Add Bookmark | Recommend this book | Back to the book page | My bookshelf | Mobile Reading

Free Web Novel,Novel online - All in oicq.net -> Historic -> chinese fourth empire

Text Chapter 267 Airplane

Previous page        Return to Catalog        Next page

    The invention of the automobile played a great role in promoting the second industrial revolution. It not only facilitated people's lives, but also shortened the distance between people, promoted the transformation of transportation, and drove the economy.  development, and promoted the rapid development of technologies such as internal combustion engines.

    Although China is ten years later than Europe in this field of automobiles, China's automobile development is based on a much higher level than Europe. When Europe was still very popular in three-wheeled automobiles that burned kerosene, China launched the  The four-wheeled vehicles that use gasoline as fuel are more reasonable in terms of shape and structure, which made China's automobile industry lead Europe and the United States from the beginning.  In addition, based on automobiles, Wang Yuze and asked automobile manufacturers to research heavy-duty trucks.  Trucks play an even more important role in promoting the economy and strategy. Wang Yuze has planned to build the Guards, which will be reorganized from instructors, into the world's first motorized force in the next few years.

    However, due to production capacity constraints, the output of automobiles is very low, and it can only satisfy the government and military first.  However, with the implementation of industrial standardization and the establishment of more automobile factories, the output of Chinese automobiles will only become larger and larger. By then, it will not only be able to meet domestic needs, but also be exported to countries such as Europe and the United States.

    The world in 1896 was very peaceful, but beneath this tranquility was an undercurrent.  The major powers have successively begun to increase their naval battleship plans. In order to cope with the aggressive rise of Germany and China in the Far East, the British Navy accelerated the construction of the remaining few battleships of the "Majesty class", and the next-level battleship, the "Old Man Star"  "The construction of the first ship "Canopus", the second ship "Giant" and the third ship "Ocean" has begun.  The British Navy plans to build a total of six battleships of this class.  Moreover, it is reported that the design of the British Navy's next-level battleship, the "Formidable-class" battleship, has been completed and construction can begin at any time.

    The British Royal Navy¡¯s aggressive construction of battleships has also put great pressure on other countries.  For China, because it is half a world away, it cannot feel the pressure of the British Navy for the time being. Although the British Navy's "Chinese Fleet" has repeatedly added warships, as the Chinese Navy becomes more and more powerful, it is no longer able to deal with China.  The navy poses a threat.  In addition, it won¡¯t be long before a new class of warships of the Chinese Navy will be launched and outfitted, which will undoubtedly shock the whole world.  By then, all countries will find that their battleships, whether they are already in service, under construction, or still on design drawings, will all be obsolete.  The trend of naval battleships will be led by China.

    At the end of 1896, the "Fuji" and "Yashima" "Fuji" class battleships ordered by the Japanese Navy in the UK returned home. This improved battleship of the British Navy's "Sovereign" class battleship has extremely powerful combat capabilities.  The force is slightly stronger than the "Plateau" class battleships equipped by China.  Although it will take some time for the two battleships to return home to form combat effectiveness, it also gives the Japanese Navy a certain degree of confidence.  In addition, Japan has begun to build its own two "Shikishima-class" battleships, the "Hasuse" and the "Mikasa", as well as a series of cruisers and lightning strike ships, which has brought the Japanese navy into a rapid revival.

    1896 was undoubtedly a year of rapid development for China.  The government's large-scale investment in transportation, industry and education, as well as a large number of fixed assets, has enabled China's economy to achieve leaps and bounds. The total economic volume has more than doubled from last year, and fiscal revenue has reached 570 million.  million, more than double that of last year.  In total, it even exceeds that of the UK.  The British fiscal revenue in 1896 was only 112 million pounds, which was only 450 million yuan when converted into Chinese dollars.  However, compared with the UK, China needs to spend too much money. Its industries need to be upgraded, many foreign debts that have matured need to be repaid, and investments in infrastructure and industry have made China's fiscal revenue still not rich.  Far inferior to the UK.  In addition, per capita income is far behind the UK, only one-twentieth of the UK.  China still has a long way to go.  However, this also gave great encouragement to China's elites. Everyone knows that as long as rapid development continues, China will one day catch up with and surpass the United Kingdom.

    Since the beginning of 1897, China's large-scale construction has been proceeding in an orderly manner. With the opening of a large number of railways and highways, the relationship between China's central government and local governments has become closer, which has promoted economic development.  , and also increased the central government¡¯s control over local governments, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.  China's territory is too large, and it is very difficult to control border areas.  Construction of the Beijing-Kulun railway has begun and is expected to be completed and open to traffic in three years.  The railway from Beijing to Dihua is also under intense construction. Because it only needs to be connected to the railway from Xi'an to Dihua built in western Sichuan, the project volume is not very large and it will be completed before the end of next year.With the automobile industry, China as a whole has entered a prosperous development stage.

    In March, the spring breeze had spread throughout Beijing. It was a weekend. Wang Yuze once again summoned cabinet members and military giants, and they all arrived in Nanyuan, Beijing.  Starting last year, China's air force base began to be built here.  However, compared with the army and navy, the Chinese Air Force is too small. The entire army has less than 10,000 people, and its main weapons are less than 100 airships.  If Wang Xiao and Wang Yuze hadn't both had great confidence in the Air Force, I'm afraid the military would have long ago demanded the axing of this service that costs a lot of money and doesn't have much actual combat power.

    "Old Xiong, do you think this thing can really fly? Just a few pieces of wood and a canvas skin fixed together, can it fly into the sky?" Cai Yun circled around the experimental aircraft on the runway.  asked.

    "How do I know? However, if the emperor said he could fly to the sky, he should be able to fly to the sky! Otherwise, if the emperor called us here with great fanfare, wouldn't this be a slap in the face?" Xiong Wu said.  Although, he didn't have much confidence in this aircraft, which was several meters long and looked like a small bird in front of the huge airship.  Even if this so-called airplane can fly into the sky, how useful can it be?

    The cabinet members regarded this trip as nothing more than watching a show.  Now that Wang Yuze is on good terms, they, as ministers, should naturally try their best to do what he wants.

    "Mr. Otto, have you checked it out? Are you sure everything is perfect?" Wang Yuze, accompanied by Air Force Commander Long Feiyu, Major General of the Air Force, asked Otto, the designer and pilot of the aircraft?  Lilienthal asked.

    "Your Majesty, don't worry, I promise there will be no problem. However, you have to remember your promise. After I succeed, you have to give me the title of count!" German Otto?  Lilienthal said confidently.

    "Of course there is no problem." Wang Yuze smiled.

    Otto?  Lilienthal was a German engineer and gliding pilot, one of the world's aviation pioneers.  He was the first to design and manufacture a practical glider and is known as the "Father of Glider".  Historically, he died last year due to a failed gliding experiment.  But, what is Otto now?  Lilienthal was attracted to China five years ago to conduct research on flight, so he is still alive and well.

    The aircraft in front of us, codenamed "Flying Dragon" No. 1, uses a double-layer wing. The aircraft is 6.5 meters long and has a wingspan of 12.3 meters. The entire aircraft weighs 280 kilograms. It adopts the latest W-2 type.  An aircraft engine modified from an engine to drive a two-blade propeller through a chain drive.  In Wang Yuze's eyes, this can be described as extremely crude.  However, this will open a new era in human aviation history.

    9 o'clock in the morning, after everything is ready, Otto?  Lilienthal got on the plane.  With the help of the maintenance staff, the engine on the aircraft was started.  The engine made a "chugging" sound, and the propeller rotated rapidly.  As the propellers turned faster and faster, the plane gained momentum and began to taxi down the runway.

    Slowly, the plane ran faster and faster. After gaining enough lift, the nose of the plane first left the ground, and then the entire plane took off.  "Oh, cake seller! I'm really flying!" Otto?  Lilinger shouted.

    The onlookers were also stunned. In their eyes, this kind of children's gadget could actually fly, which greatly exceeded their imagination.

    Although this flight did not last long, it only lasted three minutes in total and flew about a kilometer at a distance of 50 meters from the ground. However, the first flight of the aircraft was undoubtedly a great success.  .

    "Your Majesty the Emperor, we succeeded, we really succeeded!" Otto?  Li Linger shouted excitedly, with a happy smile in his eyes.  He has been striving to fly since he was 14 years old, and now he has finally succeeded.

    "Yes, Otto, you are great, you will change the world!" Wang Yuze also said with great joy.  Compared with the Wright brothers of the United States, this is more than 6 years ahead of schedule. This will give China more time to improve and develop aircraft that can be used in actual combat.  While everyone's eyes are still limited to land and sea, China has begun to march into the sky.  Although current aircraft are far from being able to undertake combat missions, with the development of science and technology, aircraft will undoubtedly become the masters of the air.  The Chinese Air Force also has the opportunity to become the master of the world's skies.

    "General Long Feiyu, I will ask the cabinet to allocate a special amount of military funds to improve and research more advanced aircraft. I hope that an aircraft that can be used in actual combat will be successfully developed as soon as possible!" Wang Yuze said solemnly.

    "Yes, Your Majesty!" Long Feiyu immediately accepted the order.

    PS: The third update is here!  Four updates tomorrow, there will be an update in the early morning!  It¡¯s the last day for double monthly passes. Book friends who have monthly passes should not keep them!Asking for a monthly ticket!  (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to become a registered member of Piaotian Literature to recommend this work. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
Didn't finish reading? Add this book to your favoritesI'm a member and bookmarked this chapterCopy the address of this book and recommend it to your friends for pointsChapter error? Click here to report