Iron Dynasty Chapter 1015

The expansive world map ignited boundless visions in the mind.

Xiao Ming spoke deliberately, “To achieve excellence in any task, one must prepare the right instruments first. That's exactly my point here. The cornerstone of the String of Pearls plan lies in the navy. Henceforth, cease all production of sailing vessels. By integrating the Empire's latest innovations, we shall construct revolutionary new warships.”

Excitement surged through Cui Shang’an. The initial batch of steam-powered ironclad ships already possessed formidable might, and envisioning the dread unleashed by their successors was thrilling.

Should these vessels arm themselves with the newest breech-loading rifled cannons for naval use, the fleets of Europe would merely serve as helpless marks upon the waves.

Yet, in comparison, assembling ironclads demanded far more time than crafting sailing ships. Erecting a single warship could consume a full year, and sometimes even two.

This very factor explained the decision to phase out sailing warships, allowing shipyards to dedicate every resource to forging ironclads.

“Understood, Your Majesty. I shall return and press forward with this directive,” Cui Shang’an replied, bowing deeply to receive the command.

A subtle nod came from Xiao Ming. Following that, they delved into various specifics before concluding their exchange.

As Cui Shang’an departed, a quiet sigh escaped Xiao Ming. He yearned for the Chinese Empire he governed to command global reverence, yet the practical rollout of advancements remained the greatest hurdle.

In truth, devising innovations came easily to him, but bringing them to life required ages, like the painstaking assembly of these ironclad behemoths.

And that was merely a single example. Erecting thermal power stations, spanning bridges, laying rail lines, engineering water systems, and more foundational works couldn't happen in a flash.

Still, with his guidance, the empire flourished vibrantly. The pressing challenge had shifted—no longer fending off nomadic invaders, but vying with Western dominions for territorial sway.

While lost in these reflections, Qian Dafu hurried over with quick steps. Reaching the Imperial Study, he beamed and announced, “Your Majesty, a wire from Lin Wentao—breakthroughs on the internal combustion engine.”

Ever since the telegraph's introduction, communications had accelerated dramatically. Countless issues could now resolve via a single dispatch, lightening the load on Xiao Ming and his ministers immensely.

This held especially true for innovators like Lin Wentao, whose time proved invaluable, so he had granted them and their peers direct access to wire messages straight to him.

“A day brimming with dual triumphs,” Xiao Ming chuckled deeply. Advancing the internal combustion engine had sat high on priorities for ages; after all, Qingzhou's industrial prowess made fabricating one entirely feasible without strain.

Extending his limbs, he turned to Qian Dafu, “Come on, let's inspect the progress on Lin Wentao's internal combustion engine.”

“Very well,” Qian Dafu replied cheerfully, accompanying Xiao Ming toward the palace entrance.

Meanwhile, within the Qingzhou Machinery Research Institute, Lin Wentao conferred with Lu Tong about gasoline and diesel concerns.

During the internal combustion engine's evolution, lacking proper gasoline and diesel fuels, Lin Wentao had initially relied on gas-based ignition to evaluate its firing efficiency. Only recently had he secured genuine gasoline from Lu Tong for trials on his pioneering four-stroke model. Tests confirmed it spun at 800 revolutions per minute with a 3:1 compression ratio, running seamlessly. Only then did he dispatch the official telegram to the palace.

“This device outshines steam engines by leaps and bounds—truly remarkable,” Lu Tong remarked. Recent trials showcased its robust output, and crucially, its compact design. As Lin Wentao explained, this internal combustion engine promised to revolutionize the realm's transport utterly.

Lin Wentao exhaled, “Powerful as it is, fuel remains essential. The scant oil you've supplied falls woefully short.”

Lu Tong shrugged helplessly at those words. “We've scoured Guandong for three months to gather this much. Without the Minerals Department launching full-scale oil well operations, mass fuel production stays out of reach.”

Their casual talk continued briefly. Moments later, Xiao Ming and Qian Dafu entered the institute. Spotting the emperor, all present halted their tasks.

“Your Majesty, behold the four-stroke internal combustion engine,” Lin Wentao introduced, gesturing to the device ahead.

The prone apparatus before Xiao Ming rested on the floor, roughly resembling the “工” shape. It pistoned back and forth via rods linked to a 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 to the blueprints you graciously supplied. Mastering this four-stroke internal combustion engine poses no further challenge. My next pursuit: a six-stroke variant,” Lin Wentao declared brimming with assurance.

In earlier times, such audacity might have eluded him, but circumstances had transformed. Electric motors' emergence had propelled Qingzhou's manufacturing to new heights, enabling fearless strides in internal combustion development—every prerequisite now in place.

The sole shortfall was gasoline, prompting him to add, “Your Majesty, the engine performs admirably, yet gasoline presents an issue. Lu Tong and I were just addressing it.”

Lu Tong concurred, “Our chemistry institute has perfected distilling gasoline and diesel from crude. With ample raw oil, supplying them becomes straightforward.”

All quandaries funneled abruptly to oil procurement. A faint smile crossed his lips. Though tempted to import from the Middle East outright, present constraints made it impractical, and he couldn't idle awaiting trade lanes.

Thus, after deliberation, he pinned expectations on Guandong, given the era's Daqing Oilfield sprawled across Heilongjiang's Songnen Plain—a prospect Zhu Sansi had initiated upon heading north.

Post-conquest of Yakutsk, the Ministry of Minerals sent explorers to the Songnen Plain for oil hunts. Lately, they'd pinpointed prime sites, spotting black oil slicks on certain springs, verified as petroleum.

Such an approach drew from solid precedents. The Song Dynasty's “Dream Pool Essays” by Shen Kuo noted: In Yan Prefecture, petroleum seeped near waters, blending with sands and springs in sporadic flows. Locals dipped pheasant feathers to skim it, storing in earthen jars.

This mirrored petroleum surfacing via underground waters, a phenomenon the Ministry encountered during surveys.

“Formerly unattainable, but feasible now. Key drilling components stand ready,” Xiao Ming stated, indicating the internal combustion engine. Traditionally, diesel powered rigs; electricity arrived later, though oil sites often lay in isolated spots beyond grids.

Lin Wentao and Lu Tong exchanged glances, grins spreading. They hadn't foreseen oil and internal combustion engines synergizing so perfectly.

“In that light, I'll direct the machinery works to fabricate drilling gear.”

Xiao Ming affirmed with a nod. Qingzhou's industry mirrored late-19th-century standards, ripe for deploying petroleum and internal combustion engines.