African Nationhood

Chapter 33 Blind Date
  Before Tian Liang and others from Rand Basin arrived in Cape Town, Shi Jintang, who had nothing to do, went to the Cape Colony Government Patent Office to check in.

It was rare for Shi Jintang to come here to take charge, so the four clerks under him all returned to the office obediently to work.

When Shi Jintang presided over the work of the Patent Office, he made it clear that they would follow the British patent law as the basis for review.

However, Cape Town is only a British colony and is very backward as a whole. People with ideas prefer to apply for patents directly in the UK.

Therefore, the Patent Office has been established for a while, and almost no one has come here to apply for patents. Only people have come here for consultation a few times.

According to the "Patent Act Amendment Order" issued by the British government in 1852, patent applicants need to submit patent specifications and samples and are required to publish them within a time limit.

The Cape Colony had a high rate of illiteracy, so many people were put off by the prospect of submitting a patent specification.

The four civil servants under my command are naturally idle when they have nothing to do, but over time they will inevitably become empty and slack.

So Shi Jintang thought for a while and planned to "invent" the modern bicycle.

He has traveled so long that he has seen bicycles in the United States and London, but the current bicycles are still very primitive.

He kept it in mind at that time, and would do it when he had time. Anyway, he had nothing to do today, so he just did it.

Bicycles are not difficult, but the "money" aspect is huge. He has been particularly short of money since the beginning of colonization.

The Nakawab gold mine was successfully mined, but dividends will have to wait for some time.

The 15 pounds he had previously spent on selling shares was basically spent on building new settlements, introducing factories, and preparing food, clothing, and miscellaneous items for the immigrants.

The Southwest African colony will be a gold-swallowing black hole for a long time, so he must work hard to make money!
  ……

Shi Jintang asked his civil servants to help him search for past patent documents on bicycles, and then summarized them and gave them to him for review.

After the patent documents compiled by his subordinates were brought over, Shi Jintang read them carefully and roughly determined the current level of bicycle research and development.

The prototype of the modern bicycle came from the Frenchman Sifulak in 1790. At first, the bicycle he developed was just a wooden toy.

Since then, the research and development of bicycles has been intermittent for nearly a hundred years, with one person improving one or two things at a slow pace.

It is completely reasonable for Shi Jintang to "create" the modern bicycle in 1879.

In the original time and space, it was not until 1886 and 1888, when two British people carried out relay innovations, that the research and development of modern bicycles was truly completed.

Now this honor will naturally fall to him, Shi Jintang, who is very skilled in drawing the structural diagram of the bicycle.

In this design drawing, he "creatively" used a "diamond structure" to increase the stability of the body.

He also "designed" two devices, the front fork and the brake. At the same time, he also "invented" two new concepts, the pneumatic inner tube and the rubber outer tire.

In this way, the entire modern bicycle is completely invented.

The next step is to make a prototype car and complete the entire patent specification, and then you're done.

"David?"

"Come here, Chief, are you looking for me?"

David Bell is a native of British descent. He is not tall and has buck teeth, but he has a kind and down-to-earth personality.

Shi Jintang was happy to leave things to him.

“This is a new bicycle that I ‘developed’. The design drawing has been completed and the names of each part have been marked.

Your next job is to help me complete the patent specification. I have already laid out the outline. You can help me complete it. Can you do it? "

David took the design drawing and the outline and looked at it for a while, then nodded, "Okay."

This young man is still reliable. Shi Jintang turned to the other three civil servants and instructed: "You three must follow David's orders and assist him.

When this is done, I will give you bonuses. "

The other three civil servants immediately responded in unison: "Yes, Director."

Shi Jintang waved David out, took out the metal cigarette case, lit a cigarette easily, and puffed on it comfortably.

The cigarette was almost gone, when suddenly there was a "bang" and the office of the patent office was pushed open.

Shi Jintang looked sideways and found that it was Tian Liang. This guy was sweating on his forehead.

The small eyes first stared at the white face of the female civil servant for a while before turning to Shi Jintang's face.

"Boss, I'm here. Do you want to go to the dock now?" Shi Jintang chuckled, "You're just in time!"

Tian Liang rushed over quickly and quickly took down Shi Jintang's silk hat and woolen windbreaker from the coat rack.

"Boss, it's windy outside. Put on your hat and windbreaker before going out."

Seeing this guy's flattering face, Shi Jintang didn't say anything, threw away his cigarette, and went straight out through the office.

After Shi Jintang and the two left, the other three civil servants immediately jumped to David's side and said, "How about the bicycle designed by the director? Let me see it!"

……

The cold wind from the Atlantic Ocean was indeed strong. Shi Jintang tightened his windbreaker and walked leisurely on Table Mountain Street.

"Boss, you have promised me before about finding a wife."

"Well, did you say that you came here today just to make me fulfill my promise?"

"Hehe, boss, you know that we, Lao Tian, ​​are a down-to-earth man. He doesn't know anything nice to say, and he only has loyalty to you.

After this is done today, I will be a dog under your feet, and I will bite whoever you ask me to bite. "

"You are really cunning, oh, why won't you work for me if I don't find you a wife?

Then why should I give you the land? I might as well take it back. "

When Tian Liang heard this, he immediately panicked. He raised his hand and slapped himself twice in the mouth.

His cheeks were red and swollen, and it was obvious that he slapped himself with great force!
  "What are you talking about, you bastard? If you tell nonsense, I'll beat you to death!"

Seeing that he was going to slap him again, Shi Jintang immediately grabbed him.

"Okay, I'm just kidding you. Don't worry, I'll keep it in mind. I'll make sure you're satisfied when I meet you!"

Tian Liang's cheeks were so swollen that he could hardly see his eyes. He didn't know what to say, so he just grinned dryly, showing his big white teeth.

……

When they arrived at the dock area, the two came to the immigration transfer area. Trudeau was guarding outside the shack.

He said hello to Shi Jintang, turned around and noticed something strange on Tian Liang's face, and immediately asked out of curiosity: "Tian, ​​what's wrong with you?"

Before Tian Liang could think of how to explain, he heard Shi Jintang speak first, "Oh, he was injured while saving me today."

Trudeau is a rough-and-tumble man and can't think too finely. He nodded to agree with his boss's explanation.

If Qu Sangqian were here, he would definitely find a way to figure out the details.

"Open the door and call that Zheng Xiuhong over."

Trudeau nodded, opened the door of the shed, and shouted inside, "Zheng, come out!"

Not long after, he heard footsteps in the shack. Tian Liang's heartbeat accelerated and he didn't know whether to look up or lower his head.

Suddenly, a young girl with an oval face walked out from behind the door.

She has a well-proportioned figure, a fair face, and dark eyes. She is elegant and quiet, and her whole body exudes the aura of Xiaojiabiyu.

The only shortcoming is her feet, which are a pair of three-inch feet. She is a little unstable when walking and will fall down if she is not careful.

When Shi Jintang saw this girl, he was very fond of her temperament and figure, but he really couldn't accept her small feet.

Especially after seeing the true appearance of the Three-inch Golden Lotus online, I feel physically nauseous every time I think about it.

But Tian Liang is different. He is a person of this era and has always been influenced by traditional culture.

Therefore, this girl was definitely a good match for him, and he could only chuckle.

"How about it?"

Shi Jintang touched Tian Liang's shoulder, who looked dull and said, "My mother, this is such a fairy-like woman!"

　During the recommendation period, I urgently need the support of readers. Could you please use your little hands to help me click on the latest chapter? Thank you. Following up is very important to influence the next round of recommendations for this book. Thank you, Puppet!

(End of this chapter)