Chapter 1277 Huge Gap

"Mr. Liu is very knowledgeable and knows how to draw inferences from one instance to another."

Yu Xiaobao's voice suddenly came from behind him, and Liu Shang was also startled. He quickly bowed and responded: "This villain is just talking nonsense and ignorant. I hope Director Yu won't be blamed."

Yu Xiaobao waved his hand and said: "It doesn't matter. Among the new immigrants to Haihan, there are very few people who have your experience. What you just said is right. The principle of the steam engine used on this ship is the same as that of the locomotive.

They are all the same. They all use coal and water to generate power. This product can be used in many ways, not just for vehicles and boats. For example, local sugar cane juice extraction and sugar refining have abandoned the traditional production method of human and animal power.

Instead, it was driven by a steam engine, and the efficiency was doubled compared to the past, which naturally reduced the production cost."

Liu Shang saw that Yu Xiaobao seemed to be having a good conversation, so he asked tentatively: "This thing is indeed very powerful, but the amount of coal it consumes is not a small amount, right? And the villain seems to be made of fine iron, so it must be

The cost is also very high, and if we want to recover the capital, I’m afraid it will take quite a long time.”

Yu Xiaobao nodded and said: "You are right to the point. This steam engine is really expensive to build, and daily use requires a large amount of coal. It also needs trained personnel to operate and maintain it. In terms of convenience, it is indeed not as good as human power or animal power.

Water power and wind power, but things have to be looked at from two directions. Have you ever thought about how much this steam engine can do? A train can transport tens of thousands of kilograms of weight at a time. If it were replaced by horses, how much would it cost to raise them?

How much time? And this ship, a sailboat of the same size requires at least a dozen sailors on board. Now it only needs less than half of the manpower, and the load is larger and the speed is faster. These saved manpower and material resources

, it’s still a big expense after all. The leaders have already calculated this account clearly.”

Liu Shang was prompted by Yu Xiaobao, and he immediately realized the blind spot in his thinking. He only saw that the manufacturing and use costs of this steam engine were high, but he ignored the value of the manpower, material resources and precious time saved by it.

.With the level of savvy of Haihan people, how could they spend a lot of money on a loss-making business? If this thing was a loss-making product, Haihan would probably have stopped building it long ago. How could it be used in all aspects of life.

Liu Shang is very clear about Haihan's thirst for manpower. Although Haihan has tightened the standards for citizenship, it will not set up too many obstacles for foreigners to enter and stay. Today, the southeast coast

In almost every city and town, there will be propaganda about Haihan recruiting immigrants. Every year, as many as five figures of Ming citizens come across the sea from all over the country, and the vast majority of them end up staying in Haihan. And the emergence of the steam engine

, it seems to be able to make up for Haihan's shortcomings in this area. Even if its construction and use costs are very high, as Yu Xiaobao said, a steam engine can do things that can be done by dozens or hundreds of people.

For Haihan, the meaning far exceeds the financial gains and losses.

Thinking of this, Liu Shang couldn't help but ask: "Even if it is a slight loss compared to the traditional method, Haihan has always been short of people, so for the manpower that can be saved, the leaders will definitely insist on using steam engines, right?"

"

Yu Xiaobao couldn't help but show a hint of surprise on his face: "Mr. Liu, you have a very thorough understanding of our country's social problems!"

Liu Shang secretly exclaimed that something was wrong. As a Mingren who had just arrived in Sanya, he knew too much. How could ordinary people realize such a deep-seated reason?

In order to compile a book these days, I went to the municipal library with my boss to look up information, and after reading many articles, I came up with such immature ideas, which made Director Yu laugh."

Yu Xiaobao didn't seem to care about why he was able to express this opinion, but was more interested in the fact that he could think of the connection. Almost everyone knows that Haihan has a gap in manpower, but he can combine the use of steam engines with this.

However, not everyone has such a vision. When Yu Xiaobao was observing the meeting of the Executive Committee, Tao Donglai and others gave a speech on promoting the use of steam engines, and the general idea was this - the use of steam engines can

A large number of human and animal power will be replaced to make up for Haihan's shortcomings in this area. Even if financial subsidies are needed in the early stage of promotion, this plan must be persisted.

Yu Xiaobao still clearly remembers that Tao Donglai called this "a sign of the advent of the industrial age", and other leaders seemed to be very happy about it and regarded it as a milestone event in the development of Haihan society. Although at that time

Yu Xiaobao didn't quite understand the thoughts of the chiefs, but with the gradual promotion and use of steam engines in recent years, he gradually felt the foresight of the chiefs. The concept of "industrial age" was also in his mind.

Various steam-powered machinery was hooked up.

Judging from his personal resume, Liu Shang has only been in Sanya for more than a month. He is not engaged in any high-end industry. He is just a storyteller in a teahouse in the port area. Ordinary people may still worry about food, clothing, housing, transportation, and applying for nationality.

Liu Shang is actually able to pay attention to social issues with such a vision, which is an extremely rare case among the new immigrants that Xiaobao has come into contact with. If this is not a coincidence, then Liu Shang's qualifications can be considered quite good.

It's worth paying close attention to.

Yu Xiaobao said: "Don't be nervous, I don't think you have anything wrong. There are many places where steam engines can be used, and the whole country has high hopes for it. Given time, steam engines can work.

There will be more and more places, and by then our Haihan Kingdom will be unique in the world, not just in maritime trade and military affairs!"

Liu Shang listened to Yu Xiaobao's passionate tone after what he said, but his own heart became colder and colder. This steam engine can only be used on cargo ships and passenger ships, but if it is also widely used on warships, who else can do it in the future?

Surrender the Haihan Navy?

In fact, the first steam battleship, the Majesty, had already joined the naval battle order at the end of 1629. Now, there are more than 20 large and small warships equipped with steam power systems, and they are still increasing at a rate of three to five every year.

The speed of the ship increases. The technical content of this kind of inland river steam ship is far less than that of the military. It is just an example of the civilian application of military technology. Yu Xiaobao emphasizes the role of steam engines not to brag about its military applications.

, but in the view of Liu Shang, who has limited knowledge, the military field is probably the most threatening use of steam engines.

Liu Shang naturally did not understand what the "industrial age" was, let alone the difference between the industrial society advocated by Haihan and the agricultural society that Ming Dynasty now lives in, and how the steam engine further increased Haihan's development of social productivity.

Advantage, the social class he lives in determines that the information he can receive is only a corner of the changes in this era, and cannot be compared with people like Yu Xiaobao. He can only vaguely feel that Yu Xiaobao's self-confidence is not arrogant, but

You really have enough confidence to say such a thing.

Although Yu Xiaobao did not show him anything remarkable, Liu Shang once again felt a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart. He could see that the Haihan people's self-confidence was not aimed at Daming, but including Daming.

All countries. For young officials like Xiaobao who grew up under the rule of Haihan, the Ming Dynasty was probably just one of the other countries collectively referred to as "foreign countries". There was nothing special about it, let alone because the Ming Dynasty regarded itself as a "foreign country".

I feel awe when I go to heaven.

The saddest thing is that Haihan may not have intended to treat Ming Dynasty as a rival or enemy at all, but just a big market for dumping goods and recruiting immigrants. This made Liu Shang feel despised, but he

I can't tell what was wrong with Haihan's actions. After all, this country has no intention of going to war with the Ming Dynasty or invading the mainland despite its obvious military superiority. Perhaps it is in this state where formal diplomatic relations have not been established.

, on the contrary, it is the most ideal relationship between the two countries.

It's only about ten miles of waterway from Shuizhai at the mouth of the Ningyuan River to Yacheng. A traditional sailing boat may take two or three hours, but this motorized sailing boat equipped with steam propulsion power only takes more than an hour. North of Yacheng

The riverside wharf is no less prosperous than the Shuizhai wharf. All kinds of large and small cargo ships are parked densely on the river bank. This scene reminds Liu Shang of Sanya Port. Of course, the size of the two ports is very different.

, the total number of ships docked here is estimated to be as many as one pier in Sanya Port.

Under the guidance of the shore staff, the motorboat slowly docked at the shore. After the springboard was set up, Yu Xiaobao saw that Liu Shang was still distracted, so he took the initiative to greet him: "Don't be stunned, get off the boat and hurry in."

The city is doing business!”

Liu Shang came to his senses and responded, and quickly followed Yu Xiaobao to the shore. A one-foot-two-foot-wide cement road has been built here leading to Yacheng one mile away. The traffic conditions are indeed better than during the reign of the Ming Dynasty.

Quite a few. Liu Shang had naturally seen this kind of cement road with a seamless surface in Sanya. He knew that the cost of building this kind of road was far higher than that of ordinary loess roads or stone roads. Only the rich and powerful Haihan people would not hesitate to work.

Build such high-end roads locally.

Of course, the benefits of this kind of road surface are also obvious. It will not become muddy due to accumulation of water during the rainy season. The smooth road surface is also more convenient for pedestrians, vehicles and horses to pass. In the long run, the durability is also better than the need for renovation every two years.

of traditional roads.

When everyone was approaching the city gate, the sharp-eyed Zhang Qianzhi urged: "The leader is already waiting in front, everyone should walk faster!"

The person currently in charge of Yacheng County is Zhang Guang, who was among the first batch to work in the Cliff Office. Because of his professional relationship, he returned to Sanya to work in communications maintenance for several years. However, he also knows that the political future of professional talents is limited.

He simply gave up his original position, asked the executive committee to give him a chance to work outside, and then returned to Yacheng, where he was familiar with his family, to become a leader.

Zhang Guang had already married nurse Zhao Xiaoruo when he was transferred back to Yacheng a few years ago. Now their children are already good at cooking. Now the family of three lives in Yacheng. Zhang Guang is the leader and his wife is the deputy director of science, education and culture.

Wei, a husband-and-wife team with a tacit understanding. Zhang Guang took over the local government affairs after the county was established in Yacheng. In recent years, agricultural development has been booming, relying on the sugar production driven by the large-scale planting of sugar cane.

The two main industries of wine and wine have also improved the local economic level a lot.

Revitalizing the local economy and increasing fiscal revenue are all real political achievements. Zhang Guang understands the importance of these tasks. Although he only controls a county with a population of more than 10,000, his authority is far less than that of those who manage colonies overseas.

Although he is an official, he still performs his duties as an official very diligently. After all, those who are near the water and the towers here are first served. If there is any trouble in Sanya, Yacheng will get the news almost immediately. Moreover, Zhang Guang travels to and from Sanya a lot, so in Shengli

Bao also has a wide network of contacts. If there are any promotion opportunities or policy changes, Zhang Guang can at least take advantage of the favorable location and people.

He had already received the news yesterday by telegram that Victory Fort had sent an inspection team to visit various places. Yesterday, Yu Xiaobao and others' boat arrived at Shuizhai Pier, and he had also received the news in the evening, knowing that these people should wait until

After entering the city in the morning, I calculated the approximate time and waited at the city gate.

Zhang Guang is no stranger to the juniors such as Yu Xiaobao and Zhang Qianzhi, and they always meet a few times a year, so there is no psychological barrier to taking the initiative to greet them. However, Xiaobao and the others do not dare to ask for help.

They have understood the insurmountable rules of hierarchy since they were naturalized. They have formed a deep-rooted concept over the years. Even their bosses with whom they are familiar with will be treated with humility and courtesy in public. Seeing Zhang Guang

When he came out to greet him, everyone naturally had to speed up their steps to show their respect.

After the two parties met and exchanged greetings for a while, Zhang Guang took them into the city. After Haihan took over Yacheng, he did not acquire additional land to build a government office, but transformed the former Yazhou Yamen into the Yacheng County Management Committee office.

The local government, military, and civilian official agencies are all located here. There are many staff and people coming to do business, and it is quite lively.

Zhang Guang invited them to sit down in the back hall, and asked his secretary to serve tea to everyone, and then Yu Xiaobao presented the souvenirs he had brought. After everyone had finished the scene, Yu Xiaobao got down to business.

Yu Xiaobao's trip has two missions: one is to promote the youth league, and the other is to inspect local government affairs, national defense, infrastructure and other affairs on behalf of the executive committee. Of course, his inspection power is only "inspection".

He does not have the power to directly intervene in local affairs, so he is still very different from the traditional imperial minister. The main purpose is to understand the progress of local work, and then bring the collected information back to Sanya and report to the Executive Committee.
Chapter completed!