Chapter 536: The Jewel Follower Around Hobert
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Leaving the city of Backlund, Hobert and Audrey realized that today was a sunny day.
After arriving in the suburbs, the sky became completely blue, with some white clouds hanging in the air, and the sun quickly drove away the chill from people's bodies. This was what early summer should be like.
"I really hope to feel the warmth of the sun in my home in Backlund," Audrey said with emotion.
Hobert casually comforted her, "That day will come."
He paused and then said, "Well, I heard that the government has established an 'Atmospheric Governance Committee,' right?"
"It's the 'National Atmospheric Pollution Council'!" Audrey said, "My brother Hibbert is a key member of that committee."
Hobert joked, "So, that means they are still investigating and haven't planned to start governing yet?"
Audrey's beautiful face was full of smiles. "I didn't expect you to be so sharp when you satirize politicians."
Then she said, "Actually, I also think it's better to call it the 'Governance Committee.'"
"Maybe the councilors don't want the organization to sound so aggressive," Hobert said with a smile.
Audrey hummed in agreement.
Hobert's manor was in the western suburbs. The manor was larger than Hobert had imagined. From the entrance to the villa within the manor, the carriage traveled for a full ten minutes.
The manor's butler, Beavis, greeted them with the servants in front of the villa's main entrance. Beavis immediately noticed that the carriage at the front, which was of an Earl's standard, bore the Hall Earl's family crest!
As a butler of the nobility, recognizing the family crests of various families was a required course for them.
Moreover, Earl Hobert did not yet have his own family crest, so the carriage doors usually had no decorations, making the two easily distinguishable.
Lost in thought, Beavis quickly went to greet them. After the young and handsome Earl Hobert got out of the carriage, just as he was about to step forward to say hello, he saw the Earl gentlemanly reached out his hand, helping an extremely beautiful young lady out of the carriage.
Beavis had never met Audrey, and he began to wonder: Is this the Earl's wife? But I clearly heard Mr. Dophis say that the Countess gave the impression of being mature and languid.
And this young lady looked less than twenty years old, so youthful and beautiful, seemingly not related to maturity at all.
"Earl, welcome to your arrival." Beavis said respectfully, and the other servants behind him immediately bowed.
"Thank you for your hard work!" Hobert said with a smile. "This is my good friend, Miss Audrey. Please prepare a more sumptuous lunch, preferably with some of the manor's specialties."
"Yes! I will have it prepared immediately." Beavis was somewhat surprised. Audrey was very famous in the noble circles of Backlund. Earl Hall's political influence was one reason, and the other reason was, of course, her beauty!
Beavis had not been a butler for nobles before, so he had not met Audrey, but he had heard of this young lady's reputation in the noble circles. He didn't expect the Earl to be friends with Miss Audrey!
After drinking some tea, eating some snacks, and resting a bit in the living room, Hobert said to Beavis, "Join us in the carriage and introduce the manor."
Beavis bowed slightly, "It would be an honor."
This time, Hobert, Audrey, and Todd got into Hobert's carriage and began to officially tour the manor.
First was the villa directly facing the manor's gate. It had two floors, not as large as the villa on Empress Borough, but not small either. It was fully equipped with entertainment facilities such as a ballroom and card room, as well as a theater where orchestras, drama troupes, or opera troupes could be invited to perform.
The villa was built against a mountain, which was not high. A winding mountain road led directly to the top.
At the top of the mountain, there was also a courtyard and several houses. Beavis introduced, "If the weather is good, you can see Order Square in the city center from that courtyard."
Then he joked, "But there are not many days like that in a year."
Hobert laughed in a supportive manner and looked at the small river flowing through the manor.
Beavis introduced, "That is a tributary of the Tassok River, originating in the Balchiss Mountains. The section of the river that passes through the manor is relatively gentle."
He pointed to the mountainous area to the east and said, "That is the Balchiss Mountains. The peaks that appear in our view all belong to the manor's property. The northern part is not far from the railway, so a forest farm has been developed.
"The southern part has not been touched and is a very good hunting ground."
Hobert pointed to a not-small building by the river and asked, "What is that used for?"
"That is the manor's flax processing plant, oil press, and weaving factory," Beavis said. "I learned from the head male servant that the mountains in the manor are very suitable for growing flax.
"If we only sell flax, it is not worth much at all, so the manor built its own factory to process the flax into thread and then weave the flax thread into cloth. The oil press is used to press oil from flax seeds."
Beavis was the manor's butler interviewed and appointed by Hobert. He had only arrived a few days ago, but he was well-prepared. He had toured the manor several times and consulted with the head male servant and other old servants to understand the situation, so he answered fluently.
Hobert seemed very interested. "Let's go in and see how they weave cloth."
Beavis said, "The amount of mountainous land in the territory is limited, so this factory only operates for half a year. It is not yet time to start operating."
Hobert nodded, "Let's go take a look anyway."
The group got out of the carriage at the door, and Beavis opened the door in front, briefly introducing the tools inside.
However, he quickly discovered that the beautiful Miss Audrey was very curious about the flax processing process, asking many questions.
But the Earl didn't seem to be listening to his introduction, but was carefully observing the factory that combined these three large workshops.
The group toured the factory, and the inspection continued. Next, they saw the vineyard that stretched as far as the eye could see, as well as the manor's winery and wine cellar.
Hobert, who knew a little about wine, discovered that there were many good vintage wines in the wine cellar. If all these wines were sold, they could probably sell for tens of thousands of pounds!
Hobert immediately wondered if he should open a winery? But he shook his head. These properties were all gifts from the king and could not be sold openly.
Coming out of the wine cellar, they glanced at the poultry and livestock grazing area on the nearby mountain and then began to inspect the large fertile arable land.
The main crop in the manor was wheat, and the wheat already had ears. It was green and lush, which was pleasing to the eye.
The farmers working in the field straightened up to watch after seeing the carriage.
More than six hundred farmers in the manor rented the farmland. Their residences formed two villages built by the river.
When the group got out of the car to further feel the wheat field, the surrounding farmers immediately recognized the newly appointed butler Beavis and came forward to chat, their attitudes extremely flattering.
After Beavis introduced Hobert to everyone, their attitudes became even more respectful. Some of the more experienced manor farmers even knelt on one knee, repeatedly praising Hobert with words such as kind and handsome.
Hobert looked at this scene and blurted out, "No wonder the manor economy is so harmful to the country's agriculture."
The economy in the manor is a self-sufficient system with income and expenses. This is completely a small fiefdom, and it is a legal fiefdom under the current system.
How can ordinary farmers compete with the manor owners?
However, Hobert shook his head. He was here to inspect the manor, so why should he care about the national economy?
The northernmost part was the logging yard. Because the entire logging yard was too large, they only glanced at the mountains of wood. Hobert also briefly learned about the logging yard's income and then embarked on the return journey.
On the way back, they finally checked the manor's warehouse.
There were two types of storage, wet and dry. The wet storage was for vegetables such as potatoes and pumpkins that could be stored for a long time. Most of the vegetables were transported to the Earl's Mansion almost immediately after being picked.
There was more dry storage. The most was grain. There had been no natural disasters in recent years, and the five tall warehouses were completely full.
You can tell from that small mill that the Earl's Mansion did not use much grain.
However, the face of the nobility prevented the manor from selling grain, so these grains could only be left here to mold and deteriorate and then be used to feed poultry or be transported away as garbage.
Hobert also learned that grain prices had been falling in the past two years, and the farmers had a lot of grain in their hands, but they could not sell it.
Other dry goods included jerky, raisins, dried mushrooms, dried fruits and vegetables, animal skins, etc., all of which were products of the manor.
When they returned to the villa for dinner, it was already past one in the afternoon. The kitchen had indeed prepared some special dishes according to Hobert's instructions.
For example, the side dish was fruit roasted leg of lamb. The lamb was slaughtered after Hobert and the others arrived. Because it was roasted with many fruits, it smelled fragrant when it was brought to the restaurant.
A bite was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The amount of spices used was just right. There was no muttony smell at all, only the aroma of meat and fruit.
The main course was black truffle steak. It was said that the black truffles were freshly picked in the morning, and the cattle were also slaughtered in the morning.
Hobert and Audrey sat at the head of the table, and Todd and Beavis sat at the foot to accompany them.
Everyone was a little hungry. After eating the main course, they began to chat while eating.
Audrey took a sip of freshly squeezed juice and said with emotion, "As expected of a manor that has been handled by the royal family. It has a large area and abundant products.
"I also have a private manor, but it is not even a third of the size of this one."
Hobert smiled and said, "Earl Hall should also have similar-sized or even larger manors, right?"
"I know of five manors," Audrey said casually. "But three of them are in East Chester County."
As for those manors that were bought in the Rorsted Archipelago and South Continent as investments, not only had Audrey never been there, but Earl Hall himself had never been to many of them.
Todd, who was sitting at the bottom, was sighing in his heart: This is the nobility. In the city of Backlund, nobles and the rich are basically indistinguishable from their clothes and appearance. I always thought that nobles only worked in key government departments and lived in the Empress Borough. Today I know that the difference between the two lies in accumulation. It is not difficult for my father to buy such a manor, but my father would never spend money to buy five such manors. His money must be used for investment and cannot all be used to buy land.
At this time, Hobert, who was sitting at the top, glanced at the wine bottle while chatting with Audrey: This bottle of wine is worth more than thirty pounds. It's too luxurious!
Then Hobert wanted to slap himself: It seems that I can't get rid of my poor habits. If I don't change it, I won't change it. If I change it, I will easily self-destruct and get lost in the life of the nobility.
After chatting about the topic of the manor, Hobert said to Todd and Beavis, "I want to transform the flax processing factory by the river."
Beavis noticed that the Earl used a commanding tone. "Will the manor continue to process flax?"
"Didn't we talk about it on the way back? Flax processing will start in the second half of the year." Hobert already had a plan: " Transform three of the granaries and move the workshop there in the future.
He said to Todd, "As for the grain in the manor, you will transport it to Backlund to be ground into flour."
Audrey listened curiously to Hobert's arrangements, wanting to know what Hobert was going to do.
Hobert continued to Todd, "You are responsible for finding a construction team to construct, and Beavis provides catering and other logistical support.
"First, a glass furnace must be built in the flax processing workshop. It doesn't have to be too large, but it must be built by professionals.
"Transform the oil pressing workshop into a high-temperature-resistant metal furnace. The specific temperature resistance will be determined after I meet with the materials science professors tomorrow afternoon.
"As for the largest textile workshop, divide it in half and transform it into two laboratories, one for researching glass and one for researching rubber and wires."
"Wires?" Audrey was unfamiliar with this word.
Besides Hobert, only Todd knew about wires. He immediately realized that the Earl was starting to implement his plan.
Hobert smiled and said, "I will take you to visit after the finished products are made."
Audrey nodded slightly, even more curious about Hobert's ideas.
Hobert continued, "At the same time, build some residential buildings at the foot of the mountain for the future researchers and workers to live in. Build a large factory building on the north side of the factory for standby use, and build a larger and more professional laboratory on the south side."
Todd was slightly stunned. "The amount of work is not small."
He originally thought that the Earl would only transform some of the buildings here. Seeing what the Earl meant, he was preparing to use all the open space in the manor!
Hobert asked, "Can't you manage such a project?"
"No problem."
Hobert nodded. "There is one more thing to do immediately. Have you found a place to train employees?"
Hobert originally planned to ask about this on the way here, but on the way here, Hobert and Audrey rode in a carriage together, so there was no chance to ask, so they talked about it at the dinner table.
"I found it," Todd said. "Behind the factory we rented, there is a comprehensive building with no practical use. The first and second floors have many large rooms that can be used as classrooms, and the third, fourth, and fifth floors can be used for people to live in."
Hobert asked, "How many people can be trained at most at one time?"
"Preliminary estimates are that about a thousand people can be trained at a time."
"That's a little less, but we can start with a few hundred people first and summarize the experience."
Todd was slightly stunned. How many people in a factory with thousands of people need to be trained?
"First, recruit 800 people from the vagrants in the East Borough!" Hobert said, "I have two requirements. First, they must be willing to learn new things. Second, they can accept working diligently for three months without pay, with only food and lodging provided, and then they will receive a salary."
Todd immediately thought, "The vagrants don't have the physical strength for heavy work."
As soon as he said it, he regretted it, because it sounded like he was refuting the Duke's order, so he quickly added, "The vagrants will definitely be desperate to apply."
Although it sounds ridiculous not to pay for three months, it is like the gospel of the gods to the vagrants.
Three months of food and lodging is simply like the kingdom of the gods.
Audrey immediately asked, "Hobert, are you planning to help those vagrants? If so, I will donate some food to your company."
"Kind Miss Audrey, you make me feel ashamed." However, Hobert's expression showed no sign of shame. "I am recruiting these people to work in my territory."
"There is a lot of idle land in my territory, enough to feed about 40,000 people, but there are so many vagrants in Backlund who can't get enough to eat."
Todd and Beavis were slightly stunned. It seemed that they suddenly remembered that the Earl in front of them had a fief.
Compared with the manor, the fief is like the difference between a lake and the sea!
Audrey took a bite of the refreshing salad after the main course, and she immediately understood, "No, Hobert, your method is more effective than charity. If they can work in your territory all the time, then they will always have food and shelter."
Hobert smiled, "Although you are a very intelligent lady, you don't have a deep enough understanding of this society.
"Because of human nature, it is difficult to maintain a state where they work hard for a long time with only food and lodging provided."
Audrey was a little strange, "Theoretically speaking, their work can grow more food, and that food can completely feed them!"
"I'm not saying it's economically difficult to maintain." Hobert took a sip of wine and said, "If they are only provided with food and lodging and asked to work in the fields, the grain yield will decrease year by year."
Audrey's hand holding the fork paused, but soon her two charming eyes were filled with joy as she looked at Hobert, "I understand! They lack the motivation to work!"
"You are indeed a clever lady." Hobert did not hesitate to praise, "I think the word 'initiative' is more appropriate."
Todd and Beavis, the two managers, nodded in unison, also agreeing with the word 'initiative'.
Audrey, at the head of the table, asked, "Then what are you going to do?"
"Only food and lodging will be provided for the first three months." Hobert already had an idea. "After three months, if they really work hard, they will be allowed to rent a piece of land and a place to live on credit.
"When they are not busy with farming, arrange for them to do work that can earn them a salary.
"As long as they are diligent, they will have their own piece of land and their own room in at most two years, and in four or five years, their lives will become prosperous."
Hobert smiled and said, "My goal for myself is: in my fief, as long as people are diligent, they can live a good life.
"Of course, I don't reject those who find ways to make money and become rich, but the monopoly of some industries in the Loen Kingdom is not allowed."
Audrey was young after all, and didn't quite understand the political implications of Hobert's words. She was still concerned about the resettlement of the vagrants, "Why don't you just give them land?"
"If that's the case, the worry-free life they get will be too easy, and they won't cherish it." Hobert smiled and said, "I don't have an obligation to make them live a good life. Generally speaking, a good life is earned, not given to them."
Audrey felt that this was different from her original values. Before, she thought that as long as she sympathized with the poor, she would support charitable causes as much as possible.
But Hobert's approach opened up a new idea for her: providing the poor with an opportunity to live a worry-free life may be the way to completely solve the problem.
While Audrey was thinking, Hobert said to Todd, "The content of the training is mainly to find a few Feysac language teachers to teach them some commonly used phrases."
Todd was slightly stunned: The official language of Longtail Island seems to be Loenese, right? Why do they need to learn Feysac?
But he didn't ask, "No problem."
Before Audrey could ask, Hobert continued, "You have to be prepared. The fief will harvest wheat in late May. Before the wheat harvest, the 40,000 new residents must be in place!
"In addition, if there are women or teenagers among the vagrants who apply, you must reserve a certain number of places for them. They are more difficult to survive than adult men.
"Some poor street prostitutes can also be included in the scope of application, but the number must be limited."
Hobert was afraid that the population structure in the territory would be unhealthy.
Next, they talked about the East Borough, and Audrey also forgot about the Feysac language issue.
After lunch, Hobert and Audrey rested in different bedrooms. After three o'clock in the afternoon, the group embarked on the return journey to Backlund.
Audrey continued to discuss with Hobert the issue of solving the poor population in Backlund. After Hobert opened that door for Audrey, it couldn't be closed at all.
"Hobert, I think you should get a seat as a member of parliament!" Audrey said seriously, "The uneven distribution of population you just mentioned is the core of the whole problem.
"I think there should be a lot of idle farmland not only in your fief, but also in the entire Loen. Why not send the Backlund vagrants there and let them reuse the farmland resources?"
"In fact, there is a deeper problem hidden in this." Hobert explained, "Land privatization!"
Audrey obviously didn't understand what Hobert meant, and looked at him with her two watery eyes.
"I'll explain this to you when I have the opportunity." Hobert smiled, "But there is one truth you must understand. A large number of people flock to the city because the farmers are bankrupt and their land has been annexed.
"They can't survive in the countryside, so they have to try to find opportunities in the city.
"As far as Loen is concerned, there is no vacant land, because all the land has owners. Where can we send them?"
"Why is their land being annexed?"
Hobert didn't answer the question directly, but smiled and asked, "Do you think the nobles' manors have existed as manors since ancient times?"
Audrey immediately understood the truth, "The nobles annexed their land?"
"It used to be nobles, but now it is the emerging capital forces." Hobert explained, "So if we want the poor in Backlund to no longer worry about food, we must take the land from the nobles and the rich!"
Audrey was silent, not because she herself was a noble, but because she knew how difficult it was.
After thinking for a long time, she said, "Maybe, maybe we can issue a proposal to ask the manor owners to take out the excess grain in their hands to relieve the people who are worried about food."
Hobert smiled slightly, "Let's talk about something else, this issue is too heavy."
"No, I want to continue talking about this topic." Audrey was rarely a little willful.
"Okay then." Hobert said seriously, "Let me ask you a question. If a country where everyone is very rich has a drought, and there is a 1% shortage of food, what do you think will happen?"
"1% of the people will go hungry!"
"Wrong." Hobert looked at Audrey, "The price of food will rise to the point where even if they sell their children, wives, land, and houses, 1% of the people will not be able to afford it."
Audrey fell silent again. Today, she has a new understanding of human society and human nature! She suddenly realized that many of her previous views were so ridiculous!
After a long while, she suddenly looked at Hobert, "You have a way, don't you?"
"I don't know if my methods will work, but I will look for opportunities to try." As he spoke, Hobert reached out and smoothed Audrey's slightly furrowed brows with his thumb, "This is something that reformers need to care about. You don't need to worry about it. Just be an optimistic and positive Audrey."
Hobert's sudden intimate gesture made Audrey a little dazed. Her first reaction was to dodge, but in the end she didn't, because she felt that Hobert's hand seemed to have magic power, not only smoothing her furrowed brows, but also making her feel much better.
Seeing Audrey smile again, Hobert withdrew his hand and smiled again, "Life has always been like this, with too many frustrating and helpless things.
"If your strength is not enough to resist these frustrations and helplessness, then don't put yourself in trouble for the time being, otherwise you are fighting yourself.
"What's that saying? Oh yes, remember, you are just a Spectator!"
Audrey looked at Hobert as if she was meeting the handsome young man in front of her for the first time. She felt that Hobert's advice had raised her state of mind by a whole level!
Then she asked, "Hobert, what career are you planning to pursue in Backlund? Tell me, I will definitely support you with all my strength!"
"I want to bring light to Backlund." Hobert smiled, "Don't have any reveries, it's just light in the literal sense!"
"Are you going to drive away the Backlund fog? Or are you going to make the gas streetlights brighter?" Audrey asked curiously.
Even the nobles of this era can't imagine the scene of electric lights shining in the streets and alleys.
"I want to make the night in Backlund as bright as day!" Hobert said, "Using scientific principles, not Beyonder powers."
Audrey nodded as if she understood, "So you met with the professor of materials science? I remember you said it was tomorrow afternoon, right?"
"Yes."
"Can I go with you?" Audrey asked expectantly, "I really want to witness how you make Backlund bright."
Seeing Audrey's face full of expectation, Hobert couldn't bear to refuse, "You, you still have classes, right?"
"I can ask for leave."
"Okay then." Hobert smiled, "Tomorrow afternoon at one o'clock, we'll meet at the gate of Backlund University of Science and Technology."
"Okay!"
…
In the evening, in the restaurant of Earl Hall's house.
Earl Hall talked with his eldest son, Hibbert, about the affairs of the Atmospheric corruption Investigation Committee for a while. Seeing that his daughter seemed very happy, he couldn't help but smile, "It seems that our Audrey got some good works at today's art exhibition."
"Sort of." Audrey smiled, "I figured out a lot of things today."
Hibbert suddenly said, "I heard that you and Hobert appeared at the art exhibition together?"
"That's right. Originally, I hoped he would buy a few works, but he didn't like any of them."
"Could it be that he has financial problems?" Hibbert smiled, "I heard that his current meal is actually one dish, one soup, and a piece of bread."
Countess Caitlin was a little surprised, "Is there such a thing?"
Audrey said seriously, "Hibbert, I don't know where you heard this news, but as far as I know, Hobert has invested more than 20,000 pounds in Backlund recently!"
Earl Hall smiled gently, "Maybe he's just being frugal."
"This is already considered stingy." Catherine said, "Doesn't he know how much damage such rumors can do to an Earl?"
"He doesn't not know, he just doesn't care." Audrey defended, "No matter what he eats for each meal, I know that he completely solved the poverty problem of 40,000 vagrants today."
This made the other three family members stunned.
Earl Hall asked curiously, "Tell me in detail, how did he solve this problem?"
Audrey briefly described Hobert's plan to arrange 40,000 vagrants to his territory. The reactions of the three family members were different. Caitlin smiled slightly, "This is a very excellent politician, who solves his own problems and also solves Backlund's problems."
Hibbert shook his head slightly, "This is a clever trick. After that batch of vagrants arrives in his territory, they will definitely become his slaves."
"The focus of this plan is on the second half." Earl Hall commented, "As Audrey said, he really solved the poverty problem of those people. Only lazy people with no ambition will become his slaves."
He looked at his eldest son, "Not only should Audrey have more contact with Hobert, but if you have the opportunity, you should also have more contact with Hobert."
As an experienced politician, Earl Hall certainly saw through Hobert's control of human nature. Such a person has unlimited potential! The so-called nobles are to make some favors when the other party has not yet become dazzling.
Hibbert nodded, "I will."
"Then, dear Earl Hall." Audrey smiled, "I'm going out tomorrow afternoon. Can you help me ask the piano teacher for leave?"
Catherine frowned slightly, "You're going out again?"
"Yes," Audrey said simply, "Hobert is preparing to make some investments in emerging materials. I want to see if there is an opportunity tomorrow and invest with him."
"Of course." Earl Hall smiled. "If there's an opportunity and you lack sufficient funds, I can consider investing."
…
Outside Backlund Railway Station.
Hobert and Selena waited a short while before seeing Elizabeth and her group.
Selena got out of the carriage first: "Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth also smiled and waved: "Selena, when I received your letter, I thought you were sending it from Feynapotter."
The Dorothy couple sent their daughter together. They were very polite and courteous, chatting with Hobert, who got out of the carriage later.
After everyone got back into the carriage, Dorothy looked at the spacious carriage that still felt roomy even with five people inside, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: The first time we met, Hobert was just an ordinary lawyer, but now the person sitting in front of me is Earl Hobert.
In his opinion, Hobert's rise was so rapid that it was simply unbelievable!
For people of this era, it usually takes at least three generations for an ordinary person to become a noble. The first generation accumulates wealth in the Berserk Sea or the Southern Continent through plunder, the second generation uses the accumulated wealth to do business and multiply their family property, and the third generation may be able to obtain a title through donation or become a member of parliament by being very influential in a certain field.
But Hobert only took half a year for this process!
Arriving at the Earl's residence, the couple were once again amazed by the luxury and grandeur of the mansion.
If such a mansion were in the suburbs, it wouldn't be surprising, but this is the Empress Borough, where land is at a premium!
After seeing the accommodation and classrooms prepared for Elizabeth, the couple were also very relieved. Dorothy even joked, "I'm just afraid Elizabeth won't get used to the luxurious life here."
After having lunch with Elizabeth's family, Hobert asked Selena to take them to tour Backlund, while he and Todd took another carriage to the entrance of Backlund Technical University.
Audrey had already arrived. Because she was visiting a university professor, she was wearing a monochrome long dress today, with not much decoration on the dress. However, her noble temperament and beautiful face still made the university students look at her.
Hobert got out of the car, invited Audrey to board his carriage, and then they came to the school's office building together, and under the leadership of the attendant, came to the office of President Portland Mormon.
This was an old man of about sixty years old, tall and with a loud voice. He stepped forward and shook hands with Hobert and said, "Earl, welcome."
With Hobert's current status, he could actually ask the principal or university professor to meet at the Earl's mansion, but in order to show respect for scientific researchers, Hobert came here in person.
"President Portland!" Hobert shook the other's hand and said, "I've heard your public lectures."
Portland smiled and said, "You are the pride of Backlund University."
Of course, he is the pride of the university. Generally, the heirs of earls would hire tutors to come to their homes to teach, and they would not learn this kind of skill-based thing.
Therefore, it is difficult for universities to have the opportunity to cultivate an earl. The key is that Hobert's title did not come from inheritance, but was obtained by his own "efforts", which is even more precious.
"It's a pity I don't have time to complete my studies." Hobert showed a somewhat regretful expression.
"You must have more important things to do." Portland looked at Audrey behind him: "Miss Audrey, I'm glad to see you again, you are still so radiant."
"You are still so elegant." Audrey replied with a smile.
The three people talked and walked to the reception area.
Melissa, who had black hair and had been waiting here for a long time, poured tea for everyone.
Hobert smiled and said, "Melissa, I heard Selena say that you and Benson have moved to Backlund.
"How is it? Is Benson's civil servant exam over?"
"Lord Hobert," Melissa smiled, "Benson has passed the first round of exams and is now preparing for the interview."
Hobert smiled and said, "Just call me Hobert."
He said, "With Benson's ability, the interview is not a problem."
Portland asked in surprise, "Do you know each other?"
To avoid misunderstanding, Hobert explained, "I know his brother."
Portland nodded: "Benson is a very good young man."
Melissa knew that Hobert was talking about Klein. Thinking of this, she was slightly lost in thought.
After the pleasantries, Hobert smiled and said, "When I entered the campus, I was reminded of those out-of-town students who always complained about the poor conditions of the dormitories.
"So I just decided to donate 5,000 pounds to Backlund University to improve the living environment for students."
"First of all, I would like to thank you for your donation on behalf of the students from other places." Portland smiled and said, "Only those who have been to college know what inconveniences there are in college life."
Hobert doesn't care whether this 5,000 is spent on improving the accommodation environment. This donation is purely a signal to Portland.
And Portland received Hobert's signal. He was a little surprised. Although nobles have the habit of donating to universities, they usually only donate one or two thousand pounds as a token of appreciation. Few nobles would donate 5,000 pounds at a time.
They prefer to spend money to invest in laboratory research projects.
So after Portland praised Hobert a few words, he began to talk about the necessary cutting-edge technologies. If the Earl needed any help, he was willing to provide some technical assistance.
Then he discovered that Hobert had a very deep understanding of modern science.
Audrey on the side was a little surprised: Their conversation sounds very impressive. Does the university's law department also teach these things? Why is Hobert's knowledge so broad? It seems like there is nothing he doesn't know.
What she didn't know was that many of the knowledge in universities now, such as mechanics, optics, etc., had to be tested in junior high school before Hobert crossed over.
After chatting for a while, Portland grasped the point. This Earl Hobert seemed very interested in electricity.
As he spoke, Hobert asked Todd to bring in a hand-cranked generator: "President, I think you should be familiar with this."
Under Hobert's instruction, Todd cranked the generator, and the light bulb on the other end lit up quickly.
"Of course." Portland smiled and said, "The principle of the generator has been mature for more than twenty years."
"Then have you ever considered using an optimized, huge steam engine mechanical structure to drive the generator? Then we can get surging power!" Hobert asked.
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