361 – Expansion

According to the written records, the most important part of large-scale nitroglycerin manufacturing was temperature control, since a large exothermic reaction could easily cause the sensitive explosives to blow up. As long as the temperature of the large reaction container was constant, you could safely produce nitroglycerin in bulk.

The laboratory tried using ice to decrease the temperature, however they lacked the ability to mass produce it— The heat transfer effect of ice water was limited, and when met with a big exothermic reaction, the cooling rate was very slow. It also consumed the ice very fast, making the production troublesome.

But Agatha’s Ice Coffin could easily produce temperatures hundreds of degrees below the freezing point of water, it would be without doubt, the perfect cooling method for the container.

Roland didn’t know if his prediction was going to be reliable, but that would not prevent him from trying. Even if there were an incident, Nana would be there as a last insurance.

After returning to the office, he wrote an introduction letter then gave it to one of his personal guards, and had him take Agatha to the chemical laboratory to deliver the letter to Kyle Sichi’s hand.

In the letter, in addition to explaining Agatha’s ability, he also made up a false background of a careless noble who became destitute and wandered here. He hoped this would serve to make the Alchemist control his temper, and treat the witch as someone who could bring enormous help to the chemical experiment.

After the guard left, Roland was still a little worried, Kyle had a straightforward personality, and Agatha was a conceited witch from ancient times. I hope they don’t quarrel too much.

As he was wondering if he should go to the laboratory in person, Scroll opened the door and walked in.

“Your Highness, the results of the second batch of the popular education exams came out,” her eyes were smiling, “this time, there were seven hundred and sixty-two people who qualified, and also half of them are adults.”

“This many?” Roland’s heart was jumping in joy.

Compared with the first group of 50 children from Karl’s school, half the graduating students being adults meant that the night school program was starting to bear fruit. At the same time, it confirmed the big role the Ministry of Education had played in this progress, the learning time was shortened among other things, showing the feasibility of the teaching programs the Ministry developed.

“Yes, you have been promoting general education for almost half a year. This group of students had an age generally under 25, and grasping the basic reading and writing was not a difficult thing.”

It’s probably related to the text itself, if i had replaced them with Chinese it would not have been so quick. Roland thought, Although I always felt this worm-like text was too awkward.

When the introduction of general education began, he was not so confident to what extent it would spread— It was the first time this was implemented in Greycastle, so there was no precedent to follow.

In accordance with the principles of encouragement and subsidy, he discussed it with Scroll for a long time. Setting up daytime classes for children and a night school program for the working class, as well as supplementing it with a series of incentive policies to help lure workers into coming to study. And right now, the effect it had was unexpectedly quite good.

Of course, the main figure could not be left out, the responsible management of Scroll.

“You’ve really worked hard.” Roland nodded.

“It is my pleasure to serve you, Your Highness.” She gave a slight bow.

As the oldest witch of the Witch Union, Roland found it hard to compare her to the younger ones like Anna or Lightning— Scroll gave him a sense of diligence, clear and orderly. When discussing a problem, she could listen to your thoughts quietly, but would also point the mistakes in a straightforward way. He would sometimes feel like the younger one when in front of her.

Probably… she was born to be a teacher. Roland smiled and shook his head as he put these thoughts aside.

In short, with this new work force, the factories he had been arranging for a long time could finally begin to operate.

“Could you help me call Barov.” he said cheerfully.

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The City Hall Chief Minister quickly arrived at the castle.

Since he began working in city matters, his workload increased day by day, even the blank area in his forehead was growing bigger and the wrinkles in his face increased in numbers. Yet, his face did not show tiredness or sleepiness, and his spirit was radiating.

“Your Highness, were you looking for me to start doing recruitment work?” the other party was also aware of the town’s new graduate group, so he took the initiative to ask.

“Yes,” Roland nodded while saying, “taking advantage that this year’s Months of Demons came earlier, and that Timothy currently cannot attack the western region, I want to expand the size of Border Town’s army in preparation for next year’s war. Simultaneously, I want to increase the number of the current factory workers.

“And the City Hall too,” he hurriedly added, “after expanding the territory, your scope of work will also increase from five to six times. The City Hall personnel should also be scaled to an appropriate size, in order to manage such broad land.

“Rest assured,” the prince smiled, “I’ve not forgotten your suggestion.” He drew out a piece of paper and started writing as he spoke, “Of the little over 700 people graduating this time, the City Hall shall provide 20% of the jobs, 40% should go to the acid manufacturing factory, and as for the remaining people, they are to be absorbed by the steam engine factory and the bicycle factory. Also, the bicycle factory needs at least 100 people. The salary should be in accordance with the previous standards, although the one for the acid manufacturing factory can be slightly raised, just be sure to fill in the required numbers as soon as possible.”

As for the soap and perfume factories, its main work was done by witches, so common people only needed to do a few simple steps, thus it was not a requirement to be literate to complete the operations so it was not included.

Roland believed that education not only improved the knowledge and vision of people, but it also gave them a sense of responsibility and social identity, this was the real meaning of enlightenment. That’s the reason the factory needed a lot of basic education— of workers who have opened up to more social attributes, came more understanding of the importance of social collaboration, altruism and self-awareness, than those more ignorant and illiterate. This was critical to the wide range of steps of the complex process and fine work.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Barov continued, “How many people will the army’s expansion need?”

“At least one thousand people, open the recruitment to newly promoted citizens and east border refugees.” Roland instructed, “Same as always, the City Hall will release the bulletin, and the First Army will be responsible for interviewing and hiring.”

“A… thousand people?” Barov was startled by the unexpected number, “This number is the same as the current number of the First Army, Your Highness. If they are to be equipped with supplies and weapons as per army’s specifications, the cost would not be low.”

“I already considered that, just do it.”

Now knowing the impending crisis of the Devils’ invasion, he could not move as slow as before. In addition to incorporating the entire West region into his own domain, as soon as next spring came, the first thing he needed to do was to completely rout Timothy.

As long as he destroyed his brother’s political power, even if he didn’t occupy the rest of the lands, this western region’s new town would without doubt become the new Kingdom’s capital. And whether it was expanding the population, or independently acting to promote trade, there was not much he could do right now.

But he had no need to disclose these plans to Barov, he only needed to arrange the financial support and the material distribution himself.

After the City Hall Chief Minister left, a guard brought a new message.

Margaret’s caravan had arrived.