Chapter 116 The Research Department on High Alert
The carriage quickly arrived at the research department, still in the same small valley. However, a high wall now stood at the entrance; regardless of whether they were within the confines or on the perimeter, guards monitored all activity.
They were all armed with powerful crossbows. Anyone approaching stealthily would be shot on sight, and the military camp was nearby. If anyone tried to intrude, the alarm bells would ring, and cavalry would arrive within minutes.
The security at the research department was on par with that of a castle. The guards inside were elite soldiers selected from hundreds, some of whom had trained with the War Wolf Battle Squad. Adam was in charge of the patrol soldiers at the research department, and he was one of the forces that Henry could not use openly.
The carriage stopped about 32 feet away from the wall.
Henry looked out of the window, and the patrolling soldiers were vigilant, not relaxing their guard because of the carriage's insignia.
"Very good!"
Henry was satisfied with it. Adam was implementing his orders and rules perfectly. Even if Henry himself or his written order was not seen, no one would be allowed in.
From his sleeve, Henry took out a delicate notebook with the words 'Top Secret' printed on the paper. He then used a red ink pen to write on it and stamped it with his name, Henry.
"Giving me the box," Henry said.
Willow immediately took out a steel box from her backpack. The box had a combination lock, and Henry put the note inside, scrambling the code.
If any part of this security procedure went wrong, no one would be able to enter the research department. The uniqueness of the paper, the written words, and the seal, as well as the combination lock on the steel box, were known only to Adam.
Of course, unless Henry came in person, he wanted to test it today, so he prepared the whole process.
Henry handed a steel box out of the window, and Leo immediately took it and threw it high onto the wall. A patrolling soldier would hand it to Adam.
Ten minutes later, Adam came out to greet Henry with his men. "Henry, sorry to keep you waiting."
"No problem. Everything is fine here, right?"
Henry walked in, with only Mila, Ellie, and Willow following. The War Wolf Battle Squad couldn't enter.
"Nothing, they are all working hard. They have a large supply every day, and they are very satisfied," Adam said seriously.
His cautious nature was why Henry had put him in charge of the research department's security.
"Is there any problem with the accommodation?"
"No, they have enough to live on. The supplies here can last them for three months," Adam said with a smile.
It was really good here, feeling like an independent world, and everyone was busy with the tasks Henry had assigned.
The small valley was not large, but it was not small either. It was no problem for several hundred people to live here. The previous wooden houses had been replaced with cement bungalows.
The entire small valley was divided into many areas, such as the paper research yard and the military industry research yard.
Henry also knew about the research on spinning machines and looms. After all, he had designed them here.
As he entered the yard, Henry saw the rough version of the spinning machine, but he was satisfied with it. A group of inexperienced carpenters had done a great job following his blueprints.
"Welcome, Lord Henry!" Several carpenters knelt down and kowtowed. It was Henry who had given them such a good life.
Henry waved his hand for them to get up and asked, "How is it? Can it spin hemp thread?"
"It can work!" The carpenters immediately started to operate in a flurry and then brought over several strands of hemp thread as thick as earphone wires.
Henry silently took the hemp thread and looked at it. It was okay in terms of toughness, but it was too thick, and the fabric woven from it would be too heavy.
"Has the hemp fabric come out?" Henry looked in another direction but didn't see a loom.
"It's inside, Lord Henry!" The carpenters rushed into the house and soon brought out a loom with half-finished hemp cloth on it.
Henry came to the loom and touched the thick hemp cloth. It was almost like a pocket, but it would be inappropriate to make it into clothes.
"What do you think?" Henry turned to the people present and asked.
"Great, it's definitely a good thing!"
"Yes, with such thick hemp cloth, the clothes made from it will be very durable and can be worn for several years."
The carpenters shouted excitedly, which also let Henry know that such thick hemp cloth was already a luxury for the common people.
"Henry, it would be even better if it were finer," Willow said softly.
"Yes, wearing such thick hemp clothes would chafe the skin," Mila nodded in agreement.
"Such hemp cloth can also be produced, but we also need finer ones," Ellie wrote on her notepad, and her clear voice continued, "After all, the nobles and merchants who love to enjoy are the biggest buyers."
The others all hit the nail on the head. Standing in front of the spinning machine and looking at the rough parts of different sizes, Henry immediately knew why the spun hemp thread was so thick.
"All of you, come here."
Henry beckoned to a few carpenters, and they came to him somewhat cautiously. Henry pointed to several key parts of the spinning machine and said, "This part is too thick, and this part needs to be adjusted as well. The speed must be consistent."
After the carpenters nodded, Henry pointed out the key problem, "You are all too impatient in your operation. This is a delicate operation. Find a few women to operate it."
"And the loom is the same. Let women operate it." Henry came to the loom and pointed to several places, saying, "These all need to be adjusted. The wooden bars are too thin and break easily, so replace them with iron bars."
"Yes, I got it!" The carpenters nodded repeatedly, each keeping it in mind.
Henry looked at the carpenters and said, "You must continue to improve these two machines and then add a water-powered waterwheel to save manpower."
"Henry, what is a waterwheel?" Several carpenters scratched their heads, completely unaware of what a waterwheel was, let alone half-understanding hydraulics.
