CHAPTER 478: GERALD RODNEY 2

Gerald had heard Eileen describe measures suitable for developing industry and commerce while he was at Crystal Shine Fortress.

However, many of these measures weren’t quite suitable for a king’s domain.

“In fact,” Gerald said, “His Majesty the King doesn’t plan to start with a big bang, but instead, aims to selectively introduce a few technologies and set up one or two factories to see the effects.”

“It’s a cautious decision, as the conditions vary in different regions.”

Hansel nodded in agreement, “Such foresight befits His Majesty.”

“So, Sir Abbott,” Gerald inquired, “which technologies should we use, and what kind of factories should we establish to quickly gain profit?”

“Porcelain, of course!” Hansel blurted out without a second thought.

“Porcelain is simply like printing money. Even with heavy tariffs, it remains one of Alda’s most profitable products.”

Gerald nodded, “Oh, indeed.”

He had seen the nobles at Crystal Shine Fortress clamoring for porcelain. Now, it was almost embarrassing for a noble household not to display a piece or two of porcelain.

Hansel mused, “However, acquiring the technology to produce porcelain might not be easy.”

“Why?” Gerald first wondered, then realized, “Right, such a profitable technology wouldn’t be willingly shared with others. Does this mean, despite the so-called patent laws, Count Grayman still keeps the porcelain-making technology to himself?”

“Yes,” Hansel nodded in response, “Even with patent laws, not all technologies are open for sharing, like porcelain and firearms.”

Gerald asked, “Firearms? Are those the rumored fire crossbows and thunder hammers? Are they as powerful as said?”

Hansel confirmed, “Indeed, they are one of the main reasons why the forces of Count Grayman could subdue the major lords of the Northwest Bay, including Duke Ferdinand.”

Yuriko Rodney, who was nearby, raised his eyebrows, “As a subject of His Majesty, Grayman should offer these advanced technologies to the kingdom for free, whether it’s porcelain or firearms.”

Hearing his brother’s words, Gerald frowned but still asked, “If we make such a request, would Count Grayman agree?”

“Uh…”

Hansel didn’t answer.

The lords of the kingdom’s frontier territories had only been obliged to provide troops for warfare, a rule set at the founding of the Kingdom of Ordo as a reward for the lords who ventured into desolate lands to establish and expand territories.

This rule had never been changed. Although the Northwest Bay had developed considerably over the years, it was still a frontier region of the kingdom.

“This is outrageous! It’s a display of disloyalty.”

Yuriko Rodney burst out, mistaking Hansel’s hesitation for Grayman’s attitude. After all, he was appointed by Grayman as the head of the Department of Agriculture.

“Shut up, Yuriko,”

Gerald scolded his brother. Loyalty doesn’t mean unilateral sacrifice. If Grayman proved his loyalty in this way, could the royal family offer a reward worthy of this loyalty? The current royal family couldn’t even properly settle the southern nobles who lost their lands due to loyalty.

Seeing Gerald’s reaction, Hansel felt a mix of emotions. Had the royal family really become this weak?

He let out a sigh in his heart.

Hansel’s suggestion of porcelain and firearms, followed by his choice not to answer, was a test. Being a member of the Technical Examination Committee himself, he knew which technologies could be shared and which could not.

For a long time, Hansel had viewed the Kingdom of Ordo as powerful and glorious, with the King wielding strong control over his vassals. Even the rebellions of Jars and Viburen seemed like minor inconveniences, akin to an itch on the skin. He believed the kingdom was merely facing temporary difficulties, and soon enough, it would easily quell these rebellions, as simple as scratching an itch.

But what Hansel had seen and heard in the past two years made him doubt this belief.

Jars and Viburen were still actively resisting, having driven out lords loyal to the King from their occupied lands. The kingdom had only managed to sign a barely respectable truce with them.

The King couldn’t even properly pacify his loyal subjects who had lost their lands and had to travel all the way to the Northwest Bay, previously considered insignificant by the nobles of Crystal Shine, to seek solutions.

Facing Paul Grayman, the rising power in the Northwest Bay, Count Gerald Rodney, one of the heirs to the throne, didn’t directly demand the technologies but planned to approach the matter with a negotiative attitude.

Ah, how much easier things would have been under the previous kings, when royal authority was at its peak. A single command from the King could make vassals obediently surrender anything he desired. If pleased, the King might even compensate with substantial rewards, such as a large tract of land.

But now, the royal family had few chips to encourage voluntary contributions from the vassals, including both deterrent military force and rewarding wealth.

However, Hansel thought, Count Grayman’s status among the many nobles of Ordo had indeed risen significantly.

“I have already ordered Count Gerald as the royal representative to go to the Northwest Bay, to discuss matters related to the introduction of the second industry in the royal domain with Count Paul Grayman, Duke Henry Ferdinand, and other lords of the Northwest Bay.”

In this letter, the King first mentioned Count Grayman, politely referred to Duke Ferdinand, and simply grouped other lords under “others.”

Gerald didn’t want to continue the discussion on how Grayman should prove his loyalty.

He asked, “Apart from those technologies Count Grayman plans to keep exclusive, what other high-return technologies can we introduce to the royal domain?”

“Oh, there are actually many other technologies to choose from.”

Hansel tried to ease the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

“For instance, the salt drying technology. Compared to the traditional method of boiling salt, this can increase salt production by dozens or even hundreds of times. Salt is an essential seasoning for everyone, so this could also yield substantial profits.”

“Then there’s the loom, specifically the flying shuttle loom. One machine operated by a single person can replace five or six skilled weavers.”

“There are also various agricultural tools. Though their manufacturing technology isn’t shared, buying the finished products is very beneficial and can significantly boost agricultural development.”

“Additionally, there’s the technology for building paddle-less sailboats. Due to the rapid development of maritime trade, the demand for merchant ships in the Northwest Bay far exceeds supply. I think Count Grayman would be pleased to see new shipyards established to alleviate this situation.”

“Oh, and the technology for making honeycomb coal. This could greatly improve the winter heating for the people in the royal domains. Although Crystal Shine is in the south, it still gets cold for a period in winter.”