Preparing to Secure the Summer Harvest; Industrial Progress
After discussing the matter with Lostro and Maki, Zul'ra informed Broken-Tooth, Broken-Tooth immediately issued a mobilization order to prepare for the summer harvest. 💜♢ 🍭✌
The affairs of Amani have now become somewhat divided. Zul'ra oversees the overall direction, while specific matters are handled by the Aman'Shuli Council. Zul'ra occasionally consults with others, generally speaking to Broken-Tooth on diplomacy and politics, and to Malacrass, Cook, Maki, or Lostro on military matters.
Just as the summer harvest was approaching, the research team brought good news to Zul'ra: the application of the steam engine he wanted had yielded new results.
Following the ideas provided by Zul'ra, the Sin'dorei technicians, Defias artisans, Amani apprentices, and Goblins mechanics worked together to simplify and reconstruct the original steam engine, adding mechanical power to create the forging machine.
Amidst the roaring of the boiler, the forging hammer relentlessly pounded a piece of steel, while the Amani apprentice beside him used tongs to hold the red-hot steel, turning it over from time to time to ensure it was subjected to force from all sides, undergoing tempering and being forged into a four-sided square prism.
"Good, good." Zul'ra looked at the booming forging hammer and nodded in satisfaction. Such mechanical power was sufficient to forge steel better and more effectively. Excellent steel was the lifeblood of industry.
"Your idea is indeed very good. Using mechanical force to replace human power can produce better and larger quantities of steel. But Zul'ra Jin, have you thought about something?" Sin'dorei technician Green looked at the roaring steam forging machine and tried to speak to Zul'ra.
"You said." Zul'ra looked at Green, using a respectful tone; he now wanted to flatter this kind of technician.
"It's a matter of input versus output. To get the steam boiler running, we need a lot of wood or oil, and these inputs are actually less cost-effective than manual labor, and they cause a lot of pollution. It's far more cost-effective than using magic." Green, a very conscientious Sin'dorei, reminded Zul'ra of a series of problems; this steam technology wasn't very good.
Zul'ra blinked at the conscientious Sin'dorei technician, walked over to the steam boiler, and saw a pile of firewood leaning against it. Seeing this pile of wood, he suddenly realized a problem: it seemed that the fuel issue needed to be addressed.
It's not just the fuel needed for the steam boilers; even the daily lives of the Amani consume vast amounts of timber every day. The forest area around Zul'Aman has already been significantly reduced, and timber is being transported from the Darkwood, Hinterlands, and the Southern Highlands. This problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
"Thank you for reminding me, Technician Green. I am very grateful. I will find a solution to this problem as soon as possible." Zul'ra already had a solution in mind, but he wouldn't tell Green, this conscientious technician, because if the Sin'dorei realized the power and convenience of industry, Amani wouldn't be able to compete with Quel'Thalas.
"Alright!" Seeing Zul'ra's hesitant expression, Green ultimately couldn't bear to abandon the current research and didn't say much. He was only reminding her out of conscience. He couldn't be bothered with such a foolish thing as wasting funds on researching such outdated technology, especially since it was Amani was doing this.
"Yes, thank you for reminding me, Technician Green. You're a conscientious technician. I have a few more ideas. I not only need this forging machine, but also presses, drilling rigs, and shearing machines—yes, all for manufacturing steel. In addition, I hope you can also manufacture a batch of steel smelting facilities to form a complete production line."
Looking at the expression on Green's face, Zul'ra knew that in Green's eyes he was probably a "foolish and rich" person with a "wild imagination," but he was too lazy to explain. He even hoped that the Sin'dorei would think that way.
"This will cost a lot of money." Green pondered for a moment at Zul'ra's insistence on his "out-of-the-box" ideas. Not only would they need to build steam engine facilities for steel, but they would also need furnace facilities to form a complete production line with it, which would cost a lot of money.
"Approximately how much do you need?" Zul'ra asked hesitantly. After being wealthy for a while, Amani was now starting to run into financial difficulties.
"The cost will be no less than 40,000 to 60,000 Thalassian Gold Coin," Green estimated, giving a low figure because he felt that Amani's effort in this matter might benefit Quel'Thalas. He was a conscientious technician and a patriotic Sin'dorei.
"Then go for it! If you need anything, just come to me and I'll take care of it." Zul'ra nodded decisively at the amount Green quoted: 40,000 to 60,000 Thalassian Gold Coin, which was less than 30,000 Arathor Gold Coin —acceptable.
"That's good." Seeing Zul'ra accept the amount of money, Green breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little guilty.
"In short, thank you again for your support, Technician Green." Zul'ra thanked Green again; based on the blueprints drawn by this technician, any amount of thanks would be enough.
"This is my job," Green said politely.
"Oh, right, where's Dr. Piz? I need to talk to him about something." Zul'ra said with a smile, while looking around for the mechanical doctor.
"He... he doesn't really like these machines. He thinks they have no aesthetic appeal whatsoever, so he doesn't participate much in these kinds of jobs." Green pointed to the steam forging machine and shook his head slightly.
"Their thought process is always..." Zul'ra raised an eyebrow at Green's words. The Goblins's thought process was beyond the comprehension of normal people.
"We don't click with them." Seeing that Zul'ra couldn't find the right words, Green smiled and nodded.
"Indeed, never mind, I'm going to find him now." Zul'ra couldn't find the right words, and seeing that Green's words didn't match her own, she couldn't refute him either, so she gave a few perfunctory words and left.
After touring the research base twice, Zul'ra found Dr. Pitt, a mechanical Piz, and made some requests. The development of steam technology was progressing faster than expected, and he now needed the help of a chemistry expert.
Although Amani has the explosive formula and Witch Doctor skilled in potions, Zul'ra feels it's best to have a professional Goblins sort out this matter, and of course, also to seek out some more powerful or exotic explosives.
"Zul'ra Jin, this kind of talent is hard to find." Faced with Zul'ra's words, Piz hesitated and made excuses.
"Dr. Piz, I believe that in the face of money, no difficulty will be a problem," Zul'ra said meaningfully.
"Ah, in the face of money, no difficulty is a problem anymore. I like that saying." Piz immediately grasped the meaning behind Zul'ra's words.
"However, there's a prerequisite: the person you bring in needs to meet my criteria. I don't want the kind of people who are just there for show." Zul'ra felt a bit annoyed by the language of this world; sometimes she couldn't express her thoughts at all.
"Don't worry, I will definitely meet your requirements. However, Zul'ra Jin, what kind of personnel do you need? Tell me! And after it's done..." Piz's eyes darted around.
"I also need some excellent engineers and alchemists. As for the reward, how much do you want?" Zul'ra thought for a moment and decided to recruit some more engineers and alchemists.
"Well, let me think about it. I'm not a money-loving person. I was thinking, how about I ask you for a position?" Piz said with a smirk.
"What status?" Zul'ra asked, slightly surprised. Goblins don't love money, unless Deathwing is about to save the world.
"I've noticed that your radiance shines brightly, the scenery here is incredibly beautiful, and the Amani'lai people are so kind and lovely. Therefore, I would like to apply to become a citizen of Amani. Furthermore, I'd like to open a factory here and would appreciate your assistance." Piz's smirk turned into fawning.
"..." Zul'ra looked at the fawning Piz and raised an eyebrow in surprise; this was indeed unexpected.