Hilton and Niemann stared at Norfy as he took the scaled-down steam engine model off the shelf and attached the wooden wheels that had been prepared beforehand onto a small wooden boat about the size of a person. It looked like he had conducted similar experiments before.

"Can such a small machine power such a big boat?" Hilton asked skeptically. In his opinion, it was like having a duck propel a canoe.

However, Norfy nodded confidently. "Of course, but we need to test it in the backyard pond."

Niemann clapped his hands. "What are we waiting for? It's still early for lunch, let's give it a try."

With that, the group carried the small boat and headed towards the direction of the backyard pond. William, who had already received the message, had also sent someone to prepare a ferry. The springtime river water was still a bit cold, so as a precaution, someone needed to watch from the riverbank.

Niemann and Hilton sat in the boat with Norfy, and they waited for him to light the alcohol lamp, turn the flywheel, and start the steam engine model.

The huge wooden paddlewheel slowly turned, and the lightweight wooden boat emitted billowing white smoke as it sailed forward.

"It actually works! Hilton, start rowing! Let's see how fast this thing can go!" Niemann exclaimed in surprise and quickly grabbed a paddle to join in.

"This won't go too fast. It's too small, after all, it's just an experimental model. If we want a real steam-powered ship, we need to design and modify from scratch," Norfy said, but Hilton and Niemann seemingly ignored his words and shouted loudly.

"Wow! This thing is faster than us rowing!"

"I'm already getting tired, Niemann. This thing doesn't get tired, of course it's faster than us!"

"Intercept it, don't let it get away! This thing is really useful! Imagine putting it on a real cargo ship, wouldn't it go even faster? If it doesn't tire, it might reach the capital in just two months!"

"For now, let's focus on stopping this thing! Damn it! Rowing is too tiring!"

After a while, the group returned to the dining table at Scott's mansion. Hilton and Niemann couldn't hide their excitement and continued talking.

"Rodney, do you know? About one-fifth of the fur rots in the warehouse every year! When they're collected, they're in good condition, but after a winter, they get bitten by bugs and chewed by mice. The damaged furs have no value, so they have to be discarded."

Upon hearing this, Norfy exclaimed in surprise, "So many!"

Niemann shook his head, holding a small glass of wine. "It's even more than that. That's just the loss in the warehouse. It takes a month to travel on the Kultz River, two months on Seno Bay, and add the time spent at the port. The weather has already turned hot, and many goods are spoiled due to heat. We lose another fifth."

Now Rodney couldn't remain calm either and murmured softly, "It's all about money..."

Hilton took over the conversation. "Who can deny that? But do you think Seno Bay is all smooth sailing? We can only travel along the coastline, otherwise, we might get lost or run aground, or worse, be targeted by pirates from the east. We usually have to split a batch of goods among four or five ships, but by the time we reach Seno Port, we are left with only half of what we collected in autumn. And the furs have been stored for half a year, they need to be reworked, oiled, which costs money and time. This fur business... it's really hard to sum up. You see, we receive 10 silver coins for a piece of fur, but when we sell it, we get 80 silver coins. However, when you really calculate it, after a year of hard work, we only earn 10 silver coins. The needleleaf forest produces just over 100,000 furs a year, with a few hundred fur traders. Each person earns 100 gold coins with a thousand furs. We run around year-round, many people give up."

Norfy also shook his head and sighed, "It's all about money..."

Hilton raised his wine glass and downed it. "That's why... if we could ship them right after autumn and deliver them to the capital in two months, not only would we meet the demand for winter, but we would also maintain the best quality and get the best price!"

Niemann continued, "That's why! This time, we are joining forces to build a large ship! A ship that can sail from Ladrusin all the way to Seno Port!"

Rodney and Norfy both showed an incredulous expression."But that's a lot of money! A big ship that can cross the channel, at least a couple hundred gold coins! Where do you two get so much money from?"

But this time, Niemann smiled mysteriously, and then leaned in and whispered.

"Do you remember General Richardmann?"

Rodney nodded quickly.

"Of course I remember, our old marshal, how could we forget our brothers who fought to the death in the south? What happened to him? He's getting old, he can't still want to do fur business, can he?"

Hilton also whispered.

"General Richardmann may be getting old, but his grandson is just the right age! Young Master Charlie thinks there's a lot of money to be made in the fur business, so he gathered a group of advisers and found that the key problem lies in warehousing and transportation. So, Young Master Charlie is prepared to invest some money and build a large ship. The original plan was to sail straight through the channel under the escort of the Imperial Navy, instead of taking the coastal route. Including the time to transport in Vanhana, it can save a month. If this thing of yours works! It can save another month! In that case, even if we charge double the price, buy ten thousand furs, as long as they are shipped back within the year, we won't lose anything, and we can earn over five thousand gold coins!"

He made a gesture of counting money with one hand, and this huge number immediately sparked Norfy's interest. Over five thousand gold coins, that's more than a hundred years of the Scott family's income! Compared to that young master, it may be a small fortune, but even if we can get 100 gold coins, it's still good!

"Now we are looking for reliable partners here, and after much consideration, only the brothers who fought to the death can be trusted the most! What do you think? Do you want to join us?"

Rodney asked in confusion.

"Me? What can I do together with you?"

Niemann slapped the table.

"Of course, shipbuilding! The two of us came here specifically for this! Before going to the north, Young Master Charlie has already recommended you to us. He heard that you killed 72 savages under General Richardmann and were promoted to a baron. He appreciates you a lot! Thinks you're reliable! As long as you can build the ship before the autumn, we don't need to walk from Ladresin, we can use your steam engine to transport the furs to Kullen, and we can start from Kullen! We'll guarantee to deliver the furs to the capital before winter, and make a profit!"

Rodney was stunned for a moment and foolishly said,

"But... I don't know how to build a ship..."

Hilton looked at him helplessly.

"Do I know how to?"

Finally, Niemann couldn't help it and played his trump card.

"The young master is offering 400 gold coins, with this much money, we can even build the dock and shipyard! Will you do it or not? As long as this business is successful, you will have a profit every year after that!"

Rodney hesitated, unintentionally looked at Norfy, and Norfy quickly nodded, looking eager to help him agree.

Rodney also raised his glass, drank it all in one gulp, and then slammed it heavily on the table.

"Let's do it! Damn it, I have to help General Richardmann's grandson!"