Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

Ren Pingyang's words made the King of Loulan look very unhappy.

“But if there’s not even refined salt, I’m worried that our people here will be in trouble.”

There is a saying that goes, it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but it is difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

After eating refined salt for several months, they are now asked to switch back to coarse salt for no reason.

This is likely to cause resentment among the people.

"They were already upset because they couldn't do business with Qin Ming."

"At this juncture, it would be best to get some refined salt."

"I understand. I'll think of a way next."

Ren Pingyang sighed. Since it was the order of the King of Loulan, he naturally had no way to disobey.

At this time, I have no choice but to look for another opportunity.

On the other side, Qin Ming has returned to Lingnan.

The production of bulletproof vests remains stuck in a bottleneck.

When he found Chen Shimao, he personally told Qin Ming about the current situation.

"Your Highness, our bulletproof vests cannot be lightweight and at the same time resistant to the impact of ammunition."

What he said actually makes a lot of sense.

Because bulletproof vests in later generations are often made of composite materials such as metal, ceramic sheets, nylon, etc.

It is very difficult for them to reach that level of craftsmanship now.

"Then let's use steel plates first."

Qin Ming sighed slowly and didn't want to put too much pressure on them.

"By the way, we've made some of the steam engines you mentioned. Now, with the addition of coal and water, they can already drive some freight cars."

At this time, Chen Shimao mentioned their research on steam engines to Qin Ming.

"Come on, take me to see you."

Qin Ming quickly came to the factory with Chen Shimao.

Next to the factory is their workshop.

A group of craftsmen are gathered here.

Seeing Qin Ming coming over, they immediately surrounded him excitedly and said:

"Your Highness, we have already made the first generation of steam engines. Please come and take a look."

As they spoke, they immediately brought Qin Ming to the side.

Qin Ming also noticed that there was a huge object the size of a carriage in front of them.

Several craftsmen were pushing carts and loading coal into the steam engine.

"This thing is really useful, but there is a small problem, which is that it requires a lot of coal."

"Like you said, the combustion efficiency of what we made is very low."

While working, several craftsmen also spoke to Qin Ming.

The coal was then ignited and fed into the steam engine.

Under this steam engine is the temporary railroad track they built.

As the steam engine slowly began to move, it also began to move forward on the rails.

When they reached the end, several craftsmen nearby quickly pulled the brakes.

"This is basically what it looks like. It's ready for use, but further improvements may still require a long way to go."

They all knew the benefits of the steam engine, which could pull several carriages.

Then move back and forth between areas.

The manpower and material resources required are very small.

All it takes is some free coal to power it.

After watching their actions, Qin Ming nodded slowly and praised them:

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone. You've done a great job. Go to the accounting office later and everyone will receive a reward."

"Oh, Your Highness, you are so kind."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Qin Ming is very willing to invest in them.

He knew that these people who possessed the technology were priceless.

Every time they complete a task, they will be given a lot of rewards.

At this time, Qin Ming had already understood the effect of the steam engine they made.

So he continued to ask:

"Have you tested how many carriages this steam engine can pull?"

Qin Ming remembers the early days of the Industrial Revolution.

A steam locomotive can pull between one hundred and three hundred tons of freight.

This is enough to fill more than a dozen carriages.

When this question was mentioned, Chen Shimao next to him looked at Qin Ming with a strange expression.

"Can't you pull as much as you want?"

"How is that possible?"

Qin Ming didn't understand what Chen Shimao meant, and immediately shook his head and corrected him:

"Teacher, I think this steam locomotive can pull seven or eight carriages of cargo at a time, which should be quite impressive."

Chen Shimao, however, jumped out of this strange circle of thinking. He explained to Qin Ming:

"If it's not strong enough, why don't we add another locomotive and pull it together?"

"what……?"

Qin Ming was stunned for a moment.

He found himself stuck in a mental rut.

Qin Ming, who came from modern society, saw from beginning to end that there was a locomotive at the front and rear of the train.

But now I am building the tracks and steam trains myself, adding a few more locomotives.

Naturally, their carrying capacity can be easily increased.

There is no need to fix it at all, just put one section at the front or rear of the car.

"Teacher, you have enlightened me."

Qin Ming smiled helplessly, then turned to everyone and said:

"The laying of the railroad tracks has already begun. Next, with Qiantang City as the center, we will continue to lay the tracks towards Jiangnan and Huxi. At the same time, we also need to build some transfer stations to resupply coal for the steam trains that pass through."

"I'll leave this matter up to you all. As for how to replenish it and what kind of mechanism would be more convenient, you can think about it carefully when the time comes."

"Don't worry, Your Highness, just leave all these matters to us."

The group of craftsmen patted their chests and made assurances to Qin Ming.

After seeing their results.

Qin Ming took Chen Shimao back to Qiantang City.

While walking on the road, Qin Ming asked Chen Shimao:

"Teacher, our transportation is incredibly powerful now, at least in this era. Can we use this to our full advantage?"

Qin Ming knows a lot of new technologies that can bring a lot of changes to these places.

However, the advantages accumulated from these changes require someone who can govern the world to help bring them into play.

Chen Shimao is such a person.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Shimao explained to Qin Ming:

"Your Highness, I think we can start with the farmers."

"Farmer?"

Qin Ming raised his eyebrows.

To be honest, he didn't think there was any value in farmers.

What they sell are just the most common vegetables, fruits and grains.

On weekdays, as long as you can take care of yourself and have enough food and clothing, that’s enough.

Although with Qin Ming's help, they improved the agricultural tools and increased the output.

But it is actually not easy to make money from their products.

"Do you remember the saying, 'Oranges grown south of the Huai River are oranges, while those grown north of the Huai River are tangerines?'"

Chen Shimao shook his head and reminded Qin Ming.

"remember."

The moment he heard this, Qin Ming suddenly reacted.

"Are you trying to make a fortune by shipping scarce goods to distant places and selling them at the difference in price?"

"It's not about making a fortune, but just making sure you can recoup the money you spent on these transportation projects as soon as possible."

"Your Highness, our train is the only one of its kind in the world."

Chen Shimao said earnestly.