Ernst's casual remark merely struck Mayne as somewhat absurd. To wager so casually on firearms when he knew nothing about them—but since the boss insisted, there was little he could say. He would strictly scrutinize the Mauser brothers' results; if there was the slightest impropriety, he would reject their proposal. That was his duty as factory director.
Although Mayne did not know much about firearm design, owing to his own lack of imagination, he possessed an obsessive eye for examining guns. Or rather, his rigor and inflexibility were precisely why he had become factory director.
"Your Highness, if their design proposal has flaws, I will not let it pass," Mayne said.
Ernst said, "Mr. Mayne, that is where I need your help. I believe your more than twenty years of experience in the trade can help them take that final step."
Mayne said, "For your sake, I will give them this chance. If they truly have talent, I will support them wholeheartedly as well."
Far East, Jiaozhou Textile Mill.
"East African textile mills are recruiting workers. Excellent terms, food and lodging included. You may bring your whole family to East Africa to live. This is a fine opportunity. Does anyone want to go? Those who do may raise their hands," Factory Director Carlton said to all the employees at the staff meeting.
Yet not a single person in the hall raised a hand. Though the benefits at Jiaozhou Textile Mill were not especially good, they were stable, and so the workers had no desire to seek their fortunes in East Africa, thousands of miles away.
"Since no one wishes to go, we can only draw lots to choose people. This is an assignment handed down from above. Since none of you are willing to go voluntarily to East Africa,