Chapter 148 Talent Introduction in Nanhua (Third update, please subscribe)
While large amounts of Deville silver were transformed into gold pounds, gold francs and gold marks, they were also transformed into large quantities of machinery, equipment and ships.
The Liverpool's "Great Eastern" was one of them. In the past half month, thousands of tons of cargo had been loaded into its hold, including steam engines, machine tools and various other mechanical equipment produced in countries such as Britain, France and Prussia.
Just half a month ago, the Great Eastern, known as the "British Miracle", changed its owner. Soon it set sail for the New World, but unlike usual, its tickets were no longer available for sale. At the dock of the Great Shipping Company, although the ticket office window was closed, there was still a queue in front of the checkpoint. Without exception, they all carried luggage, and many of them had children with them. They were not visitors, but engineers hired by Buffett from various European countries.
In the crowd, Will Lawth would always turn his eyes to the giant ship. Even though he was Irish, he was amazed every time he saw the ship. He would always imagine the scene of such a huge ship sailing in the huge waves. What a spectacular scene that would be!
As a ship engineer, he knew clearly that this ship was a masterpiece in the history of shipbuilding.
"Philip, look, it's the Great Eastern, the largest ship ever built by mankind!"
“Bigger than Noah’s Ark?”
Philip Rouse asked, standing next to his father. However, at the age of twelve, he should have done the same as others, entering the shipyard as a shipbuilding apprentice, and after completing his term, he would go to engineering college to study for a few years, and finally work in the shipyard like his father.
But now, he has left here like his father.
"Father, did you also participate in the construction of the Great Eastern?"
"Yes, with Mr. William Froude, who was asked by Mr. Brooke to sort out the Great Eastern's rocking problem, but, you know..."
Suddenly, Will Routh paused and stopped talking.
"An Irishman in England is never going to be treated fairly is he?"
Someone next to him suddenly interrupted.
"This is how they treat the Irish. No matter what talents you have, you are nothing to the English. My friend, I am also Irish and an engineer, but I am a railway engineer. But you know, here we can only do odd jobs for them. Only in the New World, in the New World, will we have our chance!"
Claude Kahn wrote to Will Routh.
"My name is Will Routh, and I'm a railroad engineer. I guess we're all the same, new employees hired by the American Company, right?"
"Ah, my name is Will Routh, and I'm a naval architect! Yes, I'm also an employee of the company."
Among the crowded crowd were engineers, skilled workers, translators, Irish, French, Prussians, and of course, their families. These people from all over the world would take this giant ship to the New World.
As for whether they will come back?
No one knows, but one thing is certain: the Great Eastern never returned to Liverpool after that. As for this exclusive dock, it was just an ordinary dock in the following years and never welcomed this giant ship again.
A few days later, the huge ship, known as the "Floating City on the Sea", finally sailed out of Liverpool. There were still many people standing at the dock, looking at it with a little sadness, as if they wanted to remember what it looked like...
While the English were reluctant to part with the "Great Eastern", Zhu Xianhai, who was far away on the other side of the ocean, once again stood in front of the model of the "Great Eastern".
“What a huge ship!”
While sighing, Zhu Xianhai was actually thinking in his heart.
Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Great Eastern is undoubtedly the world's largest ship, but it is also a famous commercial burden. Its huge hull should have brought economies of scale, but due to poor management and continuous bad luck, it never made a penny for shareholders, and even made the shipowners lose their underwear. Of course, this is why Zhu Xianhai was able to buy it for only 230,000 pounds, which is almost the price of scrap iron. After all, a ton of wrought iron costs 5 pounds, and its iron hull uses 3 million rivets and 30,000 iron plates.
Perhaps, for the British, the "Great Eastern" was a money-losing ship. However, for South China, the "Great Eastern" with a displacement of 27,700 tons was an excellent choice for transporting immigrants.
"My lord, this is the Great Eastern."
Sun Muli looked at the huge model on the table curiously.
"I heard that this ship is a hundred feet long! Isn't it about the same size as a small city?"
Unlike many people, Sun Muli is an official!
As a native of Shandong, he waited in the capital for two years and finally got the vacancy in Jiangxi. He took great trouble to go via Shanghai and wanted to go to Jiangxi from Zhejiang. However, before he could take office, he was kidnapped by the Taiping rebels. He was thought to be dead, but he was sold to Nanhua, and before he knew it, he became the magistrate of Nanhua.
Sometimes fate is so magical.
"Yes, Weilin, isn't it amazing that such a huge steel ship can float on the sea? It can carry 4,000 passengers. If it is equipped with multi-layer beds and public areas such as banquet halls are converted into living areas, it can accommodate at least 30,000 to 40,000 people. However, the space must be a bit crowded. You have been on an immigration ship, what do you think of the environment there?"
How is the environment?
Instantly, Sun Muli thought of the two months he spent on the ship, squeezed into a bed less than two feet high and six feet long, which lasted more than two months! Not to mention moving around, even pooping had to be eliminated.
Those days... were simply a nightmare.
After thinking about it, Sun Muli said.
"Alas, we have already escaped from the jaws of death, how dare we ask for anything extravagant? If it weren't for the kindness of the lord, who was willing to spend his family fortune to redeem us from the long-haired people, I'm afraid we would have lost our lives long ago. The lord's kindness of saving my life, I would never be able to repay you even if I die!"
Look, this is what it means to speak!
As expected, I am an official trained in the "Tartar Qing" officialdom. I know how to be grateful!
There would be no harm without trade... No, without trade, they would have died long ago. Speaking of which, Zhu Xianhai really was their savior. He felt that his image suddenly became much taller, yet at the same time he felt regretful.
"It's a pity that the journey is too long. I don't know how many people died at sea!"
I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
