Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Business adventure

The village I live in is an agricultural zone. There are acres upon acres of land filled with wheat and various types of vegetables. My mother works as a cook in the combat training center. This is where once children reach the age of 10, they are expected to train in battle tactics with weapons and martial arts. This has been a tradition kept in place from long ago. It takes place from morning to around noon where they eat their lunch and leave for the day. The parents support this program as it increases their children's odds for survival once they encounter the rare flying monsters such as giant insects in case they do deicide to move this far south. Currently I am not satisfied with the current irrigation practice carried out here. It takes a large portion of workers the whole day carrying water to and from the river through the use of magic. It seems water mages collect water from the village and pass it along each other until it reaches the desired area. I believe through the introduction of various irrigation practices such as with use of channels, the workload will reduce and the manpower required would be halved. The grinding of the wheat is also done manually by a large group of people. I am confident enough with my ability that I can design a water wheel which will alleviate the milling issue. As for the irrigation, that requires a larger workforce of earth mages and a large amount of time to convince the villagers that my five year old self knows best. To be honest I would also not listen to a five year olds advice on how to tend my farm. If I could build a milling station with a water wheel with the river providing a mechanical force for grinding the grains, it is possible to earn capital to kick start my various projects. Well time to talk to Nathan, the guard who keeps calling me my prince for some reason although in secret. I will ask him to get me paper and a quill so that I can start my design. Three months later, the water wheel design is complete. What remains now is the building part of it. I showed the conceptual designs to my mother who was very skeptical although at the end was very supportive after explaining my intent. I believe this will be an important business venture that will allows mother and I an opportunity to live comfortably. In 2 years' time when I am 7yers old, it is likely that I will join the other children in livestock duties if our financial situation does not improve. I cannot allow that, I need to earn enough money to do my research on this world without worry I need a research space and enough money to employ a skilled blacksmith and artisans to realize my various projects. Nathan will be providing the timber and labor. It seems the Prince Silva, who I was told was my father, takes deep interest in my adventures. According to Nathan, once he was presented with my design drawings of the water wheel, he was very excited. In fact he offered to foot the bill for the whole endeavor. The work began a little later and by the end of two months after a lot of trial and errors on the building stage, work was complete. We now have a working milling center, this would be property of both me and my mother according to our benefactor Prince Silva. Before officially opening up the mill, Nathan and I conducted tests for one week and found no major problems. Nathans face was all smiles and shone with curiousity. This is a stark difference to his normal gloomy and serious self. The wonders of science.my mother would drop me here in the morning with Nathan and pick me up in the evening. Through my various ramblings through the night, I'm sure she had a good idea of what was taking place.The project was completed in time for the harvest period. The villagers were curious about this new milling method and were a bit skeptical to try it. I organized a little show where I bought the harvested wheat grains from one of them and milled it at this center. I then allowed the various participants to feel the texture of the finished materials and the results were as expected. "I have never felt such a smooth texture before" one of them said. "Our flour will be of a higher quality than other villages boosting our profits." Cried another. In the coming days word of the strange milling method spread like fire. It was now clear that Nathan on his own would not suffice as the only worker. So I reached out to my mother who agreed to manage the books while Nathan did the physical work. A rate was established where milling a sack of wheat worth 2 silver coins would cost 5 copper coins. 10 copper coins make a silver coin and 100 silver coins make up a gold coin. This milling establishment is now our main source of income. It is now 6 months from the time operation of the mill started. We are getting customers from neighboring towns and villages. The turnover profit is about 4 gold coins on a daily basis. This is a huge step up from my mother's previous job which paid her 2 copper coins per day. A difference of almost a thousand times. The area around the mill is currently being developed to cater for the various needs. A new building consisting of a waiting area, storage area and washrooms is being built. There are now 6 different employees apart from Nathan and my mother. I cannot help much being that I am 6 years of age.Our new house is also being built. A plot of land was bought at the price of 100 gold coins. Construction of the new house is expected to take 50 gold coins. My only request was for a workshop and hiring of a skilled artisan and blacksmith on the compound far from the house. Mother is always smiling these days. The house is expected to be completed in the following 5 months. It is going to have a lodging area, kitchen, store and 5 bedrooms. Mother intends to have her two younger sisters move in with us and help run the business. Currently both are employed but stay on the milling Centre but they live far from town. Various merchants and nobles including our Baron has put forth various offers to buy the establishment from us. The Baron, Mr. Gillian, seems to get more irritated as his various offers get rejected. This will likely lead to future problems down the road. "I am the rule of law here, I would suggest doing as I recommend or you will suffer consequences." Gillian says. "Why are you hitting on my mom? She does not find you attractive baldy." I retort. To be clear this guy has no interest in my mum, I just saw an opportunity to embarrass this guy and took it. "Why you little….." Gillian says as he storm of angrily. "HAHAHA. That's how you do it well done kid." Nathan says as he pats my back. "Nathan, don't encourage him. Chrono you might not like him but he is in charge. Don't egg him on." Mother says. I mean I did see her trying to hold her laugh, not that I'll say that though. That would be a dangerous path for my future projects. I instead nod my head. Prince Silva, my father is now engaged to a duke's daughter from the Midrain kingdom. He has a son that is 4 years younger than me. It would be impolite to disturb that family for a minor issue such as this.