Chapter 834: Heading South

"The triple-expansion steam engine is solved; next, your Research Institute should focus its efforts on research into electricity," Zhao Xu said to Wang Chong after coming out of the Research Institute.

The technical difficulties at the peak of the steam industry had all been overcome by the Research Institute.

To him, the potential of the steam industry was exhausted; only by leaping to the Second Industrial Revolution—that is, the electricity revolution—could he catch up to and surpass the Westerners.

This is called overtaking on a bend.

After all, the development time of Da Song's steam industry was too short, and it was mainly concentrated in Yanzhou, making its scale too small.

While it could not compare to the strength of Britain's steam industry, it was even less of a match for the overall steam industrial strength of the entire Western world.

And war sometimes compares precisely the industrial strength of both sides.

In the contemporary era, it was precisely because Britain gave birth to the First Industrial Revolution that it became the Empire on which the sun never sets, despite being a mere speck of land.

Later, France introduced the steam industry and became the second-largest industrial power in the Western Lands, able to arm-wrestle with Britain all over the world, and even facilitated the independence of America.

After France, Russia also became a major industrial power and grew strong, to the point that it was once called the Gendarme of Europe.

Next came Germany; it was precisely because of the rise of German industry that the Second World War was triggered.

The fruits of the final victory were instead plucked by America, which had implemented isolationism and was already the world's number one industrial power with the highest production capacity.

Therefore, for him, Da Song must surpass Britain, and even the entire Western world, in industrial capacity in a short time.

And relying on the steam industry, this was clearly impossible.

Most importantly, because of the foundation of the steam industry, the firearms and artillery he currently manufactured using the steam industry could be easily copied by the opponent.

The front-loading rifled musket is a case in point.

But entering the Second Industrial Revolution would be different.

Electric motors are more stable than steam engines, which is conducive to improving industrial precision.

Under this premise, more complex machinery could be produced.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness; this subject understands the importance of electricity," Wang Chong said.

The previous slow progress in electricity was due to the problem of magnets.

But through searching for clues about magnets in the newspaper and the efforts of the Mineral Prospecting Department, the magnets needed for generators were no longer a problem.

After giving these instructions, Zhao Xu returned to the Prince's Mansion.

Then, he had Feng'er pack his luggage; he decided to make a trip to Jiangnan.

With Zhongling Pass and Jian Pass taken, the west side of Jiangbei was secure and without worry.

The Southern Liang and Northern Di armies huddled in Yizhou could not stir up any trouble.

As for Jiameng Pass, his order to Ma Han was to seek stability; breaking through Jiameng Pass was only a matter of a day sooner or later, and it was not a big issue.

But Jiangnan was different.

Such a large area including Zhezhou, Jiangzhou, Xiangzhou, Jinzhou, Jiaozhou, Guizhou, and Yunzhou was still waiting to return to order.

This Da Song civil war had already caused huge damage to Da Song's national strength; if the fighting continued, even if he won, Da Song's pots and pans would be smashed to pieces.

It was precisely because of this consideration that he was very pleased with the stir Xu Ke had created in Jiangnan.

As long as the common people of Jiangnan rose up, even if they could not temporarily annihilate the core of Wu in Bazhou, as well as Southern Liang and Nanping.

At the very least, he could let these common people break free from the control of the powerful clans, return to their hometowns, and restore order in Jiangnan.

When the time came, with the various prefectures of Jiangnan as his backing, cleaning up the powerful clans would be much easier.

And by going to Jiangnan in person, for one, he could directly participate in this resistance launched by the Jiangnan common people.

Secondly, he could also give great encouragement to the common people who looked toward Jiangbei; this is the same principle as a personal expedition by the Emperor.

"If Your Highness goes this time, I fear it will take another month or two."

The bedchamber.

When retiring for the night, Yang Susu buried her head in Zhao Xu's chest, her words filled with extreme reluctance to part.

Since she and Yan Wang were married, they had been together little and apart much.

Although she understood that Yan Wang was busy with official business, she still felt reluctant when it came time to part.

"Da Song is not yet unified, and foreign enemies are lurking; this Prince is also not his own master. Once these petty scoundrels are wiped out, this Prince will take you to travel around Da Song, and even go to Gaoli, to Dongying, to Nanyang, how about that?" Zhao Xu gently stroked Yang Susu's smooth arm and said softly.

"Then wouldn't this concubine have to wait until my temples are gray?" Yang Susu pounded Zhao Xu's chest upon hearing this.

In her view, the internal chaos of Da Song and the encroaching Westerners were all thorny problems, and she feared it would take a long time to resolve.

"How could that be? You must believe in this Prince's ability; in a few years, this Dongtu will be this Prince's world." Zhao Xu deliberately pinched Yang Susu's waist.

"Is that so? This concubine is not so sure about Your Highness's ability." Yang Susu continued to act coquettishly with Zhao Xu.

"Is that right? Then this Prince will let you be clear about it." Zhao Xu suddenly gave a wicked smile and lifted the quilt; instantly, the bedchamber was filled with the warmth of spring.

The next morning, Yang Susu woke up and found that Zhao Xu had already left, leaving only a letter on the table.

The letter read: This Prince is off; my Princess, do not worry. If you find leisure hard to bear, you may prepare for the Women's Academy, lead by example, advocate for young girls to enter school, and lend this Prince a helping hand.

After reading it, Yang Susu smiled helplessly.

Immediately, accompanied by Feng'er and Luan'er, she went to Wuji Palace to see Imperial Concubine Mi.

Since Yan Wang had entrusted this matter to her, and this matter was something she also hoped for, she would handle it properly.

She, this Princess, was not just for show.

And while Yang Susu was going to Wuji Palace, the steamship Zhao Xu was riding had already sailed out of Yanzhou, entered the Jin River, and headed toward Jinling.