Vol 3 Chapter 4 (2/2)
assistant: “…Greetings?”
Disciple Merchant: “That’s the first thing you do when you meet someone”
assistant: “Yes”
Disciple Merchant: “And then?”
assistant: “Umm… And then, a meal?”
Disciple Merchant: “Right Food If it’s about that, then potatoes should be fine Also, the as which are being reared in large numbers by the farmers You must also consider the balance of wheat and barley production Then you should consider the production of dairy and fruits And what’s next?”
assistant: “Us you want, then you can’t get them”
Disciple Merchant: “Very good You’re learning fast”
assistant: “Ehehe”
Disciple Merchant: “Using s is very easy, especially e’ve already come up with estimates of ill require But if we just do the easy things, we’ll run out ofto consider is cost-effectiveness For example, there are many doubts within the statement, ‘We need to buy dairy products!’”
assistant: “Really?”
Disciple Merchant: “Well, to begin with, we should of course question if the ood, but there are a few other things we should consider as well First, the word ‘need’”
assistant: “Need?”
Disciple Merchant: “A need should be considered soht? If you think about it this way, there aren’t actually a lot of things that we need If you don’t take care of such things, then you’ll think that you need everything and end up using a lot of ”
assistant: “Yes”
Disciple Merchant: “The second important point is to consider, ‘What could I do with the same sum of money?’”
assistant: “…?”
Disciple Merchant: “Don’t get it? Alright, let’s assuot no food to eat at home”
assistant: “That’s sad”
Disciple Merchant: “Then buy some bread!”
assistant: “Bread is delicious! Buy some bread!”
Disciple Merchant: “Good But before its taste, if you don’t eat bread, you’ll starve to death So bread is a ‘need’”
assistant: “It’s a need”
Disciple Merchant: “So you’ve bought bread Buy another one!”
assistant: “Yes!”
Disciple Merchant: “But at that price, you could have bought two sacks of potatoes, right?”
assistant: “…?”
Disciple Merchant: “Right? See, so when you say so like ‘Buy some bread!’, you can’t just focus on the bread That’s becauseplans for how to use your , then you’re going tothan two loaves of bread, right? That’s why saying things like ‘We should buy bread!’ or ‘It would be weird if we didn’t buy bread!’ or ‘We can’t eatbread would be akin to murder!’ is false Wethe same amount of money”
assistant: “Yes”
Disciple Merchant: “This shows us that the question ‘Should we buy bread?’ is not really the issue at hand The real issue is trying to find out ‘Why do we need this thing?’ or ‘Out of all these things that ant, which one should we prioritise?’ and ‘Hoe get the goods ant at a cheaper price? Hoe get more of it?’”
assistant: “How very complicated…”
Disciple Merchant: “Well, think through this slowly If you don’t understand, you should ask someone who does”
assistant: “Yes…”
Disciple Merchant: “So the real question isn’t ‘Should we or should we not buy bread?’ but rather ‘What sort of food should we buy?’ or ‘What should we do to feed everyone in a healthy manner?’”
assistant: “…Yeah, I understand,”
Disciple Merchant: “Right Now for your homework…”
assistant: “What?!”
Disciple Merchant: “The Kingdom of Winter would like to produce more dairy products More precisely, rather than e Have you eaten cheese before?”
assistant: “Yes!”
Disciple Merchant: “Then I want you to study it I want everybody to be eating cheese, and I want us to spend as little money as possible Think of a way”
assistant: “Hmmm”
Disciple Merchant: “You oals”
assistant: “A hint Give me a hint”
Disciple Merchant: “I wouldn’t have soht answer”
assistant: “In that case, ould you do?”
Disciple Merchant: “I haven’t thought about it so I don’t know But I guess… we could buy cheese in large quantities frodom of Winter”
assistant: “Then let’s do that!”
Disciple Merchant: “That method would surely fail Such a method wouldn’t even make 10 of what needs to be done”
assistant: “…”
Disciple Merchant: “Right Now that I’ve given you your homework, it’s time to work out today’s accounts”
assistant: “Yes, Disciple Merchant!”
——– The Manor in the Village of Wintering, the Study
The De: “Where are the studies on the crop rotation issues the Order did for us?”
Elder Sister Maid: “Here they are”
Clatter clatter!
The Deh”
The Chief Maid: “Well, well, are you alright?”
The De: “Sorry, I’ve knocked over all these reports”
The Chief Maid: “I’ll get it cleaned up in a bit”
The De properly so I’m really clumsy”
The Chief Maid: “Well, it’s all bandaged up Just endure it”
Elder Sister Maid: “Here are the letters we received today”
The De: “Hmm, just confirm them for me”
The Chief Maid: “This is the salary fro?”
Elder Sister Maid: “Yeah”
The De: “What? I’m some kind of titular honorary nobleman now?”
The Chief Maid: “You’re a type of marquis You’re in an advisory position You will receive a stipend four times a year for your service”
Elder Sister Maid: “It’s in the treasury, right?”
The De: “Is it? I never noticed”
The Chief Maid: “Well, you may be an economist, but you have a very thin attachment to money”
The De like currency?”
The Chief Maid: “Well, well, even if it’s the object of your research…”
The De: “The object of my research is the advancement of the economy in order to create a more harmonious society between people And of course, also to establish an independent financial infrastructure in this area Umm…”
The Chief Maid: “What is it?”
The De: “Well, uhh… This is weird”
Elder Sister Maid: “Hehehe Are you looking for the minutes of the Conference of the Tribe or the plans for the Nine Tribes? They’re here”
The De: “That’s the one!”
The Chief Maid: “Hehehe”
The De: “Well Even without me, the Demon Race is still the Demon Race”
Flip
The De the roads The previous wars have really destroyed es”
Elder Sister Maid: “…”
The Chief Maid: “Bridges?”
The Dees are important choke points in tih the the speed of troops For this reason, even though it’s better for bridges to be built out of stone, they are often specially built out of wood so that in times of crisis they can be easily burnt”
The Chief Maid: “For the bridges to be rebuilt, that reed to at least temporarily”
The Deh we’re still left with the issue of the Demons of the Pale…”
The Chief Maid: “That’s going to take some time…”
Elder Sister Maid: “Umm…”
The De: “What is it?”
The Chief Maid: “…?”
Elder Sister Maid: “No Umm”
The De unwell?”
The Chief Maid: “—”
Elder Sister Maid: “No, uet some tea”
The De: “Yeah, please”
Runs off
The Chief Maid: “—”
——— The Holy Empire, a Secret Metal Factory
Clang! Clang!
Production Supervisor: “Raise the te!”
Worker: “Yes!”
Production Supervisor: “Stop slacking off! You want your et cut?!”
Clang! Clang!
Production Supervisor: “Don’t stop with the furnace! Keep going!”
Worker: “Ahh… Ahh…”
Worker: “Hot… water…”
Production Supervisor: “Just a bit more to your rest! Work! Work!”
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Explanation
Furnace: A facility required for the production offurnaces were produced in China in ancient tiland in the 12th century
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Clang! Clang!
Head Craftsht, noe can create soh purity o up”
Engineer: “I see”
Crown Prince Marshal: “How is it? How’s the production?”
Head Craftsman: “Well, we should be able to fulfil our monthly quota of 800 muskets”
Holy Imperial General: “If you can, then ould have stockpiled more than 5,000”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Too slow Can we make them any faster?”
Head Craftsman: “That would cause problems with quality…”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Hmm, and what about the cannone?”
Head Crafts on well, the non-defective yield is very good We’re producing at the pace of two a month”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Looks like there’s no issue with the cannone”
Head Crafts The Genius’ Manuscript”
Knock knock
Head Craftsman: “You can come in”
Engineer: “Did you call?”
Experienced Technician: “I came as fast as I could”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Who are those people?”
Head Craftsman: “The Genius’ Manuscript that you handed to me has a lot of sketches and notes written on it Muskets and cannones were experimental products It’s a bit too early to reproduce thens apart from these”
Crown Prince Marshal: “I know I gave you the instructions after all”
Head Craftsman: “Yes It’s quite scary”
Crown Prince Marshal: “So, what about them?”
Engineer: “Well…”
Crown Prince Marshal: “I don’t mind I respect the views of other qualified and talented individuals You may answer freely, so tell me in detail”
Engineer: “In that case…”
Experienced Technician: “First of all, The Genius’ Manuscript is brilliant It’s alht himself! Most of the entries are written about in detail and the rest are sketched out so you can get an idea of it right away!”
Engineer: “Yes Beginning with the muskets, a lot of different observations are written here”
Experienced Technician: “For exaround, and it burns”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Hht?”
Engineer: “The Genius’ Manuscript details how to steam these rocks at an appropriate te this coke, we can produce a stronger metal than usual”
Experienced Technician: “Furthermore, The Genius’ Manuscript also has this sketch I’ve enlarged it and cleaned it up a bit”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Is this… a percussion hammer?”
Experienced Technician: “Your Highness, I had no idea you were so familiar with muskets?!”
Crown Prince Marshal: “How could I not be familiar with the weaponry of the soldiers I lead myself?”
Experienced Technician: “Wow! A! Then allow me to explain This appears to show an improvement to the musket, it may perhaps be its very successor”
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Explanation
Cannone: Italian for cannon It was used prihout the 16th century as a smoothbore cannon with direct fire This means that the weapon was aimed directly at the enemy
Non-Defective Yield: The ratio of non-defective goods to totally produced goods If there are no defective goods, then the non-defective yield will be 100, but in reality, defective goods are far more common As an industrial standard, in most cases a 95 non-defective yield is superb
coke: If coke is burnt on ain a purerof coke canin carbonisation that can create a strongersteel from iron coke was first used by the Chinese circa 200BC and was heavily used in Europe beginning from the 18th century
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Crown Prince Marshal: “Hmm”
Experienced Technician: “The percussion hammer strikes a flint at this portion here, this also opens the cap of the s below”
Crown Prince Marshal: “And how big will this housing be?”
Experienced Technician: “It looks big in the sketch but in reality, it will be ser tip However, the cap will have to be allowed to open and close, hence ill have to install a spring action This allows the sparks frounpowder, firing the musket In this e can create muskets that do not require fuses”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Hmm”
Experienced Technician: “Do you understand?”
Crown Prince Marshal: “I understand Are there issues with usage or production?”
Experienced Technician: “As for usage, we still do not completely understand but firstly, since there is no need for ais a lot more natural Moreover, in adverse conditions, since there is no need for a naked fla is also easier and can be fired in more constrained positions”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Constrained positions… How about in tight formation?”
Experienced Technician: “Thatbut I believe it is possible”
Crown Prince Marshal: “You will require ht?”
Experienced Technician: “Of course This will be harder to produce than regular muskets and requires hly skilled craftsmen can achieve”
Crown Prince Marshal: “In any case, produce a few for me”
Experienced Technician: “Yes”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Chief”
Head Craftsman: “Yes”
Crown Prince Marshal: “You’d better think of a production method”
Head Craftsman: “Ehh?!”
Engineer: “…”
Crown Prince Marshal: “That’s your job, isn’t it?”
Head Craftsman: “Y-yes”
Engineer: “Your Highness, I’m afraid…”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Speak freely”
Engineer: “Each of these weapons are made individually We may have a new idea for a weapon but all of these iteineers and craftsmen”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Hmm”
Engineer: “Hence, I do not think that we should produce the muskets one by one as we do now What if one part was produced by a certain craftsman and another part was produced by another craftsman What do you think of this Division of Labour?”
Crown Prince Marshal: “…!”
Engineer: “If we do this, each craftsman has to remember less of his work If we only used middle-skilled craftsh quality parts as long as they do not produce anything else They could learn froside more skilled craftsmen and they would still be able to contribute The more complicated mechanisms should be entrusted to the experts while the less-skilled can work on the bulkier and less precise parts This will also allow us to train new craftsmen”
Head Crafts would co their apprentices! Our way has always been to train each craftsh this education, we are able to keep the ways of our guild private and hidden so that we don’t sabotage our own benefits!”
Engineer: “That’s… I suppose…”
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Explanation
Division of Labour: The Division of Labour was first put into a proper philosophical work by the 18th century econo achieve to take root in the world but this is not just li Even fro to make their appearance
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Crown Prince Marshal: “Hmm, Chief, I have a proposition for you on this subject How about we es to get disclosed, any y produced within the influence and jurisdiction of the Holy Euilds of the Kingdom of Copper or a directive from the Guildmaster? I could issue a decree if you’d like”
Head Craftsman: “Really?!”
Crown Prince Marshal: “Yeah, The Genius’ Manuscript was taken frododo for things to happen in reverse So, Experienced Technician, Engineer, what about it?”
Engineer: “Yes!”
Experienced Technician: “Yes!”
Crown Prince Marshal: “I expect to see results fro selves Please help the Chief to revolutionise and modernise the industry”
Engineer: “It would be an honour!”
Experienced Technician: “We pledge to serve!”
Crown Prince Marshal: “H else, we can leave it to next time”
Head Craftshness!”
Clang!
Crown Prince Marshal: “Good, their work seeh expectations for this”
Holy Ih Please speak to the Engineer and the Experienced Technician about this”
Closes door
Crown Prince Marshal: “General”
Holy Imperial General: “Yes”
Crown Prince Marshal: “When you have the opportunity, liquidate that Chief I think it’d be best if we leave the running of the factory to younger, more nimble minds”
Holy Imperial General: “With pleasure”
——— The Manor in the Village of Wintering, the Study
Writing…
Elder Sister Maid: “…”
Writing…
Elder Sister Maid: (With this, I’ve settled the work for the last two years… Now I’ve got to the do the finances for this year)
Writing…
The De: “…”
Writing…
The De: “Elder Sister Maid”
Elder Sister Maid: “Ah, Mistress!”
The De too hard”
The Chief Maid: “Yeah, ould you do if you spoil your body?”
Elder Sister Maid: “Chief Maid… I’?”
The De: “What are you so flustered about?”
Elder Sister Maid: “…”
Elder Sister Maid: “No…”
The De: “?”
Elder Sister Maid: “I’m not flustered — Mistress”
The De: “…?”
The Chief Maid smiles
Elder Sister Maid: “I have so to ask of you”
The De: “What is it?”
Elder Sister Maid: “I would like to take a vacation”
The De: “…”
The Chief Maid: “—”
The Deo?”
Elder Sister Maid: “I don’t know But—not here”
The De: “And your sister?”
Elder Sister Maid: “I have spoken to her Staying here is her drea so stubborn You and the Chief Maid saved my very life I am really sorry”
The De: “I… see…”
The Chief Maid: “Your Majesty”
The De: “I understand”
Elder Sister Maid smiles
The De: “…”
Elder Sister Maid: “Ah…”
The De at with those two eyes of yours… Do you have anything else?”
Elder Sister Maid: “Yes, I… I will definitely come back”
The Des Go off and seek your own destiny”
Elder Sister Maid smiles
The Deht?”
Elder Sister Maid: “Not at all This house is , the most kind-hearted, the friendliest… It’s the most… important place in my life I don’t really want to leave it But I must I cannot allow myself not to… I have a lot of responsibilities I need to fulfil — I can no longer allow myself not to walk on my own too fee, it’s a harsh reality… Because of what I said that day at that square Because of what I said, I must now understand the repercussions of my actions”
The De for that”
Elder Sister Maid: “Then, I want to choose”
The De: “…”
The Chief Maid: “Go”
Elder Sister Maid: “Yes”
The Deht you with you?”
Elder Sister Maid: “Yes I will never forget the care and concern you have shown me I will come back with a broadened view of the world”
The De: “—What of?”
Elder Sister Maid: “Probably war”
The De: “…”
The Chief Maid: “—”
Elder Sister Maid: “It’s not about the other people, it is so which I must see for myself”
The De: “…I suppose you wouldn’t listen if I told you to stop”
The Chief Maid: “Yeah…”
Elder Sister Maid: “It’ll be alright I auidance of the Chief Maid, I believe I have surpassed olden treasures of lessons from the Mistress, the Hero, the Female Paladin, and even the Three Disciples”
The De: “…I understand”
Elder Sister Maid: “Mistress In this ledger you will find the completed accounts for the last two years The contents are all contained in this se here”
The De: “Hmm”
Elder Sister Maid: “Uht of areas where further w