Chapter 1293: Chapter 60 Reigniting the Spark (5)_2
But the vast majority of nails are still forged by professional blacksmiths by hand, which, although not exactly expensive, are certainly not cheap.
After visiting the market of Artemis, Winters learned a shocking fact: the round nails sent by Berlion were only a third of the price of the square nails crafted by blacksmiths in Vernge County.
Based on Winters’ tests, although ordinary square nails were more durable than the “Revodan round nails,” the difference was not significant.
The conclusion was obvious: for an item that every household needs, yet is a bit tricky to make, if its performance is similar to competing products but costs only a third as much.
Then it becos understandable why rchants in Vernge County eagerly snapped up “Revodan round nails.”
The ng Plough lost its share for a reason.
So astute rchants from Vernge County imdiately slled a business opportunity after learning that Iron Peak County could produce nails at low cost in large quantities.
They mustered the courage to visit the Blood Wolf, nervously asking:
“My lord, would you be interested in having your skilled craftsn make sothing other than nails? Like… barrels?”
That night, three coopers from Artemis, carrying a hefty sum, were personally escorted by Pierre, traveling overnight to Revodan.
…
[Outside Artemis City]
“The round nails are Berlion’s work.” Winters sighed deeply: “Not mine.”
Mason sneered, “So this ti there’s no ‘us’ vs. ‘them’?”
Winters pretended not to hear anything, folding his arms: “Actually, I do have an explanation…”
Mason wordlessly pulled out a booklet of drawings from the saddlebag, engrossed in flipping through it.
Undeterred, Winters continued: “I can explain why the ng Plough is neglected.”
“I don’t want to hear it,” Mason said without looking up.
“Senior,” Winters asked bleakly, “If you don’t listen, who else can I tell?”
“Whoever wants to listen, tell them.” Mason clenched his jaws, the veins bulging on his hands gripping the booklet, “Bard, Andre, Father Kaman… Can’t find anyone in Vernge County, then write to Ms. Navarre. Don’t bother .”
Winters cleared his throat and began to speak on his own: “Actually, this is quite similar to ‘repairing city walls.'”
Senior Mason’s features were hidden behind the booklet, saying nothing.
Winters paused deliberately, teasing his senior, waiting until Mason nearly lost his patience before speaking:
“For a city, the city wall is an expensive necessity. Because too much money is spent building it, it can’t easily be torn down and rebuilt. Just like the city walls of Sea Blue, even if they’re worn down, even if they’re outdated, the city council would only spend a little money each year on repairs, maybe refresh it, but wouldn’t completely renovate it. As a result, the capital of the Republic, Sea Blue, in terms of city defense, is inferior to a small mountain town on Red Sulfur Island.”
Mason still didn’t speak. But based on Mason’s body language, Winters judged that Mason had been listening.
“And the fortress in front of us,” Winters pressed on, “If not for the pitiful state of Artemis’s city defenses, why else would we have started anew? Even if Artemis’s city defenses are inadequate, we’ve still kept them, haven’t we?”
Mason set down the booklet, gazing at the work just begun before him, sighed deeply: “Yes! If not for that, how could I have the opportunity to oversee the construction of a fortress?”
“It’s just a small star fort,” Winters couldn’t help but tease.
“You’re not from the artillery division,” Mason glanced at his junior: “You don’t understand the feelings of a ‘stone mason.’ This fortress, to , is like those majestic cathedrals to the humble stone masons who built them; it’s a ‘work’ far beyond their existence.”
As Mason spoke, he beca increasingly moved, simply putting away the booklet, reddened eyes questioning Winters: “Why can you na a plough that benefits future generations, but my surna is only attached to low, dark, despised shanties?”
Winters felt his senior’s frustration, but he didn’t know how to respond. He could only offer quiet comfort: “But my plough is ignored, while your shanty provides shelter from the wind and rain for countless people.”
“Would you be willing to switch with ?” Mason countered.
Winters was silent for a long ti before shaking his head honestly.
Mason exhaled deeply, turned to look at the construction site, enthusiastically introducing: “So this is my work, my first work. Although it’s just a small star fort, it’s still my first imprint on the earth. In the future, I may be fortunate enough to oversee other constructions, but nothing will change its place in my heart. When it’s completed, I’ll proudly na it Mason Fort—just like you nad your new plough the ng Plough.”
“No problem!” Winters agreed without hesitation, ntally crossing off all the nas he had prepared.
Mason cald down, turned to Winters, and asked curiously, “Didn’t you have more to say?”
“About what?” Winters raised an eyebrow.
“Why your plough isn’t selling?”
Winters sheepishly smiled, imdiately explaining to the rare audience who had asked: “Actually, ploughs and city walls are alike; both are necessities, and costly ‘big-ticket items.’ As I ntioned before, most farrs in Vernge County already have ploughs at ho. Rather than spending money on a new one, they’d rather keep using the old one—even if it’s not great to use.”
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