Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Beo / Women show up in public...
As soon as the words fell, two workers came out pushing an iron machine - the machine was shorter than an ordinary textile machine, with a layer of fine copper mesh on the side of the machine body and an arc-shaped shuttle track on the top. In the sunlight, the brass parts gleamed coldly.
Audrey walked over to the machine and stopped. "I designed this machine you see."
Her voice was clear and bright, and the audience was silent for a few seconds, and then louder discussions arose.
"Oh! How ridiculous! You mean a woman can design a machine?"
"Look, that's Mrs. White. I'm afraid her husband gave her the data so that she can pretend!"
"Exactly. How could a woman who couldn't even use a spindle properly design a loom?"
Amidst the clamor, Herman stood backstage with a grim expression on his face. Just as he was about to speak, Isabel's voice rang out, "Trust her. She can handle it."
As if to confirm her sister's words, Audrey clenched her hands in front of the stage, with a frank expression, pretending not to hear these questions.
She walked to the side of the machine and pointed at the copper mesh. "Look, everyone! This is the flax fiber filter. In the past, during dyeing, the coarse fibers from the indigo dye would be discharged with the wastewater, polluting the river and clogging the machine. Now, this copper mesh traps the coarse fibers while allowing the dye to pass through. This reduces wastewater discharge by 60% and extends the machine's cleaning cycle from three days to seven."
Audrey had obviously put in a lot of effort and explained the design ideas clearly in one breath.
After getting into the groove, she pointed to the track at the top. "This uses a shuttle-linked cam mechanism. Ordinary looms have shuttles that need to be manually pushed, and can only move twelve times per minute. This cam mechanism allows the shuttles to automatically move, moving seventeen times per minute, naturally increasing production by 40%."
Mr. Beach, who was the first to question the situation in the crowd, sneered, "That sounds nice, but who knows if your data is fake? Running a simulation a hundred times is not as good as running the real machine once!"
Audrey raised her eyes, her gaze clear. "Indeed, you're right. No matter how precise the experiment is, it's not as good as running the real machine once."
After she finished speaking, she clapped her hands and took two steps to the side and back, "Everyone, please look——"
The curtain slowly opened, revealing a huge factory building before everyone's eyes, with White factory workers ready to go.
Charles took two steps forward and nodded politely. "As you can see, this machine was put into production in Workshop 3 last week. Now, we can demonstrate the spinning process on site."
He paused, then spoke confidently, "If you'd like to see the actual operation, please go downstairs. If you don't want to go, you can stay here and wait for the experimental data."
The chatter in the audience gradually died down. Moore was the first to raise his hand and immediately stood up. "Wow! I want to see if this machine is really that amazing!"
"I'm going too!"
"And me!"
…
Brusen's expression was solemn. Biqi gritted his teeth and raised his hand: "I have to go and take a look too!"
Then the factory owner stood up and went forward to watch the machine experiment.
The rumbling sound of machines echoed throughout the factory as workers began to work in an orderly manner. A dedicated person was responsible for displaying consumable data to the audience, ensuring transparency throughout the entire process.
Sophia sat at the table, motionless, but a hint of deep meaning flashed in her eyes as she looked at Audrey.
She originally thought that it was her old rival, the Duchess, who was playing tricks, but now it seemed that the White family had really done something special.
Another Miss Norman, also a genius?
In the crowd, Audrey stood by the machine explaining something, unaware of Sophia's gaze. But Isabel, watching the entire scene from the second floor, didn't miss it.
"What conspiracy is that woman planning?" Heinrich frowned and snorted coldly.
Isabel raised her eyebrows: "You noticed that too?"
Heinrich glared at her and snorted, "You two are trying to play tricks. You have the same expression on your face."
Isabel chuckled, having not expected that reason. She gave a perfunctory compliment: "Mr. Spencer is so thoughtful."
A smile flashed across his icy blue eyes. "If one person predicts the other's plan in advance, the final outcome will be unpredictable."
Downstairs, Sophia was keenly aware of the gazes, and their eyes met.
Isabel nodded slightly, greeted calmly, and looked at Audrey in the center of the field again.
After the trial run, all factory owners witnessed the results with their own eyes, and the voices of doubt completely disappeared.
It's hard to believe, but White Factory has actually developed an improved machine! And the chief designer is a woman!
Audrey stood beside the machine, looking at the surging crowd below the stage, and said calmly: "Does anyone have any questions?"
The sunlight filtered through the bright glass windows of the factory and fell on her, as if to give her an aura of confidence - this machine was not only a weapon to break the church's technological monopoly, but also the basis for her to prove herself.
Someone tentatively raised a few technical questions, and Audrey answered them one by one.
Suddenly, Mr. Beach raised his hand and said, "Mrs. White, it's not that we don't believe you, but how could a woman like you suddenly develop an improved machine? How about this? We can send a few researchers to stay here and collect more experimental data. If it's true, then we will believe you."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes changed subtly.
Hermann narrowed his eyes and stroked his silver cane with his fingers, as if preparing to use it to smash Beech's ugly head open.
On the second floor, Isabel's eyes sank.
Heinrich sneered. "How interesting. Asking the researcher to collect more data? Why didn't he just say he wanted to be a thief?"
The Duke always speaks his mind and never compromises himself.
He did not lower his voice, but blatantly tore off Biqi's fig leaf, exposing the other party's dirty thoughts to everyone.
Audrey sensed her family's concern and winked at them quickly. Then, she raised her chin and said to the audience, "Mr. Beach, this is the end of what we have to show you. If you still don't believe it, you don't have to cooperate with us."
"I'd like to tell you the same thing: trust is the cornerstone. If you don't trust what you see, you can leave now. If you want to cooperate, then follow the contract. The first ten partners will receive free warranty service, and our staff will conduct on-site commissioning. After one year of cooperation, we will provide free mechanical drawings."
"What? Giving away blueprints? That means... you won't keep the technology secret?!"
This news was like thunder!
All those present were veteran businessmen, and they understood immediately that White Factory was not in a hurry to make money, but wanted to first use the improved machines to open up the market and promote it everywhere!
Moore secretly admired it. What a brilliant move! And what a generous one!
The results of the improved machines are obvious to all: they can increase production while reducing pollution, lowering costs and indirectly solving environmental problems for workers and improving public opinion. Almost all factory owners in Harbin are in demand for them.
In the past, the Church held a complete monopoly on technology, forcing everyone to purchase machinery from factories affiliated with the Mechanicum. Ordinary merchants, lacking both manufacturing capabilities and research opportunities, were forced to rely on the Church and pay the ransom.
Things are different now. White produces more high-end machines, which are not only affordable, but also share the technology for free after one year!
This is equivalent to bringing all merchants together to fight against the church's monopoly! As long as they all stop using the church's machines, the monopoly will collapse on its own.
Of course, Herman is by no means a businessman who suffers losses.
As long as the market opens up and people realize that they don't have to rely on the church, White Factory, as a pioneer, will still benefit.
After all, a one-year cooperation period is enough for the talented Norman designers to upgrade and replace their products several times. They are still at the forefront of the times and are not afraid of lack of orders.
Therefore, the current White Factory must expand its scale, first occupy the land, and then make money!
After understanding this meaning, all the businessmen became excited.
Anyone who is not a fool would be scrambling to cooperate with White!
Merchants, led by Mr. Moore, rushed to sign up. Sophia, sitting in the crowd, suddenly chuckled, waved her feather fan, and said, "Don't be too anxious, everyone."
Her soft voice silenced everyone.
"First of all, of course, congratulations to the White Factory for having such a talented engineer." Sophia smiled and nodded to Audrey, then paused. "However, I must remind everyone that the Church possesses more than just one improved textile machine as its core technology."
Sophia glanced at the crowd, her lips curled up. "From railway manufacturing and mine pumps to small workshop gear sets, everyone should carefully calculate how much of the church's technology they will need."
"Today, you can certainly turn to the White family for a textile machine, but tomorrow..." Sophia chuckled, a glint of sarcasm in her eyes. "If the Mechanicus revokes the licenses for other technologies, are your workshops and factories going to shut down and rust?"
The threat, which was a hidden threat, was like a basin of cold water poured on everyone's head!
The discussion that had just begun to loosen up suddenly died down.
Mr. Moore's clenched fists loosened again, and Mrs. Moore leaned over and whispered, "Oh, that's terrible. Let's think about it again."
Yes, not all merchants rely on textile machines to survive. The church's monopoly is in all aspects. Most importantly, Sophia's words clearly indicate that anyone who surrenders to White will be blacklisted by the church.
The White family's thighs are not particularly strong, who dares to completely offend the church at this time?
Seeing the atmosphere in the room become tense again, a smile flashed across Sophia's eyes.
She had already devised a plan before she arrived. The only thing that could sway a businessman was profit.
The smile in her heart grew bigger and bigger, and at this moment, footsteps suddenly came from the stairs.
Isabel walked out from the shadows, her skirt lifted, her high heels making a crisp echo on the marble floor.
Meeting Sophia's gaze, she smiled: "Aunt Sophia, I think you misunderstood."
Sophia's smile faded.
"Who said we only master textile machine technology?" Isabel chuckled and raised her hand to gesture towards the side door.
Everyone saw six or seven women in work clothes walking in pushing machines.
The leading woman was dressed in black, with a silver engineer badge on her chest and her hair neatly combed. It was Mrs. Jeshia.
Behind her came Teresa, dressed in a sharp jacket and holding a folder of blueprints.
Next came Miss Lauren, who had short hair that reached her ears, pushing a device with a metal propeller model.
…
Under many surprised gazes, the female members of Chengzhi Society stepped onto the stage and stood still.
Isabel spoke in a clear voice, staring at Sophia and saying slowly, "I think everyone has remembered that we are holding a mechanical exchange meeting today."
"What we bring is not only the most advanced textile machines, but also various cutting-edge designs."
She started with Madame Jeremiah, introducing them one by one: "Engineer Jeremiah Rochefort, who improved the steam transmission system, reducing coal consumption by 30%."
"Engineer Theresa, another hero who improved the textile machine, also brought a new constant temperature device this time that can reduce the color difference rate of dyeing to 0.03%.
"Ms. Lauren..."
Lauren stepped forward and spread the ship blueprint in her hand onto the display stand. "I designed a variable-pitch propeller that adjusts the blade angle according to the ship's load. In the past, when a cargo ship was unladen, the propeller would idle and waste steam. Now, by adjusting the angle, we can save two pounds of coal per nautical mile."
Isabel replied at the right moment, "Last week, we tested the propeller on a cargo ship at the port. Tests have proven that the propeller blades are made of high-manganese steel, which is three times more wear-resistant than cast iron."
Afterwards, each member introduced his or her finished product.
The businessmen who were there to watch the fun gradually became serious.
This is no longer an innovation targeting the textile industry; the achievements on stage involve almost all walks of life.
Most importantly, this is enough to represent their research capabilities!
Once these good and cheap things are mass-produced, no one will want to pay high taxes to the church anymore.
Astute businessmen saw the opportunity and went on stage to look for designs that interested them.
The ship merchant approached Miss Lauren, pointing and questioning her. Lauren immediately pulled out a brass model from her pocket and manipulated the propeller with her fingers, acting very professionally to help answer the question.
The scene spontaneously formed a real mechanical exchange meeting.
Just after Theresa successfully conducted a small experiment for a customer, the crowd was completely excited. The businessmen who were originally skeptical crowded around the machine, some touched the cool heat sink, and some looked through the ship drawings, exclaiming in amazement.
Sophia's face completely sank.
Isabel ignored her gaze and waited for everyone to quiet down before returning to the stage and saying, "Everyone has witnessed the above design achievements. Here, I would like to make an announcement during this mechanical exchange meeting."
"These outstanding engineers you see here are all official employees of Norman Industrial Company. Today is also the opening ceremony of Norman Industrial Company." Isabel nodded. "Everyone is welcome to sign up for cooperation."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mr. Beach jumped out and said with disdain, "A woman showing up in public to start a company? How ridiculous!"
"Women should stay at home sewing clothes and taking care of children! Working in machinery? Starting a company? It's totally inappropriate! You are a noble woman, you should observe etiquette even more!" Relying on Sophia's support, the man dared to raise his voice.
"That's right!" Bruson's fans echoed, "These machines must have been designed by male engineers, and they're just pretending to be good!"
Isabel sneered and walked up to the factory owner. "Pretentious? Their achievements are right before our eyes. What new inventions has your factory made this year? It's common for men to monopolize their wives' achievements, but those who are humble and generous enough to give fame and fortune to women are rarer than the pearl on the head of the Holy God."
The factory owner's face turned red and he opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.
"Why are you mad at a woman for inventing something? Angry that you're too stupid to come up with it? Or mad that you don't have a good wife by your side who can help you make a name for yourself?" Isabel said calmly, "Before you speak, be careful of your manners. You call yourself a gentleman, but you act like a bandit."
Factory owner: “I…I…”
Some people in the audience began to applaud. Heinrich loosened his clenched fists and curled the corners of his lips slightly.
"Well said!" the Duke cheered lazily.
Moore nodded to the people around him. "It doesn't matter if she's a man or a woman, as long as the technology can make the factory profitable, it's good technology! If Norman Industries is willing to license it, I'll be the first to cooperate with the White family!"
Sophia narrowed her eyes slightly.
His eyes swept across the stage and landed on Theresa, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
This person looked familiar. She looked at him for a long time and finally remembered him.
Sophia suddenly smiled and said, "What amazing girls, congratulations."
"But, Miss Norman." Sophia looked at Isabel, "If I remember correctly, Miss Theresa was a nun at St. Petersburg Monastery in her early years, right?"
Everyone fell silent, and Theresa and Jeshia exchanged glances quickly.
Sophia continued, "The Church's patent regulations clearly stipulate that technology patents accessed by monastic staff cannot be used in industries not authorized by the Church within three years."
Her voice was gentle, but her eyes were like a venomous tongue locking onto prey: "And the constant temperature device that Ms. Theresa brought out now, could it be that she stole the Church's patent?"
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The author has something to say: There will be another chapter soon, it’s in full swing!
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