Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

"So, Count Grayman, actually, before I came to the Northwest Bay, I wasn't very familiar with the advanced technologies possessed by the Northwest Bay," Gerald said to Paul.

"After arriving here, we inquired a bit and also found out that some technologies are still within your confidential range, such as porcelain firing, and… your firearms," he said, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket.

"I've therefore compiled a list. Please review it to see if all the technologies listed can be disclosed."

"If you're willing to share these technologies with us, His Majesty the King will protect your patents in his name. This protection will extend not only throughout the royal territories but also in all the lands within Ordo where the lords are loyal to His Majesty. They will all adhere to the King's command to protect your patents."

Gerald handed the piece of paper to Paul.

Paul glanced over the list, which included papermaking, salt production, canning, coke production, beehive coal, iron smelting, spring carriages, shipbuilding, printing presses, weaving machines, spinning machines, harvesters, threshers, chaff cutters, root cutters, milling machines, cotton gins…

Good grief, Paul thought to himself, are you planning to copy everything from my house? It seems you've got almost everything covered.

"Noble Count Gerald, esteemed guest," Paul addressed Gerald formally.

"Currently, we can only disclose technologies like papermaking, salt production, canning, coke production, beehive coal, spring carriages, printing presses, and shipbuilding to areas outside Alda."

"Iron smelting technology is also not open for disclosure. Moreover, coke production is primarily to complement iron smelting. However, you don't need to worry about the coke produced in the royal territories being useless; you can sell it back to the Northwest Bay, as our metal smelting industry here will use it extensively."

"In the coming years, we have researched and developed exploration and mining technologies for iron ore, coal, and several other minerals. You can adopt these and sell any minerals you can't utilize back to the Northwest Bay."

"As for the spring carriage manufacturing technology, you are welcome to adopt it. However, the technology for making springs is not open for disclosure. Springs can only be purchased from us."

Spring technology, a byproduct of the research on flintlock gun springs, initially had a heartwarming firing rate. After considerable investment and the gradual improvements by craftsmen under Paul's strategy, the firing rate finally reached seventy-five percent.

Spring-based carriages were quite popular, becoming a standard among the upper class in the Northwest Bay.

Gerald asked, "How much do you charge for these so-called 'patent usage fees'?"

Paul held up two fingers.

"Two thousand silver shields?" Gerald guessed.

Paul shook his head.

"Twenty thousand silver shields? That's too much," Gerald protested.

Paul continued to shake his head.

Gerald, with a somewhat strained expression, ventured a ludicrous number, "Two hundred thousand silver shields?"

Paul nodded.

Gerald was incredulous, "Count Grayman, are you mad? Forgive my rudeness, but perhaps I misunderstood. Is this a one-time payment?"

That could be a possibility.

Paul shook his head and clarified, "No, it's an annual usage fee."

"I must question your loyalty to the kingdom. Are you deliberately making this difficult or mocking me?" Gerald asked.

Paul's expression turned serious, leaving no room for doubt, "The great Lord of Light can attest to my loyalty to the kingdom. If His Majesty goes to war now, I'll immediately send my most elite soldiers to assist, each a robust young man. But these technologies are the property of the Grayman family. According to the sacred laws set at the founding of our nation, I have the right to dispose of them as I see fit."

"Besides, compared to the wealth these technologies can generate, what's this patent fee? Using our latest shipbuilding technology to construct a three-masted sailing ship, you could even sell it for a hundred thousand silver shields."—Of course, Paul didn't mention the cost.

Paul made a gesture of covering his face in sorrow. "Ah! I thought my loyalty was apparent to the kingdom's government during the rebellion a few years ago."

Gerald was aware that during the rebellion, the Count before him had significantly supported the royal army, including providing swords, armor, military rations, and a host of other supplies.

He slightly raised his head, "The kingdom's government has indeed recognized your loyalty, which is why your family's honor was restored."

"Thank the King, praise the King."

Ha, Paul thought to himself, everyone can offer verbal loyalty, especially when the kingdom's government has been unable to wage war in recent years.

Gerald spoke with a troubled expression, "To speak frankly, Count Grayman, the budget His Majesty allocated for acquiring technology this time is not very large, as it's just an experimental venture. Given the high price, I must take my leave now."

Saying so, he stood up, ready to leave the lord's mansion.

"Hold on, wait a minute!"

Paul extended his hands to stop him from leaving.

"Count Gerald, are you aware of the 'joint-stock company' model that's recently become popular in the Northwest Bay?"

"Oh, isn't that just a partnership in business?" Gerald replied.

"Exactly," Paul said with a smile. "Actually, I can forgo the patent fees and accept something else in exchange."

Gerald tilted his head, "Shares?"

"Yes, shares," Paul confirmed. "Alda would contribute technology as its share, while the royal territories would be responsible for capital, manpower, and land, and then profits would be distributed according to the shareholding ratio."

Gerald pretended to ponder, "That could work. What share of the company would you expect for your technology, my lord?"

"Forty percent!"

"No way!"

"Thirty-five percent!"

"No way!"

"Thirty percent?"

"No way!"

…

Paul kept lowering his offer until reaching twenty percent, at which point Count Gerald reluctantly nodded.

"I personally think twenty percent is reasonable, but it still requires His Majesty's approval."

Paul smiled, "I believe His Majesty, with his wisdom, will definitely agree."

Gerald acquired the technology without spending a dime, while Paul opened up a seemingly promising revenue stream without any cost. Both felt quite satisfied.

Of course, there were many details to be discussed, but those would be handled by their subordinates. The two had set the framework, which was sufficient.

Paul raised his tea cup to Gerald as a toast.

"To a pleasant cooperation!"

Gerald returned the gesture with a smile.

"To the success of our partnership."