Chapter 329: Transforming All Things
Chapter 329: Transforming All Things
Just this morning, Paul Greiman, the Lord of Arda, summoned Wells and the other alchemists in his castle. This was also the first time Wells had met the supreme ruler of the land under his feet.
What surprised the alchemists was that the other party seemed to have just reached adulthood, just fifteen or sixteen years old.
Having lived in Lakeheart Town for so long, they had certainly heard of Count Paul Gleeman’s series of [great achievements].
Militarily, last year when he took over the lordship, he trained his army to eliminate the pirates that had been infesting the Northwest Bay for many years, then he led his army to quell the rebellion of the bannermen of Baldin, and not long ago, he even teamed up with the other lords to bring down Earl Maltz Kent, who had been coveting the position of the Duke of the Northwest.
In agriculture, the inventory of property, consolidation of arable land, construction of water conservancy, the implementation of crop rotation system, and in commerce to encourage the development of maritime trade, sending people to voyage to the Gulf of Horns.
He was also an inventor with a dazzling array of inventions, such as canning, porcelain, new types of paper, the salt tanning method, the magical harvester, because of which a large number of new industries were born in Alda and Baildin. Oh, and the legendary fire crossbow and thunder hammer that terrorized his enemies also came from this lord.
All of these legendary deeds have given the Earl an aura of honor, and he is spoken of by his people as if he were a prophet. It was a pity that he was born in the Northwest Bay; if he had been a lord of some territories further south, and with a little more money, the minstrels would have blown him away as a young talent on a par with such geniuses as Catherine Rodney or Antonio Griffin.
The lord’s youthful appearance didn’t quite match the rumored exploits, so it was no wonder the alchemists were surprised.
However, what made them happy was that Earl Greiman did not love to put on airs like ordinary nobles.
“Gentlemen, please sit down!” The Count extended his hand to them and greeted them as they sat down, not like a lord summoning his subordinates, but rather like organizing an academic salon.
He began by praising the work of the alchemists, satisfied with the results of their work.
The people hurriedly humbled themselves and said that they would continue to work hard in order to live up to Lord Earl’s high expectations.
Next Earl Greiman spoke words that made the alchemists’ hearts beat wildly, “I’m going to build a laboratory in Lakeheart Town and fully support you in your various alchemy experiments.”
Everyone was abuzz, being able to explore the mysteries of alchemy at will in a laboratory with complete materials and facilities was every alchemist’s dream. But this was difficult, limited by financial resources, most alchemists could only fiddle with reagents and materials according to ready-made formulas and established processes in a disciplined manner, just like what they were doing now in the nitrogen boiling field. Even those who had the support of big money masters were like this, other people giving you money wasn’t for squandering.
As an alchemy family, Wells used to have a small laboratory in Jingyao, but that was in the past, and it wasn’t even comparable to a laboratory backed by a fiefdom lord.
Therefore Wells was just as happy as the others, he suppressed his inner excitement and carefully asked, “I wonder how far you can support our experiments?”
Paul thought for a moment and said, “You will submit an application before conducting the experiment, spelling out the purpose and significance of the experiment, the various conditions required, and the preliminary budget, and if I find it reasonable I will agree, this process is called [project establishment]. Then you’ll be granted money to buy materials and equipment, but there should be a detailed record of where each sum of money goes, I’ll send someone to check the accounts.”
It didn’t look like they were spending money on them without restraint, but the alchemists didn’t have any messed up ideas.
“Lord Earl is wise!” Some people could not wait to kiss their asses already.
“Lord Earl, you will definitely be richly rewarded! Alchemist is the most magical field in the world!” There were also people who drew up big pies for the Lord of Lords.
“Gentlemen!” Earl Greiman waved his hands, looking like the many overflowing words didn’t affect him.
“This laboratory I wish to open in the name of the Wis Academy, and you will be equivalent to working for the academy from now on, and placed under the management of the Education Bureau.”
Education Bureau? The crowd froze, it appeared that the supervisor was a woman, are we, the great lords, to be bound by a woman?
Well, it’s not impossible, as long as it’s cool to pay. Moreover, the other party seems to be a female scholar, so I think she can understand the great significance of studying alchemy.
The Earl continued, ”This is also for your convenience, you can select talented students in the academy as assistants or apprentices. Of course, after they have completed their basic studies.” The crowd nodded their heads, the lord was so thoughtful.
“Lord Earl, regarding the results …… derived from the experiment,” someone carefully tried to speak, looking a little embarrassed.
His words made the crowd think of a key issue, life in this world is nothing but fame and fortune.
Earl Greiman’s expression turned serious, “Since you conducted the experiment with the financial support of the academy, the patent of the new invention naturally belongs to the academy, but if it is a useful invention, the academy will definitely give you a generous bonus.”
Well, we are all adults and know that there will be no pie in the sky, and after all, there is still a bonus to be had, but ……
“The inventor of a new technology or the discoverer of a new theory that is proclaimed to the public must really be that person! The behavior of deception is resolutely prohibited, and I will also enact relevant laws!”
Everyone was completely relieved, in fact, they were mainly afraid that the Earl would take the credit on himself.
“Lastly, I suggest that we name the lab [Chemistry Laboratory], after the meaning of [Chemistry produces all things].”
“Good name!” Wells was the first to agree, “The purpose of alchemy at the very beginning was to refine gold out of other substances, and then the gold wasn’t refined out, but instead created all sorts of other things, isn’t that [Chemical Laboratory]!”
“Well …… it makes sense.”
“The name is very apt.”
“Chemistry …… the study of chemistry ……”
The crowd was in agreement with the name proposed by the Earl.
“Good!” Count Greiman hammered out, looking pleased, “Since everyone agrees, it’s settled.”
Next everyone very happily discussed how the laboratory should be constructed, and the atmosphere in the hall was extremely warm. The Count also carefully inquired about every aspect of alchemy, and when he delved into some inconvenient to disclose the unique secret techniques he would also be wise enough to change the topic in time, the crowd was becoming more and more fond of this lord.
The warm exchanges continued until noon, everyone’s stomachs were rumbling, Count Greiman asked everyone to stay and enjoy lunch together.
After the servants filled the table with food, everyone continued to eat and chat.
“Gentlemen!” The Count said as he fiddled with the strange cutlery consisting of two thin sticks, “I hope that the laboratory will be the first to solve a difficult problem for me once it is completed.”
One of the older alchemists rose and responded, “My lord, you have provided us with such a convenient environment, so it is naturally appropriate to solve a difficult problem for you. I wonder what your so-called difficult problem is?”
Paul Greiman casually replied, “Studying how to mass collect nitrate with feces, urine, and corrupted plant and animal corpses!”
A cold wind drifted across the table ……
(End of chapter)