Chapter 65: Beauties with brains
Afterwards Aditya, accompanied by his secretary Amira and guard Bheem, led Diwakar to the temporary settlement of his new cement factory, Diwakar couldn't help but notice Amira's plain attire, reminiscent of a small noble from the Muslim community.
Her humble demeanour and servant-like attitude led Diwakar to mistakenly perceive her as a mere plaything of the prince. This misconception fueled a small disdain within him, although he kept these thoughts to himself.
Confusion clouded Diwakar's mind as he failed to comprehend the purpose of a girl in such a serious undertaking. However, his perspective might have turned 180 degrees if he knew her real identity.
When they entered the temporary settlement of the new cement factory, Diwakar was taken aback by the sight of the walls in progress. Vinayak, guided him through the process of using cement powder to stick bricks and forming cement bricks, which left Diwakar feeling grateful for the prince's invaluable knowledge.
After that they moved to prince's chamber where, Aditya made Diwakar an offer that would take his brick industry to the next level. He proposed handing over half of the rights of the brick factory mansion, with Aditya investing heavily and sharing 50% of the profit for the first year. After that, Diwakar would need to cover expenses but would continue to share 50% of the profits throughout his life. Diwakar happily agreed to the arrangement.
Aditya then shared his plans for constructing houses and workplace buildings using cement houses. However, when Aditya attempted to explain his concepts through drawings and theoretical explanations, Diwakar struggled to grasp the concepts. Despite spending the whole afternoon on it, the result was minimal.
Aditya literally chewed his lips as Diwakar panicked, but it was at that moment when Amira took charge and intervened as an angel for Diwakar, providing explanations.
Amira, with a gentle voice, passed a glass of water to Aditya, suggesting he take a moment to relax and asked if she could try to explain. Aditya nodded in agreement, allowing Amira to take the lead.
Amira gestured to the jar and glass of water on the table, addressing Diwakar, "See, Diwakar ji, your knowledge is like this glass of water. If Master tries to pour his more," she poured more water, causing it to spill slightly, "then it won't all get in and will flow out. Lets empty out yours's first then."
Diwakar's nervousness became evident, while Aditya found himself intrigued by Amira's approach, realizing he may have been overwhelming Diwakar with his modern knowledge.
Leading them to the temporary wall settlement of cement factory, Amira continued, "Let's imagine this is the house we need to build, Diwakar ji." She pointed to the construction site. "How would you go about building it?"
Encouraged by Amira's patient guidance, Diwakar began to gain confidence. "If we are to make simple houses," he explained, "we use bricks to construct walls. These walls are then plastered with mud to provide additional stability and protection from the elements.
Additionally, to prevent damage from household internal water accumulation or rainwater, we ensure proper drainage and apply a sophisticated system of clay tiles on roof top to divert rainwater away from the structure." He gulped as he completed whole thing in one breath.
Amira nodded approvingly and continued, "And if you were to build a two-storey or multi storey building, how would you approach it?"
Diwakar pondered for a moment before responding, "The key lies in the foundation. We excavate deep trenches, sometimes several meters into the earth, to reach stable soil.
Then, we lay the groundwork with layers of large stones, carefully arranged to distribute the weight evenly."
Amira nodded in agreement, "Exactly. That's what Master meant by structural integrity when he tried to explain those strange angles of trigonometry and the measurements needed for each room to be excavated beneath the ground for each structure.
But instead of stones, he meant to use concrete, and to hold them as foundations, he meant to use rods for durability and strength. However, concrete is not pure solid in paste form, so you will have to make structures of wood to give it a shape of a pillar to hold it, like you do for construction of bricks."
Diwakar nodded, understanding the practical concept, as Amira posed another question, "Now tell me, Diwakar ji, how would you reinforce those stone fillings inside the trenches?"
He replied confidently, "As I said, for simple rural requirement based mud houses, we use to plaster them with mud, while for noble's requirement based buildings, we use stone rubbles or wooden pilings based on terrain to add an extra layer of protection against erosion and shifting soil."
Amira nodded in agreement, "Exactly. That's where you need to use cement, but not concrete as it is only for foundation pillars and sticking bricks. Instead, use cement and sand for plastering walls, and to give a smooth texture for floors to walk, use only cement to plaster it."
He nodded in understanding, realizing the importance of using the right materials for different aspects of construction
Diwakar continued with a furrowed brow, "Then, after building the structure, we will repeat the same process by erecting stones and later providing narrower stairs with pillars and support to access levels or apply a ramp or ladder based on customer demands."
Amira's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she leaned forward to explain, "That's where it's different Diwakar ji. You wouldn't need to give pillars or supporting stones to apply stairs for accessing higher floors.
By using cement and cement bricks for the foundation, this can be made, or you can leave some space where a permanent circular wooden ladder staircase can be built to grant access after the structure is being built. That will add another beauty to house decoration."
Diwakar's expression widened in surprise as he absorbed her words, clearly impressed by the innovative ideas.
Amira smiled proudly at Aditya, feeling accomplished for solving his biggest problem, where Diwakar had been getting stuck. "Master, I did well, right?" she asked blinking her cute eyes.
Aditya smiled back outwardly, but internally he felt stupefied by how he acted like a teacher instructing his students in the academy of his past life, and now he was making the same mistake instead of approaching the problem practically.
He patted her head and pinched her cheeks playfully for being so cute, but their playful moment was disrupted by a sudden thud.
Turning their attention to the source of the sound, they found Diwakar on his knees, his hands clasped together in a gesture of apology towards Amira. "Forgive me, young lady ," he pleaded, his voice filled with remorse. "Initially, I looked down on you because you were a woman, but I forgot that the goddess of wisdom herself is our mother Saraswati. I am feeling ashamed."
Aditya helped Diwakar to stand up and replied, scratching his nose in embarrassment, "Diwakar ji, you are an elder, even if you are my subject. It's good that you recognize your shortcomings, and that's enough.
But falling to your knees every time in front of everyone is a little embarrassing."
Diwakar, still with tears in his eyes, kept bowing with his hands folded and replied, "Your Highness, it is your great heart that you regard us, lowly subjects, with such high regard.
I don't know how to repay this favor, but I have realized one thing due to this young lady that why in our culture, women are considered in high regard, it's a shame that with time, we forgot our basics and treat them as objects.
To correct myself, I will treat my wife in a new light and would take her insights and allow her to conduct business."
Amira blushed red with the sudden praise, while Aditya got amused by the sudden turn of events and asked, "Only your wife? What about your employees?"
Diwakar felt puzzled. "I apologize, Your Highness, this humble brain doesn't hold the intelligence to understand your wisdom. Could you please explain?"
Aditya almost burst out laughing at such high praise, but he controlled his demeanour and put his hand on Diwakar's shoulder to show authority as he suggested, "How about employing women as partners for other laborers to help them?
Won't your workforce be doubled?"
Diwakar's eyes widened with realization, regretting why he hadn't thought of it before.
"You are a genius, Your Highness! What a great idea!" he exclaimed.
He was about to bow down again, but Aditya stopped him beforehand, knowing his attitude, and asked, "What about payment?
Will you pay them half since they are women?"
Diwakar held his ears and replied with a solemn vow, "Never, Your Highness. I will never discriminate against any woman under my charge. I will make sure they get the same pay as I would pay a man for their role."
Aditya felt satisfied that with this small encounter, not only did his construction plan advance, but he also achieved a potential gradual change in society where women wouldn't be confined to the home for making food and taking care of children only.
It was a change that would revolutionize not only the empire but the entire Indian subcontinent in the future.
With the sun dipping low in the sky, Aditya instructed Bheem to escort Amira safely to her quarters. With that settled, he retired to his chamber to attend to the designs for his latest weapon project.
** Night time **
In the dim light of his chamber, Aditya hunched over his desk, the flickering flame of a torch casting dancing shadows across the room. Frustration etched deep lines on his brow as he meticulously sketched and threw the paper, only to repeat the process again and again.
The parchments before him bore the evidence of countless failed attempts.
Aditya's rocket weapon sample was already built, but he needed to design something like a cannon where he could deploy the Mysorean rockets easily and bind them to cannons, much like the Congreve rockets, which was actually the same stolen technology later improved by the British after they defeated Mysore.
He had never seen an actual picture of it, but he had read that it was used in the Battle of Waterloo against Napoleon and proved to be a key weapon, also used against Americans in the early 19th century.
Despite this fact, it wasn't that popular in media, and he hadn't studied the designs, which now caused trouble in designing it. Even though his designs improved little by little, he couldn't perfect the combination of them, especially on paper. Just then, when he felt exhausted, he saw Raamya bringing a thali (plate filled with meal) for his dinner
"Why didn't you send someone to call me for dinner?" Aditya inquired.
Raamya's expression turned serious as she replied, "Do you know what time it is? It's almost midnight."
Aditya was taken aback, realizing how late it had become. He sighed, "You can just leave it here, I'll eat once I'm finished."
Raamya wasn't having any of it. "Working hard is good, but not at the expense of your health," she scolded. "No excuses, eat first."
Aditya attempted to negotiate, "Just give me a moment, I'm almost finished with these designs."
But Raamya wasn't swayed. She approached him and sat on his right lap, insisting, "Don't worry, just open your mouth. I made khichdi for you. You can have it while you work."
Aditya, feeling conflicted, reached his hand behind his back to pull her closer, allowing him to continue working while she fed him.
One the other hand, Raamya noticed the lack of attention she was receiving and feel annoyed. "How's the khichdi? It's made of rice, dal, spices, and tomato," she remarked, hoping for more engagement from Aditya.
Aditya, absorbed in his work, absentmindedly replied, "It's good, it's good."
Concerned about Aditya's designs, Raamya inquired about his progress. Aditya sighed, explaining his struggles. Raamya couldn't help but giggle in response, which puzzled Aditya. "What's so funny?" he asked.
Raamya playfully retorted, "It feels good when you're breaking your head over something so simple."
Aditya scoffed, "Simple, is it? Then tell me how it should be done."
With a smirk, Raamya revealed her thoughts. "Your problem is that you focus too much on the problem as whole entity. Just break it down," she advised.
Seeking clarity, Aditya asked for more details. Raamya explained, "See this, it's like khichdi, right? What you are doing is trying to figure out how to eat it all at once. But if someone clever like me feeds you by breaking it down..." She passed another spoonful of khichdi as Aditya gulped the contents, and then she continued. "You didn't even realize you've eaten more than half of it, isn't it," she pointed out.
Raamya simplified her approach, "What you need is a design that allows for transporting the rockets separately and a launch pad. You can place them on the launcher tube and adjust the projection distance using an axle connected to the stand. Unlike cannons, which require constant adjustment, there's no need to fix them to a carriage. Just make the launcher foldable on the stand for easy portability."
Aditya's eyes widened in realization as he grasped the simplicity of Raamya's solution. Her practical approach was much closer to the real design, and Aditya couldn't help but admire her ingenuity.
Aditya, feeling a little relieved from his stress, reached for his favourite stress reliever balls, but Raamya swiftly slapped his wrist and scolded him, "Pervert! Always up to mischief. I'm not in the mood now. Have you even glanced at me since I arrived?"
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Aditya attempted to change the topic, knowing he was at fault. He glanced at the small bowl, containing a single sweet called rasgulla, and complained, "Why are you hiding that from me? Pass it over quickly."
Raamya replied playfully, "It's not all yours. I made three, and Amira ate two. You'll have to share it with me." Aditya shrugged as he felt too exhausted to engage in any games and replied, "Okay, now pass it."
Raamya took the rasgulla, half in her mouth, and fed Aditya the other half through her lips, which felt almost like an intimate kiss. The nectar from the sweet fell into her cleavage.
Aditya licked his lips, trying to savour the flavour direct from her body, but Raamya pushed his approaching head away, playfully saying, "Stay away from me, you dirty mind," as she stood up.
Aditya felt genuinely puzzled, "What is this? When you do it, it's okay, but when I do it, you're not in the mood."
Seeing his troubled expression, Raamya laughed, finding it's cute, and whispered in his ear with a lick, "Because I like it," before running away quickly so he couldn't catch her again.
Aditya muttered as he leaned back in his chair, "Damn succubus, calling me a pervert all time," while he enjoyed the sight of her running figure, her plump curves jiggling on full glory.
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Chapter 66: Canon Factory of Rewari
** Morning, near the Sahibi river, Khaliawas village, Rewari Kingdom. **
As the first rays of dawn illuminated the sky, Rao Todal Mal, the king of Rewari, rode atop his majestic steed, alongside his son, Randip Mal. Surrounded by a contingent of royal guards, the king and his son approached the imposing gates of the cannon factory. Their polished armour gleamed in the morning light.
The factory complex was situated within fortified walls near the bank of the Sahibi River, surrounded by forest and under heavy security protection from elite soldiers. The walls were constructed of sturdy stone, decorated with intricate carvings depicting scenes of Lord Shiva, the walls emanated a sense of divine presence.
At the entrance to the factory, a massive gate stood guard, flanked by towering statues of fearsome warriors wielding swords and shields. Above the gate, the saffron colour flag bearing the emblem of the golden sun at the center fluttered in the breeze.
Rao Todal Mal boasted proudly to his 20 year son, "Look here, my son, this is the pride of Rewari. Throughout the entire samrajya, this is the only place where cannons are made."
Prince Randip Mal looked on with awe, as it was his first visit. "I am glad, father, that you finally considered me worthy to visit this place."
King Todal Mal replied with satisfaction, "Let's go in."
As the father and son duo stepped into the vast open compound of Hemu's cannon factory, they were immediately struck by the organized chaos of the bustling workshop, where the air was filled with the rhythmic clang of metal against metal and the sound of craftsmen shouting instructions to one another, irrespective of the king's presence.
Before them stood a series of large, open-air workshops, each dedicated to a specific stage of cannon production. To their left, they could see the towering blast furnaces, emitting thick smoke into the sky as they melted down iron and brass for casting. The intense heat radiating from the furnaces caused the air to shimmer, creating an otherworldly steam.
As they delved further, they were greeted by a tall and muscular middle aged dark skinned man, wearing plain dhoti and kurta while fully drench in sweat, appeared with a polite bow, "For the Samrajya, your majesty."
King Todal Mal returned the greeting and introduced the man to Prince Randip as Rishabh Gupta, the second-in-command of the factory and one of Hemu's oldest confidants before he joined the military.
He explained to Rishabh that Randip would be in charge of extra security during Prince Aditya's scheduled visit to the factory.
Rishabh greeted the prince with respect and proposed that it would be better for them to have a quick tour of the factory under his guidance, as it had been many days since the king last visited the workplace.
Moving deeper into the factory, Rishabh toured them through areas where rows of skilled artisans meticulously shaped molten metal into cannon components. Some were busy pouring the molten metal into carefully crafted molds, while others wielded hammers and chisels to carve intricate designs onto the cannon barrels.
Both father and son marveled at the advanced machinery employed in the cannon-making process. Gigantic bellows powered by waterwheels pumped air into the furnaces, ensuring they reached the scorching temperatures necessary for smelting metal.
Cranes and pulleys dotted the landscape, used to lift heavy cannon parts and transport them between workshops. These cranes were typically made of wood and operated by ropes or chains, allowing workers to hoist heavy objects into place with relative ease.
Pulleys, consisting of a wheel with a grooved rim and a rope or chain running along it, were also utilized in conjunction with cranes or independently to provide mechanical advantage in lifting heavy loads.
By using multiple pulleys in a system of ropes and cables, workers were able to reduce the amount of force required to lift heavy objects, making it easier to move cannons and other equipment.
As they wandered through the factory, Rishabh showed them how skilled artisans painstakingly inspected each cannon component, ensuring they met exacting standards.
King Todal Mal asked, "Are we using Prince Aditya's standards?"
Rishabh felt a bit hesitant before replying, "The factory incharge had warned not to apply any changes, so we are still using the previous standards."
Intrigued by the mention of another in charge, Prince Randip inquired, "Who is this factory in charge?"
Rishabh sweated profusely at the mention and requested to meet him only after the tour was over. The nervousness of the second-in-command of the factory in mentioning the factory in charge was noted by the prince.
Finally, the trio arrived at the assembly area, where cannons were being fitted with their final components before being prepared for shipment. Here, they watched as craftsmen carefully affixed breech mechanisms, reinforced trunnions, and intricately carved wheels to the completed cannon bodies.
As Randip took in the sights and sounds of the bustling cannon factory, he couldn't help but marvel at the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the factory's artisans. It was clear to him that this was not just a place of industry but a testament to the power and sophistication of the empire.
Meanwhile, his father showed no change in expression as he added, "It's all the same, no change, huh. Stinky foreigner."
Seeing the disappointment in the king's expression, Rishabh attempted to change the subject. "Your Majesty, how about I show you the types of cannons we are producing?"
King Todal Mal asked, "Are you sure? That insolent won't cause any trouble?" Rishabh explained that everything was prepared for deployment this time, and his excellency would not cause any issues like last time.
Agreeing with Rishabh , King Todal Mal and Prince Randip followed him to the shipment area. Randip, curious, asked his father, "Father, it seems like you know that guy. Did something happen between you two?"
King Todal Mal replied nonchalantly, "He's the man with the worst attitude and a Portuguese on top of that. His name is Mathew Silva"
The prince inquired further, "Then why are we keeping him?"
The king turned to his son with a piercing gaze and replied, "Because this factory is being designed and managed by him. He is the hardest working person I have ever met in my life. Even Samrat Hemu has to tolerate his tantrums, and we, as his vassals, are like ants to him."
Rishabh interjected, "But Your Highness, he is the most loyal person to the emperor. He is a good man at heart but very tough on outsiders."
King Todal Mal ordered, "It's okay, Rishabh , no need to flatter your superior. It's not like we have any jurisdiction over him. Let's increase the pace."
After reaching the deployment area, Rishabh explained, "These are not mere cannons, your Excellencies," he said with pride. "Each one serves a specific purpose on the battlefield."
Pointing to a larger cannon with a shorter barrel, Rishabh explained, "This is a mortar, used for lobbing explosive shells over the walls of enemy fortifications. Its high trajectory allows it to strike targets hidden behind cover."
Next, Rishabh directed their attention to a series of long-barreled cannons with narrow bores. "These are culverins, capable of firing heavy iron projectiles with great accuracy over long distances. They are the backbone of our artillery and can punch through even the thickest fortifications. Even the Mughals don't have these as they all are 8-pounders and have much better range and firepower compared to their measly 6-pounder toys."
As the duo marveled at the diversity of cannons on display, Rishabh pointed to a massive cannon with an oversized barrel. "And finally, we have the bombards," he said with reverence. "These behemoths are designed to break down the walls of enemy fortresses with sheer brute force. Their thunderous roar strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies."
Prince Randip pointed out two cannons covered in spider webs and dust in the corner and asked, "And what are they? Are they defective?"
Rishabh explained, "These are our swivel guns, ideal for use aboard ships or on the walls of forts. They offer quick and versatile firepower against enemy vessels or troops. Since we don't have a navy, they are just kept as prototypes."
King Todal Mal touched the barrel of a bombard and said, "No matter how many times I see these pieces, I am never bored of them." He turned to Rishabh and said, "Let's pay that poor soul a visit. I have a message to deliver him. Guide us to his chamber."
As they reached the entrance of his chamber, they saw a middle-aged foreigner. He was dressed in local kurta pyjama attire, a rare sight. His head was down, and he was sitting in a chair, with long hair draped over the desk like a lifeless corpse.
To their disappointment, he reeked of alcohol, with a wine jar by his side. Rishabh woke up Mathew, notifying him that the king of Rewari and his son had arrived to speak with him.
Waking up from his slumber and still feeling a bit dizzy due to alcohol, Mathew spoke without replying, "Forget it, I am on strike... I am being betrayed... I won't care what you guys do anymore."
The sharp scent of alcohol hung in the air as Mathew's words slurred together, his voice tinged with bitterness.
Seeing him spouting nonsense, King Todal Mal asked Rishabh for his concern, to which he informed them that Mathew was annoyed with the fact that Hemu had agreed to shake hands with the Portuguese, whom he himself vowed to wipe out from India, and help him personally in taking revenge. So, what's the use of serving a man who doesn't keep his word's value.
With a furrowed brow and clenched fists, King Todal Mal's voice boomed across the room as he scolded Mathew, "You fool! How dare you speak ill of His Majesty! You misunderstand the situation. It was Prince Aditya who made the deal!"
Hearing of Aditya, Mathew got some sense on his eyes and threw the wine jar on the floor, feeling annoyed as he replied, "This is why I despise Hemu. He deceived not only me but also his true love."
Todal Mal felt a bit puzzled, then he replied, "I can clarify that he is from Ratna. Even Hemu clarified himself."
Hearing the name Ratna, Mathew became emotional and replied in disbelief, "Are you saying he's Ratna's son?!"
He took the earthen pot filled with water and poured it over his face right over the table. With a heavy sigh, Prince Randip clenched his jaw, struggling to contain his rising frustration, while King Todal mal felt pity on his poor display of manner.
Mathew stood up and went back of the corner to open his sack of belongings from the corner and replied without even facing, "If he's Ratna's kin... I must meet him myself."
Randip, intrigued by this new information, couldn't control his curiosity and blurted out, "How do you know so much about the emperor's past? And why is a foreigner like you working for him?"
Mathew took a clean cloth out of his bag, wiped his face, and gestured for them to sit as he returned to his chair.
"Interested in the truth, lad? Can you handle it?" he smirked.
*************************
//Author notes:
Well, here the production line mentioned is different from Aditya's assembly production line. In the case of cannons manufacturing, the blacksmith is responsible for the production of separate parts, which are later assembled.
However, in Aditya's workplace, it was broken down into all stages of production.
Also, by that time, the use of watermills and geared mechanisms was indeed prevalent in North India, but they were very limited to small-scale automation and lifting complex weights. The real industrial age will be introduced in later chapters.
Thanks for reading. :)
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