章 19: Chapter 5.4 The Farms of Lobau
POV David
June 16th 913 (2016)
The sun was hot and bearing down upon the field. The suffocating humidity made one feel as if they were swimming through the air rather than walking. But I had a critical demonstration to make, to show off something so important I'd call it the most important thing ever built… well, built so far.
"Ladies," I said while addressing the crowd of skeptical farmers gathered around.
"We both know how you've always harvested your grain, large teams of workers wielding scythes slowly moving through a field, cutting the wheat, then dozens to hundreds of workers going through the field to collect the grain." I said, then walked over to the latest product of Lobau Ironworks. A horse drawn combine harvester.
"This here combine, pulled by six horses can reap, thresh, and winnow grain all while being pulled through the fields, reducing the time and manpower you need to harvest your fields." I said, smiling as I advertised my first official product.
"One of these can harvest an acre faster than a hundred workers. Now I've sold this harvester here to Alice who has agreed to let it be a demonstration of just how efficient it can be, and show you just how much labor you will save.
I nodded to the workers that had been standing next to the combine and horses. They munted the machine and started moving into the field. The combine slowly started its work, felling grain as it passed, threshing and winnowing the wheat, the seed itself quickly filling several pre prepared bags, one an extra worker brought over as the harvester began moving away down the field.
"As you can see, with a bit of preparation and one of my combines, in the span of four minutes we went from grain on the stalk to a bag of seed, ready to be loaded into a seeder or sold to a mill." I said with my winning smile still on my face.
"I can see that, but how much do these combines cost?" one of the farmers asked.
"Fifteen silvers, and for that price you won't get the same speed nor quality from any number of laborers working your fields." I said while trying not to cringe at the rather high cost of the machine.
"And the best part? With the money you saved from not paying all that additional labor you can expand your farm, grow more with less workers. Why Alice here can expand to another two or three similar sized fields to this one with all the time, energy, and money she's saving."
"First you take our slaves, now you want us to purchase some overpriced machine that probably barely works?" an angry landowner in the back growled.
"Ma'm. you were compensated for your slaves, as was everyone else, it was all paid out, now, as for your accusation about the combine…." I pointed to the machine turning around at the far end of the field, slowly making its way back towards us.
"Without those cheap slaves grain prices are going to have to go up to cover the costs of paying all that labor." she growled again.
I sighed. "Are you done being a bitch Hannah? You were one of eleven slave owners in Lobau, you had seventeen slaves… that's nothing worth complaining over. If you want to buy a combine, seeder, or plow I can help you. But I'm not here to discuss my governance at this moment in time." she grumbled but didn't issue a reply.
"Now, before I was so rudely interrupted, does anyone have any concerns or questions about the machines Lobau Ironworks is selling, issues financing, or interest in the other products that are not here?" I asked, looking at the crowd with a grin.
"When you mentioned financing? What'd you mean by that?" another of the farmers in the front row spoke.
"Harvest season isn't over yet, I'm aware farming isn't the most profitable enterprise, so Lobau ironworks will sign a contract, selling you the combine for part of its sale price, and in return over the coming months you will make payments against the rest of the outstanding balance." I replied with a small grin.
"What about the seeder and plows you mentioned? Are they as effective as the combine?" a different farmer asked, shifting my focus.
"Made with the same high quality iron as every other product made at the Lobau Ironworks, they'll make plowing and seeding your fields just as much a breeze as the combine there." I nodded to the combine that was starting to turn around again and head back down the length of the field.
With that little speech made I retired to a small gazebo where some sales staff waited, paperwork ready if someone wished to purchase. I helped several of the staff with the paperwork, quickly watching as several combine, plows, and seeders were bought with credit. Much of the crowd had thinned, and I wasn't too terribly surprised. Who would have thought to bring that much money to a demonstration? Regardless, those with a copy of their paperwork were mounting their horses and heading off to Aucerfilth to collect their new machines.
I looked at the small amount of revenue and finally brought in a few hundred copper coins. Maybe some more would approach the ironworks directly for purchases? I mean, I had plenty of money still from all those confiscations, but I needed to offset the massive deficit I was spending myself into. All my projects were simply too expensive, and most were nowhere near ready to bring in a profit yet.
I sighed, helping the sales team pack everything up. This was probably better than I could have hoped for, given the circumstances. The farmers would be cash strapped, if the sales so far paid off i'd probably see a large number of sales over the winter as everyone prepared for the planting season.
I made my way back to the manor, checking in on the new government staff. The guys and gals were champs, crunching all the bureaucracy stuff I hated, presenting me with easy to read concise reports. On the other hand…
It was becoming increasingly apparent just how badly the former government had done. I wanted to groan but managed to refrain. What was I supposed to expect from a bunch of corrupt nobles? At least I'd recovered most of the stolen wealth. Now I could focus on making all of it productive, create something that would shake even the sturdiest institutions and shatter all those too weak to oppose the march of progress.
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