Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

"Is this the so-called flying shuttle loom?"

Inside a textile mill, Gerald Rodney focused his eyes on the shuttle moving back and forth.

He had been in the Northwest Bay for nearly a month, visiting various workshops almost every day.

As the shuttle moved back and forth, a piece of cloth was rapidly taking shape on the machine.

"Yes, Your Excellency," confirmed Paul, who stood beside Gerald Rodney as his accompanying person.

Gerald remarked with admiration, "It's a clever little thing. Even to a layman like me, its principle is not complicated. I didn't expect such a simple improvement to greatly enhance the efficiency of cloth production."

Paul agreed, "Many technologies are not so profound; they merely quietly wait there, lacking only a flash of inspiration from someone."

Gerald said somewhat regretfully, "Since it's so simple, I could have avoided giving you so many shares. I could just look here and then go back to gather craftsmen to replicate it."

"Oh! You can't say that, Lord Gerald."

"Technological upgrade?"

"Yes, believe it or not, in my laboratory, there are more advanced technologies than what you see here. If the current technology is stolen, I will immediately upgrade it, using a higher production efficiency to squeeze out the imitators from the market. Partners who follow the rules, however, can enjoy the benefits of upgrading together."

"You're very confident, Count Grayman."

Paul spread his hands, displaying a confident demeanor, "I am indeed."

"Alright then!"

Gerald did not continue on this topic.

He looked at Paul, "So, about the flying shuttle technology, was it your flash of inspiration, Count Grayman?"

Paul modestly smiled, "Although it was me, the completion of the specific details still depended on Mr. Guy Burns of the machinery factory and his colleagues."

"Guy Burns? Wait, I think I've heard that name."

Something flashed in Gerald's mind, and then he fell into reminiscence.

"Guy Burns? Burns… Burns…"

He muttered continuously.

Paul waited with a smile as Gerald reminisced. Given that Guy Burns came from the capital and was of noble birth, it was quite possible that Count Gerald knew him.

However, Paul chose not to remind Gerald, as recalling vague memories can sometimes be a pleasure.

"Ha-ha, I remember now," Gerald slapped his forehead.

"A quirky mechanic from Crystal Shine, although his abilities were somewhat mediocre, his style was unique. He refused to make toys for the nobility and instead taught his skills to children from poor families. Eventually, he was boycotted by the other mechanics in Crystal Shine and had to seek opportunities elsewhere. Ah… Count Grayman, is your Guy Burns from Crystal Shine? After all, there are many people with the same name."

Paul burst into laughter, "I think it's the same Mr. Guy Burns. His background matches exactly what you just described. However, I wouldn't agree with the assessment of him being mediocre; many of the devices here were completed by Master Burns himself."

Gerald was very surprised, "Is his ability really outstanding? But I've heard…"

"Oh! Lord Gerald," Paul waved his hand, "As you said, the mechanics in the capital are keen on creating 'toys' for the nobility, but Master Burns disdains such things. His ambition is to create 'big inventions', like the flying shuttle loom here, which can significantly increase production efficiency."

Paul continued jestingly, "Ha-ha, it seems the nobles in the capital lost a great talent, only to drive him to the Northwest Bay. Imagine if he had stayed in the capital, maybe at this moment, it would be me going to Lord Gerald to buy technology and machinery."

Count Gerald rubbed his thumb and fingers together in front of his eyes, laughing, "It still requires a little flash of inspiration, right?"

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

After the laughter subsided, Paul asked, "Lord Gerald, are you also interested in mechanical technology in your daily life?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Just now, you seemed quite familiar with Mr. Burns' story; it feels like you're a… 'insider'."

"Oh! It's not because I'm interested in mechanical technology."

Gerald honestly replied, "Actually, it's because my brother is very interested in mechanics. I heard about Mr. Burns' story from him; he's kind of… using your words, half an 'insider'."

"Your brother?" Paul inquired, "Lord August or Lord Yuriko?"

"It's August."

Gerald answered, "He's someone very interested in mechanical things. Recently, he's been frequently visiting your machinery and agricultural machinery factories. I think he must have recognized Guy Burns; they probably met in the capital."

Paul nodded, "I see, no wonder he knew about Burns."

Gerald turned his gaze back to the flying shuttle loom in the workshop, his face showing a fond affection, "My brother, he's someone with both interest and talent. He often says that if he hadn't been born into the royal family, he would have been an excellent locksmith. This often makes him the subject of ridicule among other nobles—he was born into royalty, yet he's passionate about this field."

A hint of helplessness appeared on Gerald's face.

Paul smiled, "Your brother really is an interesting person. I know of an emperor who liked to be a carpenter, so this isn't too unusual."

Gerald returned the smile, taking Paul's words as comforting, so he did not inquire about the carpenter emperor he mentioned.

He continued, "My brother's talent has been useful, you know. Are you familiar with the guillotine?"

Paul: "Ah? The guillotine? Around here, the lords generally use hanging, but I know what a guillotine looks like."

Gerald: "In the capital, the guillotines used square-shaped blades, parallel to the platform below. But after a few uses, these blades would become blunt, and re-sharpening them was quite troublesome."

Paul: "Let me guess, your brother—August—solved this problem?"

"Yes," Gerald laughed again, "Guess how he did it? He changed the blade to a triangular shape, with an angled edge, and since then, blunting became much less frequent."

"So that's it. It's a simple yet effective idea."

Paul sincerely admired.