Ark, I became an NPC in the online game

As for this deal, what he coveted was the drones and mechas, which were Colombian equipment that symbolized sophistication and technology.

Those scientists in the scientific community are only interested in research and don't even look at the olive branch extended by Victoria. The simple reason is that Victoria does not have the same scientific research atmosphere and instruments and equipment as Colombia. In this case, if the Victorian nobles want to buy equipment, they can only reach an agreement with Colombian technology companies and purchase it at a high price. Naturally, the price will not be low.

Earl Bolton thought he had made a killing by making this deal. The blueprints were intangible and official Victorian blueprints, and the apprentice's salary was also paid by the government. This meant that he had paid nothing but got valuable equipment for nothing.

He withdrew his thoughts and turned to think of the Earl of Warwick. The spiritual leader of the Tara people had always had an ordinary relationship with their Victorian nobles, and at most maintained only a superficial relationship. A fire last year killed many people. Earl Bolton was well aware of this method and it should be a warning from a certain Victorian noble.

And recently the Earl of Warwick has been traveling back and forth between the various noble mansions in order to surrender... I guess.

Just a Tara person... do you think that giving money can bridge the gap between statuses?

Lord Bolton suppressed the impatience on his face because he heard someone knocking on the door.

The door was pushed open, Earl of Warwick took off his hat and smiled politely, and Earl of Bolton smiled warmly and greeted him.

......

Xia Yuan left with Jian and Mandela without saying goodbye to any nobles. Before leaving, he met the Earl of Warwick in the corridor, who took off his hat and said goodbye to him like a gentleman.

Xia Yuan had no opinion about this Tara nobleman. The Tara people were pitiful because they were discriminated against by the Victorians. However, there must be something hateful about pitiful people. The Tara nobleman, who was also a Tara person, flattered the Victorian nobles just to keep his status and income.

The Tara nobles themselves hated themselves for being Tara people. If they were not Tara people but Victorians, they would not have to pay so much tax and would not have to be xenophobic and despised by the Victorian nobles.

Even the Earl of Warwick, the spiritual leader of the Tara people, was not immune to this. What could he do in such a situation?

"Brother, I'm still a little hungry."

Mandela pulled Xia Yuan's sleeve a little embarrassedly. She had just listened to the noble children talking at the banquet. They didn't seem to feel hungry. They attended the banquet not to eat, but to show their sociability.

Xia Yuan rubbed Mandela's little head and pinched her ears. "Okay, let's go back to the hotel, change clothes, and then go eat something."

Banquets are places for socializing and discussing business. Xia Yuan himself was not full, but Jian was very familiar with such occasions. The annual meeting organized by the Chamber of Commerce where the two of them met in a real sense was exactly the same as today's banquet, except that the business discussions in Casimir were more explicit, while the exchanges of interests among the nobles were more about interests.

Mandela's tail subconsciously wrapped around Xia Yuan's waist. She saw the so-called Victorian aristocrats. As a Tara person, she needed some time to digest these emotions. The children of aristocrats were high above and had been in the clouds for too long. They had forgotten what the earth looked like. Not to mention the Tara people, even ordinary Victorian people were the objects of their exploitation.

As long as there is power and strength, originally innocent people will change due to changes in the environment.

The same goes for Mandela herself. If she had not been rescued by Brother Xia Yuan at that time, she might still be in the dirty sewer now, harboring tremendous hatred and anger towards the nobles and wanting revenge?

Growth is acquired. Among those children of nobles who speak to common people with disdain and ridicule at banquets, are all of them really born with such personalities?

"How did you get today?" Sister Jian Yu was sitting opposite the two of them. When she noticed Mandela's little action, a hint of teasing appeared on her face, but she hid it well and looked at Xia Yuan calmly.

Xia Yuan looked out the window. "It's just as I imagined. The nobles of Victoria are gilded on the outside but corrupt on the inside. They are indeed powerful and have military force, but there are only a few who are honest in their positions... I made a deal with Earl Bolton, and he gave me the blueprints of the Stormtroopers' city-breaking spears and shield cannons."

"Oh... That's true." Jian laughed and shook his head, "In formal occasions, they are nobles, but in private, they are actually just some greedy businessmen."

"In addition, I also asked him for three apprentices from the arsenal to help me in the future." Xia Yuan crossed his legs and continued to knead Mandela's ears, which felt very good. "For Earl Bolton, he didn't lose anything. Instead, he made a lot of money. That's why he was so straightforward."

"The boss has already planned this, right?"

"Not really, but observing how popular Lord Bolton was at the banquet did promote this transaction."

As the three of them were chatting, the stretched Lincoln drove into the hotel building in the central area. Xia Yuan handed Mandela a hand and asked her to get out of the car.

"I'm not used to wearing a dress all the time." Mandela muttered softly, smoothing out the wrinkled skirt.

"We just need to wear the clothes that suit us best and that we like the most. There is no need to wear it every day just because it is luxurious." Xia Yuan took Mandela's hand, "What kind of clothes does Mandela like to wear?"

"Yeah, just like Brother Xia Yuan, it's casual clothes."

Mandela said softly.

"Yes, even if this dress looks good, there is no need to wear it every day. It's like a day off. After working hard, you need to relax properly."

Mandela's eyes were a little vague. During her time in Colombia, she worked and exercised the hardest, and she didn't even miss Saturdays and Sundays.

"Of course, when making any choice, you should pay attention to your personal needs and values, and pursue what you really like and what suits you, rather than being swayed by social opinions or external standards. This is another truth I want to tell you."

After changing their clothes, the three of them headed to the night market in the central district and enjoyed a meal of...Yan country cuisine.

Ahem, the only delicacies in Victoria are potatoes, mashed potatoes, and fried fish, which are really hard to swallow.

The next day, Jian took Mandela to move around freely, and Xia Yuan went to the factory area in Highbury early in the morning. As agreed before, Earl Bolton's butler was waiting there.

"Sir, your workshop is ready and the apprentices are taking a break before work. Please follow me."

Xia Yuan smiled and nodded. It was time for him to find more subordinates in the production department.

Chapter 116 Fester

Lord Bolton was very generous in this regard. He obviously knew the saying that if people were allowed to run, they would be well fed. When selecting apprentices for the munitions factory, he did not just give him a few ordinary ones, but let him choose by himself.

In this case, even if Xia Yuan made a poor choice, he could not blame Earl Bolton, after all, it was his own poor vision.

Earl Bolton's butler took him to the lounge where the apprentices ate and rested. It was a messy place with tools hanging on the walls. One could smell a mechanical metal smell that made Xia Yuan feel comfortable. There were both male and female apprentices here, and most of them were wearing ordinary workers' clothes. It was normal for them to have some oil stains on their bodies. No one could stay clean here.

There are actually quite a few female workers here. Xia Yuan remembered that it seemed to be the same in the factory in Oak Forest County before. There were both men and women. Girls could also do odd jobs as apprentices, but the proportion was smaller than that of men.

"Mr. Xia Yuan, all of these are apprentices in the military factory. The length of time they have worked here varies. Please choose carefully."

"Any information?"

The butler handed Xia Yuan a stack of documents with a smile, the first few of which were marked.

Xia Yuan looked at the butler unexpectedly, and the latter smiled, "This is my master's kindness to Lord Xia Yuan."

The ones that were marked were all key observation targets, or in other words, some apprentices with good qualifications. Lord Bolton was really thoughtful in doing this.

After looking through the names, Xia Yuan found three more interesting people.

One of them is named Fester. He has been an apprentice in the military factory for nearly ten years. He is the same age as Xia Yuan, but a few months younger than him. The interesting thing about this file is that Fester's grandmother was a worker representative in Londinium. His father died in a protest organized by workers, and his mother abandoned him because of the death of Fester's father. Currently, Fester and his grandmother depend on each other.

Judging from his background and resume, this Fester can be considered to have a good family background, but for the management, his father undoubtedly casts a shadow over everything.

Even if there is a promotion in the future, it will not be Fester's turn because of his problematic background.

The other two are a brother and sister, their last name is Hart. Their parents were workers in a military factory, but they died in an accident in the factory. Currently the brother and sister depend on each other. They are sixteen and fifteen years old.

All three of them are of the same Filin race.

"That's it for these three. I want to see them in my workshop."

Xia Yuan handed the information to the butler, who smiled, bowed and left.

After leaving the matter of the apprentice to the steward, Xia Yuan headed for the workshop. After entering the workshop, he sighed at the generosity of Earl Bolton. At the same time, he found the blueprint of the city-breaking spear on the table. He picked it up and looked at it carefully. Wow, the highest level of the equipment could reach pink, and even the lowest level was blue.

It’s a pity that this city-breaking spear is not a mechanical blueprint, otherwise he would have been able to upgrade his mechanic rank to the fourth level long ago.

About five minutes later, Xia Yuan met the butler in the workshop, and three film apprentices following him.

Fester, who was in the lead, had a look of confusion on his face, and there was some temptation on his face when he looked at Xia Yuan. The Hart brother and sister behind him had traces of oil on their clothes, and the brother stood in front of his sister, looking like a guardian.

Makes me look like a villain.

"From now on, Mr. Xia Yuan will be your superior." The butler held one hand behind his back and took out three documents from his arms. "This is the transfer agreement of the military factory. From now on, Mr. Xia Yuan will be your person in charge. Of course, due to the principle of technical confidentiality, you must not disclose any drawings inside the military factory after leaving it."

Fester was a little puzzled. He was just having breakfast when the butler called him here. Then the butler's words made him confused. What boss? What? Was he fired? What was going on?

"I'm sorry, I don't know much about the situation here." Fester said bluntly. He looked at the butler, "I want to know what's going on."

The butler was not as impatient as expected. He explained calmly, "You are all good candidates for the military factory. Mr. Xia Yuan in front of you is the partner of Count Londinium. Based on the cooperation agreement, Mr. Xia Yuan wants to recruit three craftsmen apprentices to work for him."

Well, Fester finally figured out what was going on. He looked at Sakota not far away with a hint of curiosity in his eyes. Could Sakota, who looked about the same age as him, be the partner of a certain count?

"I wonder...can I eat enough?"

The older brother Jon Hart asked, he glanced at his thin sister Lily Hart behind him, then looked at Xia Yuan again, his words were much bolder than Fester's.

Such a person is grateful, or in other words, as long as he is given warmth, he will be able to maintain his unwavering loyalty. Xia Yuan knew it very well. He had played this game for a long time in his previous life, and there were different strategies for different NPCs. For example, some had to be played straight, some had to be arrogant, and some had to be endured... Of course, there was a special NPC strategy guide, and Xia Yuan was a loyal fan of this book.

Of course, NPCs are pretty much like real people.

"can."

"Then I'll sign it."

For Jon and Lily, it didn't matter where they lived, as long as they could be together as a family and have enough food to eat.

Much faster than Fester's speed.

Fester hesitated for a while. Seeing this, Xia Yuan nodded to the butler beside him and said, "You go out for a while."

The housekeeper understood, left the workshop, and closed the door considerately.

"Do you have any questions, Fester?"

Xia Yuan leaned on the workbench with his arms folded across his chest. Compared to the socializing in formal occasions just now, he now looked a little casual. He now appeared to be about the same age as Fester, which made Fester secretly relieved. He had always thought that Xia Yuan was a descendant of some famous aristocratic family, and the pressure he had just put on him was too great.

At the same time, the faint intellectual light in the other person also made Fester realize that the two were from different worlds. Fester had only seen this kind of charm in the professor when he went to the school in the central area.

"Let me introduce myself." Xia Yuan looked at Fester and the Hart siblings at the same time. "My name is Xia Yuan. I'm from Rutland, but I'm currently based in Columbia. I'm the director of the mechanical power department of the technology company Rhine Life. I graduated from Tremont Polytechnic University, majoring in mechanical engineering, mechanical dynamics, high-energy physics, ecology, and Originium. I also obtained a doctorate degree. I'm currently a newcomer in the scientific community and am active in Columbia."

In the first half, he said this to Fester, which caused a great shock to Fester's mind. He did not expect that the Sakota in front of him was so secretive.

"As a researcher, I am also a businessman. I like doing business and have a small fortune. I make enough money every month, and I also have regular vacation benefits."

These words were directed at the Hart siblings, because they cared more about their own survival than Xia Yuan's academic qualifications.

Fester scratched his head, "So... you are a doctor?"

"Call me boss outside, and you can call me whatever you want in private." Xia Yuan waved his hand, then looked at Fester and smiled, "So, are you ready to sign?"

"I can see that you also have a passion for mechanical engineering. I can teach you in this area, and you will never get such teaching in the Arsenal."

Fester pursed his lips and picked up the contract. "I want to tell my family about this."

"You're talking about your grandmother, right?"

Xia Yuan nodded to show her understanding, and Fester bowed to Xia Yuan before leaving.

Outside the door, he met the housekeeper who was still smiling, and his grandmother who was standing beside him with a calm expression.

"Eh? Grandma..."

Fester's grandmother Catherine is a worker representative and a member of the management of the arsenal. To some extent, she is Fester's superior. This matter is related to Fester's future, so the butler naturally invited Catherine over.

"I heard everything you said just now."

Seeing the butler leave to avoid suspicion, Catherine looked at Fester, "How old is he?"

"Hmm... Looks about the same as me?" Fester said uncertainly. He added, "I heard from others that the Sakota are also a long-lived race. They are still very young in their fifties... They may also be much older than me."

"Listen to others."

Catherine smiled slightly and patted Fester's shoulder gently. "This gentleman is indeed a talented person. It is not a disgrace to you to work for him. The military factory does not lack a worker, Fester."

"But...I'm a little worried about you, grandma."

"Me? I'll be fine."

Catherine laughed and said, "I'm in good health, you don't need to worry about me."

"But Fester, grandma respects you. You can seriously consider this, because this means that you are about to leave Victoria, leaving this land where you have lived for more than ten years."

"Fester, apart from Victoria, this land of Terra is too vast. From now on, you don't need to listen to others, but explore it all with your own eyes."

Fester lowered his head. He was at a young and energetic age. At this age, he naturally had all kinds of curiosity about the land of Terra. Of course, he really loved the work of mechanical engineering. When he was an apprentice, he would also make all kinds of small toys to give to his friends.

Leave the industrial area of ​​Londinium and head for wider lands?

......

"I have signed my contract. Please give me your guidance in the future...Boss."

"Just call me Xia Yuan in private." Xia Yuan waved her hand, which made Fester a little restrained, but he quickly adjusted his mentality and a refreshing smile appeared on his face.

"I understand. I'll call you Teacher Xia Yuan in private."

Well, the title of teacher is normal. After all, Xia Yuan is indeed planning to train these three apprentices in front of him into his own direct line of craftsmen.

He looked at Fester, "Are you worried about grandma?"

"Well..." Fester nodded without hesitation, "Indeed, grandma is getting old and living alone in Londinium. I am a little worried."

Xia Yuan smiled and said, "Well, as I said before, I am currently based in Trimonte, Columbia. I have friends there, as well as a schoolmate of mine from Longmen, Yan Country. Her grandmother currently lives with her."

"Can you convince your grandma to leave with you? If so, you can take care of her anytime, anywhere, right?"