Chapter 89: Chapter 87 Discussion (3rd update, please subscribe)
No technology ever falls from the sky, and what His Highness Austin remembers is limited. The future paths can only be explored step by step by the Beastman Race, and now, the goblins have clearly made the first step in independent creation.
Later, from Gulu’s somewhat embarrassed words, it was learned that this idea came from him. However, when manufacturing the grindstone, a group of goblins in the manufacturing workshop also helped, offering various improvements.
In response, His Highness Austin naturally gave them good encouragement, causing the goblins present to be thrilled.
Even before capturing the centaurs, His Highness Austin had considered forming an archer team to give the Dragon Nest Tribe corps long-range attack capabilities.
Sadly, at that time, the bows and arrows made from bamboo bows were so weak they couldn’t even kill a hare, and the idea was shelved.
It wasn’t until encountering the Centaur Tribe that Austin picked up the idea again.
However, unfortunately, although the centaurs mastered the method of crafting bows and arrows, manufacturing a sufficient quantity of them was still fraught with difficulties.
First, not to mention the materials used for the longbow limbs, even if Austin stockpiles oak materials now, it will take at least a year to mature.
Although longbows cannot be produced in a short time, the centaurs already have existing longbows. While the wealth among the Centaur Tribe varies and not every centaur owns a longbow, at least close to a hundred sets can be taken out.
The real problem lies in the arrows. The ordinary arrows, not to mention the issue of processing, can at most kill hares, but against heavier enemies, they are of no real use.
For instance, with Minotaurs, a wave of arrows might at best graze their skin, making such arrows worthless.
To have sufficient power, arrows must be made with Arrow Wood, yet the processing difficulty of Arrow Wood is too high, resulting in only one or two arrows after spending a lot of time.
In real warfare, after firing one or two waves of arrows, they’re gone. Although Arrow Wood arrows can be reused, during chaotic battles, how can one rush onto the battlefield to retrieve and shoot them again?
It’s simply impossible.
Therefore, even with the centaurs’ bow and arrow techniques, forming a qualified archer team remains difficult.
But now, with the goblins greatly accelerating arrow production, Austin has gained a certain foundation for forming archers.
"Produce more arrows during this time, and also produce ordinary arrows,"
Looking at the Arrow Wood arrows, feeling their different texture and weight compared to ordinary arrows, Austin pondered before speaking.
Hearing this, Gulu looked slightly bewildered.
"Your Highness, ordinary arrows are not powerful, should we just produce Arrow Wood arrows?"
"No, ordinary ones are needed, as are Wooden Spears and Wooden Shields. You’ll have to work hard during this time to produce more. If manpower is insufficient, apply directly to Vini."
Austin said somberly,
The ordinary arrows have their uses in daily training, and if poison is applied to the arrowheads, even a graze can have the maximum effect.
Previously, Austin hadn’t thought of using poison because he couldn’t find a suitable toxin, but just now, after visiting the mushroom room, he suddenly thought of whether the poisonous mushrooms inside could serve as toxins?
It was unknown if there were any more virulent poisonous mushrooms, but it had to be tried.
"You did very well, I’m very pleased with your work in the manufacturing workshop. You must be bold in thinking, like this grindstone you’ve made very well. But don’t be complacent, try using foot power or utilizing river water outside for power."
Next, Austin introduced gears and transmission mechanisms to the goblins. It seemed during discussions about gears, the surrounding goblins’ eyes gleamed with excitement.
Looking at the goblins gathered around like attentive students, Austin suddenly thought if a painter were here, this scene could be captured as a painting.
The painting, depicting a young dragon about two to three meters high under the workshop’s top, surrounded by attentive goblins, with various early rudimentary tools scattered around.
Such a painting, if the Dragon Nest Empire is established and sweeps across the continent, might become treasured historical data a few hundred years later for historians studying His Highness Austin’s groundbreaking efforts with the goblins?
Of course, these chaotic thoughts merely flashed by.
Future success is uncertain, and Austin never expected to become a relic for later generations to gaze upon in pictures.
After briefly teaching what little he knew about gear transmissions and waterwheel knowledge to the goblins, Austin said:
"Alright, you can try manufacturing those things when you return. Are there any issues with the manufacturing workshop now?"
Regarding gears and waterwheels, Austin knew little, and at least he couldn’t produce them himself, only leave it to the goblins to explore.
The goblins looked at each other, seemingly without questions.
However, after thinking for a moment, Goblin Gulu raised his hand slowly.
"Your Highness, the biggest problem in the workshop right now is that the tool materials are too prone to damage, do you have any solutions?"
"Yes, even if the grindstone’s shaft is made with Iron Wood, it would be damaged within two or three days."
"And those stone axes become dull quickly."
"Stone hoes are also difficult to manufacture and are too easily damaged."
Speaking of this, the goblins in the workshop began chattering, looking towards Austin.
After witnessing the profound knowledge about waterwheels and gears Austin imparted earlier, to the goblins, Austin had become the wisest dragon and was expected to have solutions.
"You needn’t worry about that, just manufacture more arrows, Wooden Spears, and Wooden Shields during this time. Before long, everything will change."
Austin’s tone was low yet somewhat enigmatic, his eyes subtly nuanced.
The best way to change the problem of tools wearing out easily is, of course, to switch to copper and iron.
Pausing before, despite knowing of a location with copper mines, Austin hadn’t pursued them due to strength constraints, only preparing by burning large amounts of charcoal for refining copper.
Now, it seems the timing is near.
Of course, before that, there’s another thing to do.
That is military reform.