Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 82: Core Industry 2

Could it be that Count Grayman intended to share the technologies of papermaking and porcelain manufacturing with everyone?

This thought crossed the minds of many present.

But was it possible?

Putting themselves in his shoes, if they possessed a unique technology that brought huge profits, and as a territorial noble, they had the power to deter those with ulterior motives, would they foolishly share it with others?

Perhaps Count Grayman merely wishes us to help sell these goods to farther places? Although the current production is limited, it will surely increase over time.

Maybe, the Count intends to offer these products to local merchants at lower factory prices, thereby supporting commercial activities in his territory.

Hmm that wouldnt be bad, one could make a decent profit from the price difference in buying and selling.

This was the line of thought among merchants like Bennett, who had not yet dealt in paper and porcelain.

Then they heard the following statement:

Some of you have guessed correctly. At the appropriate time, I will license certain technologies and crafts to you, leveraging your strengths to expand the production within the territory.

Upon the lords declaration, there was an uproar among the attendees.

The hall became noisy with everyone dropping their reserve, whispering and discussing in groups.

During the commotion, Paul, the lord, took a sip of water to moisten his throat.

He had long contemplated the diffusion of technology and support for industry and commerce. Although the inventions and sales of paper, porcelain, and reapers had significantly increased the lords treasury, the corresponding expenses had also skyrocketed.

The daily consumption of the army, the manufacture and maintenance of weapons, salaries of various officials and workers, and the water conservancy projects in the vast rural areas all required substantial spending. The remaining funds were insufficient to support the various subsequent plans he had in mind.

He had considered raising the prices of his products, but they were not essential goods. If too expensive, people would simply stop buying, and life would go on as it had for centuries.

For instance, with porcelain if it was too expensive, people would still have pottery for drinking and eating, as they had done for hundreds of years.

And with paper, a product with thin margins, there was no need to keep it to himself. Others could eventually replicate it with some effort.

After much consideration, he eyed the power of the civilians and decided to support a number of powerful private enterprises in Alda and Baylding. Then, the lords mansion could collect more taxes.

However, some industries still needed to be restricted. Mechanical manufacturing, such as reapers, and future prospects like steelmaking, were considered heavy industries. To prevent technology leaks and potential powerful adversaries from benefiting, these needed to remain under the direct control of the lords mansion.

For example, with reapers, not to mention unrestricted manufacturing, even purchasing was limited. Currently, only customers from Alda and Baylding were allowed to buy, and others would be permitted only when these markets were saturated or agricultural upgrades were completed.

Of course, if some capable person in other regions somehow got hold of a few machines and replicated them, there was not much he could do about it preventing some was better than none.

Some things had to wait until he had established an absolute advantage before being released.

But industries like papermaking, porcelain firing, and planned salt production, food processing, and textiles these light industries didnt need as much caution. They could be opened to the public to increase the tax revenue of the territory.

The scope of technology diffusion had to be controlled, limited only to Alda and Baylding, otherwise it would unduly benefit other lords.

After discussions by the Administration Council, the lords mansion decided to control the aforementioned industries through technology licensing.

Licensed civilian factories or workshops would receive guidance from skilled craftsmen sent by the lords mansion, training apprentices, but they would also be under the supervision of secrecy personnel dispatched by the mansion to prevent theft of production techniques and technologies.

As the number of workers skilled in new technologies and crafts increased, managing them in a closed, centralized manner like before was becoming increasingly difficult and inhumane.

Therefore, the Administration Council was researching new management methods, with the following ideas in mind:

1. Strictly prohibit skilled workers from migrating to other regions, with severe penalties or imprisonment for violators.

2. Improve workers conditions by setting minimum wages, mandatory for both government-run and private enterprises, to retain talent locally.

3. The Bureau of Secrecy would classify sensitive technologies as confidential, strictly forbidding their outflow. Workers or entrepreneurs possessing these technologies would be listed as personnel involved in secrecy, enhancing their monitoring.

Paul hoped that these measures would delay the emergence of individuals like Samuel Slater.

Besides adhering to confidentiality, civilian entrepreneurs had to pay an annual technology usage fee to the lords mansion. Such valuable knowledge couldnt be shared for free.

Of course, if they developed new technologies or crafts independently, this fee would not apply.

Paul eagerly wished for a wave of invention and innovation in his territory. Drawing from the patent system of his previous life, he urged the Administration Council to draft a Patent Act to protect the interests of inventors, believing it would soon be refined and implemented.

Although the patent system of his previous world had various drawbacks, such as weakening market regulation, limiting competition, and potentially hindering technological progress and broad application of inventions, even leading to patent trolls, it generally did more good than harm. It encouraged invention and innovation through legal and economic means, promoting technological advancement and economic development. This was a key factor in driving the Industrial Revolution in Britain.

After the attendees discussed for a while, Paul outlined the content of the technology licensing, including the obligations of the licensed parties and the confidentiality regulations for sensitive technologies.

There were no objections among the attendees.

On one hand, obtaining exclusive technologies from the lords mansion was a windfall, and they suspected a trap if there werent corresponding obligations.

On the other hand, no one wanted too many competitors. The lords demands to prevent technology leakage were well-received.

Does anyone have any comments? Paul asked, having spoken continuously and now wanting to hear others opinions.

After a moment of silence, someone finally raised their hand boldly.

Paul extended his hand to that person in a gesture of invitation.

Lord Grayman

It was Bennett who raised his hand, feeling a bit nervous since it was his first time speaking one-on-one with the ruler of these lands.

Gathering his courage, he continued, If we invest in the industries youre opening up, well need to acquire sites, purchase equipment, hire workers, all of which are significant expenses. So, could we perhaps

He paused, finishing his sentence in a softer voice, perhaps have a reduction in taxes in the initial stage?

The hall fell silent at his words.