Chapter 16 - 16 Preparing for the Future
Having returned to his territory for the time being, Steve was working with Cyril and Nick on the production of spinning machines. The very first unit made with magic had already been sent to the Royal Capital by Cyril to report to the King. Therefore, the plan was to create another one using magic, measure its parts, and then manufacture them anew themselves.
Since the material was wood, procurement was possible. Furthermore, as there were many circular parts, they proceeded with processing using lathes. Cyril had gradually become accustomed to handling the lathe, and now three lathes were in operation. This was, of course, because Steve was also performing the processing.
In his previous life, Steve mainly used NC lathes, and his experience with manual lathes was shallow. Thus, he found it refreshing and enjoyable.
When break time arrived, Cyril sat down on a chair and spoke to Steve.
"However, if we are to distribute spinning machines throughout the country, we won't make it at this production pace. It seems they will also make them in the Royal Capital based on the sample, but since they use manual processing over there, it will likely take even more time. Is there no better way?"
Lathes could only be made through Steve's magic. Since the mechanism itself was understood, Cyril had included that in his report, but when it came to a machine tool being made for the first time, it would take a considerable amount of time. By now, the Royal Research Institute would likely just be reading the report and discussing the budget, so it would be a long time before lathes spread throughout the country.
Furthermore, lathes made with Steve's magic could still be used even if moved, but Cyril did not know that. He believed they could only be used as stationary units here.
"I am currently requesting permission from Margrave Sowell for the migration of his people. If permission is granted, the population of our territory will increase, so our production capacity will improve."
"Even so, isn't it an unknown factor how many of those people will have the aptitude?"
Cyril wondered how many people would be capable of the kind of processing they were currently doing just because the population increased. Not just Cyril, but the general way of thinking in the Kingdom of Cascade—or rather, on the continent—was that commoners were those who engaged in agriculture, while metalworking and woodworking were performed by craftsmen.
In reality, blacksmithing required a much greater accumulation of experience than the farming work currently being performed.
"What I'm thinking of is having the people become single-purpose workers."
"Single-purpose workers?"
Cyril didn't understand what Steve meant by 'single-purpose workers,' so he asked.
"I suppose you could call them workers specialized in a single task. Right now, we are making flywheels and pulleys and then assembling them. When you consider everything from preparing the raw timber to shipping, there are quite a few processes involved. We would break those processes down and assign one worker to each single process."
"In other words, the worker cutting the timber does only that, the worker processing the flywheels does only that, and the worker doing the assembly does only that?"
"Yes. By doing so, the product can be completed without them having to learn everything. Among them, we can train those who show promise as multi-purpose workers, enabling them to handle various processes. Since the amount they need to learn at first is small, I think it's entirely possible."
"I see."
Cyril was convinced by Steve's explanation. This was a production method commonly seen in modern mass production. Because there was little to learn, a worker could be put onto the production line on the very day or the day after they were hired. The merit was that there was no need for a long period of training as a craftsman.
However, hearing that gave rise to a new question for Cyril.
"If you have the people engage in such work, what will you do about food production? I believe you'll need to increase the number of farmers by the same amount as the increase in non-agricultural workers."
"That's what the futures trading is for. We buy the necessary amount of wheat for the territory through futures. That way, we can avoid situations where the Emmanuel Trading Company says they couldn't make the purchase."
Steve intended to use futures trading for its original purpose. By placing buy orders for future delivery months, one could buy wheat stably without being swayed by sudden events like poor harvests or war. However, futures trading for wheat had not yet begun.
Unless he defeated Viscount Karsh here and set a precedent where those who performed arbitrary hoarding suffered great losses to restore the safety of futures trading, that would not be realized.
"True, the Royal Capital doesn't support its population through its own agricultural production alone; it supports that population by transporting goods from various regions."
"Speaking of transport, if heat exchangers are developed in the future, we'll be able to transport fish caught in the sea to various regions in a fresh state without using magic. First, we have to find a refrigerant, though."
"That's incredible. Certainly, if we use the principles I heard from Steve-dono, it would be possible to refrigerate or freeze meat and vegetables."
Steve had explained the principles of heat exchangers to Cyril. However, to realize it, compressors and refrigerants were necessary. Since that couldn't be done immediately, it was currently only written in Cyril's report that it would be feasible in the future.
"By the way, what are the prospects for that migration permission being granted?"
"Well, it's reached a point where it's almost certain, but I think it needs one final push. I'd like Cyril-san to help with that as well."
Steve took on the face of someone plotting something wicked. Seeing that, Cyril became uneasy.
"I-Is it something I can do?"
"Yes. It's not that difficult. I just want you to send a letter to the Royal Capital."
There, Steve whispered into Cyril's ear.
"...That's what I'd like to ask of you."
"If it's just that, please leave it to me."
Cyril readily accepted Steve's request.
"By the way, Cyril-san, how is the creation of standards for sand casting going?"
"According to the contact from the Royal Capital, they seem to be arguing over the general tolerances for draft angles. Since there's a history of each workshop doing things their own way, there's a strong opinion that such things shouldn't have tolerances at all."
A draft angle is the slope added to a cast product. Without this slope, when pulling the product out of the mold, the frictional resistance is too great and the product won't come out. The discussion was about deciding on general tolerances to serve as a guide for how much of a draft angle a designer should set.
Of course, since they were general tolerances, strict draft angles might be set depending on the product, but the idea was to create an agreement that casting would be done with those tolerances unless there were special instructions.
They tried to consolidate the opinions of the workshops that performed casting regarding those draft angles, but because the know-how differed for each workshop, it had become a situation where a decision could not be easily reached.
This wasn't just a story about draft angles in the Kingdom of Cascade. In Japan, for example, there are various standards for electric vehicles, smartphone charging, and cables connecting monitors to PCs, and they haven't been able to unify them. The hertz of generated electricity also differs between Western and Eastern Japan. When you try to create a new standard where things already exist, it's natural for it to clash with existing products.
Cyril, who learned of these circumstances through a letter from the Royal Research Institute, felt from the bottom of his heart that it was good he was assigned to acquire technology in the Archibalt Territory. He loved purely pursuing technology, but he was bad at mediating heated disputes.
"I was truly lucky. If my job were creating standards in the Royal Capital instead of being stationed here, I might have hated it and quit by now."
"People have their strengths and weaknesses. Just because someone is good at processing doesn't mean they're also good at calculating money."
"That's true. It would be good if we could also standardize a way to ensure the right person is in the right place."
Steve muttered in his heart that such a thing would be impossible even after a thousand years, but he didn't let it show on his face. Then, he changed the subject.
"After this, shall we try making the wooden patterns for casting the parts to build a lathe?"
"That sounds wonderful. We cast the gears, finish them with a lathe, and that becomes a lathe again, right?"
"Exactly. I'd like to try casting the frame too, but we don't have the equipment here to cast something that large, so we can only manage things like gears."
Nick, who was listening, gave a wry smile.
"I've never cast anything that big, so don't go placing orders with me."
Steve provoked Nick.
"Hmm. To think that someone like Nick wouldn't challenge something difficult. What happened to your usual boasting about your skills?"
"Wakasama, don't say such harsh things. To cast something that huge, you have to think properly about the wooden pattern too. The result changes depending on the orientation of the pattern you make. Besides, the number and location of the gates, and how to apply the chills (T/N: metal inserts used to control cooling) isn't easy. Unless I ask a workshop that makes things like church bells, I don't know when I'd ever finish it with my lack of know-how. Besides, if I get tied up with that, the blacksmithing in this territory will stop."
Casting is, simply put, the process of pouring molten metal into a mold. However, controlling molten metal is extremely difficult. The way the gates for pouring the metal are made changes how the material flows, and air can sometimes remain inside the mold. Furthermore, the locations where impurities accumulate also change.
Also, as Nick mentioned, the way chills are applied changes how shrinkage cavities appear in the product, so even if someone without know-how makes a mold, it won't go well.
Steve had no experience with casting in his previous life, so there was nothing he could advise on in this field.
"So we lack the know-how to make lathe manufacturing and sales a core industry, huh?"
"Isn't there also the method of purchasing cast frames?"
Cyril suggested that to the dejected Steve.
"We'll have to do that until we gain the know-how."
Now that a solution had been found, Nick invited them to have lunch.
"My wife says she'll make lunch for you two as well; do you want to eat?"
Cyril immediately declined the invitation.
"No, Aila is preparing mine, so I'll head back for a bit."
"Shall I go tell Aila you don't need it?"
When Steve said that, Nick grinned.
"Wakasama, that's what you call being tactless. They say those who interfere in the path of love will be kicked by a horse and die, so you'd better stop."
"L-Love, you say..."
Cyril's face turned bright red when it was called a path of love.
Aila was putting into practice the idea that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and she was making all three of Cyril's meals. Looking at Cyril's state, it was clear his stomach was already held firmly by Aila.
For Steve, he felt it would be convenient in many ways if a resident of the territory were to marry a technician. He had heard about Cyril and Aila from Brian, but he hadn't thought it had developed this far, making it a happy miscalculation.
"I'm... just going to go step outside to relieve myself."
The embarrassed Cyril said he was going to relieve himself and went outside. Since Cyril had left, Steve asked Nick.
"I'm surprised you knew that, Nick. I didn't know their relationship had become like that."
"Wakasama, rumors are usually spread by the chatter of the womenfolk. My wife picks them up from the other wives she meets when doing the laundry."
"In that case, since our household has no contact with the women of the territory, that talk doesn't reach us."
"I suppose so. If your fiancée, Christina-sama, were to talk with my wife, she'd catch her vulgarity. It's better to keep them isolated."
Just as Nick said that, his wife brought cold water for the three of them at the worst possible timing.
"Oh, since she'd catch my vulgarity, I'll take your portion back then."
Naturally, she had overheard the conversation, and the wife showed her anger toward Nick. Nick apologized in a panic, but it was too late.
Cyril, who had finished his business and returned, saw the sight of Nick performing a dogeza (T/N: prostrate kowtow) before his wife. For a moment, he stared blankly, not understanding the situation. Steve whispered into Cyril's ear.
"Nick was overheard comparing Christina and his wife, and calling his wife vulgar."
"Ah, so that's why we have this situation."
Cyril was convinced after hearing the reason. In the end, work finished there for the day so that Nick could restore his wife's good mood.