Building an empire which the sun never set-Chapter 53: More inventions 3

Two months had passed since Arthur began working on his new inventions. During this time, he and William had tirelessly focused on developing the sewing machine, steam-powered washing machines, fountain pens, and a gas production facility. They not only designed and built the necessary machinery for these products but also meticulously planned the manufacturing process and oversaw the setup of the factories where they would be produced.

With the growing number of factories in the industrial district, entrepreneurs had already begun purchasing land and constructing buildings for industrial use. Some of these newly completed buildings were acquired for Arthur's factories, equipped with machinery, and staffed with skilled workers, making them ready for production.

Finally, the day of the grand launch arrived. Arthur, knowing the significance of the occasion, rose early, quickly finished his breakfast, and prepared himself for the visit. Accompanied by his four armed guards, dressed in tailored suits to discreetly conceal their weapons, he set out for the industrial district to meet William.

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William, well aware of Arthur's planned visit to observe the commencement of production, was waiting for his arrival. As Arthur approached, William greeted him warmly. Wasting no time, Arthur expressed his eagerness to begin the tour.

Their first stop was the sewing machine factory. As they entered, William guided Arthur through the facility, explaining each step of the production process. Though Arthur had helped plan the manufacturing stages alongside William, witnessing the process firsthand was an entirely different experience.

The production of the sewing machines was carefully divided into distinct tasks, following the principles outlined in Adam Smith's work on division of labor. Instead of a single craftsman assembling an entire machine, each worker was responsible for a specific stage of production, greatly increasing efficiency. One group of workers cast and shaped the metal components, another polished and refined them, while others assembled the mechanical parts. Precision workers meticulously calibrated the gears and mechanisms, ensuring smooth operation. Finally, the machines were tested for quality before being packed for distribution. This method allowed for a vastly higher daily output compared to traditional artisanal production.

Arthur, recalling Adam Smith's observations, understood the immense efficiency gained through specialized labor. Seeing it in action, however, filled him with a newfound appreciation for industrial production.

After the sewing machine factory, they proceeded to the fountain pen factory, followed by the steam-powered washing machine facility, and finally, the gas production plant. At the gas facility, they were joined by Richard, a chemist overseeing the project, who provided an in-depth explanation of the gas refinement and distribution process.

Following the factory tours, Arthur and William returned to the office building. William invited Arthur to his newly arranged office, where he served him a cup of tea, and they began discussing business matters.

Arthur inquired about the first sales launch. William responded confidently, "Your Highness, we have already placed advertisements in newspapers aimed at bureaucrats and businessmen for the fountain pens. The first batch will be available for sale next week. s for the sewing machines have also begun, and they too will be on the market next week. As for the steam-powered washing machines, we have acquired and renovated several shop spaces in middle-class residential areas to be used as laundries. These have been outfitted with the necessary steam machines and will soon be operational."

Arthur nodded approvingly. "Good. What about gas lighting?"

William replied, "Your Highness, we have begun work in coordination with the municipal authorities and the government. The installation of gas pipelines has commenced, and preparations for illuminating the main streets will be completed within a month. Factories have already started using gas lighting, allowing us to implement the two-shift system we discussed. Now, production continues uninterrupted, twenty-four hours a day."

Arthur noticed the satisfied smile on William's face. He understood that William was delighted by the increased profitability that round-the-clock production would bring.

After further discussions regarding business, Arthur left the industrial district and returned to the palace.

Meanwhile, in the past month, negotiations regarding the supply of cotton for Pendralis's textile industry had been initiated. To facilitate discussions, Matthew, along with a delegation from the Foreign Ministry, was sent as an envoy to Nefara to meet with Ali Pasha. The delegation set sail aboard a government-owned steamship, escorted by the Pendralis Navy.

Upon reaching the Maraz Strait, the escorting warship parted ways, as its duty was to safeguard Pendralis Island. The delegation's steamship then docked at a port along the strait to replenish its coal supply. The following day, two vessels from the White Sea Fleet of Pendralis joined them as escorts for the remainder of their journey to Nefara.

After three weeks at sea, they neared the shores of Nefara. The sight of a Pendralis steamship in the harbor was nothing unusual to the locals, who had grown accustomed to seeing merchant ships arriving under naval protection since Pendralis had taken control of the Maraz Strait. However, the presence of warships escorting a single vessel did not go unnoticed by keen observers.

As the diplomatic vessel approached the port, the escorting warships remained offshore to avoid unnecessary tension. A harbor official was dispatched to clarify the purpose of their visit, and after an hour-long waiting period, permission was granted for the delegation's ship to dock.

Matthew and his team disembarked and were received by a high-ranking local official. Matthew stated their intent: they wished to negotiate a trade agreement with Ali Pasha. The official relayed their request to Ali Pasha, who agreed to meet with them in three days.

Having arrived from a long journey, Matthew decided to use the interim period to rest and explore the city. Over the next three days, accompanied by an interpreter assigned by the Foreign Ministry, he toured the markets and observed the social and economic conditions of Nefara.

Despite much of the country being composed of arid desert, the fertile lands along the Nefara River were densely populated and used primarily for agriculture. Most of the farmland was dedicated to producing wheat and other food staples to sustain the local population, while a smaller portion was allocated for cotton cultivation. Ali Pasha had imposed quotas on the amount of cotton sold to foreign traders to prioritize domestic demand.

The city was also a bustling hub of commerce, benefiting from its location along major overland trade routes from Asia and its well-developed port on the eastern coast of the White Sea. However, as Matthew keenly observed, while Nefara was officially a part of the Usman Empire, Ali Pasha had, over the years, taken advantage of the region's remoteness from the imperial capital. With the support of influential tribal leaders, he had established de facto control over the territory, operating with minimal interference from the central government.

Matthew carefully took notes on the political dynamics of the region, identifying the tribes that supported Ali Pasha and those that opposed him, along with their intricate relationships. These details would later be included in his report.

At last, the day of the negotiations arrived. Matthew and his delegation set out for Ali Pasha's palace in Nefara, ready to discuss the terms of their proposed trade agreement.