Chapter 76: The Workers

Riding along a paved cobblestone path on top of three black horses were the trio of Alister, Jac and Oswald. The men all wore white coats with white hats to cover their faces from the sun's rays that burned them.

Ahead of them was Xavier, wearing the same set of clothes he wore yesterday. He was appointed to travel with the group to show them around the main factory. As it was settled near the outskirts of the city, they had to get up earlier in the morning.

Behind the trio were more people, all wearing coats of various color and sizes. These people were the other owners of the business, who purchased a good chunk and had bothered to come take a look at their new business.

In the distance, the merchants can see a building with smoke coming out if it's stone chimney. Assuming that it was the workers working hard, they figured that it was the place they were being taken. The three were proved right when Xavier stopped just outside the building premises.

"Dismount everyone." Xavier said.

The men all come down to the dirt ground with their black leather shoes. They then followed Xavier inside, to find groups of workers cooperating with each other to make the product. As soon as the supervisor notice the men enter, he puts two of his fingers in hand, and blow a whistle to catch everyone's attention.

He made them all line up in a horizontal line, with the separate groups of workers a little apart to distinguish themselves by about 1 feet. The trio walk in front of the workers along with Xavier.

"Hello everyone, I would like to introduce you to the new owners of the company. Mr. Oswald Audley, Mr. Jac Pratt, Mr. Alister Cobbs..." Xavier went on to list the other owner's name. It was then that the workers themselves were given the chance to introduce themselves.

The laborers first spelled out their names, being their first and last ones. They then told them what they do in the workplace and end it there. Starting from the left, the new owners got to hear everyone of the workers. Oswald, being the man with connections, memorized each and everyone of them.

They were then shown around the factory room, and how the cement was manufactured. They were shown as one group brings over the materials needed while another either grinds it, mix it or heat it. They were shown the various tools use for their job and how much experience they had.

Though the merchants seem to be at least a little curious, Alister spots areas in which the process can be improved. Although he would have to wait until it was over to discuss it with his partners. When the tour was over, Alister grabbed his buddies and went outside to discuss it with them.

"What is the matter Alister? You spot something?" Oswald asks.

"Yes. As a matter of fact I do." Alister responds.

"Well what is it?" Jac asks.

"You know that steam engine those Petersons were talking about?"

"Yes?" they both reply at the same time.

"Well, I was thinking. There are plenty of tasks that can be done without the use of those workers."

"Like what?"

"Like the grinding of the stones. We could have a craftsman come up with some contraption to do it for us." he suggested. His fellow partners thought about it for a second before giving a response.

"That's a really good idea Alister. What do you think Oswald?" Jac asks.

"Yea, that sounds good. Do you have any more in your brain?" Oswald asks.

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"I am thinking of using a sort of moving belt to transport the materials. Say some workers are there to place the rocks, and the moving belt brings it over to the grinding machine where it breaks it down. It could work."

"Only problem is, how expensive will it be?" Jac suggested.

"Or what will they think?" Oswald asks.

"I am not sure how much it will cost, but the productivity gains of it would be massive. I am thinking 600, 700 maybe even 1000 tons per day, and thanks to economies of scale, our cost to produce them would be even cheaper.

In terms of the workers, we will use them for other areas in which we still need human labor. Think about areas where they need to pack the cement to shipped, or fix the steam engines that we brought ourselves.

With that possible steam engine upgrade, we might be able to process much more cement than ever before. So when some other bastard try to compete with us, we will have the upper hand. At least initially." Alister said.

"Won't teaching and training them be costly?" Jac asked.

"It's not if we can make more money in the long run." Alister responded.

"Well, I am in. What about you Oswald?" Jac said, feeling convinced. Oswald thought for a minute in silence before responding.

"Count me in too. Though we might have to inform our fellow... owners on the decision." Oswald said. They went back inside where the merchants and the workers kind of hung out. Jac got Xavier to get the merchants outside for a talk. It was where they decided to spill the beans on their plans.

Although the merchants had some disagreement, they all went in for a vote where the trio beat them out thanks to their large share size. When the workers were informed, they were not happy. Many complained that they might loose their jobs to bringing in machinery. In the increasing anger of the mob, Jac stepped in to calm them down.

"Gentlemen! Please! Calm down!" he said. The workers obeyed, giving him a chance at what he had to say.

"We will not be cutting any of your wages, or firing you in any regard! Though you may find yourself not making the cement directly due to the steam engines, you will still find find work in operating the steam engine, or fixing it.

These jobs, although much harder, we are willing to help you undergo training to understand them. This would give you a better skillset, allowing you to keep your job, or even find somewhere better to work at.

Whatever it is, I promise you all. You will not be fired. We hope to keep everyone of our employees so we can all prosper together!" he said. His little speech managed to calm the workers down. With that, they went back to work, wanting to finish the next batch of cement. The merchants all hoped on their horses, wanting to head back to their homes deeper in the city.

"That was a good speech Jac." Oswald complimented Jac. He humbly accepted it as they rode along the road.

"Now Oswald, I am sure you got a job to do."

"I know, I know. I got to find someone to help make those steam engines, along with someone willing to teach them how they work to the workers."

"Can you do that?"

"Of course I can. I know a few people. I can check them out." he said.

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