Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Winters listened and took notes, barely understanding the blacksmith jargon spouted by the old man.

But the old man was in high spirits, and Winters thought it best not to interrupt him.

Old Poltan reminisced about the past, "Iron Peak Mine could be considered a rich mine, but because the ore was too toxic, we only used the ore from Iron Peak Mine to smelt iron during the first few years. Later, when bars of iron from Steel Fortress became available, Iron Peak Mine gradually declined."

"Is it possible to resume mining?" Winters asked seriously.

"Of course," the old man said with a soft smile, "The ore is in the mountain; what can't be mined?"

"To be honest with you," Winters confessed, "I want to reopen Iron Peak Mine and start smelting iron."

"Why bother?" Old Poltan, leaning against the headboard, asked, "Isn't it good to buy bars of iron from Steel Fortress?"

Winters answered truthfully, "We can't get bars of iron from Steel Fortress anymore, and all the blacksmiths in Iron Peak County are using stockpiles. If we continue like this, I'm just waiting to die."

As his words fell, the small room suddenly fell silent.

...

The Steel Fortress of Solingen is located in the Monta Republic, nestled within the Sheltering Mountain range.

Thus, the transportation of Steel Fortress's ironware and bars of iron into Paratu was by water, flowing down the stream until reaching Ashen Stream River.

To reach Iron Peak County, the shipment must set forth from Ashen Stream River, arriving at Mirror Lake, then moving against the flow of Big Horn River, all the way to Shovel Port on Shovel Lake to offload the ships.

In peaceful times, of course, there would be no issues, but currently, Blue Rose and Red Rose are at war.

The power of Blue Rose stretches between the controlled area of Red Rose and the Monta Republic.

Want to reach Ashen Stream River?

At the barrier of Blue Rose, Steel Fortress's goods cannot pass—Alpad would cut off the iron supply to Red Rose from Steel Fortress as soon as possible as long as he is of sound mind.

More unfortunate still is that even if one gets past the barrier of Blue Rose, there's still the barrier of Red Rose. Kingsfort wouldn't stand idly by watching the Newly Reclaimed Lands Province, which is lukewarm in their allegiance, receiving a supply of ironware.

Even if one could get past the barrier of Red Rose, there's still the New Reclamation Legion!

Iron Peak County is currently under a triple blockade, one layer stricter than the next.

Let alone ready-made bars of iron, not even a single iron scrap can make it through.

And Winters needs iron for too many things right now.

Farming requires tools; tools require iron;

Winters needs to build houses for refugees and soldiers, which requires tools, and tools also require iron;

He must also rearm his army as much as possible—you can't expect soldiers to fight with just spears, right?

He wants armor, wants swords and spears, wants firearms; all require iron.

Winters, victorious in battle, found it tragic that this land could make tables and chairs, pottery, grow crops, grind flour, make paper, but couldn't produce a pound of iron, a yard of woolen cloth, or a single suit of armor.

Iron Peak County is a thoroughly backward, agricultural frontier county with undeveloped commerce and only small-scale handicrafts.

A large estate economy leads to poverty among all except the estate owners.

In the past, Iron Peak County survived by selling crops and then buying goods it could not produce.

Now, Iron Peak County's logistics channels with the outside world have been severed.

Presented with only two choices, Winters can either sit around until depletion and quietly await death, or he can fight vigorously for self-sufficiency.

...

"So that's it," Old Poltan pondered for a moment, "Then I can understand your urgency to restart Iron Peak Mine, but it's not going to be easy."

"This is not only about survival," Winters said earnestly, "A sage once told me, 'The more times money circulates, the more money there will be.' Have you ever heard of this?"

"No, shouldn't money decrease the more it circulates?" Old Poltan's voice was deep.

Winters seized the opportunity to spread the concept of [Circulation Theory], "For an individual, money decreases with circulation. A dockworker gets his wages and buys bread. The baker earns money and then goes to the mill to buy flour. With each transaction, a little money is lost. In the end, only a small part ends up in the pockets of the farmers."

He quoted Anna verbatim, "But when the baker earns money, he can support his family. When the mill owner earns money, he too can support his family. Each circulation of money makes the city, even the country, more prosperous; in this sense, the overall wealth is 'increasing.'

Compared to being hoarded and deeply buried by misers and wealthy tycoons. Money should circulate more and more. The more frequent the circulation, the better!"

Young blacksmith Carlos was bewildered, middle-aged blacksmith Tess was thoughtful, and old blacksmith Poltan grew increasingly astonished as he listened.

The [Circulation Theory] described by the Protector, he too had once vaguely conceived. But he had never managed to sum it up into a clear, concise, and plainly stated theory.

"To make money circulate more, first, reduce the resistance in the channels of circulation, which is to promote commerce;" Winters spoke confidently: "Second, we need to create sources! Money is like water; it needs a source to keep flowing."

He looked straight into Old Poltan's eyes, "I want to smelt iron to create a source. I don't just want to smelt iron; I want to engage in any production I possibly can. Even if 'making' costs more than others, it's better than buying!

I have no desire to disguise my thoughts. My primary goal is to save myself, to become stronger. If, in the process, I can seek welfare for the countless people of Iron Peak County, I will do my best.

Currently, under my authority, Iron Peak County, if not a beneficiary to everyone, will at least not be worse off than the New Reclamation Legion!"