"This system is giving you a serious warning: Your ideas may accelerate the development of this world and bring many unpredictable consequences. Therefore, please stop thinking about these ideas immediately and do not put them into action!" The system's serious voice rang out, carrying a strong warning.
"System, are you thinking of selling too?" Mai Ge asked calmly.
"This system is not that kind of system! This system would absolutely never do anything that could cause chaos in the world!" The system's voice remained serious.
"Historically speaking, once the Haider steam engine was introduced, driven by market demand, it wouldn't be long before another improved steam engine by Watt appeared, ushering in the Industrial Revolution. Therefore, this development is entirely predictable and unstoppable. I'm just presenting a diagram now, which only shortens the timeframe." Mai Ge calmly retorted.
"But with these twenty odd years of buffer, this world could very well have developed in other directions. Moreover, the host's attempt to apply Earth's history to this magical world is simply sophistry, and this system does not accept such a rebuttal!" the system responded earnestly.
"System, are you stupid? If I sold 50,000 gold coins, I could upgrade the restaurant to level 2 immediately. In the end, all the money would go into your pocket. I wouldn't earn a single penny, and you're still nagging me. Aren't you just making things difficult for yourself?" Mai Ge couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly.
The system fell silent.
Mai Ge's lips curled slightly. Sure enough, the system's integrity value would plummet when money was mentioned.
"No, host, that's a false premise. Although all 50,000 gold coins will eventually end up in my hands, but they will only be spent by you. So, you're still the one who spends the money!" The system said with a hint of annoyance after a minute of silence.
"I didn't expect you to be so smart..." Mai Ge raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
"Of course..." The system's voice carried a hint of smugness, but it immediately realized something was wrong and said seriously, "Host, please do not try to question the intelligence of this system!"
"I think this is the fastest way to make money right now. If you don't let me sell, then I won't upgrade to level 2. I don't have the money anyway, I can't afford to upgrade!" Mai Ge said nonchalantly, pursing his lips.
"This system can provide the host with a top tier solution." the system said after a moment's hesitation.
"Speak." Mai Ge said calmly.
"This system can provide the host with hundreds of blueprints for various classic steam engines. The host only needs to sell the blueprints, and I'll take 80% of the money, you take 20%." The system's voice carried a hint of temptation.
"System, are you questioning my intelligence?" Mai Ge rolled his eyes, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Do I need you to provide the blueprints? I have several classic models in my brain, I even remember the manufacturing standards for the parts. You can forget about getting a share of this pie. Let me tell you, I can draw the blueprints for internal combustion engines freehand. When I build cars in the future, you won't get a piece of the pie either. Aren't you angry?"
"Beep beep beep beep..."
The system suddenly emitted a jumble of sounds.
"Yes, it's good that you're angry." Mai Ge felt much better immediately and smiled at Haider, "So, Dean, is there something you wanted to talk to me about today?"
"While it's too early to discuss how to apply this energy to production, but I'd like to ask you, young friend, about how to transform this piston motion into other forms of motion. Of course, this inquiry isn't free, I sincerely invite you to join our team. If your suggestions can indeed be applied to the machine, then you can become a full member, enjoy the City Lord's subsidies, and even obtain a recognized title at Chaos Academy." Haider said earnestly to Mai Ge.
"They spent twenty five years researching and came up with such a simple design. If I just throw out a fully-fledged, ready to use steam engine, wouldn't that be too much of a blow to them?" Mai Ge looked at Haider's sincere gaze, then at the simple steam engine drawing on the table. He suddenly had the urge to draw a perfect steam engine drawing next to it, but he restrained himself in the end, smiled and shook his head and said, "I'm just a chef. I'm afraid I can only offer some layman's advice. Besides, I probably can't join the team. The restaurant is too busy, and I probably won't have time to do other things."
At the last moment, Mai Ge changed his mind. He decided not to hand over the steam engine blueprints so soon. Handing over the blueprints would be a one-off deal. There was no such thing as patent protection in this world. If something that could change the world could be sold for a few tens of thousands of gold coins, that was not something a businessman would do.
This is a very valuable asset. Although Mai Ge respects people like Haider who are passionate about invention and scientific research, but he is not so naive as to throw this asset away casually.
A set of physical fitness points is very expensive, and it will only get more expensive in the future. Since they want him to give the world a push, they should give him a bigger reward for his hard work.
"You're the restaurant owner now! A businessman! A wicked capitalist!" Mai Ge muttered to himself a few times, his expression towards Haider now much calmer.
It's obviously not feasible to discuss business with Haider. Firstly, it would seem like a capitalist bullying an honest scholar, and secondly, he's not at that level yet. To negotiate this deal, he must talk to the City Lord's Mansion and the Gray Temple, that's the best way to maximize profits.
Once the steam engine is invented, in addition to providing stable and efficient power in industry, trains will be the easiest to promote and will become the most important mode of transportation and freight, completely changing the way people travel.
Such projects, requiring huge investments and involving massive amounts of engineering, can only be promoted by entities of the scale of the City Lord's Mansion and the Gray Temple. After all, Chaos City has a relatively good relationship with various races, and perhaps a railway network centered on Chaos City could eventually cover the entire Nolan Continent.
Of course, if the day ever comes when a deal is made, Mai Ge wouldn't mind including Haider and the others' names. Researchers should enjoy the honor and reputation they deserve, and the City Lord's Mansion and Chaos Academy should also offer them extra rewards.
"I see." Haider was slightly disappointed, but quickly looked at Mai Ge expectantly and asked, "Then, Boss Mai, do you have any insights on this?"
Mai Ge looked at Haider's eyes, which were full of thirst for knowledge, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "Reciprocating motion in a straight line is difficult to use in production in most cases. Perhaps we can add gears and rely on gear transmission to transfer kinetic energy. While reducing the consumption of kinetic energy, different gear combinations can transform a simple reciprocating motion into various forms of motion to meet the needs of production and daily life."