I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1423 A Thriving Empire

This LJ98 was salvaged from a French train that was damaged in an accident and purchased at a high price by a Hessian businessman from the London Steam Engine Company two years ago.

As Joseph requested, low- and medium-power steam engines were sold in large quantities to Britain, but the latest high-power steam engines were prohibited from sale.

However, France had already built a train repair factory in Baden at that time, so the LJ98, which was used as a train power source, would often appear in the German region, making it impossible to keep it completely secret. The French government turned a blind eye to this.

However, even with readily available references, Watt and his team of British technicians could only replicate 70% of the power output of the French product.

This was only achieved last year after they purchased high-hardness bearings and alloy steel end mills from France.

Actually, they are already very impressive in this era.

After all, Britain didn't have a "superhuman" person who could help finalize the high-pressure boiler route when the steam engine was first being developed, nor would it have started investing heavily in the research and development of alloy steel and high-precision machining before the first generation of steam engines went into production.

When the development of the steam engine encountered bottlenecks, these technologies immediately provided strong support.

Watt's research and development of high-pressure steam engines was more than a decade ahead of historical progress, but he was still far behind the French.

Avoiding the gazes of the high-ranking officials, Watt instructed his assistant to start the prototype.

The boiler had been heated for a while, so after only a few minutes, the Engine70, which was placed in the middle of the room, began to make a dull "creaking" sound, and the spindle slowly began to rotate.

Soon, the British high-ranking officials watched as the huge flywheel hanging on the steam engine spun rapidly like a windmill, and they all nodded and applauded.

It has been six years since the last news of a "breakthrough in high-pressure steam engine technology," during which time there was even a boiler explosion. Now, it has finally been successfully developed. This is not only a matter of technology and economics, but has even become a matter of pride.

After the steam engine had been running smoothly for 20 minutes, Peter Jr. received confirmation from the technical advisor of the Government Investment Fund Committee before instructing his assistant to let in the reporters and onlookers.

Soon, under the watchful eyes of a large number of reporters and the public, Pitt Jr. first praised the achievements of the London Steam Engine Company, then, as was customary, touted British technology, before gesturing to the newly appointed Chairman of the Government Investment Funds Committee, Henry Bathurst.

The latter bowed to the Prime Minister, then went to the makeshift platform, exchanged a few brief pleasantries, and loudly announced: "The London Steam Engine Company will manufacture a train based on the Engine 70 within a year."

"And the Government Investment Fund has approved a plan to invest in the construction of a railway from Stockton to Linton!"

Excited cheers erupted from the crowd.

They had long heard that France had developed advanced steam locomotives that were incredibly fast and could transport thousands of loads of goods at a time. Now, Britain finally had one too.

This time, the British investment fund also put in its savings, investing a total of £36, plus £12 raised from the public, to build this railway which is less than 30 kilometers long.

This cost more than double that of building a railway of the same length in France. Unfortunately, France spread the railway costs across Italy and Germany, and even had free prisoner-of-war labor available – something Britain, in its infancy, could never match.

However, the British had their own plans: to adopt the French railway standards wholesale. This would ensure technological maturity and allow them to sell trains and railway components to German countries that also used the French standards.

The British, who had absolutely no experience in train development, had no idea that the Engine 70 could only power the train at a speed of about 20 kilometers per hour unless the number of carriages was reduced to less than 10.

Furthermore, due to disadvantages in machining, the Engine70 is extremely large and cannot currently be directly mounted on a train. However, these factors have not diminished Britain's beautiful dream of the train era.

The ceremony lasted until noon before ending in a festive atmosphere.

After the reporters had gradually dispersed, Prince Adolphus beckoned Watt to him and praised him:
"Your wisdom and skill have given steel a soul and brought glory to the empire."

"I think I must reward your brilliant mind. Please tell me, what do you want?"

A glint of light flashed in Watt's weary eyes, and he quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you so much, Your Highness. Anything is fine—money, a house, or even better, your help to forgive my debts."

Yes, he lacks almost everything now.

Previously, he had to pay huge compensation due to the company's large-scale defaults, which left him with debts that were almost impossible to repay, to the point that his mansion was seized by creditors.

He was actually quite lucky, as the British government still needed his skills and allowed him to stay and work for the steam engine company. As for Bolton, he had gone abroad to avoid his debts several years ago and hadn't been heard from for a long time.

After bidding farewell to the Prince, Little Pete had just returned to 10 Downing Street when Deputy Speaker Crocker rushed over to him excitedly, saying, "It's passed, Your Excellency! This morning Parliament finally passed the 'Manchester Lighting Improvement Bill'!"

The proposal he was referring to was actually a plan to install gas streetlights in Manchester. However, gas streetlights are currently taboo in the UK, so they had to be replaced with "lighting improvement".

Just six months ago, the UK's Fuel Council completed the industrial distillation technology for coal tar after spending more than £30 on research and development.

However, a large number of British MPs still oppose the installation of gas streetlights – many of whom suffered heavy losses in the previous Lightning Coal bankruptcy.

Thanks to Peter Jr.'s difficult efforts, Parliament has finally agreed to conduct a pilot program in Manchester.

Meanwhile, Lille in northwestern France has already begun installing gas streetlights and plans to add 11 more cities with gas streetlights by the end of next year—thanks to economies of scale, the cost of installing gas streetlights in France has become very low.

Little Pete also showed a rare moment of ease: "This is all thanks to your continued push in Parliament. Once Manchester's nights are lit up, the resistance to lighting improvements in London will be much lower."

He then added, "You should focus your efforts on pushing forward the proposal to build a new drainage system for London."

"Please leave it to me, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."

According to Pitt Jr.'s vision, once Britain had railways, gas streetlights, drainage, and running water, it would be able to roughly catch up with France's technological progress.

Although it was a few years... or even more than a decade later, with the same foundation, there was a possibility of overtaking.

No one told him that the French were now playing with things like batteries and vulcanized rubber.

　Another year has passed, and it seems the Crown Prince has already spent three years with everyone. Time really flies! The Crown Prince wishes everyone:

　　Troubles run away like wild horses, good fortune gallops in like a thousand-mile steed. Work brings effortless success, life gallops on with renewed vigor. May you be healthy and energetic like a dragon and a horse. Wishing you great fortune in the Year of the Horse, and good health to your whole family!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)