Chapter 135: Improving Factory’s technology part -2 (technical)
As Meenakshi followed Mathew out of the massive building that resembled more like a crude palace, she felt a wave of relief wash over her as she stepped into the open air.
She noted that the place they called the factory was a vast area resembling a large village, with smithies replacing houses. However, as she traversed it, it felt more like a confusing maze, with several large and small smithies huddled together and bustling with metalwork.
People could be seen transporting materials either by hand or in carts, paying little attention to those passing by.
Livers and pulleys, using ropes for handling heavy loads, dominated the central area, while three small canals, diverted from the nearby river, fed into a dam situated to the south.
A giant water wheel was attached to it which looked like some source connecting with the other main buildings. One of these buildings was a massive smithy, its small passage emitted a steady stream of black smoke and they were moving in direction of that smithy.
Meenakshi was intrigued to see several smaller water wheels connected via the canals. Their leather belts linked to its blades were the gears, and even hammers in various foundries as she passed.
Noticing her curiosity, Mathew explained with a touch of pride in his voice, "These are water wheels. You might be familiar with them for irrigation , but we Portuguese have perfected their use. They serve as powerhouses for our smithies. I’ll arrange a detailed tour for you later."
Meenakshi nodded with gratitude and a smile while noting that he is a Portuguese national. She felt curious about his flawless dialect in devnagri and Why a foreigner was working for northerners?
Meanwhile, Aditya couldn’t help but feel discriminated. ’The nerve of this old brute,’ he thought, ’he nearly broke my spine on the first day and now he’s buttering up with the princess.’
As they reached the entrance of the building for casting, they spotted a huge line and a crowd at the entrance with a dispute. Two blacksmiths were grabbing each other’s collars.
"I’ve been standing in this line since morning!" one blacksmith fumed. "You can’t just cut in because of some supposed emergency. Your time was up when you left!"
The other blacksmith retorted, "Who are you to dictate? My line was first, and I won’t move until all my work is done!" The surrounding workers, visibly irritated, cursed them for holding up the line and blocking access.