Chapter 118: Division of Labor and Cooperation

The reception room of Rose Manor. Sylvia was meeting with the family’s internal affairs officer, Anthony, and the spy, Azir.

“These colossal brick kilns are completely unlike any brick kilns we know! Their most remarkable feature is their sheer size! Operating such gigantic kilns is not something a handful of people, or even dozens, can manage!”

Anthony York was a direct heir of the York family. Having failed to awaken the Knight’s talent, he was sent by his family to the Silver Tower to study various disciplines. Ten years at the White Tower had been costly, but Anthony’s intelligence and diligence paid off—he became a scholar versed in agriculture, metallurgy, brewing, and construction. Upon his return, he was appointed the family’s internal affairs officer and granted the title of lord.

Having just seen the design plans for the brick kiln village, Anthony was astonished. He never imagined a brick kiln could be larger than a villa, and with chimneys soaring dozens of meters high, the giant brick kiln resembled a small fortress.

“Yes, Lord Anthony. The brick kiln village has over three hundred villagers, all dedicated solely to brick production. Baron Victor even plans to increase the village population to five hundred!” Azir reported respectfully.

“Three hundred people? Using only one kiln? Impossible! That many people crowded together would be chaotic, unable to accomplish anything properly! Unless they are rigorously trained like soldiers,” Anthony shook his head in disbelief.

“Anthony, facts cannot be denied. Baron Victor’s brick kiln village has indeed achieved this, and I believe it represents something entirely new,” Sylvia said calmly. “Azir, please explain to the internal affairs officer how the brick kiln village manages this.”

“Yes, madam.” Azir bowed. “The villagers are divided into many small groups, each responsible for only one task: chopping wood, gathering earth, sifting soil, fetching water, molding bricks, drying, firing the kiln, curing, transporting—each stage has designated personnel. Therefore, chaos does not arise.”

Anthony was silent for a long moment before murmuring, “One person doing only one task? I see now—assigning each person a single task not only prevents chaos but actually increases efficiency, as villagers become more skilled at their specific job. Brickmaking is no simple craft, and not everyone can master it! Breaking down the complex process into simple steps suits the uneducated tenants perfectly; there’s no need to teach them the entire craft. This is truly a brilliant concept!”

“Which master designed this method for Baron Victor? Was it Master Edwin?” Anthony asked Azir excitedly.

Craftsmen were precious talents, requiring over a decade of training to become proficient. Brickmakers, while not full craftsmen, were few who mastered the craft’s nuances. Selecting three hundred skilled brickmakers from over a thousand ordinary folk was nearly impossible. The division of labor perfectly solved this problem. Anthony was amazed and deeply admiring, convinced such an innovative design must be the work of a scholarly master.

“It was Baron Victor himself. The baron calls it division of labor,” Azir replied.

Anthony frowned, surprised that this was Victor’s own invention. As far as he knew, Victor was only eighteen, had no experience studying at the White Tower, and rumors said he was an inept court noble.

Could Victor really be a genius? The thought left Anthony somewhat disheartened. Though he had failed to awaken the Knight’s talent, he prided himself on his intellect and had always felt superior to Victor, whom he regarded as an unlearned courtier. Now, he felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

“Baron Victor is clever, but only eighteen. I mean, did he really come up with division of labor all on his own?” Anthony pressed stubbornly.

“I’m interested in that question, too. Azir, are you certain no one is secretly assisting Victor?” Sylvia asked with curiosity.

Sylvia could believe the giant brick kiln was the result of the late Marquis Wimbledon’s talent gathering and design. But she could never accept that the marquis had devised its operation before the kiln was even built. If the marquis had such wisdom, he wouldn’t have been cornered by his own relatives, left heirless, and forced to let Sophia inherit his legacy.

If division of labor was truly Victor’s design, Sylvia would not be surprised; Victor had already given her many shocks. Yet she could not rule out that someone might be supporting him behind the scenes. Sylvia had to find out.

Azir understood her concerns but, having shadowed Victor for so long, had found no evidence of secret contacts. Instead, he was in awe of Victor’s talent, for he knew the origin of division of labor well.

“Madam, I am certain no one is secretly helping Baron Victor. In fact, the operation method of the brick kiln village is not solely Victor’s idea,” Azir said.

“He gathered the village leaders for meetings. Victor proposed an idea, then ordered everyone to refine the details. If the results did not meet the baron’s expectations, the village leaders would take problems back to their groups for discussion. At the next meeting, they would continue deliberating. The site selection, personnel allocation, and division of labor operation were all decided in such meetings.”

Watching Sylvia’s expression briefly, Azir lowered his gaze and continued, “Victor required all attendees to speak freely and express their views fully. Since everyone sat around a round table, the baron called these ‘Round Table Meetings.’”

“Th-That’s absurd! How can those lowly freemen participate in estate affairs? Oh, pardon me, esteemed Countess, forgive my impertinence—I just feel Baron Victor’s conduct lacks noble dignity,” Anthony stifled his indignation and bowed apologetically to Sylvia.

Sylvia smiled lightly. “When Baron Victor took office, he had neither knights nor scholars at his side. Apart from hundreds of freemen, he had no one else to assist him. Implementing Round Table Meetings was indeed a good idea for the baron.”

She glanced at Anthony knowingly. She understood his excitement well—Victor’s Round Table aligned perfectly with Master Edwin’s philosophy, while Anthony held the opposite view. She was uninterested in scholarly disputes but the giant brick kiln was crucial to the family’s plans; failure was not an option.

With that thought, Sylvia’s expression hardened as she said solemnly, “Anthony, I do not care about the origins of division of labor or the giant kiln. I want to know: can the family build this giant brick kiln?”

“Madam, rest assured! With these plans, I can certainly construct the giant brick kiln. In fact, there are many shortcomings in these drawings that I can improve upon, allowing the kiln’s brick output to increase further,” Anthony replied politely.

Sylvia smiled. “Excellent! Anthony, you have not disappointed me. I hope you can produce an even better design before the war ends.”

“Yes, madam. If there is nothing else, I will return immediately to redesign the giant brick kiln.”

“Go ahead.”

After Anthony left, Sylvia turned to Azir. “Running the brick kiln village surely requires more than just division of labor?”

“Yes, madam. The village has coordinators who oversee and supervise the workers, formulate production plans per Baron Victor’s instructions, and motivate villagers through reward and punishment systems. After all, brickmaking is arduous work. The person in charge of these affairs is Mayor Dean,” Azir said admiringly.

Azir had been involved throughout the village’s construction but knew little about its operation, only that it was extremely complex. After Dean was appointed mayor, he frequently consulted Victor. It took a whole month before the village settled into a steady rhythm.

Sylvia pondered a moment before asking quietly, “Is Dean willing to become a vassal of the York family?”

“He… he seems reluctant to give up his current vassal status. If we grant him land, Dean would definitely pledge allegiance to us,” Azir answered awkwardly.

Sylvia sneered coldly. “The York family does not hand out vassal titles so easily. Baron Victor’s lesson is clear for all to see.”

“Azir, keep a close watch on Victor’s men. They must not have private contact with outsiders. Once Victor returns to Blackfort, these people will naturally join the family.”

“Yes, madam. I will do as you command.”

——————————————

In an elegant room of Rose Manor, Lilia gazed absentmindedly at the mirror. The reflection showed a bright-eyed, fair-skinned girl with delicate eyebrows and cherry lips, yet a faint sorrow clouded her expression.

Lilia had never imagined herself so beautiful, nor had she ever lived in such luxurious surroundings, yet she felt no joy.

Since being placed here, three maids had dressed her in fine gowns and adorned her with exquisite jewelry. At the slightest ring, attendants appeared to provide meticulous service. This was the noble life ordinary people dreamed of, but it was not what she wanted.

Lilia wished to see the Countess, but the Countess had not summoned her, and the well-trained maids kept her ignorant of outside affairs. She felt utterly lost.

“Lilia, we’ve come to see you,” Nicole’s voice brought a burst of joy. Opening the door, Lilia saw Nicole and Bruce.

“Nicole! Lord Bruce!” Lilia tried to bow to Bruce but couldn’t recall the proper etiquette for a personal maid greeting a knight.

Nicole grabbed the flustered Lilia’s hand excitedly. “Lilia, Teacher Trisly helped persuade Lady Sylvia. She has agreed to let the teacher lead us to rescue Victor.”

“Ah! I want to go with you!” Lilia said eagerly.

Bruce stepped forward gently. “Lilia, this rescue mission is very dangerous. We cannot take you along. But you can help us contact Victor.”

“Lord Bruce, you mean Black Feather! Of course, how did I not think of that? If Black Feather can find me, it can surely find Victor!” Lilia’s eyes lit up with joy.

Nicole held Lilia’s hand earnestly. “Lilia, Victor recognizes your handwriting. Write him a letter asking him to wait near the old ogre’s lair. We will definitely bring him back safely!”

“All right!”

Black Feather circled in the air several times but received no command from Lilia. Finally, it turned southward, a sheepskin letter tied to its leg.