Rome Must Perish-Chapter 305 - 188 Various Workshops’ Preparations

"In the past two days, I have discussed this issue with my subordinates," Capito replied seriously. "Whether it’s forging iron tools, firing pottery, or making bricks, charcoal is essential. Therefore, we must first build a charcoal kiln, and we also need to construct a timber drying house...

In the Supply Camp, we have three Charcoal Makers who ’joined’ the team back in Sarabia. They have twenty to thirty years of experience in charcoal production, and our Public Works Department has decided to assign them the task of charcoal making."

"That’s fine."

"With charcoal, pottery can be fired, and there are many more people in the Supply Camp who can make pottery compared to the Charcoal Makers. There are even a few who can paint bottles—"

"Are they also from Sarabia?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Some joined the team in Sarabia, and others are from Pompey. Our Public Works Department has decided to have them construct a large pottery workshop to produce ceramics for the tribe.

In the past two days, they have specifically investigated the mud of the Validosi Swamp and the silt by the river. They believe that the wet soil here is entirely suitable for making pottery. However, we need to wait until the pottery is fired to know the color and quality before further improvements can be made."

Maximus nodded to show his understanding.

"The brick kiln goes without saying; if we can make pottery, we can also fire stone bricks. There are also a few brick kiln workers in the Supply Camp. Additionally, our Public Works Department plans to build a large Furniture Workshop. Now the tribesmen have their houses, but there’s nothing inside. They need cups, chairs, tables, wooden barrels...

The most numerous craftsmen in the Supply Camp are carpenters, with two hundred sixty-five people. Among the remaining Segestica prisoners, there are also more than twenty who can do carpentry work. So, we can certainly build a large Furniture Workshop to produce various types of furniture for the tribesmen. Moreover, this is more convenient than making pottery or stone bricks, as it only requires wood."

"Hmm... that’s possible..." Maximus listened attentively.

"However, the Iron Workshop is more troublesome. Although we brought almost the entire team of iron smelting, forging, and casting from Sarabia, they have all become our tribesmen and are very willing to work for the tribe.

But firstly, iron ore is harder to acquire. Although the Noric are not far from us, the Yapodes and Pannonians are in between, and we must detour, taking the route we originally took to enter the mountains, to the Istria Peninsula to purchase the iron ore traded there by the Noric. This journey back and forth takes nearly two months, and the transportation is quite difficult—"

"No need to make it so complicated; we can simply buy iron ore directly from our allies," Maximus said in a relaxed tone.

"Is there iron ore within the Aldean Territory?" Capito immediately reacted.

"I heard from Budocaribas that there is an iron mine on the western mountain slopes, not far from the upper reaches of the Kupa River—"

"Isn’t that the place we enter after crossing the mountains into Aldean Territory?" Capito asked.

"I’m not exactly sure where it is; you can take some time to check it out later. Budocaribas told me that since the iron mine is not an open pit, mining is somewhat difficult. Previously, the Aldeans did not heavily exploit the mine, mainly using the iron ore for themselves.

Later, they waged war with the Pannonians, and the young and strong members of the Aldean Tribe greatly decreased. Therefore, the iron mine was almost abandoned in recent years. However, this time we gave them so many Segestica prisoners, they have restarted the mining operation...

I specifically told Budocaribas that we will need a large amount of iron ore in the future and can purchase it from them. I believe that the Aldeans will increase mining efforts."

After listening, Capito did not appear relaxed and said, "The issue of iron ore is solved, but there are other problems. Spukala believes that although the Kupa River seems sizable, the flow rate is not fast. To increase the water’s power to drive the Water Hammer, we must select a good spot by the Kupa River, divert some of the river’s water, and create an artificial height difference to strike the Water Hammer’s blades with greater force..."

"I understand your point. Precision machinery like the water mill and Water Hammer can only be designed and built by Spukala, and he is currently responsible for bridge construction and has no time. But that’s okay; first, design the entire Iron Workshop and then make plans. Determine what your current workforce can accomplish, and get started on it. Don’t let everyone idle; this will save time, won’t it?"

Maximus seriously stated, "I have another suggestion: charcoal kilns, pottery houses, brick kilns, the Iron Workshop, and lime kilns... they all need charcoal and kiln firing. Is it possible to arrange them all in one area and keep them away from the village and farmlands? This ensures that these workshops can support each other, obtain raw materials more conveniently, and won’t impact our normal lives...

Additionally, the Iron Workshop requires a large amount of water and produces considerable slag. Can the used wastewater and slag not be discharged into the Kupa River? Over time, the clear river water may become polluted because of this—"

"The leader is right; we will rely on the Kupa River water in the future. None of us wants to see the Kupa River water turn black one day, making it undrinkable," Gaius said loudly, resonating with everyone.