บท 32: Being to Greedy?

While Mr Thomas was conducting new training with the others, the barn enjoyed a sleepy atmosphere.

Not all the residents were relaxing in this usual time of hardship. In the upper floor behind a large desk, a small boy was mumbling to himself.

He fidgeted on the wooden chair, jumped up and walked around the desk browsing through the stacks of scattered documents. Chu then flopped down on the chair only to repeat the cycle after remembering something else.

He pulled a thick quilt tightly around his shoulders as he sank deep in thought.

At his back was a chimney made of mud and stone rising from the kitchen to the second floor before exiting out on one side of the barn. Two more structures like this placed on opposite ends warmed up the barn.

Open fires like before was a thing of the past now that the barn was more enclosed.

Chu did not want to become the first reincarnator to die by excessive smoke inhalation.

Right now he had a serious headache.

On the table were plans and inventions that if implemented in this backward civilization would propel him into the proverbial river of wealth. On close scrutiny of these parchments could one find the cause for concern.

'To vague'

"Well screw me!"

He muttered, berating himself.

To usher in the modern age he at least needed the main foundation of electricity. His superior intellect of the typical modern-day man brought him shame. All he knew of this phenomenon was that it needed wire, magnets and complex formulas to be brought to life.

He jumped back to the age of industrialization. Here the use of the steam engine as a driver was prevalent in generating the wealth of this era. Unfortunately, the steam engine faded out from both the world and his mind.

Thus whatever thoughts of shocking this world quickly dissipated.

What added to his troubles was another key factor.

Skilled workers.

In the fringes of the Empire, all he had to work with was a self-trained blacksmith from the village. Skilled labor could only be found in major cities. There the Guilds kept their precious geniuses

to milk the rich nobles, Military, and Adventurers.

Talent usually followed the Money. Otherwise which talented person would want to remain poor?

The stories fed by game developers were all lies. There was no hidden grandmaster out in the boondocks. The inhabitants here were to busy fighting to survive to learn a trade.

If he went to the Guilds they might think him mad. How could he ask them to make a turbine with those scribbled sketches? It was like returning to the caveman days and telling the chief to build him a cell.

Oh, they might just build him a cell alright!

Skilled workers meant moving to the city to interact with them. This was a big move that he was unwilling to take.

Mainly because he was too greedy.

Out in the fringes of civilization, he had caught the adventuring bug.

As a modern-day man, the thrill of encountering and battling fictional creatures became too enticing. Before it was him risking his life to survive. Now it was different.

He was learning through experience and being tutored using a sword.

'A sword, in a fantasy world no less.'

Better yet, he was not alone and was his own boss. His protection was so good that he had a Military teacher, and a souped-up OP companion. Sure they were all young but that was the allure.

The injuries were painful but the experience of scouting, tracking, and fighting made up for the pain.

Maybe he was taking too much risk after securing himself a comfortable place in this world.

'But there was so much to see!'

'So much to do!'

'So much to experience!'

Was he going to settle himself in some city and have to work hard to please others?

Or even worse have to put on a smiling face while fighting for power in the shadows. Just the same as a past world civilization, these guys were brutal when it came to gathering wealth.

'Heck no!'

He left all that behind when he arrived at this backward world.

"Stupid Ming rubbed off on me."

This was the predicament he now found himself in. He leaned on the chair and closed his eyes in heavy thinking.

The adventuring life was good, but to enjoy it he needed money. Money for the best equipment, medicines and the works. To get that money he could continue his current plan. Milk the forest while gaining experience until he was ready to travel.

Problem was, such a plan might take to long.

The main downside of inventions was the time and cost of failures. His ideas might be good but it had to be built by trial and error.

He decided on a common business practice.

Outsourcing.

Chu grabbed a quilt and began writing.

God, he missed electricity!

***

A small wolf pack prowled around the farm one night. The only reason they dared to approach this area was because of the enticing bait willingly set out.

Unlike before, the high fence kept them away from the barn. This time the trap was set to corral the wolves in a large cage near the south entrance.

That night four wolves were caught comfortably.

Mr Thomas released them one by one into the enclosure for close combat training.

The barn fighters fought first as a complete unit. Chu, Ming and Rose assumed the position as vanguards. Miki kept her distance, serving as the ranged attacker. Lucy flitted in and out with her daggers acting as a mid-range fighter.

As for the 'little boss-lady', well the Elder did not bother himself with her. She followed the path of a scout. If she joined then training would turn into a needless slaughter.

The daily practice had them make short work of their adversaries. Although Chu felt Lucy was the best at calling out the commands, he still assumed the role. It would be better for him to gain experience in the position now.

He gave her second in command, while he used this time to gain valuable experience. With an old hand like the Elder present, he could avoid making heavy mistakes.

This time Doug and his group participated, while armed with cheap iron swords and two bows. They had to fight against the last wolf. They succeeded while only receiving a few minor injuries.

When the training was over the weapons were collected as they completed the task of handling the wolves. Mr Thomas had promised Doug to recommend them as guards for traveling merchants.

***

Unlike the previous year, this winter saw the village return to its normal state.

Chu and Mr Thomas made a trip to the village early one morning. This time Mrs Thomas accompanied them. On one of her trips during the year to the village, she had met the wife of Farmer Hoyle. The Holyes was once a prosperous merchant family who had ended up falling from grace.

Because of an incident with a rival merchant they fled to the border village and used the remaining wealth to establish a farm and a small inn. For the past ten or so years, they toiled and lived a contented life.

Mrs Thomas bonded very well with the woman of the house. Both had experienced the lifestyle of a city and had much in common to talk about. She was making this trip to deliver some of the quality sausages and pickled vegetables she and Sue made under Chu's guidance.

Most importantly was a well-made doll designed by Chu and some knitted clothes. The daughter of the family had married last year and was expecting her first child.

Chu and Mr Thomas spent some time with Farmer Hoyle and his son-in-law trying to drown out the chatter from the excited women in the next room. He thanked the Heavens when they finally left.

Chu delivered the pelts to John after checking on the progress of the group residing in the village home.

"Master Griz replied to your letter."

John said as he handed over a sealed scroll.

Chu sat down in his corner of the store to read the reply.

Griz letters had a specific format. The first part spoke about his family, the second contained thoughts on how Chu was still taking advantage of him. The last part was the reply to any demands and its associated cost.

His family had settled down and were doing well, Griz demanded a slice of the company the trio had opened and rebuked him on the idea and plans he sent in the last letter.

'Firstly no skilled blacksmith is going to come running out in the boonies just because you sent some doodles on a page. Heaven alone knows what you scribbled on that page. I would be shamed to high heaven if I approached the Blacksmith Guild with that.

The next thing, are you an idiot? Who the heck would buy a tool like you described when they had free labor. Where do you think the majority of slaves end up? Tut, tut, so naive. As expected of a brat who never traveled.

Concerning your idea for seeking a skilled blacksmith, are you senile? How do you expect me to convince such a person? Do you know the cost of setting up a Smithy?

The best I can do is get an apprentice without his own forge to visit you. John will make arrangements for the lad to use the small Smithy in the village, that should be good enough for you. The materials you need will be sent along with him.

Karst controls the allocation of the lands around the villages near it. I have no idea why you insist on claiming more fields but the Mayor has given me the deeds to the plots you wanted. The grasslands to the south are considered frontier lands, it is free but the village chief will levy the taxes on it before harvesting.

If you want to live a life of danger near that forest, it's your business. Don't know why you stinky brat refuses to come and live in the Town. It's up to you however this time you owe me big. I want equal share just like Kim in your business or you can kiss your plans goodbye.'

"Damn Kim and his loose mouth!"

Chu muttered under his breath.

How else would Griz know about that company he started up. Chu shot a glance at John sitting nearby browsing through his large ledger.

"Damn you, John! You blabbed to Griz about our venture didn't you?"

John nearly toppled over the stool he was sitting on, dropping his quill pen.

"No, I didn't. I went through him for the Guild certificate, that's all...wait I might have mentioned..."

"You ass! You better hope Kim loosened his mouth when he traveled through there, otherwise Griz's cut is going to be coming out of your share alone!"

John wiped the beads of sweat pouring down his face. He knew how miserly this boy was when it came to money.

Chu informed John about the arrival of the new help. The Smithy in the village was on standby. This meant that he had the place all to himself to tinker with his plans. By spring he would be the owner of the abandoned fields adjacent to his farm.

He could only imagine the look on Clods face when he dropped that bomb.