Chapter 96

At this moment, Viola felt that this piece of music was the most beautiful music in the world!

She looked at the phonograph on the table without taking her eyes off it. At first she thought the appearance of this mechanical box was weird and simple, but now it looked more and more pleasing to the eye, as if it was a rare treasure in front of her, comparable to legendary equipment!

Viola thought a lot, her eyes became brighter and her expression became more excited.

She diligently observed this strange object, trying to figure out how it made sounds.

It's a pity that her knowledge of mechanical technology is limited. Although she guessed that the real mystery should be inside the wooden box, she only needs to open it to find out, but the music didn't stop, and she was afraid of damaging it if she forced it to stop.

The song "Viola by the Lake" ended, the black disc was still spinning, and there was a rustling sound from the horn.

Viola looked at the record that was still spinning, full of infinite surprise.

Ren pushed the stylus away and asked with a smile, "Do you want to listen to it again?"

Viola nodded quickly, then shook her head again, and asked eagerly: "Ren, tell me quickly, how did this phonograph work? Is there an echo crystal in it?"

"Of course not. The phonograph is a purely mechanical product and has nothing to do with magic." Ren took off the record, opened the wooden box base of the phonograph, and displayed the internal mechanical structure.

The internal structure of the phonograph is not complicated. A turntable shaft is connected to the barrel, as well as the transmission wheel, the speed control dial, the flying ball and the exposed tonearm and needle. It seems clear at a glance and does not involve very deep mechanics. Knowledge.

However, the simpler something is, the harder it is to understand.

Allenus is a world full of magical energy. Whether it is machinery or other technologies, when they develop to a certain level, they will more or less intersect with magic and combine magic applications.

This makes people have a misunderstanding, the best things are always related to magic.

Such a magical product as the gramophone, when people see it, they will think of the Echo Crystal. It is hard to believe that this is a purely mechanical product.

The same is true for Viola. She looked at the structure of the phonograph and was even more confused.

Without an echo crystal, and without the application of magic, how did Ryan save the music and play it back?

The half-elf's eyes kept staring at Ren, with question marks all over his face.

Ren didn't know how to explain it for a while, he thought for a while, picked up the vinyl record, and said: "Actually, the principle of the phonograph is very simple, and all the secrets are on this record. If you look carefully, it is not smooth. It is engraved with fine lines, these lines are the traces left by the sound, although there is no magic power, it plays the same role as the echo crystal."

In order to make this vinyl record, Lane went to great lengths.

He spent hundreds of gold shields just looking for alternative materials, experimenting over and over again, and finally got this finished product yesterday.

Then I bought another Echo Crystal, played music on the organ, saved it, and then played and recorded it in the mechanical workshop.

Renn struggled for more than a month and overcame many difficulties to produce this seemingly paper-thin record. In fact, he condensed a lot of hard work and energy.

Viola took the record, put it in front of her eyes, and observed it carefully.

Ren tried his best to explain the principle of the phonograph to her in the simplest and most straightforward words.

From the vibration caused by the sound, driving the needle, recording the vibration on the record, saving the sound, how to replay the sound and so on.

This principle is actually not difficult to understand, and most people can understand it as soon as they hear it.

Viola just listened to it once and understood. She stared at Ren affectionately and admired sincerely: "Ren, you are such a genius!"

Ren waved his hand and said modestly: "The principle of the gramophone is very simple. Even without me, it will be invented sooner or later."

"No."

Viola shook his head lightly, "Its principle is indeed not difficult, and everyone can understand it, but it is infinitely more difficult to think of this method than to understand it. Without you, no one may never discover this wonderful idea." Think, there won't be a phonograph either."

"Ren, you are a genius!" Viola emphasized again, with a sincere look.

Being praised face to face by a peerless beauty, Ren couldn't help but blush.

He silently recalled the name of the great inventor in his previous life, thanking him for this great invention, but his face showed a very useful look.

After being amazed, Viola shook the handle, listened to the music coming from the speaker, and asked seriously: "Ren, how much is the cost of this phonograph?"

Her thinking is sharp and she grasps the key points.

The function of the phonograph is not unique. The echo crystal can also do it, and the sound quality is better. If the phonograph is as expensive as the echo crystal, then its use is not great, and it is just a rare plaything.

Ren sighed inwardly, half-elves were really talented in business.

He had already done the cost calculation and said: "In order to manufacture it, I spent about 500 gold shields, but it was just the research cost in the early stage. If it is mass-produced, the average cost should not be higher than two gold shields, and even some Possibly lower."

"Two golden shields! Goddess..."

Viola trembled all over and almost lost her composure.

In her expectation, the price of the phonograph was of course as low as possible.

The low price is not only conducive to promotion and can create a huge market, but also allows more people to enjoy music and develop believers for long-haired ladies.

Viola had thought that the cost of the phonograph would definitely be lower than that of the Echo Crystal, which was estimated to be between ten and fifteen gold, but he never expected that it would be lower than two gold shields.

This means that most commoner households in the empire could afford a gramophone!

It is not necessary for every family to buy a gramophone, but only one-tenth, even one-thirtieth, will buy a phonograph. How much wealth will this bring?

How many followers will this develop for the lady with long hair?

The role of the gramophone for the Good Good Church is no less than an artifact!

Thinking of this, Viola suddenly felt a little dizzy, short of breath, and staggered, almost unable to stand still.

Ren quickly supported her waist, sat down by the bed, and asked with concern: "Viola, are you okay?"

In the eyes of the soul, the color of the half-elf's soul changes rapidly, several times in a second, as if it has been hit by the "Frenzy Art", and even the soul is fluctuating violently, as if it is about to lose control.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!"

Viola took a few deep breaths, her chest rose and fell, and she finally calmed down her excitement. She looked up at Ren, reached out to touch his face, and whispered: "You must be the angel sent by the goddess from heaven to me, otherwise why Will you be so kind to me?"

"Because you look good." Ren laughed.

A layer of blush climbed up Viola's cheeks, and he couldn't help but raised his hand to give him a hammer.

Ren said seriously: "You don't have to think too much, I said it before, this is a gift from me, as long as you like it."

"I like it very much. There is no better gift in the world!" Viola felt his breath, closed her eyes, and approached him proactively.

After a while, Ren let go of his arm with some reluctance.

The half-elf's eyes were also blurred. Seeing Ren's uncomfortable face, he suddenly smiled and said, "If I had known earlier, I shouldn't have let you participate in the prayer ceremony. With this phonograph, the goddess would definitely respond and grant me a magic spell."

"If you want, you can now..." Her voice was full of temptation.

Ren was immediately moved.

He hesitated for a few seconds before asking, "How is your preparation for the prayer ceremony, and when will it be held?"

"I have already persuaded President Hasilin and most of the deacons of the Art Association to vote tomorrow to allow me to hold a prayer ceremony in the temple." Viola replied confidently: "I will be able to prepare in three days at the earliest. alright."

Ren nodded slightly, and said with a smile: "I have been waiting for more than a month, not a few days away."

Although with the phonograph, there should be no problem with Viola's prayer ceremony, but the gods are difficult for mortals to figure out, so it is safer to proceed according to the original plan.

Viola bit her lips lightly, and said with a charming smile, "This is your own choice."

"I can't stand you..."

Ren couldn't sit still anymore, so he pushed her away decisively, got up and went downstairs for dinner.

Returning upstairs after dinner, Ryan entered Viola's bedroom and found her sitting in a chair, listening to the music on the gramophone, lost in thought.

"What are you thinking?" Ren sat down beside him and asked.

"I'm thinking about how to use the phonograph to the best effect."

Viola came back to his senses, looked at Ren, and said seriously: "The principle of the phonograph is very simple, and it is not difficult to manufacture. Once it is sold, someone will imitate it soon. If we only create a company in our own name, I am afraid it will be very soon. There will be a lot of competitors.”

"Yes, I thought about it too."

Ryan had expected this, and explained: "It's really not difficult to make a phonograph. In fact, the real difficulty lies in the record. Don't underestimate this thin record. Its technical content is not low."

"Why?" Viola cheered up, but she really didn't see it.

"Records have high requirements on materials, must be wear-resistant and durable, reduce noise, and the manufacturing process is very complicated. A large number of records are pressed, and a whole set of production process is required. I have studied for a long time, and it is not easy for others to imitate. "

Ren was a little proud.

The production process of vinyl records has been gradually improved after decades of upgrading in the previous life, which involves a lot of materials and chemical knowledge, which cannot be easily deciphered.

As long as the secrecy is kept properly, there is no need to worry about the technology being copied for at least five years.

Ren pointed out: "A phonograph can be sold for about two gold shields, but each family usually only buys one, and the money is not too much."

"The real profitable business is selling records!"

"One record can record up to three pieces of music, but how many wonderful pieces of music are there in the world? After buying a gramophone, it is impossible to listen to only a few pieces of music, no matter how good it sounds, you will get tired of listening to it. You must buy more records."

"Also, the records wear out over time and you have to buy new ones."

"As long as we master the technology of making records and release new music records regularly, we don't need to price them too high. The cost of a record is around 30 copper dollars, and we sell it for 50 coppers. The profit is small but the sales are high, and it can still bring countless profits."

"If someone copied the gramophone, we have to thank them for expanding the market for records."

"With the right to release records, you are the ruler of the music industry. No matter how many musicians ask you, just to release a record."

"Even, this power may allow you to enter the core of the Goodness Church, ascend to the Pope's throne, and control these musicians in turn. Even if someone will be able to make records in the future, you will prohibit them from collaborating with other companies through the order of the church. Cooperate and continue to maintain monopoly."

This series of business strategies made Viola dumbfounded.

It wasn't until a few minutes later that she sighed: "Ren, is there anything else you don't understand?"

Ren smiled and said nothing, this is just a routine in the previous life.

Viola silently memorized these contents, with worry still on her face, and said, "What I'm worried about is actually not the patented technology, but other methods."

Ren also fell silent.

The empire has a law similar to the patent law, but the enforcement is not strict. There are many ways to bypass the patent law, openly compete with the original creators, and even use the patent law to attack the original creators.

It's not uncommon for copycats to beat inventors.

Most of the time, in market operations, competitors compete not whose products are better or whose prices are more favorable, but who has a stronger background and who has more power behind them.

The more profitable the industry, the greater the coveted power will be attracted.

It is very simple to solve this problem. In the empire, who else can be more powerful than the holy soul wizard?

Creating a company in the name of the Duke of Silver Star cannot guarantee unimpeded access to the entire empire. At least in Longshande, no one dares to jump out to compete.

Viola naturally understood this truth.

But she was worried that the Duke would take away too much profit, and that Ren, as the inventor of the phonograph, did not get much benefit.

According to the past practice, the duke must account for at least 70% of the ratio. The gramophone has a broad prospect and involves huge wealth. The duke may ask for more, 80% or even 90%.

Facing a holy soul wizard, she couldn't refuse at all.

Ren guessed Viola's thoughts, spread his hands indifferently, and comforted: "I invented the phonograph just for you, so that you will have more weight in the eyes of the Duke, and strive for the title of Earl of Winter Ting. I can earn it myself How much money is not very important."

Viola couldn't help being moved, and came to hug Ren, without saying anything.

Ren's expression was calm.

He was telling the truth, and he was already mentally prepared.

Even in the past earth, there were relatively perfect laws, and an entrepreneur might be able to make a fortune and gain financial freedom by relying on one or two inventions or brilliant ideas and hard work, but it is almost impossible to reach the top smoothly .

When the career and influence expand to a certain stage, power and capital will definitely come to your door.

Either rely on power or accept capital, there is no third way to go.

In the world ruled by extraordinary power, the great power belongs to Allenus, any invention and creation must serve the superior, and there is no room for resistance.

Unless, I also have great strength!

Ren had a clear understanding of this, so he accepted it calmly without being too angry.

"Go to the Duke." Ren said with a smile: "It is only two months before the end of the year. The sooner this matter is settled, the better, and the better for you."

"Okay, you wait for my news at home."

Viola was not pretentious, put the phonograph into the space necklace, changed into a plain long dress, and immediately went out to meet the Duke of Silver Star.

Ren returned to his bedroom, turned on his phone, and took out a "Book of Thousand Souls" to read carefully.

Before finishing this book, Viola came back.

"So fast?" Ren found that less than half an hour had passed.

Viola's face was full of surprises, and she couldn't wait to say: "The Duke has agreed to let me create a company that manufactures phonographs, and gave me 50,000 gold shields as the initial cost, and the Duke promised to only occupy half of the equity. "

Ren was stunned when he heard the news.

These conditions were completely beyond his expectations. When did the Silver Star Duke, a dragon-like miser, become so generous?