Merchant From Earth in the Magical World

Yan Xing invited the goblin Gaga to collaborate on the development of a new generation of trucks, also intending for Chui Chui to learn some skills by observing.

As for whether the Goblin Alchemy Factory could learn Earth technology from the trucks, Yan Xing wasn't too worried.

Just by looking at a watch, one could gauge this world's level of mechanical manufacturing, as well as its materials and precision processing techniques.

Simply put, it all boiled down to whether mathematics, physics, and chemistry were thoroughly understood.

If these three disciplines didn't reach a certain standard, and without a complete industrial system, supporting technicians, and research personnel, they wouldn't even be able to produce a qualified engine, let alone research the electronic sensors in cars.

However, the basic structure and power transmission system of a truck should be within the Goblin Alchemy Factory's grasp.

The better they could understand it, the more Yan Xing hoped the Goblin Alchemy Factory would start manufacturing trucks.

At that time, the factory would need to purchase all core components from him. Hmm... spare parts would also be a long-term business. Considering the goblins' ability to fleece customers and my ability to fleece goblins, it wouldn't just be a matter of 100,000 Gold Coins.

Of course, the goblin Gaga was unaware that he faced a product of a modern heavy industrial system.

He had an unfounded confidence in the Goblin Alchemy Factory, believing that as long as he took part in the research, development, and construction of the new trucks, he could master the technology of wheeled vehicles.

In time, the Goblin Alchemy Factory would then use its superior alchemy to manufacture even better trucks.

What also tempted Gaga was the opportunity to save on the 100,000 Gold Coins purchasing cost.

After all, the Goblin Alchemy Factory served Cloud Tower, and money wasn't something Gaga could spend at will.

A magic energy generator given away for a watch required Gaga to scrounge up resources to fill the gap. If another 100,000 Gold Coins were spent, it might lead Cloud Tower to send someone to Nuta City for an audit.

Is a heavy-duty truck like this worth 100,000 Gold Coins?

In Gaga's heart... it was!

But to the alchemists of Cloud Tower, definitely not.

Because the alchemists at Cloud Tower pursued alchemy not to create such machines but to use magic and alchemy to attain immortality.

The alchemists of the tower supported the goblins, valuing their mechanical manufacturing ability, which could earn money and resources for Cloud Tower.

They themselves showed little interest in the machines.

What they did was develop alchemy according to the goblins' needs to help them make money.

They had no interest in wasting time and materials researching how to construct trucks.

Thus, trucks represented a mere curiosity to the alchemists obsessed with eternal life through alchemy—a case of mistaking the means for the end—and held little appeal.

However, for the goblins addicted to mechanical manufacturing, such complex machinery truly possessed an incomparable allure.

Goblins naturally loved machinery.

Yan Xing's second proposal not only helped Gaga save the 100,000 Gold Coins in purchasing costs but also allowed him to understand the construction process and operating principles of new trucks by participating in their R&D—a win-win situation.

As long as he could grasp these technologies, his Goblin Alchemy Factory could create heavier, stronger Alchemical Golems.

Gaga said, "Knight Yan Xing, your suggestion is excellent. We can all see that your truck has many problems that need to be solved with our Goblin Alchemy Factory's technology. I agree to cooperate with you on the research, development, and manufacture of the new truck."

The willingness of the Goblin Alchemy Factory to cooperate was definitely good news for the industrial development of the Eternal Domain.

Alchemy and technological industry were highly complementary.

Yan Xing said, "I plan to build a heavy industry park in the eastern part of the Eternal Domain. We can place the new truck manufacturing project in this heavy industry park. Your Goblin Alchemy Factory can send some personnel and equipment over, and our Eternal Domain will do the same. Together, we will build this new type of truck."

Gaga, upon hearing that Yan Xing wanted to locate the new truck development center in the Eternal Domain, immediately replied, "I think it is better to place the research center for the new trucks at our alchemy factory in Nuta City. Our factory is fully equipped with machines that are convenient to use."

Yan Xing said, "Your machines can't take apart my trucks. Dismantling trucks requires very specialized tools and personnel, which you do not have. Since the trucks were made by us, this project must be led by my Eternal Domain. This is the foundation of our collaboration! The development center for the new trucks must be in the Eternal Domain. If you still insist on setting it up at the Goblin Alchemy Factory in Nuta City… then you might as well purchase the trucks, and we'll develop the new ones on our own."

Gaga had no bargaining chips to negotiate with Yan Xing.

The experience with dismantling watches made him realize that Yan Xing was right.

The equipment at the Goblin Alchemy Factory probably really couldn't dismantle trucks; forcibly dismantling them and then attempting reassembly might just ruin them.

In the heavy industrial park of the Eternal Domain, they could directly witness the process of truck dismantling, modification, and assembly up close.

Transferring some equipment and goblin craftsmen over wouldn't hurt his own benefits.

"Alright," Gaga said with a tone of resignation. "I'll go back to Nuta City to arrange for the equipment and craftsmen. When can your manpower and equipment be ready?"

Yan Xing considered for a moment. Getting the equipment for dismantling vehicles wasn't difficult, but they didn't have the workforce for developing new trucks.

The farmers in the domain couldn't do this kind of work; they had to wait for Chui Chui to modify the Low-level Alchemical Golems and connect them to the base's network server.

This would take some time.

After considering, Yan Xing replied to Gaga, "The Orc and Elf allied forces will soon launch a comprehensive attack on the Wildwind Highlands Legion of the Silvermane Principality. I have some military cooperation plans with Count Theodore as well, so the heavy industrial area of the Eternal Domain can't be completed quickly. I need some time to prepare. However, rest assured, I have very strong ambitions for building the new trucks. As soon as I have time here, we will immediately invest in the development of the new trucks. Mr. Gaga, you could start preparing the manpower and equipment. I think it won't be easy to pull away your craftsmen during the early stages of the war."

Damn this war!

Goblin Gaga felt for the first time how truly annoying war was.

He knew that Yan Xing's Eternal Domain and Count Theodore's Nuta City had launched many collaborative projects for the war.

His own Goblin Alchemy Factory also ran day and night because of the war orders.

The weary goblin craftsmen hardly had any energy left to participate in the development of new trucks.

They would have to wait until the most intense phase of the war was over before they could slowly draw out personnel and equipment.

"That's the only way…" Gaga said helplessly. "It seems the new truck development project will have to be postponed for some time, and indeed, we do need to prepare thoroughly."

Yan Xing and Goblin Gaga finalized a plan to cooperate in developing new trucks, with the research center to be established inside the heavy industrial area of the Eternal Domain.

This signified that Yan Xing was bringing the Goblin Alchemy Factory, albeit in a limited capacity, into his own territory, thus enhancing the Eternal Domain's research and development capabilities in alchemical machinery.

After the development of the new trucks was completed, they wouldn't dismantle this research center. Once that platform was perfected, there would be so many other things that could be jointly developed in the future.

Yan Xing, holding a bottle of Happy Water, invited Goblin Gaga, "Let's toast to the cooperation between the Eternal Domain and the Goblin Alchemy Factory. I believe this is a new beginning for our friendship."

Only then did Gaga pick up the Happy Water from the table.

After clinking glasses with Yan Xing, he imitated him and took a sip through the straw.

"Hmm, what is this drink? It's very tasty... wonderful!"

Yan Xing smiled and said, "I can talk about supplying this beverage..."