Chapter 408 Steam Locomotive
Good news always comes in succession.
original……
The completion of Idar Public University made Bruno particularly excited.
And now, the tools led by Arnel have brought Bruno a bigger surprise.
Bruno had actually discussed the steam engine with Arnel and others a long time ago, but... although this thing that was born during the Industrial Revolution sounds simple, it is not easy at all when you actually start to build it.
Boring machine, cylinder, mold, gas pipe, condenser...
Which of these things doesn’t require design and development from scratch?
Which one doesn’t require a lot of manpower and material resources to improve and produce? It all takes time, and a lot of time!
You have to know that everything in the Principality of Idar was created from scratch, bit by bit, by the hands of mages and craftsmen.
Different from other mage schools, mages are regarded as the chosen ones.
In the Principality of Idar, mages are just a special profession. They can indeed enjoy a higher social status than ordinary people, but they are no different from other people.
After all, mages' control over magic is innate, and they can only be considered lucky.
And as the wonder bonus of the Great Lighthouse continues to take effect, in the past year, more than fifty children with magical talents have been born in the city of Idar alone.
But,
The skills of the craftsmen are acquired through their own efforts, and they are gained through their own hard work and sweat.
Between a wizard and a craftsman, neither is much nobler than the other.
Even under Bruno's deliberate guidance, skilled craftsmen can often gain more respect.
so……
During this period of time, the mages led by Anel have gradually formed a tacit understanding with the skilled craftsmen.
The craftsmen are responsible for designing complex construction drawings, while the mages are responsible for creating various parts through magical industrial means to provide backup support for the craftsmen's research.
For example, the "Holden" brand bicycles that are now popular in the Principality of Idar were developed and produced with such cooperation.
As for steam locomotives...
Although Bruno had always hoped that the steam engine could be put into use in the Principality of Idar as soon as possible, he also knew that the production and assembly of various parts was by no means an easy task.
But what he didn't expect was that with just a few words of advice from him, the mages and craftsmen actually built a steam engine! "You mean... the steam engine has been developed and can be installed on a train?"
Bruno suppressed his joy and confirmed it again and again.
Although he still had no idea why the Duke called this steam locomotive a "train", Arnel nodded seriously: "That's right!"
"Then take me to see it!" Bruno said quickly.
For Bruno, the arrival of the steam locomotive was undoubtedly great news. It was like someone delivering a pillow to him when he wanted to take a nap. It solved a pressing problem that Bruno was facing now - the employment problem of the refugees.
It is well known that in the process of establishing the Idar Public University, Bruno accepted a large number of refugees and made them work on this land.
But you have to know... building wonders cannot be the lifelong work of these refugees.
Therefore, during the process of building the wonder, the supervisors responsible for supervising the progress of the construction will also make a comprehensive evaluation and score the performance of these refugees.
Factories and workshops that need to recruit workers will recruit capable people based on these workers' daily performance and the ratings they receive.
In most cases, when a wonder is completed, most of the workers have found a suitable place to work, can obtain a stable source of income, and take root in this land.
But……
Idar Public University is much larger than other wonders, and naturally a lot more people were mobilized for its construction.
So much so that even though public universities have been built today, nearly half of the staff still have not found suitable jobs.
Therefore, both old Ford, who was in charge of the Government Affairs Office, and Lister, who was in charge of the Idar Immigration Administration, were overwhelmed during this period, and even began to actively suggest to Bruno that he build a few more wonders in order to provide enough jobs.
And today, the news that the steam locomotive was successfully completed undoubtedly provided the workers with another possibility - building railways!
Now that the steam locomotive has been built, the construction of railways must be put on the agenda.
Starting from Fort Mann in the south and ending at Valens Plain in the north, if such a railway running through the Principality of Idar from north to south is built, then the entire Principality of Idar will benefit greatly from it, whether it is the dispatch of soldiers or the transportation of goods! Nowadays, the army of the Principality of Idar is mainly scattered in Idar City, Fort Mann, Fort Namur, Valens Plain and other places. If a war breaks out, it will inevitably take some time to dispatch the army.
But if the rails can be laid smoothly and the steam locomotive can be built and put into operation, then every corner of the entire Idar Principality will be closely connected! ...
The prototype of the steam locomotive has been placed by the wizards and craftsmen in the square in front of the Radcliffe Reading Room, covered with a black curtain.
All around were craftsmen and mages who were involved in the development of the steam locomotive. Looking around, there were more than a hundred people there.
"This gift from you...seems to have been planned for a long time!" Bruno said to himself.
Hearing this, Arnel chuckled and scratched his head.
"Open it and take a look!"
"clear!"
Upon hearing the order from their lord the Duke, the craftsmen beside the prototype car excitedly lifted the curtain covering the car body, and a huge black thing immediately came into Bruno's sight.
Since it was just a prototype, the craftsmen didn't pay too much attention to the appearance. It was covered with spliced steel plates and screws, making it look particularly ferocious.
To others, this may just be a strange-looking lump of iron, which may even look a little scary.
But in Bruno's eyes, this big guy is particularly kind. You know, this is the source of power for the Principality of Idar for a long time in the future!
Bruno walked up, tapped on the steel plate, and asked, "Can this thing run?"
"able!"
Arnel followed Bruno closely, even pushing Mundell aside, and said confidently:
"We have conducted tests near the foothills of Mount Almis. As long as we lay rails under this steam locomotive, it will not only be fast, but also be able to carry a lot of cargo."
To be honest, when the prototype of the steam locomotive was officially launched, even Arnel himself was shocked.
after all……
The vast majority of design and research and development work is done by craftsmen from the Principality of Idar, and the main task of the mages is to manufacture the corresponding magical machines and produce the parts needed to build magical motorcycles.
In fact, Anel and the mages had never seen the complete blueprints until the steam locomotive was officially put into use.
So... when the steam locomotive finally roared and gradually accelerated on the rails of the test site, almost all the mages were confused.
They had unknowingly created such a huge thing together with the craftsmen! Arnel originally thought that Bruno would also be surprised and praise it repeatedly.
However……
Bruno's face did not show any surprise, and he still had a calm and peaceful expression.
In fact, Bruno was also very excited, but when he thought of the train in his previous life... his excitement faded a little.
Well, it's just barely passable, but it's okay...
"That being said...it's really good!"
Bruno nodded slightly.
As expected of the Duke! No matter what happens, he can keep a normal state of mind! "All the craftsmen and mages who participated in the development of steam engines and the construction of steam locomotives will be rewarded with an additional 20 gold coins each! In addition, a list must be drawn up within three days, and rewards and commendations will be given based on the size of their contributions!" Bruno said in a deep voice.
To be honest, perhaps twenty gold coins are nothing to Bruno.
But……
For ordinary civilian craftsmen, this is already a huge sum of money!
Almost as soon as Bruno finished speaking, everyone present smiled and couldn't help laughing happily.
"but……"
Looking at the excited craftsmen in front of him, Bruno changed the subject and continued:
"The successful development of the steam engine does not mean the end of the scientific research mission. The improvement of the steam engine and the reduction of losses... these aspects require continuous research and experiments. As long as you work hard, the Principality of Idar will not treat you unfairly."
Seeing this, the craftsmen's smiles faded a little, and most of them nodded seriously.
"Don't worry, Your Excellency the Duke. We have already made some progress not only in steam engines, but also in the vehicles powered by magic that you mentioned," Arnel said seriously.
Hearing this, Bruno nodded with satisfaction and said nothing more.
In fact, before developing the steam engine, Bruno had other ideas in his mind, such as... directly skipping the steam locomotive and developing a magic train powered by magic.
only……
This idea did not last long and was rejected by Bruno without hesitation.
A magic-driven train certainly sounds more high-end and classy, but both the cost and the difficulty of research and development are much higher.
And...if it is used to transport goods and troops, a steam locomotive is actually more than sufficient.
If it is driven by magic power, then the amount of magic power required is definitely a huge amount, and the only solution Bruno can think of is to combine the magic transmission system with the railway.
But……
Use magic crystals and source stones to lay rails...
Even though the Principality of Idar is wealthy today, it cannot spend money like this.
In addition, bulk cargo does not require very high speeds, and the construction cost is naturally as low as possible. Therefore, after repeated considerations, the plan of giving priority to the research and development and production of steam locomotives was decided.
but……
This does not mean that the magic-driven solution has been abandoned by the Idar people.
Including Bruno, almost all the mages and craftsmen who know the relevant aspects have a dream of making a car! But this "car" does not refer to a train that can roar on the rails, but a magical car that can achieve four-wheel drive! It is a magical chariot that can be equipped to the Idar army! It is a brand new creation that can make the Principality of Idar achieve a leap forward!
Just imagine, if the above ideas can be realized in the future, then the entire Principality of Idar will undergo a radical change! Not only the Principality of Idar, but the situation of the entire continent will also undergo a huge change!
"Also... we may need to establish an Idar Railway Administration in the near future, and we will send a few capable civil servants to study and investigate."
Bruno thought for a moment and added, "Also... I plan to hold an opening ceremony at Idar Public University at the end of the month. Your steam locomotive is one of the most important inventions since the establishment of the public university. At that time, we may have to commend the mages and craftsmen who have made outstanding contributions. You should prepare in advance."
Taking advantage of the completion of Idar Public University and the arrival of steam locomotives, Bruno intends to promote them well and cultivate the Idar people's spirit of hard work and craftsmanship as soon as possible.
Hearing this, Arnel quickly agreed: "As you wish, Your Excellency the Duke!"
Perhaps before this, Anel didn't care about ordinary craftsmen and was proud of being a wizard.
But the experiences during this period have changed his view and made him realize clearly that even ordinary people who cannot use magic can also create amazing miracles.
Moreover, if more Idar people can be encouraged to engage in scientific research through further publicity, the pressure on Anel's shoulders will undoubtedly be much lighter.
…
From the Radcliffe Reading Room to Hertford Bridge, to the Bodleian Library, Alexandria Library and other buildings included in the campus...
The campus of Idar Public University is so vast that by the evening he had not yet completed his tour of the entire campus.
From time to time on the road, one can see great engineers who participated in the construction of the campus. Perhaps Bruno did not know them, but none of these great engineers did not know the young duke in front of them.
Almost as soon as they saw Bruno, these usually extremely arrogant engineers would come running over to ask Bruno about his well-being, and also try to find out the construction time of the next wonder indirectly.
You know, even though they personally participated in the construction of Idar Public University, they also felt deeply moved by the vast campus in front of them.
No one wants their name to be praised by the world, and as participants in the construction of Idar Public University, they are naturally grateful to Bruno for his promise at that time. (See Chapter 307 for details) So when Bruno smiled and dealt with these great engineers and returned to the main entrance of the campus...night had already fallen, and the lights in Idar Public University behind him were already lit up.
Those solemn and elegant campus buildings appear even more magnificent under the light, making people feel awe.
Above his head was the brilliant starry sky in the night, and the bright moonlight was pouring down. Looking at the scene in front of him...the scene in which Bruno had seen gods tearing the sky apart in the film seemed to be replaying before his eyes again.
"Mondale..."
Bruno suddenly said.
"Yes, Your Excellency the Duke."
"Do you think...Captain Hausen can come back safely?"
"With the Duke's protection, they will definitely be able to come back!" Mundell seemed to see that Bruno was worried and said carefully.
"I hope so..."
Thanks to book friends "Rotsen", "Meat Cuisine", "Twenty-four Bridges Moonlight Night" and "Lynching" for their rewards!
(End of this chapter)
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