The next morning

The Gu family and the Li clan gathered to see Li Fushou and Gu Liuyan off to see him off. The 31 students recommended by Gu Yanchuan and five confidant generals, together with nearly 50 family members, will take a speedboat to Shanghai, and then sail from Shanghai to Shanghai.

On this parting season

The cold spring is a bleak scene

It made Gu Liuyan cry even more and shed tears of tears, causing Mrs. Gu and the women to cry, shedding tears of sympathy that could not be separated.

"Yuan Ding, you have to travel thousands of miles to the West. You must take care of yourself and take good care of Yan'er for me. I will entrust you all." Gu Yanchuan reminded.

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

"That's good. I wish you a good journey and prepare to get on the road." Gu Yanchuan frowned and looked at the female family. Seeing that they were still sobbing reluctantly, it was particularly desolate and sad in this early spring.

There was a faint burst of tears in Gu Yanchuan's eyes, and then he quickly turned his head and asked quietly. "This morning, the Right Governor's Office sent someone to report the death. Lord Luo Min suffered from a serious illness and was injured by a doctor. Unfortunately, he passed away. Luo Min's Office informed the Gusu Prefecture Taigong to arrest the murderer in the city. It is said that the doctor's family ran away cleanly. Is this matter related to you?"

"Yes, Luo Min is a narrow-minded person, and his character is vicious and vengeful. I am worried about leaving this poisonous snake, so I removed it." Li Fushou's expression was calm and there was no need to hide it from his father-in-law.

As expected, it was good.

Gu Yanchuan nodded silently, feeling mixed emotions in his heart, and he had a little more understanding of the new son-in-law he had personally decided on, and asked in a low voice;

“The tail is clean?”

"I had already sailed to Shanghai last night and would take the nearest ship to Australia and would not come back in the future."

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

Gu Yanchuan was very relieved. Li Fushou was a tough Western country background. He was not afraid of Luo Min seeking revenge. Luo Min went up and went up and was seeking death.

He did this to eliminate hidden dangers for the Gu family.

From now on

Before everyone attempts to get involved in Gu's house, they must repeatedly consider whether they can offend their son-in-law. The revenge of foreigners comes quickly, fiercely and by any means, it depends on whether you can bear it?

Have a brief greeting

Seeing that Gu Liuyan was still very sad and unable to leave, Li Fushou could only force his wife to get on the carriage and waved his hand to say goodbye to his relatives and friends who were seeing him off. The little girl leaned against the carriage window and cried so heartbroken that it made people cry.

As the rumbling sound of horse hooves faded away, what was taken away was the reluctance of longing and concern of relatives, and full of expectations.

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

I felt like I was going to a mountain. I felt better without pressure, my breathing was refreshed, and the air became sweeter. The pressure this new son-in-law brought to the two brothers was too great.

It just...it seems to be too early to be happy.

The two young men turned around and saw Gu Yanchuan staring at him with a black head and a black face. The bitter taste in their hearts...

New son-in-law, we also want to go to Europa.

Shanghai

The "Taishan" wheel sounded a long whistle, slowly leaving the Huangpu River Wharf and sliding into the river. Thick black smoke came out of the chimney. The steam engine drove the propeller to stir and roll, leaving a long white trail behind the huge hull, and the target pointed directly to the east.

After leaving Wusongkou, the Taishan Ship will turn along the coastline and sail southward, pass through Hong Kong and then turn southwest.

We arrived directly in Kolkada, India, where we replenished vegetables, burned coal and fresh water, and continued to drive towards the distant deep blue.

The cabin is covered with thick carpets, warm and warm.

This is a separate study, which is also used for small-scale discussions. Golden sunlight shines in from the porthole, and the air is filled with a faint smell of sandalwood.

Li Fushou was reviewing the urgent documents sent by the telegram room. The bright light shone on his face, emitting a moving halo.

He was holding a telegram of the application report;

The 12,000-ton ocean-going bulk cargo ship designed by British ship designers was hired to be the leader of the design. After several changes, and after expert review by the Royal Ship Council of the British Empire, the final decision was finally made.

The telegram applied to build four ships at the same time at the Hongshan Ship Construction Plant in Australia, with a construction cost of 248,000 pounds, totaling 62,000 pounds per ship.

At first glance, the cost seems to be a little expensive.

The 19th century United Shipping Company ordered a 5,000-ton cargo ship in Auckland, North America, priced at 22,500 pounds, and has been of good quality since its operation.

When the Hongshan Ship Construction Plant was first put into operation, it built a 3,000-ton ocean-going freighter. A large number of experienced ship technicians from North America took apprentices and built a new ship in less than three months, and the quality was successfully accepted.

To this day

Hongshan Shipbuilding Factory mainly produces 5,000-ton mastless cargo ships, and its production capacity and technical level have been greatly improved. Up to 12 5,000-ton ocean freighters can be built every year, with the cost being lowered to 17,600 pounds.

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

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

In fact, the accounts cannot be settled like this.

First of all, the 12,000-ton new 10,000-ton cargo ship represents the latest development of the ocean shipping industry in today's era, and embodies the most advanced ship construction technology in the UK and even the world today. It costs nearly 5,200 pounds to design technical drawings alone.

What does £5,200 mean?

In London's most prosperous West End, you can buy two 5-bedroom luxury apartments with bathrooms, and you can buy a manor that covers no more than 40 acres outside London. It is the kind of luxury estate with classical sculptures, with private gardens and stables.

Such a big deal cannot be obtained by any ocean shipping company, and represents the latest technological progress.

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

In order to roll thickened steel plates used for freighters of 10,000 tons, Hongshan Steel Plant must import the latest thickened steel plate rolling production line from the UK, which is used for battleship-level thickened steel plate production line, each set worth up to 185,000 pounds.

Among the complete thick plate rolling production line, the most critical thing is the 100,000 Kn-level steam free forging hydraulic press produced by the Naval Shipyard of Portsmouth, England. This is the most advanced forging equipment in the world today. It replaces the super-large steam forging hammer and has greatly improved the craftsmanship.

The thick steel plate produced by a 100,000 kilo-grade steam free forging hydraulic press has a physical performance and yield strength far exceeding the ordinary thick steel plate. It is the best steel plate for building giant wheels of more than 10,000 tons.

In order to cope with the increasing demand for steel, Hongshan Iron and Steel Plant will import a second set of steel smelting equipment, and it is expected that by early 1880, that is, a year later, the production capacity will be increased to 200,000 tons/year.

These costs must be converted into the price of steel plates, which also leads to the high price of thickened steel plates for tens of tons of freighters, which are much higher than that of medium-thickness steel plates.

If a large-scale production of ten thousand tons of ocean freighters is carried out in the future, the cost in this regard will be reduced dramatically, and the benefits will be self-evident.

Only battleships produced with thickened steel plates can withstand the ravages of the Atlantic Ocean, slashing waves 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 up to thousands of tons on both sides of the hull. Only specially made thickened steel plates can withstand high-strength riveting without deformation, meet the combat needs of battleships, and traverse the seven seas under the control of the Royal Navy.

The construction of an ocean freighter costs 80% of the cost of steel plates. Taking the new 10,000-ton ocean freighter as an example, it requires the use of nearly 7,000 tons of steel plates of various types to build one.

Calculated at US$24 per ton of ordinary steel plate in North America, it is worth about four pounds and 15 shillings per ton. The price of special thickened steel plate is higher, accounting for the vast majority of the cost.

In addition, there are shipyard labor, profits and the latest reciprocating marine steam engines, which can greatly reduce coal burning consumption and further reduce costs.

Thanks to the convenience of the British Empire colony in Australia, the most advanced technologies and concepts can be introduced unimpededly and developed on the shoulders of giants.

The new 12,000-ton ocean freighter has condensed the rich design experience of the British shipbuilding industry and selected the best hull line and the best power combination.

The coal consumption has decreased from the original 106 tons per day to 59 tons, with an average speed of 8.5 knots, an increase of 15% compared to the previous model, making it more suitable for long-distance ocean-long voyages.

The entire new 10,000-ton ship uses 46 crew members. Compared with the 5,000-ton ocean freighter, the daily coal consumption increases slightly by two tons, and the carrying capacity is 1.4 times, and the long-term operating cost is greatly reduced. This is the best choice for shipping companies.

According to long-distance voyages in Europe, three voyages can be transported each year, saving costs of 11,000 pounds per voyage, and the net income will be doubled.

All investment costs can be recovered in just one year, and all that is left is net profit, which is the huge profit of transoceanic transportation in the world today.

Li Fushou reviewed the telegram with satisfaction and commented on it with a big stroke;

Four ships were allowed to be built.

This note;

This is a major opportunity for development. Hongshan Shipyard immediately organized elite forces to fully understand new ship production technologies, study new processes and new technologies, and promote them as a flagship product to the world ship construction market, and win respect with its strength.

Put down your pen

Li Fushou walked out of the study with great pleasure, feeling proud.

The ocean shipping industry is related to the long-term strategic development of the Red River Valley and has an important pillar position. It not only brings a steady stream of immigrant population, deepens the foundation and strength of the Red River Valley, but also cultivates a large number of sailors who can fight wind and waves. This is the basis for forming a powerful steam ironclad fleet.

Not only that, the ocean shipping industry consumes a large amount of steel production capacity and brings many heavy industrial job opportunities, from iron ore, coal mine, steel plant to profile factories, wire plant, foundries to the steel processing industry, steam engine industry and other industries, creating a lot of taxes and profits.

The planned ocean fishing industry is also based on this.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Chapter completed!