Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 59 Power Research Institute, Birthday Gift [Seeking Follow-up Reading]

After leaving the Forbidden City, Liu Kuan returned to his mansion and took a nap.

Then he came to the Science and Technology Department.

Logically speaking, he just returned to the capital today. Although he needs to go to the palace to meet the emperor, he does not need to take up his post at the Science and Technology Department on the same day. He can wait until the next day.

But Liu Kuan was concerned about the affairs of the Science and Technology Bureau and felt it necessary to meet his direct superior Su Quan, so he came over.

But when he arrived, he found that there were few people in the courtyard.

In addition to the doctor Su Quan, there was the bookkeeper He Zhang and several clerks.

After Liu Kuan entered the hall and saluted Su Quan, he asked, "Dr. Su, where is the secretary Fan Qin?"

Su Quan smiled and said, "Guo Tianwen is a bit busy over there, so I asked Fan Qin to go and help."

Before Liu Kuan went to Liuhe Iron Works, Wang Buqun was sent there in advance, so the other responsible persons could not be idle.

The coal project team that Yu Xian was in charge of was working at Qinglong Mountain in Chunhua Town, next to the capital.

Qiu Qichi is in charge of the carriage project team, and his work location is located on a section of railway northwest of Xuanwu Lake.

As for the power project team that Guo Tianwen is in charge of, it is also located in the northwest of Xuanwu Lake, not far from the carriage project team.

It is located in the outer city area and currently has relatively few residents, making it suitable for future boiler-related experiments.

Liu Kuan had already informed everyone in the Science and Technology Department that boiler testing was somewhat dangerous. If the boiler exploded, it could cause casualties or even cause a fire. Therefore, it was necessary for the project team to choose a secluded place.

Liu Kuan didn't understand why Guo Tianwen was so busy, so he asked, "Could it be that the power project team's work isn't going smoothly?"

Su Quan said, "Guo Tianwen was impatient with chores and was obsessed with experiments, which caused some trouble with the project team's personnel and material allocation. It's nothing serious."

After listening to this, Liu Kuan said, "The power project team is the top priority in building the train. We can't neglect it. I'd better go over and take a look."

Su Quan nodded, "You might as well go and take a look."

So Liu Kuan left the Ministry of Works compound, rode on Wuyuntuoxue, and headed towards the northwest area of ​​the capital, escorted by soldiers from the Yiluansi.

When Liu Kuan arrived at a large courtyard southeast of Lime Mountain, he saw a simple wooden sign hanging outside the gate, which read: Power Research Institute.

There were a lot of sounds coming from inside, with the most obvious being the sound of iron hammering.

There were personal guards outside the compound, and upon learning of Liu Kuan's identity, they let him in directly.

After entering, Liu Kuan saw several carpenters busy in the front yard. A clerk nearby saw Liu Kuan and was stunned for a moment before stepping forward to greet him, saying, "This humble official greets Deputy Liu."

The official's name was Qi Damu, and he was originally a young carpenter who could read and write.

He was very grateful to Liu Kuan for being able to work in the Science and Technology Department as a clerk. When he first heard Liu Kuan talk about all things related to trains, he had even more respect for him.

He didn't know when Liu Kuan returned to the capital, and was quite surprised to see him at this time.

Liu Kuan nodded and asked, "Where is Director Guo?"

Qi Damu said, "He's testing the cast iron boiler in the backyard."

Liu Kuan was a little surprised. "It's only been a few days, and he's already made an iron boiler? Did he pay attention to safety measures during the experiment?"

Liu Kuan asked two questions, and Qi Damu didn't know how to answer - he was also a man who was not good at speaking.

Seeing this, Liu Kuan walked straight to the backyard.

The compound of the Power Research Institute is not small, but it is divided into only three parts: front, middle and back.

As soon as Liu Kuan entered the backyard, he heard Guo Tianwen's angry voice, "Is this boiler the same as the one on the blueprint I gave you? Don't you understand the principle that a slight error can lead to a huge mistake?"

"Go tell those foundries that boilers are precision-engineered items, and not even the smallest detail can be wrong. Have them recast them according to the blueprints!"

Walking further in, Liu Kuan saw a large iron boiler burning under a shed. In addition to a pipe mouth that was left intentionally to emit steam, there were also several seemingly closed places above that were emitting steam.

It is obvious that this cast iron boiler is a completely unqualified defective product.

Seeing this, Liu Kuan breathed a sigh of relief - as long as there was no safety issue, it would be fine.

At this time, everyone in the backyard also saw Liu Kuan and came forward to pay their respects.

"Your humble servant greets Vice-President Liu!"

Liu Kuan returned the greeting and said, "Master Guo, you don't have to rush the boiler test. Cast iron boilers are not suitable for full-scale testing."

Guo Tian asked, "I understand, but I've already explained everything before. However, the things those casters have produced still don't match the drawings in many ways. It's really frustrating."

Liu Kuan said, "No one has ever made a boiler before, and those craftsmen must be inexperienced. We need to cast it a few more times to accumulate experience before we can make something that meets our expectations."

"Just like you, Mr. Guo, even with the information I gave you, you can't build a working steam engine in one go, right? Whether it's with others or ourselves, we should be more patient."

Although Guo Tianwen is in his thirties and ten years older than Liu Kuan, he was indeed a little too stubborn before.

After hearing what Liu Kuan said, he realized that his mentality was wrong. He took a deep breath and said, "Liu Fulang is right. I was a little anxious. But we still need to make those casters understand that they must strive to make the castings exactly as shown in the drawings!"

Liu Kuan smiled bitterly and thought to himself: Guo Tianwen is the real straight man of science and engineering.

But scientific work sometimes requires a serious and rigorous approach. Liu Kuan then discussed boiler and steam engine testing with Guo Tianwen.

He then inspected several other work areas of the institute and talked with the craftsmen to understand the problems they encountered in their work and life.

Seeing that it was indeed as Su Quan said, there were some minor problems but no major ones, I felt relieved.

After repeatedly telling Guo Tianwen and Fan Qin to pay attention to safety issues, Liu Kuan left and prepared to go to the carriage project team that Qiu Qichi was in charge of.

The next morning.

Liu Kuan came to the Science and Technology Department, handled some work matters, symbolically asked for leave from Su Quan, and then entered the Forbidden City.

He came to give Zhu Huilan a birthday present.

But he couldn't contact Zhu's harem directly, so he could only go to Fengxian Hall to ask to see Zhu.

But Zhu Biao was also there, and it seemed that he was discussing something with Old Zhu.

After Liu Kuan saluted, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the gift box in Liu Kuan's hand and asked with a smile, "Are you here to give Huilan a birthday present?"

Liu Kuan said, "That's right, but I don't know how to give it to the Third Princess."

Zhu Yuanzhang really wanted to know what Liu Kuan had given him, but thinking that it was his daughter's birthday present, he resisted the urge to let Liu Kuan open it in Fengxian Hall.

He said, "The Queen is in Rouyi Palace. She has something to tell you. Please go now."

Zhu Biao then smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, I will go to the Science and Technology Department to look for you this afternoon, but please don't run around."

Liu Kuan thought to himself: I'm not a child, why would I run around for no reason?

He said, "I understand. I'll take my leave."

After saying this, he left Fengxian Hall.

When he arrived at the nearby Rouyi Palace, Empress Ma was indeed waiting for him with a kind smile on her face.

She glanced at Liu Kuan for a few times and said, "You look a little thinner than before you left Beijing. It must be very hard to work at the Liuhe Ironworks, right?"

Liu Kuan said, "Your Majesty, I am only doing leadership work at the ironworks, using my brain and words. Compared to the hardworking craftsmen working there, my contribution is nothing."

Queen Ma nodded. "The craftsmen are indeed hardworking, but as someone in a higher position, it's even more precious that you understand their hard work."

Liu Kuan said, "I never consider myself a superior. I just do different work from them."

"Really?" Queen Ma listened thoughtfully.

After coming to her senses, she did not continue to discuss this issue with Liu Kuan. Instead, she cast her eyes on the mahogany gift box that Liu Kuan was holding and asked with a smile, "Is that the birthday present for Huilan in your hand?"

"Exactly. I'd like to trouble Her Majesty to deliver it to the Third Princess."

Empress Ma asked again, "Do you have anything for me to tell Huilan?"

When she said this, there seemed to be a hint of mischief in the smile on Queen Ma's face.

Liu Kuan didn't notice.

He was slightly stunned and said, "I left a letter in this gift box. I wrote down what I wanted to say."

Queen Ma nodded and signaled a palace maid to take the gift box from Liu Kuan.

She was also very curious about what Liu Kuan would give her, but after receiving the gift box, she just put it on the desk and did not touch it.

Then, she looked at Liu Kuan and said, "There are only six or seven days left until your wedding to Huilan. I'm worried that some things in your house are not well prepared. I would like to send a female official to help. Is that okay?"

How could I refuse such a thing?
Besides, Liu Kuan had no elders or relatives in the Ming Dynasty, so naturally he had no female relatives who were capable of handling this matter.

As for the four maids and servants in the mansion, even if we put aside their status, they may not be capable of doing the job.

Queen Ma sent someone over to help him solve his problem.

He then bowed and said, "Of course it is. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Empress Ma smiled and said, "Why thank me? This is what I should do. In a few days, you will have to call me mother-in-law."

Even in the Ming Dynasty, this topic and atmosphere still made Liu Kuan feel a little embarrassed, and he didn't know what to say at all.

Empress Ma seemed to notice Liu Kuan's embarrassment and said, "Okay, if there is nothing else, you can go back."

"By the way, make sure you rest well these few days and don't overwork yourself. You'll be in for a lot of hard work on the wedding day."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reminder. I will take my leave."

After Liu Kuan left Rouyi Palace, Empress Ma looked at the gift box on the desk again and shouted with a smile, "Huilan, everyone has left. How long are you going to hide? Come out quickly and see what gift Liu Kuan has given you."

A girl in palace attire walked out from the back of the hall, with shy eyes and a smile on her lips.

It was the third princess Zhu Huilan.

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(End of this chapter)