Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: The Final Piece for a Rich Nation, Strong Army
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I immediately dispatched investigators to gather clear information on this Guild organization that was throwing its weight around like that, right after returning to the castle.
Of course, these so-called investigators were just veteran soldiers with a bit of brains and sharp bailiffs disguised as civilians.
A few days later, a report on the Guild arrived.
According to the summary, the current 'Guild' wasn't maliciously colluding to sell goods at inflated prices.
Our territory simply wasn't a long-prospering transportation hub like Hamburg or Nant City, so it was hard for materials other than food to come in. Plus, with a small population, there were few buyers, driving up prices.
And the Guild's structure was roughly like this.
If there was a Blacksmiths' Guild, each city's guild master would be one, with various artisans under them.
The artisans each had their own shops and kept 5 to 7 apprentices learning the craft.
They taught skills and provided room and board in exchange for labor, but wasn't it too much to go nearly five years without pay, then just 20 copper coins a month for the next five?
Of course, there was no 'labor law' in this era to help them, and even the apprentices just accepted it as their lot.
But ignoring this would mean that no matter how much money I brought in to enrich the territory, the 'factories'—the shops—couldn't produce enough goods to match the influx of cash, driving up tool prices.
Moreover, to hire the surplus 'poor' not yet in the army and get them married, the current 'apprentice' system was pure poison.
Beyond that, while efficient for this time and place, the Guild needed reform—not just for Kroitel's century-long plan, but to cut ties with that Schwain bastard and live prosperously right now.
To that end, I first wrote letters summoning all the guild masters in Kroitel.
**
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A week later, all the guild masters gathered in my castle's conference room.
Looking awkward in the 'castle conference room' for the first time in their lives, they glanced around and found their seats.
Closest to my seat were the Weapons Guild master, then the Armor Guild master, and other important guild leaders.
Farther out sat the Clothing Guild master, Food Guild master, Jewelry Guild master, and Textile Guild master in order.
Before noticing me enter, they whispered cautiously among themselves.
"Hey, Smith."
"Helster, what's got you so uneasy?"
"Ha, calling us to the lord's conference room—I'm worried he's going to demand money. Ten years ago, the previous master got summoned here and taxed..."
Hearing that, the man called Smith snorted and said,
"Ridiculous. Our Baron Excellency is the richest man in the territory now. No, maybe even richer than Count Nant Excellency. You think a man like that would covet 'pocket change' from the likes of us?"
"Ah..."
After Helster's groan, I ordered the door opened, and the guards shouted,
"Baron Excellency Siel von Kroitel enters!!"
At that, the guild masters stood, bowing their heads in respect until I sat.
"Thanks for coming. Take your seats."
The guild masters quickly sat, and the man in the closest seat, called Smith, spoke first.
"I am Smith, master of the Weapons Guild. On behalf of all guild masters here, greetings."
"Good, thank you. Now... I called you here because I want to make some adjustments to the Guilds. First, read the plan I wrote right in front of you."
Hearing that, they began reading my plan.
They started with serious faces, but soon their expressions shifted.
Some guild masters smiled faintly, seeing it as an 'opportunity.' Others looked grave, fearing threats to their rights and wealth.
After some time, the 'Clothing Guild master' seated a bit away from me spoke up.
"Clothing Guild master, Schutz. Why force all our workshops under one Guild and standardize sizes? If we just align prices somewhat, we can produce plenty for Your Excellency. If you command it now, I can make clothes fitting for Your Excellency's lady anytime..."
I was so dumbfounded I couldn't speak.
No, I said review the system and discuss it, but this guy skips straight to 'bribes' instead of the reforms.
It might work on a typical noble, but I make more money than a count. I could just ask Hamburg's apprentices for women's clothes for free...
Or rather, they'd happily send beauties to model them.
I've rejected all such tributes, and here he is openly offering bribes... Impressive.
So I smiled at Schutz and said,
"Schutz, I clearly asked for your opinion. Not clothes. Any more nonsense, and I'll get quite displeased."
Schutz's face paled, trembling as he replied,
"I-I'll be careful."
"Glad you understand. Any other opinions?"
"Armor Guild master, Schwalt. Each artisan is a trained expert, with the right to sell their chosen works at set prices in this city. That's how they survive. Do you plan to threaten our livelihoods?"
Honestly, with my money and Hamburg connections, I could replace every guild master here.
Of course, it'd halt all production for a month or two...
But if I secured deals with Hamburg for lower sugar prices and cheap food trades, I'd get top artisans fresh from apprenticeship.
Still, time was precious, and what I needed now wasn't elite craftsmen but sheer numbers pumping out mass goods.
"No such plans. And your delusions of grandeur are excessive. That might scare my father, but not me. At worst, a month or two of halted production—I can buy replacements with money."
"I see..."
I strode right up to Schwalt and smiled.
"Of course, no intention to. And Schwalt."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"If you only made breastplates for two months straight, how many could you produce?"
Schwalt thought seriously, then answered gravely,
"At most 100 to 150."
"I've conscripted 3,000 standing troops, needing at least 1,000 breastplates... Short. And you think you can meet my full demand? Hey, Smith!"
Called by name, Smith turned to me seriously.
"100 halberds, 2,000 long spears, 500 crossbows, 400 maces besides, and 1,000 wagons—possible?"
"Difficult."
"Schutz, nothing much from you... but the others say difficult. Ready to listen now?"
I scanned the room again.
Their momentum was crushed; they barely breathed, watching my mood.
"Let's begin. Standardization is for easier production. Clothes vary now, but allow minor differences and unify into a few styles—useful for urgent needs. Easier to source repair parts for damaged gear, too."
Standardization would massively boost output, but they'd never believe a hammer-less noble like me saying so.
They'd learn from experience.
"Also, converting apprentices to workers is to expand your workshops. Bluntly, aren't all 'master artisans' after 10-year apprenticeships your industry relatives? So artisan numbers in Kroitel haven't changed in a century. Tiny shops can't meet my demand."
"...."
"I'd have to kick you all out. Need to re-equip my troops fast—their gear's lacking."
The guild masters, convinced they couldn't sway me and would follow my lead, stared blankly.
Time for the carrot. I smiled.
"In exchange, accept my proposal, and I'll sell everything you make. No, more—Smith, Schwalt, Schutz! Don't you want to get as rich as Hamburg's masters?"
"Yes."
"Then build big workshops like them, pay apprentices monthly from year one, expand. Fail, and I'll cover their wages. I swear on my name."
Whip and carrot sapped their resistance; they gazed half-resigned, half-hopeful.
"Dismissed. Follow my orders. I'll lend expansion funds at '10% interest.'"
Normal loans here were 30% minimum, often 50%. This was generous.
Indeed, their faces brightened, thinking, 'The lord believes this will succeed.'
And I guaranteed it: history-proven 'mass production = lower prices & bulk sales' would win.
**
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A year passed.
The territory's 3,000 standing troops now looked like proper soldiers.
Along with that, the 'bastards' I'd poured every resource into raising now led squads for the first time, commanding the troops.
Until then, mercenary sergeants had temporarily acted as squad leaders, but now as deputy squad leaders, they'd handle command well with their aid.
At the same time, prodding the guild masters yielded success with 'expanded corporate-style Guilds.'
Hiring more staff, scaling up forced mass output, and bulk material buys slashed costs for huge production volumes.
Early this year, we equipped 1,000 troops with breastplates.
As the territory ran smoothly, two Romanian barons bordering us declared war.
I didn't want war, but they'd walked into it—they'd be crushed.