Chapter 69: Large Laboratory

With Primo focused on reforms and the situation within Spain quite stable, Yu Kaluo was surprised to find that he actually had nothing to do.

It was better to let Primo handle matters like reform; after all, it was a thankless task that offended people.

It is no exaggeration to say that the reforms offended all the forces in Spain, with the exception of the reformists who supported them.

If not for Primo's immense prestige within the Spanish military, the Prime Minister of Spain would likely have been replaced long before his reforms were completed.

The current reforms were a massive gamble for Primo himself. If he won, Spain would have the hope of returning to the ranks of the great powers, and Primo would remain a Prime Minister beloved by the people.

But if he failed, the forces Primo had offended would not let him off. Even if Yu Kaluo could provide asylum to Primo himself, his reputation would be destined to rot, becoming a textbook example for criticizing those reformists.

With Primo serving as the vanguard of the reforms, Yu Kaluo naturally did not want to be overly involved in Primo's reforms.

Having found himself idle, Yu Kaluo decided to oversee the construction of the Electrical Research Institute and the Engine Company.

As the core of the Second Industrial Revolution, Yu Kaluo placed great importance on electricity and engines. Both major institutions were located in Ma Deli, not too far from the Wang Gong by car.

On a plot of open land in the suburbs of Ma Deli, a large area had already been fenced off.

This was the designated site for the electrical laboratory and the engine research laboratory, and also the core location for Spain to join and drive the Second Industrial Revolution.

To ensure that Gram and the others were full of confidence in their future research, Yu Kaluo specially invited Gram, Benz, and two others, along with many technical talents, to visit the construction of the research laboratories.

The construction of the research laboratories was not actually difficult; after all, research in electricity and engines at this time did not require overly precise equipment, and everything was just starting from scratch.

The entire construction site could be viewed as a large experimental zone, with the area for Gram and the electrical laboratory built on the west side, and the engine research area for Benz and the other two built on the east side.

The entire large experimental zone consisted mostly of small buildings under three stories, which was to speed up construction, as there was no need for high-rise buildings in the experimental zone.

In the center of the entire experimental zone, a five-story apartment building would rise from the ground. The first and second floors of the apartment building would be restaurants and leisure areas, while the third to fifth floors would be lounges for the personnel of the entire experimental zone.

After all, during the most critical stages of an experiment, most of the personnel involved would not have the time to travel back and forth between their homes and the laboratory.

Doing so would waste too much time, so it was better to build an apartment building in the experimental zone for the personnel involved in the experiments to take short rests.

Looking at the planning of the entire experimental zone, Gram and the others were quite satisfied. Such a layout was much more formal than the companies and places they had been at before, and it would be much more convenient to conduct their own experiments.

"Your Majesty, when will the electrical laboratory be completed? I can't wait to conduct my experiments in such an environment; this is simply perfect." Gram could no longer suppress his excitement and asked Yu Kaluo, looking impatient.

Yu Kaluo looked at the person in charge of the laboratory construction nearby, who immediately understood and explained to everyone: "The overall construction of the experimental zone is currently going very smoothly, and it is expected that all construction will be completed within 3 to 4 months."

"Too slow, still too slow." Gram shook his head in disappointment, then immediately asked: "Can the laboratory be built first?

Other less important supporting buildings can be built later; if there is a laboratory, research on electricity can begin."

"That should be possible, Mr. Gram." The official thought for a moment and replied: "If only the laboratory is built, it should be completed within a month and a half.

Considering the installation of some experimental equipment, the laboratory should be ready for use in two months."

Hearing this, Gram nodded with satisfaction.

Two months was also the theoretical minimum time. After all, the laboratory had certain requirements, especially the electrical laboratory, which also had to ensure safety.

Hasty construction of buildings was not good for experiments, and waiting for two months was very necessary.

Seeing Gram's urgency to start electrical experiments, Yu Kaluo smiled and said: "I have already prepared a temporary test site for you in the suburbs of Ma Deli. Although it is not very formal, it will be no problem to make do with it for two months.

Perhaps by the time we come back next, the construction of the laboratory will be almost finished."

Although Yu Kaluo had approved the construction of the laboratory long before Ka Dier set off, the construction speed of this era was destined to be incomparable to later generations.

Although they were all small buildings under three stories, because they were needed for experiments, a long time was still required to wait.

If it were in later generations, such three-story buildings would be built with lightning speed; perhaps the laboratory would have been completed before Gram and the others even arrived in Ma Deli.

The group continued their tour.

Behind this large experimental area, there was a lake of considerable size. The scenery around the lake was beautiful, and the water was quite clear, making it a very good place for leisure and vacation.

Everyone was attracted by the beautiful scenery around the lake, and even Dai Mulei, who was already married, could not help but exclaim: "What a great place for a vacation; it feels like a waste to use it to build a laboratory."

"No, Mr. Dai Mulei." Yu Kaluo smiled and said: "That is precisely the reason for choosing this place to build the laboratory. You scientists who do experiments need such beautiful scenery; experiments and rest are both indispensable, and only with good rest can you conduct better experiments."

Hearing Yu Kaluo's words, Dai Mulei was stunned, then nodded with a smile.

If he had at least sixty percent resentment for being kidnapped when he first arrived in Spain, then that resentment had now basically dissipated.

At least he had accepted staying in Spain to work; after all, who else could meet such a king who respected scientists elsewhere?

It is no exaggeration to say that ordinary people in Europe at this time had no human rights. Civilians were objects to be exploited; in other words, they were livestock cheaper than livestock.

Adult males were the most heavily exploited; they worked like livestock, but the rewards they received could barely support their families, or even could not support them at all.

Adult females were exploited just like men; the labor they provided was no less than that of men, but their income was pitifully low.

Not to mention child laborers. Capitalists used child laborers just like adults, yet the income of child laborers was the lowest.

In an era where civilians were not even considered people, encountering such a monarch who respected him, Dai Mulei felt that Spain was actually not that bad.

Second update, seeking support!

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(End of this chapter)