Chapter 93
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Industrial Revolution (17)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I'm diligently working on the tractor.
The experience from making cars and trucks is a big help, but...
"The problem is it's different in all sorts of ways."
A tractor doesn't need to be fast, but it has to be powerful.
And then there's gear shifting suited to the situation.
It might sound simple just hearing about it, but it's not easy at all.
For example, the tractor moves slowly, but the attached farm implement might need to rotate quickly, right?
There are a lot of complicated situations like that.
Anyway, I need to control this properly, but the gear design is a real headache.
"First off, it needs to be finely adjustable."
And I have to make a separate part for transmitting power to whatever farm implement it's connected to.
Wow, I really don't want to do this.
I sprawled across my desk, tempted to shove the blueprints aside, then let out a sigh.
"Come to think of it, don't I need to spread new farming methods too?"
If I'm going to make and sell tractors, I should provide matching farming techniques along with them.
That way, people can use them as efficiently as possible.
Even if efficiency isn't the goal, it prevents misuse.
After pondering for a bit, I decided to take a walk to clear my head.
"Ugh, I haven't had any time to rest lately."
I stepped out of the workshop and strolled slowly through the streets.
The streets were quieter than expected, but still bustling with people.
Rerangbur has two factories now, and there's me, after all.
It sounds like boasting, but it is boasting.
Anyway, my name alone is making the territory prosperous.
The most noticeable changes are the money piling up in the vaults and the population growth.
"Speaking of which, book sales have been sluggish lately."
Probably because there's no new release, and transportation issues.
Still, I supplied trucks to Jenektra, so now they can really ship books in bulk all the way to the opposite side of the empire.
It was tough, but thinking about it like this makes me glad I built them.
"Hmm, something's on the tip of my tongue..."
Tsk, what is it?
I thought for a moment, and suddenly Katiranya came to mind.
Then the new book I'd promised her.
Realizing this, I shrugged after some deliberation.
"I'll write it after the tractor."
I've already committed to the tractor—what can I do?
If Katiranya finds out, she might give me an earful.
But since she won't come hounding me right away, I'll put it off as long as possible.
If I'd written it before starting the tractor, that'd be one thing, but the water's already spilled.
I can't gather it back up, so all I can do is run.
"That aside, the atmosphere feels oddly subdued."
As I walked the streets, I kept spotting people with grim expressions.
I wondered what was going on but didn't ask.
It's usually best to leave those types alone.
Still curious, I looked around.
I bought a newspaper, hoping for a hint.
Unfortunately, the Jenektra paper was sold out.
I got another one instead, and there on the front page was the word "imperial decree."
"No way, is this the reason?"
With growing unease, I scanned the contents.
I read down slowly, then gaped at the absurd text.
"What the hell is this?"
It announced restrictions on the number of factories and regulations on factory-made goods, all by imperial decree.
Of course, no prior info had reached me.
Meaning it was rushed out suddenly and widely.
"It's not fake, is it?"
Who'd dare forge the emperor's name?
That's unthinkable, so there's only one possibility.
Someone convinced the emperor, and this decree was issued secretly and swiftly.
"Tsk, is this picking a fight?"
This kind of thing usually means "let's go to war."
Not with the emperor, of course, but with whoever persuaded him.
In simple terms, war with the anti-factory faction.
The problem is war always brings losses.
That's why medieval European nobles played territory grab like a game to minimize damage.
Countries rising and falling from war like in East Asia was the exception.
"Even so, it's still a loss. Meaning we break it some other way."
The easiest is borrowing the duke's power.
His influence could revoke the decree easily.
He'd probably handle it quickly.
The issue is incurring a debt to him, or straining ties with the emperor.
It's the emperor's command, after all—me and the duke alike would sour relations.
That could trip us up in future issues.
Plus, I already owe him from the mana grid project.
I'd install it at near half price, but adding more debt is another matter.
"Then handle it with my own power?"
No—more precisely, protest alongside my supporters.
Not a bad idea.
I avoid debt to the duke and solidify my support base at the same time.
"But how do I find my supporters?"
I'd know if I'd ever hosted a meeting myself.
Well, let's gather people first.
I'll figure it out then.
I headed straight home and started writing letters.
From places friendly with Rerangbur to those I just knew by face.
I began reaching out in all directions, but the problem resolved in a completely different way.
No, that's not accurate.
The process differed from what I expected, but the result was the same.
By the time Edn sent letters to various territories, they were already gathered in one place.
Call them the pro-Edn faction, or simply the pro-factory side—it didn't matter.
Either way, no one in this group of about three hundred was badmouthing Edn.
Instead, they were cursing the emperor and debating what to do.
"That damn emperor! What? Restrict factories? This is unacceptable!"
Count Mern's words drew nods and cheers from everyone.
Viscount Mihend raised his voice next.
"It won't stop here. If they restrict factories, mana grids are next! We have to reverse this somehow!"
"Right! Right!"
They raised their voices in unison, discussing options.
The first idea was a declaration of war against the opposition.
"War—absolutely war!"
"You madman! Are you Don Quixote?"
"What nonsense? This is the surest way!"
Of course, Don Quixote wasn't war-crazy.
But gathered around Edn's cause, it naturally came up.
"Anyway, no war! The losses are too massive, win or lose."
And so the first proposal was scrapped.
The noble who suggested it looked glum, but no one cared.
The next was more peaceful.
"What if we block merchants from dealing with them?"
"Starve the opposition out by cutting their throats?"
"Exactly! It won't be easy, but our side's losses would be minimal."
It sounded plausible at first.
Over half nodded in approval, but Count Mern shook his head.
He stood, drawing all eyes.
"Blocking merchants is fine. But what about their losses? Force has limits. We'd end up buying their goods ourselves—ignore that?"
Count Mern hit the nail on the head.
Merchants hate losses, and detaining them means absorbing the cost.
Less damaging than war, maybe, but poor long-term.
This idea was tabled too.
As the nobles fell silent, Viscount Mihend spoke up.
"Why not just talk to the emperor directly? We're not kneeling or anything."
"Hmm? That's..."
The most senior here, and highest-ranked marquess, crossed his arms.
After a moment's thought, he scanned the room.
"Not bad."
His words sparked nods and agreement.
After more talk, the nobles rose as one.
"We storm the palace now. Objections?"
"None!"
"Of course not!"
Thus, three hundred nobles charged off in a line.
Hundreds of carriages in a row was a majestic sight.
Nearby farmers paused their hoeing, craning necks to watch.
Soon, they stormed the palace.
"Wha—wait! You can't—urk!"
"Out of the way!"
Unprecedented.
Who could've guessed?
A single decree sparking near-rebellion from nobles.
The emperor, facing the lined-up nobles, clutched his forehead.
Having weathered one ordeal already, he feared another revolt.
He feigned calm and asked indifferently.
"What's this? Aren't you all busy?"
"We are. That's why we're here!"
The lead marquess stepped forward, pleading.
"Please retract the order! Regulating factories is absurd!"
"Indeed! Why test our loyalty?"
They spoke as politely as possible, but every word was sharp and pointed.
The emperor couldn't hold back a sigh.
He squeezed his eyes shut and nodded.
The opposition mattered, but these pro-factory nobles mattered more.
Plus, checking Edn alone wasn't worth the loss.
In the end, the emperor raised the white flag.
"Very well. I'll retract it immediately."
"May Your Majesty's wise and sage decision light a great path ahead."
"May the empire's sun shine ever brighter!"
And so the opposition's victory lasted a mere three days.