Lathes and City Walls

Chapter 98 Lathe and City Wall (Please Subscribe)

The next morning, when Matthew got up for breakfast, Evelyn was already up as well.

After a full night's rest, Evelyn's complexion was still a little tired and pale, but her spirits had improved a lot.

"How are you feeling, Evelyn?" Matthew asked with concern.

"I'm much better, my lord. I'm sorry to have worried you." Evelyn bowed slightly, a hint of apology on her face.

"Come on, let's have breakfast together, and then I'll take you to see the steel behemoth you brought to life with slime," Matthew said with a smile.

"A steam engine? Has it been successfully completed?" Evelyn's light blue eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes, thanks to you, it ran successfully last night, and it's perfect."

Upon hearing Matthew's answer, Evelyn's previously tired eyes immediately lit up, and she finally felt at ease, knowing that she had not let the adults down.

After breakfast, Matthew led Evelyn to the noisy shed.

Even before you get close, the unique and rhythmic "clanging" sound can be heard, deep and powerful, like the steady heartbeat of the earth.

A number of villagers who had come after hearing the news gathered at the entrance of the workers' shed. They dared not get too close, but just looked at it from a distance, their faces filled with awe and curiosity.

The moment Evelyn followed Matthew into the shed, she abruptly stopped in her tracks.

The scene before her eyes caused her light blue eyes to widen instantly, and her breath caught in her throat.

Yesterday, various parts were scattered around the center of the workbench; now, a colossal machine stands in operation.

The dark red boiler emitted scorching heat waves, and the sturdy iron cylinders moved back and forth rhythmically under the propulsion of the steam. Through complex connecting rods and crankshafts, the huge flywheel was transformed into a dazzling spinning phantom.

A deep, continuous rumble filled the entire space, and a distinctive smell, a mixture of hot steam and steel, wafted over.

A primal, powerful, and tamed sense of strength strongly impacted Evelyn's senses.

"This is a steam engine?" Evelyn's voice was filled with excitement. She subconsciously took a few steps forward, her eyes following the movement of the piston and the rotation of the flywheel with fascination.

As an alchemist, she understood the value of this thing better than most people.

"Yes, it has been running stably for more than ten standard hours." Matthew's voice was filled with pride as he walked over to her. "Look over there, it's driving the water pump, lifting water from the lower level to the reservoir over there."

He pointed to the belt attached to the flywheel shaft and the rushing water in the distance.

Evelyn followed her gaze and saw the water flow easily conquered by mechanical power, and a huge wave surged in her heart.

She finally understood what Matthew had meant by "the power of technology."

This power does not rely on talent, nor does it seek gods or demons; it exists only in the most common rules around us, and it is a power that can be continuously created and replicated.

"My lord—this is indeed a magnificent creation—" she murmured, unable to find a more suitable word to express the shock in her heart.

"You deserve credit for this too. The 'slime sealant' you made is perfectly fulfilling its function deep within the heart of this steel behemoth, enduring the repeated impacts of high-temperature, high-pressure steam. Without it, this machine would not be able to operate, nor could it unleash its true power." Matthew looked at Evelyn, his smile revealing genuine sincerity in his eyes.

In fact, without Evelyn, it's unlikely that we would be able to produce qualified steel materials by now, so Matthew is truly grateful for Evelyn's contribution.

Matthew's words made Evelyn feel that all her previous efforts and hardships were worthwhile, and her face blossomed with a humble yet irrepressible joy.

The successful operation of the steam engine completely accelerated the development of Jinshiling. The project team immediately began to manufacture lathe equipment.

Just as with the creation of the steam engine, Matthew's magical hand and Eleanor's rune array once again played an irreplaceable role in crucial stages and the precision machining of core components.

In this way, a simple belt-driven lathe powered by a steam engine was manufactured.

Evelyn also engraved "wear-resistant" and "friction-reducing" runes on key guide rails and bearings, which significantly improved the accuracy and lifespan of these original machine tools.

Although it looks rough, its appearance also means that for the first time, Emberstone Ridge has the ability to perform more precise rotary machining without the use of magic, and can machine more standard parts such as shafts and sleeves.

This also signifies the official start of the efficient replication of productivity.

Following that, the development of drilling machines and planers was also put on the agenda.

On this day, Emberstone Ridge also received its second piece of good news—the main city wall surrounding the core area of ​​Emberstone Ridge was finally completed.

This newly formed barrier, like a gray-black stone ribbon, winds its way across the plateau, not grand or imposing, but exuding an aura of solidity and resilience.

The city wall is about five meters high on average, three meters thick at the base, and nearly two meters wide at the top. It is mainly built with locally mined limestone and sandstone, and key parts are reinforced with locally produced ash bricks and cement, which is enough to easily withstand the attacks of wild beasts, goblins and bandits.

Even if the Iron Rock City cavalry came, the city walls and the power of the landmines and explosives would easily repel them.

Several protruding bastions and ramparts were built at the four corners of the wall and in the middle of longer sections, eliminating blind spots in the defense and forming initial flanking fire coverage.

The most crucial defensive structures were the main city gate and the small barbican in front of it.

If the attackers want to break through, they must first enter the barbican, at which point they will be in a passive situation of being attacked from three sides.

The heavy iron-clad wooden door has pre-embedded grooves on the inside, preparing for the future installation of a jack gate.

The passageway on top of the wall is flat, and there are crenellations on the outside, which facilitated the defense of the troops for combat and observation.

A wide field of fire was cleared around the city walls, and a moat was dug to bring in water from a stream, with a drawbridge built over it, further enhancing the defensive depth.

This city wall is not perfect, but it is the first solid shield that Jinshiling built for itself with its existing resources and manpower.

This means that the territory now possesses the basic ability to resist common threats, allowing it to continue to nurture its internal vitality and future hopes in a relatively safe environment.

Therefore, for Matthew, its significance was no less than the invention of a steam engine.

Accompanied by Will, Conrad, and the chief engineer of the city wall construction, Matthew climbed the newly completed city wall.

The wall wasn't very high, but standing on it, Matthew still felt a sense of boundless freedom and boundless pride.

With this wall, Emberstone Ridge truly transformed from a "pioneer outpost" into a "stable territory".

We'll be able to sleep more soundly at night, and we can also reduce the number of people needed for defense and patrols, further freeing up manpower.

Matthew walked around the city wall. Although the area enclosed by the wall wasn't particularly large, it was sufficient for the current living and development needs of Emberstone Ridge.

If there is a real need in the future, the outer city can be expanded to include all industrial and chemical zones.

"It's time to begin the next phase of the construction plan." Matthew's gaze became distant.

According to the plan that Blue Star's strategist had once devised for him, once the city wall was completed, the next step would be to begin unified planning and construction of standardized housing for the people.

According to the previous plan, a sunny, well-drained, gently sloping area to the west of the lord's mansion will be designated as the first phase of the residential area.

The plan also includes unified planning of roads, drainage ditches, and public spaces, reserving room for future expansion to establish medical facilities, etc.

Supporting areas such as education and commerce

"Take it one step at a time. First, concentrate our efforts on building the first batch of standard housing." Matthew thought to himself, as if he could already see that in the near future, this place would no longer be a dilapidated and simple house, but a well-planned, peaceful, and prosperous place full of life.

That was exactly what he envisioned Emberstone Ridge to be—not only a powerful fortress, but also a warm home.

Just as Matthew returned from inspecting the city walls, a communications soldier came running up.

"Commander, the outpost has spotted a group of people entering our territory. The carriages are luxurious, and the insignia on them is not the Kress family's emblem."

"The carriage is very luxurious? Isn't that the crest of the Kress family?" Matthew raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, and several thoughts quickly flashed through his mind.

Apart from the Kress family, it seems that no noble family in Ironrock City would make a special trip to this remote Ashstone Ridge.

Could it be another family? But who would come looking for me?

Matthew couldn't imagine which nobleman in the world would still care about him, the former king's illegitimate son.

Could it be Will's mother who's here?

Matthew wondered to himself.

[Thanks to the bosses for the monthly votes]

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