Quantum Leap - Vol. 6 Kingdom Building Garnering Wealth

C010 Setting Up The Foundation

After Hiko-sama had left the house after having showered and taken steamed yam for breakfast and the workers were doing up their work, I took a large steamer basket from underneath the sink storage and placed it in the furnace. Morning tea break would be between 930 to 945 am so it's better to prepare early.

I placed 12 pieces of yam in the steamer basket and set it to boil and steam the contents. I also placed 12 cups in a tray and set it on the garden table. I set a kettle over the furnace fire to do two tasks at the moment.

When the yam had been properly steamed I placed them on the table including the kettle that been prepared with green tea leaves. I motioned them to take their break whenever they liked and soon one pair of workers went to take their break followed by another pair. In this manner, their jobs would not be disrupted in any way.

I fetched all the dirty laundry which had been collected for almost 5 days and performed my obligations. An hour passed and I had completed it and had hung the laundry to dry using a hanger.

The workers looked at the little contraption and asked me where I bought them and told them once the house is ready, it would be available for sale. They asked me how much it costs and I told them, 1 copper, each and said it was dirt cheap for something useful for it. They all made a mental note to buy for their wives.

Another innovation, another income and growth for the corporation. At least one household would need 10 pieces per head and if they have 4 in a household, it would cost 4 silvers.

If based on a median population of adults and children, it would be about 8, 000 residents. Which means 80,000 hangers to be made. The cost of making it is 0 and its a 100% profit of 80,000 coppers equivalent to 8000 silvers or 800 gold coins.

Bless the Mayor for making such a simple trade conversion for the exchange rates!

A short while later, a smiling Hiko-sama came back with great news. The Patents and Trademark Department was satisfied with the [Refined Iron] plates and had put it up for a proposal for the local business district to make into finished products for local and export use AND for the export of the plates as well. A representative would be visiting them within a week to strike a business deal.

This product alone kills many birds with a throw of this plate like a deadly shuriken.

Hiko-sama also informed me that the Blacksmith was ready to absorb all the 120 [Refined Iron] plates at a rate of 4 gold and 5 silvers which totalled to 540 gold coins instead of 600 gold coins. "Its a done deal!" I remarked and when a messenger came by, we stopped him and asked to deliver a message to the Blacksmith stating simply, "540 gold for 120 plates is good. Please reply when you want it all." and paid 1 copper for the delivery of the message.

Food delivery service came on time before midday based on the time on Hiko-sama's chest. The pocket watch that hung on his chest really looked like a medallion and he looked fitting like a noble. I said that the watch worn like that is giving us luck!

We had lunch on the terrace and the same procedures took place where a pair of workers would take turns to eat and then replaced by another pair. The work was considered as undisrupted and ongoing like a well-oiled machine.

I told Hiko-sama about the hangers that the workers were asking earlier and I told them it costs 1 copper each. To supply this town with hangers would bring in a profit of 80 gold pieces. He widened his eyes in disbelief that this simple metal that he had bent and twisted to make a hanger costs 1 copper and in the end would earn us 800 gold coins!

Hiko-sama also reported to me that he had gone to the cosmetics shop and they agree to buy at a non discounted price of 1 gold coin per soap at 100 bars of each scent. Which means its another 500 gold coins coming in from the cosmetic shop. I told him its truly the charm of the pocket watch. He smiled and nodded and stroked the shiny pocket watch on his chest just above his heart.

Hiko-sama looked at me that within a week, I could earn 320 gold coins and finish it up immediately, but ended with a new house and complete furnishings in it. He thought of the following week, earning of 540 from the Blacksmith and 500 from the cosmetics shop. He shook his head in amazement that I could be earning so much and in the end giving it away too.

"Haahaa... I know what you're thinking, Sensei. It's about the gold coins, right? Well, easy come easy goes. As long as we don't forget who we are and be humble and not use the money for any ill intent, it will keep on rolling."

"I have a proposition for you 4 Comrades. Could you ask them if they are interested to join our corporation as branch managers in the East, West, North and South Region? You decide on their salary as long as they would be able to expand our business over there and set up their own branch office for distribution to at least a town of this size."

"Hmm, great idea, kid. Let me discuss with them when they come back from the expedition. They won't want to be samurai shogunate all their lives, right? Full of risk and have to face many enemies."

"I would forge for them the finest katana that could cut through demon's swords and sabres for sure."

"I want one too... Hehehe." Hiko-sama said in a sheepish manner thinking his friends can get a weapon forged by me and why can't he.

"Sure, Sensei. But I need 5 pieces of coal ore and limestone to make strong steel. Its much stronger than my Odachi and would require a few hits to actually break it."

"OK, kid... I will ask around for the ore and limestone materials."

With that, we sat at the terrace and watched the workers mounted the framework of a low roof. By the looks of it, the sewer pipes had been installed, the hardpoint pillars had been erected and the job for the main structure was almost complete by mid-afternoon. I went inside and prepare the 50 gold coins as promised and set it aside for the foreman.

=*=

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 c***k 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.