Early the next morning

Gu Fu and the Li clan gathered to see off Li Fushou and Gu Liuyan to Europa, accompanied by 31 students recommended by Gu Yanchuan and five henchmen, together with nearly 50 family members, who will take a fast boat to Shanghai, and then sail from Shanghai.

It's parting season

The spring is cold, and there is a bleak scene

It was even more full of sorrow, Gu Liuyan really cried into tears, causing Mrs. Gu and the female dependents to cry, shedding a handful of inseparable tears of sympathy.

"Yuan Ding, it's been a long way to the West, you must take care of your body, and if you want to help me take care of Yan'er, I'll entrust it all to you." Gu Yanchuan admonished.

"Please rest assured, Lord Yue, Yuan Ding can save it."

"That's good, I wish you a smooth voyage and get ready to hit the road." Gu Yanchuan frowned and looked at the next group of female dependents, seeing that they were still sobbing reluctantly, and they were extremely desolate and sentimental in this early spring.

Gu Yanchuan's eyes flashed with tears, and then he quickly turned his head and asked quietly; "This morning, the right political envoy sent someone to report the funeral, Lord Luo Min was suffering from a vicious illness and was harmed by Lang Zhong, and he has unfortunately passed away, Luo Min Mansion reported that the Tai people of Gusu Mansion were arrested for the murderer in the whole city, it is said that this Lang Zhong's family ran clean, this matter has something to do with you, right?"

"Yes, Luo Min is narrow-minded, coupled with his ruthless and vicious nature, I don't feel at ease about leaving this poisonous snake, so I will get rid of it." Li Fushou behaved lightly, and there was no need to hide it from Lord Yue.

Sure enough, it was good.

Gu Yanchuan nodded silently, his heart was really full of mixed feelings, mixed feelings, and he had an extra layer of understanding of the new aunt he had personally settled, and asked astringently;

"Can you do it clean?"

"I have been boating in Shanghai last night, and I will take the latest ferry to Australia, and I will not come back in the future."

"That's good, that's good......"

Gu Yanchuan was relieved, Li Fushou was from a hard-rooted Western background, and he was not afraid of Luo Min's revenge, and Luo Min was killing himself by rushing up.

By doing this, he was eliminating hidden dangers for the Gu Mansion.

From now on

Before everyone tries to get involved in the Gu Mansion, they must weigh again and again whether they can afford to offend the son-in-law of Lord Yang, Lord Yang's revenge comes quickly and fiercely and unscrupulously, it depends on whether you can afford it?

A little pleasantry

Seeing that Gu Liuyan was still sad and sad, and it was difficult to leave, Li Fushou could only force his wife to get into the carriage, wave goodbye to relatives and friends who saw him off, this little girl leaned against the carriage window and cried really heartbreakingly, making people cry.

As the rumbling horse's hooves went away, what was taken away was the reluctant thoughts and concerns of relatives, as well as full of expectations.

Only Gu Zhiwen, Gu Zhixue and the brothers clapped their hands excitedly, touched their chests and breathed a long sigh of relief.

I feel as if I have gone to a mountain, I feel better without pressure, my breathing is refreshing, and the air is sweeter, and the pressure brought by this new aunt to the brothers is too great.

It's just that...... It seems that the joy is too early.

The two sons turned their heads and saw Gu Yanchuan staring at them with a black head and black face, and the bitterness in their hearts was overflowing......

New aunt, we also want to go to Europa.

Huhai

The "Taishan" ship sounded a long whistle, slowly left the Huangpu River wharf and slid into the river, thick black smoke came out of the chimney, and the steam engine drove the propeller to stir the waves and roll, leaving a long white trail behind the huge ship, aiming directly to the east.

After leaving Wusongkou, the Taishan will turn along the coastline and sail south, passing through Hong Kong and then turning southwest.

Arrive in Calcutta, India, where you will be replenished with vegetables, coal and fresh water, and then continue to the distant deep blue.

The cabin is covered with a thick carpet and is warm.

This is a separate study, also used for small areas of discussion, golden sunlight shines through the porthole, and the air is filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

Li Fushou was reviewing the urgent mail sent from the telegraph room, and the bright light reflected on his face, exuding a moving halo.

In his hand was an application report message;

The 12,000-ton ocean-going bulk cargo ship designed by a British naval architect was finalized after several drafts and expert review by the Royal Ship Council of the British Empire.

In the message, it was requested that four ships be built at the Hongshan Shipyard in Australia at the same time, with a construction cost estimated at 248,000 pounds, or 62,000 pounds per ship.

At first glance, it seems to be a bit more expensive.

In the 19th century, the United Shipping Company ordered a 5,000-ton freighter in Auckland, North America, at a price of 22,500 pounds, and the quality has been in good operation so far.

At the beginning of the commissioning of the Hongshan Shipyard, a 3,000-ton ocean-going freighter was built, and a large number of experienced ship mechanics from North America took apprentices to build the new ship in less than three months, and the quality successfully passed the acceptance.

Today

The Redhill Shipyard mainly produces 5,000-ton masted cargo ships, and its production capacity and technical level have been greatly improved, and it can build up to 12 5,000-ton ocean-going cargo ships per year, and the cost is reduced to 17,600 pounds.

This profit level can ensure the healthy and smooth development of the shipbuilding plant, provide up to 3,400 jobs, and establish a complete steel riveting training system and logistics facilities to meet the needs of the majority of workers.

The 5,000-ton masted cargo ship is overloaded, and two are almost worth a 12,000-ton new ship, with mature construction technology, and the cost is only 36,200 pounds, which seems to be much cheaper than 62,000 pounds, and it is more cost-effective.

In fact, the accounts cannot be calculated like this.

First of all; The 12,000-ton new 10,000-ton cargo ship represents the latest development of the ocean-going shipping industry in today's era, and is the most advanced shipbuilding technology in the United Kingdom and even in the world today, and the design technical drawings alone cost nearly 5,200 pounds.

What does £5,200 mean?

In London's busiest West End, you can buy two luxury apartments with 5 bedrooms with bathrooms, and you can buy a manor house on the outskirts of London that does not cover up to 40 acres, the kind of luxury estate with classical sculptures, private gardens and stables.

Such a large amount of money, which not any ocean-going shipping company can come up with, represents the latest technological progress.

Secondly, the thickness of the steel plates used in 5,000-ton and 12,000-ton ships is completely different, and the cost is also very different.

In order to roll the thickened steel plates used in 10,000-ton freighters, the Red Hill Iron Works had to import from Britain the latest thickened plate rolling lines, which were used for battleship-class thickened steel plates, each worth up to £185,000.

In the whole set of thick plate rolling production line, the most critical is the 100,000 kN class steam free forging hydraulic press produced by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the United Kingdom, which is the most advanced forging equipment in the world today, replacing the super-large steam forging hammer, and the work efficiency is greatly improved.

The thick steel plate produced by the 100,000 kN steam free forging hydraulic press has far more physical properties and yield strength than ordinary thick steel plates, and is the best steel plate for building giant ships of more than 10,000 tons.

In order to cope with the increasing demand for steel, the Hongshan Iron and Steel Works will import a second set of steel smelting equipment, which is expected to increase its production capacity to 200,000 tons per year by the beginning of 1880, that is, a year later.

These costs must be converted into the price of steel plates, which also leads to the high price of thickened steel plates for 10,000-ton freighters, and the cost is much higher than that of medium-thickness steel plates.

If large-scale production of 10,000-ton ocean-going cargo ships is carried out in the future, the cost of this aspect will be drastically reduced, and the benefits are self-evident.

Only the battleships produced with thickened steel plates can withstand the ravages of the stormy winds and waves of the Atlantic, and sail all the way to the ocean, with stronger wave resistance and rigidity, and can meet the safety needs of warships in extreme sea conditions.

Battleships need to attach carburized steel armor belts of up to 1,000 tons on both sides of the hull, and only special thickened steel plates can withstand high-strength riveting without deformation, meeting the combat needs of battleships, and crisscrossing the seven seas under the control of the Royal Navy.

Eighty percent of the cost of the construction of an ocean-going freighter is steel plates, taking a new 10,000-ton ocean-going freighter as an example, the construction of a steel plate of various types needs to be used nearly 7,000 tons.

At $24 a tonne of ordinary steel plate in North America, it is worth almost four pounds and 15 shillings a tonne, and the price of specially made thickened steel plate is higher, accounting for the vast majority of the cost.

In addition, shipyard labor, profits, and the latest reciprocating marine steam engines can significantly reduce coal consumption and further reduce costs.

Thanks to the convenience of the British Empire colony in Australia, it can introduce the most advanced technology and ideas unhindered, and stand on the shoulders of giants for development.

The new 12,000-dwt ocean-going vessel embodies the rich design experience of the British shipbuilding industry, and selects the optimal hull line shape and the best power match.

Coal consumption has been reduced from 106 tons per day to 59 tons, and the average speed is 8.5 knots, which is 15% higher than that of the previous model, making it more suitable for long-distance ocean voyages.

The whole new 10,000-ton ship uses 46 crew members, compared with the 5,000-ton ocean-going freighter, only 9 people have been added, the daily coal consumption has increased slightly by two tons, and the carrying capacity has been increased by 1.4 times, and the long-term operating cost has been greatly reduced, which is the best choice for shipping companies.

According to the calculation of the voyage to Europe, it can transport three voyages per year, saving £11,000 per voyage and doubling the net revenue.

As long as it takes one year, the entire investment cost can be recovered, and the rest is a net profit, which is the windfall profit of transoceanic transportation in today's world.

Li Fushou reviewed the telegram with satisfaction, and gave his comments with a big stroke of his pen on it;

The construction of 4 ships was approved.

This note;

This is a major opportunity for development, Hongshan Shipyard immediately organized capable forces to understand the new ship production technology, research new technology, new technology, as a fist product to the world shipbuilding market, with strength to win respect.

Put down the pen

Li Fushou walked out of the study with pride.

The ocean-going shipping industry is related to the long-term strategic development of the Red River Valley, and has an important pillar position, which can not only bring a steady stream of immigrants to the population, deepen the heritage and strength of the Red River Valley, but also train a large number of sailors who can fight the wind and waves, which is the basis for forming a powerful steam ironclad fleet.

In addition, the ocean-going shipping industry consumes a lot of steel production capacity, creating many jobs in heavy industry, from iron ores, coal mines, steel mills to profile factories, wire rod factories, foundries to steel processing industries, steam engine industries and other industries, generating a lot of tax revenue and profits.

The planned development of the distant-water fishing industry is also based on this.

Great oaks from little acorns grow..

The seeds planted today will take root and thrive in the fertile soil, and will grow into towering trees that will shade the sun in the future.