Chapter 65: Birth of a New Industry
"So, it’s a proof of concept that your idea works again," Hollen said unbelievably. "When are you going to make the real thing?"
"The real thing?" Ernest rubbed his chin as he knew what Hollen was referring to. The actual 50 horsepower steam engine that could power factories. "I can task the workers to work on it tomorrow but, I don’t think it would help you in the forge business."
"What do you mean?" Hollen tilted his head to the side.
"The workers are going to focus on constructing the actual steam engine, and they have work in your forge. They can’t just juggle a project and their work at the same time. And I want the steam engine built as soon as possible to see if it’s viable as I have made it to be to power the factories. Which is why, it’ll be up to you if it’s okay for me to hire the workers that made the prototype steam engine."
"Ernest," Hollen began. "My venture with your soap manufacturing has outpaced my forge in terms of profits."
Ernest blinked.
That wasn’t the answer he expected.
Hollen gestured toward the steam engine.
"Ten years ago, if someone told me I would earn more money from soap than iron, I would’ve called them insane."
Several workers nearby laughed.
Actually, Hollen wasn’t joking.
The forge had been his entire life.
Iron.
Steel.
Tools.
Wagons.
Farm equipment.
That was what he understood.
Then a strange boy walked into his office and convinced him to start making soap.
Now that soap business was worth several times more than the forge itself.
Hollen looked around the workshop.
"The workers who helped build this machine are some of my best men."
The workers immediately straightened.
Praise from Hollen was rare.
Very rare.
"But if this steam engine is what you say it is, then keeping them tied to ordinary forge work would be a waste."
Several workers exchanged surprised looks.
Ernest folded his arms.
"You’re serious?"
"Unfortunately."
Hollen sighed dramatically.
"I hate admitting you’re right."
"That happens often."
"Far too often."
The workers laughed.
Then Hollen’s expression became more serious.
"If we’re doing this, we’re doing it properly."
Ernest immediately recognized that tone.
It was the same tone Hollen used when making major business decisions.
"How many workers do you need?"
"Probably twenty."
The forge owner raised an eyebrow.
"Twenty?"
"The fifty-horsepower engine is significantly larger than the prototype. The boiler alone will be several times larger. The flywheel will be heavier. The cylinder will be larger. The castings will require more labor."
Ernest pointed toward the prototype engine.
"That machine only proves the concept."
Then he pointed toward the factory buildings visible beyond the workshop.
"The next one needs to power those."
Silence followed.
The workers slowly turned toward the soap factory.
For the first time, many of them began imagining what fifty horsepower actually meant.
The prototype engine occupied a corner of the workshop.
The next one would become the heart of an entire factory.
Hollen rubbed his beard.
"How long?"
"Three months."
Several workers looked surprised.
Actually, that was faster than they expected.
Ernest shook his head.
"Maybe four if we encounter problems."
"Which means six."
"Probably."
The forge owner nodded.
That answer sounded far more realistic.
Engineering projects rarely followed their original schedules.
Hollen extended his hand.
"Alright."
Ernest looked at it.
"Alright?"
"You can have them."
The workers immediately erupted into excited conversation.
A dedicated engineering team.
A full-time project.
And likely better wages.
Not a bad arrangement.
Hollen pointed toward the group.
"Starting tomorrow, these men work directly under you for the steam engine project."
Then he looked at Ernest.
"And if this machine actually replaces waterwheels the way you claim it will..."
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"We’re going to need a much larger forge."
Ernest grinned.
Actually, Hollen finally understood.
The steam engine wasn’t the product.
It was the beginning.
Because once factories could be powered anywhere, everything changed.
No rivers required.
No waterwheels required.
Factories could be built near cities.
Near mines.
Near ports.
Near customers.
The implications were enormous.
Not only that, they could make an entire industry out of it. Like imagine in the Kingdom of Belfast, only their company is capable of making steam engines, and steam engines can be used for a lot of things aside from powering factories. It can also be used in mines for pumping out water, irrigation, they could operate mills, sawmills, and begin the actual industrialization itself.
The more Ernest thought about it, the more opportunities appeared.
Actually, the fifty-horsepower engine wasn’t the goal.
It was merely the first commercial model.
The beginning of an entirely new industry.
Hollen noticed the look on his face.
"There it is."
Ernest blinked.
"There what is?"
"That look."
"What look?"
"The one you get right before I lose money."
The workers burst into laughter.
Ernest rolled his eyes.
"I’m serious."
"That’s exactly what worries me."
Hollen pointed toward the prototype engine.
"You’re not looking at that machine anymore."
Ernest remained silent.
Because Hollen was correct.
He wasn’t looking at the machine.
He was looking at what came after.
A company.
A manufacturing division.
Workshops dedicated entirely to machine building.
Skilled machinists.
Engineers.
Foundries.
Supply chains.
The entire industrial ecosystem required to support steam power.
Hollen groaned.
"Please, tell me what you are thinking. Because I know that expression. You have a business plan on your mind right now?"
Ernest grinned. "Whoa you know huh?"
Hollen threw his hands into the air.
"See?"
Then Ernest’s expression gradually became serious.
"Hollen."
The forge owner immediately looked suspicious.
"What?"
"If the fifty-horsepower engine works, let’s make a factory out of it. It’s going to be more profitable than what your current business with the forge is. What we are seeing in front of us is the future. And we are going to be rich from it, far richer than we could ever become by simply selling soap."
Hollen pondered for a moment as he looked at Ernest.
This is the kid that made him a fortune in the soap business, and every proposal he had in mind is sound and effective. Like, how the heck could he come up with such complex machines and designs and optimize factories for full efficiency?
This kid is not ordinary, but if he’s guaranteed to make a profit, why not?
"Very well. Let’s do it!"
"Now that’s the spirit, partner," Ernest said.
