Establishing bilateral relations is only the first step. Next, we need to explore what kind of cooperation the two sides can carry out.

At first, Thomas thought the other party would put forward some harsh conditions.

After all, what the dwarves are most proud of is their technical strength. Now that they are even inferior to their opponents, they don't know what leverage they have.

Surprisingly, Irving did not put forward any excessive conditions.

On the contrary, I hope that Nuwa can send out several survey teams to explore the surrounding areas of Bianzhu Town to see if there are any new veins or deposits.

That's right! The dwarves are also good at exploring mineral veins, which gives Thomas a little more confidence.

The two parties talked for an entire afternoon and finally finalized the content of the cooperation.

Owen allowed Nuva to send dwarf craftsmen to Border Guard Town to learn various advanced technologies, and the food and accommodation would be provided by Border Guard Town.

Accordingly, Thomas will send a survey team to explore the mineral veins.

In addition, the dwarf craftsmen who come to study must obey Gita's deployment and work conscientiously at their assigned positions.

Learning new technologies on the job is also part of the deal.

Now that everyone is here, Owen must make full use of their time in Border Guard Town.

Of course, salaries will still be paid.

Don’t the dwarves love to drink? As long as they buy more wine from outside, they will definitely spend a lot of their salary on wine, and the money will be recovered soon.

Not only that, you can drink alcohol so conveniently, and there is no atmosphere of discrimination against the demi-human race in Bianzhu Town, which may attract some dwarf craftsmen to stay.

Once the dispatched study period expires, it will be up to the dwarf craftsmen to decide whether to stay or stay.

This was a condition that Irving strongly requested. After a long discussion with Thomas, he forced the other party to agree.

As long as there are dwarf craftsmen willing to stay, the garrison there will make a profit.

Owen can never have enough of such skilled craftsmen.

In addition, before they have the ability to make steam engines, steam engines made by dwarf craftsmen will be given priority to Nuva. They seem to be eager to have this machine that can work day and night without rest.

Two contracts were drawn up, and Clive handed one to Thomas for inspection.

During this period, Gita quietly came closer and whispered a few words to Owen.

After reading, Thomas raised his head and looked at Irving and said: "There is no problem with this contract, so I will sign it now."

After saying that, he picked up the quill pen at hand and prepared to sign the contract.

"Wait a minute." Owen suddenly called out to the other party.

"Anything else?"

"Almost forgot."

Owen rubbed his forehead. Fortunately, Gita had just reminded him about the chrome ore.

"I have one more important thing to ask you."

"Oh?" Thomas put down his quill, "Is there anything else Marquis Eisen wants to ask? Please tell me."

"I heard that you dwarves will thoroughly explore the mineral veins and deposits around the underground city, right?"

"Yes, that's right." Thomas nodded.

"So are there any lead-containing deposits near Noir?"

The reason why Owen asked about lead is because no one in this world knows about chromium. Even if he asked, he probably wouldn't know.

Fortunately, chromium mainly exists in chromite. When it comes to lead ore, the dwarves must know it.

Supplementary explanation: Chromite is a secondary mineral located in the oxidation zone of lead-containing deposits near ultrabasic rocks, and is often mixed with various other lead ores.

This knowledge was all what Owen had read in books.

"We dwarves will not build an underground city in a place where minerals are scarce."

Thomas crossed his hands over the contract and said slowly: "There are indeed lead ore deposits near Noir. Does the Marquis of Essen want to purchase lead ore from us?"

"Roughly the same."

Reaching out to take what Gita handed over, Owen placed it in the middle of the table and showed it to everyone.

It was a small piece of chromite, orange-red in color, long columnar in shape, and with a glass luster.

"I would like to ask again, have you ever found this kind of ore in lead-bearing deposits?"

"Isn't this red lead ore?"

There was a dwarf craftsman present who recognized it at a glance and rushed to say: "Speaking of which, I discovered the lead-containing ore deposits near Noir. The red lead ore reserves there are very rich."

"That's great!"

Irving was very happy to hear the news, and Gita behind him was also excited.

"Your Excellency Thomas, please be sure to sell us all the red lead ore mined. If there is a shortage of manpower, I can ask the Green Lizard Alliance to help."

It will take a long time for Noir's survey team to figure out the conditions of the veins or deposits around Bianzhu Town, and it is not certain whether there is chromium-lead ore.

Before that, you can import chromite from Noua.

"Red lead ore, I only remember that it can be ground into powder and used as a pigment."

Thomas touched his beard curiously and asked: "I wonder why the Marquis of Essen wants to purchase so much red lead ore?"

"Hey, this is a secret." Owen smiled mysteriously, "However, the dwarf craftsmen you sent over can learn relevant knowledge from Gita."

What I’m talking about here is of course the knowledge about alloys.

Owen does not want to hide too much knowledge. On the contrary, he hopes that more people can apply the knowledge in the book to reality.

Of course, it is impossible for him to teach this knowledge to his enemies and create obstacles for himself?

The dwarves are obviously not enemies, but excellent partners for cooperation.

"Okay then." Thomas asked no more questions.

After some bargaining, Clive added a new content to the two contracts - Noir was willing to sell the red lead ore to Bianzhu Town at a preferential price.

Nuwa organized manpower to mine the red lead ore and handed the transportation to the Green Lizard Alliance. Border Guard Town only had to pay the money.

The Green Lizard Alliance just earned a fee for running errands, well, it's better than nothing.

Only Lusha knows about this now, and Owen will send Winnie to convey the news to Kerman later.

After confirming that there is no problem with the content, both parties will sign the contract.

In this way, Bianzhu Town will have a sufficient source of chromium ore, and Gita can also trial the production of stainless steel.

Once Bianshu Town has the ability to refine stainless steel, it can begin mass production of stainless steel water pipes, water tanks and other metal products, lay all pipelines, and install a tap water system.

The day after signing the contract, Thomas will lead the dwarf knights back to Nuva.

The dwarf craftsmen had no intention of following back, including Tyrion, and they chose to stay in Border Guard Town to learn new technologies from now on.

In order to keep an eye on Tirion, Sally also volunteered to stay.

Moore and Art received the task from Thomas and stayed to report to Noir regularly about the affairs of Border Guard Town.

The rise of Border Guard Town has attracted the attention of the dwarves, so we must pay more attention to it.

According to the contract, Thomas will send dwarf craftsmen and survey teams one after another to follow the lizard transport team to the border town as soon as he returns.

After bidding farewell to Lord Nuva and returning home, the group of dwarf craftsmen happily followed Gita to visit the steam engine factory.
Chapter completed!