Steel Dynasty - Chapter 537

[Chapter 537 The Age of Steam is Coming]

“The general has been on the battlefield for decades, why should he belittle himself.”

Xiao Ming did not expect that Luo Quan would decline his proposal at this time.

“Your Highness, I am not looking down on myself. I have been thinking about this matter since the last battle in Jizhou. The muskets and artillery in Qingzhou made me feel that war is no longer what it used to be. Relatively speaking, Luo Hong wants to It’s easier to accept the Musketeers than Lao Chen,” Luo Quan said with a sigh.

Seeing Luo Quan’s resolute expression, Xiao Ming nodded and said, “In this case, I will not retain the old general.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Luo Quan seemed relieved.

Fiji’s eyes flickered. This army is not as good as the officialdom. Luo Quan made this decision after careful consideration. He had discussed it with him when he came. Even if he agreed to Xiao Ming’s request, the soldiers in this army would probably not be able to help him. rise.

The most important thing is that if he enters the army, the firearms battalion from Chang’an or the Jinwu Guards who will defect to Qingzhou in the future will look upon him, which will undoubtedly create factions in the army.

Officials can argue with each other, but the army must remain unified. With this in mind, he decided not to take charge of the military, and Niuben’s qualifications were enough to suppress these soldiers from Chang’an, so integrating the army was not a problem.

After preliminarily settling the affairs of the officials and generals, everyone talked about the issue of Pengzhou for a while. This time Fiji was sent to Jinling City as an envoy. Since King Wei had the ambition to compete for hegemony, there was no need for him to be polite.

Moreover, Fiji also hinted that Wei Wang Xiao Ming would inherit the throne, but Wei Wang still ignored it. This was simply a betrayal of the royal family.

After deciding to annex Pengzhou, everyone dispersed, except that Niu Ben left a problem for Xiao Ming before leaving. That army was responsible for attacking Pengzhou.

Now the Youzhou Army is guarding Shanhaiguan and cannot move, while part of the Qingzhou Army is in Yunzhou to defend against the attack of King Zhao and the barbarians, and the other part is on Ryukyu Island.

The Dengzhou Army had to guard against possible attacks from Goryeo and Japan. After much deliberation, he could only mobilize the Cangzhou Army, Yizhou Army, and Laizhou Army to attack Pengzhou. However, because these three armies were not on the border like other states, the three armies were The combined armies of each state amounted to only fifteen thousand men, and they had almost no equipment.

However, during this period of time, the armies of these three states have been training according to the musketeer formation. Because the army has training guns, they can quickly form an army as long as they are given equipment.

Thinking of this, he felt a headache, and there was another problem with equipment. What he lacked most now was muskets and artillery.

At the same time, a sense of crisis was born in his heart. Although Qingzhou’s industry was much greater than that of Dayu, the shortcomings in population were still fatal.

The human wave tactic is enough to destroy everything he built.

While he was worrying about the equipment, suddenly a servant from the palace came to report that it was Lin Wentao who wanted to see him.

Hearing this, Xiao Ming was overjoyed. What he wanted to see most now was Lin Wentao. Whether the production speed of this equipment can be increased depends entirely on him.

“Let him come in.” Xiao Ming said excitedly.

The servant left, and Lin Wentao arrived at the main hall with excitement on his face.

“Your Highness, Xianguan and Zhang Liu have solved the problem of one steam engine driving multiple instruments. Using crankshafts and connecting rods, the steam engine in the machine tool workshop can now drive a row of twelve drilling machines. Now we have installed it in it. With five steam engines, there are now a total of 72 drilling machines using steam power,” Lin Wentao said excitedly.

After a pause, Lin Wentao continued: “During this period, the steam engine workshop produced a total of sixteen steam engines. According to His Highness’s request, six were given to the machine tool workshop, and the remaining twelve and four were given to the textile workshop. , the remaining six will be given to the musket workshop of the military workshop to draw the rifling of the rifled gun. “

“Not bad, very good.” For Xiao Ming, this is undoubtedly a good time, because the population of the land. However, what he can really rely on is the steam power brought by the steam engine.

Now Lin Wentao has successfully overcome the problem of one steam engine driving multiple machines, which will save him a lot of labor.

And once Lin Wentao mastered the problem of one steam engine driving multiple machines, it meant that the technical problems of steam locomotives were initially solved.

Lin Wentao was very excited. He said: “Your Highness, although the efficiency of steam engines is good now, there is still a shortcoming, that is, the leakage of the cylinder plug is still a bit serious. I have seen such things as rubber in the books given by Your Highness. , It is said that the cylinder plug made of rubber is soft and can ensure air tightness, but Xianguan doesn’t know what this rubber is.”

“Lu Tong knows about this rubber, but this kind of thing does not exist in Dayu. There will be such things along the southern coast, but now that I have established trade with the Dutch, I will find a way to find some rubber.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Lin Wentao said happily.

Xiao Ming was a little helpless. This was the importance of colonization. Without colonization, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes would not have been introduced to Europe and Asia. Without colonization, things like rubber would not have been discovered and used in industry.

What only annoyed him was that he was preparing to sail to the sea, but he didn’t expect such trouble to happen in the country.

For him, this civil strife was no less important than the Thirty Years’ War and the Great Northern War in Europe.

After talking for a while, Xiao Ming said to Lin Wentao: “By the way, this steam engine is not only a single-cylinder steam engine, but also a double-cylinder steam engine, or even a four-cylinder steam engine. With a little improvement, this steam engine will have enough power to drive more steam engines.” Machines, you need to study this in depth. In addition, you should also take a test on steam engines and locomotives in the book. After all, the principles are not much different.”

Lin Wentao was a little stunned when Xiao Ming threw so many tasks at once. He was surprised by Xiao Ming. He said: “Your Highness, there are too many tasks, and I am afraid that I may not be able to do all the work. How about I ask Your Highness to let me select some students from Bowen College to set up a laboratory for the steam engine workshop?”

“Of course.” Xiao Ming said with a smile, but Lin Wentao was I finally understood that it is not enough to work alone. To do research, you need more people.

Lin Wentao nodded, “In that case. I will go to Bowen Academy to select students.”

After saying that, Lin Wentao bowed and walked out.

Watching Lin Wentao leave, Xiao Ming felt relaxed all over. I wonder what the effect of starting the steam engine is? Among them, what he paid most attention to was the rifling cutting in the gunsmith shop.

If the steam engine made it easier to cut rifling, then he could equip the army with rifled guns in batches.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t wait to go to the military workshop. During this period, he was very busy due to the Chang’an Rebellion, but he had neglected military production. Now in order to attack Pengzhou, he had to go there personally to rush it.

(End of chapter)