Chapter 1016

The roaring sound of electrical machinery resounded through the machinery factory.

Xiao Ming looked through the glass window of the research department at the workshops that were in full swing assembling various machines. After Lin Wentao finished speaking, he said, “Now that the internal combustion engine technology has been thoroughly understood, you can leave this matter to others in the research department to develop. You now have an even more important task.”

“Your Majesty, please speak.” Lin Wentao vaguely guessed something.

“Steam turbine!” Xiao Ming said solemnly. The advent of electricity was indeed a great technological advancement, but the steam engine, in fact, had not been eliminated in modern times, and its technology had become increasingly refined. This was the steam turbine, the power source of thermal power plants and the era of dreadnoughts.

This was a rotary power machine that converted the energy of steam into mechanical work. Most importantly, it served as the prime mover for power generation and could also directly drive ship propellers. The triple-expansion steam engine used in ironclads now was basically the difference between a child and an adult compared to it.

And for the era of dreadnoughts to arrive, this object was indispensable, because the triple-expansion steam engine was gradually becoming unable to meet the power needs of ironclads.

Lin Wentao nodded heavily. As his knowledge increased, he was no longer interested in shallow technologies, because looking back now, previous technologies were like children playing house.

So he said, “This is not a problem. I have been waiting for a long time.”

Nodding with satisfaction, Xiao Ming discussed some technical difficulties with everyone for a while. Afterwards, he and Qian Dafu toured the interior of the machinery factory.

Unbeknownst to them, the advent of electricity had already brought about a drastic improvement in Qingzhou’s factories. The electric lathes in the machinery factory were proof of this.

Although the function of the lathe remained unchanged, the stability of the electric motor significantly enhanced the lathe’s overall stability.

Looking at these roaring machines, Xiao Ming showed a satisfied expression. In fact, the entire electrical renovation of the machinery factory was independently completed by Lin Wentao’s research department. He only occasionally inquired about it. After all, more than ten years of education had gathered a large number of talents in Qingzhou.

Sometimes, all he needed was an order, and these skilled professionals would make it a reality.

And he only needed to focus on the cutting-edge technology; the minor details could be left to the graduating students.

Leaving the machinery factory, Xiao Ming and Qian Dafu walked back along the concrete road of the industrial zone. When they reached the city gate, the congested traffic blocked the road into the city.

Frowning, he said, “This city wall used to be a barrier protecting the city, but now it has become an obstacle to the flow of goods. Dafu, go to the cabinet later and tell Pang Yukun to demolish the unnecessary city walls according to the plan.”

“Your Majesty, do we really have to tear it down?” Qian Dafu asked with some concern. “The barbarians…”

“The barbarians will soon become history.” Xiao Ming’s eyes were firm. While the war in Australia was ongoing, the war on the grassland had not stopped. According to the battle report, Qi Guangyi had already advanced towards the Golden Tent after clearing the surrounding barbarian tribes.

…

On the vast grassland, the rifle cavalry led by Qi Guangyi were gathered around a bonfire, roasting cattle and sheep. These livestock were their spoils of war after annihilating the tribes.

A month ago, after receiving the order from the General Staff, they set off for the grassland. In the battle of the three major tribes, they basically annihilated the main force of the barbarian cavalry. Now, the Golden Tent Khanate was nothing more than an old man in decline.

Just as he thought, the barbarian tribes had basically lost their tribal cavalry. They had basically met no resistance on their way, and the barbarian tribes all chose to surrender upon seeing them.

“Commander, General Niu is truly a divine person. The massacre in Raozhou last time truly worked. Now the barbarian tribes see us like rabbits seeing wolves,” Feng Dongjin, the Chief Scribe of the Northwest Military Region, said loudly.

Qi Guangyi gnawed on a lamb leg with relish. He said, “General Niu has fought against the barbarians for many years and naturally understands their nature. Such a barbaric group must be treated with even more brutal methods, otherwise, they will only see our kindness as weakness.”

“The Commander’s words are too true. Talking about etiquette and civilization with them simply won’t work. They only recognize the butcher’s knife,” a division commander echoed.

While everyone was laughing and talking, a hunter cavalry suddenly came from afar and approached Qi Guangyi. Dismounting, the hunter cavalry said, “Commander, we encountered a troop of barbarian cavalry during our reconnaissance. The leading general requested to see you.”

“Oh?” Qi Guangyi’s eyes darted. He said, “Where are they?”

“Just on the hill ahead,” the hunter cavalry pointed to the emerald green hill in front, which was the barbarians’ sacred land, Tian Shan.

Qi Guangyi then stood up. He said, “If they are sincere, let them come and talk. If not, let them leave.”

Now that the balance of power had shifted, Qi Guangyi’s attitude also gradually hardened.

Acknowledging the order, the hunter cavalry galloped towards the direction of Tian Shan.

Feng Dongjin looked in the direction of Tian Shan and said, “What scheme are these barbarians up to again?”

“In the face of absolute strength, all conspiracies and schemes are nothing but a piece of paper. Since they are here, there is no harm in listening to what they have to say,” Qi Guangyi said calmly.

Everyone nodded when they heard this. After a while, the hunter cavalry brought a troop of twenty barbarian cavalry to the temporary resting place of the rifle cavalry.

After being searched and disarmed of all their weapons, Qi Guangyi met the visitors.

“Esteemed General Qi, my name is Gubat, and it is an honor to meet you.” Gubat bowed to Qi Guangyi, a humble expression on his face.

“Gubat? That name sounds familiar. You wouldn’t happen to be the Gubat who led the soldiers to attack Yakutsk, would you?” Qi Guangyi’s expression immediately became stern.

Gubat felt a little awkward. He said, “Precisely, but all these mistakes must be attributed to the despicable Dolgor. It was he who forced me to do this.”

Qi Guangyi frowned. “Then what do you hope to gain from this private meeting?”

Gubat sighed in his heart. He said, “I know the route of the Golden Tent’s westward migration, and I am also capable of acting as your inside contact. But I hope that after it is done, my tribe can live on this grassland as citizens of the Great Yu Empire.”

“I cannot grant your request. This matter must be reported to His Majesty.” Qi Guangyi said. After annihilating the tribes east of Tian Shan, he had been looking for the location of the Golden Tent, but the barbarian Golden Tent had been constantly moving, making it impossible to determine its exact location.

Now that Gubat had suddenly come, it gave them an opportunity to annihilate the Golden Tent.

“In that case, please convey my request to His Majesty, General Qi. You still have a chance before Dolgor reaches Saint Petersburg.”