What a waste! With that thought in mind, Todd asked another crucial question: "How much slag like this is left after silver refining?"

The old craftsman looked up and replied with a puzzled expression, "We have as much as you need. We can't possibly use all the slag that's delivered every year; more than half of it is used to fill in the mountains."

Overjoyed, but his face remained calm. Todd, calculating his gains, smiled and said, "Aiden, if I told you there's an opportunity for you to contribute to the Father, would you be willing?"

He pulled out and gripped the cross beneath his robe, interlaced his fingers, closed his eyes, and bowed deeply: "I am willing to give everything for God the Father."

——————————————————

“You don’t need to promise to pay him.”

Hearing Edgar's words beside him, Todd shrugged.

He knew the young man was right, and he knew the old craftsman's faith was enough to motivate him to work without pay. But the three major capital market principles of his previous life—contractualism, distribution according to work, and win-win cooperation—were deeply ingrained in his soul. Besides, compared to the enormous profits to be made, the craftsman's compensation was negligible.

In a rare good mood, Todd opened his right arm and put his arm around Edgar's shoulder. Looking at the small freckles on Edgar's face, he gently asked, "Do you want to eat meat every day?"

The little guy, who had been struggling, forgot all his unhappiness upon hearing this, his eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly.

Do you want to wear new clothes?

nod.

Do you want to sleep in every day without having to work?

He nodded frantically.

Todd grinned at Edgar, revealing two rows of teeth.

"Believe me, these will come soon."