I Became a Genius Commander at the Academy

Chapter 29: The Generous Crown Prince (3)

Chapter 29: The Generous Crown Prince (3)

Inside the Draim Workshop.

Usually, around this time, the sound of craftsmen hammering in the workshop would have resonated without a break, but now, only silence lingered in this place.

In the center of the workshop were a cotton gin machine, a spinning machine, and a flying shuttle loom.

Count Bener, who came to the demonstration with me on behalf of the Crown Prince, seemed interested as he spoke to me upon seeing them.

“I heard you have accomplished great deeds to receive the Silver Knight Sword Medal at such a young age. I thought you were just adept at war, but to think you also have the talent to create such machines, it’s surprising.”

Although I have roughly visualized and created these machines, I had to recall their approximate forms from my past life when I studied medieval war and economic history.

But I couldn’t tell him that Master Heintz of the workshop made them all by following the designs of the machines I hastily saw in another world.

Because if I did say so, the high-ranking person in front of me would surely look at me as if I were insane.

“You flatter me. Let’s slowly start demonstrating how it operates. Master Heintz, please start.”

At my command, Heintz signaled the other blacksmiths, who began to operate the machines using their hands and feet simultaneously.

Then, the cylinder inside the gin machine started rotating, spitting out the seeds from the cotton and beginning to create cotton balls.

After putting the cotton balls into the spinning wheel, yarn was swiftly created, and the threads that were prepared beforehand transformed into fabric as the loom operated.

For modern people familiar with machinery, it might not be such an extraordinary sight, but in this world, where everything was done by hand, a single piece of clothing could cost millions, so it was revolutionary.

Except for the craftsmen who already knew how the machine worked, everyone couldn’t help being astounded.

At least the knights who were escorting the count maintained their silence due to their duty, but their expressions changed as if they had seen a dead person come back to life.

Count Bener, who intuitively understood the value of producing such a massive amount of fabric in an instant, looked at me with a voice mixed with admiration and said,

“I’ve lived for over 50 years, but to be able to produce cloth at such a fast speed… It’s truly amazing.”

I had already been confident that machines like the spinning wheel would succeed to the point that I proposed making them to Heintz.

Feeling as if I could fly, thinking I received recognition from Count Bener, who came as a representative of the Crown Prince, I wanted to brag about the excellence of my machine, but I kept my composure and spoke modestly.

“I had these ideas, but without His Highness the Crown Prince’s help, they would have remained mere fantasies.”

“A humble friend indeed. It’s nice to see modesty in such youth. Even after receiving the Silver Knight Sword Medal, you remain unpretentious. It’s admirable.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

After concluding the technical discussion, the count spoke to gauge my intentions.

“In any case, all the technicians and craftsmen here belong to the Crown Prince. So, it wouldn’t be strange if he replicated the machines you developed. Still, you thought to seek His Highness’s assistance.”

In the past, it was common and accepted to replicate good inventions before the concept of patent rights was established.

Even the person who made the cotton gin machine I made, who had the potential to change the industrial structure of the U.S., didn’t gain much as many in the southern states had freely made and used it due to the lack of proper patent laws.

I did use the workforce provided by the Crown Prince to make such machines, but I knew he wouldn’t betray me. He needed to gain the trust of competent commanders and other nobles.

And asking about this probably meant he was testing my understanding of this system.

“How could I doubt His Highness, who has been so gracious to me? I think I’ve made the best choice to prevent the replication of my machines by numerous other factions.”

Whether my answer matched his expectations or not, Count Bener smiled at me and said,

“As you said, His Highness doesn’t seem to be thinking of killing the goose that lays golden eggs. No, rather, once he realizes the value of this machine, he’ll probably propose a trade under mutually agreeable conditions.”

“It’s an honor. If His Highness makes clothes using this machine and sells them, I’d like half of the profits, and I’d like him to buy all the fabric I produce with the machines I set up later at the right price.”

“…Using this machine, clothes can be made much more easily and quickly than before, so substantial revenue can be earned. You’ll also receive considerable support from His Highness.”

Certainly, the Crown Prince wasn’t someone to nickel and dime, but in times like this, one should try to get even a penny more… to prepare for the future.

Because the Reich Empire does provide a minimum limit of equipment, supplies, and salary to the soldiers.

But with just those resources, maintaining the soldiers and a certain level of combat capability was all that could be achieved.

It was severely insufficient to provide plate armor that increased the soldiers’ survival rate, good weapons that directly enhanced combat power, or delicious food that maintained morale.

Moreover, in the empire, it was recommended for commanders of battalion and regiment levels to voluntarily contribute a certain part of their wages to the military maintenance cost unless there was a subtle improvement in soldiers’ salaries or provision of lands as an incentive from the empire.

“You might already be aware, Count, but to meet the expectations of His Highness the Crown Prince, my troop desperately needs better equipment and supplies. It’s a delicate issue to ask His Highness for more equipment and supplies, isn’t it?”

Even if I asked for more, they would send it, but there were quite a few people within the Crown Prince’s faction who were already displeased with me…

I might be criticized by the nobles supporting the Crown Prince, and they might hinder me in actual battles because of their jealousy.

“However, if you support me in the form of a transaction under somewhat generous conditions, other nobles won’t have much to complain about. Because I’ve helped His Highness by producing a large amount of cotton fabric and receiving appropriate compensation, they don’t have any grounds to object.”

Count Bener didn’t say anything but slightly nodded in agreement with my words.

Using that momentum, I made a decisive statement to persuade him.

“If His Highness accepts the conditions I proposed, I’ll use all the income I received this time for the development of the Bruno territory and to win the Chekovia expedition. Please convey it well to His Highness.”

Saying so, Count Bener sighed and said,

“You win. Certainly, His Highness intends to earn military merits by placing you on this battlefront. It’s a good position to earn merits, but you’ll also be placed where there are risks. Considering this, I’ll convey your words well to him.”

He said he would convey it, but considering the position Count Bener had within the military, it was almost as good as approved.

Now with this, I no longer had to worry about money, and I could focus on turning the territory into a logistic base and training the soldiers.

Feeling relieved, Count Bener looked at me and asked,

“However, to persuade His Highness, could you explain in more detail how you will use the budget? Can you tell me? If you’re not available today, you can tell me tomorrow or the day after.”

“I plan to make plate armor, meat, liquor, about 120 crossbows, bastard swords, and a weapon called ‘pyeon-gon,’ modified from a battle-ax for the soldiers at the forefront. Additionally, I plan to set up facilities to create preserved food for long-term consumption in the army and try some military supply businesses at the supply base.”