Chapter 159: Silver Phoenix Rail Company (Bonus Chapter)
One of the greatest weaknesses of running an economic empire in a medieval era is how slow it takes to trade goods.
When Will started selling board games, it took a week to make three reversi boards and pieces. Then it took a month for his good to be sold in Yorkshire. And then another month for him to receive payment.
Why did it take Will less than five days to get to Yorkshire, but his goods a month? Tradesmen did not travel a direct path, rather they visit several villages on their way to Yorkshire.
That's why Will desperately wanted to build an airship. To decrease travel time and create an express shipping lane.
Claud was currently finishing his third and last ship. Mages could work extremely quickly, but non magical people could only work as fast as their hands.
Will was still waiting on carpenters and tailors to finishes the furnishings, fixtures, and upholstery.
Thankfully, the first ship was almost finished. Will chose for the carpenters and tailors to work along side Claud to speed up their work.
While Will waited on the airship's completion, he wrote to Duke vont Khan about his rail company. Will asked the Duke to build rail tracks to the Albanian's northern city, just south of his Friendship Valley.
After sending the letter, Will made plans for the Silver Phoenix Rail Company. In the future he would monopolize the entire distribution of goods in Fermion.
From Gadreel, he would be able to deliver goods to every city, in less than half the time of the tradesmen.
Over time, he would put the tradesmen out of business, and the hire them as his employees. This was similar to Amazon, who used to mail their products through the United States Postal Service. But, then Amazon created their our postal delivery business, hurting UPS, DHL, FedEx, and USPS' businesses.
Modernization and industrialization were apart of business. This magical world had been stuck in the past for too long, Will wanted to drag this world into at least an industrial world.
But building a train was not easy. Thankfully, the king approved this business. Although, truthfully, Will was still disappointed about losing the energy right to Yorkshire.
Will had almost secured everything, except Albania's blessing to put train tracks into their territory, and the train engine.
Thanks to the Dwarves he had a respectable amount of iron in the city's treasury, and enough manpower in the city to the lay rail tracks.
After consulting Bradley and Rupert, who decided to skip their senior final semester to work full-time, they began securing everything necessary to build a magical train engine.
The the machine would use magic rather than combustion to move. Bradley and Rupert, designed the engine to run on beast cores. Of the 13 wyvern cores, Rupert used two each for the three ships.
With seven wyvern cores remaining Will was confident they could drive the train forward at incredible speed.
Will planned to make the train out of Dwarven Steele. The steel was strong, weighted less, and more durable than most metals. It could also protect the train from the weather.
More importantly, Will could use Arcane Blacksmith to construct the passenger and storage cars easily. Although, he'd would certainly have trouble crafting the wheels and suspension.
Will knew ambition came with a price. Financing the construction of airships and trains was not cheep. But, the ability to control the air and land transportation networks would allow him to make Gadreel the central economic hub.
Will walked to the temporary wooden platform. The platform was in front of the guard fort, where Jason commanded.
"Brother, why did you build a platform here?" Jason said walking out from the fort.
"My next vehicle shall stop here and disembark passengers and unload supplies," Will replied.
"In the future you plan to use this fort for your airships and this new vehicle to check customer identification before they enter your city?" Jason asked.
"Yes," Will said nodding his head.
"Explain to me how this new vehicle works?" Jason asked curiously.
"Imagine a caravan of steel wagons rolling over the land, but without horses," Will said.
"It seems mythical, but so do most of your ideas until they become reality," Jason chucked and slapped Will's back in approval.
"Thank you, oldest brother," Will smiled back.
"Little brother, I don't plan to renew my army contract. In a few months, I'll leave the army and return to the barony. Father has decided to step aside when I return home.
When, I return home I plan to make some changes. But, I will not harm your soybean business. Rather, I plant to make it our only cash crop, and only grow enough wheat, barley, and vegetables for our village.
Little brother, I love you! In the future, I hope you reach out if I ca help and remember to come home sometimes!" Jason said.
Will looked at his short lipped brother. Jason was a man of few words, but Will knew Jason loved him. Jason always treat Will warmly.
"I love you too oldest brother," Will said.
The brother hugged, and Jason returned to the fort.
After Jason left, Kurosawa, Miles, Rupert and Bradley arrive a few moments later.
"Kurosawa wants the cost estimate to build the train tracks?" Will asked.
"My lord, the cost is estimated at 2.5 million million to build rail tracks the entire width of the valley, and from Guidon to valley.
It cost several thousands to purchase the property for landowners, towns, villagers, and lords. Surprisingly, Guidon's City Lord donated for the land for free," Kurosawa said.
"How's the city's treasury?" Will asked.
"Overall Gadreel's treasury is actually running a bit tight. The city's income is grand total of 250,000 gold per week, and we have a staggering 2.2 million in the treasury.
Most of our tax money comes from tourism and income taxes. However, we have earned money from selling property, administrative fees, and citations given my the city guard.
While the project mainly financed by your company, the city has agreed to loan you a million dollars to go towards financing the railroad construction project," Kurosawa finished.
"Thank your Kurosawa! Bradley any updates on the trains engine?" Will asked.
The designs you gave me were a big help. I'm still trying to figure out how the gears move to drive the train forward.
The crude drawing you gave me where for a coal steam engine. I'm currently building a model train. Hopefully, the model shall help to unlock the mystery of this vehicle," Bradley said.
"When we return to the city, I want to see your model. Rupert have you found a rune for use to use?" Will asked.
"I have found over a hundred acceptable runes and narrowed it down to at least 40 acceptable phrases," Rupert said.
"Very good, how goes the training for airship captains?" Will was curious.
"Kurosawa, Miles, Bradley and myself interview hundreds of candidates. We found three accomplished captains, first mates, and flight crew," Rupert said proudly.
"Miles were you able to hire attendants, a chef, and staff?" Will asked.
"Yes Boss Will, the staff are in place," Miles said.
"How are the company's finances, and when can we finally take our maiden voyage?" Will asked.
"Boss Will, your finances are strong, you have about 4.7 million in the bank from your Gadreel, Guidon, and Yorkshire businesses.
The banks, horse track and casinos are the biggest moneymakers. Moreover, the soybean lotion has increased our general stores' year to date profit by doubled.
The HMS Remus Albus Fermion IX shall set sail late next week," Miles' said.
"Miles and Kurosawa, drum up support. I'll let Vanessa and Mei know as well. Miles be sure to charge a hefty premium for the maiden voyage. Reserve the best room for me," Will said.
"Yes, sir!" Miles said.
"Alright Miles and Kurosawa, let's have the laborers drive in first stake!" Will ordered.
Miles gave the order and over a two hundred men began laying down a railroad track heading northward to Guidon, and southward to Albania.
Laying doing rail tracks is not very simple.
Miles promised the first group to finish would be awarded several hundred silver coins, and feast paid for by city lord. Moreover, Miles paid the men 60 coppers a day, the same amount as the city soldiers.
First, crews had to install a drainage systems to prevent the railway from waterlogging.
Bradley had devised a systems that utilized pipes to ensure proper drainage and erosion are avoided.
Second, crews had to lay down a layer of pebbles for the rails to sit on in future steps.
Third, the crews had to nail the level rail tracks on top.
While this seems like a relatively straightforward process, this was complicated and time consuming. If one of these three steps is not done correctly, it could jeopardize the safety of the train.
As then worked hard laying the first track, Will couldn't help but dream of a shuttling luxury liners full of passengers and goods.
Will couldn't help but smile. Things were coming along smoothly, by the end of next year or maybe before his 18th birthday he'd have an operational airship and train.
Will need the hardest part of his train plans, were the rail switches. Most modern trains on Earth used a rotating platform that could be used to spin the main train to the north or to the south. That capability was hard to engineer on Terra.
Bradley planned to use a short rail track that the engine could use to turn around, drive in front of the cabs, and the reattach after backing up.
Already, the men had finished the first track and split to work on the northern and southern routes.
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