📌 Previously in Chapter 39:
Zayd returned to his village, gifted a fine carriage to the man who once helped him, and began upgrading his old workshop into a full-fledged production center. With new ideas and sketches in hand, he began laying the foundation of an empire in wheels.
📍 Scene: Al-Qarah Village – Workshop Grounds – Morning
The once modest workshop now echoed with the sounds of ambition — hammers clanged against metal, wood was sawed in rhythm, and the heat of six forges glowed beneath a high awning roof.
Zayd walked among his workers, making notes on a wax tablet, his eagle Nimr circling overhead like a watchful spirit.
From 5 blacksmiths, he had expanded to 30 workers — blacksmiths, carpenters, wheelwrights, polishers, and even two young boys whose only job was to oil the wooden axles.
But Zayd wasn't satisfied.
📍 Scene: Workshop Office – A Makeshift Room in the Corner
His chief blacksmith, a burly man named Ustad Harun, approached with soot on his face and worry in his eyes.
USTAD HARUN:
"Zayd, if you're planning to double production again, we may need to summon Jibreel himself. We've already taken almost every strong hand in the village."
ZAYD (leaning forward):
"How many unemployed people left in the village?"
USTAD HARUN:
"Maybe… 160? If we don't count the shopkeepers, elders, and servants."
Zayd stroked his chin, thinking hard.
Then Qadir barged in, holding a parchment list of new applicants.
QADIR:
"We got five new lads who want work, one said he'd clean tools for food!"
Zayd turned, eyes shining.
ZAYD:
"Then why stop at thirty? Let's hire them all."
USTAD HARUN (startled):
"All?! You want to conscript the entire village?"
QADIR (blinking):
"Wait wait wait… won't that blow up our expenses?"
ZAYD (grinning like a fox):
"It will... but we'll expand production to other districts, Qadir. We'll create new designs, multiple lines — luxury, noble, merchant, courier — each for a different class. If we hire everyone, no one can compete with us!"
He burst into a mischievous chuckle.
ZAYD (dramatically):
"We shall forge the future, one wheel at a time!"
QADIR (laughing with him):
"By Allah, I've never seen anyone want to go bankrupt this confidently!"
They both howled with laughter.
Nearby, several blacksmiths stopped hammering and exchanged concerned glances.
BLACKSMITH 1 (to another):
"Is… is he possessed?"
BLACKSMITH 2:
"No, no. Just rich."
📍 Scene: Village Square – Afternoon
Zayd stood on a wooden crate in the center of the village, calling out with Qadir beside him like a carnival host.
ZAYD (to crowd):
"Come forward! If you have hands, if you have strength, if you want coin — Nimr Caravans calls you!"
Children clapped. Women peeked from behind veils. Young men came forward in twos and threes.
Zayd welcomed each name. He knew this wasn't just employment — it was loyalty, it was identity.
📍 Scene: Workshop – Later That Day
The forge now buzzed with fresh life. 45 new names were added. Qadir ran around like a juggler managing shifts. Ustad Harun assigned tools like a general handing out weapons before war.
ZAYD (to himself):
"One village today… five cities tomorrow."
He looked up at Nimr and whispered:
ZAYD:
"Let the others build palaces. We build wheels — and wheels carry kings."
End of Chapter 40