The next morning, Miguel prepared for his visit to the chosen site for the brick factory. Mounted on his horse, he led a small entourage composed of Ricardo, the servant Elnar, and a few soldiers. The group rode towards the south gate, where the flat, wooded land stretched out.
Miguel looked around as they rode. The verdant landscape, dotted with sturdy trees, offered a serene and promising setting for the new enterprise. When they arrived at the site, Miguel dismounted and began to inspect the land carefully. Ricardo and the soldiers maintained a vigilant watch while Elnar approached, clearly curious.
“So, this is where you plan to build the brick factory?” Elnar asked, a gleam of admiration in his eyes.
Miguel nodded, his eyes scanning the expansive space. “Yes, Elnar. This land is perfect. It’s flat, accessible, and sufficiently far from the city to avoid any disturbances.”
Elnar observed Miguel with interest. “I’ve never heard of this term, factory. What exactly does it mean?”
Miguel smiled, appreciating the opportunity to explain his vision. “A factory is a place where production is carried out in an organized and efficient manner, with different stages of the manufacturing process happening simultaneously. Here, we will be able to significantly increase brick production using an assembly line.”
Elnar was impressed. “That’s truly brilliant, Miguel. I never imagined something like this. Organized large-scale production… It’s quite fascinating.”
Miguel nodded. “And that’s exactly what we need. With this factory, we can produce many more bricks, allowing us to build roads, buildings, and fortresses more quickly and efficiently.”
He walked across the land, visualizing where each part of the factory would be erected. “Here,” he pointed, “will be the area for storing raw materials. Over there, we’ll install the kilns for firing the bricks. And in that section, we’ll set up the production line where the bricks will be molded and prepared.”
Ricardo, ever watchful, observed Miguel’s inspection. “This can truly transform our kingdom, Miguel. But it will require a lot of specialized labor.”
“Yes, Ricardo, I know,” Miguel replied. “That’s why I’m accepting Elnar’s offer to bring blacksmiths and carpenters from his kingdom to help us. We need all the help we can get.”
Elnar nodded vigorously. “We’re ready to help, Miguel. Our men will work side by side with yours.”
Miguel continued his analysis, evaluating every detail of the land and mentally noting the next steps. The construction of the foundation would be crucial, and he wanted to ensure everything was prepared so they could start as soon as possible.
As he walked, he felt a mix of excitement and responsibility. This factory was more than just a building; it was a symbol of progress and innovation. Miguel knew he was charting a new path for the kingdom of Drakmoor, a path that would require courage, determination, and vision.
After finishing his inspection, he turned to his entourage and said, “Let’s get to work. We have a lot to do, but together, we can achieve great things.”
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
Elnar smiled, visibly excited, and Ricardo nodded with a look of determination. With a clear vision in his mind and the support of his companions, Miguel was ready to turn his idea into reality.
---
Miguel was in his office, seated at his large oak desk, the wine bottle nearly empty beside him. He had already had several glasses, and now he felt relaxed, though somewhat introspective. The wine was becoming a constant habit, something he knew he needed to control, but for now, it helped to calm his restless mind.
He spread out a large papyrus on the desk, smoothing it carefully before starting to draw. With a sharp quill and black ink, he began to trace the lines of the brick factory plan. Each stroke was made with precision, reflecting his experience as an engineer.
Miguel started by drawing the main entrance, a large wooden door reinforced with iron bars. Below the entrance, he noted: “Main entrance door – 3 meters wide by 2.5 meters high.” The plan clearly showed the wide entrance, allowing the passage of carts loaded with materials.
Next, he drew the raw material storage area, a wide-open space. “Storage area – 20 meters by 15 meters,” he wrote next to the drawing. He detailed the locations where sacks of volcanic ash, crushed limestone, and gravel would be piled.
Further along, Miguel outlined the kiln section. He drew three large kilns in a row, each with its own chimney to expel smoke. “Firing kilns – 4 meters in diameter each, with chimneys 10 meters high,” he noted. He knew these kilns would be the heart of the factory, where the bricks would be hardened and prepared for use.
Then, Miguel traced the production line. He drew a long wooden conveyor belt, manually operated by levers, where the bricks would be molded. “Production line – 30 meters long,” he wrote. He detailed the molding sections, where workers would fill molds with the concrete mixture, and the drying areas, where the newly molded bricks would stay until ready for firing.
Next to the production line, he drew a small break room for the workers, a place where they could rest and eat. “Break room – 5 meters by 5 meters,” he noted. It was important to him to ensure the workers had a comfortable space to recharge.
Finally, he drew the factory exit, a wide door similar to the entrance, allowing the easy exit of finished bricks ready for transport. “Exit door – 3 meters wide by 2.5 meters high,” he wrote again.
Miguel leaned back in his chair, looking satisfied at the final drawing. The plan was clear and detailed, yet simple enough for anyone to understand. He knew this project was crucial for the future of the kingdom of Drakmoor, and he was determined to make everything work perfectly.
He drank the last sip of wine from the glass and set the bottle aside. He knew he needed to keep his mind clear and focused, especially with so many challenges ahead. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, knowing he was one step closer to turning his vision into reality.
---
The next day, the sun had barely risen on the horizon when Miguel, Ricardo, Elnar, and three dozen workers gathered in the town's central square. Miguel made sure to pay the workers in silver coins and food, knowing this would not only incentivize the work but also help sustain their families. Elnar's workers would take a few more days to arrive, so Miguel decided not to waste time and start laying the foundation with the available manpower.
Equipped with shovels and pickaxes, the group set out towards the construction site of the brick factory, near the south gate. The two-hour journey was peaceful, with the workers chatting amongst themselves, excited about the prospect of stable work and fair rewards. Elnar, beside Miguel, expressed curiosity and enthusiasm about the project.
Upon arrival, Miguel instructed the workers to organize into groups and begin excavating the foundation. He had brought with him the factory plan, which he had meticulously drawn the night before, and used it to guide the workers on where each section of the foundation should be dug.
Miguel walked around the site, inspecting and directing the workers with precision. Ricardo was by his side, helping supervise and ensure all details were followed according to plan. Elnar, with his imposing yet calm presence, helped coordinate the workers and kept morale high.
The workers began digging the foundation vigorously, their tools striking the ground with determination. Miguel observed every movement, ensuring the depth and width of the excavations were correct. He knew the foundation was the most crucial part of the project; any error here could compromise the entire factory structure.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, progress was visible. The lines of the foundation began to take shape, clearly outlining the contours of the future factory. Sweat ran down the workers' faces, but the pace did not slow. The promise of fair rewards and Miguel's inspiring vision kept everyone motivated.
Miguel took every moment to teach and correct, showing the workers the importance of each step in the process. He knew that while he was hurrying the start of construction, precision and quality could not be compromised.
By the end of the day, the foundation outline was nearly complete. Miguel felt satisfied with the progress. He gathered the workers and thanked them for their effort, highlighting the importance of this project not just for the city but for the entire new kingdom of Drakmoor.
The workers left the site tired but with a sense of accomplishment. Miguel, Ricardo, and Elnar stayed behind, observing the work done. Miguel knew there was still much to be done, but this was a significant step in the right direction. The vision of a factory that would transform brick production and pave the way for a more prosperous future was beginning to materialize.