Chapter 865: Critical Materials

The council chamber was quiet, with only Zhao Xu's voice echoing.

Wang Chong, Li Wei, and the other students listened very attentively, noting down important matters in their booklets from time to time.

"After I return, I will have Liu Fu allocate silver to you for the Thermal Power Plant and the electricity coverage project. You may also draw upon the personnel of the Ministry of Works as needed; it is imperative that you expedite this matter."

Wang Chong nodded, and at this moment, Li Wei suddenly raised his hand.

Zhao Xu signaled for him to speak.

"Your Highness, power generation is not a problem for me at the moment, but the issue of power cables is significant. Dry oil paper is only suitable for use in the Laboratory; it is not suitable for long-distance power transmission. After all, it is extremely prone to damage from wind, water, and sun," Li Wei said, matter-of-factly and strictly sticking to the facts.

"Before the thermal power plant is completed, I will solve this problem," Zhao Xu said.

Only insulated cables with rubber outer skins are suitable as tools for power transmission.

Therefore, the rubber issue is a problem he must solve at present.

Moreover, besides the need for rubber for electric wires, with the arrival of the Electric Age, rubber will simply become an indispensable necessity for all walks of life.

Even if only for industrial development, he must take the rubber plantations in Nanyang.

Once the war in Jiangnan ends, this matter must be put on the agenda.

A medium-to-large thermal power plant requires at least about a year to build; there is enough time.

Having addressed the wire issue, Zhao Xu said to Wang Chong, "You can now begin the research and construction of the Workshop production lines."

The Workshop production lines he spoke of were naturally no longer the Workshop production lines of the Steam Industry era.

They were production lines for the Electric Age.

For example, retrofitting lathes, spinning machines, weaving machines, and so on, to make them suitable for electric motors.

In this way, the industrial level of Yanzhou would be reborn.

Not only would overall efficiency be improved, but more precise parts could also be manufactured.

Only by achieving this could he consider the manufacture of metal bullets.

And the appearance of metal bullets would allow for the emergence of an extremely formidable weapon.

This is the machine gun.

In addition to the further upgrading of weapons, machinery could also be further upgraded, such as the internal combustion engine.

And with internal combustion engines, the first generation of automobiles and monoplanes could be attempted.

However, although the future is bright, even mature blueprints cannot be realized immediately.

It still requires the students of the Research Institute to work hard and take it one step at a time.

But fortunately, this process will not be too long.

"Yes, Your Highness," Wang Chong replied.

After instructing Wang Chong, Zhao Xu looked toward Qu Sheng, "The application of electricity can not only promote the development of machinery but also promote the development of the chemical industry. Chemicals that could not be manufactured before can now be manufactured."

Qu Sheng's eyes were full of excitement as he said, "Your Highness, I have dreamed of a day when the Laboratory could have electricity, and now my wish has finally been granted."

When they were at the Technology Academy, Yan Wang had told them that many chemicals require electricity to be decomposed and synthesized.

For example, hydrogen, although it can also be produced through other active metals and dilute sulfuric acid.

But this method is only suitable for the Laboratory; for industrial production, the cost would be very high.

But with electricity, it is different; one only needs to electrolyze water to obtain oxygen and hydrogen.

Most importantly, it can be prepared on a large scale in the Workshop.

Then, pure oxygen and hydrogen can be developed into oxyhydrogen welding.

And welding will be of great benefit to the shipbuilding industry and other large-scale machinery manufacturing that requires welding.

Pure oxygen alone can also be used for converter steelmaking, replacing the current air blowing, making the quality of the steel produced better.

Hydrogen can also be used to synthesize ammonia, and ammonia can then be used to manufacture chemical fertilizers.

Therefore, once electricity is put into use, Great Song will undergo earth-shaking changes.

"Then make everything you dreamed of a reality. Like Wang Chong, your Chemical Laboratory can also begin preparations now," Zhao Xu said with a smile.

"Yes," Qu Sheng answered loudly and decisively.

Hearing this, everyone revealed knowing smiles.

This thermal power test was a grand event for each of them.

After chatting with Wang Chong, Qu Sheng, and the others for a while, Zhao Xu left the Research Institute and returned to the Prince's Mansion.

Along the way, his mood was exceptionally light; before long, the industry of Great Song would take off.

Just as he was thinking this, a troop of cavalry hurried over.

Upon reaching him, the cavalryman said, "Your Highness, the Diplomatic Minister of the Ross nation, Qiefusiji, has arrived in Jincheng, and he requests an audience with Your Highness."

"The Diplomatic Minister of the Ross nation?" Zhao Xu frowned.

Currently, the Ross nation, Britain, and the Northern Di are colluding to interfere in the internal chaos of Great Song.

They have even dispatched military instructors to fight against the Qin Army in Yizhou alongside the Northern Di.

At this time, the Ross nation has sent someone more important than Ivan; I wonder what their intention is?

After pondering for a while, he said, "Let him wait at Yanguan."

He did not intend to meet this Diplomatic Minister of the Ross nation in Yancheng.

Since both sides have reached the point of crossing swords, there is no need for him to come to the Capital City of Great Song.

"Yes, Your Highness." After acknowledging the order, the cavalryman turned and left, and Zhao Xu returned to the Prince's Mansion.

Seeing Zhao Xu return, the resentment on Yang Susu's face immediately dissipated, and she walked over with a full smile, though she coquettishly complained, "Your Highness is finally willing to return."

Zhao Xu chuckled twice; his mood had not worsened because of the matter regarding the Diplomatic Minister of the Ross nation.

After all, to him, compared to thermal power generation, this was a trivial matter.

Moreover, the current Ross nation is at its peak in the Western Lands, and he does not believe that a Ross nation in such a state would have any sincere cooperation with him.

Thinking of this, he cast all the miscellaneous matters in his mind away completely.

Sweeping Yang Susu up into his arms, he laughed, "To neglect a Beauty is a sin, a sin."

As he spoke, he carried Yang Susu toward the inner chamber.

Yang Susu giggled, playfully tapping Zhao Xu's chest with her hand.

The two were already husband and wife, familiar with the path, and naturally, the shyness of the first time was gone, leaving only intimate whispers and the burning passion of dry wood meeting fire.

After tossing about until exhausted, Yang Susu wrapped her arms around Zhao Xu's neck, and the two began to chat.

Yang Susu asked him about the war in Jiangnan, and he asked Yang Susu about the affairs of the Nüzixuetang.

"Your Highness has asked the right person; during this time, I really did set up a Nüzixuetang. Wang Xuan published this matter in the Newspaper, which stirred up quite a bit of discussion, but Liu Fu said that the number of young girls enrolling recently has increased quite a bit," Yang Susu said, looking slightly proud.

"Is that so?" Zhao Xu's face revealed a smile, "In that case, I shall record a merit for you and give you a grand reward."

Yang Susu asked happily, "What does Your Highness intend to reward me with?"

Zhao Xu gave a wicked smile and gently stroked Yang Susu's back, "I reward you with a sleepless night."

Yang Susu was stunned for a moment, and before she could grasp the meaning, she saw Zhao Xu pounce on her; she immediately understood and could not help but feel both happy and coyly annoyed.

At this moment, it was: A bright moon reflected on the green trees, and the sound of moaning drifted from the small window.

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