Chapter 192: Delivering Letters

In addition to being able to import the required raw materials at preferential prices, the contracts signed with the two major chambers of commerce, Gorge Island and Crescent, brought Owen great benefits.

In particular, they were willing to supply large quantities of natural soda and olive and other plant seeds that could be used to extract oil, which were the raw materials needed to make soap.

It seems that Owen has to ask Viru to build the soap factory before the next fleet arrives so that it can start production directly.

Not only that, the two major chambers of commerce are also planning to bring two large sea vessels each and ask Owen to help modify the ships.

When introducing the cement steamship, Owen said that it could be modified on the original basis of the wooden boat, and the wooden boat equipped with a steam engine could also sail without sails.

The cost of the modification was much cheaper than that of a brand new cement ship, so the two major chambers of commerce were interested in it and submitted a request for modification.

Not only the Gorge Island and Crescent Chambers of Commerce, but also other chambers of commerce such as the Gemini Chamber of Commerce have requested one or two modified ships of varying sizes.

Because the modification prices for ships of different sizes are different, Owen asked them to bring the ships over, and then he would evaluate and give a modification price.

Pay a 30% deposit first, and pay the remaining money after the renovation is completed.

During the caravan’s stay, Owen specifically asked Heinte about the sales of previous goods.

“As long as you find the right sales channel, there is no product that cannot be sold.”

In response, Heinte smiled and replied.

“The goods produced in your Bianshu Town are all in high demand and sold out immediately. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have purchased more this time than last time.”

“That’s good.” 

Owen nodded.

This is the strength of successful businessmen. They can always find the exact target customers, promote products that can hit the customers’ pain points, and sell them at the highest possible price.

“I sold some paper to an official who often handles paperwork. He was very impressed with the paper and hoped I could sell him more next time.”

Heinte specifically mentioned his customers’ comments and then analyzed.

“Now that your paper production is so high, the price has dropped a bit. If this trend continues, it’s only a matter of time before paper completely replaces parchment.”

“I agree with that.” 

Owen responded.

Through the Gemini Chamber of Commerce, the first batch of paper sold to the outside world has been sold to various places. As more and more people feel the convenience of paper, the paper craze will probably grow rapidly.

By then, there will certainly be a huge demand for paper everywhere.

Fortunately, Owen had predicted this long ago and expanded the papermaking workshop into a papermaking plant, upgraded and replaced the papermaking equipment, and greatly increased paper production.

Of course, Biandshu town itself also has a considerable demand for paper in education, office and printing.

On the fourth day, this luxurious merchant group boarded the fleet loaded with cargo with satisfaction, set sail and headed south.

Looking at the busy and crowded dock, Owen couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh.

“Alas—the pier is still too small.”

“Huh?” 

Mapel said in surprise.

“We’ve built so many trestle bridges, isn’t that enough?”

Owen had previously felt that the dock in Bianshu Town was not big enough, so he specially asked Viru to bring carpenters to expand the dock and build several new piers.

“Yes, it’s not enough. Besides, look.”

Owen raised his hand and pointed to a pier where two ships were moored.

Porters on a ship were unloading cargo and moving it to the yard.

The other boat was packed with people, and the crowd getting off the boat was hindering the work of the porters.

“Every pier is used by people and goods together, which is very chaotic and leads to very low efficiency of terminal operations.”

“It is indeed as Lord Owen said.” 

Mapel understood for once.

Considering that more merchant ships will come to Bianshu Town to trade in the future, Owen believes it is necessary to further expand and renovate the wharf and set up a subordinate department specifically to manage the wharf.

To this end, Owen plans to consult Winston.

I hope he can provide a good solution to separate people and goods and improve the operational efficiency of the port.

…

Above the mysterious forest, Winnie from the Winged Clan is flying freely.

Below is a vast expanse of dense forest, and the large leaves make a rustling sound when flying low over.

Winnie had been locked in a cage before and hadn’t flown so freely for a long time. It felt really great.

At this moment, she was wearing light clothes provided by Owen and a pair of goggles.

After returning to Bianshu Town, Owen conducted a series of flight tests on Winnie.

When asked if she could fly faster, she said that if she flew any faster, the wind in front of her would blow her eyes so hard that she would not dare to open them, and it would be very dangerous if she could not see what was ahead.

As a result, the next day, Owen gave Winnie a pair of goggles and asked her to conduct another flight test.

As soon as Winnie put on the goggles, she fell in love with them completely.

With the protection of the goggles, she can fly at high speed without restraint. This refreshing experience makes her somewhat addicted.

“Wow—so comfortable!” 

She said happily. 

“It’s completely different from flying over the sea.”

After flapping its wings a few times, Winnie suddenly increased her altitude and hovered in the air.

“Um……”

She flapped her wings and looked into the distance, as if looking for something.

“Ah! Found it!”

Seeing the vague outline of a village in the distance, Winnie was very excited. That should be the destination of this mission.

The task Owen gave her was to find the village of the Sinking sand tribe and deliver two letters to the acting chief there, Kerman.

It can also be regarded as a training. Owen intends to train Winnie to be a professional messenger, responsible for delivering some urgent letters.

Finally finding the place, Winnie quickly dived down and accelerated towards the target.

In the village of the Sinking sand tribe, there is a watchtower on each side of the village entrance.

The lizardman on guard on one of the towers was so bored that he couldn’t help but yawning, and his eyes accidentally glanced up into the sky.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, I noticed a small black dot in the air, which seemed to be flying towards the village.

Seeing this, the lizardman quickly leaned forward and shouted.

“Everyone, pay attention! There’s an unidentified target flying towards our village.”

The news quickly reached the acting patriarch, Kerman.

Since the other party could fly in the air, it was unclear where in the village they would land, so he immediately ordered all lizardmen, young and old, to hide in their homes, and all lizard warriors to take up their weapons and remain on guard throughout the village.

Winnie quickly flew over the village, circled for a while, and chose to land in the spacious central square.

As soon as she landed on the ground, the lizardmen in the square quickly surrounded her, raising their weapons, including muskets and spears.

Glancing at the lizardmen, Winnie asked.

“Excuse me, is this the village of the Sinking sand tribe? I flew here from Bianshu Town and I’m not an enemy!”