“That… Mr. Roland,” Xie Shifu asked after shaking hands, “I wonder, what exactly is this design bureau for?”
“To complete all the ideas I need,” Roland said with a smile. “For example, right now, I want you to build a brand-new tractor. It must be simple and reliable, easy to manufacture, and have some potential for modification.”
“There should be quite a few such tractors on the market…”
“My requirements are certainly more than that; what I said just now is only the most basic framework.” He shook his head. “First of all, except for the engine, every part must be produced by ourselves.”
“That would be very costly,” Xie Shifu exclaimed.
“It doesn't need mass production; the price can be similar to pure handmade products. I have several collector friends who are willing to spend a lot of money to buy them.”
“I see…”
“In addition, the production process cannot involve automated machine tools. Hmm…” Roland looked around. “The tools in the workshop now are very suitable. I need to know the specifications and manufacturing process of each part. That is to say, the design bureau not only has to build it but also has to draw all the assembly line layout diagrams.”
Seeing the other party look embarrassed, he added, "Of course, I will recruit some recent graduates to assist you in your work. You only need to arrange for them to do things.”
“Well… if we rely only on pen and paper, I'm afraid it will take half a year to sort things out.”
“The last point is also the most important,” Roland continued. “Manufacturing it must have a certain amount of imagination.”
Xie Shifu was stunned. “What did you say?”
“Let me give you an example. For example, this tractor uses steam power—so theoretically, it needs a large boiler and compartments for storing fuel and water. But in reality, it doesn't have these components. You can imagine its power source as a nuclear-powered engine, like in the movies.”
“…” The other party seemed a little dazed.
“Therefore, when manufacturing the prototype, the impact of these ‘theoretically needed but actually non-existent components’ must be minimized, so that the most accurate data can be obtained during the test drive. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Uh…” Xie Shifu thought hard for a long time before cautiously replying, “Do you mean that I should design it as a product that does not belong to this era?”
“That’s a perfect summary.” Roland grinned. “I wonder if there are any technical difficulties?”
“In theory, no, but…” He hesitated for a moment. “To be honest, even if it is built, I am afraid it will have no practical value.”
“Having no practical value is right; my collector friends don't care about those things.”
Xie Shifu breathed a sigh of relief and then asked one more question, “That… Mr. Roland, I wonder what the chief engineer's salary is…”
“Let's calculate it as twice your retirement salary,” Roland said with a smile.
……
Back in the car, Gade put down his glass and shrugged at him. “How is it? Are you satisfied?”
“Not bad, I just don't know how to calculate the factory's expenses…” Roland pretended to be polite.
“There's no need to mention these trivial matters. It's an honor for the Three Leaves Group to help the Martial Artist Association.” Gade waved his hand. “I'll communicate with them later to settle this matter. From today onwards, you are their new boss.”
Reserving a factory scheduled for demolition is not a big deal. As for the land, factory buildings, and other fixed assets, they still belong to the Three Leaves Group. What the other party needs to spend is nothing more than the salaries of some personnel and a few processing machines waiting to be scrapped. It is undoubtedly an extremely cost-effective deal to exchange this small price for the favor of the Prismatic Town's guardian.
If Roland wanted to gather these things on his own, it would probably cost at least tens of millions, and he might not even be able to do it.
However, even so, Roland didn't want to miss any opportunity to fleece the sheep.
“Is this really okay? I thought about it. If the factory wants to resume normal operations,
we need to recruit another batch of people at least. And in order to improve their enthusiasm, a reward and punishment system must also be drawn up. These require a lot of funding.”
“Hmm…” Gade thought for a moment. “I'll transfer a financial officer to you later. If there are any additional expenses, just tell her. But Mr. Roland, the amount can't be too large, you know the Three Leaves Group…”
“It's not up to you alone. Don't worry, I won't embarrass you.” Actively sending a financial officer is obviously also a risk-averse measure, at least to prevent him from spending money without restraint. Roland smiled and raised his glass. “Thank you for this.”
“Just a small effort.”
The two glasses clinked crisply together.
Three days later, the agricultural machinery factory was officially renamed Graycastle Design Bureau. Although the exterior was still dilapidated, under the lure of promotion and salary increase, it was already busy inside.
……
After settling this matter, Roland immediately felt a lot of burden lifted from his shoulders, and even his footsteps were lighter when he went to the office the next day—when he thought that he could continue to expand the projects and scale of the Graycastle Design Bureau, saving valuable design time, he couldn't help but feel happy.
Moreover, in this way, Anna doesn't have to work until midnight every day and can put more energy into her favorite inventions, which is simply a win-win situation.
Perhaps those employees will never know that the drawings they draw will become a reality in another world and will engage in bloody battles with alien enemies in a corner of the Vast Land to defend humanity's last continuation and glory.
“What are you giggling about, Your Majesty…” Nightingale appeared in front of him with a contemptuous look. “Did you have such a good time last night? You wouldn't have done something you shouldn't have in your dreams, would you?”
“How could I… am I that kind of person?”
Nightingale curled her lips. “Actually, it's normal to have it. I heard Phyllis say that ancient witches don't value these things, and it's no different from eating and sleeping.”
“…Did she really say that?”
“No, I'm just kidding you.” Nightingale half-closed her eyes and leaned forward. “Were you just paying attention to this aspect?”
It turns out this is still a fishing law enforcement trap.
“I can only say that you are thinking too much.” Roland glared at her. “I'm so happy because I solved a big problem, not because of what you guessed.”
“Hmm, 95% honesty, considered the truth.” Nightingale spread her hands.
“Now can you be accurate to the single digits of a percentage?”
“Well, maybe it's because I've used it too much, and I always feel that the feeling in the past was much more sensitive.”
“Then what about the 5%? Let me state in advance, I didn't lie.”
“Maybe it's the throbbing produced by your subconscious mind.” Nightingale raised the corners of her mouth.
Uh… Roland was speechless for a moment. He felt that if he continued to talk like this, he would be brought into the other party's trap sooner or later, so he simply stopped talking.
“By the way,” Nightingale said after chewing on dried fish for a while, “You haven't looked at the Red Moon much lately.”
“Yeah…” Roland realized that he hadn't looked up at the sky for a long time. The scarlet disc was still suspended high outside the window. No matter when he looked up, it was in the same position, as if it were still. “Probably because I know that it is just an empty void.”
At this moment, the phone on the desk rang.
It was from the Administrative Office.
“Barov? What's the matter?” Roland picked up the phone.
“Your Majesty, the growth rate of immigrants far exceeds expectations,” the old chief steward complained. “At this rate, the savings in the treasury will soon be unsustainable!”