With steel in hand, everything was on the right track.
"You've done a great job. Thank you all for your help. Here is the reward I promised you," Ethan said, waving his hand. Zhao Ren stepped forward and began distributing the payment to the workers for their days of labor.
"Thank you very much, Master," the workers responded with smiles on their faces. Although the work had been exhausting, the pay far exceeded what they could earn elsewhere.
Ethan watched as they stored their wages and asked,
"Are you interested in a new job offer?"
The men looked up, intrigued.
"Master, please tell us. We are at your service," they replied enthusiastically.
"I want you to work for me permanently. The process will be the same: someone will provide you with the necessary materials, and you will forge steel ingots. However, there is one condition: nothing you see or do here can be told to anyone, not even your families. In return, I will pay you twice your current salary."
"Twice?!" the workers exclaimed, their eyes lighting up. They patted their chests with determination. "Leave it to us, Master."
Ethan nodded and fixed his gaze on the eldest of the group.
"What is your name?"
"My name is Bai Shan," the man replied with a slight bow.
Bai Shan was around forty years old, with skin tanned by the sun after years of hard work in the fields.
"Good. From now on, you will be in charge here. Build another furnace like this one and oversee the production of steel ingots. It is crucial that you verify the quality of each batch."
"Understood, Master," Bai Shan affirmed firmly.
Hours later, Ethan arrived at old Zhang's workshop. At this moment, he did not know any other trustworthy blacksmiths, and since he had already worked with Zhang before, he decided to turn to him once again.
This would be the first test. After all, only the parts would be manufactured, while he would handle the assembly, significantly minimizing the risk of technological leaks.
Ethan stepped down from the carriage and entered the shop, followed by Zhao Ren and Shen Bao. He already considered Shen Bao part of his team and wanted him and Zhao Ren to become more familiar with each other. As his first followers, they would be the vanguard of his future projects.
They carried two boxes, each containing 30 kg of steel. While natural draft furnaces were relatively easy to build, they had a critical limitation: the amount of steel they could produce per cycle. Their capacity ranged from 10 kg to 30 kg, but for this initial test, that amount was more than sufficient.
Based on preliminary calculations, he knew that manufacturing a flintlock muzzle-loading rifle, including the barrel and other mechanisms, required between 3 and 4 kg of steel. On the other hand, a flintlock muzzle-loading pistol consumed approximately 2 kg. Considering possible waste and errors inherent in the first production, the available steel would allow the fabrication of enough components for 10 rifles and between 5 and 10 pistols.
As he crossed the forge's doorway, the incessant hammering echoed off the walls. A young man behind the counter looked up and greeted him.
"Welcome, Master Li," Zhang Tie said respectfully.
"I have a special order that requires old Zhang's help," Ethan replied with a slight nod.
"Understood. Please follow me, Master," Zhang Tie said, gesturing toward the back of the shop.
Zhang Tie led Ethan and his group to the rear of the forge, where old Zhang was working, adjusting a red-hot steel blade on the anvil. With precise movements, he struck it with his hammer until it took the desired shape. Noticing their presence, he set his tools aside and turned toward them with a curious expression.
"Master Li, I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. How can I help you this time?" old Zhang asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Ethan nodded calmly and pointed to the steel boxes that Zhao Ren and Shen Bao were placing on a nearby table. "I have a special order. I need you to manufacture certain metal pieces with precision, following specific designs."
Old Zhang examined the boxes with a raised eyebrow. His expert gaze scanned the contents, picking up an ingot in his hands. He scrutinized it carefully, tapping it lightly with his knuckles and feeling its weight.
"Master Li, this metal... it's not common iron." His tone reflected surprise and caution. "It's denser, harder. I haven't worked with anything like this before. Where did you get it?"
Ethan, his expression serious, responded without hesitation. "That is not relevant. I just need you to follow my instructions to the letter."
The old blacksmith nodded slowly.
"Understood. What do you want me to do with it?"
Ethan placed a scroll on the table. As he unfolded it, it revealed detailed blueprints of various metal parts with precise dimensions and tolerances.
"I need you to forge these pieces with the highest possible precision. Make sure each one matches the specified measurements exactly." He pointed to two distinct sets on the blueprints. "The first group of pieces is longer and cylindrical, while the second is more compact and has these small internal details. Use the material from these boxes exclusively for this job."
Zhang frowned, scanning the unusual shapes of the designs.
"The tolerances specified here are extremely tight. This will be meticulous work."
"That's why I trusted your skill. You must not fail in precision. If any piece does not meet the specifications, discard it and repeat the process."
Old Zhang exhaled heavily but nodded. "I'll do it. When do you need this job completed?"
"In five days."
"Hmph... such delicate work with such a tight deadline..." he muttered, crossing his arms. "But it's possible if I work without interruptions."
Ethan nodded, satisfied. "Good. Make sure no one else sees these blueprints or this metal. You will work alone and deliver the pieces to Zhao Ren when they are ready. If you need anything else, coordinate with him."
"Understood, Master Li. I won't speak of this to anyone."
Ethan looked at Zhao Ren and Shen Bao. "We're leaving."
Without another word, he left the workshop, leaving old Zhang with the blueprints and the steel in his hands.
With the steel matters settled, Ethan's next agenda point was the sale of the liquor. He had drawn up multiple plans, but he needed a distribution channel independent of the Li Family. The best option was to approach a Chamber of Commerce in the neighboring Black Rock City (Hei Shi).
His strategy was to position the liquor as a luxury product. Before introducing it to the market, he had to organize production and design an appropriate presentation. Based on the Li Family's current distillation capacity, they could produce up to 600 liters of rice liquor per year, equivalent to a monthly output of 50 liters. For now, that amount was sufficient; expansion would come later. He decided to bottle it to maximize its value.
He opted for a 750 ml ceramic bottle with an elongated and elegant design, smooth curves, and a matte black finish. Intricate red patterns of dragons and lotus flowers adorned the surface. The bottle's neck was wrapped in a red silk cord, and the ceramic cap featured a seal, guaranteeing authenticity and exclusivity. Each bottle would be presented in a lacquered red wooden box with a white silk-lined interior. A red wax seal would close the box.
Days earlier, while overseeing the construction of the smelting furnace, he had commissioned an artisan to craft an iron seal with a distinctive design. The seal, composed of perfectly balanced lines and circles, depicted an eight-pointed star.
This symbol would not only serve to mark the liquor but would also be the insignia of his new enterprise.
Time was a limited resource. He couldn't afford to wait weeks for bottles to be made from scratch, so he opted for a practical solution: finding a potter who already had high-quality pieces and modifying their design.
After exploring the artisan district in Prosperity City (Rong), he found a master potter with a solid reputation for crafting fine ceramics. In his shop, Ethan examined several bottles before selecting three that matched the image he had in mind: elongated, with elegant curves and a matte black finish.
"I need you to apply a special decoration to these bottles," Ethan explained precisely, sliding over a parchment with the patterns he had designed. "Dragons and lotus flowers in red, with well-defined details."
The potter nodded after studying the sketches. "It will be delicate work, but I can do it."
While the potter handled the decoration, Ethan managed the remaining elements. He commissioned black sandalwood boxes, a fine and durable wood, perfect for highlighting the product's exclusivity. Each box was lacquered in deep red and lined with white silk inside, ensuring the bottle rested on a soft and luxurious bed.
Each bottle would be accompanied by two small ceramic shot glasses, also in matte black, maintaining the refined aesthetic.
The process took several days, primarily due to the meticulous work required for the ceramic decoration. For future sales, Ethan knew he needed to optimize production: hiring potters solely for molding the bottles, others specializing in decoration, and carpenters to craft the boxes. With a more efficient production chain, he could ensure a constant product flow without compromising quality.
With the samples ready and everything packed, Ethan boarded his carriage toward the trade guild. His plan was clear: to position his liquor as an exclusive beverage, worthy of the city's elite.