Chapter 329: Creation of All Things

Just this morning, Paul Graman, the Lord of Alda, summoned Wells and other alchemists in his castle. This was also the first time Wells met the supreme ruler of the land under his feet.

What surprised the alchemists was that the other party seemed to have just reached adulthood, about fifteen or sixteen years old.

Having lived in Lake Heart Town for so long, they had certainly heard of Count Paul Graman's series of [great achievements].

In terms of military affairs, when he succeeded to the position of Lord last year, he trained the army to wipe out the pirates who had plagued the Northwest Bay for many years, and then led the army to quell the rebellion of the vassal of Bayerdin. Not long ago, he partnered with other lords to overthrow Count Maltz Kent, who coveted the title of Duke of the Northwest.

In terms of agriculture, he checked the land, integrated the cultivated land, built water conservancy, and promoted the crop rotation system. In terms of business, he encouraged the development of maritime trade and sent people to sail to the Horn Bay.

He is also an inventor, with a series of dazzling inventions, such as canned food, porcelain, new paper, salt drying method, and magical harvester. Because of these inventions, a large number of emerging industries were born in Arda and Bayerdin. Oh, the legendary fire crossbow thunder hammer that frightened the enemy was also made by this lord.

All kinds of legendary deeds have made the earl have many halos, and the people talk about him as if they were talking about a prophet. It's a pity that he was born in the northwest bay. If he was the lord of some territories further south, and spent a little more money, the bard would have praised him as a young talent who could be compared with geniuses like Catherine Rodney or Antonio Griffin.

The lord's young appearance is not quite consistent with the deeds in the rumors, and it's no wonder that the alchemists were surprised.

But what made them happy was that Earl Graman didn't like to put on airs like ordinary nobles.

"Gentlemen, please take a seat!" The Earl extended his hand to them and asked them to sit down. He looked like he was organizing an academic salon instead of a lord summoning his subordinates.

He first praised the work of the alchemists and was very satisfied with their work results.

Everyone quickly humbled themselves and said that they would continue to work hard to live up to the Earl's high expectations.

Then Earl Graman said something that made the alchemists' hearts beat wildly, "I will build a laboratory in Lake Heart Town to fully support you in conducting various alchemical experiments."

Everyone was boiling. It was the dream of every alchemist to explore the mysteries of alchemy at will in a laboratory with complete materials and facilities. However, this is difficult. Due to financial constraints, most alchemists can only fiddle with reagents and materials according to ready-made formulas and existing processes, just like what they are doing in the saltpeter field now. Even if there is support from a big sponsor, it is still the same. Others don't give you money to squander.

As an alchemy family, Wells once had a small laboratory in Jingyao, but that was in the past, and it was not comparable to a laboratory supported by a fiefdom lord.

Therefore, Wells was as happy as everyone else. He suppressed his inner excitement and asked carefully: "I wonder how much support you can give to our experiment?"

Paul thought for a while and said: "Before you conduct the experiment, submit an application to explain the purpose and significance of the experiment, the various conditions required and the preliminary budget. If I think it is reasonable, I will agree. This process is called [Project Establishment]. Then I will approve you to buy materials and equipment, but the destination of each sum of money must be recorded in detail. I will send someone to check the accounts."

It seems that they are not spending money on them without restraint, but the alchemists don't have any messy ideas.

"My Lord Earl is wise!" Some people have begun to flatter him impatiently.

"My Lord Earl, you will definitely get a generous reward! Alchemy is the most magical field in the world!" Some people also painted a big cake for the lord.

"Everyone!" Count Graman waved his hands, and it seemed that the many compliments did not affect him.

"I hope to open this laboratory in the name of Weiss College. You will work for the college in the future and be under the management of the Education Bureau."

Education Bureau? Everyone was stunned. It seems that the supervisor is a woman. Are we, a bunch of men, going to be constrained by a woman?

Well, it's not impossible, as long as you can pay quickly. And the other party seems to be a female scholar, who must understand the great significance of studying alchemy.

The earl continued: "This is also for your convenience. You can choose talented students in the college as assistants or apprentices. Of course, after they have completed their basic studies."

Everyone nodded. The lord was really thoughtful.

"My Lord, about the results of the experiment..." Someone was cautious and hesitated, looking a little embarrassed.

His words reminded everyone of a key issue. Life is nothing more than fame and fortune.

Count Graman's expression became serious. "Since you are conducting experiments with the financial support of the college, the patents of the new inventions will naturally belong to the college. However, if the invention is useful, the college will definitely give you a generous bonus."

Okay, we are all adults, and we know that there will be no such thing as pie in the sky, and there is still a bonus to be won after all, but...

"The inventor of the new technology or the discoverer of the new theory must be the real person! We will resolutely prohibit the behavior of deceiving the world and stealing the name, and I will also formulate relevant laws!"

Everyone was completely relieved. In fact, they were mainly afraid that the earl would take the credit for himself.

"Finally, I suggest that we name the laboratory [Chemical Laboratory], which means [Creation of All Things].

"Good name!" Wells was the first to agree. "The original purpose of alchemy was to use other substances to refine gold. Later, gold was not refined, but various other things were made instead. Isn't it [Creation of All Things]?"

"Hmm... makes sense."

"This name is very appropriate."

No mistake, one post, one content, one book, one bar!

"Chemistry... the science of creation of all things..."

Everyone agreed with the name proposed by the earl.

"Good!" Earl Graman made the final decision and looked very happy. "Since everyone agrees, let's do it."

Then everyone happily discussed how to build the laboratory. The atmosphere in the hall was extremely warm. The earl also carefully inquired about all aspects of alchemy. When he got to some inconvenient secret methods to reveal, he would change the topic in time. Everyone liked this lord more and more.

The lively discussion lasted until noon, and everyone's stomachs were rumbling. Count Graman asked everyone to stay for lunch.

After the servants put the food on the table, everyone continued to eat and chat.

"Everyone!" The count said while fiddling with the strange tableware made of two thin sticks, "I hope that after the laboratory is built, it can first solve a problem for me."

One of the older alchemists stood up and responded, "Sir, you have provided us with such a convenient environment, and it is natural for me to solve your problem. I wonder what the problem you are talking about is?"

Paul Graman answered casually, "Research how to collect saltpeter on a large scale using feces, urine, and decayed animal and plant corpses!"

A cold wind blew across the dining table...