Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 512 The Grand Duke's Prejudice

Even if the Gonde Church has divine backing, so what?

Could it be that it can command the world, making all the numerous organizations and individuals in Faerûn, like stars in the night sky, hesitate to approach?
how could it be possible! ?

If he truly possesses such power and prestige, then he wouldn't be Gond; he should simply shed his disguise and reveal his true identity as the powerful Ao.

The advantage of the Gonde Church lies in its functions and authority; the vast majority of carpenters, blacksmiths, or other skilled craftsmen are Gonde believers.

In other words, in contemporary Faerûn, where automation is virtually impossible to popularize, it is almost impossible to mass-produce anything without the participation of these artisans, and equally impossible to escape the influence of Gonde, the god of artisans.

Yes, it's not difficult for a mid-to-high-level spellcaster like you to replicate a quartz watch. For example, Zhang Yuan himself, using transformation magic and the equipment in the alchemy lab, could create and assemble a quartz watch in just a few days.

and then?
They do nothing else but waste their precious time on this kind of craft to make a quick buck.
Wouldn't it be better to use that free time to concoct potions or create exotic items to sell for money?

Today, with ancient magical technology buried beneath the endless yellow sands of the old land, large-scale production and manufacturing absolutely cannot be achieved without the support of ordinary craftsmen.

Their numbers, their quality, and their organization through a reasonable work system constitute the industrialized production model that suits the current situation in Phyllenhaal.

Capable spellcasters can easily amuse themselves with a few quartz watches, but if they want to make a living from this big bowl, they really can't avoid the existence of the Church of Gonde.

Those who are truly wealthy and capable of organizing large-scale craftsmanship operations usually have stable relationships with them. They share the profits and wouldn't easily do something unwise like disrupting the tacit understanding between them.

Of course, on the other hand, the Gond Church also supported and encouraged these private industrial capital forces in the early stages of Faerûn society to a certain extent, just as Wojkin spared no effort in promoting commerce and the flow of wealth.

The patent license that Braslan was going to obtain wasn't just for the church temple. The Gonde Church would never miss an opportunity to vigorously promote these two promising new things.

The church would stand up and advertise, and the factories and associations that obtained the patent authorization would mobilize skilled craftsmen to process and manufacture the products. In the end, a portion of the profits would be handed over to the church and the patent owner, namely Mr. Zhang, but this part of the profit was not very high.

The fundamental purpose of the Gonde Church is not to make money, but to expand its influence through the emergence and circulation of new products. Therefore, it would not do foolish things such as squeezing profits or even killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

As for the impact on the patent holders' profits, this is unavoidable, and the church is willing to provide appropriate compensation in the name of encouraging innovation.

Fortunately, Zhang Yuan had a contingency plan for this. He figured he might let others take advantage of him in the early stages, considering this small benefit as an initial cost for developing the market.

Leaving aside Faerûn, how many wealthy nobles and merchants are there in the Sword Coast region? And even though quartz watches are much easier to manufacture than mechanical watches, how many craftsmen are capable of producing them?
While every level eight skilled worker is a treasure, it doesn't mean that level six master craftsmen are commonplace.

Do they really think they can satisfy the customers who will be attracted by their small-scale workshop production?
Hmph, I'm afraid this will lead to farces like paying extra to pick up the goods or having someone cut in line.

Once Master Zhang's crystal technology is completed, these cultivated, plump leeks, eager for harvest, will naturally fall into his hands...

Oh, no, it should be said that the kind-hearted Mr. Zhang resolved the contradiction between the growing and urgent need for showing off among the local wealthy gentlemen of Feren and the low production efficiency of the manufacturing industry by improving and developing new technologies.

Dreams are just dreams, after all. The mage, who had just finalized the contract, came to his senses and began to think about how to squeeze out the remaining value of Old Clockwork, the Tinker, and even himself while ensuring that all the projects proceeded in an orderly manner.

As they walked out of the mysterious hall, they pondered their next move, only to find that the dejected halfling thief from before was nowhere to be seen.

Mr. Beverly must pay the price for his previous unauthorized collection. While he may not face extermination, he can forget about his carefree days.

However, none of this concerned the mage. After learning that the other party was not dead, he took his leave. The Black Dragon Gate, the entrance to the inner city of Baldur's Gate, was as grand as the main city gate, standing in the center of the northwest city, almost adjacent to the Mysterious Palace.

At the entrance to the Black Dragon Gate, guards stood in rows, their defenses were tight, and their presence seemed even more imposing than at the entrance to the Winding Dragon Bridge.

After presenting the Grand Duke Iltan's emblem and travel documents, the mage, now allowed passage, strolled leisurely to the front of Grand Duke Flamefist's residence.

Although Nancy and the others haven't arrived yet, there are some things that are better discussed now.

"Good day, Your Grace. I hope my uninvited visit has not disturbed your afternoon tea."

The monk was greeted by the steward and met the Grand Duke in the reception room.

The monk had informed Iltan of his group's visit before setting off from the high cliff, but now that he had arrived ahead of them, he made these remarks.

“Oh, Sir Charnem, my good friend, nothing is more delightful than the arrival of an old friend on a leisurely afternoon.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Iltan, who had just taken his seat, raised his teacup to the monk, his expression less serious than before, but tinged with a hint of melancholy.

The mage, who could roughly guess the other party's current mood, said half-jokingly:
"But if this old friend's purpose in coming here is to take away the other party's precious only son, then it won't be so pleasant, will it?"

“The fledgling eagle will eventually leave the nest and soar on its own. Although I can arrange a path for it, I can never walk it for it.”

The Grand Duke shook his head, abruptly put down his teacup, and his slightly graying temples reflected dappled silver light in the afternoon sun.

“Now I understand that forcing an eagle to hunt like a wolf is a foolish and unrealistic endeavor, and his future does not lie in the Flame Fist.”

Upon hearing this, the monk quickly smiled and said:

“Everyone has their own way of life. It’s good that the Duke has come to this realization. But Gavial was actually quite talented as a bard back then.”

How can these be the same?

Iltan shook his head vigorously upon hearing this, his words filled with resentment:

“The spellcaster is learned and wise, the warrior is brave and fearless, and the bard is also a good match?”

The Grand Duke scoffed, his disdain evident in his words:
"They are just gutter rats with parrot tongues, they have no honors and are not worthy of any trust."

Now the monk was speechless and could only smile and watch the other party's performance.

Good heavens, if those nosy harpists heard this, they'd definitely come over and make a scene.

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(End of this chapter)