The Mechanical Era

Riding on three black horses on the street were the OSAC founders of Jac, Alister, and Oswald themselves, all in black coats with white breeches and high-quality leather boots. They had received a letter from a weaver nearly a week ago, inviting the three men to his humble home to talk business.

pαndα,noνɐ1,сoМ Naturally, the smell of potential money was too tempting to resist. As a result, they told him that they will be visiting today, on the 9th of Possum. The journey wasn't that long, considering he was located on the edge of downtown. Based on the location of his home, they expect him to be someone experienced in the industry.

Jac took out a card that came with the letter. He then asked for a few directions from the people on the streets politely. Thanks to his communication skills, they managed to make their way quickly to the establishment.

The building was 4 stories tall, made of stone, and fitted with expensive glass windows. Although the walls weren't painted in any color, it did not matter if the weaver himself is as skilled as he claims to be.

The trio drop off and tie their horses to a fence. They then give the oak door a firm knock, alerting everyone inside. The door soon opened, revealing a man about 5ft'9, looking at the men in the eyes. He had short chocolate cherry hair on his head, with a great mustache on his face. His eyes, which were placed on his oval face, were a dark brown.

"Ah! Gentlemen! Welcome!" he said. The men walked onto the wooden-planked floor, made of native oak trees. The first floor was filled up with all sorts of equipment weavers use. All are occupied by some youngsters.

There were baskets of cotton, being turned into thin threads using small wooden devices that needed some handly knowledge and patience. Then, the same person who used to make the yarn balls places them on a wooden tray and then moves over to a handloom, where they will make the fabric. This is done across multiple people, on both stares.

"We may talk upstairs gentleman," he said. The trio followed him with two stories. They did manage to get a glimpse of what was above, which was similar to what was happening downstairs.

They eventually made it to the 3rd floor, where they were greeted by a clean table with a piece of white tablecloth with golden-yellow dying and flower patterns. There was also a vase of flowers in the middle, giving off a relaxing flower scent to the room.

The trio sat down in the chairs surrounding the room. Just as they place their arses down, a woman, in a green gown made of cotton, brought a silver tray with an expensive ceramic teapot, along with 3 ceramic cups and a small enclosed cup with a spoon. There were no patterns on it and was purely daisy-white. Yet, the lack of patterns gave it a sort of charm that couldn't be explained easily.

She picked up the teapot and poured the hot tea into the three cups. She then lifted the lid of the enclosed cup, revealing the brown sugar hidden inside. With the saucer at the bottom, she gave the men their tea.

"If you gentleman want sugar in your tea, just add it in," she said with her sweet feminine voice.

"Thank you, Mrs. Higgins," Jac replied. With that, the woman disappeared into the other room, leaving the men all by themselves.

"Now, Mr. Hugo. What is this business proposal you want to discuss?" Jac asked while the others sat in silence, drinking and adjusting their tea.

"Well, Mr. Jac. As you can see I am a weaver. I make cotton fabrics to sell to the market. Usually, some expensive tailor buys my product to make it into fancy clothes. Most often are rich merchants or knights."

"I am well aware of that."

"Yes, but you see, I would like to... expand my business. Sell more fabrics, and hopefully conquer the common market."

"But ain't cotton expensive?"

"Not anymore that is," Hugo claimed. Eyebrows were raised between the trio of men sitting on the other side of the table.

"Why is that?" Alister asked.

"Well, you see gentlemen. There has been a... new development in the industry. A simple device that allows the separation of sticky seeds from the fibers in cotton. It's called a cotton gin."

"Cotton gin?"

"Yes. Some guy from the small city of Kelith invented it. The city is hoping to expand its cotton farms by bringing in more cotton. But since they are doing it, some nearby cities in their area are also trying to get into it."

"You are expecting an increase in supply?"

"Yes, and since it is where I get my supplies, I think it presents me an opportunity to expand further. But that is not all gentlemen."

"It is not?"

"No. There have been more developments we can rely on, that happened in this very city!"

"Oh! I think we know." Oswald added in. Hugo was surprised.

"You gentlemen do?"

"Yes. The spinning mule and power loom, am I right?"

"Yes. That is correct. Anyways, with these inventions, I am hoping to purchase more cotton and produce more fabrics to sell. However, I need some things before I start."

"Go on. We are listening."

"First, I need plenty of money to commission the machinery I need, and I will need some horses as well."

"Excuse me, Mr. Hugo," Alister questioned. Hugo stopped and looked in his direction.

"Yes, Mr. Cobbs?"

"Horses?"

"Yes, to power the machinery. Is there a problem?" Alister turned to Jac, who relied on giving Hugo the news.

"Well, Mr. Hugo. There is a much more... efficient method that a horse."

"Oh? Is there?"

"Yes. Recently, artisans have figured out how to make a steam engine. It's a machine that turns steam into power. It can do the same job as a horse while being cheaper to operate and cheaper to make."

"How powerful is it?"

"Currently, it can give about half the full power for a horse as long as it is running. You won't have to feed it or let it rest. It can continuously operate for hours on end without getting exhausted." Hugo was surprised at the existence of this invention. He usually kept tabs on the industry he worked in, not the ones outside it. However, this new invention could be useful.

"I see... Well, I guess we can use the steam engine. That is what I need," he said.

"Will you be bringing the machinery here?"

"Yes, I will. I can have my workers learn to use."

"Like, everyone, to use each of the machines?"

"Precisely." The trio looked at each other. Although they didn't speak, they all had a conscious agreement that this idea had even more potential.

"Mr. Hugo, may I give you some advice?" Jac asked. Hugo smiled.

"Please, Mr. Jac Pratt. Go on ahead."

"Instead of having each and every one learn to use how every machine, how about you specialize your workforce."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Have one of your workers work with one machine for a long period of time, and have them do very simple tasks, repeatedly. It is called specialization and the division of labor. Your workforce would be able to produce more fabrics and bring the unit cost down. You understand me?"

"Yes, Mr. Pratt. Does that mean you will invest?"

"Yes, we will. However, there will be a few conditions that will be added."

"I am listening."

"First, we will be incorporating the business into a company. It's a legal structure that is like a safety measure. Second, we want a 60% stake in the company, and finally, we want you to agree to allow us to design, commission, and build a factory for the business."

"A factory?"

"Yes. This place will do just fine for any early operations. However, we will want to scale up and conquer the market before anyone else does. So, what do you say?" Jac asked. Hugo began to think.

"How much are you willing to offer?" Hugo asked.

"What do you think your business is valued at?" Jac answered with a question. Hugo, not catching anything suspicious, answers straight away.

"About... 78 to 80 gold?"

"How about 82?"

"It's a done deal then," Hugo replied. Jac extended his hand. Hugo, although a little confused, grabbed it, and the two men shook.

"Good. Say, what should we call this company?" Jac asked. The men in the room thought and debated for a minute until finally settling on "HugoFacrics Co."