Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 699

Episode 699: Sixtieth Birthday (6)

Just as the Ming Dynasty used every possible means to steal technology from the empire, Europe did the same in Suez.

“Various mechanical devices using steam engines are introduced from the Empire. “Let’s mobilize scholars to understand its structure and operating principles.”

The confederate monarchs made this decision and dispatched scholars to Suez.

Even though I was kicked out, the professors’ expressions didn’t look bad at all.

“It’s a great opportunity!”

“I guess I can take a good look at it this time!”

Professors also had their own calculations.

-The size of the equipment seen in person or through records in the last Empire was considerable.

-It is certain that not only the size but also the weight is considerable since it is entirely made of steel.

-The imperial transport ships are certainly large, but it is impossible to transport them as is. Of course, it will be disassembled and transported.

-Since it was disassembled and transported, there will naturally be an assembly process on site. If you do not miss this time and pay close attention, you can examine the structure and operating principles of the organ in more detail.

Since these calculations were at the bottom, the professors packed their bags without a second thought.

* * *

The professors who arrived in Suez earlier than the scheduled arrival date of the imperial transport ship looked at the data surveyed by the railway surveyors, toured the site of the assembly building prepared in advance, and waited for the transport ship’s arrival.

“Arrived!”

“Ships from the Land of Flowers have arrived!”

The professors, who had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the ships, rushed to the dock as they heard the cries of people coming from the port.

When they arrived at the dock, the imperial transport ship was in full swing unloading.

“huh?”

“uh?”

The professors who arrived at the dock stopped when they saw the workers filling up the space in front of them.

“Why are you just watching here?”

This was because the workers, who would normally be stuck to the boats unloading large and small loads, were just watching the boats in front of them.

“Why on earth…”

Unable to overcome their curiosity, the professors pushed through the workers and moved forward. The professors who made their way through the workers and came to the front gaped at the sight that unfolded before their eyes.

Beep! Beep!

“Pull! Pull!”

“That’s right! “That’s right!”

“stop! stop!”

Imperials were unloading equipment from the transport ship, blowing loudly the whistles in their mouths and waving the red signal flags in their hands.

To the sound of their hand signals and whistles, a crane attached to a sailboat was unloading small equipment – still the size of two carts.

The equipment was actually a mobile crane and tow truck equipped with a small steam engine.

* * *

What made not only the workers but also the professors gape was the process of unloading and assembling the small crane.

Although it was small, it was large, so the main body and the arm on which the steel rope was attached were separated and unloaded.

First, when the main body was unloaded, the technicians who got off first used familiar hand movements to join the main body and arms. The assembly of the main body and arms went smoothly thanks to the crane attached to the boat holding the arms and floating them.

After finishing connecting the most important steel rope, the engineers started the steam engine.

Chwiik! Chwiik! Chick chug!

As the steam pressure rose properly and the small crane was able to move, it moved to the side, and the main body of another small crane came down from the cargo ship.

This happened simultaneously on two cargo ships docked at the dock. As the number of small cranes that could move properly increased, the speed of unloading became faster.

Once the unloading and operation of the small cranes was completed, the tow trucks were then unloaded.

The tow trucks, which had already been started inside the ship, moved to one side as soon as they were lowered onto the land, and then the large carts to be driven by the tow trucks were unloaded.

By the time the small cranes and tow trucks finished unloading, the sun had already set about half way.

“That’s all for today!”

“Move the cranes and tow trucks to the temporary garage!”

Following the orders of the foreman in charge of the work, the lifters and tow trucks moved to the tent erected on one side.

Meanwhile, the interpreter informed the gathered workers of the situation.

“There’s a lot to do starting tomorrow, so come out early!”

“yes!”

The workers responded to the interpreter’s call and left the dock in groups of two and three.

* * *

When the work was finished, the professors went to see the person in charge.

“I want to see the cranes and tow trucks.”

“You have to have permission.”

The person in charge flatly refused, but the professors persisted.

“Oh no, let’s just wait a moment!”

“Just look a little! Just a little bit!”

“I said no!”

When the person in charge refused, one of the professors took out a heavy bag from his pocket.

“Don’t do that, just take this and look at it for a moment.”

Seeing the person in charge trying to bribe him, his face turned bright red and he screamed.

“Who has this person decided to send to the record office now? Get out of here! Guard! “Bring these people out!”

The professors who were dragged out by the guards after being called by the person in charge had their appetites quenched.

“This was a great opportunity…”

“It’s a shame.”

The professors, who could not hide their disappointment, soon turned their thoughts in a positive direction.

“The big equipment hasn’t been unloaded yet, right? “Let’s aim for that time.”

“That would be fine.”

These were professors who were determined and looking for the next opportunity.

Meanwhile, various comments were being made among those in charge of kicking out the professors.

“Do you think they’ll give up?”

“at all. I didn’t see the looks in those people’s eyes earlier. “They’re almost crazy, right?”

“I’m worried about this.”

When one of the staff muttered in a voice full of worry, another colleague comforted him.

“Weren’t you prepared for it to be revealed to some extent anyway? All we have to do is delay that period as much as possible. And even if you see it, will you be able to recognize it properly? “Have you already prepared such defenses?”

“That’s right.”

The people in charge nodded with somewhat relieved faces.

* * *

Meanwhile, where the people in charge of operating and maintaining the equipment had gathered, a serious conversation was taking place.

“What kind of sand…”

“There is sand everywhere, but I didn’t believe that the really useful sand had to be scooped up from the beach… whew~”

All the technicians were nodding their heads while sighing and complaining.

One of the biggest challenges in this construction was the sand used to make the plaster.

The sand lying in the desert was completely useless for construction purposes. This was because the particles were too small to be blown away by the wind.

Therefore, in order to properly carry out the construction, the sand from the beach had to be scooped up and used.

The problem was the salt content in the sand. The biggest enemy of plaster was sand.

Thanks to this, when construction began, the first thing to be built was a fresh water production facility. The fresh water in and around the Suez area contained a lot of limestone, which was not good for steam engines.

Therefore, facilities to produce fresh water for steam engines and decontamination work were built first.

“That’s not the only problem with that damn sand. “The powder and castor oil will cost more than expected.”

The empire created a variety of equipment using steam engines. Lubricants were essential for parts made of all kinds of metals, including steel, to move smoothly.

The first material used as a lubricant was graphite. Graphite, finely ground into a fine powder, was perfect for use as a lubricant and could withstand high temperatures well.

Thanks to this, ink was used as a lubricant wherever machinery was needed.

However, ink stone also had the problem of being weak against moisture.

Therefore, what came out to solve this problem was castor oil.

Castor oil was an excellent lubricant. It withstood high temperatures well and did not harden even at low temperatures. Even when in contact with air, it did not dry out quickly or deteriorate.

These properties make castor an optimal lubricant for use in wet locations, most notably the sea.

As castor oil became so popular, farmers took advantage of the opportunity to earn unexpected additional income.

In his spare time from farming, he grew castor beans to earn extra income.

In addition, black stone powder and castor oil were also works containing fragrant seasonings.

* * *

One of the biggest topics of the 21st century was eco-friendliness.

“Lubricants made by refining crude oil are not environmentally friendly. So what was used as a lubricant before refined lubricants came out?”

Intrigued, Hyang searched through books in the library as well as the Internet.

“Let’s see… After all, it’s animal fat. In particular, whale oil was used a lot. However, in terms of eco-friendliness and animal protection, this is out. The same goes for things like pork fat.”

Hyang, who was digging through the data like that, soon found a good answer.

“Graphite and castor oil… Wow….”

And when the problem of lubricants arose after his reincarnation, he proposed a solution called graphite and castor oil.

And King Sejong and the ministers and artisans all nodded.

“also!”

* * *

Just as the people in charge of managing the heavy equipment had worried, the professors moved persistently.

And that persistence was soon rewarded.

In order to assemble the large heavy equipment that is the core of the construction, a large assembly facility was needed.

And for this purpose, the empire built a large structure near the dock.

The pillars and beams were made of thick and strong steel, and iron tracks passed between them. And on the track were large, strong pulleys and thick chains hanging.

Parts of heavy equipment that were unloaded from ships and loaded onto tow trucks were assembled at this facility.

There were gaps here and there in the fairly large site, and the professors had the opportunity to dig into the gaps and look inside the heavy equipment.

“Holy shit!”

However, the professors who were examining the parts had no choice but to swear.

This was because all the parts that make up the heavy equipment were in a semi-assembled state as box parts – modules.

Just place the boxes of necessary parts in a designated location and connect them using power transmission parts or coupling parts to immediately become a finished product.

In order to actually see the inside they wanted to see, they had to use specially made tools. And the entry and exit of those tools was under the strictest control.

The number exported and the number recovered had to be exactly the same, and the identity of the exporter and the serial number engraved on the tool were recorded each time.

In response, the professors tried to use bribes once again, but the people in charge, from the technicians at the bottom to the executives at the top, stubbornly refused.

“If you are caught taking bribes here, all your assets will be confiscated and you will have to bury your bones in the records office, regardless of whether you are high or low in the class. Are you crazy!”

Everyone in the empire was already well aware of the Recorder’s notoriety.

In the end, the professors had to grit their teeth and swear.

“Who on earth thought of such a dirty and cunning move!”

“Who created the Record Office! “Oh my gosh, you’re so scared of the recorder that you refuse to take a bribe!”

At the same time, Hyang, who was at Gyeongbokgung Palace, picked his ears and muttered.

“Ah, cover your ears! “Who is swearing at me like this?”