After listening to Zhu Ziyi's words, Tang Hongwen picked up a blueprint and examined it carefully. He then noticed that the size and material requirements of each component were marked in detail on each drawing. The design also clearly depicted the relationship between each component and their respective functions.
This made him realize that he might have misunderstood Zhu Ziyi before, and the confidence and professionalism Zhu Ziyi displayed gave Tang Hongwen a glimmer of hope. Fortunately, he hadn't directly confronted Zhu Ziyi just now, otherwise the situation would be irreversible and his reputation would be ruined.
Tang Hongwen nodded approvingly at Zhu Ziyi, then continued, "Zhu Ziyi, please come up to the platform and explain in detail to all the craftsmen how our Ministry of Works should complete His Majesty's mission."
Although Tang Hongwen himself discovered the secret in the blueprint, he knew it was only with Zhu Ziyi's prompting. It was actually Zhu Ziyi who first discovered the problem in the blueprint and proposed a solution. If Tang Hongwen explained the steps and techniques in detail, it would be like he was taking credit for Zhu Ziyi's work, which was clearly not Tang Hongwen's style.
Therefore, Tang Hongwen decided to have Zhu Ziyi personally present his findings and solutions to all the craftsmen in the Ministry of Works, ensuring that everyone knew that it was Zhu Ziyi who first discovered the secrets within the design provided by His Majesty. And when the steam locomotive finally ran successfully, Tang Hongwen also planned to personally recommend Zhu Ziyi to His Majesty, ensuring that his efforts and contributions would be properly recognized and rewarded.
Under the eager gazes of all the craftsmen, Zhu Ziyi walked up to the platform calmly and steadily. He still held the blueprint he had copied in his hand and began to explain in detail to the many craftsmen below:
"The sheer number of blueprints Your Majesty has bestowed upon us is astonishing, and the mechanical products depicted on these blueprints are unprecedented in their scale. However, if this intimidates our colleagues, then we are unworthy of being the craftsmen of the Wei State Ministry of Works."
When Zhu Ziyi finished speaking, many craftsmen lowered their heads in shame, realizing how insignificant their previous fear of hardship was. Others looked at Zhu Ziyi with resentment, thinking that they had been working diligently for the State of Wei, yet he looked down upon them.
Tang Hongwen coughed and said, "Zhu Ziyi, please get down to business and stop talking about irrelevant things. Remember, we are all craftsmen serving Your Majesty. If anyone makes an outstanding contribution, I will also ask Your Majesty for a reward. Your Majesty and I will not treat any craftsman who has made contributions to the State of Wei unfairly."
Zhu Ziyi nodded slightly, agreeing deeply with what Tang Hongwen said. He then calmed down and continued to explain to the craftsmen below the stage, "These drawings may seem complicated, but each one clearly marks the function and precise dimensions of each component, which provides us with great convenience.
All we need to do is copy each component according to the drawings, and then assemble them according to the instructions. This way, each of us is actually only responsible for a small part of the entire project. Even if the finished product is a huge one, as long as we work together and collaborate, we can complete it one by one.
After listening to Zhu Ziyi's explanation, the craftsmen's faces lit up with sudden enlightenment. They began carefully copying the parts they would be responsible for, based on their expertise and interests. Then, filled with enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility, they returned to their respective forging stations and threw themselves into the intense and orderly work, each filled with energy and anticipation.
Tang Hongwen stood by and witnessed all of this, feeling very pleased. He knew that as long as they could successfully complete the steam locomotive project that His Majesty desired, the reputation of the Ministry of Industry would leave a strong mark in future history books.
Because once the steam locomotive is successfully running, it will not only be a huge leap in technology, but also a complete innovation of the current mode of transportation. Its significance is far-reaching enough to change the face of the entire era.
In Wei's future foreign wars, steam locomotives can rely on their powerful transportation capabilities to ensure logistical supplies and soldier replenishment for Wei's army. This will bring huge advantages to Wei's conquest of the Shengwu Continent, making it more adept at military operations and invincible.
The Ministry of Industry quickly launched into full-scale operation, beginning work on the various components of the world's first steam locomotive. Since the steelworks were already under the Ministry's jurisdiction, it had no shortage of steel resources. However, to complete this ambitious project, the only assistance the Ministry needed from the Royal Administrative Office was in the raw materials needed for steelmaking and food support.
When Tang Hongwen stepped into the door of the Royal Government Affairs Office again, Chu Anping thought that Tang Hongwen was here to ask for more resources and support, but he never expected that the first words Tang Hongwen said would be:
"We have found a way to successfully build a steam locomotive. I hope the court can provide sufficient raw materials for steelmaking, as well as large quantities of meat and fine wine. In addition, I also hope that the court can send some people to the steel mill to assist in the steelmaking work. Because in order to build steam locomotives, the Ministry of Industry has already withdrawn a large number of craftsmen, resulting in a serious shortage of steelmaking manpower."
After hearing Tang Hongwen's words, Chu Anping's eyes flashed with surprise, and then his expression changed to one of praise and affirmation: "Minister Tang, you are truly the best craftsman in our Wei State. You can come up with an idea to build a steam locomotive in such a short time.
The imperial court will certainly provide its full support. The raw materials needed for steelmaking, as well as meat, wine, and other supplies, will be immediately dispatched, and manpower will be arranged as quickly as possible. We hope that the Ministry of Industry will live up to everyone's expectations and build a steam locomotive as soon as possible."
In response to Chu Anping's praise, Tang Hongwen shook his head repeatedly and responded modestly, "It wasn't me who found the solution, but one of my craftsmen, Zhu Ziyi. I plan to ask for a reward for his outstanding contribution to the steam locomotive project after it is completed."
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