Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 88: Internal and External Separation

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

On the morning of September 27th, Paul Grayman was in his office, reviewing the report documents sent from Port Frand.

These documents described the intentions of merchants who were interested in cooperating with him.

After summoning the merchants to a meeting in Port Frand, many immediately signed up. Over the following days, more and more people responded to the Lord's call at the Government House.

However, the officials of the Government House advised caution, suggesting that production technologies and crafts should not be handed over casually. They proposed assessing the qualifications of the merchants, examining their credibility, financial strength, and other aspects. Otherwise, if their operations failed, it could tarnish the Lord's reputation.

Paul agreed that this suggestion was correct and ordered the Government House in Port Frand to conduct thorough screenings of the registered merchants.

After careful screening, it was confirmed that in the near future, there would be 3 salt mines, 5 canning factories, 6 paper mills, and 8 porcelain factories established in and around Port Frand.

Meanwhile, the canning factory invested in by the Lord himself was beginning construction near the town of Alden, expected to soon produce large quantities of canned goods for the kingdom's armies fighting in the south.

Interestingly, those merchants who had already been authorized insisted tearfully on donating a certain percentage of shares to the Lord. Seeing their persistence, Paul could only "accept" their offer. Besides collecting taxes and technology usage fees, he would also receive dividends from the profits.

It seems these merchants still have some doubts about him.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered something and called out, "Bernard."

The chief secretary immediately entered and approached his desk. "What orders do you have, Lord Grayman?"

Paul said, "Gather Steward Ford and all the directors of the Government House to the Lord's Mansion. I have something to announce."

"Understood, your command."

The chief secretary turned to leave, but as he opened the door, Paul stopped him again. "Wait, first bring steward Philip here for me."

...

Steward Philip quickly arrived at Paul's office.

Since Bernard became chief secretary, the workload on the old steward had lightened considerably. Now, he mainly handled domestic affairs within the Lord's Mansion.

Paul stood up, facing the steward. He gestured towards the chair in front of his desk and said, "Philip, please sit."

"This..." Philip's brain momentarily froze. Masters didn't typically gesture like this towards their servants.

After a brief daze, the old steward became flustered. A dreadful thought crossed his mind:

"Could the Earl be planning to dismiss me?"

Recalling his recent work experience, he couldn't recall any mistakes. So, was this about him being deemed too old and useless, to be sent home for retirement?

Lost in his anxious thoughts, the steward fell into a stupor.

Seeing Philip's change in expression, Paul walked around to the front of his desk, placed a hand on his shoulder, and gently pressed him down into the chair.

He had great respect for this steward who had cared for him all these years. With his mother passing early in his life and his father busy with estate affairs, it was this steward who had raised him.