104 New Design Bureau

After testing the cannon, Vijay, being very satisfied, ordered for the casting of 10 such cannons as soon as possible.

"Sai, You did a good job. Keep on improving this cannon. As a trophy for your current achievements, I decided to reward you. You can start your own design bureau for the purpose of designing new artillery and are no longer restricted to the armoury."

Sai, who heard the compliment, was panicked as he didn't know what the design bureau meant. Seeing how Vijay said that he would no longer need to listen to the armoury's orders, he became anxious, thinking that he was fired. He couldn't understand what he did wrong, but seeing that Vijay's face showed approval, he felt that he could have misunderstood and humbly asked, "Your Majesty, can you please explain what this design bureau is? I do not understand, am I no longer a member of the armoury."

There was a hint of nervousness in his voice as his face turned slightly pale.

Vijay, looking at his face, was confused, as he did not understand why Sai was acting like this. He just rewarded him with his own design bureau, so shouldn't he be happy? But soon it dawned on him that the concept of a design bureau was new, and he did not explain it to Sai. He had taken it for granted because he had ordered Danior Boswell to do the same, and he had raised no questions. Now that he thought of it, the Dutch may already have similar institutes, hence why Boswell quickly grasped the concept.

Thinking of this, Vijay went on to explain, "Don't worry; this is not a bad thing. A design bureau is an institution where talented designers are gathered together to design a specific product. In your case, you will lead an institute that specializes in designing artillery weapons with the highest destructive power. Normally, when the Empire needs a certain weapon, it will request such an institute like yours for various designs. The design that best suits the Empire's needs will be selected and manufactured for use. In your case, since you are the only design studio for artillery right now, you will receive the Empire's support in growing your institute.

So, what do you think? Do you want to lead your own design bureau?"

Vijay asked with a smile apparent on his face.

Listening to the details, Sai's mouth dropped in shock. He couldn't believe that he would get a chance to lead his personal institute. Although he couldn't understand fully, he could grasp that this is a very important part of the Empire's military strength. By the looks of it, his majesty wanted to open similar design bureaus for various industries to gather the various scientific minds of the Empire for a common goal. Just thinking of all the competition and ideas that these institutes could produce sent shivers down his spine.

He was not afraid of the challenges that this could produce; instead, he was getting more and more excited, as he couldn't ask for anything else. He was a confrontational type of person himself.

Soon, with his body trembling with excitement, he replied, "Your Highness, I will do it. I will design and produce the best weapons for the Empire. You can count on me."

Vijay nodded his head in approval. Another design bureau joined the military system of Vijayanagara along with the Boswell-designed bureau. He has decided to establish design bureaus instead of government laboratories, with the aim of actively engaging private individuals in shaping the future of weapons. This strategic decision is anticipated to accelerate progress within Vijayanagara. While these design studios enjoy a degree of autonomy in terms of theoretical access to information, the practical aspects of experimentation and manufacturing are entrusted to the empire's own factories and Vijay's armoury, ensuring a level of confidentiality.

Moreover, design bureaus were traditionally reserved for projects requiring substantial practical experience, where the actual designs constituted only a small part of the overall process. In the future, even a bachelor's student in engineering could potentially design an engine, with manufacturing being the crucial element. Vijay found relief in enabling the uninhibited flow of creative ideas within these bright minds, devoid of any hindrance. Notably, these design bureaus played a pivotal role in the naval industry, and there was a likelihood of them making significant contributions to the heavy artillery sector. Vijay also wanted to potentially extend this model to ventures in the aviation industry if circumstances permitted during his lifetime.

In the 21st century, Design Bureaus typically worked as an organizational entity specializing in design activities, notably prevalent in industries like aerospace, automotive, industrial design, and architecture. Within the aerospace sector, a Design Bureau focused on conceptualizing and planning designs for aircraft and spacecraft, addressing critical aspects such as aerodynamics and structural design. Similarly, in the automotive industry, a Design Bureau took charge of sculpting the aesthetics and functionality of vehicles, both internally and externally. Industrial Design Bureaus undertook projects involving a diverse range of products, refining their form and function. Simultaneously, Architectural Design Bureaus undertook the planning and design of buildings, considering aesthetics, functionality, and environmental impact.

These bureaus typically comprised skilled professionals, including designers and engineers, collaborating to bring innovative and effective designs to fruition. The concept of the Design Bureau originated around the mid-20th century in aerospace companies, particularly in the Soviet Union. The current version employed in Vijayanagara reflects a similar model, showcasing a notable evolution in organizational strategies, marking a significant leap in management approaches.

Considering all these ideas and pondering the circumstances at hand, Vijay decisively issued a directive, explicitly expressing his desire with the words, "What I want you to do is meticulously design a cannon similar to this existing model, ensuring it is affixed to a circular movement platform. Additionally, I want you to enhance the materials used, making them resistant to rust. This important task is left to you, as there is an urgent need for these upgraded cannons in our naval vessels."

In response to his first official order, Sai excitedly bowed down to Vijay and began contemplating the specifics of the task.

Meanwhile, as Vijay meticulously inspected the new cannon, the progress of Sri Lanka showed no signs of slowing down. In fact, development surged at a rapid pace, surpassing the mainland's advancements.