Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 75

Chapter 75 – Entrusting Jobs

Making work preparations at his home, Eiji thought about things he had to do for today.
There were lots of them.

The newly arrived rice had just been put inside the storeroom.

They still had the shape of so-called brown rice.

However, Eiji wanted to eat white cooked rice.

A cooked rice which is plump and fluffy.

The sweet taste that spreads whenever the rice is gobbled down with a single move of chopsticks and chewed nicely.

There are no pickled plums, so it can’t be helped. I wonder if it’s possible to make nori? – Eiji thought.

For eating white rice, first, it was necessary to consider a rice polishing machine.

It wasn’t used that often; nevertheless, its working principle should be the same.

When rice is done being polished, it doesn’t mean it can be cooked immediately.

Still, there were hindrances in making it.
Eiji had lots of other jobs he had to do.

Because they will perform more trades in the future, the amount of orders he received increased remarkably.

Apart from being in charge of detailed works by himself, most of the burden fell to him.

At this rate, cultivation of human resources will become an urgent business, I guess.

For the time being, let’s increase the amount of labor that can be entrusted to Pietro.

What’s more, it will soon be the right time for him to entrust Pietro’s job to the newcomers.

Even if they were people from the outside, Eiji didn’t intend to keep them on the payroll without training them.

Both Katharina and Dante were precious pupils to Eiji.

The way in which they grow independent will depend on the amount of teachings he's going to enforce on them.

Eiji’s work wouldn’t end with just that.

Despite entrusting Pietro with making the beef and goat tallow soaps, making soda water from ashes and botanical soap would be Eiji’s job.
And then, there was still more.

While pondering that far, he suddenly noticed Tanya standing next to him.

– Eiji-san, your collar is standing up.
– T-Thank you.

As soon as Tanya adjusted Eiji’s collar, she checked his attire.
After gently brushing his hair with a comb and slowly confirming his appearance, she nodded contently.

– With this, you don’t have to be embarrassed, even if you go out.

– Your disciples too, have been doing their best while you were away. So please praise them properly, okay?

– What’s your agenda for today?

Because he was asked by Tanya, Eiji checked his plans on his fingers.

– When do you plan to return?

– Expect a tasty meal upon your return.
– I’m looking forward to it.

Tanya closed her eyes as if expecting for something.

Their lips touched together a wee bit, and they could feel each other’s warmth.
Good Morning! – a big voice was heard after a short moment.

The two of them opened a distance hurriedly as their bodies trembled from astonishment.

Smiling proudly, Pietro’s cheeks were somewhat reddish.
Pietro lowered his head politely while maintaining the smile on his face.

– Master! Good Morning.

– Morning. Pietro-kun, please don’t appear out of sudden.

– We are husband and wife, so there’s nothing strange about that. Pietro, how is Sara-chan doing?

– She’s your fiancée, isn't she?

– Still, you don't hate her, right?
– That may be so, but….. Aaahh, can we stop this talk already?

While saying so, Pietro’s face turned red, which was pleasant, as he was easy to understand.

If one was to point out just Pietro’s age, he was no different from a middle schooler.

Pietro didn’t want to touch on this embarrassing topic any longer.

Eiji continued his questions regarding Sara for a while.

————

Everyone have already gathered near the workshop while preparing diligently.

That's because the workshop was full of valuable items, starting from raw materials and tools.

Eiji faced toward his disciples, who were grinding and splitting charcoal, and spoke.

– Morning. It might be abrupt, but I’ve got some good news for you.

– I wonder if it’s about us.

– I’m going to assign you to a new job.

– Looks like the time for it has come. I’ll be able to fully display the potential of my iron hammer. ….fufufu.

Everyone, was glad that the things they could do were increasing.

Everything back then was a fresh experience for him, and he would be constantly occupied.
He would make lots of discoveries every day as a blacksmith, however, those days, which were full of surprise, will probably not come back a second time.

– Pietro will be entrusted with making a new pot. You will stretch the item using the water-powered hammer, and after that, adjust its shape using the iron mallet. I'll give you a sample of how it works, so watch properly.

– Dante and Katharina will practice making small items, like arrowheads, fasteners, and screws. Since it is the first time for me to give you instructions, you better pay attention. If there’s something you don’t understand, ask about it immediately.

– Please treat me well.

– Roger that!

The appearance of them resuming their works seemed to be more lively than before.

On the shelves, there were farming tools, such as scythes and hoes, and various items, like kitchen knives, fasteners, bars, and iron mallets.

It was a cylindrical-type stew pot.
It’s better to mass produce it at once in order to reduce the time of cooking, even if it's just a little.

– This time, I’ll have you make this stew pot.

– That’s because it’s intended for making stew, you see. The Chinese-type pot has curves which is still too hard for you, so, I’ll have you become accustomed to making curved surfaces first by making this one.

– Excellent, let’s start making it without delay. You better watch me, okay?

Facing toward the fireplace, Eiji put the iron plate in the fire.

Obviously, the larger pot, the more material it requires and the more time it takes.

Extending the iron plate, Eiji divided it into two thin plates.

This time, it was necessary to lower down the joining parts and apply a heated charcoal to the interior and exterior of the pot.

There were also cases in which the inside of the pot would be attached with tacks. However, for the sake of making it smooth, it was better to fuse them together completely.

Eiji continued to rhythmically strike the edges of both deeply red-scorching plates.

– During times like this, you don’t have to worry about breaking their rotundity by applying too much power. That’s why, just focus on adjoining them.
– Yes.

Once they are precisely connected, it will be possible to chamfer (adjust the outside surface) even after both parts become cooled.

Otherwise, they will become the cause of cracks appearing during many years of use.

As soon as Eiji finished his task, he wiped his sweat, and looked at Pietro.

The remaining thing would be to see how much Pietro learned from this demonstration.

– I wonder if you were able to grasp the method.

– At the beginning, you use water-powered hammer without any restraint. Then, lastly, you operate with your hand carefully and swiftly.

– Yeah, count on me.

Leaving the rest to Pietro, Eiji decided to head toward Dante next.

Chapter end