Red Mansion Taoist

Chapter 318 Machine
The cement issue was handled by the cabinet, and the Daqian court was running smoothly and doing things very steadily.

Li Qiang just waits for the result and he won't interfere too much.

In governing Daqian, he adhered to the principle of focusing on major issues and letting go of minor ones, and let the cabinet handle government affairs on his behalf, as he did not want to work too hard himself.

But he had a lot of things to do, so after returning to the East Palace, he summoned three master craftsmen.

The Grand Craftsman was a fifth-rank official position newly established in the court after Daqian reformed the craftsman household system, and was also the highest-ranking craftsman household in Daqian.

There were only ten master craftsmen in the first batch, who were jointly selected by the Ministry of Works and the Cabinet. Each of them was a top master craftsman.

The three master craftsmen entered the main hall of the East Palace and immediately knelt on the ground.

"Stand up!" Li Qiang waved his hand and said.

The three master craftsmen stood up, and their eyes were filled with fanaticism as they looked at Li Qiang.

It was Li Qiang in front of him who changed the status of the craftsmen, elevating the status of the humble craftsmen so that they would no longer be discriminated against and had the rights that ordinary people should have.

Not to mention, their fifth-rank official status was obtained thanks to Crown Prince Li Qiang.

"Please sit down first. I called you here to build something. I have already drawn the blueprints, but they still need three master craftsmen to study them in detail to make them more practical!" Li Qiang said as he took out several blueprints.

He handed the drawings to three master craftsmen, who carefully took them.

The three of them looked at the blueprint. There was a strange machine drawn on the blueprint. They couldn't understand what it was used for no matter how hard they looked at it.

"This is a steam engine. Water is injected here and heated here. Then the steam pushes the piston, causing the pull rod to move..." Li Qiang began to explain the principle of the steam engine.

In his previous life, the steam engine had long been eliminated, and the steam engine he remembered was a scaled-down toy he had bought.

But although it was a toy, the principle was no different, which allowed him to draw the blueprint of a steam engine.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to draw more advanced engine blueprints, but this world doesn’t even have gasoline and diesel.

Of course, the problem of gasoline and diesel is easy to solve. Daqian is so big that it shouldn't be difficult to find oil.

However, the steel materials needed for diesel and gasoline engines are beyond the reach of Daqian today.

Therefore, the steam engine is the best choice. Starting with the steam engine, you can prepare large machines driven by steam engines and build a factory composed of large-scale machines.

"Your Highness, do you want just one of this, or do you need it manufactured in large quantities?" Master Craftsman Wang asked after thinking for a moment.

"What's the difference?" Li Qiang asked curiously.

"If you only need one, the three of us can spend some time to make it. But if you want to manufacture it in large quantities, this thing is too delicate and there are not many craftsmen who can make it!" Master Craftsman Wang replied respectfully.

Only then did Li Qiang realize that the workpieces made by the craftsmen at this time were mostly based on experience.

"Wait a minute!" he said to the three master craftsmen.

He took out the paper and started drawing on it.

The three master craftsmen continued to look at the drawings in their hands. After listening to Li Qiang's introduction, they became more and more clear about the operation of the steam engine. However, they could not imagine that steam alone could drive the machine to operate.

"This is the tool I designed. Use the standard ruler of the Ministry of Industry to accurately locate the size. For parts to be processed in the future, the precise dimensions must be marked on the large drawings. After processing, these tools must be inspected!" Li Qiang handed the drawings she had just drawn to the three master craftsmen and explained.

The three master craftsmen took over the blueprint, which contained several tool designs.

Among them are vernier calipers, height gauges, depth gauges, micrometers, etc., which are all measuring tools from previous lives.

"Your Highness is very talented. With these tools, craftsmen can simply measure the quality of the parts they make to see if they are up to standard!" Master Craftsman Wang praised after looking at the design drawings.

"With tools like these, craftsmen can constantly measure during the manufacturing process, know how to perform processing, and improve their yield rate!" Master Wu also talked about the benefits of these tools.

"You should manufacture the steam engine first. This is the top priority. Many designs in the future will be centered around the steam engine!" Li Qiang said with a smile.

He knew that these tools were useful. They were tools that had stood the test of time and survived. Each tool was a reflection of modern technology.

The three master craftsmen happily left with the blueprints. Li Qiang then gave orders to the Ministry of Industry, asking them to cooperate with the three master craftsmen.

As soon as the three master craftsmen returned, they called their best apprentices, and they spent two days studying the drawings.

Two days later, three master craftsmen and more than ten apprentices began to manufacture the steam engine.

Incentives from the new artisan household system and out of gratitude to Crown Prince Li Qiang, their enthusiasm was extremely high.

They worked day and night, taking a short break when they were tired, and never leaving the site even for meals.

Ten days later, the first steam engine was built.

Li Qiang did not expect that the three master craftsmen could work so quickly. When he saw the red eyes of the three master craftsmen, he understood why the three master craftsmen could build the steam engine so quickly.

The steam engine was sent to the East Palace. Jin Dong was curiously surrounding the steam engine. He didn't understand what this thing was used for.

Li Qiang was also looking at the steam engine. Seeing modern industrial machines in this era, he felt a strange feeling in his heart.

This world has immortals and magic, and now he has brought technology to this world. No one knows how this world will develop.

But no matter what, the Daqian in this world will no longer be bullied and will surely stand at the top of the world!
"Master Craftsman Wang, the test begins!" Li Qiang gave the order in a deep voice.

Master Craftsman Wang nodded, and he began to add water to the steam engine in an orderly manner, and then lit the coal to heat the steam engine.

When steam appeared above the steam engine, he turned the flywheel hard.

As the flywheel turned, a series of banging sounds came from the steam engine.

When Master Craftsman Wang let go of his hand, the power inside the steam engine continued to drive the flywheel, and the steam engine made a huge noise.

"What kind of monster is this?" Jin Dong was shocked and asked.

"The noise is a bit loud, and there's also a problem with the cylinder seal!" Li Qiang came to the steam engine, began to check one by one, and pointed out the problems.

The three master craftsmen wrote down his suggestions and prepared to solve them after returning.

"As for the problem of loud noise, you can use some grease to lubricate it!" Li Qiang also put forward some suggestions for improvement that she knew of.

But overall he was extremely satisfied. The fact that the steam engine could run showed that its manufacturing was successful.

"Your next task is to combine the steam engine with the textile machine, use the steam engine as power, and let the textile machine weave cloth automatically!" Li Qiang went on to state the next goal.

This was his purpose. The steam loom was an epoch-making industrial product. Inventing the steam loom earlier than the West would bring Daqian an extremely important technological advantage.

Once the steam loom is successful, large textile mills can be opened to produce huge quantities of cloth every day. The production cost will be ridiculously low, and the output will far exceed that of this era.

This kind of cloth is an important weapon for Li Qiang to use against other countries. In addition to benefiting the people of Daqian, he plans to export these low-cost cloths in large quantities to foreign countries and earn huge profits.

You have to know that he got the six major merchant industries, but he also had overseas trade, and cloth was a very valuable commodity in that era.

The three master craftsmen discussed in a low voice. Daqian had manual looms, and many families in the south of the Yangtze River had looms. They wove cloth at home and then sent it to merchants.

But they had no knowledge of textile machines and looked embarrassed from time to time during the discussion.

"Let the Ministry of Industry select craftsmen who are good at textile machines to cooperate with you. What I need is a textile machine that can be produced quickly!" Li Qiang said without letting the three master craftsmen make a decision on the spot.

He just points out the direction, it is impossible for him to do everything.

The steam engine is different. It is something that Daqian has never had before, but the steam textile machine is just a combination of a steam engine and a textile machine, which requires continuous experimental improvement.

After seeing off the three master craftsmen, Li Qiang couldn't help but shook his head.

"We still need to change the content of Daqian's entrance exams. It's not advisable to govern the world by selecting talents based on poetry and prose!" Li Qiang muttered to himself.

Jin Dong was sweating profusely as he listened to this. Was this something he could listen to?

He looked around to prevent others from hearing what Li Qiang said.

Confucianism has been the rule since ancient times for governing the world. It is by relying on this that scholars from all over the world are able to serve as officials in the court.

But Li Qiang was planning to change this, which would be equivalent to shaking the foundation of the world's literati.

Even if Li Qiang is the crown prince and becomes emperor in the future, if he dares to shake the foundation of the world's literati, he will probably be unacceptable to the world's literati.

Li Qiang certainly knew this, but it had to be done. However, how to minimize the impact required careful consideration.

He returned to the main hall, thinking back to the subjects he had learned in elementary and junior high school, such as science, physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and wrote down what he still remembered.

It is because of his extraordinary mental strength that he has such a good memory. He can remember the experiences of his past life vividly whenever he recalls them.

He planned to edit textbooks first, then organize a group of students to specialize in these subjects and cultivate a group of people who mastered advanced science.

These people will be the seeds of science and play a decisive role in his future plans.

Daqian operated very smoothly. Under the joint management of Tian Daxueshi and Lin Ruhai, the cabinet handled most of Daqian's government affairs in an orderly manner.

Li Qiang was busy every day, compiling books on subjects such as nature, physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

As for the steam loom, without his design, the progress of this work was not as satisfactory.

The design ability of Daqian craftsmen was still a little weak, but Li Qiang did not interfere. He wanted to let these craftsmen get used to this kind of work.

Because he has many more ideas in the future, all of which require these craftsmen to complete.

Otherwise, Li Qiang would be exhausted to death, and he alone would not be able to lead Daqian into the road of industrial revolution.

You should know that the emergence of the steam loom marked the beginning of the First Industrial Revolution in the past, which was an invention of great significance.

"Brother Qiang, have you forgotten something?" When Li Qiang came to the Crown Princess' bedroom that day, Lin Daiyu pinched her waist and said dissatisfiedly.

"Forgot something?" Li Qiang's brain started working quickly.

He thought of Lin Daiyu's birthday. This year's birthday had already passed, and he wondered if there was any important anniversary he had forgotten.

But no matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn't figure out what he had forgotten.

"You will take a concubine in ten days!" Lin Daiyu said, unable to help laughing angrily.

She really didn't know whether to be happy or angry. Li Qiang had forgotten about taking a concubine, which meant that Li Qiang was not serious about it.

But during this period of time, Lin Daiyu has been worrying about the matter of taking a concubine, but Li Qiang, the person involved, doesn't care at all.

"Ah, he is indeed planning to take a concubine. Isn't this a matter that should be handled by Sister Lin?" Li Qiang finally realized what it was about and said with a smile.

"Forget it, just wait for the Queen Mother to come find you!" Lin Daiyu said, shaking her head.

Li Qiang was not worried at all. The Ministry of Rites was involved in the Crown Prince's marriage, and all the procedures had rules to refer to.

He only needs to follow the instructions at that time and he doesn't need to ask anything.

"By the way, we need to include jadeite in the marriage this time!" Lin Daiyu said again.

"Why did you think of adding jadeite?" Li Qiang asked with some surprise.

Before, Lin Daiyu only mentioned Miaoyu, Yunfei and Zhujun, saying that one cannot take in too many concubines at once and should take it slow.

"You, Feicui, have done so much for this family. She works the hardest of all!" Lin Daiyu explained.

Li Qiang certainly knew how hard Feicui worked, as all his initial industries were managed by Feicui.

Feicui was the chief housekeeper at that time, in charge of all the affairs of the household.

It can be said that it is all thanks to jade that Li Qiang no longer has to worry about household matters.

This time after moving into the East Palace, Feicui had to leave the palace frequently to manage her previous businesses, and she had always been the hardest-working one among the women.

"Jade has been with me since I was twelve years old, so it's only right that I give her a status first!" Li Qiang nodded and said.

"Miaoyu, Yunfei, Zhujun and Feicui have no family members. Let them live in the old house for the next two days, and then we will bring them over from the old house when the time comes!" Lin Daiyu continued to make arrangements.

She could have arranged it directly, but she still explained it to Li Qiang in advance, which was also a respect for Li Qiang.

Lin Daiyu knew very well that showing some temper in small matters could help to ease the relationship between the two of them, but in big matters she had to pay attention to Li Qiang's identity as the prince.

There are many eyes in the palace watching the Eastern Palace, so Lin Daiyu has to be cautious when handling affairs to avoid giving others a chance to talk.

"You are responsible for arranging these matters. We will bring them back in a few days anyway!" Li Qiang agreed with a smile.

After the two made all the arrangements, Miaoyu, Yunfei, Zhujun and Feicui moved back to the old house. Several palace maids and palace maids also went with them. They would teach the four girls according to the palace rules.

(End of this chapter)