Chapter 7 Don’t beat around the bush
A rare winter sun appeared releasing warm sunlight that wasn’t dazzling. Still stood on the lawn and slightly looked up at the sunlight above her, with her left hand pushing back the golden hair at her ear as she revealed a faint dazzling smile.
The sunlight fell onto her face and it made her snow white skin look translucent, like it could be broken by just blowing.
Golden hair released streaks of light that bathed her entire body in a faint golden glow, giving her a sacred aura.
Chairman Rank not far away couldn’t help praising, “Young miss Still really is the goddess of our Banta City, these pieces of jewelry can only release this kind of dazzling glow when they are on her. Don’t you think so, chairman Xu?”
Xu Yi revealed a faint smile, “Chairman Rank, you mean that your jewelry isn’t as good if it is worn by the noble madames and young misses of Banta City? If they heard this, your Sarank Chamber of Commerce would suffer serious losses.”
Chairman Rank laughed, “This is just my sincere compliment to young miss Still, I don’t believe those noble madames and young misses will mind that much.”
Although he said this, chairman Rank immediately changed the topic and asked Xu Yi, “Chairman Xu, I really have to thank you this time. If it wasn’t for you persuading her, young miss Still wouldn’t have agreed to do this advertisement for our company.”
“I didn’t say anything. If you want to mention persuading Still, you have to mention the sky high price of a thousand gold coins you offered.” After saying this, Xu Yi looked at chairman Rank with profound meaning and asked, “Chairman Rank, taking out such a large amount at once, is it really because you like Still’s charm or do you have other intentions?”
Chairman Rank shook his head, “Chairman Xu, I think you’ve underestimated young miss Still’s charm. Even if you ignore the fact that young miss Still is a Fifth Grade Magician and the fact that she is Great Magician Camilla’s granddaughter, just young miss Still herself is worth me paying such a large price. Look at how the jewelry young miss still is wearing is shining. If you were a normal girl and you saw this scene, you must think that if you buy the same jewelry, you would be able to become just as dazzling.”
Xu Yi looked at Still in the distance. Although he thought that Still was indeed dazzling and released charm in all direction, was it because of the jewelry she was wearing? This was completely because of Still herself.
But looking at chairman Rank with a wild look in his eyes, Xu Yi decided to force down these words.
After a while, chairman Rank let out a soft sigh and gave an awkward smile to Xu Yi, “Sorry, when speaking of jewelry, I can’t control myself.”
Xu Yi gave an understanding smile, “If we talk about magic machines, I’m the same.”
Chairman Rank revealed a faint smile, “Since chairman Xu is this interested in magic machines, then let’s talk about magic machines. Chairman Xu, I’ve heard that…..your Frestech Chamber of Commerce has been helping the Amrit Chamber of Commerce and the Falcao Chamber of Commerce invent some magic machines?”
Xu Yi looked at him in surprise.
It wasn’t surprising that chairman Rank knew about this, what was strange was why did he suddenly care about this?
“It is like this.” Xu Yi said with a nod, “But the actual situation is my looking for chairman Cruise and chairman Morgan on my own, showing them the magic machines we develop and luckily they accepted them.”
“Luckily?” Chairman Rank said with a soft smile, “Perhaps it isn’t luck. Chairman Xu’s eyes have always been accurate, so what you offered the Amrit Chamber of Commerce and the Falcao Chamber of Commerce were just what they needed. So it wasn’t strange for chairman Cruise and chairman Morgan to accept them.”
“Chairman Rank is overestimating me too much, it really was just luck.” Xu Yi waved his hand.
“Alright, it doesn’t matter if it is luck. This at least proves that your Frestech Chamber of Commerce can develop magic machines according to the needs of other companies, isn’t that right, chairman Xu?” Chairman Rank asked again.
Xu Yi looked at chairman Rank in surprise before giving a slight nod, “Although that isn’t completely correct, it is mostly correct. What? Chairman Rank, could it be that your Sarank Chamber of Commerce needs us to invent a magic machine for you?”
“That’s right.” Chairman Rank nodded with a smile. He raised his hand and the aide standing behind him suddenly took out a stack of papers.
Xu Yi took them and found that they were blueprints, with several mechanical designs on them. At the same time, there were requests labeled on them.
“Chairman Xu, we have drawn blueprints according to our needs, please look over them. Of course, we have only pondered this matter and don’t specialize in magic machines like your Frestech Chamber of Commerce. This is only a suggestion, the final product doesn’t have to be like this.”
Xu Yi nodded and seriously looked over the blueprints. He was surprised to find that although the small magic machines couldn’t compare to the magic machines the Frestech Chamber of Commerce specialized in building, based on the blueprints, he could see traces of mechanical engineering theory.
Then adding in the requests beside these magic machines, the magic machines on the blueprint could already satisfy these basic requirements.
With these blueprints, as long as they kept studying a bit, perhaps the Sarank Chamber of Commerce could develop these magic machines by themselves!
“Our Sarank Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for researching magic machines. Chairman Xu, these blueprints were made by some magicians and craftsmen we’ve found who were interested in the magic machines, what do you think about them?” Chairman Rank asked.
“Magicians and craftsmen interested in magic machines?” Xu Yi narrowed his eyes to look at chairman Rank, as he thought that there were finally people who recognized the importance of magic machines, so they began researching them.
Compared to the shoddy replications by the Leo Chamber of Commerce from before, this blueprint contained original ideas by from magicians and craftsmen.
Although it was much worse compared to the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s magic machines, this still meant that they seriously entered the magic machine industry and began to seriously study it.
Xu Yi was really surprised and happy about this.
He was shocked that people outside the Frestech Chamber of Commerce had begun entering the magic machine industry. Right now, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce didn’t have the technological advantage to be relaxed about this. If they every stagnated, the others would quickly catch up to them.
He was happy because there were finally others entering the magic machine industry. On this continent, it wasn’t just the Frestech Chamber of Commerce alone researching in this field.
If more of these people and companies joined, it would increase the magic machine industry development rate on the Sines Continent. It would mean significant progress for Xu Yi’s dream of creating an industrial revolution.
As various thoughts passed in his mind, Xu Yi looked at the blueprints in his hand before asking chairman Rank, “Can I ask, what kind of people are the magicians and craftsmen who made these blueprints?”
Chairman Rank shook his head with a faint smile, “They were all casually found by me, chairman Xu won’t know them even if I tell you their names.”
Chairman Rank’s response was within Xu Yi’s expectations. He thought about it before saying, “Alright, I will bring these blueprints back and try to make the magic machines according to the requests. Other than this, chairman Rank, I’ll have to trouble you to pass on some words to the magicians and craftsmen who made these blueprints. Tell them that if they don’t understand anything when studying magic machines, they can come look for me. I’m not that secretive about these matters and will definitely teach them what they want to know, so they don’t need to beat around the bush like this.”
Chairmamn Rank’s expression changed slightly before turning back into a smile. He said with a nod, “Alright, I will pass your words to them.”
Xu Yi put the blueprints in his chest and stood up to move over to Still who had finished modeling.
Seeing Xu Yi come over, Still revealed a smile covered in sunlight before a faint blush filled her face. She lowered her head, like she didn’t dare look at Xu Yi.
Seeing Still’s reaction, Xu Yi also felt his face become a bit warm.
Since that day when he didn’t know why he unexpectedly said “alright”, the atmosphere between Xu Yi and Still had become a bit strange.
Over the next few days, it had been awkward between the two of them. Still who had always been open and natural would have her face turn red and Xu Yi became much more stiff around her.
It was like the two of them didn’t know how to be with each other.
Looking at Still who had her head down and didn’t know what to do, Xu Yi took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He said with a smile, “Still, it’s been hard on you.”
Still looked up at Xu Yi and revealed a somewhat crooked smile.
“No, it’s not hard.”
Then she lowered her head again.
Seeing Still’s different than usual behaviour, Xu Yi remembered the awkwardness between them recently. There was a strong impulse that filled him and he quickly moved forward, grabbing Still’s hand.
Still looked up at Xu Yi in surprise and seeing that Xu Yi was holding her hand, her face turned red again. She wanted to pull her hand away, but because Xu Yi was holding her tightly, she couldn’t move it at all. 𝓫ℯ𝓭𝓃𝓸𝓋ℯ𝓁．𝓬𝓸𝓂
“Chairman Rank, if there is nothing else, Still and I will be leaving now.” Xu Yi raised his other hand to wave at chairman Rank as he spoke in a loud voice.
Chairman Rank’s eyes fell onto their hands and a profound smile appeared on his face, as he gave a slight nod, “Alright, I won’t delay you two. Please have a nice trip chairman Xu and young miss Still.”
Xu Yi used a bit of strength and Still obediently followed behind him, as they left the Sarank Chamber of Commerce.
Chapter 8 Matters related to patents
“Hey, kid, when are you planning to get married to Still?” Great Magician Camilla suddenly looked at Xu Yi to ask this.
“Pu——”
Xu Yi spat out the tea he had been drinking. After coughing a few times, he looked at Great Magician Camilla in shock as he said in a lost voice, “Your excellency Great Magician, you…..What are you saying?”
Great Magician Camilla gave a strong snort, “What? Is there a problem with me asking? Kid, since you have decided to be in a relationship with Still, could it be I shouldn’t ask you when you are planning to get married? Kid, are you saying that you are only planning to play with still and aren’t planning to marry her? Let me tell you, kid, anyone who isn’t planning to marriage in a relationship is a hoodlum! If you dare do this to Still, do you believe that I won’t break your legs?”
Seeing the agitated Great Magician Camilla, Xu Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he responded, “I say, your excellency Great Magician, Still and I have just started dating. Shouldn’t we understand each other a bit better before considering marriage?”
“Understand what? You two have been together for half a year, working together all day and getting together when you have nothing to do. Still’s even spent a few nights at your place, this isn’t enough?” Great Magician Camilla said in a cold voice, “Kid, stop wasting words, I am asking you this as Still’s grandfather, honestly answer my questions!”
Seeing that Great Magician Camilla didn’t seem to be kidding, Xu Yi thought about it before the helpless look on his face disappeared and he said with a serious expression, “Your excellency Great Magician, Still is an outstanding girl whether it is in terms of appearance or personality, of course I hope that she can become my wife as soon as possible. But I have to respect Still’s wishes. If she feels it isn’t suitable, I can’t just force her to agree to marry me.”
Great Magician Camilla knit his brows, “What? Still isn’t satisfied with you?”
Xu Yi replied with a bitter smile, “It isn’t like that, it’s just that she isn’t prepared for marriage this early. You should just give us some time and when the time is ripe, naturally these matters will be considered. But before this, i hope that you won’t give her too much pressure.”
Great Magician Camilla thought about this before giving a sigh. He waved his hand and said, “Forget it, this is the matter of you young people anyway, I can’t be bothered. Alright, kid, let’s talk about business. Come, first take a look at the periodical that came from the guild today.”
Taking the internal periodical from Great Magician Camilla, Xu Yi saw the large words on top and was stunned.
“Magic research is selfish?”
Usually the title page of the Magicians Guild’s internal periodic would represent the hottest recent topic at the Magicians Guild, which would normally be related to magic research.
But while the title of this periodical seemed related to magical research, it had quite the moral taste to it.
“What is this?” Xu Yi looked at Great Magician Camilla in surprise.
“Take a look yourself. Oh that’s right, take a look at the seventh page first.”
Xu Yi flipped to the seventh page and was even more surprised by the title on this page.
“Magic research is a magician’s property and shouldn’t be taken lightly!”
Seeing the title of this article, Xu Yi couldn’t help looking at the name of the author and found it was a familiar name.
Gordon Eisenkel.
Seeing this name, Xu Yi couldn’t help secretly nodding.
If it was this Great Magician who was the greediest for money, it wasn’t strange for him to say this.
As he continued reading, he found that the content of the article wasn’t as weak as the title.
Great Magician Eisenkel kept emphasizing the great damage releasing a magician’s research results would cause the magician. It would cause magicians to gradually lose their motivation to develop new magic because even if they could develop it, it would be easily learnt by other magicians.
“Magician are also people and people are moved by benefits. If there aren’t enough benefits, why would magicians waste their energy to study new forms of magic?”
The article could be considered well founded, speaking in a convincing manner, but what surprised Xu Yi was that in the latter half of the article, Great Magician Eisenkel used the Frestech Chamber of Commerce and Xu Yi as an example.
He highly praised Xu Yi and the Frestech Chamber of Commerce, saying that the magic machines Xu Yi developed was giving magicians a new way to develop. It proved that magical application had an important and powerful role in normal lives.
But if the magic machines Xu Yi developed weren’t protected and anyone could casually copy it, Xu Yi and the Frestech Chamber of Commerce would certainly lose the motivation to develop new magic machines.
“Every time a new prospect appears, it would always stop from the guild’s propaganda of being selfless. For the longest time, the magicians of the Sines Continent haven’t moved forward and the level of magic on the continent hasn’t increased. Could it be that in this situation, we still shouldn’t change ourselves?”
At the end of the article, Great Magician Eisenkel couldn’t help speaking in an alarmist manner.
Xu Yi didn’t think that the level of magic on the Sines Continent wasn’t increasing.
Since several thousand years, although the magicians of the Sines Continent weren’t as strong as the magicians during the race was, they have continued their magical research, so it was impossible for there to be no progress at all.
After he finished reading the article and read some other parts of the periodic, he found that many of the articles published by Great Magicians were arguing this matter.
“Why did it suddenly become like this?” Xu Yi closed the periodic and asked Great Magician Camilla this in a confused manner.
“It’s very simple, it’s because the guild is prepared to pass a new decision. They are requesting all the magicians of their guild to publish it to the guild after they make any new discoveries, sharing their research with all other magicians, promoting the growth of magic on the Sines Continent.” Great Magician Camilla responded.
“Damn…...The people at the Magicians Guild…..are they stupid?” Xu Yi paused before he couldn’t help cursing, “Having everyone share everything, it would be strange if anyone was willing to work. If they really pass this decision, it will cause every magician to stop their magical research and everyone would just wait for others to finish their research.”
“If this was before, I would scold you for being too selfish and not understanding the spirit of sacrifice, but now……” Great Magician Camilla revealed a bitter smile, “I have to admit that being selfish sometimes isn’t a bad thing. If you release all of the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s research, your company will instantly fall. And I wouldn’t be able to receive that much funding from your company.”
“So you’re also opposed to this decision?” Xu Yi immediately asked.
“Yes. Not only is it me and Eisenkel, most of the Great Magicians have shown clear opposition this time.” Great Magician Camilla said to Xu Yi with a smile, “So this decision shouldn’t pass. Kid, you don’t have to worry about the guild forcing you to release your research.”
“Of course, with a decision that goes against normal human thinking, it would be strange if it passed.” Xu Yi said while laughing.
“Other than this, in response to the decision this time, Eisenkel proposed to the guild about magicians having exclusive rights to their research. The specifics are like the patents you tried to submit last time. Currently this suggestion is being discussed and it’s unknown if it will pass or not. But because of the storm caused by the other decision, there is quite a high approval for passing this decision.”
Xu Yi’s eyes lit up, “This Great Magician Camilla really knows how to seize opportunities. But why does he hope to obtain patent rights for a magician’s research? Moreover, he even used me as an example, not even letting our Frestech Chamber of Commerce off?”
Great Magician Camilla looked at Xu Yi with a strange expression.
“Kid, being reminded by you, I suddenly feel that you and that fellow Eisenkel are quite similar. Compared to magicians, you two rather seem like merchants.”
###
Without knowing if the magician’s exclusive rights to their research passed or not, Seveni gave Xu Yi some bad news first. The Lampuri Kingdom’s Royal Parliament had rejected the patent law.
“Why?” Xu Yi looked at Seveni with knitted brows, “With this law passed, companies that apply for patents would have to pay a certain amount each year and the kingdom’s income would increase, so why did they reject it?”
“It’s very simple, it’s because ones behind the parliament are the large nobles of the kingdom. Under those nobles, there are the large companies.” Seveni replied.
“Then I’m even more confused. This patent law is aimed at all the companies in the kingdom, could it be their companies don’t have unique technology, so they don’t need the protection of the patent law?” Xu Yi said in a confused voice.
Seveni took a deep look at Xu Yi and gave a soft sigh, “Chairman Xu, if I told you that the reason why this proposal was overruled was because of your Frestech Chamber of Commerce, would you believe it?”
Xu Yi looked at Seveni in surprise and after a while, he shook his head, “I don’t believe it. Our Frestech Chamber of Commerce is just a small company who has earned several hundred thousand in a year, how could those large characters care about us?”
“No, chairman Xu, you’re looking down on yourself and the Frestech Chamber of Commerce. Since you signed the order with the agricultural department for the tens of thousands of small agricultural magic machines, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce was no longer a small company.” Seveni said with a serious expression, “I think that you should know that during this time, the king has already announced that our agricultural department is cooperating with your Frestech Chamber of Commerce, so everyone in the kingdom knows about your company and knows that you have earned several million gold coins with just the agricultural magic machines. So many people are jealous and want to join the magic machine industry. You think that at this time, would they pass a patent law that would hinder them?”
Xu Yi was stunned before letting out a long breath, revealing a helpless look.
The agricultural department announcing they were cooperating with the Frestech Chamber of Commerce was something that they had discussed with him beforehand. Xu Yi did not oppose it at the time because it would greatly increase the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s fame.
He never thought that just by announcing this cooperation, it would actually attract the attention of many nobles behind the large companies of the Lampuri Kingdom.
After they focused on the Frestech Chamber of Commerce, people noticed that these magic machines had infinite potential and large profits.
It wasn’t that strange if they wanted to enter this industry.
“No wonder chairman Rank would suddenly take out those blueprints, so the Sarank Chamber of Commerce already had this idea. Only how far have the other companies developed?” Xu Yi thought about it before saying to Seveni, “This means that it is now impossible for our Frestech Chamber of Commerce to safely and slowly develop in Banta City?”
“Yes.” Seveni nodded, “Chairman Xu, I must remind you that compared to some large companies, your Frestech Chamber of Commerce is very weak. If you’re not careful, it’s very likely you’ll be swallowed.”
Xu Yi nodded as he revealed a self taunting smile.
“That’s good, I have to face these competitors sooner or later. Although they came a bit earlier, since they are here, I’ll just properly take care of them. These fellows want to treat our Frestech Chamber of Commerce as a small fish to swallow, but they never would have thought that this small fish can swim faster than them and they can’t catch it at all, right?”