When the wheat began to grow ears, the first batch of molten steel from the Scott Ironworks was also completed. The molten steel, glowing red-hot, flowed out of the furnace and was poured into the pre-made molds, leaving the craftsmen to polish and assemble them. Good news also came from the capital city Vanecole. Marshal Richardmann was enamored with the crossbow and arrows samples they brought, and General Leoheart of the Third Legion also had high praise for the steel crossbows.

However, these were not important. Sodis' procurement plan was approved almost immediately after it was submitted to the military. Twenty thousand crossbows and two million arrows were to be delivered in four batches, with all deliveries completed within a year, without any procedural delays. This was quite unusual.

Hilton and Niemann had become the agents for military orders, and they sent more than a dozen carrier pigeons flying to Raderesin, afraid that the information would be lost. As a result, Rodney received seven identical letters within a week.

Rodney looked at the contents of the letter and although his eyebrows were filled with joy, Norfy could still detect a hint of worry in his eyes.

"What's wrong, father? Is there a problem with the letters?" Rodney shook his head as he put down the letters in his hand.

"The content is the same as before. These two old men didn't hold back and directly told me that they would charge 30 silver coins per crossbow. Sodis takes 3, they and young master Charlie take 7, leaving us with 20. The crossbow arrows are priced at 1 silver coin per case, split 40-60. But I didn't expect them to be so urgent, they want us to deliver five thousand crossbows and five hundred thousand arrows in three months. It's probably because there's going to be a war in the south... sigh..."

Looking at his father's sighing appearance, Norfy was a bit puzzled. His father used to curse the Empire every day and criticize the peace policy with the barbarians as a disgrace to the nation. But today, he sounded very reluctant to go to war.

"But father, didn't you always think the Empire was too weak? And it's just an exaggerated amount for the orders. It doesn't necessarily mean there's going to be a war..."

Rodney glanced at him.

"What do you know at such a young age? Do you think war is child's play? War is about death! Among the veterans who went to the battlefield with me, only Hilton survived. Sigh... When a hero is angry, he draws his sword and risks his life. When a ruler is angry, it causes countless deaths and suffering... But let's not talk about that. Son, can we make five thousand crossbows in three months?"

After hearing this, Norfy scratched his head.

"The crossbow arrows are easy, we can just cast them using molds. But for the crossbow mechanisms, we can only make around 60 per day with the current equipment, barely enough."

Rodney felt somewhat relieved after hearing that. The military orders cannot be delayed by anyone. But then Norfy muttered quietly.

"But if we had a steel rolling workshop to process the planks directly, and a stamping machine, we could make 5,000 in a month..."

Rodney didn't understand what he was talking about at all and asked in confusion, "What were you just saying?"

Norfy took out the design drawing for the crossbow mechanism from his desk.

"We need an assembly line..."

Rodney asked curiously, "What is an assembly line?"

"The crossbow mechanism consists of 27 big and small parts. We can recruit 27 workers, each responsible for assembling one part. This way, we can increase production efficiency and also improve their proficiency in the assembly process, reducing the possibility of mistakes. With this method, we can assemble one crossbow in about 10 minutes, excluding time for meals and sleep. Without an assembly line, it would be impossible to finish in time."

As he explained, he drew on the diagram. Rodney looked at it for a long time, but he still couldn't understand what Norfy was drawing. However, out of trust in his own son, he said decisively,

"Alright, tomorrow let William go recruit people! The construction of the dock is almost complete, and the young and able-bodied people in the town are idle now. With steam engines, we don't need so many people to work on the fields anymore. Let's call it an... assembly line and let them do some work!"

Just then, William walked in looking somewhat flustered, but Rodney didn't notice his unease.

"Oh! William, you came at the right time! We were just discussing sending you to find some workers..."

But William walked to the window, glanced outside, and then closed the curtains."Sir, something feels off," said Rodney. He was taken aback by the uncharacteristically serious demeanor of William and hesitated before asking, "What's wrong? What feels off?"

William quickly approached the two, nervously saying, "When I returned from the town, I felt like I was being followed. After I came back, I asked the workers at the steel mill and shipyard, and there have been strangers coming to inquire about us lately."

Upon hearing this, Rodney and Norfy also became anxious. Norfy eagerly asked, "Inquire about what?"

"Mostly about our Scott family, how many people are there in the house, and if we are wealthy or not. And these past few days, there have been more strangers around the village, looking in our direction from afar. As soon as they see someone approaching, they run away. It's very suspicious," William explained.

After hearing this, Norfy and Rodney exchanged a glance. "Indeed, very suspicious. Father, could it be the Deli family?" Norfy ventured.

This time, Rodney shook his head. "That damn Billy may be nosy, but he wouldn't stoop to doing such despicable things."

However, after a moment's thought, Rodney gave his command. "William, go to the Deli family and tell Billy that our Scott family has been targeted by robbers and we want to borrow some people from their household to guard ours. Let's see how he responds!"

William quickly nodded and replied, "Understood, sir. I'll go right away!"

Rodney approached the window and, through a gap in the curtains, picked up his telescope to observe the two figures under the distant shade of a tree. He coldly smirked and said, "The bandits in the mountains are getting restless, huh? Well, we are nobility bestowed upon this land. It is our duty to protect the people. Let them come! It's been more than a decade since I've wielded a sword to kill!"

However, Norfy was still concerned and expressed, "But, father, we're just a group of farmers. Even if we pick up swords, we're no match for those bandits in the mountains."

Unexpectedly, Rodney suddenly spoke with boldness. "What's wrong with being farmers? Before your dear old dad went into battle, he was a farmer too! Didn't I still brandish a sword and fight those savages? It just so happens that it's the farming season now. In just one week, I can train the able-bodied men in our village to be fearless! Don't forget what your old man used to do!"

He then pointed at Norfy and continued, "But within this week, we need to gather equipment for forty people – chest armor, steel swords, crossbows, and arrows. They are just a bunch of low-life bandits. Perfect! Let them know the might of our Scott family!"