Chapter 66
University and Slavery (7)
Even as the university design was underway, the talent scouting continued, and I was welcoming them and placing them in the right places.
Francis Electronics, founded by Francis Ronald, was based in Morelia.
"You made this in 1816?"
Francis chuckled awkwardly at my genuine amazement and answered.
"Yes, Your Highness. Let me explain in detail."
He had brought the device he had made before. His device, even though it was an early device, had the ability to send electrical signals over a distance of 8 miles.
His invention definitely worked, but there were many things that needed improvement.
"It's a method of rotating a disk with letters written on it to transmit a message."
"Yes, Your Highness. When the dial points to the desired letter, the wire is grounded, and the receiver records the letter displayed on the dial at that moment."
It was a creative method, but it was inefficient and prone to failure.
"I see."
It was also expensive, as the wire was surrounded by glass tubes.
'If I change the approach using static electricity to electromagnetic induction, and change the message transmission to Morse code, it will become the telegraph I know.'
The first battery, developed by Italian physicist Alessandro Volta in 1799, made this possible.
"As I mentioned in the letter, I also have some ideas for a telegraph. Have you heard of something called a battery?"
"Yes, Your Highness. It's something that generates electrical energy through chemical reactions. You're going to use that for the telegraph."
"That's right. Then, we can send electrical signals in a different way."
I explained the idea of electromagnetic induction to Francis.
"Well, if we send electrical signals using that method, how will the message be transmitted?"
"It's simple. We'll combine long signals and short signals to represent letters. For example, one short signal represents 'A', and one long signal represents 'B'. We can encode various characters like Spanish alphabet letters, numbers, and so on, using this method."
"So, you're creating a unique signal combination corresponding to each letter. It's a very innovative idea, Your Highness."
"Thank you for saying that. Your job is to improve your invention and make my idea a reality. Can you do it?"
"Yes, the idea is so specific that it seems like I just have to make it."
He had an expression as if his body was itching to quickly make an improved version of the electric telegraph.
"I'll get you copper wire and batteries as quickly as possible, so first, complete the code system."
I didn't memorize Morse code in my previous life, so I have to create it again.
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll do my best. How about we call this code system 'Iturbide Code' (Código Iturbide)? It's practically your creation."
"Do that."
The telegraph system will be very useful in various fields.
It won't be able to be installed nationwide right away because it's expensive, but it will significantly increase efficiency in certain areas, such as government agencies, the military, railroads, and finance.
***
I received a letter from Reginald Greenfield in England, regarding the scouting results of a very important person.
"Hmm, he wants to see it for himself and then decide…"
"This is the first time this has happened."
Someone wanted to personally see the story I wrote in the letter and then decide.
It was a man named John Ericsson.
I learned about this man thanks to Joseph Locke. He had asked me if I knew any technicians who could make a steam-powered ship, and he was the one who told me about him.
"Joseph, are you close with him?"
"Not best friends, but we talked a lot when I was in England. We talked a lot about steam-powered ships."
"I see."
Joseph Locke crossed Mexico by train, to see an old acquaintance and help scout him.
"He seems to be coming in, Your Highness."
"Good, he didn't make me wait long."
John Ericsson, 31 years old, born in Sweden and immigrated to England, was a tall man.
He also sensed my identity, looking at our clothes, and walked towards us briskly.
"Hello. Your Highness, it's an honor to meet you. My name is John Ericsson."
"Nice to meet you. You must have worked hard coming all this way. You know this guy, right?"
"Yes, I do."
He answered me and then said to Joseph Locke.
"I heard you left for the Mexican Empire, but I didn't expect to see you here. I was wondering how His Highness, the crown prince of the Mexican Empire, knew about me, but now I see it was you."
"Yeah. I recommended you. I remembered talking to you when the Rainhill Trials were held. Anyway, it's good to see you again."
Ericsson and Locke greeted each other warmly.
The Rainhill Trials was a competition for steam locomotives on the Liverpool-Manchester line, held in England.
John Ericsson's locomotive, 'Novelty', also participated in this event, which was won by 'Rocket', created by George Stephenson and Joseph Locke.
It seems like the engineers who participated in this event exchanged ideas to some extent.
"Okay, we've greeted each other, so let's go see what you wanted to see."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'm looking forward to it."
The plan I presented to scout him was as follows.
First, we're going to mass-produce steamships.
Second, we're building a large shipyard with a dedicated dock for steamships.
Third, we plan to support the construction of steamships with the latest equipment, such as steam cranes, steam hammers, rolling mills, lathes, and drilling machines.
"Let's go see the construction site of the dedicated steamship dock first."
I took Ericsson to the shipyard construction site, which was now taking shape.
"The shipyard is quite large."
"It's large in size, and we've allocated enough space for various equipment to enter each dock. If you look closely, we've also created a device to secure steam cranes to the floor."
There wasn't much to show yet, as it was still under construction.
I took him to the warehouse. It was where the equipment that would go into the dock was stored once the shipyard was completed.
"From here on, you explain, Locke."
"Yes, Your Highness. Ericsson, let me show you the steam crane first. You'll be amazed."
Since they were all made by Locke Precision Machinery, I had the CEO introduce them.
Ericsson, who had operated a steam-powered crane, had an expression as if he had tasted a new world from the start.
He checked each of the latest machines, including not only the crane but also the steam hammer, rolling mill, lathe (turning machine), and drilling machine.
Ericsson, who had been touching the equipment in the warehouse for hours, without even eating, since he arrived in Mexico, exclaimed in admiration.
"This is amazing. Everything is beyond my expectations."
After that, things went smoothly.
Ericsson, who had been asking Joseph Locke about life in the Mexican Empire over dinner, made his decision by the end of the meal.
"I want to try building steamships."
He said that with a serious face.
"Okay. I'll create a company, but it's a state-owned company, so unfortunately, I can't name it after you like Locke. Is that okay?"
"Yes, it's a little disappointing, but it's okay."
This shipyard was originally a government facility ordered by the navy. I can't just use it as I please.
'I didn't want to get involved in shipbuilding because I originally didn't know much about it.'
I had hoped that they would figure it out themselves, since I had brought 50 first-class shipbuilding technicians from Spain, but the Mexican Empire Navy betrayed my expectations.
I couldn't just ignore shipbuilding because it's closely related to not only the navy but also trade. So I proposed to the government that we create a state-owned company, since I would scout talent and invest funds.
"As I wrote in the letter, I'll give you 2% of the shares and the position of CEO. But the majority shareholder is the Mexican Empire government, so if you don't make any progress for a long time, it could be a problem."
"Don't worry. There will be some trial and error, but I have many designs that I've been thinking about for a long time. And there are 50 first-class shipbuilding technicians from Spain, so I'm confident."
The state-owned company was simply and meaningfully named 'Mexican Shipyards' (Astilleros Mexicanos), and the shares were divided with the government holding 70%, me holding 28%, and John Ericsson holding 2%.
The 50 shipbuilding technicians I had brought from Spain were also assigned to this company.
John Ericsson decided to return to England to prepare for his immigration to the Mexican Empire.
***
January 1835.
Construction of the Mexican Imperial University began. It was the middle of winter, but it wasn't so cold that they couldn't work.
'The weather is great here. It's not cold in winter, and it's not hot in summer.'
It's January, but the average perceived temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius, so it's different from Seoul, where the average temperature drops below freezing around this time.
"We'll start construction on the engineering building as planned, Your Highness."
"Okay. I really like the design, so please build it well."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Even a comprehensive university doesn't build all the buildings at once and then open.
It's more common to start with one or two buildings and then build new buildings as funds are raised. This is a method that many modern universities also use.
This project has enough funds, so we don't need to raise money, but the problem was time.
'It will take at least a year to design the entire university, which is huge, and start construction.'
I first decided on the layout and design style of the buildings and facilities, and then designed the four buildings that would be built first: the engineering building, the dormitory, the chapel, and the library.
Construction began under Damian's command.
I felt a renewed sense of awe watching the construction site being created.
I came to the site, but I didn't have much to do except point out safety issues and make minor improvements to the workflow.
"I used to personally hold a saw and process wood in Sacramento, but now we have many architects who can even supervise the construction site."
"Hahaha, we were also surprised then. We couldn't even imagine that His Highness the Crown Prince would personally hold a saw and show us how to do it."
Diego answered my words.
"Haha, I bet you were."
The reason I chose the engineering building as the top priority was my own need.
Literature, philosophy, art, science, mathematics, economics, and many other disciplines are all important, and I plan to establish departments gradually, but this is the age of industrial revolution and invention.
'We have to expand our national power right away, or we might be in a dangerous situation.'
We need engineers in various fields, including machinery, civil engineering, shipbuilding, chemistry, electricity, metals, and the military. Most of the people I'm scouting right now are engineers.
I'm going to scout talent in other fields as I establish the university, but that's the priority.
I watched the construction site and made a decision.
'I'll leave this to Damian and start my next plan.'
I really want to stay here and participate, but there are still important and urgent tasks left, just as important as the university.
"Diego, let's go back to Mexico City."
Thanks for the chapter
ReplyDeleteThanks, a great translation.
ReplyDelete