New Machinery

Located in Brooklyn, New York, the Howlett Mechanical Experimental Factory is a place that sparks curiosity and confusion among many in the industry.

This factory was established six or seven years ago, and from its footprint to its facilities, it is extremely luxurious, yet it has never produced a single product.

The Howlett Family possesses a complete industrial chain in North America, ranging from mineral raw materials, smelting, and casting, to military and civilian machinery, yet this best-equipped factory has never been seen producing anything at all.

Moreover, security has been strict since its construction, and the master of the Howlett Family, Mr. Howlett, spends the vast majority of his time here whenever he is in North America.

"So, is this what you call a 'reciprocating piston'?"

James asked in a slightly loud voice, addressing a white man with black hair and a high nose bridge. He immediately followed up, "Can this use gasoline? You know about gasoline, right?"

"Mr. Howlett, I... I know, but the combustion theory for that fuel has only just been verified and perfected; there is no machinery yet that can truly utilize it." The man's English was heavily accented, sounding German, and he spoke with a slow, stuttering pace.

He seemed to sense James's disappointment and hurriedly added, "Bu... but sir, this machine is the first internal combustion engine to complete a reciprocating piston. It currently runs on coal gas, can reach 4.4 horsepower, and runs very smoothly. It is the one with the highest power and thermal efficiency at present!"

James's expression shifted slightly, and he offered a few words of encouragement. The German man, seemingly eager to show off how much his English had improved recently, continued, "Thank you very much for providing me with such excellent conditions over the past two years. If not for your investment without any regard for returns, this machine likely would have been delayed by more than a decade."

"Mr. Otto, you don't need to be modest. This is entirely the result of the hard work of you and all the engineers and technicians. However, this can still be better. You should focus more on the research of applying gasoline to internal combustion engines in the future."

From the time this factory was still under construction, James had sent numerous people to Europe to search for mechanical manufacturing engineers and scientists in places like England, Germany, and France.

He lured them to the United States with large sums of money and grand promises. In fact, this was not easy; at the time, Europe and the United States were on bad terms due to tariff issues, and the United States was on the eve of civil strife, so not many technical personnel were willing to come.

Most of them only held the mindset of taking the money, coming for a look, and then leaving. However, after arriving and seeing such complete hardware and a relaxed, generous environment, most decided to stay. As for the few who still wanted to return home, they didn't go back either; James had their families brought over, half-coaxed and half-tricked, and just like that, they were all kept in New York.

This German mechanical engineer, Otto, loved this mechanical experimental factory from the bottom of his heart. They only needed to follow their own research directions and continuously push forward research and experiments on mechanical creations that were still in the theoretical or conceptual stage, and here they would be provided with the best equipment, materials, and manpower.

Occasionally, Mr. Howlett would give everyone some research directions, such as the combination of sterling silver and ammunition, or the application of new types of fuel.

James certainly hoped that some of the technological creations from his memories could be successfully developed quickly, but for these cutting-edge professional issues, all he could do was find people and invest money.

Fortunately, the current Howlett Family industries were more than capable of bearing the whims and preferences of their head.

"Young Master, Mr. Vernon would like to see you. He has been waiting outside for over two hours." Mr. Tom Widdell now followed the way the Howlett Family members addressed James; he felt this better reflected that he was a part of the Howlett household, rather than just a small partner.

"Hm? Vernon? Oh, the Frenchman who helped us build the factory a few years ago. I can't quite recall his surname. What is he here for?" James asked with some curiosity.

Over the years, Tom had long since shed his identity as the owner of a mechanical foundry in Canada. He was now the external business manager for the Howlett Family, the most powerful industrial giant in North America, and usually met with prominent tycoons and dignitaries.

He pulled a silk handkerchief from his suit pocket and nimbly brushed some non-existent dust off James, saying lightly, "Nothing more than hoping to get involved in our southern projects."

James nodded. Tom hurriedly waved to the secretary nearby, and only then did the secretary contact the factory's security team to let the man in. The security personnel at the experimental factory were all people James had personally trained at the Howlett estate.

"Mr. Howlett! Mr. Howlett! Thank God, I've finally seen you!" Mr. Herbert Vernon ran forward at a speed completely disproportionate to his physique. James shook his hand briefly and greeted him with moderate warmth.

"Is there something specific you came for, Mr. Vernon? I apologize, I was a bit busy inside just now and didn't know you had arrived."

"No matter! No matter! I just happened to be passing by and saw your carriage. It's been several years, and you haven't changed a bit." Vernon spoke enthusiastically with social pleasantries, though James truly hadn't changed much. He had consciously dressed more maturely over the past two years and kept a bit of a beard; otherwise, he would look no different from a young man in his early twenties.

James responded with a few words and glanced at Tom. The perceptive Mr. Widdell hurriedly took over the conversation, signaling that Young Master James had urgent matters to attend to. Vernon couldn't help but blurt out, "It's like this, I heard you have a new construction project starting, so I wanted to..."

"You can just discuss these matters with Tom. You've participated in quite a few of the Howlett Family's construction projects, and I have that trust in you." James agreed with Vernon in an easygoing manner; the underground structure of the manor was indeed well-built, and James had been quite satisfied with his training and cultivation there over the years.

"No, no, no!"

Vernon waved his thick hands and said with some trepidation, "If you entrust your project to me, it will certainly be to the highest and best standards, and I don't need you to pay! It's just... could you see if I might be allowed to participate in the Howlett Family's business? Perhaps let me purchase a small amount of shares or something similar."

James finally understood. He looked at Vernon with a half-smile and said apologetically, "I appreciate your regard for the Howlett Family, but this is a family business, and I don't have any thoughts in that direction at the moment."

After saying this, he signaled that he had urgent business and headed toward the carriage. Tom, standing to the side, consciously took charge of Vernon and made small talk to steer the conversation.

The carriage drove to a high-end clothing store on Queens Street, where O'Hara was trying on a new dress. They were to have dinner with the Lincolns at the White House that evening.

The President still had much to discuss with James, and the private time during that banquet had been far too short.

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass of the shop window, watching O'Hara try on a cream-colored long dress, James smiled happily.