Many people have heard of this place, and it was simply a miraculous existence in the Ming Dynasty.
How is it a miracle?
Because in the past ten years, all of Ming's far-reaching inventions were developed here, and their prototypes came from this laboratory.
In 1875, although this institution had existed for more than ten years, it was still very mysterious and seemed to be covered with a thick veil.
Where is this laboratory?
Who is responsible?
It has always been a secret, at least to the outside world.
Since it is a secret, some people want to pry. The most curious person is Stanley Howard Harris, the British Ambassador to the Ming Dynasty. His father, the 3rd Earl of Malmesbury, once served as Foreign Secretary twice.
It can be seen from this appointment that Britain attaches great importance to Ming Dynasty. Of course, it is also a reflection of its international status. However, Stanley is not an ambassador relying on nepotism. As an ambassador, he started his work from the day he took office.
work, one of the most important of which is intelligence collection.
Although the UK does not yet have a professional intelligence agency in this era, and intelligence agencies such as mi5 and mi6 have not even appeared yet, this does not mean that the UK does not have an intelligence agency. At least the consuls and ambassadors sent by the British Foreign Office,
It is itself responsible for collecting intelligence.
"We are dealing with a completely different opponent. They are different from European countries and different from the Qing Dynasty. We are unfamiliar with everything about this country, so in the next time, we must do our best to understand it!"
Two years ago, when Stanley took office, he said this to the staff of the embassy. From that day on, Britain really began to understand the Ming Dynasty. Through various ways, they learned about the Ming Dynasty people's lifestyle, customs, domestic economy and
Scientific developments and other information of great interest to the British government.
It was also from that time on that the figure of an organization always appeared in front of Stanley's desk - the Imperial Central Laboratory.
On this morning, Stanley's office door was pushed open, and it was Navy Lieutenant Commander Bryan who walked in.
"Mr. Ambassador, do you want to see me?"
"Yes, Major, please take a seat,"
Stanley said,
"I just saw one of your reports, or one of them, among some old reports."
"My report?" Brian said.
"Where? Yes, you wrote it after you came back from Linhai. What is that place called? Linhai Shipyard? Is that the place?"
"Oh, sir, it's called Linhai Shipyard. That was three months ago."
Three months ago, Brian visited Linhai. It was actually an intelligence collection activity, but that kind of collection was public.
"Yes, that's right. Of course it was three months ago. When I was reading this report, I noticed that you mentioned the "Imperial Central Laboratory"?"
"Imperial Central Laboratory?"
Brian had a smile on his face and said.
"Yes, this is the third time I have noticed this institution. I found that even in Linhai, I am also deeply affected by it, sir."
"Can I come and listen?"
"Yes, sir, at the Linhai Shipyard, I visited the "Linhai-class" armored ship under construction. Of course, it is a very excellent armored ship, whether from the perspective of a naval soldier or from other perspectives.
This has always been the case, but what really caught my attention was not the warship itself, but another discovery."
"Another discovery?"
"Yes, I found that its hull shape seemed a little different, so I asked curiously, and then I learned that that hull shape is the latest research result of the Empire Central Laboratory, which can effectively reduce resistance and increase
Speed, then I asked again, but was stopped. Later I tried a few more times, but the other person was very wary and did not give any more answers. But one thing I can be sure of is that the Ming Dynasty’s shipbuilding system is completely different from ours.
In the current shipbuilding system, shipyards often do their own thing, but what about them?"
Major Bryan said.
"Their warship design institutions are designing warships, and the shipyards are building them. At the same time, in universities, there is also research related to shipbuilding technology. Of course we also have it, but they are more comprehensive, such as the design of ship shapes carried out at the Imperial Central Laboratory.
, this is a very novel research direction. They have formed a technological system that is far ahead of ours. What is this system? Factories, research institutes, universities, and an "Empire Central Center" that brings together the best scientists in all fields.
Laboratory", Mr. Ambassador, of course this is just my guess, but I think this is why they are ahead of us."
"You did the right thing."
Stanley immediately clapped his hands and said.
"You know, I have often said this in the past. We should collect as much information on them as possible. After all, the reason why Ming Dynasty was able to develop into such a powerful country in just ten years, they must have many aspects that we can learn from.
Of course, the most important thing is that we need to understand some of their trends. Of course, it seems that we understand it a little late now, but after all, it is a start."
When he said the word "after all", in the ambassador's office, he waved his hands to emphasize the tone.
"Imperial Central Laboratory, in the past two years, I have heard of this institution more than once. This institution not only possesses many advanced technologies, but is also very mysterious. No one knows where it is or who it is.
Host, there are those people working there.”
Stanley went on to say,
"I even thought for a time that this organization did not exist, but it is impossible for a non-existent organization to appear in your reports one after another. Yes, you are not the first person destined to it. In other people's reports, there are also
Mentioned it. Tell me about your trip to the sea."
"Okay, that's a normal visit between navies. I made a request to the Navy Department to visit the "Linhai-class" No. 5 ship five months ago. After they approved it, I went to Linhai..."
Brian then talked about his visit one by one and what he learned about the Ming Dynasty's navy through the visit. Of course, during the chat, Stanley repeatedly asked questions about the "Empire Central Laboratory".
"So, you can be sure that it is no longer in Linhai?"
"Yes, because the other party mentioned that the engineers in the laboratory came by train."
"Take the train..."
Stanley leaned his head back on the chair, thought for a while, and then said.
"It's not in Nanhua, let alone Yingtian. Where do you think it will be?"
"Patagonia, Mr. Ambassador."
After thinking for a while, Blair said.
"It's vast enough, and very desolate. It can even be said to be inaccessible. It's simply a simple matter to hide a laboratory there. I think it's the most likely place."
When he heard this sentence, he said with some excitement,
"That's right, Major. You and I have thought about it together. I have also noticed this. I wonder how we can understand all this? Can we consider this issue?" This chapter has been completed!