Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Guy Burns didn't immediately respond to Paul; he pondered quietly, seemingly unsure where to begin.
After a long pause, he spoke, "Your Lordship, have you closely observed windmills and waterwheels?"
"Windmills? Waterwheels? Oh, aren't those very common things? Our bellows are going to be driven by a waterwheel."
"Yes, they are both very common things, and everyone thinks so."
A sudden excitement appeared on Burns' face.
"However, I think they are both great inventions. Unfortunately, the people who invented them didn't even leave their names in history. When I expressed my views on these common devices to my peers..."
"You were laughed at?"
"Yes, I was laughed at. Your Lordship, what do you think of us engineers?"
Paul thought seriously before giving his opinion, "A group full of ingenious ideas and skilled hands."
Burns chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Haha, ingenious ideas? Skilled hands? Indeed, we often have some strange ideas in our heads and then manage to create things that others find incredibly amazing. But..."
Burns paused, "I believe the engineering industry is heading in the wrong direction."
"How so?"
"Do you know? The way we judge each other now is not by who can create something more useful, but by whose creation has a more complex and intricate structure."
"Glamorous but impractical?"
"Exactly. Small, delicate, and complex creations are praised, while large, coarse, and simple ones are discarded."
"Too focused on 'uniqueness.'"
"You hit the nail on the head. But what makes me even more angry is that the whole industry is striving to please the upper class. They rack their brains to create intricate toys just to get an invitation to a nobleman's banquet. They would rather use their knowledge to produce these useless gadgets than spend a little time considering what the common people truly need."
"Windmills? Waterwheels?"
"Yes, things like windmills and waterwheels that bring convenience to ordinary people. Although they have simple structures, they can power millstones and irrigate fields, which are far more useful than things like musical snuffboxes that play three tunes. Nobles and rich people have plenty of servants to do their work, but the lower classes have only their own hands. If we can create things that make it easier for them to make a living, how meaningful would that be!"
"So you mean knowledge and technology should benefit the majority of people, rather than becoming playthings in the hands of a few!"
"Exactly, that's what I mean. This is what I've been thinking about for a long time."
Burns suddenly felt a sense of camaraderie with Paul. He slapped his thigh, almost jumping up from his seat.
Paul suddenly felt a deep respect for the man in front of him. Burns' aspirations were remarkably close to the "universal values" of the Industrial Party in his previous life—enabling the entire world to enjoy the fruits of industrial development.
He shouted, "Bernard, bring wine!"
The chief secretary quickly brought two glasses of wine for the two.
"Mr. Burns."
Paul raised his glass to Burns, "I toast to you!"
Burns was pleasantly surprised and quickly picked up his glass, "Your Lordship, you honor me too much..."
He didn't know what else to say, so he followed Paul and drank the wine in his glass.
Bernard immediately refilled their empty glasses.
Paul patted Burns on the shoulder, saying, "Your ideas resonate deeply with me."
"The reason I want to build an ironworks and increase iron production is to enable most people to use iron tools. Do you know, many farmers in my territory are still using wooden plows and hoes? I don't know how they endure it."
"Your Lordship, ever since I saw your reaper, I knew you would agree with my views."
The two touched glasses again, and Bernard continued to fill them with wine.
"So, let me guess, is this also the reason why you teach children from poor families?" Paul asked.
"Yes, after teaching them knowledge, they can manufacture and improve tools based on their own practical needs—not decorative items meant for amusement, but truly useful tools that solve real difficulties."
"And I believe knowledge should not be hoarded. Many people in our industry would rather take their skills to the grave than share them with others. I respect their personal wishes, but I do not agree with this approach."
"Well said! Let's have another drink!"
...
After a few more drinks, both men were feeling a bit intoxicated. Paul grasped Burns' hand.
"Someone with your enlightened ideas should not remain... should not remain just an ordinary worker. The director of the Mechanical Factory in Alden Town—who manages all affairs of the factory on my behalf—there's a vacant position. Are you interested?"
"What?" Burns was surprised. He immediately declined, "No, no, Your Lordship, this is too much for me. I'm only suited for technical work, tinkering with machines and such."
"I will arrange enough administrative staff to work under you. All you need to do is make decisions on major matters and continue doing what you love in your spare time."
"Well..."
"And as the director, you will have more resources at your disposal."
"Your Lordship, I will not disappoint your expectations."
"Hehe, now you'll have the authority to explore other things being developed in the factory, which I'm sure will pique your interest."
"To be honest, I can't wait."
"However, as you said, 'knowledge should not be hoarded,' although I completely agree with this statement, at this stage, if certain technologies are leaked, it could endanger my territory. So, secrecy is necessary for those who are not involved. Otherwise, I'll have to send Cecil to visit you."
Burns felt a chill. It seemed that Cecil, the chief in charge, handled intelligence matters for the Earl, including espionage.
He swore, "Your Lordship, I've thoroughly studied the confidentiality regulations before joining the factory. Now that you are my employer and lord, I will naturally live up to my salary and fulfill my duties."
Paul was very satisfied.
"Squeak... Squeak..."
Coincidentally, the kettle placed on the fireplace boiled, and the steam pushed up the lid.
Burns saw a playful smile on Paul's face.
The Earl pointed at the kettle and said, "Burns, do you see how the kettle boils?"
"Huh? Oh!"
"You should observe it more often when you have the chance. You might discover something from it. Oh... but it's too early for that now."
"Um... yes!"
Burns was a bit puzzled, not quite understanding what Paul was trying to convey.
Paul stared at the kettle lid for a while, then suddenly turned back.
"Alright, Burns, I won't keep you any longer. Go back to work."
"Yes, then I'll take my leave."
After the engineer left the office, Secretary Bernard heard a sigh from the Earl.
"Ah... we still have a long way to go."
(End of the Chapter)