The Great Industrial Ming Dynasty Started from Beiping

Chapter 571 The battle for development direction

"The first steam engine freight car was not very cost-effective."

After visiting the railway cars, several senior managers of China Heavy Industry came to a conclusion and said it in front of Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Gaochi was also curious.

The iron car in front of me is very crude.

Because of the steering problem, there is only one front wheel. However, because there is only one front wheel, the balance is not good enough, and the braking speed is also low. For various reasons, the protection is insufficient.

"Although there are many shortcomings, I believe that it will become popular in the future and become as important a technology as trains. China Heavy Industries must develop it regardless of cost and use it on a large scale."

"Wherever it can be used, it must be used. If it can be used or not, it must be used."

Zhu Gaochi said.

Everyone nodded, understanding His Highness the Grandson's thoughts.

Cost of use, etc., as well as effects, as long as there is no loss, China Heavy Industries should use steam engine trucks.

"The current steam engine trucks don't seem to be of much use, but when the steam engine first appeared, it was only used for pumping water. Who would have thought that through the development of technology, it would become the most important invention of the Ming Dynasty."

"Let's see, this steam engine wagon is more flexible than a train. With an iron cover on it, wouldn't it be invincible?"

Zhu Gaochi reminded.

Everyone was startled.

No one has ever thought about this. As expected of His Royal Highness, the Emperor’s Grandson, his thoughts are as unconstrained as an antelope hanging its horns, leaving no trace behind.

The key is that the more you think about it, the more convinced you become.

If there was such an "iron guy" running rampant on the battlefield, invulnerable, wouldn't it be unstoppable?

"The three wheels are unstable and easy to roll over. It has high requirements on the road itself. It may be more likely to cause problems now. However, what His Royal Highness the Emperor Taisun said is very inspiring to us."

Han Youchang said seriously.

There are many people studying steam engines. Although the first person to make it was Wansan, as more and more people invested in it, many people's talents in steam engines have exceeded Wansan.

Han Youchang is one of them.

At the China Heavy Industries Steam Engine Factory, when the second-generation steam engine was overcoming many problems, this person solved the key issue of sealing and came up with the solution of "capping".

Later, Jinzhou established a shipping administration to overcome the difficulties of steam engines and ships. This person was one of the leaders of the appointed technical team and played an important role.

"correct."

Zhu Gaochi agreed.

"Although it is not as demanding as a train, ordinary dirt roads are indeed difficult to function. You can try to change the wheels. It does not have to be wheels."

Zhu Gaochi proposed the track.

The cost and technology of the tracks are even higher. There are still many technologies that need to be overcome in the current steam engine trucks. However, he will throw out some of the directions he knows.

It's not that it's trying to encourage growth, it's playing a guiding role.

"There's pressure involved."

"With the same piece of mud, people can quickly fall into it, but if you put a wooden board on it, people will not sink when they stand on it. The same is true for wheels and tracks. You can consult more scholars from other industries, and you must not make decisions behind closed doors. ."

"Steam engine trucks can not only transport goods, nor can they be used on battlefields, they also play a huge role in agriculture, breaking through the limitations of manpower on land and completely liberating productivity."

The clerk on the side recorded Zhu Gaochi's words.

This was also the case at China Heavy Industries.

Even if Zhu Gaochi forgets what he explained before because he is busy with work, there will be no omissions if there are written records.

"The technology of steam engines is still open to the whole society. All scholars and craftsmen can study and improve steam engines. As long as there are results, they can receive heavy rewards from the court."

Zhu Gaochi emphasized.

The steam engine was the most important invention of the Industrial Revolution, followed by coke refining technology. These two brought about changes in social energy and power and gave birth to industrialized society.

Therefore, the coking factory was still controlled by the imperial court and controlled the country's energy resources.

Steam engine technology is open to the entire society, and everyone can research and make profits. This is something that only China Heavy Industries can do.

Historically, Britain's first-generation steam engine technology did not have a patent. This was because craftsmen resisted the nobles and knew that applying for a patent would only fall into the hands of the powerful, so they did not apply for a patent directly.

Everyone can study steam engines, and Watt can improve steam engines. This is the background.

It can be seen that British society, with the development of productive forces and the social changes it brought about, eventually achieved the progress of social civilization.

Development is everything.

Society does not develop steadily. In the process of change, various problems arise and setbacks are common, so people need to participate in person.

The senior managers of China Heavy Industries brought back Zhu Gaochi's request.

Soon.

According to the instructions of superior departments, various factories of China Heavy Industry Corporation purchase and use a large number of steam engine trucks. Even if it is unprofitable, they will continue to use them as long as they are not operating at a loss.

Jinzhou Steam Engine Wagon Manufacturing Factory, Peking Steam Engine Wagon Manufacturing Factory, and Jingcheng Steam Engine Wagon Manufacturing Factory opened three in a row.

It's only been a few months.

There are traces of steam engine trucks on the market, mainly in factory areas.

"China Heavy Industries has carried out His Royal Highness the Emperor's will with great force. It is worthy of being an important weapon of the country." Xie Jin had a look of admiration in his eyes.

China Heavy Industries is a "behemoth" separated from the imperial court.

Although under the arrangement of His Royal Highness the Emperor Taisun, it gradually came under the supervision and control of the imperial court, the huge system is amazing.

There are hundreds of thousands of workers under direct and indirect control. Coupled with its influence in all walks of life and the core industries it controls, it can be said that it accounts for half of the Ming Dynasty.

"Double-sided blade."

Zhu Gaochi laughed.

People have seen the benefits of China Heavy Industries, and he also wants to explain clearly to everyone the harms of China Heavy Industries.

When I am alive, I have the confidence to guide me well, but what about the day when I am not here.

"Over the years, I have continuously split up China Heavy Industries, including separating the Railway Engineering Department, Railway Operations Department, and various organizations from the China Heavy Industries system, just to prevent China Heavy Industries from overtaking the country."

Businessmen are much easier to deal with than China Heavy Industries.

China Heavy Industries not only has money and resources, but also has power.

The dragon slayer eventually becomes a dragon.

Only a mature system and a continuous improvement process can make the sword only kill the enemy instead of hurting oneself.

Xie Jin understood Zhu Gaochi's worries.

If you include the Railway Engineering Department, the Engineering Department and other large departments, the number of workers directly managed by China Heavy Industries exceeds 100 million. If you stamp your feet, Ming Dynasty will have to shake.

"Chinese Heavy Industries will continue to be split up in the future, but at this stage it is better to concentrate on doing big things."

Zhu Gaochi said with certainty.

Just relying on the natural fermentation of the market, it would not have taken just a few months to open three steam engine and freight car manufacturing plants regardless of cost, nor would it have taken 11 years to build nearly [-] miles of railways.

Wenhua Hall.

The Governor's Mansion of the Fifth Army, the Ministry of War, and the Cabinet were all present.

Zhu Di was away and went to inspect the capital camp.

The Ming Dynasty's 60-strong land and sea army, new military system, and new combat methods, combined with the railways, have undergone earth-shaking changes from the original.

How to ensure the safety of the capital has become the top concern of the Ministry of War.

"From Thirty Thousand Guards to Beiping City, to Yilibaoli in the west, and to Guangzhou in the south, there are thirty large stations and thirty small stations as military stations, forming a three-circle defense line inside and outside."

Jin Zhong pointed to the circle on the map and said.

"The stations in the capital are directly controlled by the Beijing camp, with the Shanyong Army controlling the North Station and the Zhongyong Army controlling the South Station. Each has a battalion of new troops to guard it for a long time. Then Xuzhou Station, Shanghai Station, and Hangzhou Station also set up a battalion. "

There are two main railway networks in the Ming Dynasty from north to south.

A railway from Datong to Taiyuan, then all the way south to Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, and finally into Guangxi, as well as the railway built in Jiaozhi.

One line goes from Peking to Tianjin, then to Jinan, Xuzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

The railway from Hangzhou to Fuzhou and Xiamen has not yet been opened to traffic and is in the process of large-scale construction.

Then there are the areas near Chengdu in Sichuan, the Chongqing area, the Guiyang area in Guizhou, and the Kunming area in Yunnan, etc., each of which is being built from the provincial capital, starting with ensuring the areas in the province where it is easy to build.

Zhu Gaochi looked at the Ministry of War's plans on the map and considered the pros and cons.

The railway is really fast.

But if someone makes trouble, they can also use the railway to go straight to the capital.

Everyone knows about the blitzkrieg launched by the railways.

Humans are the animals that learn best.

Shield and contradiction.

Now comes the time when a shield is needed.Jin Zhong saw that Zhu Gaochi had no intention of asking, so he continued to point to the railway network on the map and said: "The central railway and the eastern railway run parallel. No matter which line, they all need to pass through Xuzhou. Similarly, the south needs to pass through Hangzhou and Shanghai."

"Considering that Hangzhou is not far from the capital, the first line of defense was added to Hangzhou."

Logically speaking, Hangzhou should build a direct railway link with Beijing.

However, with the rapid development of Shanghai County, this area became the only area where large stations were built as a county. The railway lines between Beijing and Hangzhou stations took a detour.

"Xuzhou and Zhejiang railway stations each established three battalion military stations, becoming the gateway to the Beijing railway network. Then there are the three major stations of Jinan, Zhengzhou and Nanchang."

The main station has three camps.

In addition to guarding the railway, it also has the purpose of protecting the place.One camp was left at the small station in the capital and even in Yingtianfu.Also relying on the railway network, it became a measure to prevent rebel rebellion in the event of it happening.

"There are 15 troops on the railway, 35 remaining troops, 15 in the Beijing camp, 50 in the border areas, and [-] in the remaining provinces in the interior, totaling [-]. If there is a war, some of the troops in the Beijing camp and the interior provinces will be mobilized to support Frontier forces.”

50 troops.

It seems like you can go anywhere in the world.

In fact, this is indeed the case, but the Ming Dynasty's current territory is too large, and the pace of expansion is too fast. It seems that all directions are stable, but in fact, all directions need troops.

"Goryeo's right-wing general Li Bangyuan is the most powerful. We are currently suppressing him, so he doesn't dare to seize the throne blatantly. There is also the shogunate of Japan, which is already in conflict with Ouchi Yoshihiro, and war is about to break out."

"The Myanmar Xuanwei Department is ready to move. The Kingdom of Siam is recruiting troops to prepare for war. It is likely to annex the Sukhothai area. I will not give the Ming Dynasty a chance to intervene."

Jin Zhong received official documents from various places.

"If it weren't for us, the Ming Dynasty, the world would have been at war."

"Yes."

"Everywhere is used to being barbaric. They use force to act recklessly. They don't understand civilization, they don't care for the people, and they don't know the value of peace. We need the enlightenment of our Ming Dynasty to have the world's benevolence and righteousness."

Xie Jin smiled.

Ever since His Majesty the Emperor's Highness liked to use a civilized tone to suppress others, the ministers followed suit and soon became better than others.

Zhu Gaochi was speechless when he heard the two of them talking and laughing.

Ming Dynasty is a moral model for the world.

An example of benevolence and righteousness.

"You just talk about overseas and the southwest. I see that the biggest threat is the northwest." Zhu Gaochi said, interrupting everyone's laughter.

"His Royal Highness the Grandson is talking about Timur?"

Zhu Gaochi nodded, "The Golden Horde was defeated once by Timur and is now in a period of decline. According to Li Xian, who was sent as an envoy and returned, there is a small kingdom over there that actually controls the Golden Horde. If things go on like this, this country will definitely replace the Golden Horde."

"As for the Tamerlane Khanate, because it blocked the communication between the East and the West, we cannot clearly understand the news, but we can know to some extent that this country is now very powerful, with at least hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses. Although I, the Ming Dynasty, are not afraid, we still need to be prepared in advance."

Zhu Gaochi had a headache when he mentioned being on guard.

Defense requires military strength.

Eastern Chagatai Dusi has a small population, the railway has not yet been built, and there are many troops stationed there. It needs supplies from the interior. Plus the cost of transportation, it is not much different from traditional consumption.

But if there are fewer people stationed, if Timur changes his mind and launches the Eastern Expedition in advance, he will lead an army of 30 million infantry and more cavalry than the infantry, totaling 50, to march eastward and stay in the east. The soldiers and civilians of Chagatai Dusi are in danger.

There are two best ways to do this.

One is to shrink the defense line, voluntarily give up the governance of the Eastern Chagatai Dusi, concentrate on governing the eastern region, and leave only some border points in Eastern Chagatai.

The second is to take the initiative to fight out.

But if you fight it out, the cost will be even higher.

This is the difference between nomadic civilization and agricultural civilization.

The nomadic civilization was poor and lacking in supplies, so war was profitable. Anyway, the poor only had one life to live, so if they lost, they would lose.

Fight for war.

When a huge territory has been conquered and there is no room left to grab, it is the time of decline.

But agricultural civilization does not.

After governance, it will become more and more prosperous and civilized.

The transformation of the south from a barbaric land into a prosperous land is the result of the brilliant wealth created by the people of the farming civilization through their own hands and hard work.

Central and West Asia.

After the first wave of plundering and massacre, we recovered for a period of time and finally regained some vitality. Later Western scholars called it another kind of Renaissance, only to be plundered and massacred again by Timur. A wave.

So Timur's eyes returned to the Central Plains.

He fell ill and died on the road.

His successors did not dare to fight the Ming Dynasty and chose to continue to surrender. As expected, when the method of supporting war through war stopped, the Timur Empire began to decline.

As soon as Tamerlane died, his empire broke into civil strife. From civil strife to disintegration, there was never peace again.

As for Central Asia and West Asia, they did not have the recovery period of at least nearly 200 years like the Ming Dynasty in East Asia, thus retaining the fire of civilization. They were not so lucky, so they continued to decline completely.

Should we fight it out? If we fight it out, how should we fight it?

After the slaughter of Timur in Central Asia and West Asia, whether there is still wealth and production means that can replenish the blood of the Ming Dynasty from afar, Zhu Gaochi is most afraid of facing a mess, but needs the supplies of the Ming Dynasty.

The war must serve the people of the Ming Dynasty and bring benefits to them, rather than personal achievements. Zhu Gaochi is still hesitant.

Too many directions and too many choices can be annoying.

"Since Timur is a threat, we, the Ming Dynasty, will eliminate it and ensure the continuation of civilization in the world." Jin Zhong said firmly.

He didn't think there was any force in the world that could rival the Ming Dynasty's army.

Jin Zhong's proposal was approved by most officials.

There were also objections.

Worrying that the land is barren and conquering it will be unprofitable and will only deplete the country's resources and end up in vain, it is better to prioritize the development of the Central Asian Peninsula and concentrate on stabilizing Japan and Korea.

"The Timurid Empire is too far away from us. At least 30 troops are needed to completely defeat them. But what if at this time, Goryeo and Japan start a war, and we are unable to suppress it."

Huang Huai knew Zhu Gaochi's plot best.

Taking advantage of the internal conflicts of Goryeo and Japan, they maintained their status quo at the minimum cost and continued to contribute to the development of the Ming Dynasty, so they spoke out against it.

"Although Timur will definitely defeat the opponent if he sends troops now, it is still unknown how many years it will take to stabilize, how many soldiers will be stationed, how much expenses will be spent, and whether benefits will be obtained. However, it is still unknown for Goryeo, Japan, and even the countries of the Central Asian Peninsula The benefits can be seen.”

"In this case, I believe that priority should be given to ensuring the stability of these areas and integrating them into China as soon as possible. Then it is a good time to deal with the Timur Empire."

"I'm afraid that people don't mean to hurt the tiger, but the tiger has the intention to eat people."

Jin Zhong said from a military perspective: "We have tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians left in the East Chagatai Dusi area. After we have newly recovered this area, should we just abandon it? Besides, there is no principle of guarding against thieves for a thousand days. Why not first?" Fight out."

"The distance from the capital to the area where Timur is currently located is tens of thousands of miles long."

"Although his capital is not far away, only less than [-] miles away, once the war begins, it will inevitably be necessary to completely eliminate the opponent. Is it possible to pursue him tens of thousands of miles away?"

"Where will the supplies come from, how much people will be needed, and how many crises will be encountered."

Seeing that the ministers all had their own opinions, Zhu Gaochi finally made the final decision: "Let's seek peace through war."

Everyone looked at Zhu Gaochi.

Living in the East Asian monster room, Zhu Gaochi needs to plan the overall situation, not temporary gains and losses.

"If Timur is obedient, ignore him, but if he disobeys, then give him a beating. Beat him painfully and frighten him, so that he will not dare not to surrender to the Ming Dynasty, and drive him out of the east of Central Asia. area."

Wars are fought for profit.

What farming civilization needs is productive land. Zhu Gaochi stared at a corner of the map with greedy eyes.

As for Central Asia.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have been Chinese lands since ancient times. The two regions were included in China's territory from the time of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty until the end of the Tang Dynasty.

These two areas currently belong to the Eastern Chagatai Dusi of the Ming Dynasty.

The plains of Central Asia are in the west, while Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the east are located on plateaus. The mountains within the territory account for 90.00% of the land area. 90.00% of the territory is above 500 meters above sea level, with the highest reaching more than 7000 meters.

Even if there are mines in these areas, the cost of mining them is very high.

Today's era is an extremely barren area. In the past, the war between the Tang Dynasty and Persia was very disadvantaged from a geographical perspective.

And to build railways in these two places, Zhu Gaochi felt that it would be better to build railways in southern Yunnan.

Regardless of the difficulty or the benefits.

He decided to go overseas and go south.

Finally in Central and Western Asia.

Moreover, if history does not change, Tamerlane will not survive long. Letting chaos in Central and West Asia first is the best choice.

But also have to guard against.

What if there are new changes?

(End of this chapter)