Chapter 768 The Secret of the Rise of the Ming Dynasty (Fourth Update, Please Subscribe)

Imperial Central Laboratory!

Many people have heard of this place. It is simply a miraculous existence in the Ming Dynasty.

How is it a miracle?

Because all of Daming’s far-reaching inventions in the past decade or so have been developed here, and its prototypes all came from this laboratory.

In 1875, although the institution had existed for more than a decade, it was still very mysterious, as if shrouded in a thick veil.

Where is this laboratory?

Who is responsible?

It has always been a secret, at least to the outside world.

Since it was a secret, some people wanted to snoop in. The most curious person was Stanley Howard Harris, the British ambassador to the Ming Dynasty. His father, the third Earl of Malmesbury, had served as foreign secretary twice.

From this appointment, we can see that Britain attaches great importance to Ming Dynasty. Of course, it is also a reflection of its international status. However, Stanley did not become an ambassador by nepotism. As an ambassador, he started his work from the day he took office, and one of the most important tasks was intelligence gathering.

Although Britain did not have professional intelligence agencies at that time, and intelligence agencies such as MI5 and MI6 had not even appeared yet, this does not mean that Britain did not have intelligence agencies. At least the consuls and ambassadors sent by the British Foreign Office were themselves tasked with collecting intelligence.

"We are dealing with a completely different opponent. They are different from European countries and the Qing Dynasty. We are unfamiliar with everything about this country, so in the coming time, we must do our best to understand it!"

Two years ago, when Stanley took office, he said this to the embassy staff. It was from that day that Britain really began to understand the Ming Dynasty. They used various methods to learn about the lifestyle, customs, domestic economy, scientific development and other intelligence that the British government was very interested in.

It was also from that time that an institution would constantly appear in front of Stanley's desk - the Imperial Central Laboratory.

That morning, Stanley's office door was pushed open and in walked Lieutenant Commander Bryan.

"Mr. Ambassador, you want to see me?"

"Yes, Major, please take a seat,"

Stanley said,

"I just saw one of your reports, or one of them, among some old reports."

"My report?" Brian said.

"Where? Yes, it was written after you came back from that place called Linhai. What was that place called? Linhai Shipyard? That's the place, right?"

"Oh, sir, it's called Linhai Shipyard. That was three months ago."

Three months ago, Brian visited Linhai, which was actually an intelligence gathering activity, but that kind of collection was open to the public.

"Yes, yes. Three months ago, of course. I noticed when I was reading the report that you mentioned the 'Imperial Central Laboratory'?"

"Imperial Central Laboratory?"

A smile appeared on Brian's face, and he spoke.

"Yes, this is the third time I have noticed this institution, and I find that even in Linhai, it is still deeply influenced by it, sir."

"Can you tell me about it?"

"Yes, sir. At the Linhai Shipyard, I visited the Linhai-class armored ship under construction. Of course, it is an excellent armored ship, whether from the perspective of a naval soldier or from other perspectives. However, what really attracted my attention was not the warship itself, but another discovery."

"Another discovery?"

"Yes, I found that the shape of its hull seemed a little different, so I asked curiously. Then I learned that the hull shape was the latest research result of the Imperial Central Laboratory, which can effectively reduce resistance and increase speed. Then I asked again, but was stopped. Later, I tried a few more times, but the other party was very vigilant and did not give more answers. But one thing I can be sure of is that the shipbuilding system of the Ming Dynasty is completely different from ours. Our shipbuilding system is often done by the shipyard on its own, but what about theirs?"

Major Bryan said.

"Their warship design agencies are designing warships, shipyards are building them, and universities are conducting research related to shipbuilding technology. Of course, we have that too, but theirs is more comprehensive. For example, the design of ship shapes conducted in the Imperial Central Laboratory is a very novel research direction. They have formed a technical system that is far ahead of us. What is this system? Factories, research institutes, universities, and an "Imperial Central Laboratory" that brings together the best scientists in various fields. Mr. Ambassador, of course this is just my guess, but I think this is exactly why they are ahead of us."

"You did the right thing."

Stanley immediately clapped his hands and said.

"You know, I've often said this in the past. We need to collect as much information as possible about them. After all, the reason why the Ming Dynasty was able to grow so powerful in just a dozen years is that they must have many aspects that are worth learning from. Of course, the most important thing is that we need to understand some of their movements. Of course, it seems that we understand it a little late now, but after all, it is a start."

When he said the word "after all", he waved his hands to emphasize the words in the ambassador's office.

"Imperial Central Laboratory. In the past two years, I have heard of this institution more than once. This institution not only has many advanced technologies, but is also very mysterious. No one knows where it is, who is in charge, and who works there."

Stanley went on to say,

"I even thought that this organization did not exist. However, it is impossible for a non-existent organization to appear in your reports one after another. Yes, you are not the first person destined to encounter it. It is also mentioned in other people's reports. Tell me about your trip to Linhai."

"Okay, it was a normal visit between navies. Five months ago, I submitted a request to the Navy Department to visit the fifth ship of the Linhai Class. After they approved it, I went to Linhai..."

Brian then recounted his visit and what he learned about the movements of the Ming Navy through the visit. Of course, during the conversation, Stanley repeatedly asked questions about the "Imperial Central Laboratory."

"So you are sure it is no longer in Linhai?"

"Yes, because the other party mentioned that the engineers in the laboratory came by train."

"By train..."

Stanley leaned his head back in his chair, thought for a moment, then spoke.

"Neither in Nanhua nor in Yingtian, where do you think it is?"

"Patagonia, Mr. Ambassador."

After thinking for a while, Blair said.

"It's vast and desolate, even sparsely populated. It's very easy to hide a laboratory there. I think it's the most likely place."

When he heard this, he said excitedly,

"That's right, Major. You and I are thinking the same thing. I've noticed this, too. I wonder how we can understand all this. Can we consider this issue?"

(End of this chapter)