Arthur’s Grand Plan

After a long and exhausting day filled with work, Arthur allowed himself the luxury of waking up late the next morning. The golden rays of sunlight streaming through his bedroom window gently nudged him out of his slumber. After a quick breakfast, consisting of bread and fruit paired with a warm cup of tea, he completed his daily exercise routine, which had become second nature to him over the years. Once he was done, Arthur grabbed a light snack to keep his energy up and hurried to his father's chambers, carrying his meticulously prepared plans to improve public hygiene in the capital city.

Reaching his father's door, he paused for a moment to catch his breath before knocking twice, the sound echoing softly down the hallway. From inside, he heard his father's calm yet authoritative voice respond:

"– Come in."

Arthur entered the room, his hands tightly gripping the stack of parchment he had worked so hard on. His father, King Cedric, was seated at his grand oak desk, engrossed in reviewing official kingdom documents. The soft rustle of parchment and the faint scent of ink filled the room. Looking up from his work, Cedric fixed Arthur with a warm yet curious gaze and, with a playful tone, asked:

"– Yes, Arthur. What are you planning this time?"

Arthur hesitated for a brief moment, feeling a flicker of nervousness under his father's expectant gaze. Gathering his courage, he replied,

"– Actually, I have some ideas regarding the capital's infrastructure, Father."

Cedric's lips curved into a faint smile, and he leaned back in his chair. "– Alright, my son. I'm listening. Show me what you have."

Encouraged by his father's response, Arthur stepped forward and carefully unrolled a detailed map of the city across the desk. He began to explain with growing enthusiasm, his voice steady and full of conviction. Using the map as a guide, he pointed out the locations where he envisioned building an extensive sewer system to improve sanitation, strategically placed public toilets, and elegant bathhouses to serve the city's residents. He also shared his designs for more modern, aesthetically pleasing houses, a semicircular street dedicated entirely to shopping, and, perhaps the most ambitious of all, a grand clock tower to stand proudly at the city's center.

Cedric listened patiently, his brow occasionally furrowing as Arthur explained the intricate details. When Arthur finally finished his presentation, Cedric leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

"– Arthur, this plan practically requires us to rebuild the city from scratch," he said thoughtfully. "Why should we take on such a massive cost when it doesn't seem like it will yield much in return?"

Arthur, undeterred, smiled confidently.

"– Father, the factories we've established are going to require a large workforce in the near future. As the city's population grows to meet that demand, the current infrastructure simply won't be able to handle it. Moreover, by addressing hygiene now, we can prevent the spread of diseases that could devastate our population later."

Cedric leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly against the armrest as he mulled over Arthur's argument. After a moment of silence, he nodded slowly.

"– Alright, I see your point. Your factories and inventions have already begun attracting more people to the city. If we don't strengthen the infrastructure now, we may face significant problems down the line. But tell me this: why are your plans so large in scale? From what I can see, the infrastructure you propose could support two or even three times the city's current population. What makes you think the population will grow that much?"

Arthur, prepared for this question, straightened his posture and replied with a question of his own:

"– Father, what percentage of the country's population do you believe currently lives in cities?"

Cedric raised an eyebrow at the seemingly unrelated question but answered without hesitation:

"– At most, a third. Why do you ask?"

Arthur smiled knowingly, sensing his father's curiosity.

"– That's exactly the point, Father. Historically, I've noticed that urban populations began to grow when farming practices improved. For example, the adoption of crop rotation and the increased use of mechanical tools in agriculture significantly reduced the need for human labor on farms. When fewer hands were required in the fields, people migrated to cities in search of work and better opportunities."

Arthur then began to describe his latest ideas for mechanizing agriculture. With a glint of excitement in his eyes, he detailed his designs for machines powered by steam engines: a wheat harvester to efficiently gather crops, a grain winnower to separate chaff from the wheat, and a flour mill powered by steam instead of traditional water wheels.

His father, intrigued but still seeking clarity, leaned forward.

"– The steam engine... William reported on such a machine. But what does this have to do with the city's population?"

Arthur explained further, his voice steady and persuasive:

"– Father, with the machines I've designed, the need for human labor in agriculture will decrease even more drastically. This will lead to an even greater migration of people from rural areas to cities. If we don't prepare for this now, the cities will be overwhelmed. By investing in infrastructure today, we can ensure the city is ready for tomorrow's challenges."

Cedric, his expression thoughtful, reclined in his chair and stared at the ceiling as he considered his son's words. After a long pause, he nodded once more.

"– You're right. This is a very likely scenario. I approve the investments for the city's infrastructure, both above and below ground."

Arthur's face lit up with gratitude, but he wasn't finished.

"– Father, there's one more thing. Managing all of this – infrastructure, transportation, firefighting, and so on – could become chaotic. What if we consolidated these responsibilities under a single administrative body? Creating such an organization would allow us to respond more effectively to the challenges of rapid urban transformation."

Cedric tilted his head thoughtfully.

"– That makes sense. Rapid urbanization could indeed lead to social crises if not managed properly. What would you call this organization?"

Arthur grinned.

"– A city council."

Cedric smiled faintly. "– Very well. I'll ensure a law is passed to establish it. You've convinced me, my son."

With his father's approval, Arthur excused himself and returned to his chambers. There, he immediately began sketching the steam-powered machines he had described earlier. Hours slipped by unnoticed as he worked tirelessly, his mind consumed by ideas. By the time he set down his tools, he realized it was already night.

Arthur stood up and poured himself a glass of red wine, savoring the rich aroma as he walked to the window. Staring out at the starry sky, he pondered: How much longer will I dedicate myself to designing and manufacturing machines? Although he loved his work, the thought of exploring this unfamiliar world filled him with a deep sense of excitement. Yet he knew that venturing out unprepared would be disastrous.

He spoke softly to himself, as if reassuring his own thoughts:

"– It's too early for that... but one day, it will happen."

Finishing his wine, he placed the empty glass on the table, changed into his nightclothes, and climbed into bed.