**Chapter 8**
**California! (2)**
"Merging departments is proving helpful now."
The school I attended had similar departments like Urban Engineering and Architectural Engineering, in addition to Civil Engineering. But after serving in the military, I found out that all these related departments had been merged.
"There was a lot of complaining back then, but it turned out like this."
While everyone else was asleep at night, I was staring at a piece of paper, lost in thought.
"I'm starting to build the settlement tomorrow."
Ordinary settlers would just build wherever they liked, but as someone who studied urban planning, I couldn't tolerate that.
I plan to build a systematically planned city, thinking about the future.
"I've been so busy with civil engineering that I've almost forgotten about general architecture and urban planning, but I still have some experience."
Each settler family will be given 160 acres of farmland.
It seems ridiculously small compared to the land Texas settlers receive, but that's mostly for ranching, and they only get about 120 acres for farming.
"The US Homestead Act also only allowed a maximum of 160 acres, so 160 acres isn't that small."
Furthermore, Sacramento is part of the California Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.
We can relatively easily supply agricultural water using the Sacramento River and its tributaries. 160 acres will be enough for settlers to live comfortably.
"I'll place government offices, a church, and a commercial district in the area where the city used to be, and fill in the farms from the downstream side."
Without a computer and with only a few maps, I had no choice but to trace the map on a blank sheet of paper.
As I planned the city on the map, my occupational disease kicked in, and plans for dams, reservoirs, water and sewage systems, roads, and railroads flashed through my mind.
"Hold on, hold on. It's too early. We can steadily develop it."
It's inefficient to pre-design everything. It's just self-indulgence.
"···But I can build a railroad within 10 years, right? Let's add that."
***
The next morning.
"Let's build the church first. Let's start with lumber procurement."
In the West, it's common to build a church first when settling.
Catholicism is widespread in Mexico, so it was appropriate to build a church first for symbolic reasons.
"It's been a while since I practiced general architectural design."
I planned to construct a wooden house using the balloon frame construction method, one of the light-frame construction methods. In balloon frame construction, continuous vertical wood members (studs) run from the foundation to the roof in a single piece, and these vertical members are supported by horizontal wood members (joists, rafters, etc.) that are fastened by nails or screws.
Using the timber frame method, a traditional wooden construction method that has been used consistently in the West, has the advantage of being more robust and beautiful, but it has the disadvantage of being time-consuming, labor-intensive, and difficult to construct.
"Right now, speed is important. Balloon frame construction is fast, easy, and requires less wood."
This construction method is inherently suitable for pioneers. It was devised by American pioneers to build structures faster than the traditional timber frame method they used.
Later, a platform frame construction method, which improved upon the balloon frame construction method, was developed, but it became more complex and required more materials, so the balloon frame construction method is optimal for the early stages of settlement.
To build according to my plan, the lumber processing stage must be carried out according to my intention. Therefore, I decided to gather everyone and demonstrate how it's done.
I looked around. There was a lot of lumber in front of me, and the settlers stood next to it, looking at me.
"This is going to be a funny sight."
Over 500 people, including soldiers, standing around watching the Crown Prince saw wood.
"I'm going to show you how to process the lumber now. Please watch this way."
I chose a piece of lumber and drew horizontal and vertical lines on it. This will allow us to connect the lumber at the correct angle and position when we build the frame later. Then, I picked up a saw and started cutting the lumber along the vertical line.
Swish swish!
The sound of the lumber being cut strangely had the effect of increasing concentration. After finishing the cut, I checked the end of the lumber. A rough surface could cause problems when connecting it to other lumber later. So, I used another tool to smooth the end of the lumber.
"As you can see, accuracy is important in lumber processing. If it's not processed accurately, the frame will be unstable later. You're making the houses you'll live in, so please work diligently."
The settlers were paying attention to my words. This time, I chose a piece of lumber to cut horizontally. This time, I secured the lumber and cut along the horizontal line.
This task involved creating the horizontal part of the frame. I lifted the cut lumber and showed it to everyone.
"This lumber will be used for the horizontal part. It's been cut to the correct length and angle, so we're ready to build the frame."
I put the lumber aside and stepped back. Now, the settlers just have to process the lumber according to my demonstration.
"The balloon frame method is a way to achieve fast and efficient construction. But it also has the potential for inaccuracy. Therefore, accuracy during the lumber processing stage is very important."
I emphasized accuracy. If this lumber processing is done well, we can build the settlement quickly according to my plan.
I watched the settlers start working for a while and gave them detailed instructions.
***
Out of the 450 settlers, we found 10 who were carpenters or knew how to handle wood.
I'm going to take them and teach them how to combine vertical and horizontal lumber using the pre-processed lumber.
"Actually, I'm doing this half-blindly from here on, but there's nothing I can do."
Where did a civil engineer ever build a structure using the balloon frame method? I just skimmed over it while studying for exams in college.
"Now, let's actually make the posts and beams using the pre-processed lumber. Please observe carefully what I'm doing."
First, I chose the lumber for the posts that would be installed vertically. This lumber needs to withstand compressive loads, so it requires particularly high stiffness. So, I chose strong lumber.
"The posts support the vertical load of the building. Therefore, the chosen lumber must have sufficient strength and stiffness. These things directly affect the structural integrity of the building."
After setting up the lumber, I checked the verticality. Checking the level may be a common carpentry skill, but accurately checking the verticality is important for the stability of the structure. So, I paid special attention to this task.
"This process of checking verticality is very important. Even a small tilt can cause big problems later."
Now it's time to create the beams. The beams support the horizontal load between the posts, so they need resistance to tension and bending. I chose lumber suitable for this purpose, measured it, and cut it.
"The resistance of the beams to load is important. Therefore, we need to consider stiffness, strength, and lightness."
Once all the lumber is ready, all that's left is the connection. I used the metal nails and screws I brought to connect the posts and beams.
"The nails and screws used here determine the structural integrity. They must be installed correctly."
The carpenters nodded.
"Hmm... this way, the stability will be a bit lower, but it's definitely faster to build a wooden structure than the timber frame method. Your Majesty, where did you learn this technique?"
"I found this method in American books while looking for ways to build structures quickly and efficiently with limited resources."
***
While I taught the 10 carpenters, the rest were tasked with procuring and pre-processing the lumber.
Of the 50 soldiers, 25 were assigned to security and 25 helped with the work under Major Manuel's orders.
To make the work more efficient, I chose a man named Andrés Ortega from the 10 carpenters to be the foreman. He was a mestizo in his mid-to-late 30s who had been a carpenter for 20 years.
"Foreman Andrés. Today, pick about 20 people with good skills and teach them what I taught yesterday."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"This church will be rebuilt later anyway, so I need to practice properly. General architecture and civil engineering have many differences, but also many similarities. I'm reviving my memories from college."
This church, the first building, required me to learn as I built. Naturally, it had to be small.
Furthermore, due to the nature of the building, a church, the typical church construction method, which uses a lot of building materials like glass, is more suitable than light-frame construction. Therefore, once the settlement grows to a certain size, we'll have to rebuild the church.
I relieved myself of the pressure and designed the prettiest church I could within my capabilities.
After wasting dozens of sheets of paper for three days, I was finally able to create a design I was satisfied with.
"Foreman Andrés. Here's the church design. I've also listed the lumber needed, so please process it accordingly."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I discussed with the experienced carpenters to refine the work method and started with the foundation work. While I and the carpenters wrestled with the first building, the rest collected and processed the lumber according to the method I taught them.
"Once the foundation work is done, we'll assemble the frame, then do the roof and wall work. After that, we'll do the interior finishing, and finally, the final inspection. We can proceed sequentially without rushing."
I participated and directed the entire settlement construction process from start to finish.
"···Amazing. It's the first construction project, and everyone is moving systematically under Your Majesty's command. Honestly, I thought it would take a while with a lot of trial and error, but I've learned a lesson."
Major Manuel seemed amazed by my ability to properly distribute work to all the settlers so that the entire process flowed naturally. He was right next to me, providing security and watching everything, so it must have been even more amazing.
"I was thinking about my father, who commanded soldiers, and how he would have commanded, and it came naturally."
"······Indeed."
I dodged the question again.
"Major Manuel, the settlement construction is progressing steadily, so I'm going to explore this area a bit more. I've lost a lot due to inaccurate maps on the way here, so I'm going to check this area more precisely. You and the 1st Company soldiers will guard the settlement, and please assign the 2nd Company soldiers to me."
"Your Majesty, wouldn't it be better for me, the security chief, to be with you?"
"There's nothing dangerous around here except for wild animals. I'll be away from the settlement for a while, so please take my place, Major."
"···Yes, I understand. Your Majesty. Please be careful."
It's time to go and achieve my original goal.
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