Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters
Chapter 1032: 67: Vortex (Nine)

Chapter 1032: Chapter 67: Vortex (Nine)

“Every respected gentleman here knows this city better than I do. Historically, all the major iron transactions in Steel Fort have been conducted behind closed doors. Based on long-term good trust, buyers and sellers only need a simple verbal promise to conclude an agreement.”

Anna paused briefly, revealing a smile and nodding to [Iron Hand] and old Schmid separately: “This holds true for both Mountain Front Territory and Vineta.”

The Forge Masters were both puzzled and shocked, as if they were suddenly struck by an unexpected blow, and all subconsciously hushed and held their breath to listen. No one knew what the young Baron was up to, even pushing a woman to take charge?

However, as much as the workshop owners hated to admit it, the Baroness, though speaking softly, radiated an effortless power, and was so beautiful that it was hard to look directly at her.

“However, the Gennanasi Family does not have such valuable trust in Steel Fort.” Anna continued: “Therefore, we hope to complete transactions in a more open, fairer, and simpler way.”

With that, Anna nodded as a signal. Two guards, upon receiving the order, each carrying a stack of scrolls, entered the parlor.

The Baron’s guards, all armed with military sabers, had cold eyes and agile figures, and their military demeanor was unmistakable. Just being glanced at by the Baron’s guards made the Forge Masters feel a chill up their spines.

The saber-bearing guards expressionlessly distributed the scrolls in sequence to everyone, and every workshop owner who received a scroll fell into silence.

Fuller, having an unfavorable position, was the last to receive a scroll, and could only anxiously observe the expressions of others before him. Once he received the scroll, Fuller eagerly opened it to find rows of item names and numbers, all neatly written in italic script.

From gun barrels, cavalry sabers, helmets, breastplates to buttons, axles, lead ingots, steel discs, the scroll listed almost everything produced in Steel Fort.

On the left side of the scroll were names of items, while the right side listed the prices and quantities, in a format that was concise and clear at a glance.

At the end of the scroll, there was additional information for the listed items. The person who compiled the scroll had clearly put a lot of effort into specifying very detailed specifications for each item.

For example, under “Sabre,” it is described as [Blade length ninety centimeters to one meter, slightly curved, material of hard steel cavalry saber. Must withstand the impact force of high-speed slashing and have some flexibility. Includes both the blade and scabbard].

Another example under “Gun barrel,” it is described as [Length one to one point two meters, weighing within four kilograms. Straight, smooth inner wall, must have been drilled at least once. Capable of firing lead bullets weighing more than twenty-five grams. Does not include firearms and accessories].

Fuller quickly finds the listed price for “Gun barrel” in the scroll, slightly higher than the normal market price of gun barrels, but still unbearable for Fuller.

Selling firearms at the price given would mean making a loss on each one sold.

Unless Fuller hires more hands to disassemble the existing firearms and indeed only sell the barrels—subtracting the cost of hiring, he might just save his original investment.

But what about the remaining firearms? Since each firearm is custom-made according to the barrel, even if they appear similarly sized, swapping stocks between two firearms will most likely result in both becoming incompatible.

Even if the firearms can still be repurposed, who would buy them at this juncture? They could only sit in the warehouse or be chopped up to sell as firewood.

While Fuller was secretly fretting, he suddenly noticed that the list also included bullet molds and ramrods among other firearm accessories, which although not highly-priced, still offered a bit of profit.

As Fuller was racking his brains calculating whether the profit from the accessories could cover the losses from the barrels, Iron Hand Gaisberg raised the scroll and demanded loudly: “What does this mean?”

“It means exactly as the list suggests.” Anna responded with composure: “We no longer want to discuss the details of trade through closed-door consultations as it is unfair and not transparent enough. Thus, we sincerely inform you of our demands, the quantities, and the acceptable prices. There are absolutely no secrets, nor any machinations.”

Most workshop owners were still digesting the sudden change, thus falling into a strange silence. Only a few quick-thinking individuals could respond immediately.

“You have given the prices the Baron can accept.” Iron Hand said with a darkened expression, pressing her aggressively: “And then?”

“You may also submit the prices you can accept at any time—in a private manner.”

“And then?”

Anna’s voice was cool and clear: “The lowest price wins.”

Upon hearing this, Fuller immediately looked at the quantity listed under the gun barrels—three thousand units, and his heart sank.

Three thousand is not a small number; if given to one workshop, it could make the Forge Master very wealthy. However, under the current circumstances, three thousand firearms might not even be enough to satisfy the leading few large workshops. Even if the guild of smiths moved together, at most, it would only leave him some crumbs of bread.

Anna, without showing any emotion, took in the expressions of everyone in the parlor with an almost indifferent attitude.

Since the workshop owners of Steel Fort had made it clear they intended to drive up the prices collectively, the best countermove was to completely lift the curtain. No more backdoor dealings, no more pleasing both sides, but instead, conduct everything under the public eye, openly and honorably. Of course, three thousand units是一个非常保守的数字is a very conservative number, precisely tapping on the inventory levels of various large workshops.

Anna was well aware of her weaknesses: she was a woman; an outsider in Steel Fort, without local roots or prestige; and she was not old enough, looking like just a young girl in the eyes of most workshop owners;