Chapter 34

Previously, it was mentioned that Prandar did not have a unified system of measurement; each race and each region had its own set of units.

Edgar knew of at least three different systems.

The lack of a unified system of measurement was something Edgar was very clear about—it was extremely chaotic, and he had to familiarize himself with the local system every time he went to a new place.

Moreover, there was no usable reference system.

Forget about things like scales; even a simple ruler did not exist.

Therefore, one of the key factors in evaluating whether a blacksmith was a good blacksmith was whether they could forge weapons that were well-suited to the user.

What does "well-suited" mean?

It means the dimensions meet the employer's requirements.

However, without accurate measuring tools, the blacksmith had to rely on their experience to gauge the dimensions.

Now, Tang En had taken out such a simple tool and solved this problem.

If this ruler were combined with the three-view diagrams that Tang En had previously explained, the effect would not be just a simple improvement, but a revolutionary change!

"I get it... I get it!"

Bryan widened his eyes: "Brother! You've solved a big problem!"

Tang En modestly waved his hand: "Just lucky, just lucky..."

Bryan's mouth twitched; he felt that Tang En's expression was really asking for a beating!

After understanding the use of the meter stick, Bryan naturally knew what big problem Tang En had solved, so the three of them started to readjust the dimensions.

"Shave a bit more off over there... Hey, brother, let's make a deal, do you have any orichalcum? Can you give me some?"

"Sure."

Without hesitation, Tang En took out a bar of orichalcum from his bag and threw it to Bryan.

Then Bryan was stunned.

Then Bryan knelt down to Tang En.

Orichalcum bars... This is orichalcum bars...

He actually threw it out without batting an eye...

Who is this guy!

Even the royal family of the Human Empire couldn't be so generous and extravagant!

Did he really rob a dragon's lair!?

"Brother! You're really my brother!"

Bryan was in tears: "From now on, I'll follow you!"

Even in the Dwarf Kingdom, it wasn't so easy to get such a large piece of orichalcum. Bryan realized that if he followed Tang En, he would never be stingy with such good materials.

With these good materials, how could he not become a master, a grandmaster!?

Tang En patted Bryan's head with a kind look: "This is the right choice."

Tang En was just starting out in Ellington and needed talent. Being able to recruit Bryan, a member of the Dwarf royal family, with just one bar of orichalcum was definitely a good deal!

Not to mention, even a set of orichalcum bars or a set of mithril bars would be worth it!

Edgar looked at the orichalcum bar in Bryan's hand with envy. That's orichalcum, and he wanted it too!

Tang En glanced at him, thought for a moment, and then took out another bar of orichalcum and threw it to Edgar: "Work hard in the future."

Edgar instantly felt like selling his life to Tang En, but...

Bryan patted Edgar's thigh and said with a kind look: "As a disciple, shouldn't you show respect to your master when you have something good?"

Edgar felt something was wrong and immediately hugged the orichalcum bar: "Wait! When did you agree to take me as a disciple?"

"Just now—As your master, I think you don't need orichalcum at this stage; it would be a waste in your hands. Let me keep it for you—You bastard! Why are you hugging it so tight!? Do you want to defy your master!? Give it to me quickly!"

"No way! I won't give it to anyone! This orichalcum bar is mine—Even to my master, I won't give it!"

Bryan and Edgar wrestled, especially Bryan, who, due to his height, couldn't get the orichalcum bar from Edgar, making him jump in frustration.

"Brother! Are you just going to watch him abuse this precious orichalcum bar!?"

Tang En shrugged: "I've already given it away... Besides, it's just an orichalcum bar, why are you so excited?"

"Just an orichalcum bar!?"

Could he have mithril too!?

Bryan was furious at the sight of Tang En. Why does this guy have so many good things!

Bryan pounded his chest in frustration. These materials could only realize their maximum value in the hands of dwarves; in his hands, they were a waste!

"Hey, do you plan to work or not?"

Tang En raised his eyebrows: "If you don't work, give me back the orichalcum bar."

"Work! I'll work!"

Edgar and Bryan stopped fighting and immediately started working.

With the motivation of the orichalcum bar, their work efficiency improved significantly. With Tang En's guidance, the parts of the press machine were quickly adjusted and fully assembled.

Looking at the somewhat crude press machine in front of him, Tang En couldn't help but feel a myriad of emotions.

This was the beginning of Prandar's industry—not starting from a steam engine, but directly using a magic-powered press machine...

"Let's try it out!"

Bryan rubbed his hands: "We've already prepared the iron bars."

They placed the iron bar in the mold at the bottom, then attached the hammer to the top mold. Tang En inserted a magic crystal into the side slot of the press machine and placed his hand on the switch he had made: "Ready?"

"Ready!"

Bryan and Edgar both stared at the iron bar.

Tang En took a deep breath; the success or failure of this attempt was crucial!

Activate!

The gravity amplification magic array drew power, acting on the hammer above, canceling the effect of the constant floating spell, and then...

"Bang!"

The orichalcum hammer fell abruptly, its smooth bottom slamming hard into the iron bar, then floating back up, and falling again...

After a few times, Tang En turned off the magic array of the press machine, and the three of them gathered around.

Tearing off the flattened iron around it, what lay in the center was clearly a rough sickle!

Bryan took out the rough sickle. Although it was still a bit warm from being pressed, he didn't care, only staring at it with shining eyes.

"Seamless, evenly distributed, just needs to be sharpened, and it will be a good sickle!"

Bryan turned to Tang En: "Brother, you've changed the entire forging industry of Prandar!"

"No, not just changed an industry," Tang En smiled, "but opened a new era."

Indeed, the curtain was about to rise on an industrial age unique to Prandar, combining magic and technology!

After confirming that the press machine worked properly, Tang En and the others, riding the momentum, completed the assembly of the cutting machine and the grinding machine. Using the press machine to form the rough sickle, then shaping it with the cutting machine, and finally polishing it with the grinding machine, the sickle became shiny and bright.

Edgar tried it out, very excited: "My lord, the quality of this sickle is already very good!"

Tang En nodded slightly. Although this sickle wasn't as good as one forged by Bryan's hands, it shouldn't be forgotten that it had transformed from an iron bar to a sickle in just a few breaths of time!

If Bryan had to forge it manually, the quality might be better, but he probably wouldn't be able to do anything else all day.

In large-scale production, efficiency had to take precedence over quality for the time being. As the basic industry improved, the quality requirements could gradually be raised.

Edgar was very excited: "With the help of these three machines, as long as the molds and iron bars are prepared, over 1,500 sets of farming tools can probably be completed in just two days!"

"The efficiency is indeed amazing, but brother, these three machines use magic crystals, right? How long can a magic crystal last?"

Tang En smiled: "Don't worry, the magic array is very efficient, and I've added an energy-saving function. It automatically cuts off the power supply when not in use, so it's very economical. Under full load, a regular magic crystal can work continuously for thirty days."

"Thirty days!?"

Bryan widened his eyes and calculated on his fingers: "A regular magic crystal is worth 100 gold coins. Working for fifteen days, thirty days can produce nearly 20,000 sickles. A sickle is worth ten silver coins, so the output is... 2,000 gold coins!? By the beard of the hammer! This is pure profit!"

Tang En laughed, the impact of the industrial revolution on traditional craftsmen was evident in Bryan, but...

"Actually, it can't be calculated like that. You haven't considered several issues," Tang En reminded Bryan, "such as the cost of developing the press and cutting machines, and the impact on the market when a large number of sickles enter. The price of sickles will inevitably fall, so the actual profit might be around 1,000 gold coins."

"A thousand gold coins a month and you're still not satisfied!"

Bryan shouted: "If I could make a hundred gold coins a month, I'd be overjoyed! I could drink ale until I vomit!"

Tang En smiled: "Considering that there are only a little over a thousand households in Ellington, the market will quickly saturate, and it won't be possible to make money. To make money with these things, we need to transport our products to other parts of the empire, or even to other countries. But no matter what, making money is definitely possible."

Considering the transportation situation in Prandar, it was still too early to think about transporting goods. Caravans would waste a lot of time traveling between two towns, and if the profit was only this much, no caravan would be willing to make the trip.

Therefore, to really make money, he had to wait until he developed the mint products. With these small goods as a base, plus these high-quality and affordable farming tools, it would be worth a caravan's trip.

If Fiona knew this good news, she would probably be overjoyed.

She had always wanted to revive the Golden Rose family.

When the time came, the caravans would be Fiona's responsibility. Tang En thought about it and decided this straightforwardly.