bookrandom Chapter 140: Step 1 of developing the Industrial Revolution is stuck!
Chapter 140: Step 1 of developing the Industrial Revolution is stuck!
Li Shimin looked comfortable and satisfied, holding one of his daughters in each hand.
The three of them subconsciously touched their stomachs and slowly walked out of Zhao Laohan's Restaurant.
Surprisingly, this meal didn't cost a penny.
It was not that Li Shimin had the intention of eating and drinking for free and trying to take advantage of others.
In fact, in that situation, he realized that if he insisted on paying, the enthusiasm and almost stubbornness of the people around him made him feel like he was about to be beaten by the crowd.
Of course, he didn't really want to pay out of his own pocket.
After all, for so long, Li Shimin had never had the habit of carrying money with him.
This time, he was more curious and tempted.
He wanted to see if the token given to him by Haodaer was useful in Xianyang City.
Looking at the image of the fat man engraved on the token, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
What kind of influence and role can this fat man exert in Xianyang City?
Although Li Shimin had never met this fat man, he had heard some rumors about him.
I heard that although he had never entered the court as an official, he was undoubtedly his eldest son's right-hand man, in charge of all the wealth and financial affairs under his name.
A trace of doubt arose in Li Shimin's heart about such a talented person in finance.
Since he was the right-hand man of his eldest son, why didn't his eldest son recruit him into the court to share the heavy pressure of government affairs?
In the Liangyi Hall, Li Chengqian was sitting opposite Mr. Qi, discussing with serious expressions the important matters concerning the future direction and development path of the Tang Dynasty.
The decision-making process for many matters is often based on Li Chengqian's wisdom and foresight to come up with novel and unique ideas and concepts.
Then Mr. Qi made full use of his outstanding talents and rich experience, and worked hard to gradually turn these ideas into reality.
And now, they are facing an extremely difficult and troublesome critical juncture - the research and development and manufacturing of steam engines.
Until now, this magical steam engine with huge transformative potential has not been successfully invented and created on the land of the Tang Dynasty.
At present, although the agricultural development of the Tang Dynasty has a certain foundation and scale, the gap between it and the industrial development that can bring about earth-shaking changes is completely incomparable.
Li Chengqian knew for sure that only by firmly embarking on the path of industrial development could the Tang Dynasty truly achieve national strength and rise.
In order to deal with the long-standing problem of aristocratic families that has plagued the Tang Dynasty, he has sent Qin Ruzhao, Xue Rengui and Zhang Xianhuai to deal with it with all his strength.
Li Chengqian had already made an estimate and judgment in his mind about the possible consequences after the handling.
He knew that once a large-scale rectification action was taken against the aristocratic families, local government affairs and people's livelihood economy would most likely fall into a state of large-scale shutdown and chaos.
For a long time, the power of the aristocratic families in the local areas has been intertwined, like a huge and complex web. When this web is suddenly touched and dismantled, the huge state machine of the Tang Dynasty will inevitably fall into a period of stagnation and adjustment.
After losing the strong control of the government and the constraints of the traditional order of the aristocratic families.
Among the people who have been suffering for a long time, it is inevitable that some people will stand up against the rule of the court because they can no longer bear the current situation or are instigated and misled by people with ulterior motives.
This is almost an inevitable law of historical development and is difficult to avoid.
Even if we try to adopt the expedient measure of having local people temporarily hold official positions and govern the people by the people, it is only a temporary solution and it is difficult to solve the problem fundamentally.
Without complete and sound laws as a solid backing and code of conduct, people in a chaotic and disorderly environment are no different from beasts.
Compared with the cruel and ruthless oppression and exploitation of the aristocratic families, the lives of the common people may be slightly better than before.
At least when faced with difficulties, they have the freedom to choose to escape.
Li Chengqian was not overly worried about the chaos in the world.
In his opinion, as long as the cancer of the aristocratic families that was eroding the foundation of the Tang Dynasty could be completely eliminated, it would be worthwhile and feasible even if it took time and energy to sort out and rectify them later.
Whenever he thought of this, he would always feel a sense of guilt and pity for the people from the bottom of his heart. In this process, the people still had to endure many hardships and difficulties.
And if you want to significantly shorten the duration of this painful suffering, or even make it disappear completely.
In Li Chengqian's understanding, there is only one way to go - to make every effort to promote the arrival of the industrial revolution.
As long as the steam engine can be successfully invented and manufactured, the booming development of the textile industry can be greatly accelerated.
As the core tool for the development of the textile industry, the emergence of textile machines will naturally promote the establishment and rise of textile factories.
By then, people would no longer have to worry about not having cotton clothes to keep out the cold in winter.
With the further development and upgrading of the textile industry, with textile machines as the foundation and preparation, sewing machines, a more advanced and efficient clothing-making tool, will inevitably emerge.
The widespread use of sewing machines will greatly promote the development of the entire society.
Garment factories will continue to emerge in this wave. At the same time, the coal mining industry will be able to use the power of steam engines to reduce its dependence on and demand for large amounts of manpower.
If the Tang Dynasty wants to seek development, the top priority is to properly resolve the contradiction and balance between supply and demand.
But it is precisely this first step, which seems simple but is actually extremely difficult, that has caused them to work hard until now but still unable to take it successfully.
Li Chengqian also patiently explained the working principle of the steam engine to the craftsmen in Xianyang many times. However, because this concept was too novel and advanced, it was far from the traditional knowledge system and cognitive scope of the Tang Dynasty craftsmen.
After hearing this, they were completely confused and had no idea how this magical steam engine could be produced.
Later, I finally understood what Li Chengqian meant, but it was limited by the materials and many other reasons.
The steam engine has not yet been invented.
"Mr. Qi, the steam engine must be produced!"
Li Chengqian's words were powerful, without any hesitation or wavering.
Mr. Qi frowned slightly, his face full of helplessness and embarrassment.
"Your Majesty, I have done my best to find solutions and implement the many policies you have implemented."
"But this steam engine is truly a novelty that has never been seen before."
“It will take time to manufacture it.”
"For many years, the Xianyang Industry Department has worked together, constantly exploring and trying, but to this day, this steam engine has not been successfully launched."
"This costs the Qianyu Chamber of Commerce a huge amount of money every year. If it weren't for the fact that this is a project that Your Majesty personally proposed and highly values, given Fatty Lin's cautious and meticulous nature, he would have given up long ago."
Having said that, Mr. Qi sighed.
"Mr. Qi, how advanced is the steam engine of the Xianyang Industry Department now?"
Li Chengqian stared at Mr. Qi with burning eyes.
Mr. Qi raised his head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "According to Cui Dayong's report, the basic concept and design ideas for the steam engine that Your Majesty proposed earlier have been largely realized."
"We have now successfully identified and confirmed the metal materials suitable for manufacturing steam engines, and we have also found a solution to the key problem of high-temperature resistance."
"The most challenging aspects of the transmission and boiler structures have been successfully overcome through the craftsmen's tireless research and repeated experiments."
"There's only one last thorny obstacle left to resolve."
Having said that, Mr. Qi paused slightly and continued with a serious expression.
“The sealing of the cylinder has not been properly and effectively solved.”
"The sealing material currently used is cowhide, but this cowhide will crack and damage after the steam engine runs for a period of time, making it difficult to meet the requirements of long-term stable operation."
"Sealing."
Li Chengqian murmured softly, his brows furrowed, and he fell into deep thought.
When it comes to sealing, the first thing that comes to his mind is rubber.
Rubber is an indispensable key material in the process of industrial development. I didn’t expect that it is now also needed in the manufacture of steam engines.
This rubber is taken from rubber trees, which grow in tropical regions.
Although there are places in the Tang Dynasty where the climatic conditions are suitable for the growth of rubber trees, there are definitely no rubber trees!
"Are the envoys from Johor (now Malaysia) still studying in the Tang Dynasty?"
Li Chengqian's eyes suddenly lit up and he asked anxiously.
"Yes, Your Majesty, the envoys from various countries are now studying diligently in our Tang Dynasty!"
Mr. Qi quickly responded respectfully.
"Alright! Go and call the Johor envoy to me immediately. I know how to solve the sealing problem!"
A long-lost joy appeared on Li Chengqian's face, and his words were full of excitement.
Listening to Li Chengqian's words, a barely perceptible look of shock flashed across Mr. Qi's eyes, but he quickly forced himself to suppress the emotion and returned to his usual composure.
"I will go and call the Johor envoy to Tang Dynasty right away!" Mr. Qi bowed and turned away quickly.