Before the arrival of the earl, the craftsmen gathered in twos and threes to chat, with uncontrollable excitement on their faces, mixed with a little anxiety.

“I don’t know what kind of drawing is the best according to the earl’s standard? I’ve done my best to draw…”

“I don’t have any hope for the position of the president of the craftsmen’s guild. After all, I still know myself, but my workmanship is good, so when I join the craftsmen’s guild, it can’t be considered bad.”

“Even if there is no hope, it is better to live in the earl’s territory than elsewhere.”

“Yes, fortunately I made up my mind to come, otherwise I will regret it later.”

…

They slowly began to talk about the benefits and changes since living in Fort Comoy.

When it comes to reducing taxes, life is much easier.

Talking about the coming summer conscription, people who don’t want to be craftsmen can consider signing up for the army.

Dave couldn’t help looking forward to it, “The soldiers patrolling the city every day are so majestic.”

“One team is wearing black armor, and the other is wearing white. It is said that they were the black cavalry and the white cavalry led by Sir Fernandi Edwards and Lord Walker William respectively.”

“Also, I have heard others say that most of the soldiers who make up the black and white cavalry are actually slaves. Some of the soldiers in the army accumulated enough merits and succeeded in breaking away from slavery…”

Conrad smiled and listened to the younger son’s speech.

Darren couldn’t help but said, “We’ve been so busy these two months that we don’t even have much time to sleep. When did you learn about these things?”

Dave muttered, “I’m not as busy as my father and brother. I haven’t learned a lot about engineering drawing, and I can’t help much…”

“I have free time to inquire about the situation in this territory. To be honest, the earl is really the best lord I have ever met!”

Conrad nodded in agreement and exclaimed, “Praise the God of Creation for the earl’s kindness and tolerance.”

They didn’t talk for much longer.

Xia Zuoyi walked out of the castle.

Holding a list written on parchment in his hand, he was carried on the high chair by Udit as usual.

The craftsmen involuntarily quieted down in the open space.

Udit said, “After six days of screening, we have selected the best urban planning and layout design, and will appoint the owner of this drawing as the president of the craftsmen’s guild.”

“But those who are not elected need not be lost.”

“We will divide the craftsman guild into four levels: ordinary craftsman, junior assistant engineer, intermediate engineer, and senior engineer.”

“Some people who are good at drawing and urban design will be awarded the title of junior, intermediate, and senior engineer respectively.”

“Of course, the money distributed by each level in each month is also different…” 

Before he finished speaking, someone couldn’t help but speak.

“Excuse me sir, does the senior engineer get the most money?”

Udit said, “Of course, that’s right.”

“If you work hard enough, you can make contributions in the future construction and improve your ability…Your level will rise.”

“Ordinary craftsmen will be promoted to junior assistant engineer, junior to intermediate, and intermediate to senior.”

“If senior engineers have enough credit, they will be rewarded and a large amount of bonus will be awarded to encourage them. Junior and intermediate engineers will pay bonuses depending on the situation.” 

After this was said.

The emotions of the craftsmen were completely ignited, excited and high.

They thought it was just a competition that ended with the election of a president, but they didn’t expect that there would be a surprise.

Some people feel that it is impossible to become president at all.

But getting the title of an engineer might be something to look forward to.

Udit calmed them down and then said, “Now, Lord Earl will announce the contents of the list.” 

The craftsmen couldn’t help but hold their breath.

Conrad clenched his fists nervously.

Xia Zuoyi unwrapped the parchment and cleared his throat, reading it as if it were the scene of an awards ceremony.

“Seven people were awarded junior assistant engineers, namely Benson Nutt and Chad… There are five intermediate engineers, namely Penn Al and Eugene… There are three people who have won the title of senior engineer. They are Philip Bernard, Figen Inris, and Paul Snett.”

Conrad has been anxiously waiting to hear his own name since the first word.

But until the end of the last word, his name didn’t appear…

In an instant, a feeling of loss and depression gradually appeared on his face.

However, at this moment.

Conrad only heard the earl continue to say, “The candidate for the president of the Craftsmen’s Guild is Conrad Brown. He also won the title of Senior Engineer.” 

It was as if a huge surprise suddenly hit Conrad Brown’s head, making him dizzy and stunned, and even his soul seemed to be floating in the air without landing.

He seemed to be dreaming.

An extremely wonderful dream.

Darren and Dave were the first to react.

The two of them shook his body with excitement, and squatted and talked.

“Dad, daddy, you, you seem to be the president?!”

“Dad! Tell me, is it true?!”

Dave couldn’t help covering his mouth. He almost screamed.

…

After Xia Zuoyi stood on the chair and read the list, he waited with his little hand on his back and gave the craftsmen time to react.

After a while.

He whispered to Udit, “It turns out that this Conrad Brown was brought back by Taylor and Barnard from Niramo. What a coincidence.” 

At that time, after confirming the candidate for the president, Walker spoke out about what happened in Niramo.

Conrad Brown was oppressed in the craftsmen’s guild in Niramo. There was no room for his ability and talent to be used, so he was invited to Wissas by the two Taylor and Barnard.

Xia Zuoyi whispered in disgust, “The lord of Niramo is not very good. People follow the example of their superiors, so the people below are also so bad and improper in character.”

You deserve it if you can’t keep talents.

Wait until the noise below gradually subsides.

Conrad covered his chest and finally digested this huge surprise.

Xia Zuoyi said, “Thorns Craftsmen’s Guild is the name of the guild that will be built in Fort Comoy.”

“Some ordinary craftsmen who didn’t get the title of engineer don’t have to be discouraged. The most important thing is to participate. Later, we will give you encouragement awards, forty copper coins per person.”

The loss on the faces of ordinary craftsmen can’t help but reduce a lot when they hear this.

Xia Zuoyi, “The president and the three-level engineers who have their names called, come forward.”

There are people coming out one after another.

Conrad stood at the forefront under the arrangement of a knight, his heart beating violently.

Udit said, “The earl specially asked someone to make a badge for the engineers to represent their identity. The pattern on it is also the logo of the Thorns Craftsmen’s Guild.”

“Senior engineers are gold badges, intermediate engineers are silver badges, and junior assistant engineers are iron badges. You need to wear them on your chest all the time after you enter the guild.”

“This is an identity and an honor.” 

The pattern of the guild logo is a circle of black thorns around the hammer and chisel axe.

Udit continued, “You will also be rewarded.”

“Junior assistant engineers will be given two silver coins, ten silver coins for intermediate engineers, and senior engineers will have three gold coins.”

Compared with money, engineers who have won awards are now more concerned about the badges that symbolize their identities.

This is a high degree of recognition of their abilities from the earl!

They can’t help but feel a surge of emotion, they’re unable to control their facial expressions, and many emotions kept surging in their chests.

—It’s really the right time to come here!

Ordinary craftsmen did not expect that there would still be badges.

At this time, they were really envious, and hated that they’re incapable and couldn’t compare with others.

Conrad stood quietly and waited silently, because he knew it would be his turn in the end.

As expected.

After all the engineer’s badges have been issued.

Udit personally walked to Conrad’s side and smiled, “It’s time to call you President Brown now. Please come in front of the earl…”

Conrad’s limbs swayed stiffly, and he didn’t know how he got to the earl. He stammered a hello.

Xia Zuoyi smiled.

He took out a gold and silver badge and put it on Conrad’s chest collar, and said, “The reward given to the president is ten gold coins. In addition, you will get a house in Fort Comoy for free and have the right to see me directly.”

Darren and Dave could not help but cover their mouths tightly to avoid losing their manners in front of the earl and humiliating their father.

But they really couldn’t help but want to be presumptuous, stomping their feet, ecstatic.

And the rest of the people were in an uproar.

Sure enough, the benefits of the president are even more enviable.

Today’s announcement ended with Conrad’s uncontrollable tears.

The soldiers sent them back to Fort Comoy.

Not to mention the Brown family weeping with joy and almost didn’t sleep all night, the rest of the people were also flustered, their enthusiasm was mobilized like never before.

The plan to rebuild Wissas and Fort Comoy was carried out at the same time as the construction of the castle.

The soldiers are responsible for mining and transporting black ores.

Under the call of sufficient wages, many civilians and slaves in the two cities also actively participated in the construction, forming a construction team led by ordinary craftsmen or engineers.

Xia Zuoyi and the old financer Nick and Gibran worked together and found that the funds were still sufficient, but the manpower is greatly insufficient!

If there is not enough manpower to participate, the next five-year construction plan will be extended to seven years, nine years, or even longer before it can be completed…

What is the difference between this plan and a bubble?!

“…”

Xia Zuoyi was silent for a long time and sighed deeply, “Udit, we should go out to recruit (strong) people.” 

How wasteful it is to leave such a large area in Fort Comoy empty. It is the most correct way to make rational use of land resources!

Besides, Wissas is also a model of the city with few people. We must recruit another wave of people to settle down.

Udit calmly said, “What do you mean, my lord?”

He wants to make arrangements as soon as possible.

Xia Zuoyi thought with his small hand on his chin, “Except for the royal city of Keys, other cities nearby should publicize as much as possible, with Niramo as the center.”

“This time the promotion also includes the neighboring country, Gaynor. Fernandi is not suitable to go there for the time being, so let Walker take people there.”

“Yes, my lord.”

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Xia Zuoyi: It’s time to show off! (Two more~)