Chapter 430 Railway
"Railway Department?"
Tang Xianzu looked at Gu Xiancheng in confusion. He knew these three words separately, but when they were connected, Tang Xianzu didn't understand what they meant.
railway? A road paved with steel?
We are rich in the southeast, and our steel production is indeed high, but we are not so extravagant and wasteful as to use steel to pave roads, right?
Gu Xiancheng whispered: "Brother Tang, this railway is a big project designed by Governor Su personally. I heard that tracks are laid on the road, and then horses are used to pull the cars on the tracks." Tang Xianzu understood now, it turned out to be tracks
!
In fact, tracks are nothing new in the Southeast.
Tang Xianzu's hometown is Jiangxi, which is mountainous and has many mines.
Many mines have already used this kind of rail cars. By laying railway mine cars, the manpower for transporting ore can be greatly saved.
There are mine carts pushed by humans and mine carts pulled by animals.
Tang Xianzu also read related articles in newspapers. The article mentioned that there is a force called friction between the wheels and the ground. The friction prevents the wheels from moving, so power is needed to pull the vehicle forward. Rugged dirt roads and muddy roads The greater the friction, the greater the power required to pull the vehicle.
The friction between the smooth iron wheels and the rails is small, and only a small amount of force is needed to pull heavy goods.
Tang Xianzu also became interested in railways. He quickly said to Gu Xiancheng: "Thank you, Brother Gu, for your advice!"
After most people had chosen their positions, Lin Wenxuan, the official from just now, appeared again. This time he was holding a red The officials brought a wooden box, paper and pen, and all the first-class Jinshis present wrote down their preferred positions.
The Literary and Selection Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs only recruits one Jinshi for Guanzheng. As the number one scholar, Gu Xiancheng only wrote this one wish. Anyway, he was the first choice and no one could compete with him.
Tang Xianzu, who was second on the list, only filled in the Railway Department of the Ministry of Industry, which also only needed one Guanzheng Jinshi.
After everyone put their wishes into the red box, five censors from the Metropolitan Procuratorate walked into the Literature and Selection Department, and then a serious censor opened the box and began to read out their wishes according to the imperial examination order.
The positions that have been elected will be crossed out, and another censor is responsible for copying the Jinshi's name and Guanzheng position. As everyone watches nervously, the positions of the Seventh Division are gradually crossed out.
Then the positions of the five temples were eliminated, and finally there were still some positions for the two prison guards.
Those Jinshi who were ranked lower and were only selected to watch the political affairs of the second prison were a little depressed. Even more depressed were those Jinshi who were ranked higher but failed in all three choices due to errors in filling out the application form.
Lin Wenxuan announced that he would arrange the remaining two supervisor positions. These people expressed regret and should not only target the key positions of the Seventh Department.
However, in general, this selection of officials satisfied the personal development and choices of most Jinshi.
Jinshi students have an advantage over Imperial College students and officials. If the position selected this year is not satisfactory, they can still participate in re-election next year. At worst, it will take a year to pass the selection.
The Southeastern Tribute Examination is also scheduled to occur every three years, which means that new Jinshis still have two years of trial and error opportunities, but in the third year they will have to compete with the next Jinshi for positions.
After coming out of the official department, the first batch of Jinshi in the southeast went their separate ways.
The first-class scholars who stayed in the capital still had the opportunity to gather together, but the second-class scholars who were assigned to various provinces and counties were really far apart, and they didn't know when they would see each other again.
The Governor's Office specially gave the new scholars a five-day holiday. During this period, these scholars indulged in Nanjing's restaurants and teahouses, and left many poems about their separation.
Even Tang Xianzu, who disliked socializing the most, was forced to attend several banquets.
As a social expert, Gu Xiancheng attends several banquets a day.
Five days later, the new scholars received the official uniforms of Guanzheng officials, and the chief officials of each department came to the Ministry of Personnel in person to take away their new subordinates.
When the chief officers of other departments had taken away their subordinates, only Tang Xianzu was left standing where he was.
Just as Tang Xianzu stood at a loss for a long time, a young official rushed over.
This young man was wearing an ill-fitting official uniform, and there were oil stains on his hands and face. When he saw Tang Xianzu, he was about to step forward to shake hands, but then he thought of the oil stain on his hands, and quickly wiped his hands on the official uniform. Then he took Tang Xianzu's hand.
Tang Xianzu felt the calluses on the other person's hand. Different from the white and tender palm of the scholar, this was a rough and strong hand.
"Introduce yourself, Lu Gang, the chief of the Railway Department of the Ministry of Industry."
Tang Xianzu said quickly: "Tang Xianzu, a scholar
of Guanzheng Jinshi." Tang Xianzu did not dare to neglect. According to the official system in the southeast, he still adopted the nine-grade civil servant hierarchy.
However, Su Ze cut off many messy honorary official positions. Now the official rank is basically linked to the power he possesses.
The cabinet ministers are all genuine, and the Metropolitan Governor's Office and the cabinet represent the highest power in the southeast.
The cabinet ministers also serve as ministers of the Seven Ministries, and the Minister of the Seven Ministries and the left and right deputy censors of the Metropolitan Procuratorate are the second rank.
Because cabinet ministers basically work in the cabinet and discuss national affairs together, the seven ministers and the left and right deputy censors are the daily managers of the department.
The ministers of the five temples and the eunuchs of the second eunuch are from the second grade, which also shows that the second eunuch of the five temples is lower than the seven eunuchs in grade.
The doctor assists the minister in handling affairs and is of the third rank. The deputy and deputy supervisors of the second eunuch of the Five Temples are of the third rank.
Next are the heads of the temple supervisors of each department. They are the specific heads of each department of the seven departments, and their levels range from the sixth grade to the fourth grade.
The reason why there is such a wide range of grades is because the power of each department is different. Some departments are important and some are not.
The rough-looking chief of the Railway Department of the Ministry of Industry in front of him, judging from his official robe, is a fourth-rank chief in charge.
Tang Xianzu was even more sure that Gu Xiancheng had not lied to him. The Railway Department of the Ministry of Industry was indeed a very important department.
"I heard your name was mentioned by the Governor, but I didn't expect that the second place in Jinke would choose our Railway Department!"
Lu Gang excitedly pulled Tang Xianzu and said, "Let's go back to the Department quickly."
Tang Xianzu was The frail scholar, who was only sixteen years old, was pulled into the carriage by Lu Gang.
However, the carriage was not headed towards the Seven Government Offices in the center of the city, but directly towards the outside of the city. Tang Xianzu's heart arose again. Could he have been kidnapped?
How could someone pretend to be a fourth-rank official at the entrance of the civil service department and commit fraud?
When Tang Xianzu nervously got off the carriage, he found that he was already outside the city. In front of him was a large workshop-like building, and he could still see the thick smoke coming from the chimney at the rear.
Lu Gang rubbed his hands and said, "Our Railway Department and other departments of the Ministry of Industry do not work in the same place. It is more convenient to do things here."
Seeing the soldiers guarding him, Tang Xianzu finally put his mind at ease. He didn't like the city either. There are many people, so it’s not bad to work in the suburbs.
Lu Gang took Tang Xianzu into this weird yamen.
Tang Xianzu looked at the empty yamen and couldn't help but ask:
"Chief Lu, how many people do we have in our Railway Department?"
He said:
"The Railway Department was founded in 1998. Now I am the only one in the whole department, and the rest are craftsmen. Officials and officials."
Tang Xianzu almost stumbled and fell. You, a fourth-rank chief minister, have such a Jinshi who observes politics under you?
Speaking of this matter, Lu Gang also began to complain:
"This matter is all the fault of the Governor. Originally, when our Railway Department was founded, I proposed to the Governor to transfer more elite soldiers and generals from the Ministry of Industry, but the Governor insisted on talking about the Railway Department. The company is a technical department and does not need managers who do not understand technology. They only gave me craftsmen and officials, saying that they would promote technical officers from among them." "That is true, but
I am also a craftsman, and now We don't even have an official in the Railway Department who can write documents, and we can't even issue official documents and orders to coordinate local affairs."
Lu Gang took Tang Xianzu's hand again and said, "Thank you for coming!"
Tang Xianzu's scalp was numb. At that time, I felt that I had been tricked by Gu Xiancheng.
Lu Gang did not take Tang Xianzu directly to the main hall, but took him to the experimental field at the rear.
"This is the railway track."
Lu Gang pointed to the railway track laid on the sleepers in front, and then pointed to a horse-drawn rail car and said:
"This is a rail car that runs on the rails. Although these horses are not war horses, But they are also good horses with excellent endurance, specially selected to pull rail cars."
Tang Xianzu originally thought that the so-called rail car was just a small car for loading ore in the mine, but he did not expect that it turned out to be a huge carriage with a length of six meters.
The bottom of the carriage is an iron-framed chassis and wheels. In order to reduce weight, the carriage is made of wooden boards and looks like a mobile wooden house.
"One carriage like this can carry five tons of cargo. According to our calculations, six horses can pull two to three such carriages, and each time it can transport ten to fifteen tons of goods." "It can also be mounted on a trailer
. One carriage can transport thirty to fifty people."
"Including the time for stopping to change horses and repairs, the driving speed is almost 20 kilometers per hour."
Tang Xianzu was surprised. This speed is already the same as ordinary people. The carriage is almost there, but the key is that the load capacity is much greater than that of an ordinary carriage!
Tang Xianzu was very smart. He immediately realized the great strategic significance of this new means of transportation.
Not only does it transport goods, railways can also transport people!
Moreover, the speed of rail cars is much faster than that of water transport ships.
As long as the rails are laid, people and materials can be quickly mobilized. Then only a small number of mobile elite troops need to be deployed along the entire railway to defend the entire line of defense!
And the army's material mobilization and logistical supplies will also reach a big level!
Not only for military purposes, this kind of rail car that can transport people and goods will also greatly change the efficiency of commodity circulation and greatly accelerate the development of commerce.
Lu Gang continued: "But the Governor said that the horse-drawn rail car is only the first step, in order to accumulate experience in laying tracks and managing vehicles, and to train railway managers and construction personnel first." "
Second One step?"
"Yes, the Governor said that there will be rail cars that do not require horse-drawn horses in the future. By then, the rail cars will be faster and the cargo capacity will be larger. We can use railways to connect all cities. Connect it!"
Tang Xianzu was shocked by this grand blueprint. What would it be like if all cities were connected by the railway network?
Even the most imaginative novels in newspapers cannot write such a scene!
Lu Gang unfolded a map and said:
"This is a brief railway map. A more detailed railway map requires you to have a secret level to see it. Let me tell you what to do next."
Tang Xianzu was even more stupid. He's just a Jinshi scholar, not even an official official of the Railway Department. Didn't he come here to study? Why do you have to work when you come up?
I am only sixteen years old!
Lu Gang pointed to the map and said:
"There are two railways currently under construction. The first is the railway in Xuzhou. It is mainly for military purposes. The goal is to connect the three cities of Xuzhou, Peixian and Xiapi to form a complete railway. Dynamic defense system."
"In this way, the fifth brigade stationed in Xuzhou can quickly support and respond and promptly reinforce the city under attack." "
Because the Xuzhou project is a military project, this project is invested by the southeastern government and mainly recruits people from Shandong Refugees from the south will come to construct it."
"The second railway is the railway connecting Songjiang Prefecture and Suzhou Prefecture. These two cities have developed commerce and strong demand for logistics and transportation. Therefore, the governor's requirement to build this railway is for civilian use. Even if it reaches If you don't make a profit, you have to balance the revenue and expenditure."
"The specific preparations for the construction of this railway need to be discussed with the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the relevant work will be left to you!"
Tang Xianzu felt his scalp numb. To take on such a heavy workload?
Lu Gang patted him on the shoulder and said: "I am a craftsman and a rough man. I only know engineering and technical matters. In the future, I will deal with other departments, deal with various documents, and summarize and report materials to the Governor's Office and the Cabinet. It's all going to be handed over to the second-place pick."
Tang Xianzu felt his eyes darken, he had been tricked by Gu Xiancheng! This railway company is a pit of fire!
Before Tang Xianzu had time to regret, he was dragged into a court by Lu Gang.
Looking at the official documents and information piled up on the table, Tang Xianzu felt his scalp numb.
Lu Gang pointed at this small mountain of information and said:
"This is the backlog of official documents in the department. Please ask the second-place finisher to deal with it as soon as possible!"
(End of Chapter)