Chapter 79: Finally Arrived


    Young Master Queller, is thatrgeke ahead Lake Weiss, isnt it? a young man in the group, still with a hint of youth in his voice, excitedly eximed.


    Old shipwright Benjamin chuckled. This apprentice named Vito was indeed full of enthusiasm. After a days journey, while others in the group showed signs of fatigue, he alone continued to look around with great interest.


    Riding on his horse, Queller responded with a smile, Yes, youve never seen such a bigke, have you? See that ind on theke? Thats our destination for this trip.


    Lakeheart Town, thought Benjamin, is this the ce where the lord mentioned by Young Master Queller resides? A slight excitement stirred in him.


    Benjamin, nearing forty, was an experienced shipbuilder. Having spent half his life building ships in various shipyards, he was somewhat renowned in the shipbuilding industry of Horn Bay. However, Benjamin was not one to follow the trodden path. He always pondered how to improve the current designs of ships.


    Three years ago, he wished to experiment with ships that relied solely on wind power, not oars. This concept wasnt new historically, but it hadnt gained poprity in Horn Bay due to environmental constraints. After building galleys for decades, Benjamin yearned for something fresh.


    However, as a mere craftsman, hecked the funds to buildrge ships. He approached the shipyard owner with his idea. As a respected foreman, his opinions were valued, and the owner promised to consider his proposal. But, there was no follow-up.


    Frustrated, Benjamin resigned and worked at several other shipyards, but no owner was willing to invest a significant sum in a ship type that might not sell in Horn Bay.


    During this period, he met a 16-year-old boy named Vito, whose dream was to see whats beyond the sea. He came to the shipyard to learn shipbuilding, hoping to construct a vessel that could venture deep into the ocean. For such a ship, human rowing was impractical; it had to rely on wind power. Benjamin found the young mans dream aligned with his own, so he took Vito as his apprentice.


    After facing continuous rejections together, their enthusiasm waned. Thats when they encountered Queller Foster, who was recruiting shipbuilders around the world.


    Benjamin, trying his luck, went to inquire. Queller happened to be at the recruitment site that day. Seeing an experienced shipwright, he personally weed Benjamin and described the two models he had seen at Port Frans Shipyard. Benjamin was so intrigued that it felt like a second spring in his life.


    Without hesitation, Benjamin quit his current job, registered with Queller, and brought along his apprentice, who was eager to explore newnds. Knowing they were headed to the Northwest Bay, the young apprentice was more than willing.


    Now, they had finally reached their destination.


    Upon arriving at the entrance of the town, a team was already waiting for them. Queller had sent a fast rider to notify Paul from a distance.


    Queller dismounted and walked towards a familiar figure, who had already extended his right hand.


    Its been a long time, Queller.


    Indeed, a long time, Paul.


    Their hands sped firmly.


    Turning around, Queller gestured with his hand and said, Here are the shipbuilders you wanted. Thirty this time, just the first batch. More wille, along with talents in other fields you requested.


    Paul pped Quellers shoulder hard, Thanks, I was getting gray hairs waiting.


    He then warmly greeted everyone behind Queller, Wee, everyone. I hope you enjoy living in my territory.


    He also recognized other familiar faces, greeting them, The members of the Lichman Adventure Group, hello to you all.


    The group behind Queller also greeted him in return.


    Paul ordered his people to properly settle the individuals Queller had brought, while Queller and Christopher, the actual person in charge of the merchant convoy, were invited to dine at the lords residence. They were apanied by Count Baylding, Malron Ganard, as well as Ford, the chief administrator, Hensel, and other high-ranking officials of the administrative council.


    The dinnerware used for the meal was porcin, and not just any porcin, but ones adorned with patterns, which greatly astonished Queller and Christopher.


    Particrly, Christopher, the manager, picked up a porcin bowl and examined it closely under the candlelight, involuntarily uttering words of amazement.


    Tapping lightly on the porcin bowl with a knife and fork produced a crisp and pleasant sound, truly a miraculous and beautiful creation.


    As the dinnermenced, Queller conveyed his father, Marquis Fosters intentions for cooperation: his family wanted to secure exclusive rights to distribute porcin and paper in the south.


    No problem! Paul agreed immediately, adding, But there should be a time limit. After it expires, we can renew the contract only if both parties are satisfied.


    Paul, currently weak in the north and even more so in the distant south, understood the necessity of relying on the Foster family, a powerful ally, but he also knew he couldnt depend on them forever.


    Christopher, beaming, said, Of course, of course, thats how we always do it. Lord Grayman, rest assured, doing business with the Foster familys guild, you will definitely not suffer any loss.


    He was determined to secure the rights at all costs, nning to take back a batch of porcin and paper to the south.


    By this time, truly practical porcin had begun mass production. After gaining the support of Baylding, Lakeheart Town had expanded its porcin kilns capacity.


    There were now over fifty workers capable of producing 3,000 pieces of everyday porcin monthly. However, due to the majority being novices, the quality of the produced porcin varied.


    Lakeheart Towns porcin kiln had two main lines of business:


    1. Producing their own standard line of everyday porcin. For instance, a tray was priced at 2 silver coins, while bowls and tes cost 1 silver coin each.


    2. Making custom-ordered porcin as per clients requests, priced ording to theplexity of production, with some pieces costing dozens of silver coins each.


    The thought of turning a pile of kaolin y into a pile of shining silver coins was exhrating.


    However, the target market for porcin wasnt ordinary civilians, as manymon folk hadnt even handled a silver coin, let alone considered purchasing porcin. The primary clientele were nobles and wealthy merchants.


    Following two military victories, Paul started feeling a bit inted and no longer feared attracting too much attention. He instructed Ford, the chief administrator ofmerce, to lift trade restrictions and gradually expand Aldas trade routes eastward and southward.


    Porcin and paper were in high demand. Lakeheart Town was no longer the quiet ce it once was, showing early signs of busyness. Merchants from other regions frequently visited, leaving withrge quantities of paper and porcin.


    Paul was considering whether it was time to rece the rickety floating bridge with a proper stone bridge, as it was significantly impeding traffic and affecting the towns image.


    Alternatively, relocating some residents to the southern shore of Lake Weiss, and establishing a new settlement could be a way to expand Lakeheart Town into a real city.


    He believed that day wasnt far off.