Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 146 Heavy Industry Layout, Dragon Boat Festival Movie Watching [Please Subscribe]

Qin Wei said, "As long as the steam engine can outperform the hydraulic engine, even if it's a little dangerous, what does it matter?"

Guo Tianwen originally came from the common people, and was influenced by Liu Kuan over the past six months, and has developed the idea of ​​valuing craftsmen and other grassroots personnel.

Hearing Qin Wei say this, he couldn't help but sneer, "Anyway, there's no need for Deputy Qin to personally develop and test the steam locomotive, nor is there any need for Deputy Qin to work next to the locomotive, so he doesn't mind a little danger."

"you!"

Qin Wei felt that his words were unpleasant enough sometimes, but he didn't expect that someone else spoke even more unpleasantly than him. He couldn't help but raise his finger and point at Guo Tianwen, feeling very angry.

Seeing this, Su Quan immediately tried to smooth things over.

"Master Guo, what are you talking about? Deputy Qin spent his early years in the army charging into battle, and he's certainly not one to shy away from danger. He's inquiring about the steam locomotive because he wants to increase the gun factory's production capacity."

The term "capacity" has been spread since Liu Kuan's mouth. Now it is not only commonly used by officials in the Ministry of Industry, but also accepted by officials in other departments.

Although Guo Tianwen had a low EQ, he was not an idiot and knew that what he had just said was too offensive.

He then said, "I didn't mean anything against Vice-President Qin. What I said initially was true—applying a steam engine to machine tools is no easy task. The Gun Factory currently lacks the development capabilities and truly cannot do it."

Guo Tianwen's words once again left Su Quan and Liu Kuan speechless.

Liu Kuan thought to himself, Brother, don’t you know that the truth is often the most hurtful?
To prevent Qin Wei from arguing with Guo Tianwen, he said, "Vice-Chairman Qin, since your Majesty established the Gun Factory last year, it has indeed been for the purpose of producing cannons and muskets. It's normal that you're not good at developing machines."

"In addition, steam engines can be used not only in trains and machine tools, but also in other areas."

"That is to say, many other steam engines will inevitably appear in the future. In this case, we can't just ask our Science and Technology Department to instruct anyone who needs a steam engine to build one, right?"

"It would be better if the imperial court established a machinery manufacturing bureau specifically responsible for the research and production of various types of machinery, mainly steam engines."

Qin Wei looked thoughtful after hearing this.

Su Quan thought for a moment before saying, "Vice-Chairman Liu is right. We should definitely set up a government office dedicated to developing machines."

Guo Tianwen then asked, "If this equipment manufacturing bureau is established, will it also produce steam engines for future trains?"

Liu Kuan shook his head. "Although the Machinery Manufacturing Bureau also produces steam engines, the steam engines for trains should be produced by the Locomotive Manufacturing Bureau."

"Locomotive Manufacturing Bureau?" Guo Tianwen and others looked puzzled.

Liu Kuan said, "Trains are extremely important to the country, so their production cannot be taken lightly. The steam engines they require should naturally be manufactured by the relevant authorities."

"The Locomotive Manufacturing Bureau is such a grassroots department - it is responsible for manufacturing important train components such as steam engines, transmission systems, carriage chassis, wheels, etc."

"This not only reduces the possibility of errors, but also allows us to directly identify the person responsible if an error does occur, without further ado."

In later generations, a car often has many factories responsible for producing its components and parts. Car companies are only responsible for producing and assembling core components such as engines, and even the engines are purchased from outside.

This production model is obviously not suitable for the Ming Dynasty at that time - because the Ming Dynasty's locomotive industry base is zero. Even if it wants to outsource some components and parts, who can it outsource them to?

Even if we find someone who can make these parts, how can we be assured?
Therefore, it is correct to have one "factory" handle all the parts and manufacturing processes for steam locomotives.

When Qin Wei heard Liu Kuan first propose that the court establish a machinery manufacturing bureau, and then proposed that the court establish a locomotive manufacturing bureau, and said it with full confidence, he knew that Liu Kuan was more important to the emperor than he thought.

He then asked, "Vice-President Liu, if the imperial court really establishes a machinery manufacturing bureau, when will it be able to develop the several types of steam locomotives needed by the gun factory?"

Liu Kuan said, "How can I say for sure? However, the Gun Factory shoulders important military production tasks. If the Machinery Manufacturing Bureau is established, the needs of the Gun Factory will definitely be given top priority."

Qin Wei said, "Then I will wait for good news from Deputy Liu."

He then stood up and took Shen Lin to say goodbye - he was really angered by Guo Tianwen's words and didn't want to stay in the Science and Technology Department any longer.

Liu Kuan and Su Quan could only smile helplessly, bow in return, and watch the two men leave.

Turning around, they saw Guo Tianwen looking completely unconcerned. They looked at each other again, smiled, and shook their heads.

Liu Kuan asked, "Master Guo, how long do you estimate it will take to complete the second phase of the steam locomotive trial?"

Guo Tian asked, "I think Vice-President Liu has read my report. The ten-day stabilization period mentioned above is not long, but it is almost the limit of what can be achieved under the current conditions."

"Therefore, the second phase of the pilot experiment has reached its final stage. It will be completed in as little as ten days and a half months, or as long as one or two months."

Liu Kuan nodded, "I understand."

As for the third phase of the steam locomotive experiment, it did not exist in Liu Kuan's plan, or it could be said that putting it into use was the third phase of the experiment.

So neither of them mentioned it.

When Guo Tianwen was about to leave, he asked another question.

"Excuse me, Doctor Su, and Deputy Doctor Liu, if the steam locomotive is officially put into use, will there be any changes to my duties? Will I continue to develop a better steam locomotive, or will there be other arrangements?"

Hearing Guo Tianwen actually use the word "please", Liu Kuan and Su Quan couldn't help but smile - Guo Tianwen's EQ is not that low.

Su Quan then looked at Liu Kuan, because he knew that Liu Kuan must have made arrangements for Guo Tianwen.

Liu Kuan didn't hesitate and said, "You can go to the Locomotive Manufacturing Bureau to continue developing better trains and steam locomotives with only one carriage."

"You can also go to the Machinery Manufacturing Bureau to oversee the development of other machines. It's up to you."

Guo Tianwen hadn't expected Liu Kuan to actually give him the freedom to choose. He felt a profound sense of gratitude, a kind of selfless devotion to a friend. He pondered for a moment and said, "The subsequent development of steam locomotives will only see significant improvements once breakthroughs are made in materials and technology."

"Before this, whether there are subordinates in this area or not, it has little impact."

"Also, the clerks working in the Power Research Group, Ma Mengyang and Qi Damu, are both quite innovative and have strong hands-on skills. Together, they can definitely take over the subsequent work of the Power Research Group."

"Therefore, I would like to be transferred to the Machinery Manufacturing Bureau to study other applications of steam engines."

Liu Kuan nodded. "With your talent, it would be a waste to continue researching steam locomotives. Going to the Machinery Manufacturing Bureau is the right choice for you."

"But I must remind you that as the second phase of the steam locomotive experiment nears its final stages, you must proceed with caution and make sure no more accidents occur."

"I understand."

After Guo Tianwen left and returned to the power project team's compound, Liu Kuan discussed with Su Quan for a few words and then went to the palace.

If other ministers wanted to make any suggestions, they would first write a memorial, and then Zhu Yuanzhang would discuss with the Grand Councilor and cabinet ministers to see if it was feasible.

Liu Kuan is different.

He would first verbally give his suggestions to Zhu Yuanzhang, and only after receiving a definite and feasible response would he go back to write a memorial and go through the process.

It's the same this time.

Liu Kuan came to Fengxian Hall and talked about the establishment of the Machinery Manufacturing Bureau and the Locomotive Manufacturing Bureau, and answered a few questions from Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement and asked him to go back and write a memorial to be sent to the cabinet for procedure.

When Liu Kuan was about to say goodbye and leave, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked, "What videos and movies are you going to show tomorrow?"

Liu Kuan said, "Your Majesty, by saying this, isn't this asking me to prepare both a video and a movie?"

Old Zhu remained silent and said with a smile, "Why, is it difficult to prepare?"

Liu Kuan shook his head. "Of course I can prepare it, but I haven't decided what to put in yet. I plan to choose it tonight."

"Choose something useful."

"Um, I'll do my best."

···
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The next day was the fifth day of May.

The Dragon Boat Festival is also known as the Orchid Bathing Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, etc.

When later generations mentioned the Dragon Boat Festival, they often said it was born to commemorate Qu Yuan, but this is not true.

The Dragon Boat Festival was first born in the Han Dynasty, but it was not until the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty that it was connected with Qu Yuan's deeds. It was not until the Northern and Southern Dynasties that the Southern Dynasty officially put the commemoration of Qu Yuan and the Dragon Boat Festival together.

However, this view did not become mainstream until after the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Therefore, the Dragon Boat Festival in the early Ming Dynasty was quite different from that in later generations.

On this day, Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma had sent several carts of holiday gifts to Liu Kuan and Zhu Huilan long ago - everything from gold, silver, and jewelry to rice dumplings, salted duck eggs, etc.

But the two fans that the palace maids handed over most solemnly were a folding fan for Liu Kuan and a round fan for Zhu Huilan.

The custom of the emperor giving fans on the Dragon Boat Festival is said to have originated from Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty. It was very popular in the Song Dynasty and was inherited by the Ming Dynasty.

In addition, Zhu Huilan directed her servants to prepare two large buckets of bath water in the morning so that Liu Kuan could have a bath among flowers and plants like her.

Then they drank calamus wine - in fact, there were also cinnabar wine and realgar wine, but those were poisonous. Some people respected the customs and would take a small sip as a token of their respect. However, under the instruction of Liu Kuan, the Liu family abandoned both of them.

In addition, there are also appreciating pomegranate flowers, wearing mugwort leaves, combining various medicines, drawing talismans for curing diseases, etc.

If you live in the north, you also need to eat water noodles with garlic and shoot willows. In the south, there are dragon boat races.

What is popular in both the north and the south is eating zongzi!

In order to bridge the differences between the north and the south, especially to guide the northern customs, Zhu Yuanzhang integrated the Dragon Boat Festival customs of the north and the south.

So that day, Lao Zhu was busy for the whole morning.

The same was true at Liu Kuan's mansion.

However, this time they were going to the palace for lunch, so after finishing their work at home, the couple hurried to the palace.

Not long after Liu Kuan and Zhu Huilan entered the Dashan Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao arrived.

Old Zhu sat down on the dragon throne and, along with Empress Ma, accepted the greetings of the younger generations. He then waved his hand and said, "It's getting late. We've been busy all morning and we're starving. Let's eat first!"

Following Zhu Yuanzhang's order, Empress Ma smiled and waved her hand, and the palace maids who had been prepared long ago came in one after another carrying dishes and served them to each table.

At this time, Old Zhu waved to Liu Kuan.

"Liu Kuan, come over here—bring your tablet."

　Second update.

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　　Good night~
　　Correct typos later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)