Rolling bearings are typically used in rotating components, significantly reducing friction during motion.

By applying rolling bearings to the ox-powered waterwheel, the oxen’s workload was drastically reduced. What previously required four oxen to operate could now be powered by just two.

In his previous life, the invention of rolling bearings could be traced back to the 17th century. The most crucial component of the bearing was the steel ball, while the outer casing was relatively simple to produce.

Even so, Simon couldn’t produce high-precision bearings with his current technological capabilities. His method of making steel balls was the most rudimentary, free-fall moulding.

This method involved letting molten steel droplets fall freely from a height. As they descended, surface tension would naturally shape the droplets into spheres, similar to how water forms droplets in mid-air. Below, a cooling water basin quickly solidified the spheres into steel balls.

However, the resulting steel balls varied in size and had uneven surfaces. The next step was grinding the balls on lathes to make them as uniform as possible.

By incorporating these bearings into the ox-powered waterwheel, Simon deliberately created an irreplaceable key component, making the device nearly impossible to replicate without the bearing.

He had already set his sights on selling these waterwheels to mine owners. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

In this era, flooding in mines was one of the biggest headaches for miners. The ox-powered waterwheel not only irrigated farmland but could also be used to pump water out of mines.

With Baldwin issuing orders for each county to send skilled craftsmen to Brambleford for training, news of the waterwheel began to spread.

The ever-astute merchants naturally took notice. Thanks to Simon’s recent stream of innovations, merchants across the Eldorian Empire were closely monitoring Brambleford, eager to seize opportunities before others.

Simon didn’t bother hiding the invention. He instructed the Machinery Department to install waterwheels on his farmland for public demonstrations.

"Your Highness, this waterwheel is incredible! What it pumps in one day is more than what the old wheels did in ten days."

The first to hear the news were the local aristocratic clans of Brambleford. Walter and his entourage found the demonstration site within a day.

Walter, ever cunning, brought along a servant but Simon instantly recognized the man as one of the Goldwynd family’s top carpenters. His rough hands and the amazement in his eyes gave him away.

"You’re wrong, at least twelve days." Simon replied confidently.

Though still relying on oxen, the waterwheel’s efficiency was nearly equivalent to a small modern electric water pump. With oxen working in shifts, the daily irrigation capacity was astounding.

By now, Alfred had returned from Eldora, along with Brandt and Lucan, the self-proclaimed ’Four Musketeers’ of Brambleford were finally gathered.

With the recent influx of out-of-town merchants, the four men were now clinging to Simon like shadows, hoping to latch onto any profitable venture.

"Twelve days?!" Alfred exclaimed, studying the waterwheel’s design and committing it to memory.

Brandt and Lucan did the same. After the recent auction, Simon had squeezed plenty of silver out of their pockets. Now, they were desperate to copy the design and save costs.

Simon chuckled to himself but didn’t expose them.

He couldn’t stop others from reverse-engineering the waterwheel but without the rolling bearings, any imitation would be far inferior.

With the Patent Bureau in place, he could prevent unauthorized replication within his domain, but he had no power over the rest of the Eldorian Empire.

After lingering for a while, the four men eventually left.

"My Lord, they’re clearly trying to steal your design." Joan pouted with disdain.

Simon smiled faintly. "Let them steal. Whether they can actually replicate it, that’s another matter."

Turning toward the Ford River fields, Simon’s gaze swept over the busy farmland.

Lancelot had recently completed the winter conscription, enlisting 5,000 new soldiers, 3,000 stationed in Brambleford, while the rest were distributed across the other counties.

With one million caps of silver in hand, Lancelot’s ambitions had grown. They planned to recruit another 5,000 troops in spring, bringing the total military force to 13,000 men.

However, Simon instructed Lancelot to prioritize coastal fishermen’s sons for the new recruits.

Building a navy was no overnight task. Even basic navigation skills were a problem in this era, where sailors rarely ventured beyond sight of the coast.

By selecting young men familiar with the sea, Simon aimed to nurture the first generation of true seafarers.

His plans were unfolding step by step.

On his farmland, the new soldiers ploughed fields alongside hundreds of oxen, sweat soaking their uniforms.

In other undeveloped areas of Brambleford, Lancelot led troops to clear land for agriculture.

To accelerate the process, Simon equipped the military construction corps with the best tools, including the ox-powered waterwheels, which had been delivered immediately.

He was betting everything on the coming year’s harvest.

Joan followed Simon’s gaze and giggled. "My Lord, I’ve never seen soldiers farming before."

Simon flicked her forehead lightly. "Stick with me, you’ll see plenty of things for the first time."

By the time they returned to the city, the roadside snow was still melting. Winter’s chill lingered, but spring was not far off, a season of hope.

Just like his domain, a place full of hope.

In only two or three months, Simon had introduced several innovations unknown to the Eldorian Empire. These products were rapidly expanding his influence and filling his coffers.

Yet the future was uncertain and he dared not relax.

In the royal family, standing still meant falling into the abyss.

As they entered the bustling City, merchants from across the Empire crowded the streets.

Simon’s smile widened. At least he had taken the first step.

Next, he needed to attract even more merchants to buy land, build workshops, and turn Brambleford into an industrial powerhouse.

The fragrant soap, perfume, and liquor were merely low-end products in his eyes.

The ox-powered waterwheel had a hint of technological content but the true treasures in his mind were still waiting to be turned into reality.

However, one glaring issue had surfaced. His domain lacked skilled craftsmen.

Baldwin’s idea of sending craftsmen from various counties for training was a good start but far from enough.

It was time to establish his own technical reserve.

And the best candidates...

Were slaves.

They were the easiest to control and with proper training, they could become the foundation of Brambleford’s industrial revolution.

As spring approached, Simon’s vision for Brambleford began to take shape. Military expansion, infrastructure projects, technology monopolies, merchant influx, and now, technical education. Every step was paving the way for his industrial Empire.

In this world, knowledge was the greatest weapon.

While others obsessed over wealth and power, Simon quietly laid down his technological traps, turning Brambleford into a ticking time bomb that would one day reshape the entire Eldorian Empire.