Joseph nodded slightly along with Philippe’s narration.
This is akin to the difference between using a kitchen knife and a utility knife for cutting paper. The forr will inevitably leave rough edges no matter how careful you are, while the latter can easily achieve smooth cuts.
He imdiately looked at Jacques Renou: "What is that hard material you discovered? Oh, do you also have a laboratory?"
The latter waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, Your Highness. I am just a technician at the Namu Royal Iron Refinery, working in Mr. Wandell’s laboratory.
"In an alloy steel experint, due to the mixing of impurities, specifically trace amounts of silicon, I noticed that the resulting waste material had extrely high hardness, which reminded of Philippe’s milling machine. In fact, he used the Royal Iron Refinery’s patent authorization."
Joseph nodded with great satisfaction. He had invested significant effort and funds into technology research and developnt, and with the strong attraction of foreign talents, he finally awaited the harvest period.
An unexpected breakthrough in the materials laboratory paved the way for the developnt of high-precision milling machines.
This, in turn, would lead to a substantial increase in steam engine power.
Soon, steam engines would drive everything, completely igniting the industrial revolution in France!
Currently, a single equipnt bidding event has already produced two milling machines that are leading all over Europe.
This is enough to demonstrate that France’s high-tech research and developnt have begun to enter the fast lane.
Next, it’s crucial to swiftly convert technology into national strength.
Philippe Renou cautiously inquired: "Mr. Depardieu, has my equipnt been selected?"
"Sorry, I can’t disclose that just yet, but you have a great chance..."
Joseph looked at the two brothers, who could hardly contain themselves, and felt a bit regretful for the previous "five-axis linkage machine tool," but its accuracy was indeed sowhat lacking.
Wait. He suddenly thought of sothing; the Renou brothers’ milling machine achieved high precision mainly by leveraging material advantages, although it had so clever design elents.
The "five-axis linkage," however, possessed extrely intricate design.
If the strengths of both could be combined, it would be a true "monster" in industrial processing!
Joseph pondered slightly and said to Philippe Renou: "Yes, you have indeed won. Only you have t the accuracy requirents."
He made a downward gesture, indicating for the two brothers to calm down: "Now I offer you two choices.
"One is to follow the bidding process and proceed with normal production, supplying to the United Steam Engine Company.
"The second is to collaborate with the previous designer of the milling machine..."
Depardieu quickly reminded in a low voice: "It’s Whitney, Your Highness. Eli Whitney."
Joseph nodded: "Collaborate with Mr. Whitney and join the Royal Precision Equipnt Company."
The Renou brothers exchanged glances, "Royal Precision Equipnt Company?"
"I haven’t heard of it either..."
"Because it’s still in planning." Joseph smiled.
Half an hour later, in the conference room of the Nancy Industrial Developnt Zone, Joseph addressed the Renou brothers and Whitney before him: "That’s roughly the situation. The France Engineering Design Institute and Industrial Developnt Fund will also invest, so subsequent funds will be very ample.
"In the future, the company’s products will not only be used for processing steam engine components but will also play a significant role in the production of textile machines, carriages, ships, as well as firearms and cannon.
"Just the Royal Armory’s orders alone will exceed 300,000 francs annually."
Philippe Renou’s heart was so excited it was about to leap out of his throat.
The Crown Prince had just said that the investnt in the newly ford Royal Precision Equipnt Company would exceed 1.8 million francs. After rging the Renou family’s small factory into the company, he would receive 15% of the shares.
This ans his family’s factory, valued at 70,000 francs, would instantly beco worth nearly 300,000!
At the sa ti, Blaise Steel Company would also rge into the new company, bringing a complete set of steel slting and equipnt production capabilities, with a production scale dozens of tis larger than his family’s small factory.
Looking at it now, the decision he made to gamble everything on precision milling machines was absolutely right!
Joseph turned to the designers from both sides: "I will have the Ministry of Industry handle the company rger directly. You can use the laboratory of the United Steam Engine Company to quickly start design work on the new milling machine."
Several people bowed together and said: "We will follow your orders, Your Highness."
Whitney cautiously asked again: "Your Highness, um, I’m still under a ’temporary talent’ status, see..."
Joseph turned to Eman: "Help write a letter to the Talent Committee to transfer Mr. Whitney to a D-level talent status."
Whitney was instantly thrilled: "Thank you so much!"
Joseph smiled and said: "By the way, I assure you that your cotton gin will be protected under France’s patent law."
After hearing Depardieu ntion Whitney’s invention of the cotton gin, he finally rembered that this was the man known as the "Father of Arican Technology."
Historically, Whitney owned major inventions like the cotton gin, horizontal crankshaft milling machine, and industrial standardization production model, contributing significantly to Arica’s industrialization.
For such a brilliant person, offering a bit of policy incentive is very necessary.
Whitney was already so excited he was close to tears, swearing repeatedly to develop the new milling machine as quickly as possible.
By four in the afternoon, Joseph had roughly arranged matters for the Royal Precision Equipnt Company—the specific establishnt work naturally required the Industrial Developnt Fund and Ministry of Industry’s personnel to handle.
He glanced at his pocket watch, just about to visit the coal factory, when a local official hurried in, handing a standardized docunt from the Sharp Signal Tower to Eman.
As it was an unencrypted docunt, the latter read it directly, then whispered to Joseph: "Your Highness, the Tsar of Russia passed away ten days ago."
Joseph couldn’t help but frown. He had repeatedly advised Catherine II to drink less, eat less fatty food, exercise more, yet her lifespan hardly extended. It seems she didn’t listen.
Joseph knew that with Catherine II’s passing, there would be no one left to suppress Russia’s various interest groups, and Russia’s nurous internal issues would soon erupt.
Particularly since the succession of Paul I, who acts foolishly in dostic, military, and foreign affairs, further exacerbating Russia’s disorder.
What he cared about most was when Paul I would withdraw the troops from attacking Persia. That would relieve England in the Middle East.
Joseph imdiately instructed Eman: "We must return to Paris at once."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Several days later.
Joseph had just returned to the Palace of Versailles, only to see Alexandra accompanied by her maid coming out to greet him, curtsying as she did.
However, the young girl’s expression looked very haggard, clearly indicating that the news of her grandmother’s death had hit her hard.
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