Laying the Foundation (2)
“We can use ogre tendon, a specialty of our territory.”
“Ogre tendon!”
Why didn’t I think of that?
Jeron slapped his forehead without realizing it.
Even in this godforsaken world, there were things naturally designed with incredible material engineering properties.
Namely, monsters.
Although the Farrow Territory was vast, more than half of it was mountainous.
This inevitably meant a high population of monsters, which consistently ranked as the territory’s number one export.
Ogres, in particular, were famous for having absolutely no waste.
Their hide made top-tier leather armor, and their bones were used as construction materials. Their blood could be processed into buff potions that temporarily boosted strength.
Ogre tendon was originally used for bowstrings.
It was tough and durable enough to be used in large ballistas and catapults. By twisting it, one could create a thin yet incredibly strong rope that served as an excellent substitute for wire.
The wire Jeron had brought from Earth was 4mm thick.
According to Cain, twisting several layers of ogre tendon would easily support a weight of one ton.
“Then let’s apply it immediately.”
“Yes, yes. We already have products manufactured at the workshop, so it won’t be difficult.”
He even mentioned that they were processed and delivered as finished goods.
Lately, with rumors of war with the Lapis Kingdom brewing, ogre hide and tendon were in such high demand that they couldn’t sell them fast enough.
Cain had decided that rather than selling the tendon as material for bows, ballistas, and siege engines, it would be better to use it for the development of the territory.
If the ogre tendon could bear a weight of over a ton without issue, they might be able to build cranes with more complex designs.
Using a double pulley system instead of a single pulley would allow them to lift loads with even less effort.
The camshafts in gyms weren’t made of plastic.
They were made of a lightweight metal alloy, and though Jeron didn't know the exact composition, they looked capable of easily supporting several tons.
Would it be possible to make the design even more complex?
Although the basic scientific knowledge of the people in this era was abysmal, if he explained the principles, they might be able to build a fairly advanced crane.
Once a crane capable of lifting several tons was completed, they would be able to expand the territory’s infrastructure much faster.
In less than an hour, the wire was replaced.
The ogre tendon was already dried, twisted, and ready to go, available in various thicknesses.
Using a ruler he brought from Earth, Jeron found a 4mm finished ogre tendon and ordered the replacement.
Since the crane used a very simple single-pulley system, the swap was quick.
The netting used to lift the stones was also reinforced with ogre tendon.
After piling a substantial amount of stone onto it, several men pulled the rope, and the net slowly rose to the top of the wall.
“Whoa!”
Gasps of admiration erupted from all around.
The cheers of the territory’s people were deafening.
Carrying loads of stone weighing thirty to forty kilograms up the walls had been backbreaking labor. With just a few of these cranes, there would be no need to carry stones up by hand anymore.
And that wasn't all.
Cranes could be used for building construction and widely utilized in infrastructure projects across the entire territory.
“This is truly a magnificent device, my Lord!”
The vassals could not hide their astonishment.
However, Cain immediately voiced his concern.
“This must remain exclusive to the Farrow Territory. I worry that other lords might copy it if they see it.”
“There is no need to worry about that.”
“Why is that, my Lord?”
“Even if the crane looks simple, it incorporates an immense amount of engineering. Other territories will never be able to replicate it.”
Jeron was confident.
While the wire could be replaced with ogre tendon, the numerous parts used in this machine were not from this world.
The seemingly simple structure utilized countless hurricane ties, which were used in modern wooden house construction.
Unless the wood itself snapped, the joints would almost never come apart.
The metal rods used for the camshafts were also extraordinary.
Jeron recalled the sheer struggle of dismantling those parts at the gym to bring them here.
Even a single screw was impossible to manufacture with the technology of this era. Or rather, even if it were possible, it would bankrupt the territory’s treasury.
Contrary to its appearance, this crane was built to be incredibly sturdy.
Although the people of this era wouldn't understand, the pillars were organically connected to distribute the load evenly.
Furthermore, the boulder serving as a counterweight on the opposite side of the crane was very precisely assembled.
This was the power of modern materials science.
Jeron walked through the territory with his vassals.
It was a highly satisfying sight.
The territory was changing so rapidly that the term 'complete transformation' felt like an understatement.
Granted, it was only at the stage where the streets were getting cleaner, houses were being repaired, and the foundation work for infrastructure was just beginning. But in this hopeless medieval setting, this was a remarkable change.
Just not having the smell of manure everywhere made life feel livable.
Songs and chants echoed throughout the territory.
“Let’s build a good life!”
Whenever things got tough, the people chanted to motivate themselves.
This was a method Jeron had devised to change the mindset of the entire territory.
As the streets became cleaner, the territory began to look decent, and the people worked hard, filling the air with vitality.
Just a month ago, there had been no hope in the eyes of the residents; they had merely been listlessly enduring each day.
It struck him again how powerful the Saemaul Movement, which had fundamentally transformed Korea's economy, truly was.
Putting politics aside, transplanting successful economic strategies from Earth could create a massive sensation here.
As Jeron walked, he saw that the construction of the water channels was in full swing.
It was awkward because the residents knelt down every time he passed, but there was nothing he could do about it. Because of this, Jeron tried to avoid appearing directly at the major construction sites, choosing instead to observe from a distance and issue orders.
This time was no different.
If the lord mindlessly wandered through the middle of the canal construction, it would only delay the work.
If they were using free labor, it wouldn't matter as much, but since he was paying everyone wages, he had to avoid disrupting them.
Calling it canal construction made it sound grand, but it was grueling work involving simple shoveling.
If not for the numerous shovels and pickaxes Jeron had brought from the hardware store, even this would have progressed at a crawl.
When he had first proposed the canal construction, his vassals hadn't opposed it for no reason.
As things stood, they had to dig the earth using tools that were practically at a Bronze Age level, and that was no easy task.
It wasn't that iron didn't exist, but what lord would invest that kind of money into farming tools instead of weapons of war?
The shovels being used now were likely stronger than the well-forged swords of this era.
Still, it was heavy labor.
An idea flashed through Jeron’s mind.
If only I had the Dig spell.
Even in this backward medieval world, a form of cutting-edge technology existed.
Magic, which was currently in decline, was exactly that.
If Jeron could reach the 1st Circle and cast the Dig spell, the canal construction would gain immense momentum.
If he used magic to handle the heavy excavation and the workers followed behind to clean up and reinforce it?
Jeron fell into thought as he watched the workers struggling to shovel in the distance.
At least the ground outside the castle walls was relatively easy to dig, but the ground inside the inner castle, packed down by centuries of foot traffic, was incredibly hard to break.
There were also many stones embedded in it, and if they hit a boulder, they had to bypass it or break it with pickaxes like miners.
While they could use the crane to pull out the boulders...
“Magic is still the best option.”
“Pardon? Magic?”
Cain reacted strongly to Jeron’s muttered words.
“If we had a mage, wouldn't the construction go incredibly fast?”
“Th-that is a terrifying thought! Our budget is already extremely tight. I am racking my brain every day trying to find places to cut costs, and if we hire a mage, we will go bankrupt immediately!”
Veins bulged on Cain’s neck.
As expected, Cain was highly sensitive to anything regarding money.
Jeron chuckled.
“I suppose so.”
“There are very few mages in the north to begin with, and they would never want to waste their mana on such menial labor.”
“We won't be hiring a mage. I know the state of our territory's finances well enough.”
“Whew! That is a relief. You gave me quite a scare.”
He wasn't exaggerating. Cold sweat was dripping down Cain’s shiny, bald head.
I need to visit the Count's estate as soon as possible.
Jeron felt that it was about time for him to reach the 1st Circle.
He had already accumulated a decent amount of mana in his body. He just couldn't use it yet because the circle wasn't complete.
Since he didn't have a spellbook, he had to visit the Count's estate to obtain one.
He wasn't particularly worried about the negotiations.
Jeron had plenty of bargaining chips.
Having finished his thoughts, Jeron moved to his next schedule.
This time, he headed to the training ground rather than an infrastructure site.
He wanted to see how well the shield-bearers were handling the polycarbonate shields, a modern product he had spent over a fortnight bringing from Earth.
Even if things were peaceful now, there was no telling when war would break out.
Jeron needed to know the capabilities of his soldiers to command them effectively.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
As Jeron was heading to the training ground, a messenger came riding swiftly from the castle gates.
The soldier’s face was filled with urgency, and the residents scrambled to clear the path.
As soon as the messenger dismounted, he saluted and shouted.
“My Lord! Viscount Rebion is currently on his way to visit our territory.”
“What? We received no word of this.”
“We just received the message via courier! He is expected to arrive at the castle in about half a day.”
“What is this guy doing, showing up out of nowhere? Why is a member of the Second Prince's faction coming here?”
Viscount Rebion.
A noble of the north whose territory directly bordered the Farrow Territory.
He was a wealthy man who owned a silver mine, and by using his financial power to lobby in politics, he had risen from Baron to Viscount during the reign of the previous lord.
Since he had essentially bought his title with money rather than earning it through military merit, traditional nobles despised him.
“My Lord, for someone we are not close with to visit so suddenly, it must be a scouting mission. Hasn't the rumor spread that you have taken Duke Langton as your patron? Duke Lion, who is of the opposing faction, might have ordered him to investigate.”
Garcia offered timely advice.
Of course, Jeron thought the same.
Viscount Rebion had always been busy mocking the Farrow Territory for its poverty at northern noble gatherings. What kind of friendship would bring such a man here?
The other knights shared Garcia's sentiment exactly.
Jeron immediately canceled his next schedule.
“Wait, this calls for a shift in perspective. A wealthy upstart is coming to our territory, and we're just going to sit back?”
“Pardon?”
“This might be the perfect opportunity to rip him off.”