Banks and Cotton
After a series of meetings and discussions, because they found a common goal to work towards, the working relationship between Zul'ra and Cairne Bloodhoof, Moira, Haimuxi, Hamuul Runetotem, Saurfang, Vol'jin, and Lirath became quite harmonious.
After reaching a consensus, Zul'ra summarized their discussions into mission objectives, which were then written down by Lirath as a document outlining the Horde's future development plan.
First, the Horde needs to concentrate its efforts on building a Horde bank and allocate a large amount of funds to complete the Horde's industrialization, develop heavy industry and shipping, and continuously increase the Horde's strength to cope with unforeseen needs.
Second, smooth out reforms in various regions, develop corresponding construction, light industry, agriculture, and commerce, and if possible, build a suitable road for Kalimdor.
Third, cultivate the corresponding talent and create good policies to increase the existing population of the Horde and attract other tribes to join the Horde and fight for Horde.
The detailed plan was quickly handed over to Thrall, Thrall then summoned eight people, including Cairne Bloodhoof. The Warchief had no reason to refuse the plan and chose to give it his full support.
With the Warchief's support, the plan was immediately put into implementation. The first step was the establishment of the Horde Central Bank, because Orgrimmar's current gold reserves were insufficient, so the gold standard currency could not be directly minted with gold coins, and instead a gold-backed currency without gold was used.
The Goblins alloy coins were the precursor to gold-based currency. To use this currency, banks first needed sufficient credit, meaning the currency could be used to purchase goods. After consulting with economists, Thrall decided to have the central bank mint and issue these coins.
After Thrall made his decision, Zul'ra immediately expressed his support, deciding to deposit Amani's 700,000 gold coins into a bank for a ten-year term. He also reserved a large sum of money from the Central Bank, which would be used to purchase supplies from Kalimdor to support Amani.
The establishment of the bank and the issuance of the new currency meant that the Horde's reparations to the Goblins would no longer be repaid in gold, but in the form of comprehensive goods. However, this added the step of currency conversion. It wouldn't be impossible to pay off the debt immediately by slightly adjusting prices, but for the sake of the Horde's reputation, such a thing could not be done.
At the same time the central bank was established, Zul'ra was not idle. While having people and goods transported from the Eastern Kingdoms, he himself took an airship to Thunder Bluff to investigate the textile technology of Shu'halo and humans, seeking to develop the textile industry for the Horde.
On Thunder Bluff, Zul'ra witnessed the unique weaving technique of the Shu'halo people. It was cotton weaving, a truly unique technique currently used only by the Shu'halo.
In this world's textile industry, apart from primitive animal leather, Quel'Thalas silk fabrics are the most valuable, followed by human wool knitting and linen. Wool knitting is mostly used for warmth and padding armor, while linen is the common clothing material for the lower and middle classes. Primitive races such as Orcs and Trolls cannot even afford this because they lack the technology.
After observing the cotton, Zul'ra also took a closer look at the textile technology used by the Shu'halo people. It was a primitive, manual method, and apart from the textile principles that could be adapted to machines, it had nothing outstanding. It seemed that they would need to find someone to design a textile machine!
In addition to machinery, we also need to vigorously promote cotton planting. The bank has already been established, and the Horde's economy will move away from the primitive small-scale farming model. In addition to agricultural crops, we should also plant some cash crops to revitalize the economy.
Zul'ra was making a series of plans, including asking Magatha Grimtotem, who was in charge of Thunder Bluff, to send someone to take her to see the cotton cultivation situation in Thunder Bluff, but unexpectedly, Magatha Grimtotem turned the tables and entrusted her with the task instead.
"Help me, Zul'ra! I feel like I'm going crazy. A bunch of Goblins have invaded Mulgore, along with many other races. They're like madmen, digging in the mountains on the northern front of Mulgore. I've had enough!" Magatha Grimtotem felt like she was going insane. She had thought governing Mulgore would be easy, but the job was proving to be much more exhausting than she had imagined.
"I don't need you to deal with those Goblins. I just need you to go to the open area south of Mulgore. There's a Palemane Rock there, and a group of Gnoll are hunting animals, including the precious Kodo. I need your airship to take my people there and get rid of that scum."
"Alright! No problem, I can help you, but what are those Goblins digging for?" Zul'ra heard the slightly annoyed words from the Grimtotem Matriarch and caught the words "Goblins team" and "digging." For a team of Goblins to work, there was only one thing that could motivate them: money, and that was something he really liked.
"How should I know? Anyway, I'm really annoyed with them right now. Those guys are heavily armed, and my men won't be able to drive them away easily." Magatha Grimtotem shook his head. He was having a headache over those Goblins and didn't want to talk about it anymore. He just wanted Zul'ra to finish what he needed as soon as possible.
"You don't need to be in such a hurry." Zul'ra frowned as she looked at the slightly agitated Magatha Grimtotem. Besides her annoyance, the Grimtotem Matriarch spoke with a superior air towards him—was she getting a little arrogant?
"Oh, right, I remember now, the land nearby seems perfect for growing cotton. You might want to take a look. In previous years, many of our tribes were nomadic, and there wasn't much land available for large-scale cotton cultivation." Magatha Grimtotem pretended to have a sudden inspiration.
"..." Zul'ra looked at the black female Tauren who gave her no chance to refuse and kept urging her to work. She couldn't help but scratch her cheeks, but in the end she didn't say anything.
"I hope I'll hear some good news when I get back." Zul'ra chose to hold back. There was no point in arguing with this woman now; it was better to help her out since they were ultimately on the same side. She also had her sights set on completely merging this faction into a single power, so it was best to accumulate some quiet prestige for now.
"Don't worry! I'm preparing to organize a battle, and those Goblins will pay for what they've done." Magatha Grimtotem clenched his fist tightly.
"They don't belong to the Steamwheedle Cartel, do they?" Zul'ra frowned slightly. The Horde was currently cooperating with the Steamwheedle Cartel Goblins.
"Of course not, I know the Horde's current stance, Zul'ra, you should take care of your business first!" Magatha Grimtotem waved his hands repeatedly.
"Ha, Shu'halo's business is my business." Zul'ra responded with a fake laugh, then didn't want to talk to the other person anymore.