Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 210: Iron Ambition 7

TL: Etude

Why is that, Count?

Burns expression resembled that of a child denied a toy by an unyielding parent. 𝑓𝓻ℯ𝑒𝑤𝘦𝑏𝑛ℴ𝓋ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝓸𝓂

He had fully expected Paul to praise and wholeheartedly support his research in this new field, but while Paul did express admiration, he ultimately doused Burns enthusiasm with a cold splash of reality.

This matter is quite complex, not something that can be explained in a few words, Paul said, looking troubled, unsure how to explain his position to Burns, and also uncertain if his own thoughts were correct.

Firstly, although using steam as a power source is a simple concept, when I tried to work through it, I found many technical details that need resolving. Its not something that can be accomplished quickly, Paul explained.

Burns replied with determination, Youre right, but I am fully prepared to face these challenges.

But I cant wait for that. Next year, the machinery factorys research tasks will be very demanding. I have many ideas that I need you guys to realize. We cant afford to be hindered by a steam engine that might take who knows how long to perfect. Besides, its not necessarily appropriate to introduce a steam engine at this point in time

Burns was puzzled, What do you mean by that? Windmills and watermills are too limited by weather and geography, but if we create steam engines, factories like ironworks could spring up everywhere.

Paul shook his head, Whats the use of building so many ironworks?

Its very useful! With more ironworks, your territory can produce more iron.

What do I need so much iron for?

This this

Burns felt absurd. Didnt the count understand what a large supply of iron meant? But he hesitated to speak plainly, given Pauls status.

You could use it yourself or sell it to others. Isnt iron needed for making weapons and farm tools?

True, but if the ironworks we visited are completed as planned, their output will more than suffice for the needs of Alda and Baylding, and we could still sell a significant amount to other territories. Im upgrading our iron-making technology because our territorys agriculture and other industries need more iron than before, and the rebellion in the south is a lucrative opportunity. However, both our territory and the surrounding ones have a yearly limit to their iron demand, and the southern rebellion will eventually end. If we blindly increase production, the excess iron will have no buyers and just rust away in warehouses. Eventually, without profit, well have to shut down the ironworks. After all the effort, well be left with only a few factories that meet the supply-demand balance, having invested countless resources in people and money in the process.

Burns was speechless, Thats

You see, why invest heavily in developing something like a steam engine when there isnt such a high demand yet? The current water conditions in Alda and Baylding are enough for us to build several ironworks.

But if we combine the steam engine with a harvester, it could also be used in agriculture!

Its the same principle as with iron. If we produce too much food but dont have enough people to consume it, the price of food will drop. While abundant and cheap food is good for city dwellers, its not good for the rural folks who produce it.

Lord Grayman, there will always be hungry people in this world.

So what? Can they afford to buy it? Should I be so charitable as to pay out of my own pocket to deliver food to those who have nothing?

Alright, Lord Grayman, your reasoning makes sense.

Burns seemed to be persuaded.

In fact, Paul had another concern that he hadnt voiced. In his plans, the future was undoubtedly centered on industrial development, with a key step being the conversion of over half the population into industrial workers. If overly advanced technologies were introduced too soon, allowing machines to replace the work of dozens of people, it could adversely affect the speed of this industrial workforce transition. After finally cultivating a group of genuine workers, it would be counterproductive to send them back to farming.

Paul recalled from his previous lifes textbooks that after the Industrial Revolution in Britain, there was a massive Luddite movement against machines, sparked by their efficiency causing widespread unemployment.

Although its possible to control the number of machines and factories to not exceed current social demands, this would inevitably result in a society not fully industrialized, with a population still primarily engaged in agriculture.

The few heavily machine-dependent factories would become critical nodes of power in Pauls hands. If these nodes were destroyed for any reason and he couldnt recover them quickly, hed regress to the level of a small lord, just as he was when his memory first awakened.

Therefore, he preferred to maintain some backward production methods while sustaining the industrial population. He planned to gradually convert the agricultural population, using the societys growing demand for industrial products. This way, even if a part of the population was lost to war or other reasons, the remaining part could continue industrial production.

For the same reasons, he subconsciously resisted using the mysterious powers of this world. After witnessing the performances of Ladi and the Arcane Society wizard, Paul had considered leveraging the mystical power of magic to develop industry. However, after several discussions with his female advisor, he abandoned this idea.

Firstly, magic was too arcane, even mages themselves didnt fully understand it, and the spells he learned about from Ladi didnt offer him any assistance.

Secondly, Paul didnt want to rely too heavily on the group of mages. Putting aside the Churchs current stance on mages, which could bring trouble, even if mages status were legalized someday and they could contribute to a production boom, their monopoly over this advanced production method of magic would inevitably form a formidable class.

According to his female advisor, magic demanded high aptitude, possibly even linked to lineage, unlike science and technology, which even the least intelligent could grasp with diligence and hard work.

Moreover, given the relative scarcity of mages, they would also become key nodes, a single failure of which could lead to the collapse of the entire industrial system.

Choosing the right path from the start is crucial; a wrong turn can be costly to correct, especially after interest groups form.

He hoped for a society that was as fair as possible.

Thus, Paul set his stance on magic: to be primarily defensive at this stage. When he had the capacity for further involvement, he might study and utilize it, but never depend on it. Only in urgent situations, where no conventional alternatives were available, would he resort to the power of magic.

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