Iron Dynasty Chapter 660

"A steam locomotive? "

"What in the world is that? This Lin Wentao is truly an eccentric. Who knows what he's tinkering with now. "

"If he dares to speak of it in court, it must be something significant, right? "

"..."

In the Council Hall, officials buzzed with discussion. In their eyes, Lin Wentao and his ilk had always been mysterious and unpredictable, and because these individuals didn't involve themselves in state affairs, the officials paid little attention to them.

The officials didn't understand, but Xiao Ming did. Having overcome the challenge of the steam engine, Lin Wentao had shifted his focus to applying the steam engine's power.

During this period, Xiao Ming had been in Qingzhou. Whenever he had free time, he would visit Lin Wentao's workshop to discuss various steam-powered machines with him.

The steam locomotive and steam-powered warships were naturally the focus of their discussions. However, ironclad warships powered by steam engines were difficult to construct without modern shipyards, so he concentrated on the steam locomotive.

Having lived here for five years, one of the deepest impressions Xiao Ming had was how utterly terrible the transportation was in this era.

Whether it was military transport or material transport, both were exceedingly slow, and this sluggish pace severely restricted industrial development.

With the advent of the steam engine, Qingzhou's consumption of industrial materials had now shot up significantly, while efficiency in transportation, however, remained virtually unchanged.

Therefore, he not only personally guided but also used the Technology Crystal to impart knowledge to Lin Wentao. With sufficient industrial capacity, the steam locomotive was successfully manufactured.

"I imagine, my esteemed ministers, you don't understand what a steam locomotive is. Today, I shall lead you all to witness it firsthand," Xiao Ming said.

Currently, Qingzhou's steam engine and steelmaking technologies had made a leap forward. This meant that all the steel components required for the Industrial Revolution in the West could now be produced in Qingzhou.

As a result, the natural next step was the explosive emergence of various steam-powered machinery, and this was exactly what he intended to do next.

With the fall of Prince Yan, the north gradually stabilized, and his desire to establish a complete industrial system should now be gradually realized.

To this end, aside from handling state affairs, Xiao Ming prepared to personally involve himself in the construction of the industrial system. Five years of talent cultivation had also provided him with a group of capable individuals at his disposal.

"Your subjects obey your command! " the assembled ministers declared, clearly quite interested in the steam locomotive themselves.

Nodding, Xiao Ming led the officials, accompanied by Lin Wentao, to the Steam Engine Workshop.

"Your Majesty, this is the steam locomotive," Lin Wentao said, brimming with excitement.

The steam locomotive now stood parked on a hundred-meter stretch of railway tracks. The moment he saw the locomotive's front, Xiao Ming suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

This thing before him was precisely a modern steam locomotive, colloquially known as a "tube-cart. "

Simply put, this steam locomotive was a horizontally mounted steam engine fixed onto a wheeled carriage. It used the reciprocating motion of a connecting rod, crankshaft, and flywheel to rotate the wheels, allowing the locomotive to move along the tracks.

"Your Highness, this steam locomotive consumed over half a year of our time," Lin Wentao mused, sighing with emotion. During this period, they had researched, produced, and assembled day and night.

Now, this steam locomotive could finally move forward along the tracks. Though in his opinion, it wasn't moving very fast, its future potential was absolutely immense.

"Isn't that just a big iron can? " Fei Ji peered at it askance.

Pang Yukun also nodded. Both Xiao Ming and Lin Wentao appeared very excited, but they themselves were completely bewildered.

In the contemporary world, the first steam locomotive was invented in 1814 by the Englishman George Stephenson. Judging by the current level of the West, such a thing would likely appear forty or fifty years from now.

However, he was now the first to manufacture a steam locomotive. Although this steam locomotive was still somewhat crude and rudimentary, it didn't matter if it was ugly, as long as it could run.

Seeing the officials' dismissive looks, Lin Wentao retorted, "It is indeed a big iron can, but it's a big iron can that can move! "

Without further explanation, he directly addressed the two artisans who usually operated the steam locomotive: "Now, both of you, operate the locomotive for His Majesty to see. "

The two nodded and climbed onto the steam locomotive. One artisan picked up a shovel and shoveled coal into the boiler, while the other watched the steam pressure gauge.

Lin Wentao had ordered artisans to produce this pressure gauge during his development of the steam engine, and now it could be utilized on the steam locomotive.

This way, the locomotive driver could judge the pressure inside the boiler and adjust the steam pressure accordingly.

The railway tracks in the workshop were naturally made by Lin Wentao at Xiao Ming's instruction. These tracks formed a circle along the spacious workshop, allowing the locomotive to move within this circle.

However, these tracks had also consumed a vast amount of his steel, which pained him considerably.

But now that the steam locomotive existed, it was all worth it. For the next step, he could build railways along the mining areas, thus continuously transporting coal and iron ore to Qingzhou.

"Woooooo. . . "

The steam pressure inside the locomotive steadily rose. Just then, the artisan pulled the whistle, and with a series of "huffing" sounds, the steam locomotive slowly moved forward along the tracks.

This sight instantly caused the officials to turn pale with shock. They hastily kept their distance from the steam locomotive, fearing this iron monster would harm someone.

Lin Wentao finally laughed, seeing the officials' flustered state. Who told these officials to comment dismissively on the steam locomotive without understanding anything about it?

"Huff, huff. . . " The connecting rods of the steam locomotive moved diagonally up and down, driving the wheels to rotate through the flywheel and crankshaft. The heavy wheels finally began to turn.

As the locomotive began to move, its speed gradually increased. In the first loop, the locomotive was as slow as a person walking; in the second loop, it was like riding a bicycle.

By the third loop, it was like a galloping steed.

Under such immense power, the officials' expressions were a sight to behold. At this moment, perhaps they truly submitted to the power of technology from their very souls, rather than the philosophies of ancient sages.

Xiao Ming had brought them here precisely to let them witness the true might of technology. Otherwise, these officials, clinging to Confucian classics, would fundamentally disregard technology.

What he wanted was for them to suddenly awaken in fright when they recalled this iron monster in the dead of night.

"Your Highness, how is this steam locomotive? " Lin Wentao asked excitedly.

Xiao Ming nodded. This locomotive, during its design, aimed for the maximum power that Qingzhou could currently achieve. After all, if the steam engine's efficiency couldn't be improved, the locomotive's speed couldn't be increased either.

Lin Wentao had merely improved Watt's steam engine, slightly increasing its efficiency. Thus, this level of locomotive could only be compared to rudimentary ones. However, for Xiao Ming, it was more than enough.