My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 276 The Beginning of a New Era

The workers in the workshop were sweating profusely, but they were all energetic and full of enthusiasm.

Not only because today was the day when the locomotive was officially assembled, but also because everyone, whether workers or managers, wanted to see what a locomotive that could run on its own without being pulled by horses looked like.

This was something they made themselves, and everyone was filled with pride, but also a little uneasy.

I was afraid that if I didn’t do one thing well, all my efforts over the past few days would be wasted.

The more important reason is that His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is also in the workshop at this time!

Not only His Majesty the Emperor, but also the Minister and Vice Minister of Works, even the Ministers of Revenue and War, and a number of dukes and nobles were all here!

The workers, even the person in charge, had never seen such a big scene!

Although the coal smoke and excess water vapor from the steam engine were discharged to the outdoors through the chimney, the workshop was still stuffy. Zhu Yuanzhang was sweating profusely and his dragon robe was soaked.

But he paid no attention to it and even refused to let the eunuch fan him. His mind was completely on the locomotive at this moment.

He wanted to witness with his own eyes how the first locomotive of the Ming Dynasty was born!

Watching the workers using various tools to screw the parts together, the orderly scene has an indescribable special beauty, which is truly more wonderful than any painting!

The hard steel and the hammers that hammered against it formed an unparalleled picture of industrial beauty!

Zhu Yuanzhang also had a lot of thoughts in his mind. This is the source of the Ming Dynasty's power. Coal is the food of industry, and steel is the skeleton of industry. The harder the skeleton, the stronger the Ming Dynasty will be!
Gradually, the workers carefully hoisted the already assembled new steam engine onto the chassis and tightened it with huge screws. Then many workers came forward with tools, some installing the drive shaft and some installing the bearing seat, and they were very busy.

As time went by, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly saw that the locomotive had gradually taken shape. As the main frame was installed, finally, under the witness of everyone, the first locomotive of the Ming Dynasty was assembled.

Everyone at the scene was excited and nervous, with their eyes fixed on the locomotive. The dark body and rugged appearance made it look like a ferocious steel beast, emitting the majestic aura of steel from head to toe. The huge boiler was like a dormant volcano, and the thick steel plate on the surface could hardly conceal the tremendous power contained within.

"Your Majesty, please order a test run!"

Li Min could not hide her excitement and spoke to Zhu Yuanzhang in a trembling voice.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also extremely excited. Looking at the steel behemoth in front of him, it was as incredible as when he first saw the steamship.

He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "I agree. I will start the test drive immediately!"

As Zhu Yuanzhang gave the order, shouts came from the workshop one after another, "Your Majesty has granted permission, everyone get ready, test drive!"

Although Zhu Yuanzhang and others wanted to stand in the locomotive themselves, just like when a steamship was first made seaworthy, and experience it for themselves, the space inside the locomotive was so small that when the driver, assistant, cook and others got in, there was really no extra room, so they could only sigh and give up.

Zhu Yuanzhang took out his mobile phone and turned on the camera mode. He wanted to record this historic moment.

Xu Da, who was standing by, stared at the phone with his eyes wide open. He had been thinking about this thing for a long time. He heard from his son-in-law that it was this phone that recorded the evidence of the Japanese pirates in Shaoxing and made a great contribution.

I heard that the mobile phone was given by a strange man. Should I ask His Majesty to ask the strange man to give me one as well?

As he was thinking about it and looking at the locomotive, Xu Da was filled with emotion. The changes that the strange man had brought to the Ming Dynasty were beyond everyone's imagination, and no one knew what kind of surprises he would bring in the future.

He whispered to Li Wenzhong who was watching the locomotive nervously:

"Siben, we originally envisioned putting a steam engine in a carriage and making a steam carriage that can run without horses. I didn't expect it to be realized so quickly!"

Li Wenzhong nodded, but his eyes were fixed on the train. He subconsciously said, "I heard that the locomotive will pull a lot of carriages behind it. It would be great if we could install guns in the carriages!"

Xu Da nodded in agreement and said, "That's right. If we can install cannons on steamships, then our Ming Dynasty will be invincible both at sea and on land!"

"But this train has to run on rails, and there is too little area for maneuvering." Li Wenzhong's expression was somewhat regretful.

"Perhaps in the near future, a steam-powered armored vehicle that doesn't need rails can be built?" Xu Da began to fantasize. "Maybe I can ask the strange man and see if he has any ideas."

Just as the two were sighing, inside the locomotive, the driver was carefully checking every component, from the combustion condition of the boiler to the lubrication of the wheels, to the sensitivity of the control levers, every detail could not be ignored.

The others were busy nervously on the side. The cook was adding coal, the assistant was adjusting the air pressure, making sure the locomotive was in the best condition. With a loud whistle, all preparations were ready, and the discussions in the crowd gradually subsided, leaving only the slight sound of heartbeats and the mechanical operation inside the locomotive.

Suddenly, the driver pulled the control lever hard, and the locomotive came to life instantly. With a loud "boom", the steam locomotive slowly started, and the huge wheels began to turn slowly, and the ground seemed to tremble.

Then, a powerful force pushed it forward, faster and faster, moving forward steadily and unstoppably.

As the locomotive slowly started to move, the crowd suddenly burst into warm cheers!
"It's started, it's started!"

"It worked, we succeeded!"

"Long live His Majesty, long live the Ming Dynasty!"

Although every worker in the factory has stains and sweat on their faces, it cannot conceal the joy and pride that comes from their hearts.

Although the ministers and nobles did not cheer like the workers due to their status, everyone's excitement and joy were beyond words.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was full of excitement. On this day, he witnessed a miracle again!

Old Li, I really want to share this moment with you, Zhu Yuanzhang thought as he filmed with his mobile phone.

As the locomotive slowly drove out of the workshop, everyone followed.

After a while, steam from the train gushed out of the chimney, turning into spectacular white clouds, drawing beautiful tracks under the blue sky.

As the speed of the locomotive increased, it soon began to run very fast. At this moment, everyone was shocked again.

People stared with their eyes wide open and their mouths wide open, watching this scene in disbelief. It was not just the roar of metal, but also meant that the Ming Empire had taken another solid step forward.

Countless craftsmen had tears in their eyes, and Li Min was even more excited. At this moment, he witnessed the leap from horse-drawn carriages to steam engines, and knew that this was not just the start of a train, but the beginning of a whole new era!
(End of this chapter)