Iron Dynasty Chapter 1015
The expansive world map ignited boundless visions in the mind.
Xiao Ming spoke deliberately, “To achieve excellence in a task, one must hone their instruments first. That's exactly my intention. At the heart of the String of Pearls strategy lies the navy. Henceforth, halt the construction of sailing warships. By merging the Empire's recent technological breakthroughs, we shall forge entirely fresh warships.”
Cui Shang’an felt a surge of enthusiasm. The initial steam-powered ironclad vessels already possessed formidable strength, and visions of the next-generation ironclads filled him with awe at their potential might.
Equipped with cutting-edge breech-loading rifled naval cannons, these ships would render European fleets mere sitting ducks upon the waves.
Yet, in contrast, assembling ironclads demanded more time than crafting sailing ships. Erecting a single warship could span a full year, or perhaps even two.
This very factor prompted the discontinuation of sailing warships, freeing shipyards to dedicate themselves wholly to ironclad production.
“Understood, Your Majesty, I shall return and press forward on this,” Cui Shang’an bowed deeply, receiving the command.
Xiao Ming gave a subtle nod. Following their exchange on finer points, the discussion concluded.
As Cui Shang’an departed, Xiao Ming let out a quiet sigh. Though he yearned for the Chinese Empire he governed to earn global reverence, technological application remained the greatest barrier.
After all, devising innovations came easily to him, yet bringing them to life required vast stretches of time—like erecting these ironclad warships.
Moreover, this represented merely one facet. Developing thermal power stations, spans, rail lines, hydraulic works, and further infrastructure demanded far more than a single night’s effort.
Still, with his guidance, the empire flourished vibrantly. The pressing challenge had shifted from fending off nomadic invaders to vying with Western nations over domains of control.
While lost in these thoughts, Qian Dafu hurried over with quick steps. Reaching the Imperial Study, he grinned and announced, “Your Majesty, a wire from Lin Wentao—advances on the internal combustion engine.”
Ever since the telegraph's introduction, communications had accelerated dramatically. Numerous issues now resolved swiftly via wires, alleviating burdens on Xiao Ming and his ministers.
This held special value for innovators like Lin Wentao, where every moment counted, so Xiao Ming had granted them direct access to wire messages to him.
“A day brimming with twofold delight.” Xiao Ming chuckled deeply. The internal combustion engine's creation had lingered on the priorities list, given that Qingzhou's industrial might made fabricating one quite effortless.
Rising with a stretch, he instructed Qian Dafu, “Come along, let us witness Lin Wentao’s internal combustion engine.”
“Very well,” Qian Dafu replied cheerfully, accompanying Xiao Ming toward the palace entrance.
Meanwhile, at the Qingzhou Machinery Research Institute, Lin Wentao conferred with Lu Tong on gasoline and diesel matters.
During internal combustion engine development, absent proper gasoline and diesel fuels, Lin Wentao had initially employed gas combustion to evaluate the engine's burning efficiency. Only recently had he secured actual gasoline from Lu Tong to trial the inaugural four-stroke internal combustion engine he'd assembled. Tests confirmed it spun at 800 revolutions per minute with a 3:1 compression ratio, running steadily. Only then did he dispatch the wire to the palace.
“This device outshines the steam engine by far, remarkable work,” Lu Tong remarked. In the latest trial, the internal combustion engine delivered robust force, and crucially, its compact size stood out. Per Lin Wentao, it promised to revolutionize the realm's transport utterly.
Lin Wentao exhaled, “Regardless of its potency, it craves fuel. Your scant oil supply falls woefully short.”
Lu Tong shrugged helplessly at these words. “We've gathered this over three months in Guandong—that's our limit. Without the Minerals Department drilling proper oil wells, scaling up oil production remains impossible.”
The pair conversed casually a bit longer. Shortly thereafter, Xiao Ming and Qian Dafu entered the institute. Spotting Xiao Ming, all present paused their tasks.
“Your Majesty, behold the four-stroke internal combustion engine,” Lin Wentao indicated the device before him.
The device Xiao Ming observed lay horizontally on the floor, resembling the “工” shape. It currently executed back-and-forth motions via connecting rods and crankshaft, spinning a set of wheels idly.
This display brought a pleased grin to Xiao Ming's face. “Evidently, the internal combustion engine has triumphed splendidly.”
“Your Majesty flatters us. Credit goes entirely to the blueprints you supplied. Mastering this four-stroke model poses no further challenge. Next, I plan to tackle a six-stroke variant,” Lin Wentao declared, brimming with assurance.
In earlier times, such bold claims would have eluded him, but circumstances had transformed. Electric motors' emergence had propelled Qingzhou's industry to new heights, enabling fearless pursuit of internal combustion engines, with every prerequisite in place.
The sole shortfall was gasoline, prompting him to add, “Your Majesty, the engine performs admirably, yet gasoline remains an issue. Lu Tong and I were just addressing it.”
Lu Tong nodded in agreement, “Our chemistry institute has perfected distillation for gasoline and diesel production. With ample crude oil, supplying them abundantly lies within reach.”
All hurdles abruptly centered on oil drilling. He offered a faint smile. Though tempted to haul oil straight from the Middle East, present conditions rendered it challenging, and he couldn't idly await trade paths.
Thus, after deliberation, he pinned expectations on Guandong, as the era's Daqing Oilfield nestled in Heilongjiang's Songnen Plain, with preparations underway since Zhu Sansi's northern expedition.
Post-Yakutsk's capture, the Ministry of Minerals sent explorers to the Songnen Plain for oil hunts. Lately, they'd pinpointed key sites, spotting black oil floating in certain local springs—verified as petroleum.
Such an approach drew from solid precedent. The Song Dynasty's “Dream Pool Essays” by Shen Kuo noted: in Yan Prefecture flowed a petroleum sort emerging by waters, blending with sands and springs in sporadic streams. Natives would dip pheasant feathers to draw it out, storing it in earthen jars.
This marked petroleum surfacing via underground waters. While scouting, the Ministry of Minerals encountered identical phenomena.
“Formerly unfeasible, but viable now. Drilling gear's vital components stand ready,” Xiao Ming stated, gesturing at the internal combustion engine. Initially, diesel engines powered drilling; only later did electricity take over, since oil sites often lay in isolated spots bereft of power.
Lin Wentao and Lu Tong exchanged glances, both grinning. They hadn't foreseen oil and internal combustion engines interlocking so seamlessly.
He continued, “In that case, I'll direct the machinery plant to assemble a drilling rig prototype.”
Xiao Ming assented with a nod. Qingzhou's industrial prowess had ascended to late-19th-century levels, and it was time to deploy petroleum and internal combustion engines into action.