Imperial City of Typhon, Oldenheim. A special, small-scale banquet was being held in the Noble District.
Bright magic crystal lamps illuminated the spacious main banquet hall. Golden tassels hung down from the high ceiling, forming a gorgeous curtain above the hall. Soft and cheerful tunes echoed in the room. The music had the unique intoxication and extravagance of the Nightingale Era in Typhon. The nobles from the central region of Typhon loved this kind of music from the previous era. It seemed to remind them of the "good times" before the empire's new policies. They loved to dance to the nightingale-like melody, remembering the era when the nobles still enjoyed a lot of privileges and controlled all the wealth of the land.
But today, many years after the implementation of the new policies, they could only reminisce to this extent with a melody.
Since only a few close friends were invited to this kind of private banquet, it was destined that there would not be too many guests. A dozen invited guests stood in twos and threes, chatting casually in the hall. The fragrant wine and exquisite snacks did not attract the guests from the upper class. Their attention was almost all on the small platform in the middle of the hall. There was a strange machine with an iron frame and a series of complicated connecting rods and gears. The neatly arranged cotton threads between the metal rods on the upper part of the machine reminded them of "weaving." But it was the first time that they had seen such a strange loom.
Intentionally or unintentionally, the guests stopped around the machine, discussing or speculating in whispers about the origin of the machine and the intention of the host of the banquet to place it there. The machine, which was not attractive, or even ugly, did not match the atmosphere of an upper-class banquet. It was certainly not placed in the middle of the hall for decoration. So, why did the host of the banquet, Viscount Hermil, a gentleman of orthodox noble birth, place it here?
"Probably some new magic toy." In the banquet hall, a young noble in a dark brown coat whispered to his companion next to him. "After all, Mr. Hermil is famous for playing with new things."
"I heard that he brought it out from the Imperial Craftsmen Association," his companion replied. "That eccentric old sorcerer has been very close to Mr. Hermil recently …"
"That eccentric old sorcerer? Is there such a person in the Imperial Craftsmen Association? "
"Oh, that's a famous person. It is said that Ms. Windsor personally vouched for him. I heard that he used to be a high-ranking member of the Royal Association of Mages. He had already retired, but this time, he was invited by His Majesty's recruitment order … "
The discussion among the guests did not last long. As the music gradually turned to a soothing and low tone, everyone's eyes turned to the entrance of the hall. Attendants in dark red short coats opened the heavy and gorgeous door, and Viscount Hermil, who was tall and thin, wearing a loose dark coat and a monocle, appeared at the door.
The viscount, who was less than 30 years old, had a cheerful smile on his face. He was always so cheerful, and there was an aura of something good happening at any time around him. Behind the viscount were two strangers.
One of them was wearing a black mage's robe. He looked old and gloomy. At first glance, one could tell that he was an eccentric old sorcerer who was difficult to get along with. The other person was not at all qualified to be here. He was a short, hunchbacked, middle-aged man with a nervous look on his face. Although he was wearing a brand new and decent woolen coat, he was still cowering like an inferior person. He carefully followed behind Viscount Hermil and the black-robed sorcerer with a nervous look on his face as if he was going to faint at any time.
The unfamiliar faces piqued the curiosity of the guests, but none of them were rude enough to ask. They just glanced at the two guests behind Viscount Hermil with the reserved nobility of the nobles, and then turned their attention back to the host of the banquet.
The guests were all good friends of Viscount Hermil. Naturally, they were not so reserved. Someone raised the wine glass in his hand, laughed and greeted the host of the banquet. "Viscount Hermil, thank you for the wine and food. This banquet is really impressive, especially the decorations. My friend, aren't you going to introduce your new toy to everyone?"
"This is not a toy, Viscount Dewey." Viscount Hermil had a bright smile on his face. He walked to the center of the hall and came to the side of the strange-looking machine. He then turned to face the guests he had invited, stretched his arms and pointed to the machine behind him in an exaggerated gesture. "This is a new era!"
"You are getting more and more fond of this kind of exaggeration." A lady wearing a veil could not help but laugh and shake her head. "The last time you introduced a 'writing machine' to us, you said the same thing. Unfortunately, it only shredded the paper …"
Hermil immediately looked up and said with a serious face, "I've been improving that machine, and I'm sure I can get rid of those annoying little gears. As for this machine, please rest assured that it will not have any problems like the last time. It's already a practical creation!"
Then he moved aside slightly and beckoned the nervous middle-aged man in the woolen coat to come forward. "Mr. Martin, please come forward and demonstrate this incredible thing to my friends."
It turned out that this man, who looked like he had walked into the wrong place, was here to help the viscount demonstrate the machine?
The guests looked at the middle-aged man called "Mr. Martin" as he came to the machine, checking the parts, calibrating the gears, and injecting grease into the gaps of the parts. After touching the machine, the middle-aged man's nervousness seemed to disappear at once. Like a skilled craftsman, he completed all the preparatory work with dazzling movements. Then he started the machine under the instruction of Viscount Hermil.
Accompanied by a faint magic wave at the bottom of the machine, a strange creaking sound came from its gears and connecting rods. Then, this complex engineering creation did something amazing under everyone's eyes.
It was weaving!
The machine creaked for a few minutes and then stopped under the control of "Mr. Martin," while the onlookers stared with wide eyes.
Finally, someone exclaimed, "By the God of Knowledge, Hermil, you've finally made something useful!"
Viscount Hermil put on a reserved expression. He put his hand on his abdomen and sighed in an aria-like tone. "How I wish this miracle of engineering was made by me, but the rules of nobility require me to be honest. This machine was made by Mr. Martin, who is the fourth smartest person I've ever met. He named this machine 'Angelay Loom' …"
The noble guests in the hall once again exclaimed in surprise. This time, they finally took a good look at this' Mr. Martin '.
Martin stood nervously under the gaze of the nobles, his hands clenched and unclenched unconsciously. He was so nervous, but also so happy and excited. His machine, which had been ridiculed by others, had finally been recognized and given an opportunity. A respectable noble even held a banquet to show off his invention without the slightest intention of encroaching on his reputation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you can ask Mr. Martin about the details of this machine. Please don't scare him. He's my distinguished guest," Viscount Hermil said loudly with a smile. "And if anyone wants to buy this machine and use it for something, please come to me after the banquet. I'm honored to be the first investor of Angelay Loom, and I'm always looking forward to friends joining me in starting a great business."
Then, the viscount left the banquet to the Angelay Loom and its inventor. He returned to the lounge next to the banquet hall with the old mage Daniel.
"Master Daniel, it's been a wonderful day," Viscount Hermil said happily as soon as they entered the lounge. "You know what? I like to come up with a new thing and enjoy everyone's surprised look … "
The old mage Daniel nodded and said, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Viscount."
Although Viscount Hermil was eccentric, he still understood the basic etiquette. And now, in order to complete his master's task, he had to try his best to build a good relationship with every "target" he could use.
"Don't be so polite, Master," Viscount Hermil hurriedly said. "Lady Windsor has taught me before, and I consider myself as half of her disciple. You are her mentor, and it's my honor to be able to solve your problems."
Daniel glanced at the young noble and said, "You do have some talent as a mage."
"Ah, I know my talent very well. I probably won't be able to go far on the path of magic, and I'm a person who can't bear hardships." Viscount Hermil waved his hand. "That's why I prefer to put my energy on 'wonder items.' Fate has been kind to me, and I've finally found such a valuable 'wonder item.' And I've met a master like you who has a unique vision and extraordinary wisdom. To be honest, although I can see the great value of the Angelay Loom, without your guidance and guidance, I'm afraid I'll never know how powerful it really is. "
Daniel calmly accepted the viscount's compliment, and then asked indirectly, "Mr. Viscount, do you think your friends will be interested in the Angelay Loom?"
"Ah, they are a group of people who are interested in new things like me, but not everyone has the courage to invest like me. You know, many nobles cherish the remaining assets in their hands after losing their land, and they only dare to hold banquets twice a month." Viscount Hermil sat on the soft couch in the lounge, leaned over and picked up a fruit from the fruit plate next to him. He sniffed the fruit's aroma and said, "But there are still two … Oh, three people who should have both vision and courage. They will join us."
"That's good." Daniel nodded. "The more people join, the faster our scale will expand, and the more obvious the publicity effect will be. The Angelay Loom has already been registered with the Association of Craftsmen. Not only can you set up a factory, but you can also sell the loom's authorization. Its income will far exceed the annual income. "
"To be honest, I can't wait." Viscount Hermil put the fruit in his hand aside. "But to be honest … Although the Angelay Loom is very useful, it needs a sufficient supply of yarn to maximize its value. Mr. Martin … Can you really design the new spinning machine before the end of the cold month?"
"He will succeed, don't worry. After all, the spinning machine's structure is much simpler than the loom, and there's also the hydraulic spinning machine invented by the Hurits in 714 as a reference." Daniel smiled, but the smile was more creepy than comforting. "Besides, I will also help him. I know a little about mechanics."
Viscount Hermil let out a long sigh of relief. "That's good. As long as the spinning machine is in place, I have nothing to worry about."
"No, in fact, there's one more thing to worry about." Daniel shook his head and reminded, "Mr. Viscount, don't you think that if the spinning machine and the loom are running at the same time, we will need a lot of … cotton?"
"… I have thought about that." Upon hearing Daniel's words, Viscount Hermil's expression became slightly more serious. "Most of the people near the imperial city grow grains and beans. The cotton is mainly grown in the south, and even in the south, their cotton output can't keep up with the consumption of the machines. The efficiency of the machines is really amazing."
"Why don't we find a way to persuade those farmers who grow grains and beans to grow some cotton? Anyway, cotton can be harvested well in the central region. "Daniel recalled his master's teachings in his mind and slowly guided him. He showed a more obvious smile on his face. That smile was still creepy, but in Viscount Hermil's eyes, it was full of sincerity and friendliness." The farmers will benefit greatly. The price of cotton purchased by the factory is much higher than the income they get from selling grains … "
"Then … what if they are unwilling?" Viscount Hermil hesitated. "Many farmers are very stubborn, and now the imperial law protects them. I can't forcibly change the things in their fields …"
"Mr. Viscount, this will require you to work harder in the parliament. Attract more people to the textile factory. As long as everyone becomes our investors, the members of parliament will naturally realize the importance of cotton …"
"Ah, Master Daniel, you know the rules of the aristocratic parliament?"
"I know a little."
Viscount Hermil finally could not help but show a look of admiration as he looked at the old mage who had a unique vision and outstanding wisdom. "Master Daniel, allow me to be frank — you really should have returned to the imperial capital earlier. Your knowledge and vision are so outstanding. If you had returned to the imperial capital two years earlier, you would have become the man of the hour."
"No, Mr. Viscount, this is the age of the young," Daniel said slowly. "Keep looking forward to it. You will become the man of the hour."
Viscount Hermil laughed. He stood up and personally took the wine glass and red wine from the wine rack not far away. He poured a glass for himself and Daniel, and then handed a glass to the old mage in front of him. "Let us celebrate this, master."
Daniel took the glass and raised it slightly. "To this beautiful era."
"To this beautiful era."
(The unusual comic has a reward function! So, a wave of publicity …)
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