The two parties sized each other up.
Ronald recognized the man seated in the principal seat, clad in a suit of black clothes, as the owner of the factory—Matthew Bolton—merely at first glance.
At the same time, Mr. Bolton also addressed Ronald:
"Sir, I don’t believe we’ve met before, have we?"
Ronald replied immediately,
"Mr. Bolton, I conducted a comprehensive investigation before coming to Birmingham, so I understand that when it comes to Mr. Watt’s steam engine patent, you are the one with the decision-making power."
"Therefore, I personally believe that in regards to this business, it would be more appropriate to discuss it with you."
Information traveled at a particularly limited speed in this era.
Ronald’s opening remark further cemented his identity in Bolton’s mind. It was clear that this young and handsome gentleman, who managed to disclose such information so easily, could not have simply found him by chance.
A polite and friendly smile appeared on his face.
Bolton took the initiative to stand up, approach Ronald, then shook his hand and courteously asked:
"Sir, I just heard you want to discuss a deal concerning the American Colony with me?"
"Of course," Ronald nodded generously, then with an appearance of some concern, glanced at the other two men, "North America is vast and rich in resources, yet its infrastructure is incredibly underdeveloped."
"From my personal point of view, to establish an imperial resource base from that land, years of sustained development and construction are indispensable. And compared to manual labor, steam engines can clearly provide more efficient and convenient solutions for certain tasks."
Upon hearing this, Bolton’s eyes lit up:
"You mean... you plan to invest in steam engines for the New World. But regarding the colony, I remember the Governor..."
This time Ronald was not like before.
Before Bolton could finish speaking, he interrupted:
"Mr. Bolton, could you introduce me to these two gentlemen?"
"I arrived here in a hurry and I am not sure if these two friends would be interested in collaboration."
Bolton immediately grasped the meaning of Ronald’s words.
A big business involving a colony meant that some key information was extremely important and valuable; Ronald did not wish to expose it directly in front of others.
Bolton was, after all, a merchant who ran a factory.
His expression changed in a flash, and then as a host, he introduced to Ronald:
"This is Mr. Douglas, and this is Mr. Miston."
"Both gentlemen have come from Scotland, bringing with them a great work by a member of the Royal Society."
Ronald immediately nodded to the other two men:
"Ronald Adler, a pleasure to meet you both."
Seeing Ronald’s friendly demeanor, one of the two men also wore a smile:
"Mr. Ronald, we are here on behalf of Mr. Adam Smith. We are as fond of the work of Mr. Bolton and Mr. Watt as you are, and so we hope to engage in some collaboration."
His own guess had hit the mark!
It seems coming upstairs to the drawing room tonight was the right choice.
Upon hearing the man’s words, the anxiety Ronald had been holding onto was finally relieved. At this moment, he had essentially passed the first trial of the original challenge, and it was over.
Of course, being certain of the outcome did not affect his continued act.
Ronald widened his eyes, then pretended to ponder deeply.
"Adam Smith... Do you mean the one who authored ’Moral Sentiments,’ who taught at Glasgow University?"
Ronald’s statement immediately shocked the other man.
Although they sensed the man before them was no ordinary individual, to be able to recall Adam Smith’s work by heart, then also know where he had worked...
That was superhuman memory.
Ordinary nobility simply could not achieve such a level of information gathering.
As the other person was stunned, Ronald advanced the conversation:
"The piece you brought, is it the work of Mr. Adam Smith? Such a figure’s creations are no trivial matter; may I be fortunate enough to see his great work tonight?"
Ronald’s flattery was very effective.
The man he was speaking with nodded with considerable pride:
"Certainly, no problem!"
"Not to hide from you, I am related by blood to Adam’s mother, and this time I’m traveling with one of his original manuscripts. A learned gentleman like yourself certainly has the ability and the right to see his work. If it were someone else, they wouldn’t even get the chance."
As the two men traded compliments, Bolton, standing by, was also surprised by Ronald’s profound knowledge. Hearing their conversation come to this point, he immediately picked up a paper bag from the table and passed it to Ronald with a very pleasing intent:
"Mr. Ronald, take a look at this."
As expected, it was the manuscript...
Watching the three men in the room being courteous to him, Ronald received the paper bag from Bolton, and a genuine smile emerged on his face:
"Well, in that case, I will not stand on ceremony."
Ronald pulled out a sheet of paper from the bag and immediately began reading the text on it.
Or rather, he recited the first spell of the original text.
"The greatest improvements in the productive powers of labor, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgment with which it is anywhere directed or applied, seem to have been the effects of division of labor..."
No sooner had the words been spoken than a calm and powerful Magic Fluctuation manifested from him.
Ronald immediately understood the entirety of that Spell.
After chanting the incantation, the Caster would summon an invisible hand visible and perceptible only to himself, allowing him to do as he pleases with any object around him, without interference from anyone.
Only a pity that what seemed like an invincible Spell also had its fatal flaw.
The moment the Spell was activated was when it worked best and was most reliable. As time went on, the invisible hand faced the crisis of collapsing at any moment, never knowing when it might suddenly fail!
That was the first Spell that Adam Smith’s work, "Wealth of Nations," had to offer.
Subsequent trials would alter just like "Daedalus’ Book."
Ronald could leave the trial with this Spell, or he could go on and attempt to obtain the next original Spell.
"Indeed... it’s a pretty unreliable thing."
Faced with this choice,
Ronald looked around and then laughed, shaking his head.
His current need for additional Spells was not that great.
He was also aware of the situation that White Shore Castle faced outside the trial.
"I should be going out—"