Chapter 862

“Councilor Branden, this is the Great Yu Empire’s steam locomotive. It’s simply magnificent! How wonderful would it be if we Dutch could build a railway like this?”

Amidst the roar of the steam locomotive, a Dutch merchant said enviously.

Branden’s eyes gleamed. In the past two years, trade between the Netherlands and the Great Yu Empire had only increased. Both sides had gained some trust in each other.

Now, he was here on a mission from Parliament to the Great Yu Empire.

“It will happen in the future, but before that, we need to maintain good relations with the Great Yu Empire,” Branden said. The Netherlands’ foreign trade with the Great Yu Empire made European countries envious.

Besides them, other European countries also wanted to establish relations with the Great Yu Empire, but because these countries did not have strong navies, they could only sigh in despair.

However, this benefited them. Nobles from some countries were trying to purchase goods from the Great Yu Empire through the Netherlands.

“It’s late now. Tomorrow morning, we will seek an audience with the Emperor of the Great Yu Empire. Prepare the documents and strive to achieve more cooperation this time,” Branden’s gaze remained fixed on the steam locomotive.

The other merchants nodded. From the Great Yu Empire to the Netherlands, it took four to five months at the shortest, or half a year at the longest. It was not easy to make the trip, so they could only cherish every opportunity.

As the group marveled at the Great Yu Empire’s steam locomotive, Xiao Ming was receiving members of a research laboratory in the imperial study.

This research laboratory consisted of six people, with the head being named Gao Qian.

“Is this city’s water supply system designed by you?” Sitting in his chair, Xiao Ming turned to the somewhat nervous six individuals.

With Qingzhou Province’s emphasis on technology, various research laboratories, large and small, were now flourishing throughout Bowen Academy. The patent office received all sorts of patents daily.

After six or seven years of cultivation, the talents of the former Bowen Academy began to give back the knowledge they had learned to the Great Yu Empire.

Lin Wentao was indeed a genius, but successors were constantly emerging now. They researched different things from Lin Wentao and were also proving their worth.

“Yes, Your Majesty. In Qingzhou City, from the imperial family down to the common people, everyone uses well water and river water. This is very inconvenient and cannot meet the demands of restaurants. After I, your humble commoner, designed the running water system, many merchants were willing to invest in its construction. However, I, your humble commoner, believe this water should not be handed over to merchants,” Gao Qian said.

Xiao Ming nodded. The Great Yu Empire had made great strides in military industry over the years, but there were still many shortcomings in daily life. Now, with the increase in industrial capacity, running water should also be put on the agenda.

“Hmm, you did well. In that case, I will give you an imperial edict, ordering you to establish the Great Yu Empire Water Supply Company. The six of you will be responsible for establishing a water supply system for Qingzhou Province.” Having been accustomed to running water in modern times, he was very much looking forward to the running water system.

Historically, after the 16th century, urban water supply in Europe saw considerable development. London was the first to use water pumps. In the 17th-18th centuries, cast iron pipes began to be used. In the early 19th century, Britain pioneered water treatment facilities—sedimentation tanks and sand filters. From the late 19th to early 20th centuries, disinfection measures for urban water supply gradually appeared in Europe.

In China, the first water supply company was established in the late Qing Dynasty, but its purpose was to provide water for extinguishing fires in the Old Summer Palace.

For Xiao Ming, he did not need to start from scratch to develop running water now. Instead, he planned to skip the earlier stages and have running water directly enter sedimentation tanks and sand filter beds.

The only thing was that he could not yet afford to use chlorine for disinfection, as the mass production of chlorine only became possible with the advent of electricity.

Gao Qian and the others were overjoyed upon hearing this. Thus, they, like Lin Wenyun and Lu Tong, smoothly transformed from ordinary students into members of official Great Yu Empire companies.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Gao Qian and the others said in unison.

Xiao Ming nodded. He looked at the reciprocating water pump diagram on the blueprint and said, “This water pump design is excellent. I will hand it over to the machinery factory to produce for you.”

The mechanism of this reciprocating water pump was similar to that of a steam engine, consisting of a cylindrical piston, a cylinder, and cast iron pipes. Power was provided by a steam engine.

Because the reciprocating motion of the steam engine perfectly matched the principle of this water pump, its back-and-forth movement caused the air inside the cylinder to approach a vacuum. This way, water was drawn in and then flowed out of the pipe.

So when Xiao Ming saw this design, he was very satisfied, because this reciprocating water pump could be used as a large machine for drawing river water.

“If that’s the case, we will first build the water tower. After all, as I, your humble commoner, understand, when Qingzhou City’s drainage system was first built, space for water pipes was already reserved. From this, it seems Your Majesty is truly far-sighted,” Gao Qian did not forget to flatter.

Xiao Ming chuckled. Qingzhou Province’s construction not only reserved space for running water but also for electricity construction. Knowing the development trajectory of technology clearly, he naturally wouldn’t do something as foolish as tearing down and rebuilding repeatedly.

“Good, let’s do that. As for the construction costs, you can apply to the Grand Secretariat for approval,” Xiao Ming said.

Gao Qian thanked him again, then left with the other members.

Qian Dafu then shouted outside, “Next!”

Soon after, three more people entered the imperial study. Like Gao Qian, they were all from research laboratories.

To accelerate the application of various technological items in the Great Yu Empire, Xiao Ming now treated various research laboratories as honored guests.

However, this was not his original creation. In this era, Europe was also like this. Both royalty and nobles were very happy to witness various technological inventions.

“Your Majesty, I, your humble commoner, have brought the plan for biogas streetlights. I hope Your Majesty will review it.” The young man wearing the Bowen Academy uniform presented a drawing to Xiao Ming.

“Today, I have gained quite a lot. One is running water, and the other is these biogas streetlights. The biogas digesters outside Qingzhou City can provide biogas. It seems you all put some thought into this,” Xiao Ming said with emotion.

The leading young man said, “Originally, we were researching gas streetlights, but obtaining gas is far simpler than obtaining biogas. So we changed our design to biogas streetlights, though the principle is largely the same.”

“Good. Qingzhou Province is growing more prosperous day by day. It’s time to add some brightness to the nights as well.” He said to the young man, “I approve of this project. Once the silver is approved, you will be responsible for supervising its construction.”

The young man was both happy and disappointed upon hearing this. Clearly, his design was not as important as Gao Qian’s. However, even if he couldn’t join an imperial company like Gao Qian, he could still earn some silver to continue his research.

After collecting himself, he and the other two thanked Xiao Ming.

Noticing the young man’s expression, he said, “Don’t be discouraged. In my opinion, the direction of your research is correct. Both biogas and gas are very important energy sources. Perhaps you can delve deeper into your research. In the future, these things will be no less significant than running water or electricity.”

The novel has already been fully translated up to the final chapter. You can access it on my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/caleredhair

Check another translation project:
Title: Trench, Gun, and Magic. The webnovel blend magic, firearm, war and mecha with the bacground of WW1