Chu Fan was also very shocked when he saw the huge machine in the forging workshop of the Ministry of Industry that was almost the same as the old steam locomotive in his previous life. He really did not expect that the Ministry of Industry could manufacture a steam locomotive according to the drawings he gave in just one month.
You have to know that before he took out the drawings of the steam locomotive, even the Minister of Works Tang Hongwen might not have heard of the theoretical knowledge of steam power. However, in the hands of this group of craftsmen who didn't even know basic physics, they basically replicated the entire structure of the steam locomotive in less than a month. Although it couldn't run fast due to the lack of rubber as a sealing material, this achievement was already amazing enough.
Chu Fan said, "I didn't expect your Ministry of Industry to build it so quickly. It's unbelievable that you completed such a complex machine in less than a month."
Tang Hongwen replied modestly, "It's because the design drawings Your Majesty provided are so comprehensive that our Ministry of Industry was able to complete it so quickly."
Chu Fan asked Tang Hongwen to explain in detail how he completed the preliminary product so quickly after getting the drawings.
Tang Hongwen recounted to Chu Fan the details of what had happened since he had received the blueprints and returned to the Ministry of Industry, even going so far as to describe Zhu Ziyi's situation. Of course, without rubber, the steam locomotive's valves couldn't be completely sealed, causing steam to leak and preventing full operation.
Chu Fan said, "Chu Anping from the Royal Government Affairs Office did the right thing. Those who have made contributions should be rewarded, which will motivate the craftsmen. And regarding the rubber issue, I came here to see if the Ministry of Works has found any rubber, as some was brought back on the ship returning from Japan. I've asked the guards to bring it along, and you can conduct tests in the Ministry of Works later to see if this rubber can solve the sealing problem of steam locomotives."
Upon hearing that Chu Fan had brought rubber, Tang Hongwen's eyes flashed with excitement. You know, manufacturing steam locomotives has become the most pressing task for the Ministry of Industry. And if the Ministry of Industry can solve the sealing problem and build a train that can actually run on tracks, then he, the Minister of Industry, and the entire Ministry of Industry will be remembered in history.
Tang Hongwen quickly knelt and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your care. Please hand over the rubber to the Ministry of Industry. We will do our utmost to complete the steam locomotive as soon as possible."
Seeing Tang Hongwen's eagerness, Chu Fan asked the guards to hand the rubber over to the craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry. Then Tang Hongwen apologized and threw himself into the steam locomotive improvement work. At this time, Chu Fan also wanted to see how the craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry dismantled the big guy in front of them.
After the craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry unscrewed the nuts from the steam locomotive one by one, they arranged for warriors to carefully lift each component to its designated location and place it down. Chu Fan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion as he watched these massive components, which would have required cranes to move on Blue Planet but could now be easily moved by manpower.
After Tang Hongwen replaced all the seals with rubber, he directed the craftsmen to reassemble the steam locomotive. Seeing the efficiency of the work department, Chu Fan couldn't help but sigh: "Strong workers are really useful." Even on Blue Planet, a job that would take two days with a crane could be completed in half a day in this world. It must be said that warriors are indeed very useful for moving large parts.
When all the parts were installed, Tang Hongwen came to Chu Fan and reported respectfully: "Your Majesty, the steam train has been reassembled. Please order the steam train to start a trial run."
If Chu Fan wasn't here, Tang Hongwen wouldn't have been able to go to the palace and summon Chu Fan to the Ministry of Works to issue orders. He, the Minister of Works, could have simply ordered the train to start. But with His Majesty here, the situation was different. If he had directly ordered the steam locomotive to start, it would have been overstepping the imperial authority and disrespectful.
Chu Fan also wanted to see whether the train manufactured by the Ministry of Industry was just for show. After all, no matter how exquisite the appearance was, if it couldn't run, it was just a decoration.
Chu Fan said, "Then start the train to verify it."
After receiving Chu Fan's order, Tang Hongwen said to the workers in the Ministry of Industry: "Start the boiler immediately and light the fire to get the steam train moving."
The craftsmen, receiving the order, moved swiftly, furnaces blazing and steam rising. The massive steam train began to slowly move along the tracks laid by the Ministry of Works, gradually picking up speed with the roar of steam. The train then moved steadily for a distance, coming to a steady stop near the end of the track. Seeing the train truly functioning, the craftsmen cheered.
At this time, Chu Fan also showed a satisfied smile and said to Tang Hongwen: "My dear Tang, the Ministry of Works has made such a great contribution. I will have the Royal Government Affairs Office record this achievement, and all the craftsmen will be rewarded."
Upon hearing this, Tang Hongwen knelt down excitedly to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous reward! The Ministry of Works will work even harder to live up to Your Majesty's expectations."
Chu Fan nodded, glanced at the cheering craftsmen, and turned away without saying anything. Tang Hongwen watched Chu Fan leave, and after he could no longer see him, he joined the cheering crowd.
That evening, Chu Anping of the Royal Government Affairs Office received instructions from Chu Fan and immediately began preparing a list of rewards. When Chu Anping learned that the Ministry of Industry's steam locomotive had successfully completed its trial run, he was very pleased.
As long as there is a steam locomotive, the efficiency of Wei State in transporting materials for disaster relief and marching and fighting will be greatly improved. At that time, no matter it is a natural disaster or a border war, Wei State can respond quickly and supplies can reach the designated location quickly.
Chu Anping immediately summoned the six ministers and Prime Minister Cao Mengde to the Royal Government Affairs Office to discuss follow-up matters to ensure that the steam locomotive was fully operational and enhance national strength.
After Cao Mengde, Mu Yundian, and the others arrived, Chu Anping began, "I called everyone here today because the Ministry of Works' steam locomotive successfully completed its test run under the witness of His Majesty. This is not only an honor for the Ministry of Works, but also a major advancement for the State of Wei. His Majesty has sent someone to have our Royal Government Affairs Office develop a detailed reward plan to ensure that the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works receive the due rewards. At the same time, we must also ensure that the steam locomotive is put into practical use as soon as possible to enhance our country's transportation capacity."
Chu Anping then said to Tang Hongwen, "Then let Minister Tang explain the specific details of the steam locomotive to everyone in detail."
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