Chapter 400: Monkingo Cannon
As the sun set in the morning, Simon and Elin rose early to bathe. After washing up, they went straight to have a peaceful breakfast together. Now with the current rate of top businessmen flowing in and out of Brambleford, Brambleford’s supplies have now become more and more abundant and rich, unlike in the past when it was really difficult to get something good to buy or even have enough money.
Nowadays, Simon always has a wide range of drinks to choose from and enjoys a variety of funky dishes to pick from for breakfast every day.
A short while later, a shadow loomed over them drawing their attention.
"My Lord, here is the daily newspaper circulating in Brambleford," Kobe said.
Curious, Elin quickly snatched the paper from kobe hand, putting it to rest on the table, she pick up her spoon, took a sip of her porridge drink from her bowl while glancing through the paper. When she set eyes on the word written in bold letters, the spoon froze on her lip. "My Lord, the words written in bold letters about potatoes being poisonous when turned green, is it that serious?" She asked in a soft tone.
"Yes, green potatoes are poisonous, so we can’t eat them at that time, but don’t worry I have everything under control. So we can have as many edible potatoes as possible." Simon said. With a reassuring voice.
Upon hearing this, Elin had a relaxed expression as she sipped her porridge drink once more. "With you by my side, I don’t have to worry that much about having delicious potatoes whenever I want."
Setting aside her spoon and picking up the newspaper from the table and read some miscellaneous things published in the newspaper, Then with a raised head she spoke. "My Lord, Joan and Ysabeau are usually not seen around the castle lately, are they really that busy with work?" She asked with a worried-filled voice.
Elin found it a little bit strange that Joan and Ysabeau had been leaving the castle for the past few days. This was all new to her. After all maiden were not allowed to move around or leave without permission.
Simon had a bright smile on his face at the mention of Joan and Ysabeau not being around. "Well those two are quite busy these days, Joan is the one handling the textile section and Ysabeau runs the Theater in Brambleford as you can see, which is why they’re hard around," Simon replied in a calm voice, without taking his eyes from his food.
Kobe was a little bit sad and jealous when she heard this. "So Joan and Ysabeau now handle textile and theatre sections in Brambleford." She murmured in a low voice.
"Joan and Ysabeau have really worked hard to gain My Lord’s trust, while Kobe and I are left all by ourselves in this lonely castle feeling bored all day long," Elin said
"That’s true besides you are still new to Brambleford and don’t know your way around here. Moreover, there aren’t many ladies around to accompany you when you feel bored, and I am too busy with the affairs of the domain to show you around, making you suffer all by yourself." Simon said as he held Elin’s delicate hand on his, reassuring her.
Hearing this, Elin blushed, her cheeks turning crimson. "My Lord, the domain affairs should be your top priority before anything else. As a matter of fact, I should be helping you solve the problems not add up to it or get you distracted."
Simon smiled when he heard this. He understands this very well, so he had a relaxed heart. Besides Elin’s beauty and charming smile are yet to fade away, and as time passes she will glow even more.
Elin liked reading whenever she was bored back in Eldorian Empire. At the thought of this Simon had an idea and looked straight into her eyes as he said. "If you are free, I have something you might find interesting to keep you busy whenever you feel bored."
Upon hearing this, the light in her eyes disappeared, as she straightened up. She asked in a surprised voice. "What is it, My Lord?"
By this time, the two of them had almost finished breakfast, so Simon got up and took her hand, leading her to the study room in the castle.
While inside the study room, Simon flipped through the shelf and brought out several books all containing or related to the textile industry. From dyeing, knitting, weaving, spinning etc. He passed all of it to her so she could study it when bored.
Since ancient times, men worked and women weaved, so it was not too outrageous for him to let Elin read these books. After all, it was within the tradition of men working and women weaving.
"My Lord, what are these for?" Elin asked, as she had a surprised look on her face glancing at each of the books in front of her becoming more and more surprised with each one she picked up.
"This is all textile-related books. Don’t you usually like embroidery? There are also introductions here. You will benefit a lot after reading these." Simon said with a smile.
Now that Elin is his princess and his pillow, he naturally wants to improve her knowledge and make her the woman behind him.
Moreover, the textile industry is just the evolution of female celebrities. So letting Elin take charge of it sounds reasonable. Firstly, it can help her relieve her boring life. Secondly, with a princess personally taking charge of the textile industry, there is no need to worry that this industry will fall behind others in any way.
Elin nodded, opened a book at random, and started reading. She was immediately drawn by the content inside the book, and she couldn’t take her eyes away from the book.
Simon laughed when he saw this. Besides, Elin is only seventeen or eighteen years old now, which is the age for learning in modern times. What’s more, Elin is known as a talented young woman in the Eldorian Empire, which shows that she is really smart.
After all, Elin will be the one who spends the most time with him in the future, and she will absorb a lot of knowledge by being around him.
Kobe sighed and shook her head, feeling pitiful that she had to study with Elin again.
"It seems that the rumors that the princess likes reading are indeed true." Simon said to Elin. After making sure everything was ready then he added. "I have something to do, so I will be heading out."
Elin nodded, with a hint of excitement for the new sets of books in her possession. As she replied "Yes, My Lord."
Shaking his head, Simon turned and left. He was becoming more and more satisfied with Elin, who was the most popular person in the harem. Most of the concubines regard it as an imperial edict that women should be virtuous if they have no talent, and their free time every day is devoted to castle battles.
After leaving the study room, Simon went to the military workshop. Yesterday, Bjorn said that there was progress in the Monkingo Cannon, and he was about to go take a look for himself.
When he arrived at the military workshop, Simon saw the Monkingo Cannon placed outside on the testing ground. It was a stubby cannon with a forty-five-degree tilt angle.
Upon seeing the Lord, Bjorn rushed outside to meet him.
"My Lord, this is the Monkingo Cannon ready for testing. This time we used high-quality molten steel to make the Monkingo Cannon’s body. The weight has been reduced, but the quality has been improved. This Monkingo Cannon weighs only twenty-six kilograms. It can be used in the field." Bjorn said excitedly. Like some are trying to convince a customer.
Simon nodded with satisfaction. This time, Bjorn did not simply imitate the Old Dynasty’s Monkingo Cannon, but modified it on this basis. This made the performance of the Monkingo Cannon more stable, but the Monkingo Cannon being tested was obviously not perfect yet, as the tube walls were still somewhat thin.
"Twenty-six kilograms is too light. You can consider thickening the tube wall to increase the range and keep the weight at about fifty kilograms. In this way, it will not be very heavy in the field. At the same time, increase the amount of gunpowder. This Monkingo Cannon, has a range of one thousand meters."
"My Lord has foresight, this is just an experimental model, and we are preparing the official model, which is similar to what My Lord said." Bjorn said with a smiley face.