Chapter 827: Making Dumplings

"Incredible!"

Zhao Heng couldn't help but stick his head out of the window and look at Jinghai City, ignoring the gusts of wind hitting his face. Read М

He still refused to believe it until he saw the two words Jinghai on the city gate, then he retracted his body and remained silent for a long time.

Zhao Heng was concerned about the speed of the steam locomotive, while Concubine Mi was just like an old mother, pleased with her son's achievements.

Seeing that Zhao Heng and the ministers seemed to have never seen the world, she was always happy and looked at Zhao Xu with a doting look.

In addition, there was a trace of moisture in the corners of her eyes.

She remembered that Zhao Xu had survived many deaths in Yanzhou over the years, and it was not easy to have the glory today.

"This is a weapon for marching, fighting, and transporting food and grass. With this weapon, there is no worry about not being able to drive out the Northern Di." Yang Feng had been sitting on the chair, and suddenly slapped the table and stood up, his eyes shining.

Since ancient times, the Central Plains dynasty has conquered many territories outside the Central Plains, including Ningjindusi in the northeast of Dasong and Jiaozhi in the south.

But then they were lost one by one.

Why? It's because these places are too far away from the center of the Central Plains Dynasty, and it costs too much to govern them.

And once a force rises in this place, the Central Plains Dynasty will have to spend a lot of manpower and material resources to send troops on expeditions.

In the heyday of the Central Plains Dynasty, it could withstand such a toss.

Once it declines, these areas will become a heavy burden for the court.

It can only be occupied by the rising forces.

At present, Ningjindusi is an example.

As a veteran of hundreds of battles, Yang Feng is naturally very clear about this.

But with this steam locomotive, these places are equivalent to shortening the distance to the center of the Central Plains Dynasty.

If there is an accident, it only takes a few days to pull tens of thousands of troops and a large amount of food and grass over.

It was because of this that he lost his composure.

"What the old general said is true."

"Oh, now that you mention it, it is true."

"From now on, if anyone says that Yanzhou's steam industry is a gimmick, I will slap him in the face."

"..."

The generals who sat next to Yang Feng understood the meaning of Yang Feng's words and started to discuss.

Liu Fu and other civil officials also talked about it, and they couldn't stop praising the steam locomotive.

Zou Rong looked very pleased, and then he said loudly: "This is just a trial run. The speed of the locomotive is only half of the full speed. If it really runs, it will reach Jinghai in less than an hour."

After a pause, he continued: "And only six carriages were prepared this time, but in fact, 20 carriages can be pulled. Each carriage is 25 meters long and can seat 120 people. This trip can pull 2,400 people."

"Tsk tsk!" Everyone sighed when they heard it.

Zou Rong was even more proud, "This is just for transporting people. If the carriages are replaced with freight carriages, one carriage can carry 60 tons, and 20 carriages can carry 1,200 tons, which is 20,000 shi of grain."

Generals and officials kept nodding.

These 20,000 shi of grain are enough for an army of 100,000 people to eat for a month.

The most important thing is that in the past, civilians transported grain, which was a waste of manpower. The civilians also had to eat on the way to transport grain from the production area to the battlefield.

The food they ate was naturally the transported grain.

It was good if half a shi of grain could be retained after transporting it to the battlefield.

And steam locomotives obviously do not need to eat food except for burning coal.

When fighting, domestic food and manpower can be greatly reduced.

Zhao Xu smiled but did not say anything, just letting the ministers and generals discuss.

At this time, Yang Susu gently touched Zhao Xu's arm, her eyes full of admiration.

"Hunk, hunk..." The steam locomotive slowly slowed down after entering Jinghai County and finally entered the station.

Since Zou Rong informed the Jinghai government office about the test run in advance.

The Jinghai County Magistrate and a group of officials had been waiting for a long time.

Zhou Yi led the naval generals, and Chen Shou led the ship department officials.

"I pay my respects to the emperor and the prince.", "I pay my respects to the emperor and the prince."...

The carriage door was opened, Zhao Xu and others got off the car, and Zhou Yi and Chen Shou were busy paying their respects one by one.

The people on this train were all powerful and they were very busy.

The Jinghai County Magistrate took out a handkerchief from his sleeve from time to time to wipe the sweat on his forehead, and he was so nervous that he stuttered.

The people also jumped out of the sixth carriage, their eyes rolling around, looking at this strange city, with excitement.

Due to the inconvenience of transportation, they had never left Yancheng in their lives, and this was the first time they had walked so far.

However, railway workers were there to entertain them immediately.

Since they set out in the morning, it was already noon, and it was time for lunch.

Zhao Xu also ordered the magistrate of Jinghai County to lead Zhao Heng and officials to dinner.

He traveled light and went straight to the shipyard with Chen Shou and Zhou Yi.

This time he planned to go back at night.

"Your Highness, after the steamship was launched, I expanded the dry dock. Now Jinghai Shipyard has 36 dry docks."

The group arrived at the coast, and Chen Shou pointed to a row of docks along the coast.

The craftsmen in the docks were busy, and steamships took shape one by one.

Zhao Xu nodded.

Along with Jinghai Shipyard, Pingcheng Shipyard was also expanded, expanding eight dry docks to 30 dry docks.

This is the maximum number that Jinghai and Pingcheng Shipyards can expand.

After all, there are limited places suitable for building dry docks in the shipyard.

Especially Pingcheng Shipyard is located in the inland river, and the available space is even smaller.

After the first steamship was launched, he realized that the time to dominate the ocean had come.

At present, Britain has the most powerful naval force at sea and has mature steamship construction technology.

There is no other way to defeat this navy that has been rampant on the sea for hundreds of years except to build ships.

And a large number of ships must be built in a short period of time.

Otherwise, once Britain reacts and focuses on deploying the navy in the East Sea, his troubles will come.

At the same time, water transportation in Jiangbei also requires a large number of steamships, and it is even more necessary to increase shipbuilding capacity.

"The navy's current situation cannot be said to be absolutely safe, and you will have to suffer for a while." Zhao Xu said to Chen Shou.

In order to improve shipbuilding efficiency, all the sailing warships are now handed over to Pingcheng Shipyard for construction.

Because the first warship of the navy was born in Pingcheng.

The sailing warship construction technology of Pingcheng Shipyard is very mature.

As for Jinghai County Shipyard, all steamships are built.

If everything goes well, Jinghai Shipyard alone will have another 36 steamships in August.

At the end of the year, Pingcheng Shipyard will have 30 sailing warships.

By then, the Yanzhou Navy will have ninety sailing warships and sixty steamships.

"It doesn't matter if it's a little bit hard. As long as the navy of Dasong can roam the sea, I am willing to die of exhaustion." Chen Shou said, his expression moved.

This is his and every official of the Ship Department's most simple wish.

They only hope that today's hard work can bring back the prosperity of Dasong in the future.

Otherwise, what's the point of building ships?