Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 577 Industrial Chain (Part 3)
On July 21, the air in the workshop of Xinhua Military Industry No. 7 Machinery Factory, located in the eastern suburbs of Shixing City, was scorching hot and filled with the smell of rust, cutting fluid and coal smoke.

The enormous steam engine transmitted power to every machine in the workshop through a network of belts crisscrossing the ceiling, emitting a monotonous and heavy roar.

Sweat, just as it seeped from their foreheads, was evaporated, leaving only streaks of white salt on the bronze skin of the miners and craftsmen.

Su Zhijian, head of the Equipment Division of the Technology Department of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Industry, stood in the center of the workshop, oblivious to the surrounding noise.

His heartbeat seemed to resonate with the awe-inspiring rhythm of the steam engine, his eyes fixed intently on the steel behemoth about to be awakened—the "Moye-5" steam-powered boring machine.

It lay there quietly, its appearance rough and heavy, its massive cast iron base resembling a crouching monster, exuding a primal sense of power.

However, its entire structure contains a sophisticated design that was ahead of its time. A bronze cannon barrel blank was already firmly clamped onto the supports at both ends, connected to the steam engine through a transmission mechanism, ready to rotate smoothly around its own axis.

At the other end, the tool holder, equipped with a super-hard alloy cutter head smelted using the latest technology, is precisely controlled by a lead screw polished to a mirror shine along a guide rail meticulously scraped by master craftsmen, preparing to slowly and firmly cut into the inner wall of the cannon barrel.

Fixed cutting tools, rotating workpieces, and steam power—this completely overturned the outdated method of traditional craftsmen drilling cannon barrels by hand, relying on experience and feel, and represented a brand-new productivity belonging to a new era of industry.

"Let's begin." Su Zhijian's voice wasn't loud, but it made all the engineers and veteran workers present hold their breath instantly.

Xu Liang'an, the workshop's chief engineer, nodded emphatically, turned to face the control panel, and shouted loudly, "Ignition! Steam supply!"

The boiler operator struggled to add coal, and the pressure gauge needle trembled as it climbed higher.

As the main valve was opened, high-pressure steam roared into the cylinder, driving the flywheel to start rotating. At first, it was slow, with a heavy, pent-up energy, but then, under the influence of inertia, it became more and more stable and rapid.

Through the transmission of belts and gears, the rough bronze cannon barrel blank in the clamp began to slowly rotate synchronously.

At the same time, driven by the lead screw, the tool holder made a uniform "click" sound, like a giant with infinite patience, taking one step at a time and firmly cutting into the inner wall of the high-speed rotating cannon barrel.

The next moment, a sharp cutting sound rang out. Unlike the harsh noise of drilling in the past, this sound was lower and more stable, with a heart-stopping regularity as if metal was being forcibly stripped away.

Dark blue, curled metal shavings continuously poured out of the cut, landing on the oil-stained ground.

All eyes were fixed on the slowly moving knife holder and the constant flow of shavings.

Su Zhijian clenched his fists unconsciously, his nails digging into his palms.

He recalled the earnest yet pressured gaze of Zhang Ruosong, the helmsman of Xinhua Science and Technology, over the past six months; the serious yet anxious attitude of Zheng Lihui, the head of the Military Industry Bureau of the Joint Staff Department; and the countless days and nights of despair he endured in order to improve the pitiful efficiency of the steam engine, with its massive gaps of one or two centimeters between the piston and the cylinder wall.

"My lord..." Beside him, an elderly craftsman of about fifty years old, Zhao Lichuan, a senior master craftsman of the Military Industry Bureau, murmured, tears glistening in his eyes, "It's done! Listen to this sound, look at this debris... it's probably done. Inside... it must be a mirror!"

Su Zhijian did not answer; he just stared intently at the machine.

Time seemed to be stretched out unintentionally, each second feeling as long as an entire day.

Finally, the tool holder reached the preset end of its travel, and the operator stopped the feed.

The steam valve was closed, and the flywheel spun a few more times due to inertia before reluctantly coming to a slow stop.

The workshop fell into a deathly silence, with only the faint hissing of the steam pipes remaining.

Several craftsmen quickly stepped forward, skillfully loosened the clamps, and carefully removed the still-warm cannon barrel using specially made cotton cloth as padding.

Then, several strong men used a specially made wooden bar to pass through the cannon barrel, and amidst shouts, gently inverted and stood it up.

Zhao Lichuan couldn't wait to pick up a whale oil lamp and bring it to the muzzle of the cannon.

The orange light penetrated the dark cannon barrel, and then the light was smoothly reflected and extended on the inner wall of the barrel, forming a dazzling band of light that led straight to the light at the other end.

"A mirror!... It really is a mirror!" Zhao Lichuan's voice was filled with immense joy. He reached out his hand, trembling, wanting to touch it, but then withdrew it for fear of defiling this masterpiece of industry.

He forced himself to remain calm, took a slender probe and a specially made gauge from the apprentice, and repeatedly measured and compared the results at different positions and depths on the barrel.

After a long pause, he finally straightened up, every wrinkle on his face smoothing out, and reported in a loud voice: "Sir, the error in the inner diameter of the cannon barrel is no more than one millimeter, and there are no sand holes or deviations throughout the process."

"Oh……"

The workshop erupted in deafening cheers. The craftsmen and apprentices, no matter how composed they were on ordinary days, were now excitedly raising their arms and shouting. Some even hugged each other without regard for their status and pounded each other's backs.

This is not just the success of a single machine, but also signifies that Xinhua's artillery will no longer be at risk of barrel explosion, and its range, accuracy, and safety will experience a qualitative leap.

Of course, this also means that the manufacturing precision of steam engines will reach a new level, and improvements in power and efficiency are just around the corner.

Su Zhijian let out a long sigh of relief, his tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and his face was full of smiles.

He stepped forward, approached the machine tool, touched its cold base, and felt the stable and powerful force emanating from the steel. It was done!

It’s finally done!

"To do a good job, one must first have the right tools. Once these tools are in place, Xinhua's industry will be like a tiger with wings."

In the future, the cannons meticulously manufactured by this "Moye-5" boring machine will rain down shells on the Spanish, laying the foundation for our new Chinese army to continue to achieve victory after victory and ultimately defeat the Kingdom of Spain.

At the same time, the cylinders it cuts will further improve the efficiency of the steam engine, driving larger ships and more powerful machines, injecting endless power into this nascent nation.

Evening, inside the office of the Equipment Division of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Industry.

As dusk streamed through the glass windows, it cast a soft, warm glow over the room.

Su Zhijian hunched over his large cedar desk, his pen scratching across the paper as he wrote the report, "On the Driving Role of Military Industrial Demand on the Entire Industrial Chain in a State of War," which was about to be submitted to the relevant ministries.

"...Given the urgent needs of the current state of war, our Xinhua military-industrial system has shown an unprecedented speed and scale of development, and under this driving force, it presents a distinct characteristic of 'primarily driven by one direction and supplemented by military-civilian transformation'."

"In other words, the urgent needs of the military industry, like an arrow released from a bow, directly drive innovation and breakthroughs in upstream raw material mining and smelting, as well as midstream processing technologies. ... Once the relevant technologies mature and costs gradually decrease, some of the results will overflow like a stream, indirectly penetrating the civilian sector and forming a transmission chain of 'military industry → upstream → civilian.' This is the most effective and rapid path for our Xinhua economic entity under the current dual constraints of resources and time."

Su Zhijian dipped his pen in ink and continued writing: "...The military industry, especially artillery, ships, muskets and equipment, has a strong demand for 'scarce, high-quality raw materials,' which is the most direct and powerful tool for our Xinhua government to promote the expansion of related industries."

"...In order to obtain tough and explosion-resistant cannon barrels, my demand for high-purity cast iron and bronze is increasing day by day. Guangfeng and Fenzhou ironworks have been testing higher-quality coke ironmaking methods in order to improve the quality and output of molten iron. Meanwhile, the copper and tin required for bronze smelting have prompted resource exploration teams to send more manpower to the Yongjia (now Port Abney) copper mine inland, more than doubling the mining scale, and the supporting smelting workshops are also being built day and night."

"...The soul of gunpowder lies in saltpeter, but our Xinhua region lacks local saltpeter mines. Previously, the Joint Staff of the Military and Political Department had specially established a 'Saltpeter Bureau' to promote the development of 'saltpeter soil collection' and 'saltpeter plantations' to accelerate the nitration reaction with manpower. Although it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, it is imperative for strategic autonomy and to avoid being controlled by others. As for sulfur, we need to increase imports from Luzon and Japan, which also indirectly expands Xinhua's foreign trade volume and shipping needs."

"...Naval vessels are the mobile fortresses of Xinhua at sea, and also the devourers of high-quality hardwood. Oak for the skeleton and pine for the mast, directly gave rise to the thriving 'logging-transportation-initial processing' industrial system in the headquarters, Jinchuan, Xinhua Bay and other places, enabling countless loggers and woodworking workshops to make a living."

"...Due to the impact of the war, the import of wool from Mexico has been cut off. The wool and leather needed for military uniforms and equipment can force the rise of large-scale sheep farming and related tanning workshops in the local area. In the long run, this will correspondingly increase the income of our farmers and herdsmen and stabilize the domestic livelihood."

He stopped writing, his mind filled with the scene from a few days ago at the First Ordnance Bureau of Xinhua Military Industry, where craftsmen were mass-producing gun bolt parts according to newly drawn blueprints. He then continued writing.

"...The stringent requirements of the military industry for 'standardization' and 'mass production' make this an opportune moment to vigorously promote the rapid transformation of many related industries from 'dispersed workshops' to 'centralized collaboration' in order to achieve centralized and large-scale production."

"...The successful development of the 'Moye-5' steam boring machine is the best example of this, and its significance far exceeds the processing of dozens or hundreds of cannons. This boring machine marks the official birth of Xinhua's high-precision metal cutting machine tools. This technology can be applied to gun barrel drilling and precision machining of steam engine cylinders. It is the mother of all future precision machinery, and its strategic value is immeasurable."

"...To ensure the supply of uniforms for thousands of soldiers throughout the year, meet the daily cloth needs of 400,000 citizens, and even expand into the potential markets of millions in North Japan, Luzon, Korea, and Japan, it is necessary to actively promote the comprehensive introduction of steam-driven multi-axis spinning machines and large-scale looms into textile workshops in Shixing, Guangfeng, and Xuanhan. At the same time, the demand for durable and uniformly colored dyes for military uniforms has also stimulated further research, development, expansion, and quality improvement of chemical dyeing processes."

"...The huge demand for standardized metal parts for artillery carriages, wheel bearings, musket firing mechanisms, and armor assembly is forcing previously independent and inconsistent supporting workshops to adopt 'blueprint-based' and 'mass production' models. This is what Xinhua Industrial's standardization system aims to achieve, and its significance for future industrial development is profound."

Su Zhijian paused, muttering to himself, "If we rely solely on military orders, it may be difficult to sustain the virtuous cycle and expansion of the entire industrial chain in the long term. The extension of technology and the diffusion of benefits are imperative."

His thinking became clearer, and he continued writing: "However, the needs of the war against the West alone cannot fill the production capacity after the expansion of the entire industrial chain. Therefore, Xinhua's industrial planning must consciously promote 'technology diffusion' so that civilian industries can take advantage of the benefits of military technology and form a virtuous cycle of 'military industry driving → technology upgrading → civilian benefit'. Only in this way can development be sustainable and the foundation more solid."

"...For example, boring machine technology can be slightly adapted for use in machining high-precision watch gears and core transmission components of precision agricultural machinery. It is said that a machinery factory in Guangfeng is considering using such machine tools to process spindles in order to increase efficiency."

"...For example, the fine grinding and uniform mixing techniques developed in gunpowder production can be applied to flour processing, which will significantly improve the fineness and yield of flour. The multi-layer filtration and crystallization techniques continuously improved in the purification of saltpeter can also be used for the purification and refining of sucrose, which is expected to significantly reduce sugar prices and benefit the vast majority of people in the country."

"...For example, the standardized sizing system used in military uniforms can also be adopted by civilian garment workshops. This will greatly reduce the tediousness of taking measurements and cutting, realize the initial mass production and assembly line production of clothing, reduce costs, reduce fabric waste, and enable people to obtain well-fitting clothes at a lower price."

Finally, he outlined a blueprint for the future: "...Industrial clusters generate benefits. In areas where industries converge, upstream and downstream industries should be rationally laid out around 'core military production areas' to form industrial clusters, which can greatly improve collaboration efficiency and reduce overall costs."

"...For example, with Shixing and Xuanhan as the core shipbuilding industrial cluster, within a radius of dozens of miles around them, timber drying yards, anchor chain foundries, canvas and rigging textile factories, and food processing plants (canned food, pickled food, etc.) are rationally laid out."

"In this way, the transportation cost of shipbuilding components can be reduced by 20% to 30% or more. In addition, the large number of industrial workers and their families will form a stable and prosperous consumer market, which will in turn drive the prosperity of local commerce, catering, accommodation and other service industries, and ultimately form a vibrant 'industrial town cluster'."

At the end of the report, Su Zhijian wrote: "In summary, during this special period, the core value of China's military industry lies not in its own expansion, but in its current 'limited and continuous war needs' as a strategic fulcrum, which has successfully leveraged the upgrading and iteration of the entire national industrial system."

"That is, to promote the transformation of the upstream raw material industry from the past extensive 'resource extraction type' to the 'quality improvement type' that relies on technological progress (such as the innovation of ironmaking technology), to effectively promote the transformation of the midstream processing industry from the traditional inefficient 'decentralized workshop type' to the efficient collaborative 'centralized production type' (such as the promotion of standardized parts), and to actively guide the downstream and supporting industries from the 'passive adaptation type' to the 'forward-looking driving type' that actively serves military and major industrial projects."

"In this extraordinary state of war, the essence of the military industry's leading role lies not in the 'unlimited expansion of scale,' but in the 'stable anchoring of demand' and the 'effective diffusion of technology.'"

"By securing long-term and stable military orders, we can safeguard investment confidence in upstream industries. By consciously transforming technologies, we can activate the potential of the civilian market and reap the benefits of technological progress. Ultimately, we can achieve the strategic effect of 'one military boost leading to a generation of industrial upgrading,' laying an indestructible industrial foundation for the future rise of Xinhua."

"We can use the hammer of war to forge the solid framework of the future industrial age."

He put down his pen, leaned back slightly, and looked out the window again.

Night had fallen, but Shixing City was not asleep. In the distance, the lights of the shipyard twinkled, and the flames of the smelting furnaces reddened a small patch of the sky. The faint sound of forging hammers could be heard, which, together with the tranquility of the office, created a picture full of power and hope.

"Sometimes, war is not a bad thing."
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(End of this chapter)