Li Wei gave a slight nod. While working on the Steam-Powered Mine Mule some time ago, he had realized he'd misjudged the situation. Fischer, the bald guy and Red Robe Mage, was only mediocre at developing new things. But he did have some potential when it came to Combat Power.
It seemed that, in this world, Mages with a talent for the School of Evocation were generally better suited to the battlefield by nature.
Known as "battlefield turrets," they wielded almost unrivaled power on the battlefield. As a result, Evocation Mages generally weren't very interested in research and development.
Even the few who were tended to spend all day studying books and theories on how to increase the power of their Evocation Magic, such as Elemental Theory, How to Stack Five Fireballs for Explosive Results, and On the Casting Limits of Extreme Casting.
Weapons?
They didn't need them at all. On the battlefield, they were the ultimate firearms! Evocation Magic could flatten anything below the gods that dared to defy them.
When Li Wei realized that this bald Red Robe Mage was probably another Spell Barbarian, he'd been a little disappointed.
But just as Li Wei was about to have Huozi pull a few more Mages from the résumé files for in-person interviews, Igg, the Arcanist from Water-Drawing City whom he'd initially labeled "just here to make up the numbers," ended up surprising him.
His attitude toward unfamiliar things and his approach to research both resembled the way Li Wei imagined people on the Technology Side worked. In other words:
Broad reserves of knowledge, a complete knowledge structure, and solid fundamentals in magic research; sound motives, a fact-based approach to research, and a rigorous work ethic.
At first glance, none of these requirements seemed particularly difficult to meet. But they were essential qualities for anyone seeking the Cosmic Truth!
Without a complete and mature system of research and scholarship, and without countless predecessors quietly contributing the knowledge they had spent their lives compiling and summarizing, paving the way for those who came after them, it would be difficult to cultivate researchers with such qualities.
That was why Li Wei was even more certain that this so-called Arcanist from Water-Drawing City had a rather unusual past.
But since Igg didn't want to tell anyone about it, Li Wei couldn't be bothered to pry.
After all, putting himself in the other man's shoes, everyone had the right to keep some secrets, as long as they posed no danger to others.
Besides, Igg showed little deliberate reserve in his research or his general attitude toward work, and Li Wei had a good impression of him.
If Li Wei could prove himself to be a good employer, then as long as Igg still wanted to explore the origins of magic's ultimate mysteries, yearned for the Cosmic Truth, and craved more and stranger knowledge, he would eventually open up to him.
With that thought in mind, Li Wei turned to the group and announced, "Igg, I'm entrusting you with the manuscript of Imperial DR3029 Chainsword Manufacturing Blueprints. Effective immediately, as Chairman of Hogg Mining, I officially appoint you head of Hogg Mining's Product Research and Development Department and authorize you to establish a Research Team. Tiger's Dwarves will provide whatever materials and manufacturing support you need. After the meeting, you can have Huozi help you look through the résumés. If you'd rather, you can go straight to the Marketplace and interview people yourself. Do a good job, and I'll have plenty more documents like this in my father Tibilus's possession."
The Arcanist Igg remained calm when he heard the unfamiliar and rather odd appointment. But when Li Wei mentioned that there were more unusual Design Drawings like this, a trace of longing and hope appeared in his eyes. He bowed and said, "Igg thanks you for your trust and generosity."
The bald Fischer couldn't help looking envious. He knew he was far behind Igg in his ability to study and research knowledge, and had been mentally prepared for it, but he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed at the appointment.
Just then, Li Wei called his name. "Fischer."
"Here!" The bald man hurriedly answered.
"Evocation Mages shouldn't have to bury their talents. Zelandia is in the domain of the Dark Magic Web, so you can only bring out the strength of a third-level Arcanist. But it won't be long before little Zelandia becomes overcrowded and unfit for habitation. Then it'll be time for you wandering Mages to take back control of lightning—I mean, magic."
"Effective immediately, I officially appoint you head of the War Magic System within Hogg Mining's Security Department, and authorize you to establish a Magic Security Squad. You can join Huozi and Igg in recruiting people shortly. The more magic-users, the better. But after they're hired, I want them all to learn at least one Great Fireball through the Arcane System during these next few years of lying low. In other words, three years from now, even in this Dark Magic Web domain, when I give the order, every one of you had better be able to blast out a Great Fireball. Understood?"
"Yes, Boss! I, Fischer, will do everything in my power to carry out your orders!" Fischer obeyed and withdrew. Only then did he carefully wipe the sweat from his forehead with his hemp robe sleeve.
Could our Boss be rebuilding the Magic Battle Groups of the Elf Dominion Era and the Netheril Era? At a word from him, thousands upon thousands of fireballs raining down, Thunderstorms stretching for dozens of miles, earthquakes as powerful as natural disasters, Summoned Legions vast as mountains and seas, or illusions that plunge an entire city into the Emerald Dream...
For now, it's only a rough outline, and he's calling it security. But if it really succeeds over time, then Red Robe Fischer...
Before the bald Mage could finish fantasizing, Li Wei interrupted him. "All right, let's not waste time. Head to Hogg Mining's Recruitment Office at the Marketplace."
"Yes, Boss!"
After the two of them left, Li Wei turned to the Old Dwarf, who looked rather uneasy. "Tiger."
"Here!" Tiger thought he was about to receive an appointment too, and bowed to listen.
"You've probably figured it out. With that suspected Abyss Invasion Incident, both Gershon City and the mutant invaders we haven't encountered yet pose a serious threat as we expand. We can't keep our heads down and work as miners. We need to have our own forces. That's why I'm establishing Hogg Mining's Security Department."
"Although we've already formed an alliance with that Drow today, we still don't know how capable she is or how long she can maintain the current balance. And I've realized that the trap I set for her doesn't seem to constrain her as much as I'd expected. Maybe I don't know enough about Lolth and her Drow Clerics. But it's not a big problem. That sort of thing was only ever an added bonus. What really holds a relationship together is usually shared interests."
"So, Tiger, while I'm gone, I need you to play that role. As long as that bitch's demands aren't too unreasonable, you can cooperate with her to a certain extent. You spent decades dealing with the Drow. Handling a little Drow girl who hasn't even grown hair in all the right places shouldn't be a problem, right?" Li Wei asked in a deep voice.
"I won't let you down. I can handle a Drow who hasn't even had her coming-of-age ceremony yet. Besides, I suspect she isn't the eldest daughter of the Jadiel Family at all. She's probably the youngest. But that's no problem either. Gershon has had cases where the youngest heir successfully claimed the Matriarch Position, and we'll be helping her from behind the scenes." Tiger spoke with confidence.
"Good." Li Wei nodded and made the appointment official. "Tiger, I now formally appoint you general manager of Hogg Mining's Security Department and authorize you to form a Warrior Security Squad. You can recruit any adult in all of Zelandia who catches your eye. But it'd be best if your Duergar formed a unit of their own. You're the ones who'll be the main force against our hypothetical enemy in the future. The others probably won't have that kind of Combat Strength for a while."
"Yes, Boss! The strength of us Duergar—no, the Hogg Mining Security Brigade—will show you what we can do!" The Dwarf bowed and accepted the order. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then hesitated.
"Good." Li Wei seemed to see what was on his mind. He drew a deep breath before continuing, "Don't worry. If an emergency comes up, you can have Huozi or Remlu come find me. If Zelandia's survival is at stake, my father Tibilus can wake up early and intervene. But remember, it must be an emergency, when there's no other choice. Understood?"
"Yes, Boss!" Tiger replied.
"Lastly, a small matter concerning mining efficiency." Li Wei took out another stone tablet and handed it to Tiger. "I don't know if you Duergar have anything similar for transportation, but when I return, I want to see rails and Mine Carts covering at least half the West Mining Area."
"Mine Tunnel Transport Vehicles? We had something similar on our Ancestor's vast domain, but it wasn't this sophisticated. Don't worry, Master. We Dwarves will make sure you return to an even better domain." The Dwarf clenched his fist and thumped his chest.
"Good. You can leave too," Li Wei said with a nod.
"Yes!"
Li Wei looked at the last person remaining, Huozi. "Huozi, you're my trusted aide, my right-hand man. You're the only force I can truly trust. Zelandia isn't united yet, but I have to fall into a deep slumber soon to recover. Only if I can grow stronger will I be able to establish a foothold in the Underdark. While I'm asleep, you'll have sole authority over Zelandia. If anyone else dares to betray me or make a move against me, kill them without hesitation! Stamp out any signs of trouble before they can take root. Of course, it's unlikely to happen, but we can't let our guard down."
"Hmph! They won't get the chance. You, Master, are the Heart's Desire of everyone in Zelandia."
Li Wei smiled but didn't comment. Then he continued, "Once I'm asleep, you'll be responsible for guarding the area around my lair."
"We Gnolls will guard your lair with our lives! We'll tear apart any shadow that dares to spy on you!"
Li Wei nodded. He'd originally planned to dismiss Hogg too, but then he noticed the barely concealed hope in Huozi's eyes and couldn't help smiling.
He'd thought he might not need to appoint the Gnolls separately, since they were his trusted troops. But it seemed he'd been mistaken. Huozi still wanted his further recognition, even if it was only in name.
All right, then.
"Huozi, I appoint you head of the Hogg Mining Supervisory Team. You'll be responsible for overseeing every department in Hogg Mining, and you can report anything directly to me."
"Yes, Master!" Huozi bared his teeth and answered loudly.
"All right, you can go too. I'm getting sleepy," Li Wei said.
"Yes!"
After Huozi left, Li Wei returned to his lair with Remlu. He immediately gobbled up the piles of assorted ore and food that had accumulated there, then transformed into his Red Dragon form and settled comfortably atop the treasure scattered across the floor. He slowly closed his eyes as a tidal wave of sleepiness swept over him. Li Wei fell asleep sooner than he'd expected.
I wonder what I'll find this time in my long slumber...
Before you continue