章 5: Getting approved
I was sitting across from my father trying my best to hide truth and lies to get him to grant me access to the construction department without actually revealing any knowledge of how I was to accomplish tasks that were supposedly impossible. I had a normal education and therefore it was difficult to explain to him how I had come up with a crazy idea to try and revolutionise the roads that were laid out throughout our territory.
Building roads in this era was a monumentally expensive task when considering it to be stretched to connect a full kingdom. Most capital territories of either a kingdom or even an empire only had proper, well-maintained roads in certain areas. It was almost impossible to even imagine nice roads spread all the way. Yes, it will make transportation easier, increase trade, improve a kingdom's economy and much more but the cost and time was not something even most empires would prefer to bear.
I asked him for his understanding and to give me a sum which he thinks should be acceptable if one made a wide enough road from the capital to the nearest town and if he is not satisfied with the results I showed, I would drop my plan and only follow whichever arrangements he makes for my future. This was a good bargaining chip which showed him my seriousness as well commitment to the task and in case I lose he would just have lost some gold while gaining a valuable learning opportunity for me.
He agreed to lend me a sum of five thousand gold coins and the time limit of one year to show me results and if I achieve satisfactory results, he will let me continue in the future. According to what I understood of the era my father never hoped for me to complete such a big project with such small funding in such a short period of time. He only wished for me learn as to why no one else was doing this and make me understand the value of money.
I had grown up in the confines of the capital without ever needing to worry over the concept of money and having a comfortable life, so my father wished to make me understand that any idea that is concocted in the safety of the castles will soon lose their standing in the real world. He obviously had no idea of my education and expertise and the advancement I had witnessed, so he was sure to have a nice surprise when I show him what I accomplished.
I accepted his challenge and asked him if he could make sure to inform his officials of the decisions and our arrangement as early as possible so that I could begin working. I also asked for a separate place just outside the main city from where I could operate for the next possible future. He was surprised by my eagerness and asked if I was planning to move out to live in the place where I was to set up my office.
I confirmed that I would stay there for most of the week nights but regularly visit the castle every week to meet him as well as provide an update. He was somewhat worried but agreed in the end. He asked me for a couple of days so that he could properly arrange for my stay and to wait till he gives his approval. He assured me that he will inform the officials of our arrangement and also send a letter to the nearby village so that they understand what is happening and not end up hampering the project in any way.
I also asked for him to inform the rest that they are to in no way inquire or probe into how and what I am doing and stay away from the project. He was confused but decided to indulge me. He then asked me about how many people will be required and what special personnel I would require, so that he can prepare in the upcoming days.
I knew that for my project to be successful I would require someone who can provide with materials in large quantities, a solid troop to continue the task uninterrupted, unskilled temporary labour and good cooks to feed the large number of workers on the project. I asked for a trusted supplier of various goods, the troops, the cooks, workers as many as can be spared and a few construction specialists along with material supplies like tents and basic construction equipment.
He approved my requests and asked me to prepare meticulously now that I had undertaken such a huge responsibility. I greeted him once again and took my leave. I reached my own study and informed my teacher that I had discussed with my father about formally ending my education and to speak to him on further arrangements. Though he was a teacher to this body I was not as attached and hence did not show any unnecessary gesture and politely thanked him for all his years of patience with me and that I will make him proud of having me as a student. I knew that father would take care of anything further required so I did not worry.
As I sat alone in the study, I took out a parchment and started to scribble all I could remember on construction of better roads without heavy machinery and modern devices but with a revolutionary product in construction, CEMENT.
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