The next morning, Arthur woke up early and completed his workout routine before leaving his room to join his family for breakfast. As he entered the dining hall, he noticed his father, as usual, eating with a stern expression. Heading toward his usual seat at the table, Arthur's mother saw him and greeted him warmly.
"Good morning, my son. You seem very busy these days. I heard you're building a steel production facility. Why are you personally so involved in this?" she asked.
Arthur smiled. "I'm fine, Mother. The facility I'm building will allow us to produce large quantities of steel cheaply, unlike anything that has come before. This will bring great military and financial benefits to us. In fact, the construction is complete, and production will begin today," he replied.
Hearing this, his father turned to Arthur. "I didn't expect the facility to be completed so quickly. Good job, Arthur," he said. Arthur smiled and replied, "Thank you, Father."
Not wanting to waste any more time after breakfast, Arthur headed straight to the steel production facility. Upon arriving, William greeted him at the entrance with a broad smile. "Welcome, my prince. We've completed the necessary preparations. We can begin production whenever you wish," William said.
"Hello, William," Arthur said. "Let's start immediately," he added. Together, they began walking inside the facility. The building was exactly as Arthur had envisioned, divided into sections for efficiency and large enough to accommodate 400 workers. As Arthur toured the interior and observed the massive steel smelting converters, he began asking William questions.
"How much steel can you produce daily?" Arthur inquired.
William smiled. "For now, we can produce 50 tons of steel a day, Your Majesty. But within three months, we can double that amount," he said. Arthur nodded in approval. "Very good," he said. They then stepped outside together.
Outside, Arthur handed William a stack of papers containing the designs for a new steam engine and machines for textile production. "I need you to build the machines detailed in these drawings," Arthur instructed. William unfolded the papers and first saw the design for the steam engine. Curious, he asked, "Your Majesty, what does this machine do?"
Arthur explained, "This machine converts heat energy into motion. It boils water into steam, which builds up pressure in the boiler. The pressurized steam is then released to turn a connected crankshaft, converting the energy into mechanical motion."
William, filled with excitement, replied, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. With the steel we now have, I can construct this machine in no time." Arthur smiled and began explaining his plans for using the steam engine to power a factory for textile production. As William listened, his enthusiasm grew.
Their conversation continued until evening, with Arthur explaining the details of each machine and concepts like mass production, standardization, and division of labor to maximize factory efficiency. Before leaving, Arthur instructed William to sell any surplus steel to merchants to generate funds for future projects.
When Arthur returned to the castle, he joined his family for dinner. During the meal, he updated his father on the steel production facility's progress. Hearing about the daily production capacity of 50 tons, his father was visibly excited.
"Arthur, you've truly impressed me. To be honest, I didn't think you could achieve this. Congratulations. Is there any reward you'd like for this success?" his father asked.
Arthur smiled. "Thank you, Father. Actually, I have more plans I'd like to implement, with your permission," he replied.
"I'm listening, my son," his father said.
Arthur then began outlining his plans for steam engines and other industries. "I want to use the land surrounding the steel production facility to produce these goods," he said.
His father was initially surprised but eventually agreed. "Very well, Arthur. You have my approval," he said, then added, "Arthur, you used to be a reserved child, spending all your time buried in books. But you've changed. I'm very pleased with the transformation I've seen in you recently. One day, you will bear the responsibility of this kingdom, my son. Never forget that."
Marking another step forward in Arthur's ambitious vision for the kingdom, his plans began taking shape.
Later that evening, Arthur returned to his room. As he entered, he noticed a servant pouring hot water into the bathtub, preparing it for his nightly bath. Observing this simple act, Arthur felt a sudden urge to improve the hygiene standards of the world he now lived in.
After the servant finished filling the tub, Arthur stepped into the warm water and let the soothing heat relax him. As he washed, his mind wandered to ideas for sanitation improvements. Once he was done bathing, he dried off and dressed before sitting at his desk, illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight.
Arthur began sketching designs and writing notes about sanitation systems from his previous world. He detailed plans for underground sewage systems, running water taps, and public bathhouses. Over the course of the evening, he completed a comprehensive outline for public baths and toilets, envisioning how these could improve both public health and the quality of life for his people.
When Arthur finally finished his plans, he realized how late it had become. He carefully placed his notes and drawings in the desk drawer and prepared for bed. As he lay down, he felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing that another piece of his vision for a better future was beginning to take shape.