When the steam train, emitting billowing smoke and making a whooshing sound, appeared on the streets of Kulun Town, it undoubtedly attracted the attention of everyone. No one had ever seen such a strange "carriage" before, and Rodney kept waving his hand outside, as he had many acquaintances in Kulun Town. Many shop owners ran out of their stores to see this new thing, then politely greeted Rodney.
Many people began to speculate what this thing could be, as it could pull so many people and goods. It would take at least eight horses to pull such weight, but this noisy behemoth not only pulled it, but also ran quite fast.
The steam train continued to drive outside the market, but a long string of people followed behind. Nearly half of the people who woke up this morning came along. Rodney was very satisfied with this effect. He estimated that the news would soon reach the ears of the Deli family, and he could boast about it as well.
Carrying a small cane, Rodney stepped down from the carriage, and the villagers on the flatbed truck had already carried down one sack after another. With each sack carried down, they counted one more in the crowd. They also wanted to know how much this strange thing could haul.
"Alright, everyone go and sell your goods. Lutz, you wait here. When everyone returns, we will set off again."
Rodney was not in a hurry now. He wanted the people of Kulun Town to take a good look at this strange and novel machine. On the way here, Norfy had talked to him about selling steam engines. He thought it was worth a try. It was similar to selling cattle and buying horses, except steam engines were more useful than cattle and horses. Currently, the market price for a working ox was at least 50 silver coins, and this steam engine could easily match the value of five oxen. He could sell it for at least three gold coins!
And he already knew who his customers would be. The first one would be the neighboring Deli family! Being able to earn three gold coins from their pockets would be a great relief! With something so useful, the Deli family, who also needed to farm, had no reason to refuse. Unlike the situation in Scott Town, their family was not small at all, and they didn't have to worry about opening up more land but not having enough manpower.
One steam engine could sell for a month's worth of income. Thinking about this, Rodney felt very satisfied and his mood became even more pleasant.
However, Norfy was thinking about something else. There were coal sellers in Kulun Town, and if there was coal, then there would be coke. The most important fuel for steelmaking problems could be solved. And with coke, they could also figure out a way to produce ammonia water. Perhaps they could even produce fertilizers, which would be a great commodity. Not only in Kulun Town, but also throughout The Lance Kingdom, there would be no worries about finding buyers for it. By the end of the year, if the steam engine development went smoothly, they could even produce a simple combine harvester. Although it might not be as good as a modern one, as long as it worked! Fertilizers would take a year to see results, but the effects of machines could be seen immediately. At that time, they could sell it to the neighboring Deli family and reap a year's worth of income. Thinking about this, Norfy also felt very pleased.
Both father and son walked forward with smiles on their faces, and William couldn't help but feel a little strange about why the two people from the Scott family were so happy!
~~
Meanwhile, in a small teahouse in Kulun Town, Beleaf Deli was absentmindedly listening to his servant's report while holding a teapot.
"Their tenant farmers from the Scott family said that they have reclaimed over 700 mu of land in just half a month, which is three times the previous amount. And they have already sown all the seeds yesterday, all of them wheat~"
But Beleaf interrupted the servant's words with a sneer, nonchalantly saying, "Nonsense! How many people are there in that Scott village? 40 households and over 700 mu of land? They must be joking. Even if they work themselves to death, they can't reclaim 700 mu of land with just a few cows they have! And they have already sown all the seeds yesterday? In our family with over 80 households and a dozen cows, we have only sown half of the 400 mu of wheat! Did the people from Scott family go mad? They are bragging too much!"
However, the servant swallowed his saliva and emphatically said, "It's true, sir! Yesterday, our third daughter-in-law went to visit the Scott family and saw it with her own eyes, the entire journey was full of land! Even the riverbank was tilled! I heard that the young master of the Scott family invented some kind of machine, it doesn't need to eat grass, and it's even stronger than five cows! And it doesn't need to rest, it can till over 100 mu of land in a day and can also haul people and goods! Look, early this morning, Rodney came to Kulun Town in that machine, pulling two carts of people and goods to the market to sell!"Billy turned his eyes, put down the teapot in his hand, and asked suspiciously, "Is this true?"
The servant nodded quickly and said with great certainty, "Of course it's true! We were just over there watching. There were Scott's two horses in the carriage, and eight people sitting on the flatbed truck, along with seventeen bags of marijuana, each one so heavy! They were all goods they collected from the mountains. Old Rodney went to pick up his friend, the fur trader, and the machine is waiting at the market gate."
Billy thought for a moment, then hurriedly got up and straightened his clothes.
"Let's go and see together!"
~~~~
Billy and his household servants quickly marched to the front of the market, pushing aside the crowd. Driver Raiz was wiping the steam engine carefully with a bucket of water. As soon as he saw the Deli family approaching, he immediately smiled and greeted, "Good morning, Lord Deli! Are you here for the fair?"
Billy nodded and maintained his composure as he said, "Yes, the fair."
But while speaking, his eyes were fixed on the legendary powerful machine, and the two carriages being pulled behind. Scott's people had already sold their goods in succession and were happily returning.
Raiz continued to smile and said, "Lord Deli, the market is inside. If you don't go soon, it might close."
Billy hesitated and asked, "Oh, well, what is this thing? I've never seen it before."
"This, uh, it's our young master from home."
But before Raiz finished speaking, Rodney's voice suddenly came, "Hey! Isn't this Billy? Are you here for the fair too? Come, let me introduce everyone!"
After he finished speaking, he brought two well-dressed men forward.
"This is Billy Deli, Baron Deli, and these are Mr. Hilton and Mr. Niemann, my good friends!"
Billy politely shook hands with them and smiled, "Rodney, my old friend, what have you brought? I've never seen it before."
To his surprise, Rodney laughed heartily, "That's great! Today, you two distinguished guests have come all the way from the capital! Come and visit our home together. I have prepared food and wine! I will also introduce this new thing to you! Let me tell you, this steam engine, damn, it's so useful!"
Billy originally wanted to refuse, but when he thought that the two fur traders had come from the capital, they were indeed distinguished guests in a small place like Kulun Town. As the landlord of Kulun Town, he couldn't afford to appear negligent. And Rodney's words also piqued his interest. He really wanted to see this seemingly heavy and powerful thing, how it could be stronger than a bull. So he agreed.
"Well then, I'm intruding. Haha, tomorrow we'll go to my Deli Estate, I'll be the host and treat you two distinguished guests!"
