Medical Department

Seeing that everyone had agreed on Rabik's proposed exchange rate, Victor readily accepted his suggestion.

"Rabik, if we're issuing new copper coins, we need to ensure we can produce enough of them for the rollout.

"At its current rate, the Mint can produce thirty thousand copper coins of various kinds a day. That won't be enough!

"I'll have the Machine Factory prepare new equipment for the Mint as soon as possible. Once it's installed, we should be able to double or even triple production.

"At that rate, we'll have enough coins in reserve in a little over a month.

"But we'll also need to purchase zinc and tin so we don't run short of raw materials later.

"And to keep production steady, I want your department to find a reliable supplier who can meet at least thirty percent of our territory's needs.

"That way, if other supply channels run into trouble, this supplier can keep our work on schedule!"

Rabik frowned, puzzled. "My lord, if we can already buy enough materials from various merchants, why go out of our way to find one particular supplier? Isn't that unnecessary?"

Victor merely smiled. "Well... these materials have other uses. We're bound to need a great deal of them in the future, so build up a stockpile sufficient for at least two years."

Victor offered no further explanation. But everyone present had worked under him for years, and they understood what he was implying: tin and zinc would be important in the future.

Levant, who had remained silent until then, spoke up. "My lord, many of the Barbarian Tribes know how to smelt bronze.

"That suggests the northern wilderness must hold substantial deposits of zinc, tin, and other ores.

"I propose we take two approaches. Rabik can oversee purchases from outside the territory,