Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 884 Industrialization Process

In the capital, after a light snowfall, the temperature plummeted.

On this day, Zhu Youcheng embarked on his first official tour since ascending the throne. He did not travel far, only visiting the Western Hills.

Besides his beloved father-in-law Zhang Luan, those accompanying him included Grand Secretaries Xu Pu and Liu Jian, Minister of Personnel Wang Shu, Duke of Yingguo Zhang Mao, and some officials from the Ministry of Rites.

The Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, Qin Chang, accompanied them.

Their purpose in going to Xishan was to inspect the industrial park that Zhang Yanling had built in the western part of Beijing over the past year.

The procession on the way there was rather simple.

Before even reaching the Xishan area, we saw a large number of people working on the construction.

Zhu Youcheng stepped down from the imperial carriage and looked around, but he couldn't see very clearly. Zhang Luan quickly handed him a pair of binoculars.

"Zhang Guozhang, what are you up to?"

Liu Jian stepped forward and pointed to the bustling construction site a hundred meters away, asking a question.

Zhang Luan said, "Build a railway."

The ministers present exchanged bewildered glances.

Finally, it was Liu Jian, who initiated the topic, who voiced his question: "What is a railway?"

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "It's like building a track, on which a very heavy iron cart will run. The iron cart will transport all kinds of supplies, and it can carry hundreds of thousands of kilograms at a time... at least that much. It's not pulled by manpower, but by burning coal... to produce steam... that's roughly how it works."

Those around them were stunned.

Zhang Mao laughed and said, "That's quite interesting... Using water to pull a cart? Is it a waterwheel?"

Zhang Luan glanced over awkwardly, thinking to himself, "These uneducated people are so ignorant! No wonder my son always says his older brother's lack of education is terrifying..."

Liu Jian asked, "Isn't it too wasteful of manpower and resources to build a railway?"

These words were mostly spoken to the emperor.

Zhang Luan explained with a smile, "There's no need to worry about expenses. The road construction costs are all borne by the Xishan Industrial Park, and the imperial court doesn't need to contribute a single penny. As for manpower, the workers have all been paid their full wages; it's an employment relationship. In the past year or so, many people from the north have migrated here to make a living by working."

Liu Jian said, "If we don't engage in production and only focus on building railways, won't that cause the fields to become barren?"

Don't nitpick.

Zhang Luan remained unperturbed and said with a smile, "In fact, after a hundred years of peace in the Ming Dynasty, many people have no land to cultivate. Would they rather be tenant farmers than work as laborers?"

“There are already many people in the areas surrounding the capital who make a living by doing manual labor. If we let them come here to work, they can earn money to support their families and also promote the industrialization of the Ming Dynasty. Wouldn’t that be better?”

Finally, Zhang Luan added: "Not every household can own thousands of acres of fertile land."

This statement is very clearly directed at someone.

Xu Pu asked, "I wonder what the purpose of building this railway is? Is there so much cargo that needs to be transported?"

"Why don't you just walk forward and see?"

Zhang Luan remained calm and composed.

Clearly, this wasn't his first time here.

Although he is lazy and mostly hides away, his son is not in the capital now, and many things need someone to take care of them, so he has to go out and move around from time to time.

After witnessing firsthand the level of industrialization in Xishan, he instantly felt that everything his son had done was meaningful, and from that moment on, he regarded it as his own backyard.

It was precisely because of the protection and support of this father and son that the productivity of the Ming Dynasty could advance so rapidly, allowing the people to live a different life.

Zhu Youcheng finally spoke: "Let's move forward. I also want to see it with my own eyes. I've always heard Yanling say that everything only exists in imagination. I've wanted to come and inspect it properly for a long time."

"Your Majesty, please."

Zhang Luan quickly led the way.

…… ……

We finally arrived at the market town at the foot of Xishan Mountain.

Upon arriving here, even Liu Jian, who had previously been critical, was amazed by the bustling atmosphere.

It's practically a miniature version of Beijing.

Not only were there numerous shops, but thick smoke billowed from various workshops, and a large number of horse-drawn carriages were waiting to transport goods on the road... Moreover, the road surface was very smooth, unlike ordinary dirt roads or brick and stone paving, and it felt very hard when stepped on.

"This is……?"

Liu Jian turned around and glanced at Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan laughed and said, "This is a cement road, and there is an asphalt road ahead. I don't know exactly how it was built. But after my son taught me the method, the Xishan area and the surrounding area can now build this kind of road on a large scale... He also said that if steam cars are used in the future, they can travel hundreds of miles a day on this kind of road, and transportation will be extremely convenient. Right now, only horse-drawn carriages are on the road, but in the future, steam cars will probably be the ones running on the road."

"A steam engine? What's that?"

Liu Jian looked embarrassed.

Normally we travel by horse-drawn carriage. Although we have long since reached the point where we can ride in official sedan chairs, don't we have to spend money to hire people to ride in them?
Labor costs are too high!
Most of the time, horse-drawn carriages were still the means of transportation.

What kind of steam engine?

I've never heard of it!
Zhang Luan said, "I don't know the specifics. Let's wait for my son to come back and ask him. By the way, the prototype of the steam car has been built. It's quite large, but the power isn't that strong yet. However, it can transport several hundred kilograms of goods like it's nothing. Of course, it's best to use this new road, as it's more convenient and faster."

Zhang Yanling not only wanted to build railways and trains, but also highways and steam cars.

It wasn't a diesel locomotive, but a coal-fired vehicle. While it wasn't as powerful or reliable as a diesel locomotive, it was simple in principle, using steam for power. However, it would emit black smoke when running on the road, required water refills, and someone had to add coal to it...

This type of vehicle became very common during wartime and periods of oil scarcity in later generations.

Using it in this era would be absolutely astonishing.

"What... are those for?"

Xu Pu pointed to the places in the distance where black and white smoke was billowing out and asked curiously.

"They all manufacture things. There are iron casting and steelmaking workshops, glassmaking workshops, and even some that produce 'three acids and two alkalis,' which I can't even describe... Among them, the iron casting and steelmaking workshops are the most numerous. Of course, there are also arsenals, similar in nature to Wanggongchang and the Ordnance Factory, but they are not located in industrial areas; they have to be located deep in the mountains. That place is convenient for defense and can also prevent accidents from endangering the lives of ordinary people."

Xu Pu said, "What's the point of developing so many industries?"

Zhang Luan said decisively, "Weapons are made to facilitate warfare against foreign barbarians. My son Yanling is now leading troops across the grasslands, galloping across the land. If he doesn't make the firearms himself, who can help him? Stop talking about wasting manpower and resources. From mining to smelting, and then to the collection of production and living materials, it's all been planned by my son."

“The people who participate all receive wages to cover their daily living expenses. They work hard, but it is not in vain.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Pu frowned slightly.

It's as if it's asking, "What are you talking about?"

I don't quite understand what you're saying.

Why are you blocking other people's right to speak in advance?
Zhu Youcheng, like an observer, did not participate in their discussion. He pointed ahead and said, "Let's walk a little further and talk as we go."

"Wait a minute."

Zhang Luan said, "There will be someone to guide them. We'll talk about it when they arrive."

"who?"

Zhang Mao asked a question.

Zhang Luan smiled and said, "He is my son."

Zhang Mao asked in surprise, "Is it my nephew Yanling?"

“My second son isn’t here; he’s still on the grasslands,” Zhang Luan shrugged. “I have two sons, have you forgotten, Duke of Ying?”

Zhang Mao thought to himself, "Damn it!" He realized that he had almost forgotten about his eldest son, who was practically invisible. Who would remember him?
(End of this chapter)