Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

For mechanical equipment to be substantially improved, wide usage is essential to expose all potential issues. Only then can it evolve into a mature product. However, the current application range of the high-power high-pressure steam engine is extremely narrow—it is excessive for pumping water or mining, and stern-wheel transport ships have not yet been developed. As for trains... 50 horsepower is far from sufficient. To start developing the first generation of practical trains, the power needs to be increased several fold to reach 200-300 horsepower. This meant the iteration speed of LJ52 couldn't be very fast. Joseph knew not to rush the process and nodded, "Two years should just about keep pace. The future of the steam engine rests on your shoulders. Let me know if you need anything." Sandler, seeing that the Crown Prince was not quite satisfied with the pace of development, hesitated before speaking, "Your Highness, if you could transfer someone to the United Steam Engine Company, I believe we might meet your requirements within a year." "Oh?" Joseph's eyes lit up, "Who are you thinking of?" "Richard Trevithick, a young British engineer." As Sandler spoke, Murdoch frowned and nudged him from behind, but he continued regardless, "I know he's currently in Paris to enroll in the Talent Commission. However, the Commission has only given him a 'continue reviewing' opportunity." A 'continue reviewing' status meant the evaluators found the candidate just shy of the high-end talent benchmark and planned further observation. Should the applicant later publish a significant paper in the Natural Science Journal or invent something notable, he would most likely be invited. Trevithick? Joseph squinted slightly, that name sounded vaguely familiar... Sandler continued, "Although he's only in his twenties, his theoretical foundations are solid, and he holds a unique patent for a high-pressure steam engine. "Oh, right, Your Highness, I heard that at the beginning of the year, he even built a vehicle driven by his own designed steam engine, but it malfunctioned after just 200 meters..." Upon hearing "steam engine-driven vehicle," Joseph immediately widened his eyes. Trevithick, could he be that genius who designed the world's first train?! Most people from later eras know George Stephenson as the father of the train, but in fact, Trevithick had built a passenger-carrying train eight years earlier. However, Trevithick's train performed so poorly it even damaged the tracks, subjecting him to ridicule. Being a wealthy heir, he couldn't stand the criticism and abandoned further development after declaring, "Although it has great potential, it ultimately got buried, which discouraged me from ever experimenting again." Stephenson, born into poverty, displayed more patience and resilience. He withstood the pressure and finally developed a truly practical train. Who would have thought that Trevithick had also come to Paris? It seemed his talent recruitment plan was indeed well-conceived! In this era, the most respected were still nobility and landlords. Technicians usually didn't receive much attention; experimenting and inventing mostly came out of their own pockets, their status often lower than merchants. Thus, the French Talent Commission, offering resources and generous treatment to securely focus on technological research, tremendously attracted scientific and technological talents. Joseph excitedly said, "Can you find him? France desperately needs such talents!" He thought to himself that fortunately, the Talent Commission hadn't sent the man away this time. It seemed he needed to keep a closer eye on the review lists in the future. However, one couldn't blame the Talent Commission; after all, they didn't have foresight, and it was normal not to immediately approve a young person like Trevithick who hadn't yet achieved significant success. Sandler nodded, "Actually, he came to see me before. I believe the Talent Commission should have his address." Joseph immediately instructed Eman, "Please write a letter to the Talent Commission on my behalf and ensure they keep Mr. Trevithick." "Yes, Your Highness." This man once overshadowed the father of trains and possessed deep knowledge about high-pressure steam engines—at over twenty years old, he could already hand-craft such engines. And once the steam engine matter was settled, they would provide him with a laboratory to start developing trains. With him personally intervening this time, no one would dare mock Trevithick again. If his fragile ego remained unscathed, he just might succeed in developing the train! Joseph then curiously asked Sandler, "By the way, what did Trevithick come to see you about?" "He came to show me his new type of high-pressure steam engine," Sandler replied, "hoping we could invest in manufacturing it." Joseph was surprised, "Why doesn't he produce it himself? He should have the funds, right?" Seeing he couldn't stop the competitor, Murdoch gave up resisting and explained, "We owe it to our dear Mr. Watt, who used his patents to choke off all high-pressure steam engine technologies. So, Trevithick had to leave England to legally produce his invention." Joseph almost laughed out loud. He had to send a banner of gratitude to Watt. He, by leveraging his power, had successfully pushed talents like Murdoch, Sandler, and Trevithick right to him. If anyone contributed to the advancement of steam technology in France, surely nobody had done more than Watt! Historically, high-pressure steam engines only started stumbling forward in Britain at the beginning of the 19th century when Watt's patents expired. But even then, British technological superiority was so vast that, despite globally stalling for over a decade, they were the first to usher in the era of trains. But now, things were different. France could be the first to conquer train technology and lead the Industrial Revolution! After the steam engine was successfully tested aboard the "Indomitable," the design work for the new escort ship also saw a breakthrough. The designer, Sane, gestured for his assistant to spread the blueprints on the floor before bowing to Joseph, then addressed the navy commanders, including the Marquis of Castri, "Your Excellency, General, this is the high-speed steam engine warship—'Light of the Mediterranean'—designed by Crown Prince himself." Joseph felt somewhat embarrassed. In reality, he had only discussed with Sane the steam engine, coal storage, and paddle arrangements according to models from future eras he had played with; he hadn't been involved in the specific design, which ironically ended up credited to him. However, from Sane's perspective, claiming it was designed by the Crown Prince was not an error at all. After all, mounting a steam engine on a ship was an area Sane had never explored; if he had to slowly figure out the layout himself and repeatedly test it, it would likely take at least three to four years to find the optimal solution. The Crown Prince had told him precisely how to design it, and from the results, His Highness's design was exceedingly apt!