Munitions Empire

Tang Mo organized the various books and placed them along the wall, leaving behind a pile of trinkets that appeared even more valuable.

At that moment, on his desk, there were gold-framed glasses, several false teeth, quite a few rings, and seven or eight necklaces of varying thickness.

What was more interesting is that John had also sent over a pair of pistols, which at first glance were clearly not meant for use but were specially crafted ornaments.

Both pistols had ivory handles, carved with assorted reliefs, and metal-inlaid barrels. They were the first-generation Shireck flintlock guns, with flared muzzles at the ends.

As Tang Mo fiddled with a ring that did not seem too expensive, he saw Roger push the door open. He gestured for him to sit wherever he liked, "Uncle Roger... feel free to look around, whatever you like is yours to take."

"What do I need these things for, they're not useful," Roger laughed as he declined, "I came here to tell you, just now, the fourth steam engine prepared for Northern Ridge has been assembled."

"Thanks for everyone's hard work," Tang Mo said, looking at the less valuable trinkets on the desk. He pointed with a finger and suggested to Roger, "Take 20 of these... to reward the 20 workers who have performed the best recently!"

"They are all very grateful to you. They work overtime every day making steam engines, partly because they really think the machines are great, and partly to repay you for everything you've done for them. So, giving them these is completely unnecessary."

"A reward system must exist at all times! To make a horse run, you need to feed it properly and whip it in a timely manner. Both are indispensable," Tang Mo's management principles were much more advanced than what Roger knew, so in this regard, he preferred to stick to his own views.

"I'll take your word for it," Roger went over to the office desk, picked through the trinkets, and pocketed a few truly worthless ones.

"The elves have started the transfer of ships. Bernard and Redman have taken 150 men over; there shouldn't be any problems."

"Be cautious and keep a close eye on our Gold Coins! Those ships have tens of thousands of Gold Coins; it would be safer for you to go and watch over them yourself tonight."

"Alright, I'll head to the dock now."

"Starting from tomorrow, remove half of the ship's cannons and bring them here to be remelted... We are still too short on steel, so we have no choice but to do this."

"Also, starting from tomorrow, use carts to bring back the Gold Coins from the ships! Keeping them at the dock all the time, I don't feel at ease."

"Understood! Leave it to me."

Suddenly, Tang Mo switched topics, picking up a ring that looked rather expensive, and handed it to Roger, "Ah... Uncle Roger! Do you like this one?"

"I, I don't need..." Roger hastily waved his hands to decline.

"Take it!" Tang Mo insisted. As he spoke, he slipped the ring on Roger's somewhat thick finger, "It fits well, quite suitable."

"This ring is worth at least 10 Gold Coins... even though we have money now, we can't just..." Roger tried to slide the ring off to give back to Tang Mo, but Tang Mo stopped him.

Tang Mo's hand rested on Roger's, smiling as he persuaded, "Things will get better and better, trust me, Uncle Roger. Someday, we shall become the wealthiest people in this world, so this ring... is just a memento."

"I will always wear it," Roger moved Tang Mo's hand away, but did not attempt to remove the ring from his finger, instead, he fixed his gaze on the rather small gemstone on the ring and insisted softly.

"Don't be so quick to say such things, Uncle Roger! We'll have better things in the future!" Tang Mo said with a smile to Roger, "Call Luff in for me! Oh, and Wes too!"

"Alright!" Roger turned and walked out, and soon Luff came in. Seeing the items on Tang Mo's desk, he paused slightly.

"Which do you like? Pick one for yourself," Tang Mo gestured toward the gold necklaces and rings on the desk, said to Luff, "I am very satisfied with the training of the new recruits, thank you for your hard work."

"How could I possibly accept this, boss?" Luff scratched his head and hastily declined.

"Don't be shy! We are family, aren't we?" Tang Mo pointed to the gold ornaments on the desk, "I called you here today so you could take something. No need to be formal, Roger just took one."

"Alright, thank you," Luff finally picked up a pocket watch that seemed to be well-made from the desk, "Thank you, boss! I will definitely work... harder."

Tang Mo pointed to another pocket watch of similar quality, "Take this one to Bernard, he probably wants a nice pocket watch too."

"Yes, boss!" Luff picked up that pocket watch, tucked it into his own pocket, and then turned and walked out.

Next came in Wes. Without needing Tang Mo's introduction, Wes walked up to the table, picked up a gold ring and slipped it onto his finger, admiring it. "So beautiful! Must be from a mate, the average sailor couldn't afford such a good-looking ring."

The reason these pieces of jewelry could be carried around by the elves was obviously because they all had some value. Some were family heirlooms, while others were quite expensive. On the whole, there were indeed quite a few nice items.

Hence, being selected by Tang Mo as rewards for those around him, they were clearly very decent. Just like the gold ring on Wes's finger, it was probably worth at least 10 Gold Coins.

However, having said that, since all these items were personal belongings of the sailors, there wouldn't be anything too valuable—after all, they were just personal items...

"If you like it, take it," Tang Mo said indifferently.

"Can I pick a few more? You know, I am quite greedy," Wes asked unabashedly.

"Hmm, whatever catches your eye, take it," Tang Mo continued nonchalantly.

Wes grabbed a pure silver pocket watch next and hung it on himself. "I knew I followed the right person. Making a fortune with you is really fast."

While he spoke, he hung a gold necklace around his neck and began to eye the books in the corner.

"Don't take the books, after all, I need them to decorate the study," said Tang Mo, following Wes's gaze.

"Alright then!" Wes seemed a bit reluctant but eventually picked up several gold buttons and pocketed them. "That's it for now. I hope to get even better things next time."

"No problem," Tang Mo pointed at a ring on the table and spoke to Wes, "Give this ring to Auntie Cui Xi as thanks for her care all this while."

"Hey! This one looks pretty good too! Haha!" Wes picked up the gold ring, compared it with the one on his finger, then nodded. "Thanks, boss! I reckon Auntie Cui Xi's hands won't tremble when she dishes out my food anymore."

"Tomorrow, come with me to the docks and then head to the Silver Fox Tavern," Tang Mo ordered him to leave.

"Just me, or should I bring a few others?" Wes asked seriously, putting away his joking demeanor.

"Take two people. After all... we'll be carrying a lot of money," Tang Mo said after some thought.

"Got it!" Wes nodded and walked out.

Tang Mo leaned back in his chair, starting to sort through in his mind the things he needed to do tomorrow: he wanted to check on his fleet and then start moving the Gold Coins, and meanwhile, he needed to take a trip to the Silver Fox Tavern.

There really were quite a few things to do. It seemed he'd have no time tomorrow to work on his chemical formulations in the lab, nor to visit the construction site... a bit of a shame, really.

Besides these tasks, he also needed to distribute the remaining scraps, including ironware and miscellaneous items, to the workers as rewards—this too was a big project, likely taking more than two hours to do...

Moreover, he had to figure out what to do with the few hundred outdated Shireck Flintlock Guns sent from Northern Ridge... As he thought about this, he rubbed his temples with his fingers, really quite a pile of headaches.

Thinking of those 700 flintlock guns, Tang Mo suddenly realized that Earl Fisello probably had more than 1800 Shireck Flintlock Guns in the process of being phased out.

With what he just received, it meant he had to deal with not just a few hundred, but indeed more than two thousand flintlock guns!

Considering the ones in reserve and possibly hidden, the total he might have to contend with could well be 3000!

"Ah..." Tang Mo sighed, feeling truly unfortunate—other transmigrants in similar times would probably be using artificial satellites by now, and here he was still stuck on muskets, really, nothing kills morale like comparisons...

"I am desperate too!" Tang Mo lamented—can you believe this mess? As an arms dealer of needle guns and revolvers, since his crossing to this era, he sold less than 2000 needle guns yet might end up selling around 3000 flintlock guns... bloody hell...

When he finally felt sleepy, he stood up, turned around, and saw the blanket he had just neatly folded not long ago...

At that moment, he was flustered... What was he even thinking? Wouldn't it have been nicer to have a girl to warm his bed? Why make it like this.

"Ah..." He sighed again, pulling back the blanket he had just folded, feeling almost like he wronged the blanket. Knowing that he'd still sleep alone, what was the point in fussing over the blanket...

Tomorrow will certainly be exciting... And work, it seems, is gradually getting on track lately. Thinking of these, Tang Mo stuffed his pistol under his pillow and heavily fell into a deep sleep.