#79 - assembly line
Quan Yi also had no choice; to achieve deep cooperation, sincerity was the right path.
The forging technology of this world exceeded imagination.
With the addition of supernatural abilities like Soul Power and Martial Souls, the upper limits of the technology were astonishing.
The civilization that once could create Soul Guidance Devices, even with its inheritance now interrupted, could still manufacture a flintlock gun with ease.
Moreover, Quan Yi's ambitions didn't stop there.
"I hope that in the future, cost and reproducibility will be taken into consideration. Furthermore, this flintlock gun is just the beginning; we will also develop stronger and more convenient iron guns in the future. By then, the flintlock gun will soon be obsolete, so there's no need for us to dwell on it."
Quan Yi's grand ambitions and confidence completely won over Blacksmith Yuan.
"Yuan Fei, come here and kneel!" Blacksmith Yuan loudly called out to his son, instructing him to kneel before Quan Yi and Su Ling'er.
Yuan Fei didn't hesitate and immediately knelt down.
Just as Quan Yi and Su Ling'er were surprised, Blacksmith Yuan himself also knelt before Quan Yi.
"I, Yuan Xing, and Yuan Fei, representing the Yuan family, hereby swear: The Yuan family will forever be loyal to the Quan family. May we be condemned by heaven and earth if we violate this oath!"
Blacksmith Yuan and Yuan Fei's expressions were solemn and devout, and Quan Yi knew this was no jest.
Swearing an oath had special significance on the continent, representing the Yuan family's complete obedience to the Quan family, completely following the Quan family's lead.
Moreover, after swearing the oath, if they rebelled, the Yuan family would be scorned by the entire continent and truly be unacceptable to the continent.
Quan Yi was also encountering this situation for the first time, and he turned his head to his mother, seeking her opinion.
Su Ling'er replied, "You are the young master of the Quan family, and it should be up to you to decide whether to accept the Yuan family's allegiance."
Su Ling'er was very satisfied with the Yuan family's allegiance, and at the same time, this could better solve the issue of confidentiality. She agreed with it.
However, she chose to let Quan Yi make his own decision, and she believed in Quan Yi's judgment.
Seeing that his mother had completely entrusted the matter to him, Quan Yi also felt a great sense of responsibility.
He shifted his gaze back to the Yuan family father and son, and after pondering for a moment, Quan Yi made a decision in his heart.
"I, Quan Yi, young master of the Quan family, on behalf of the Quan family, officially accept the Yuan family's allegiance," Quan Yi announced with utmost solemnity.
Dignified and neither arrogant nor humble, Quan Yi perfectly demonstrated the demeanor of a young master of the family, showing respect and sincerity towards the Yuan family father and son in every word and action.
Su Ling'er nodded in satisfaction from the side; this was an essential step for the young master of the Quan family. Moreover, Quan Yi's performance was perfect, demonstrating both his regard for the Yuan family and his own demeanor.
The event was sudden, and conditions were limited, so the oath ceremony had to be simplified, but this did not mean that the seriousness of the oath was reduced.
After the ceremony, Quan Yi helped the Yuan family father and son up. From then on, these two could be considered members of the Quan family.
Moreover, both sides were very satisfied with this.
"Blacksmith Yuan, I believe you are also aware of the importance of the flintlock gun. Currently, only you and your son know about this matter; even the blacksmiths in the forging room are unaware. Therefore, I hope you can continue to keep it a secret."
Although this might seem like suspecting the Yuan family, Su Ling'er could only play the 'bad cop' and caution the Yuan family father and son.
"Rest assured, Madam, we understand. This matter will definitely not be leaked from our mouths."
Both of them had straightforward personalities and couldn't hide their thoughts, which made them trustworthy.
Otherwise, even if their skills were superb, Quan Yi would not have accepted their allegiance.
After accepting the Yuan family's allegiance, Quan Yi also felt more at ease with the Yuan family father and son.
Afterwards, Quan Yi couldn't wait to discuss cost reduction plans with Blacksmith Yuan regarding the flintlock gun.
"Young Master, preliminary calculations show that using refined iron can control the cost to around one gold soul coin.
However, even with the use of refined iron, which is easier to forge, only a few blacksmiths can independently complete the manufacturing of the guns. Not to be boastful, but currently, only my son and I in the research institute have this ability.
Even if we bring in highly skilled blacksmiths from outside, it would only increase the risk of leaks."
The difficulty in manufacturing flintlock guns lies in the ingenuity and complexity of their structure, with no room for error between each component.
There were only a handful of blacksmiths capable of achieving this, and even if Quan Yi painstakingly found a blacksmith, he would have to ensure their character before revealing the blueprints.
"Blacksmith Yuan, I have an idea regarding this matter. I want to set a standard. We will break down each part, and then set the specifications and quality for each part. Then, we will divide the blacksmiths into several departments, with each department only responsible for the production of one part."
To maintain secrecy and pursue efficiency, Quan Yi could only introduce the 'assembly line' production model.
"This, can it be done?" Blacksmith Yuan asked with a face full of doubt.
Although what Quan Yi said was very complex, its essence was division of labor and cooperation.
Generally, when making arrows, blacksmiths would sometimes entrust carpenters to make the shafts, and then assemble them themselves.
But he found it hard to imagine that this method could also be used when manufacturing guns.
"Whether it can be successful requires us to explore, but I am confident." Faced with Blacksmith Yuan's doubts, Quan Yi appeared full of confidence.
"The most important thing is to stipulate detailed standards, and then strictly enforce them. In theory, it can be completely achieved."
Blacksmith Yuan was also influenced by Quan Yi's confident gaze.
"Alright, I'll study it and see how to disassemble it."
While Blacksmith Yuan was studying, Quan Yi mentioned to his mother, "Mother, I want to stay here tonight. Anyway, I'm only staying for one night, so it doesn't matter if I make do here."
Quan Yi decided to stay here directly after the Soul Duel, so that he could directly participate in the arrangement of the assembly line.
"I really can't do anything with you." Su Ling'er sighed softly, then said, "Come with me," Su Ling'er beckoned.
Su Ling'er led Quan Yi towards the forging room.
"Mother, is there something wrong?" Quan Yi asked in confusion.
"I'll take you to a good place. You can stay there tonight," Su Ling'er smiled mysteriously, without revealing any other information.
Su Ling'er directly entered the underground forging room. Although he was confused, Quan Yi could only follow her into the underground room.
In the forging room, dozens of blacksmiths were still forging iron blocks.
These blacksmiths actually belonged to the Quan family's affiliates.
Although the Quan family did not have Soul Master affiliates, they had corresponding affiliated families in many production fields.
For example, in blacksmithing, construction, and other aspects.
Moreover, some Quan family members would also participate in the management and production of these fields.
The advantage of the Quan family members was that they had a certain adaptability to these industries.
Being dexterous and skillful might seem ordinary, but in production activities or labor, it was a unique talent.
Therefore, among the many blacksmiths in the basement, some were Quan family members.
Through this method, the Quan family was also gradually expanding its domain.
