ARC 2: THE FOUNDATIONS OF INDUSTRY
CHAPTER 27: THE VOSS FAMILY
The Voss family gathering was held in a large mansion overlooking the eastern district of Westbrook.
By the time Adrian arrived, several expensive carriages were already parked outside.
Servants moved between the entrance and the reception hall, carrying drinks and refreshments for the guests.
Adrian adjusted his coat before entering.
He wasn’t wearing anything particularly expensive. His clothes were clean and properly fitted, but he had deliberately avoided dressing like someone trying to impress wealthy merchants.
He had come to do business, not compete over appearances.
A servant approached him.
“Your name, sir?”
“Adrian Vale.”
The servant checked a list before nodding.
“Welcome, Master Vale. Please follow me.”
Adrian entered the reception hall.
Several merchants were gathered in small groups, discussing transportation, agricultural products and regional trade.
He recognised Frederick Voss almost immediately.
The older merchant was standing beside a tall man with grey hair.
When Frederick noticed him, he smiled.
“Adrian. You’ve arrived.”
“Good evening, Master Voss.”
Frederick gestured towards the grey-haired man.
“Allow me to introduce you to Lord Harrington. He owns several agricultural estates outside Westbrook.”
Adrian greeted him respectfully.
“I’ve heard of your business,” Lord Harrington said.
“Hopefully good things.”
“Your soap has reached some of my household staff. They seem rather pleased with it.”
Adrian smiled.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Another merchant joined them.
This time, it was a woman in her forties who introduced herself as Margaret Ellison. She operated several textile and household-goods establishments.
The conversation gradually turned towards Adrian’s business.
“How many workers do you employ now?” Margaret asked.
“Several. We’re still expanding.”
“And you manufacture both soap and candles?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting. Most merchants prefer to specialise.”
Adrian nodded.
“Specialisation has advantages. But both products serve customers who already purchase household necessities. There are opportunities to share distribution and storage.”
Frederick smiled.
“That is precisely what I’ve been telling my daughter.”
Adrian glanced at Elena, who stood nearby.
She smiled innocently.
Frederick continued.
“With proper investment, your business could expand beyond Westbrook.”
“Possibly.”
“You could establish production facilities in other settlements.”
“Eventually.”
Lord Harrington joined the discussion.
“Have you considered supplying my estates?”
Adrian turned towards him.
“I would be interested in discussing that.”
“Good. My estate purchases considerable quantities of household goods.”
Frederick looked satisfied.
The evening continued with conversations about trade routes, suppliers and production costs.
However, Adrian noticed something.
Most of the merchants were interested in the same thing.
Not merely his products.
They wanted to know how he manufactured them.
How he maintained quality.
How he organised production.
And whether his methods could be replicated.
He answered general questions but avoided revealing important manufacturing details.
Near the end of the gathering, Frederick approached him privately.
“You handled yourself well tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“You have several opportunities available.”
“I noticed.”
Frederick studied him.
“I hope you understand that businesses of your size require powerful allies.”
Adrian smiled.
“Powerful allies can be useful. So can independent suppliers and reliable customers.”
Frederick laughed.
“Still unwilling to depend on anyone?”
“Dependence and cooperation are different things.”
For a moment, Frederick said nothing.
Then he raised his glass.
“Perhaps one day you’ll understand why I insist on such arrangements.”
Adrian returned the gesture.
“Perhaps.”
But neither man appeared convinced.
Across the room, Lucien Blackthorn watched them.
He had been observing Adrian throughout the evening.
And he was beginning to realise that the young manufacturer was becoming a serious problem.
CHAPTER 28: AN UNWELCOME GUEST
The morning after the gathering, Adrian returned to his factory.
He had received two promising business inquiries.
Lord Harrington wanted a quotation for regular soap and candle deliveries.
Margaret Ellison had also expressed interest in distributing his products through her establishments.
Both opportunities were valuable.
However, he intended to evaluate them carefully.
He was reviewing the figures when Thomas entered.
“There’s someone outside asking to see you.”
“Who?”
“He says his name is Robert.”
Adrian frowned.
“Robert?”
“The merchant selling cheap soap.”
Adrian closed his ledger.
“Send him in.”
A few minutes later, a middle-aged man entered the office.
He wore a dark coat and carried a leather document case.
“Master Vale.”
“Merchant Robert, I presume?”
The man nodded.
“I believe we have a mutual business interest.”
Adrian gestured towards the chair.
“Please sit.”
Robert placed his document case on the table.
“I’ll be direct. My business is expanding, and I require a reliable supplier of quality soap.”
Adrian studied him.
“You already sell soap.”
“Yes, but my current supplier has been unreliable.”
“Then why approach me?”
Robert smiled.
“Your products have a good reputation.”
Adrian waited.
Robert continued.
“I’d like to purchase your entire monthly production at a fixed price.”
Adrian leaned back.
“That sounds similar to Lucien Blackthorn’s earlier proposal.”
Robert’s expression changed.
“Lucien and I have business arrangements.”
“I see.”
“He’s a powerful merchant. Working with him could benefit you.”
Adrian smiled faintly.
“Then perhaps you should ask him to manufacture the soap.”
“You’re making a mistake.”
“Possibly.”
Robert stood.
“People who refuse good opportunities often regret it.”
Adrian remained seated.
“And people who accept every opportunity often discover the hidden conditions later.”
The merchant left without another word.
Thomas entered shortly afterwards.
“Who was that?”
“Someone looking for control.”
Thomas looked confused.
“Control of what?”
“Our production.”
Adrian stood and walked towards the window.
He had a suspicion that Robert’s visit wasn’t an independent business proposal.
Lucien was testing him.
First, he had offered to purchase all his production.
Now, someone connected to him was offering almost the same arrangement.
Perhaps the merchant wanted to discover Adrian’s price.
Or perhaps he wanted to identify the people who could be persuaded to work against him.
Adrian turned towards Thomas.
“From now on, record every unusual visitor and every request for production information.”
“Understood.”
“And tell the workers not to sign any outside agreements without discussing them with me.”
Thomas nodded.
Adrian returned to his desk.
He had built his business through careful planning.
He wasn’t going to lose it because someone had decided that his success belonged to them.
CHAPTER 29: THE SECRET BEHIND HIS SUCCESS
Lucien Blackthorn sat inside his private office.
Across from him stood a young man named Edwin.
Edwin was an experienced clerk who had previously worked for several merchants in Westbrook.
He had been tasked with investigating Adrian’s business.
“What have you discovered?” Lucien asked.
Edwin opened his notebook.
“Adrian Vale employs several workers. His main production facility is located near the western road.”
“Continue.”
“He manufactures soap and candles. Both products are selling well.”
“That much is already known.”
Edwin nodded.
“His production is organised differently from most workshops.”
Lucien leaned forward.
“Explain.”
“Workers are assigned specific responsibilities. Materials are measured before production. Finished products are inspected before packaging.”
Lucien frowned.
“That’s hardly revolutionary.”
“Perhaps not. But it appears to reduce waste.”
“Who taught him?”
“I couldn’t determine that.”
Lucien tapped the table.
“What about the manufacturing process?”
Edwin hesitated.
“The workers refuse to discuss it.”
Lucien’s expression darkened.
“Refuse?”
“They claim Adrian handles the important details.”
Lucien stood and walked towards the window.
The young man was more careful than expected.
Most craftsmen were proud of their knowledge.
They enjoyed explaining their techniques and demonstrating their abilities.
Adrian, however, seemed determined to keep important information within his business.
Lucien turned around.
“Have you spoken to his suppliers?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“They confirmed that he purchases materials from several merchants. But they don’t know the exact quantities used in production.”
Lucien considered this.
“Then we need someone inside.”
Edwin looked uncomfortable.
“You want me to approach one of his workers?”
“Find someone dissatisfied with his wages. Someone who believes he’s being treated unfairly.”
“That could take time.”
Lucien returned to his chair.
“Then take your time.”
Meanwhile, Adrian was conducting his own investigation.
He had begun reviewing the factory’s expenses more closely.
The expansion had increased his operating costs.
Rent, wages, transportation and raw materials required careful management.
He couldn’t afford to become careless simply because sales were increasing.
Sarah entered his office carrying a ledger.
“I found something.”
Adrian looked up.
“What is it?”
“One of our suppliers has been charging different prices for similar deliveries.”
Adrian examined the records.
“How much difference?”
“Small amounts individually, but the total is significant.”
He compared several entries.
The supplier had increased certain prices without notifying them.
Adrian frowned.
“Did we sign a fixed-price agreement?”
“Only for the main materials.”
“Then we’ll renegotiate the rest.”
Sarah nodded.
After she left, Adrian opened the system.
[Current Knowledge Points: 38]
He reviewed his available knowledge.
Intermediate Industrial Management was already proving useful.
But he wanted to move further.
The system had mentioned a new development path after the candle project.
He opened the interface.
[Potential Development Paths]
Industrial Expansion.
Mechanical Power.
Chemical Manufacturing.
Commercial Distribution.
Adrian studied the options.
He selected Industrial Expansion.
[NEW OBJECTIVE AVAILABLE]
[Establish a Larger Manufacturing Operation.]
[Suggested Requirements:]
Secure a stable commercial contract.
Increase production capacity.
Establish reliable financial records.
Maintain operational stability during expansion.
Adrian smiled.
It was exactly what he intended to do.
But first, he needed to deal with the people trying to interfere with his business.
CHAPTER 30: A DANGEROUS BUSINESS RIVAL
Lucien Blackthorn’s patience was beginning to disappear.
For several weeks, his people had attempted to discover Adrian’s manufacturing methods.
They had approached suppliers, questioned workers and examined the products.
Yet they had learned very little.
The young manufacturer had protected his business better than Lucien expected.
One evening, Lucien summoned Edwin.
“I want results.”
Edwin lowered his head.
“I’ve found someone willing to provide information.”
“Who?”
“A worker at Adrian’s factory. His name is Thomas.”
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
“The apprentice?”
“Yes. He has been working with Adrian since the beginning.”
“Is he willing to cooperate?”
“Not yet. But he has complained about the workload.”
Lucien smiled.
“Everyone complains about something.” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
He opened a drawer and removed a small pouch.
“Offer him money.”
“How much?”
“Enough to make him listen.”
Edwin accepted the pouch.
However, Lucien wasn’t entirely satisfied.
He had another problem.
Adrian’s growing relationship with the Voss family threatened his influence over Westbrook’s household-goods market.
If Frederick Voss began distributing Adrian’s products across several settlements, Lucien could lose a valuable source of business.
He needed to act before that happened.
The next morning, Lucien visited one of the merchants who purchased soap from Adrian.
The merchant was surprised to see him.
“Master Blackthorn.”
“I hear you’ve been purchasing goods from Adrian Vale.”
“Yes. His products are quite good.”
Lucien smiled.
“I have a proposal.”
The merchant listened.
Lucien offered him cheaper transportation and more favourable payment terms if he stopped purchasing from Adrian.
The merchant hesitated.
“But Adrian has never failed to deliver.”
“Then consider this an opportunity to improve your profits.”
The merchant eventually agreed to reconsider his arrangement.
Lucien left satisfied.
He believed that removing customers would weaken Adrian’s business.
Unfortunately, he had underestimated something.
Adrian was not dependent on a single merchant.
When one customer reduced an order, another approached him.
And when one supplier increased prices, Adrian negotiated with another.
By the end of the week, his business had suffered little damage.
But something else happened.
Sarah discovered that several pages were missing from the production records.
She immediately informed Adrian.
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. I checked the ledger yesterday. The pages were there.”
Adrian examined the book.
Someone had removed them carefully.
He looked towards the factory floor.
“Who had access to this office?”
“Thomas, me and you.”
Adrian closed the ledger.
He didn’t immediately accuse anyone.
But the timing was suspicious.
Someone was trying to obtain information about his manufacturing process.
And whoever it was had become bold enough to enter his office.
CHAPTER 31: THE MISSING DOCUMENTS
Adrian spent the morning examining the office.
The missing pages contained production figures, material consumption records and supplier information.
They did not contain the complete manufacturing process.
Nevertheless, the information could help a competitor estimate his costs and production capacity.
Adrian called Thomas and Sarah into the office.
“When did either of you last see this ledger?”
Sarah answered first.
“Yesterday afternoon. I used it to update the inventory records.”
Thomas nodded.
“I also saw it.”
“Did either of you notice anything unusual?”
Thomas shook his head.
Sarah hesitated.
“There was someone near the office yesterday.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Who?”
“I don’t know his name. He said he was looking for you.”
“Did you let him inside?”
“No. I told him you were busy.”
“What did he look like?”
Sarah described a man wearing a brown coat.
Adrian listened carefully.
He didn’t recognise the description.
“Did he return?”
“I saw him leaving shortly afterwards.”
Adrian nodded.
“Thank you.”
After they left, he remained alone in the office.
He considered the possibilities.
The missing documents could have been taken by someone inside the factory.
Alternatively, an outsider might have entered when the workers were occupied.
Either way, the incident suggested that his business needed better security.
He immediately introduced several changes.
Important records would be kept in a locked cabinet.
Only authorised people could enter the office.
Production figures would be divided into separate records, so losing one document wouldn’t expose the entire operation.
He also instructed Thomas to maintain duplicate financial records.
Thomas looked surprised.
“Are we expecting someone to steal from us?”
“We’re preparing for the possibility.”
Later that afternoon, Adrian visited Gareth.
The blacksmith was working on a metal frame when Adrian approached.
“I need another favour.”
Gareth looked up.
“Another machine?”
“Not this time. I need a secure storage cabinet.”
The blacksmith laughed.
“You’re becoming a regular customer.”
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
“It is, as long as you keep paying.”
They discussed the cabinet’s design.
Adrian wanted a strong metal frame, a reliable lock and enough room for several ledgers.
Gareth agreed to make it.
On his way back, Adrian noticed a familiar figure standing across the road.
The man wore a brown coat.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Then the stranger turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Adrian stopped walking.
He remembered Sarah’s description.
The same coat.
The same build.
He watched the direction in which the man had disappeared.
So someone had been observing the factory.
That evening, he gathered his workers.
“Something important has happened. Some of our records have been stolen.”
The workers exchanged nervous looks.
Adrian continued.
“I don’t know who took them, and I’m not accusing anyone. But from now on, we will be more careful.”
He looked around the room.
“I built this business with the work of everyone here. I intend to protect it.”
Thomas nodded.
Peter looked uncomfortable.
Sarah remained silent.
Adrian returned to his office after the meeting.
He opened his notebook and wrote a single sentence.
Someone is trying to steal what we have built.
He closed it.
He didn’t know whether Lucien Blackthorn was responsible.
But he intended to find out.
And if the merchant believed Adrian would simply surrender his business, he was about to discover how wrong he was.