In the Eighteenth Century, Talent Mattered Most!

"You've done extremely well." Joseph looked at Murdoch, unstinting in his praise. "Your highly effective work has brought desperately needed irrigation water to hundreds of parishes and powered a great many mills, allowing them to keep operating even when the rivers froze during last year's bitter winter.

"You and the United Steam Engine Company have won widespread praise from all the people of France, myself included. In fact, my admiration for you exceeds anyone else's."

Though his words were somewhat exaggerated, Murdoch truly deserved the praise.

In barely half a year, he had helped the United Steam Engine Company establish a complete steam engine production line. By now, the fifteen-horsepower LJ15 Steam Engines it produced were very mature, with a failure rate very close to that of Watt's comparable products.

Moreover, at Joseph's request, Murdoch had also made the LJ15 Steam Engine more compact. Without its water tank and other accessories, it could be hauled all over the world on a donkey cart. In this respect, he had even surpassed Watt.

The facts proved that he had not been boasting back then. He truly was one of the world's finest technicians.

Murdoch's face glowed at the praise, and he immediately placed a hand over his chest and bowed. "Your recognition is an immense honor. Please believe me, I will lead the United Steam Engine Company to even more glorious heights!"

He paused, then raised his voice. "Glory that will surpass the Bolton-Watt Company!"

Joseph felt like laughing at this. Just how deep did this technician's resentment toward Watt run?

A mischievous thought suddenly occurred to him: if he had a life-size oil painting made of Watt wearing a stern expression and hung it in Murdoch's office, would the latter's productivity increase by several tenths?

Beside them, Sander chimed in, "Your