Chapter 1011: Chapter 1009: The Emperor’s Interest
Regarding Wong Qiao and others’ decision to keep Ye Xinyan away from danger, Zhou Biyao didn’t find it inappropriate at all. With such a big machine in motion, Sister Qi, a woman, should stand in a safe place.
This should indeed be handled this way.
Zhou Biyao thought so, and she felt Ye Xinyan should consciously step back as well. So when Ye Xinyan ca over, she just smiled at her, without caring whether there was a response, and turned her gaze away, looking at the machine not far away with excitent and so worry, along with Wong Qiao inspecting the machine.
Is this thing really dangerous? Ah Qiao is so close to the machine, is that really okay?
After a while, Zhou Biyao felt sothing was wrong, noticing Ye Xinyan’s dissatisfied and disdainful gaze continuously scrutinizing her.
“What’s the matter?” Zhou Biyao was quite astonished. She was standing here perfectly fine, not provoking anyone!
Ye Xinyan’s full discontent towards Shi Yin and Wong Qiao was all infused in her gaze towards Zhou Biyao. “Why would a person involved in construction co here?!” causing her to be dragged here as well.
“I…” Zhou Biyao was stunned! What’s wrong with being in construction? Is construction not a legitimate business?
“Sister Qi, how could you say that? When the chanical Workshop first started, it was who helped sort out docunts, place work orders, and draw diagrams for the workshop. I have genuinely worked in the chanical Workshop.”
“…” Ye Xinyan blinked, as if realizing it was true?
But failing like this wasn’t her style, “What I an is, this place just started trial operations, it’s dangerous. I’m doing this for your good.”
Zhou Biyao nodded in realization: “Oh, that’s the case. Thank you, Sister Qi. I thought you were just here for a few days temporarily and looked down on us construction folks. I was about to go and talk to Grandpa Qi about this.”
What do you an temporarily? She wasn’t making petty calculations like Old Man Shi and Wong Qiao, she was their superior!
Ye Xinyan got anxious: “Who said I’m temporary? I’m the Chief Steward of the chanical Workshop, you know? The Chief Steward’s rank is much higher than the chief manager, understand?”
Not right, what else did Zhou Biyao say? It seed like she threatened her, to report to Grandpa about her?
Ye Xinyan suspiciously glared at Zhou Biyao, pondering if there’s nothing for her to do in the chanical Workshop. Should she return to Guangsha Construction, check on the construction work, and maybe make things slightly difficult for Zhou Biyao?
Zhou Biyao glanced at the machine on site, tugged at her sleeve, and excitedly pointed forward, “Look, Sister Qi, look quickly, the machine’s moving.”
Sure enough, the piston rod of the steam engine moved, slowly propelling its connecting chanism into motion. As the first exhaust sound was heard, the sowhat large machine began continuous operation.
This trial run had been attempted many tis before, but due to various faults, it never lasted long. However, the craftsn in the chanical Workshop truly witnessed the powerful and wondrous force of industrial power.
Because they had seen it many tis before, the craftsn no longer had the initial sense of awe.
Yet, watching the massive and forceful airflow gushing from the blast furnace’s outlet, and hearing the roaring machine sounds and the rhythmic steam blasts of the steam engine, the hearts of all the craftsn present still surged with excitent.
They awaited with anticipation, hoping this trial run would last longer, reaching the blast ti required by the slting furnace, or even longer.
The hourglass flowed silently, ti slowly passed by, and the assembled steam engine and blast furnace did not, like the previous tis, emit ear-piercing sharp sounds, nor did the moving parts of the steam engine overheat.
A quarter of an hour, two quarters of an hour, an hour, ti slipped by.
Every half quarter of an hour, Shi Yin, Wong Qiao, and Cheng Dahui would separately lead people to inspect whether the operation of each part of the steam engine and blast furnace was normal.
The record-keeping personnel held clipboards, recording the inspection results one by one, and conducted data comparisons.
As ti passed, the rumbling machine sounds roared rhythmically, and each operating system functioned stably. The craftsn’s mood not only failed to calm but grew increasingly excited.
A long hour later, Shi Yin and the other two checked each operational part’s temperature, sound, and lubrication conditions again, exchanged a satisfied glance, and reached a consensus.
Wong Qiao’s gaze swept among the craftsn waiting for the result and loudly announced amidst the machine’s rumbling sound: Up till now, the machine’s operation has been good, and it’s beco stable. The blast furnace can be considered successful. The rest is to maintain this status.
As Wong Qiao finished speaking, accompanied by the machine’s rumbling sound, the site erupted in even louder cheers. They had toiled day and night for two years and finally achieved a result! The world had never seen such a wondrous device, and they witnessed its birth!
By this ti, it was already half past the Si Hour, and everyone had unknowingly stood for more than an hour.
Wong Qiao kindly advised everyone to disperse. Apart from the craftsn assigned to operate the trial run, others could go ho and rest first.
Once the blast furnace had run for six Shichen, they would cease heating and end the operation. The next day, they would inform everyone of the specific situation.
According to the plan, if the trial run was reliable, they had to ensure the operation lasted six Shichen before reporting to the court and liaising with the iron slting workshop for trial use.
……
The emperor was extrely curious and interested, wanting to go to the sltery workshop in Huaiyuan County to see that so-called blast furnace’s actual effect.
He was sowhat doubtful in his heart, not understanding the previously mystical device which was said to be a steam engine; why now was everyone talking about a blast furnace? Moreover, where did that wind co from?
However, those present were all literati like Han Yanhui and Liu Chengzhi, who couldn’t explain it clearly. Cheng Dahui, who could explain, had completely forgotten his court duties, handing over his affairs to the Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Workshops, working tirelessly for the Ye Family girl every day.
Fortunately, there was Jinrong, a half-knowing enthusiast of ingenious devices.
Jinrong didn’t explain to the emperor how the steam engine and blast furnace were linked and operated, only advising the emperor: “They took the machine to Huaiyuan County this ti, first to connect the machine to the air intake of the iron-slting furnace, then to adjust it before attempting to start the operation. If there are any issues, adjustnts will continue. Even if Father Emperor went, you wouldn’t see the result but only make the workers nervous.”
The Cabinet officials present in the Imperial Study Room all voiced their agreent irrespective of Jinrong’s reasoning correctness, unanimously echoing.
In short, the most prudent decision was to dissuade His Majesty, preventing him from leaving the palace, let alone the city.
The emperor looked at the nurous chattering officials and frowned, saying: “The small machine in my room looks great; how could it be as complicated as you said? Jinrong, didn’t you go and see it? Can’t you tell if it works or not?”
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