BXBX NOVEL Chapter 147 - 0147: A Major Work in Sociology
Craftsmen, relying on their own skills, ran their own shops and could be called artisans. Therefore, most artisans were freemen while most craftsmen were serfs.
In Liszt’s understanding, these people, if given time to develop and manage their businesses independently, would become the bourgeoisie. However, based on his knowledge of Different World’s society, craftsmen evolving into capitalists was temporarily impossible, as Nobles wouldn’t allow it.
If one were to refer to medieval Europe on Earth,
With the progression of the industrial revolution, artisans who mastered the means of production either accumulated these means and evolved into capitalists or lost them and became workers.
Here, craftsmen had existed for a very long time, and they were still craftsmen.
No capitalists had emerged, nor had there been a large workforce. No matter how they developed, they were vassals of the Nobility—the absolute difference in individual strength provided by Dou Qi Cultivation allowed Noble Knights to firmly hold all the power without fear of being overthrown by a new class.
Of course, between different kingdoms and cities, the development of the class of craftsmen varied to some extent.
There was no fixed hierarchy.
Liszt summarized it simply.
Craftsmen could roughly be divided into four grades: “Family,” “Master,” “Craftsman,” and “Worker.”
Master Technician, Master.
The craftsmen at this level generally lived in big cities. They were high-status freemen and had reached the level of minor nobility.
Examples include Architects, Shipbuilders, Carriage Makers, Goldsmiths, Jewelry Masters, Casting Masters, and Drillers, who were top craftsmen in their respective trades.
Architects were responsible for building Castles, large buildings, and Mage Towers; Shipbuilders specialized in designing and building ships; Carriage Makers produced carriages, mine carts, and chariots; Goldsmiths crafted Gold Coins, silver coins, copper coins, and even Dragon coins; Jewelry Masters designed precious jewelry and carved Crystals, Jade, and even gemstones.
Casting Masters could manufacture various fine equipment, and Drillers were able to dig mines.
In Coral Island, only Architects, Shipbuilders, Carriage Makers, and Casting Masters existed—there were no Goldsmiths, Jewelry Masters, or Drillers.
Craftsman Craftsman.
This level of craftsman constituted the backbone of the craftsperson community. They were the most basic layer in big cities, permeating various industries, and formed the foundation of a city or territory’s prosperity. Most of them were freemen, free to either run shops or sell their skills.
Stonemasons, Carpenters, Blacksmiths, Tanners, and Tailors were the most basic five occupations of craftsmen, as well as the most numerous.
Stonemasons built structures, Carpenters made furniture, Blacksmiths forged tools, Tanners tanned hides, and Tailors made clothes.
In addition, Bone Craftsmen, Paper Craftsmen (thick paper), Locksmiths, Shoemakers, Coopers, Crystal Craftsmen, Jewel Craftsmen, Gem Craftsmen, Jade Craftsmen, Soap Makers, Brewers, Bakers, Barbers, Chefs, Confectioners, Spice Makers, and Salt Makers were all at the craftsman level.
Worker—Worker.
These craftsmen also formed the backbone of the craftsperson community but were predominantly found in large numbers within a Landlord’s estate. Most of them were serfs and virtually indistinguishable from farming peasants, only engaged in slightly technical work.
Embroiderers, Weavers, Dyers, Salt Workers, Confectioners, Millers, Miners, Sailors, Ship Workers, and Laborers, among others, were all workers.
Additionally, individuals like innkeepers, small merchants, grocery shop owners, Horse Merchants didn’t possess craftsmanship skills, but they were in charge of the distribution of craftsmanship with a status generally equivalent to that of a craftsman, which is to say, ordinary freemen.
At last,
Family, Grand Master.
This level is basically not considered a craftsman, but should be called an artist.
Novelists, Minstrels, Pianists, Painters, Court Musicians, Sculptors, Singers, and so on, most of them belong to the noble class. Without inheritable titles, they develop their own artistic cells and move among the nobility, enjoying a high-quality lifestyle.
If one has to further define it, magicians who make magic equipment and “Iron Knights” who forge various weapons would also be considered craftsmen.
But they are either outside the system or are nobles themselves.
“Not a single technician, few craftsmen, mostly just workers, I feel like the money spent is somewhat lacking,”
Looking at the list on thick parchment in his hand, Li Si Te couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret. He had wanted craftsmen, but among the serfs he bought, there were mostly workers.
Clearly, these craftsmen were leftovers picked by others, or rather, Levis’s subordinates were only willing to buy cheap craftsmen—among the serf trades, a craftsman’s price was clearly a bit higher than that of a worker, not to mention a technician. No one would sell technicians, craftsmen, workers, and peasants for the same price.
“In any case, having a group of skilled workers can barely add a few industries to Fresh Flower Town… I can make my own sugar, soap, textiles, even sun-dry salt from seawater, or make paper using traditional methods, or develop other industries,” Li Si Te comforted himself. It’s not just consolation; skilled workers are still valuable.
He asked Thomas to bring a quill, ink, and blank thick parchment, and he began to write and draw.
He planned to consider which industries these craftsmen could develop, how many workshops could be added to the town’s workshop district. However, while writing, he moved from the development of handicraft industry to the study of social systems.
“If I wanted to, I could become a sociologist!”
He categorized the entire social system of the Different World.
Social upper layer—Noble Landlords.
Upper middle layer—Magicians pursuing truth, officials and knights without titles, and indispensable artists.
Middle layer—Technicians with irreplaceable skills, knights turned mercenaries in their downfall.
Lower middle layer—Servants in castles, craftsmen with productive technologies, merchants handling the circulation of goods, workers serving as laborers, rats scurrying in the shadows.
Social lower layer Serfs who plant fields, beggars who can’t even become serfs.
“Very clear, crystal clear.” He bit into a big chunk of Magical Beast Meat, chewed, and swallowed, “If I could elaborate further, the responsibilities that each social layer bears in society, and the mobility between layers, I could probably write a magnum opus on sociology, and get it published.”
This was just an idea; he hadn’t fallen so low as to need to write books for a living—that was something for destitute noble offspring.
Moreover, works of sociology would not sell well.
You have to write Knight’s Novels.
To slay dragons, to make a pact with the Elf King.
The best start would be a down-and-out Prince, accompanied by a Little Minor Elf, casting adrift at sea for a romantic night with a Siren, followed by a few days of dalliances in a Marquis Manor with a noblewoman, before single-handedly defeating an evil Dragon, or riding a Dragon, with the Little Minor Elf breaking through to become the Elf King.
Ultimately, the hero saves the beauty and marries the beautiful Princess recognized by the Unicorn.
With these elements in place, it would essentially be a best-selling Knight’s Novel, which those fond of fantasies would be very willing to pay for.
After finishing breakfast.
Li Si Te collected the thick parchment he had written on, and glanced out the window at the now high Sun, “When Granney arrives, maybe I can discuss sociology with him.”