“You have done very well,” Joseph said to Murdock, not sparing any compliments. “Your effective work has brought much-needed irrigation water to hundreds of parishes, powering numerous mills that could still operate last winter despite the rivers freezing over.”
“You and the United Steam Engine Company have been widely praised by all of France, including myself. In fact, I hold you in higher regard than anyone else.”
While his words may have been slightly exaggerated, Murdock indeed deserved such praise.
In just half a year, he had helped to establish a full production line for the Steam Engine Company; to date, the produced LJ15 type 15-horsepower steam engines were very mature, with a failure rate very close to Watt’s similar products.
Moreover, at Joseph’s request, Murdock had also completed the compact design of the LJ15. Excluding the water tank and other accessories, it could be hauled around the world on a donkey cart. In this respect, he had even surpassed Watt.
As it turned out, he hadn’t been boasting; he truly was a world-class technician.
Murdock’s face flushed with pride at the praise, and he immediately placed his hand on his chest and bowed, “Receiving your affirmation is a tremendous honor for me. Please be assured, I will definitely lead the United Steam Engine Company to even greater heights!”
He paused for a moment, then raised his voice, “That will be a splendor surpassing the Boulton-Watt Company!”
Joseph felt a bit amused upon hearing this. How deep was this technician’s grudge against Watt?
A mischievous idea suddenly came to him. If he were to hang a portrait of an expressionless Watt at life’s height in Murdock’s office, would it increase the latter’s work efficiency by several times?
Sandler then chimed in from the side, “Your Highness, we are already on the path of surpassing them.”
He exchanged glances with Murdock, “The prototype of our latest high-pressure Steam Engine, the LJ26H, completed its tests two months ago. It has been working continuously for over 60 hours and has reached a power of 26 horsepower!”
“That’s wonderful!” Although Joseph had already heard this news, he was still very happy to hear it again. The High-Pressure Steam Engine was indeed the direction of the future, the true tool for increasing thermal efficiency.
And higher thermal efficiency meant consuming less coal and accomplishing more!
Due to Watt’s conservativeness and obstinacy, refusing to embrace the High-Pressure Steam Engine, France had already taken the lead over England in this domain.
Murdock added, “Your Highness, we have mostly completed the mass production preparations for LJ26H. We expect to begin production and sales at the start of next month.”
During the conversation, the railcar had arrived at the entrance of the United Steam Engine Company. Continue your journey on empire
Joseph wanted to see the latest model of the High-Pressure Steam Engine and got off the cart right there.
The company was bustling with activity; craftsmen continuously transported materials into the sheds, and the sounds of metal being worked on were heard everywhere—mechanics were mainly handcrafted in this era.
Of course, there were also the shrill “zzz” sounds from drills and milling machines, mixing with the workers’ calls, creating a rugged and sharp symphony of the steam age.
The workers merely glanced curiously at the group of lavishly dressed visitors before hurrying back to work at the foreman’s behest.
Most of them had been hired in the past half year and had not seen the Crown Prince before.
Murdock led Joseph to the “Second Assembly Area” on the east side of the company, where a steam engine stood more than a man’s height tall—a clear size up from the LJ15 with several craftsmen busying around it.
Once Murdock received news of the Crown Prince’s visit, he had someone start heating the boiler. Approaching to check the pressure gauge and asking a few questions to the craftsmen nearby, he then personally took charge of operating it.
More than ten minutes later, LJ26H emitted a plume of white smoke as the piston began to move slowly.
The huge iron wheel used as a load started to rotate, and as coal was continuously fed into the furnace, its speed increased.
Murdock, watching the smoothly operating machine, proudly turned to Joseph and said, “Your Highness, now that we have reliable high-pressure steam engine technology, John and I plan to scale it up to create a ‘monster’ that exceeds 50 horsepower!”
After the high-pressure steam engine technology was mature, scaling it up was not very difficult. The main challenges were casting and pressure testing the boiler and cylinder, along with redesigning parts like the valves.
Joseph’s interest was piqued instantly by these words.
You see, if steam engines could reach an output of 100 horsepower, then installing three or four units at the same time would be enough to power the warships of this era!
Even without such high horsepower, just a bit more progress to around 70 horsepower would suffice for powering paddle steamers suitable for inland waterway navigation.
That would be a transportation revolution!
Although paddle steamers did not have as exaggerated an effect on productivity as trains, in the densely interwoven inland waterways of Western Europe, the improvement was still very apparent.
If combined with the Rhine River navigation, it would be possible to transport a large volume of French goods to the Germany region for sale at extremely low freight costs.
This would bring huge profits for France!
However, after weighing the options, Joseph still decided to put large high-pressure steam engines on hold for the time being.
Murdock had other important uses—the impact of gas lamps may be somewhat less than that of paddle steamers, but they were much simpler and had quicker results.
Joseph couldn’t help but sigh, wishing there could be more talents like Murdock.
It was a pity he had only found one.
He lowered his hand as a sign to calm down, interrupting Murdock’s enthusiasm, “Actually, I have something very important that I need you to do as soon as possible.”
“Ah? Yes, please give your orders.”
Joseph gestured for him to enter the adjacent office with him. After they closed the door behind them, silencing the noise of the steam engine, he said, “I plan to install coal gas streetlights on all the streets of Paris. Yes, the combustible gas produced from coal that you once mentioned. We can use it to light up the street lamps.”
Although Murdock was more interested in working on his large steam engine, the idea of lighting up all the streets of Paris excited him.
“However, Your Highness, while I have the technology for distilling coal to obtain gas, oh, I’ve also applied for a patent in Paris, there is no suitable lamp for it yet.”
“That’s where you’ll need to show your talent,” Joseph said with a smile, “I believe it won’t be a difficult task for you.”
He thought to himself that all he needed was for Murdock to bring forward his invention by two or three years, and if the reward was substantial, there shouldn’t be a problem, right?
“I do have a few ideas…” Murdock rubbed his hands subconsciously, pondering for a moment before lifting his head and saying, “Alright, Your Highness, I will certainly create this device as quickly as possible!”
Joseph nodded, pleased, “I will establish a Gas Lamp Company that can either purchase your patent, or you can join the company using your patent as a stake. Oh, the company’s investment will be around three million livres.”