Chapter 512: Let Steam Power Spread Across the Continent and Oceans

Those who can participate in the construction of Wubei Territory are basically people who possess a certain amount of labor capacity.

Selecting suitable people from among them to form a railway construction team is Oumai's next main task.

After sending Oumai away, Luoning checked his achievement panel.

The next tier of the Gongchengluedi achievement requires five large cities with populations exceeding 100,000, rewarding 15,000 Attribute Points and 30,000 Energy Essence.

Aside from Wubei City, Moonlight City, and Purple Thunder City, none of the remaining cities in Luoning's hands have the qualifications to exceed a population of 100,000 within a year or two.

However, if Bruno grants Watchtower to Luoning in this reward, then this border city with a population of over 80,000 will be the next large city in his territory.

That would make four.

Luoning looked at Miwu City on the map, "It would be even better if I could also take this city into my possession."

Count Wulaer's Miwu City is a large city; the population of the main city plus the surrounding towns far exceeds 100,000.

If Luoning were to become the master of Miwu City, he would only need to transfer 20,000 people from Miwu City to Watchtower to quickly complete this achievement.

At that time, the Attribute Points of Purple Thunder would already exceed what is needed for a breakthrough, allowing him to become a Legendary.

"After Blanche reveals my thoughts to His Majesty the King, he will definitely talk to me again; perhaps I can bring up Miwu City as well."

After handling government affairs, Luoning arrived at Wubei Port.

This port, which has been under construction for nearly two years, is now nearing completion.

Wooden piers extend into the sea, and ships from unknown origins are moored all around, ranging from single-masted sailboats to large sailing ships.

Luoning inquired a bit; some of these ocean-going ships came from the Gistana Duchy, while others came from the even more distant Feilunsibao Principality, and they were basically all heading to the Vila Principality for trade.

They had heard rumors of a port being built in Wubei Territory, so they stopped to take a look while passing by.

This also confirmed the view Luoning and Viscount Weituolinuo had initially: as long as Wubei Port is built, business will not be lacking.

To the north of the pier, Wubei Territory has built a Steam Engine factory and a shipyard for West Gate.

Although it is a bit crude, it can facilitate the work of Ximeng and Kaierluosi.

"Haha, Luoning, you're here!"

It is already autumn, and the temperature by the sea is relatively low, but Ximeng is shirtless, working while drinking shochu, and his mood is excellent.

"I heard you returned to Wubei Territory and knew you would come over. Come, look at my masterpiece!"

He led Luoning all the way north to a huge, leveled area where railway tracks four or five hundred meters long were laid, including a curved section that could allow for turning.

Seeing these familiar tracks, Luoning felt a bit dazed, subconsciously thinking he had returned to his original world.

"Well done, Ximeng, you are the most brilliant engineer I have ever met!"

While lighting the coal in the combustion chamber to start boiling water, Ximeng said with a smile: "This is all the credit of you and Suofeiya; I am only responsible for modifying it."

Although he said this, seeing the big guy in front of him that came from his own hands, Ximeng's eyes were full of satisfaction.

"The power of this thing after it starts is amazing, but the shortcomings are also very obvious; the startup time is a bit long."

Ximeng said: "I made this suggestion to Suofeiya, and she is preparing to add a Magic Array Diagram of the Flame Beam inside the combustion chamber; this way, the startup time can be greatly shortened."

Luoning nodded.

"That's fine, but this can be treated as a technical experiment. Before the railway is popularized, we don't need to rush to update the Steam Engine technology."

Luoning had even thought about internal combustion engines, but that thing was too complex and too precise; he didn't know where to start.

Perhaps he could propose a concept and leave it to people in the future.

For now, being able to promote the Steam Train is enough.

The two talked while waiting for the Steam Engine to start.

After about ten minutes, Ximeng saw it was about time and released the brake.

With a sharp hiss, the steam sprayed from the boiler swirled around the front of the train, and the chimney of the train constantly emitted billowing black smoke, which intertwined with the steam to form a spectacular scene of the industrial age.

The Steam Train started successfully!

A sense of achievement could not help but rise in Luoning's heart; this feeling was no less than winning a war.

"This sound is so beautiful!"

Ximeng couldn't help but say, "When I first heard the sound of the Steam Train starting, it is no exaggeration to say that my scalp almost exploded!"

The Steam Train was accelerating, but Ximeng clearly had experience; he released the brake before reaching the halfway point and quickly closed the steam valve to release steam, letting the train speed slow down.

After passing through that small curved section, it stopped steadily.

"How is it?" Ximeng clapped his hands and asked with a smile.

Luoning gave a thumbs up, "It is already close to the look of the train in my mind!"

Ximeng proudly patted the scorching hot train body, "This engine is a bit small now; when I have time later, I will make a bigger one with stronger power!"

Luoning nodded and said: "You just handle these operations; if you need supplies and money, write a list for Chahaer and let him arrange it for you, but there is one point to note."

He emphasized: "No matter how much power it has, the wheels, tracks, and such must maintain the same standard. Don't let it be that when the engine is built, it cannot run on the already laid railway tracks."

Mastering the right to set standards means that no matter where the railway is to be built later, it must follow this set of standards; this is actually another kind of territory in a different sense.

Ximeng laughed and said: "Don't worry, I wouldn't be stupid enough to build an engine that requires you to relay hundreds of miles of railway."

He clearly had not yet realized the importance of standards.

"Hmm, I already had Oumai collect suitable employees two days ago; our first railway from Swamp Town to Wubei Port will probably start construction soon, and I will need you, our Mechanical Chief Engineer, to preside over the work."

Ximeng did not reject this job at all; perhaps it was because of the excitement, or perhaps because he was a little tipsy, he said proudly:

"My eyes are a ruler! If there is any part of the railway specifications that is unqualified, I can spot it at a glance."

If an ordinary person said this, it would indeed have elements of boasting.

But since it was a Silver Moon Knight who said this, his observation skills were extremely sharp, and his Mental Power was also much higher than that of ordinary people; he could indeed distinguish whether the level, slope, and other aspects met the requirements with his eyes alone.

"Although I believe you have such ability, you still need to cultivate more apprentices for me."

Luoning smiled and drew a large circle: "Our railway is going to cover the entire Orland Continent, and even the New Moon Continent; you can't expect one person to complete such a massive project, right?"

"Hiss!"

Ximeng gasped, the image of railways leading to every corner of the land involuntarily surfacing in his mind; such a prospect made his scalp tingle.

"No wonder Suofeiya said you have great ambitions; one can tell just from this point about the Railway!"

He couldn't help but take a sip of shochu, "I can see that in the future, you will absolutely be the master of this land, and you will bring a massive transformation to this world!"

Luoning teased, "They say people who know how to build things aren't very good at talking, but I see you're a bit different."

"I am indeed not very good at bragging, but I can still speak the truth."

Ximeng led Luoning toward the next site.

"Come on, future master, I'll take you to see the Steam Power ship; I believe its future tracks will surely spread across the entire ocean just like the Railway!" (End of chapter)