Chapter 16 The Wind Rises

Not long ago.

Piltover University, Hextech Institute laboratory building.

Jace and his close scientific research partner Victor have been sharing the same office for the past few years.

But this morning, when he walked into the building facing the rising sun and returned to the office door, he was surprised to find that... the lights in the office were still on and the door was not closed.

Pushing open the door, Jace saw Victor.

Victor was sitting quietly at his desk, as if he was concentrating on thinking about something.

At this time, his hair was messy, his face was gloomy, and he had dark circles around his eyes.

But only those eyes were shining brightly. Although they were covered with hideous red bloodshot, they still looked like they were burning with a flame.

"Victor..." Jace felt that his old friend was in a bad mental state: "You didn't sleep last night?"

"Yeah." Victor nodded.

"This..." Jace looked worried.

Although staying up late is common for scientists, Victor used to do research all night long.

But after experiencing the unpleasantness of last night, Jayce knew very well that what Victor was researching this time was probably not some Hextech technology.

“Are you still thinking about that article?”

"Yes." Victor stroked the notebook gently, his eyes focused and determined: "This author is very smart."

“He told us how the world is and why it is that way, but he didn’t tell us what to do or how to do it.”

"This is the question he left for us to think about, and I..."

"There is already a vague answer."

Victor raised his head and looked deeply into Jace's eyes.

What Jace saw in his eyes was a passion, a passion he had never seen before.

Somehow, this enthusiasm frightened him. But he was obviously upright and honest, so there was nothing to be afraid of.

"Victor, are you...in too deep?"

"That's just an article with extreme opinions." Jayce couldn't help but admonish his old friend: "You wouldn't really go to extremes and treat us business owners in Piltover as unforgivable bad guys, would you?"

"We are all your friends!"

"No, quite the opposite." Victor shook his head calmly.

He is passionate but not fanatical. He is even a little scary in his rationality: "After thinking about it, I realized that whether the problem exists or not does not depend on the quality of your personal morality. Whether you are good or bad, it cannot affect the overall situation."

"W-What do you mean?"

"Jace, can I ask you a few questions?"

"This...you ask."

"A few years ago, when your Tallis family was still running the hammer-making workshop, did you employ apprentices?"

"Of course I have." Jace didn't understand why he asked this, but he still answered patiently.

“How much did you pay them then?”

"Well... about 10 silver wheels a week, right?"

"Do you think this salary is enough in Piltover?"

"Uh..." Jess was a little embarrassed.

He had never lived through the days of having 10 silver wheels a week in his life, so how did he know if it was enough?

However, the luxurious breakfast he had today was probably worth only a few gold coins - according to the currency value of Piltover, 1 gold coin was worth 20 silver wheels, and 1 silver wheel was equal to 12 copper circles.

"If they usually eat simpler food... it should be enough."

Jace hesitated for a long time before he reluctantly admitted:

"Okay, Victor, I know you're accusing me of underpaying our apprentices."

"But this is the market price, and there is nothing we can do about it."

"Can't it be higher?"

"It can be a little higher... but it can't be much higher."

"Why?"

"If the cost is too high, we won't be able to control it and our business won't be able to continue!"

“Why can’t I do it?”

"We are not the only workshop that can make hammers. If the cost is high and the price is high, naturally no one will buy our hammers... We have no choice."

Something seemed to be wrong the more Jace spoke.

Aren't their families rich and powerful business owners? Why are they talking as if they have become slaves of something?

"No, that's not right..."

Jace couldn't accept such a weird idea.

He was also unwilling to endure Victor's pointed "taunting" remarks.

So he subconsciously defended himself and his family:

"Victor, what you said happened several years ago!"

"Now I offer our employees, even the lowest-level apprentices, a high salary of at least 5 gold sea coins per week!"

Jace was proud when he said this.

Because in the entire Piltover, or even in the entire Runeterra, it is impossible to find a boss more generous than him.

5 gold coins per week. Not only the people of Zaun dare not even think about this salary, but ordinary people of Piltover dare not even think about it.

Therefore, the whole world knows that Mr. Tallis is a kind and generous man who cares about his employees. Anyone who is lucky enough to work in his factory will be very happy.

"But why is that?" Victor asked calmly, "Why did your family only offer apprentices a salary of 10 silver rounds per week a few years ago, but now you are willing to offer a high salary of 5 gold sea coins?"

"Is it because you've become a kinder person, Jace?"

"I..." Jace was speechless for a moment.

It's certainly not because he's any kinder.

But because he is richer.

A few years ago, the Tallis family only knew how to make hammers, and they had countless rivals to compete with.

A few years later, the Talis family's business was to drive teleportation gates and Hextech cores for large machinery - this was Jace's exclusive scientific research result.

A few years ago, an apprentice forged 100 hammers for his family every week, but could only earn a few dozen silver wheels. So he could only offer a salary of 10 silver wheels.

A few years later, even if an apprentice only made one Hextech core for his family in a week, this Hextech core could be sold for dozens of gold sea coins.

So of course Jace dared to pay the workers such high salaries to show his generosity and kindness.

This does have something to do with his kindness, but is it really that big of a deal?

He just gave a small portion of the profits to his employees, which was not a big deal. In terms of the share ratio, it was even lower than when he only knew how to make hammers.

“I…I…”

Jace broke out in a cold sweat without realizing it.

He always thought of himself as a good person.

When the workers praised him for his kindness and benevolence and thanked him for his great kindness, he accepted it with pride.

But why do I feel like a hypocrite while chatting with you?

"Am I...wrong?"

"No, you are right."

Victor stood up and patted his friend's shoulder comfortingly:

"You really are a good man, Jace."

"You are never wrong."

"It's not your fault—"

Victor turned his head again and looked at the vast sky outside the window: