Wizard Earl

Chapter 22 Emperor Raul the Great (Part 2)

"Although steam engines existed three hundred years ago, they were energy-intensive and inefficient. In that era, before their improvements, the steam engine, as the Emperor himself said, was like a chicken rib—tasteless to use, but a pity to discard. However, after the genius-like Emperor's improvements, the steam engine's shortcomings of high energy consumption and low efficiency were completely overcome. What used to require a ton of coal could now be done with a quarter ton! Most remarkably, Emperor Raul was not only great but also extremely humble; he did not name the improved steam engine after himself, but instead named it the Watt Steam Engine!"

"Watt's steam engine? It's confirmed, it's confirmed! Emperor Raul must have been a time traveler!" Naming the improved steam engine after Watt instantly confirmed Connor Ferguson's bold conjecture.

Unaware of Connor's inner turmoil, the thin Professor Ferdinand continued his eloquent lecture.

After improving the steam engine, Emperor Raul also historically created the musket, which changed the traditional way of warfare. Under the impact of the musket, the strength of the noble lords, mainly knights, was greatly weakened. Next, Emperor Raul organically combined the musket and the knights to form a new type of army. He led this army, which had never appeared in history before, to fight in the north and south. In three years, he pacified the Odin barbarians on the Sexon Plain. In five years, he made the thousands of pirates on the Stormy Sea lower their unruly heads and learn to obey the laws established by the empire.

With the support of nobles, merchants, peasants, and people from all walks of life, the humble Emperor Raul declined the Florentino family's nine requests for abdication before finally accepting the coronation as emperor in the tenth year of the Fourth Age, 160.

After becoming emperor, Raul the Great initiated a series of political and economic reforms, known as the "Raul Reforms." In politics, Raul the Great broke with the ancient tradition of kings strengthening their own power and instead limited his royal power through the Kaman Empire Constitution. He also established a parliamentary party system, with the nobility entering the upper house and the lower house being democratically elected, thus further confining power within a cage.

Economically, Emperor Raul the Great first surveyed the entire land of the Kaman Empire and severely cracked down on land annexation. Secondly, he vigorously supported the development of industry, commerce, and ocean trade by reducing or exempting taxes. The foundation for our empire's modern urban construction, railway construction, and other infrastructure was laid during that period.

As Professor Ferdinand lavishly praised Emperor Raul on the podium, Connor Ferguson, sitting below, could only manage a wry smile.

"Without a doubt, this transmigrator senior named Raul is definitely from the Celestial Empire! Otherwise, why would he imitate Zhu Yuanzhang's method of 'nine retreats and nine concessions' to put on a show and prove the legitimacy of his rights? It's pitiful that these otherworldly people actually think this is humility!"

Suddenly, Professor Ferdinand's voice, which had been filled with emotion, became low and somber. "In the 217th year of the Fourth Age, the great restorer of the Kaman Empire, the founder of the Stranglethorn Dynasty, the conqueror of Odin, the godfather of political parties, Emperor Raul the Great, perished at the Palace of Dydan at the age of seventy-three."

"Holy crap, such an awesome guy, just died like that?" Connor felt a bit incredulous.

Professor Ferdinand seemed to be still immersed in his own world, unaware of Connor's confusion sitting in the front row. He only briefly mentioned the death of Emperor Raoul the Great, without saying much. In the following lecture, Ferdinand mainly focused on the political reforms of Emperor Raoul the Great.

"Chip, retrieve the information about Emperor Raul from his memory!" Connor silently recited in his mind.

"Beep! Mission begins..."

Ten seconds later, everything about Emperor Raul from his memory suddenly appeared in Connor's mind.

These materials are similar to what Ferdinand just said, and are basically consistent. However, regarding the death of Emperor Raul, Connor knows a rumor that is circulating among the nobles: that Emperor Raul did not actually die, but gave up the throne in that way to pursue supernatural power!

"Hi!"

Connor, who was pondering the matter of Emperor Raul, suddenly sensed someone appear beside him. He quickly snapped out of his memory-checking state and realized that class had already ended, leaving only himself sitting in his seat and George standing next to him in the classroom.

"Hmm? My dear friend George, you're not making me wait because you want me to be your wingman again, to go to the bar and pick up those socialites, are you?" Connor looked at the well-dressed, respectable George with a mocking gaze.

"Cough cough cough, what are you saying!" George coughed twice, rolled his eyes at Connor, and then took out an invitation from his pocket and handed it to Connor.

"My father's birthday is on the 15th of next month, and we'll be having a birthday party at home. As my friend, Connor, I hope you can come and celebrate with us!" George said earnestly.

"Uncle's birthday? That's a joyous occasion! Mr. Harvey is an elder I greatly admire. Don't worry! I will definitely be there!" Connor smiled and accepted the invitation with both hands.

Seeing that Connor accepted the invitation without hesitation, George smiled happily. "Because I have a birthday party coming up, I have a lot of things to do at home, so I need to go back and help out. Trust me, Connor, you won't be disappointed if I attend the birthday party. There will be a super beautiful woman coming that day..."

Hearing George's words, Connor chuckled, but could only nod and say, "I'm looking forward to it."

After saying goodbye to George and returning to his apartment, Connor's eyes shone with excitement. Today was the seventh day since he returned from the castle!

"My progress is faster than I expected. Yesterday I already touched the mental barrier of a beginner apprentice, and today I will definitely be able to break through and become a beginner apprentice!"

Sitting cross-legged on the soft bed, Connor began his meditation for the day.

In the luxuriously decorated apartment, only the ticking of the clock could be heard. Connor was like a statue, unusually quiet, with only his slightly throbbing temples as proof that he was still alive.

"Thump!"

As the clock on the wall struck the hour, a strange fluctuation appeared on Connor's body.

(End of this chapter)