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Chapter 1423: A Thriving Empire

The LJ98 was a model the London Steam Engine Company had acquired the year before last. They had commissioned a Hesse merchant to purchase it at a high price, salvaged from a French train that had been involved in an accident.

According to Joseph's requirements, low and medium-power steam engines were sold in large quantities to Britain, but the latest high-power steam engines remained prohibited for sale.

However, France had already built train repair factories in Baden, so the LJ98, as a train engine, frequently appeared in the German States. It was impossible to keep it completely secret, and the French government turned a blind eye to it.

Yet, even with a direct reference, Watt and his British technicians could only replicate 70% of the French model's power.

This achievement was only made possible last year after they managed to acquire French high-hardness bearings and alloy steel milling cutters.

In this era, their progress was already remarkable.

After all, Britain lacked a "cheat code" individual who, at the outset of steam engine development, helped finalize the high-pressure boiler route, nor did it invest heavily in the research of alloy steel and high-precision machining before the first generation of steam engines went into production.

When steam engine development hit a bottleneck, these technologies immediately provided strong support.

Watt's progress on high-pressure steam engine research was already more than a decade ahead of historical timelines, but he still lagged far behind the French.

The boiler had been heated long ago, so after only a few minutes, the Engine70, positioned in the center of the room, began to emit a low, groaning sound, and its main shaft slowly rotated.

Soon, a group of high-ranking British officials watched as the massive flywheel attached to the steam engine spun rapidly like a windmill, all nodding and applauding.

A full six years had passed since the last announcement of a "breakthrough in high-pressure steam engine technology," a period that had included boiler explosions. Now, they had finally truly succeeded. This was no longer just a technical or economic issue; it had become a matter of prestige.

After the steam engine had run smoothly for 20 minutes, William Pitt Junior received confirmation from a technical advisor to the Government Investment Fund Committee before instructing his assistant to let in the reporters and the curious onlookers.

Soon, under the watchful eyes of a large number of reporters and citizens, William Pitt Junior first praised the achievements of the London Steam Engine Company, then, as was customary, lauded British technology, before gesturing to Henry Bathurst, the new Chairman of the Government Investment Fund Committee.

The latter bowed to the Prime Minister, then stepped onto the makeshift platform. After a brief greeting, he announced in a loud voice: "The London Steam Engine Company will produce a train based on the Engine70 within one year.

"And the Government Investment Fund has approved the plan to construct a railway from Stockton to Darlington!"

A wave of excited cheers immediately erupted from the crowd.

They had long heard that France had developed advanced steam locomotives that traveled at incredible speeds and could transport tens of tons of goods at once. Now, Britain finally had one too.

The British Investment Fund had truly gone all out this time, investing a total of 360,000 Pounds Sterling, supplemented by 120,000 Pounds Sterling in private fundraising, to build this railway, which was less than 30 kilometers long.

This cost more than double the expense of constructing a railway of equivalent length in France. There was no alternative; France had spread its railway costs across Italy and the German States, and even had free prisoner-of-war labor available—advantages that Britain, just starting out, could absolutely not match.

However, the British also had their own plan: to fully adopt French railway standards. This would not only ensure technological maturity but also allow them to sell trains and railway components to the German States, which also used French standards, in the future.

Yet, the British, with no experience in train development, had no idea that the Engine70's power would only allow a train to travel at a speed of just over 20 kilometers per hour, unless the number of carriages was reduced to fewer than ten.

Furthermore, due to disadvantages in machining, the Engine70 was very large and could not yet be directly installed on a train.

But these details did not diminish the beautiful dream of the railway era for the British population.

The ceremony continued until noon, concluding in a festive atmosphere.

As the reporters gradually dispersed, Prince Adolphus summoned Watt and praised him:

"Your wisdom and skill have given steel a soul and brought glory to the Empire.

"I believe I must reward your brilliant mind. Please tell me, what do you desire?"

A flicker of light appeared in Watt's weary eyes, and he quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you so much, Your Highness. Anything at all—money, a house—but ideally, you could help me clear my debts."

Indeed, he lacked almost everything now.

Previously, due to widespread contract breaches by his company, he had paid enormous compensation, leaving him burdened with debts that were almost impossible to repay, to the point that his family's mansion had been repossessed by creditors.

In truth, he was still fortunate, as the British government still needed his expertise and kept him working at the London Steam Engine Company. As for Boulton, he had fled abroad years ago to escape debts and had not been heard from in a long time.

William Pitt Junior had just bid farewell to the Prince and returned to 10 Downing Street when Deputy Speaker Croker rushed over to him, excitedly saying, "It's passed, Prime Minister! This morning, Parliament finally approved the 'Manchester Lighting Improvement Bill'!"

The bill he referred to was actually the plan to install Gas Streetlights in Manchester. However, Gas Streetlights were currently a taboo in Britain, so they could only use "lighting improvement" as a substitute.

Just half a year ago, after spending over 300,000 Pounds Sterling in research funds, Britain's Fuel Committee had completed the industrial distillation technology for Coal Tar.

Still, a large number of British Members of Parliament opposed the installation of Gas Streetlights—many among them had suffered heavy losses during the previous "Lightning Coal Company bankruptcy."

Now, through William Pitt Junior's difficult maneuvering, Parliament had finally agreed to a pilot project in Manchester.

Meanwhile, in Lille, in northwest France, Gas Streetlights were already being installed, with plans to add 11 more cities with Gas Streetlights by the end of next year. Thanks to economies of scale, the cost of installing Gas Streetlights in France had already become very low.

William Pitt Junior rarely showed such relief. "This is all thanks to your sustained efforts in Parliament. Once Manchester's nights are lit up, the resistance to lighting improvements in London will also decrease significantly."

He then added, "Next, you need to focus your energy on promoting the bill for building a new drainage system in London."

"Please leave it to me, Prime Minister," Croker replied.

According to William Pitt Junior's vision, once Britain had railways, Gas Streetlights, drainage, and running water, it would largely catch up to France's technological progress.

Although it was a few years—or even a decade or more—behind, with the same foundational infrastructure, there would be a possibility of overtaking them.

However, no one told him that the French were currently experimenting with things like batteries and vulcanized rubber.