Chapter 237: Next Phase
Brambleford Machinery Department.
The issuance of the Anti-Spy Decree and the widespread education of the populace on espionage had caused all the hidden forces within Brambleford to suddenly keep their heads down.
At the same time, to further safeguard Brambleford’s technologies from theft, Simon was preparing to restructure and subdivide all technical crafts and industrial processes.
For example, in cannon production, processes such as steel refining, mould-making, casting, and ammunition manufacturing would be made completely independent. Each stage of the process would be handled by different specialists, with every craftsman only responsible for a small part of the workflow, isolated from the others.
This would drastically reduce the risk of core technologies being stolen.
On this day, Simon handed his meticulously designed production workflow over to Bjorn, ordering him to reform the Machinery Department accordingly, taking preventive action before problems arose.
Holding the thick manual, Bjorn felt even greater admiration for Simon. In recent weeks, books written by Prince Simon had steadily been distributed to the Machinery Department, the Military Workshop, and the Oxford Academy. All of them were personally written, edited, and then published through the Brambleford press.
In the Eldorian Empire, books had always been considered rare and precious, but in Brambleford, thanks to reduced printing costs, that was no longer the case. After passing along the production manual, Simon asked. "Is the weaving machine ready for delivery?"
"My Lord, it’s ready. I was just about to report that to you." Said Bjorn as he led Simon to the rear courtyard of the Machinery Department, where one hundred looms had been neatly lined up.
These were the famous looms, designed to convert single-thread weaving into multi-thread weaving. Once operational, these machines would multiply Brambleford’s textile efficiency by more than tenfold.
Simon had been eagerly awaiting the delivery. The textile workshop run by Ysabeau and Joan had been waiting for them. Once operational, they would no longer be limited by the slow production of sails for his wind-powered warships.
"Move them all. I need them now." Simon said happily.
With the entire batch of looms in tow, Simon returned to the castle. The moment the looms arrived, Ysabeau and Joan ran out from the inner residence, excitement shining in their eyes.
"My Lord, is this the loom you spoke of?" Ysabeau asked, nearly breathless with joy.
Both she and Joan were well-versed in the art of weaving. They had learned embroidery and textiles while serving by Lady Isolde’s side at court. Joan nudged Ysabeau and pointed. "This loom can spin ten threads at once; look at the shuttle mechanism!"
Ysabeau smiled brightly. "My Lord, let’s move the looms to the workshop right away. I can’t wait to try them out."
Brambleford was vast. Simon had relocated all heavy industries like steel production outside the city, but since textile manufacturing was a light industry, the workshop was located within the city. This was part of his long-term industrial plan: heavy industry outside the city, light industry inside.
To make it convenient for Ysabeau and Joan to oversee the operation, the workshop was located just two residential blocks away from the castle. It was situated in a large courtyard with five long rows of tiled-brick buildings.
Once they arrived, Simon had the looms moved into the workshop.
"From now on, this textile workshop will rely on you both. The Brambleford Army is waiting for your uniforms." Simon joked, seeing the workshop fully equipped.
Ysabeau replied confidently. "If these looms are truly as miraculous as you say, then this task will be no trouble at all."
"Talk is cheap; I only care about results." Simon teased with a smirk.
Ysabeau stuck out her tongue, then joined Joan at one of the looms to try operating it.
After familiarising themselves with the machine, Ysabeau turned and asked. "My Lord, if we’re to begin production, we need to gather the workers. But what about cotton? Do we have enough?"
"I’ll coordinate with Percival to secure enough cotton. You two just focus on the weaving." Simon said, frowning slightly.
Ysabeau and Joan nodded, then split up to begin preparations for the workshop’s operation.
Meanwhile, Simon headed for the Commandery Office and summoned Percival for a meeting.
"If we want to promote cotton cultivation, we must act now. If we miss the winter, it’ll be too late." Said Baldwin.
Once the textile workshop was up and running, it would mark the true beginning of Brambleford’s textile industry. And once steam engines were available, Simon planned to introduce the Spinning Jenny. At that point, cotton demand would skyrocket, especially since he intended to monopolise the textile sector.
"Percival, you heard him. The cotton seeds are your responsibility." Simon said.
Percival gave a bitter smile. "My Lord, that’s easier said than done. Right now, most of the cotton in the Eldorian Empire is grown in the south. The main supplier is the King of the Vael domain. And lately, our merchants have encountered trouble when passing through his lands. Do you think he’ll willingly sell us cotton or seeds now?"
The King of Vael was from the maternal family of the Third Prince, long known for his ambitions. In the empire, the four most dangerous autonomous lords were: Southern Vael, Northern Ravencrest, Eastern Aurelia, and Western Dornhal. The other three were generally well-behaved, but King Vaelric was always stirring up trouble.
Baldwin nodded. "Percival is right, but doesn’t King Vaelric also have something to ask of Your Highness?"
"You’re referring to the matter of cannons?" Simon asked.
Baldwin nodded again. "Ever since cotton was introduced from abroad, it’s been primarily cultivated in the south. King Vaelric, in particular, has invested heavily in it. His region produces vast quantities of cloth, and the income from that alone is considerable. He’s always been wary of outsiders acquiring cotton or its seeds. And even if we do manage to acquire the seeds, it will take time to scale up production. In the short term, we’ll still need to buy cotton from Vael."
"Makes sense," Simon said. "The problem is, Father is still undecided about whether to grant cannons to Prince Gerad and King Vaelric. If he agrees, we’ll have leverage. If not, King Vaelric will be the one holding the cards."
Once again, Simon felt the familiar frustration of being constrained by internal politics.
Cotton had come to the Eldorian Empire from foreigners, and naturally, it was first cultivated in the southern regions. The north had little cotton farming.
In a way, the south’s wealth was directly tied to cotton; where there’s cotton, there’s cloth.
Even if he could negotiate a trade, cotton for cannons, Simon still wouldn’t feel safe. He needed two supply routes: one through King Vaelric’s lands, and the other by sea abroad, to import cotton directly from its place of origin. Only then would he avoid being strangled by one supplier.
That meant he needed to get Desmond and the others sailing the wind-powered warships soon, to protect merchant convoys at sea.
But for now, the most practical solution was still to purchase cotton from Vael territory. Simon said to Percival. "Organise a trade caravan to go south and buy cotton from King Vaelric’s lands. At the same time, have the Chamber of Commerce start buying any cotton available here in Brambleford. Though the cannon deal isn’t finalised, King Vaelric won’t dare mess with me just yet. After all, if he angers me now, I might just deny him access to artillery altogether."
"Yes, My Lord," Percival replied.