The two parties sized each other up.
Ronald recognized the man seated in the principal seat, clad in a suit of black clothes, as the owner of the factory—Matthew Bolton—rely at first glance.
At the sa ti, Mr. Bolton also addressed Ronald:
"Sir, I don’t believe we’ve t before, have we?"
Ronald replied imdiately,
"Mr. Bolton, I conducted a comprehensive investigation before coming to Birmingham, so I understand that when it cos to Mr. Watt’s steam engine patent, you are the one with the decision-making power."
"Therefore, I personally believe that in regards to this business, it would be more appropriate to discuss it with you."
"..."
Information traveled at a particularly limited speed in this era.
Ronald’s opening remark further cented his identity in Bolton’s mind. It was clear that this young and handso gentleman, who managed to disclose such information so easily, could not have simply found him by chance.
A polite and friendly smile appeared on his face.
Bolton took the initiative to stand up, approach Ronald, then shook his hand and courteously asked:
"Sir, I just heard you want to discuss a deal concerning the Arican Colony with ?"
"Of course," Ronald nodded generously, then with an appearance of so concern, glanced at the other two n, "North Arica is vast and rich in resources, yet its infrastructure is incredibly underdeveloped."
"From my personal point of view, to establish an imperial resource base from that land, years of sustained developnt and construction are indispensable. And compared to manual labor, steam engines can clearly provide more efficient and convenient solutions for certain tasks."
Upon hearing this, Bolton’s eyes lit up:
"You an... you plan to invest in steam engines for the New World. But regarding the colony, I rember the Governor..."
This ti Ronald was not like before.
Before Bolton could finish speaking, he interrupted:
"Mr. Bolton, could you introduce to these two gentlen?"
"I arrived here in a hurry and I am not sure if these two friends would be interested in collaboration."
"..."
Bolton imdiately grasped the aning of Ronald’s words.
A big business involving a colony ant that so key information was extrely important and valuable; Ronald did not wish to expose it directly in front of others.
Bolton was, after all, a rchant who ran a factory.
His expression changed in a flash, and then as a host, he introduced to Ronald:
"This is Mr. Douglas, and this is Mr. Miston."
"Both gentlen have co from Scotland, bringing with them a great work by a mber of the Royal Society."
Ronald imdiately nodded to the other two n:
"Ronald Adler, a pleasure to et you both."
Seeing Ronald’s friendly deanor, one of the two n also wore a smile:
"Mr. Ronald, we are here on behalf of Mr. Adam Smith. We are as fond of the work of Mr. Bolton and Mr. Watt as you are, and so we hope to engage in so collaboration."
His own guess had hit the mark!
It seems coming upstairs to the drawing room tonight was the right choice.
Upon hearing the man’s words, the anxiety Ronald had been holding onto was finally relieved. At this mont, he had essentially passed the first trial of the original challenge, and it was over.
Of course, being certain of the outco did not affect his continued act.
Ronald widened his eyes, then pretended to ponder deeply.
"Adam Smith... Do you an the one who authored ’Moral Sentints,’ who taught at Glasgow University?"
Ronald’s statent imdiately shocked the other man.
Although they sensed the man before them was no ordinary individual, to be able to recall Adam Smith’s work by heart, then also know where he had worked...
That was superhuman mory.
Ordinary nobility simply could not achieve such a level of information gathering.
As the other person was stunned, Ronald advanced the conversation:
"The piece you brought, is it the work of Mr. Adam Smith? Such a figure’s creations are no trivial matter; may I be fortunate enough to see his great work tonight?"
Ronald’s flattery was very effective.
The man he was speaking with nodded with considerable pride:
"Certainly, no problem!"
"Not to hide from you, I am related by blood to Adam’s mother, and this ti I’m traveling with one of his original manuscripts. A learned gentleman like yourself certainly has the ability and the right to see his work. If it were soone else, they wouldn’t even get the chance."
As the two n traded complints, Bolton, standing by, was also surprised by Ronald’s profound knowledge. Hearing their conversation co to this point, he imdiately picked up a paper bag from the table and passed it to Ronald with a very pleasing intent:
"Mr. Ronald, take a look at this."
"..."
As expected, it was the manuscript...
Watching the three n in the room being courteous to him, Ronald received the paper bag from Bolton, and a genuine smile erged on his face:
"Well, in that case, I will not stand on ceremony."
Ronald pulled out a sheet of paper from the bag and imdiately began reading the text on it.
Or rather, he recited the first spell of the original text.
"The greatest improvents in the productive powers of labor, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgnt with which it is anywhere directed or applied, seem to have been the effects of division of labor..."
No sooner had the words been spoken than a calm and powerful Magic Fluctuation manifested from him.
Ronald imdiately understood the entirety of that Spell.
—[Invisible Hand]
After chanting the incantation, the Caster would summon an invisible hand visible and perceptible only to himself, allowing him to do as he pleases with any object around him, without interference from anyone.
Only a pity that what seed like an invincible Spell also had its fatal flaw.
The mont the Spell was activated was when it worked best and was most reliable. As ti went on, the invisible hand faced the crisis of collapsing at any mont, never knowing when it might suddenly fail!
That was the first Spell that Adam Smith’s work, "Wealth of Nations," had to offer.
Subsequent trials would alter just like "Daedalus’ Book."
Ronald could leave the trial with this Spell, or he could go on and attempt to obtain the next original Spell.
"..."
"Indeed... it’s a pretty unreliable thing."
Faced with this choice,
Ronald looked around and then laughed, shaking his head.
His current need for additional Spells was not that great.
He was also aware of the situation that White Shore Castle faced outside the trial.
"It ends here."
"I should be going out—"
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