Joseph immediately showed an expression of delighted surprise, stepping forward to caress the machine, which was of an antique design—in this era, perhaps it could be described as sci-fi in appearance— and turned to Louis XVI, saying, "You are absolutely the greatest master of mechanics in all of France, no, in all of Europe!"
"You have created this machine perfectly in less than half a year!"
"It is but a replica," Louis XVI said with a curl of his lip, "and merely a boring contraption for weaving cloth..."
As he spoke, his eyes shone with excitement, "Right, my son, that rifled gun you mentioned last time, when shall we begin to develop it?"
"Whenever you want, we can start at any time," Joseph replied with a smile, then patted the automatic loom beside him, "And I must say, this is not just some 'boring contraption,' it is the hope of French industry!"
"Do you remember the most important source of fiscal revenue for the British? It is their export of textiles.