"When His Highness said that the steam engine would change the entire era, we thought it was an exaggeration. Now it seems that His Highness is far-sighted."
Accompanying Zuo Menggeng to inspect the factory, Wang Xiuqin never stopped feeling emotional.
Although this former peasant widow has now become a lieutenant general, talking about the changes in the textile factory still feels quite dreamy.
She casually picked up the finished product and showed it to Zuo Mengeng.
"Because the spinning machine driven by the steam engine rotates faster, the yarn weaved can be thinner and stronger, and the cloth weaved is of higher quality. We used the new cloth to make military uniforms, and the quality is far higher than the original.
"
Spinning is the process of turning plant fibers into silk threads. Only when the silk threads are first obtained can they be woven into cloth and then turned into various cloth products.
It can be said that the quality of spinning determines the quality of fabric.
In this regard, humans can never compare with machines.
Because humans can never make the spinning machine reach a faster speed, it is impossible to condense the threads more tightly.
"Have you ever calculated the cost?"
When he mentioned this, Wang Xiuqin couldn't help but smile.
"The logistics department also has to do accounting. How could it not be calculated? After adding the steam engine, a lot of manpower was reduced, and the number of silk threads spun increased dozens of times. Overall, the cost dropped by more than half. At present, the cost has been reduced by more than half.
The clothes we produce have freed up a lot of space for military spending."
Zuo Mengeng had naturally expected this result and was not surprised.
“When will it be possible to use steam machines to weave cloth?”
The operating principle of today's steam engines can only drive spinning machines. As for looms, because the procedures are too complicated, further research is needed.
Speaking of this, Wang Xiuqin felt quite regretful.
"We have already tested it, and the purely mechanical weaving method cannot yet meet the requirements. There are too many processes and components that need to be improved."
"Take your time and don't be in a hurry. As long as you study hard, you will realize it sooner or later."
Industrialization is a long and complex process, and even in the textile field, the relevant knowledge involved is massive.
Not only does the textile industry need to improve itself, but also related industries need to progress together.
But the steam engine could be applied to textiles, which quickly had a huge impact.
"We have visited the textile factory of the Logistics Department. If steam engines can be applied to our factory, the cotton cloth we produce will definitely occupy all markets."
Xu Ji, Pan Yunlong and others rushed to Shandong, approached Zuo Mengeng and made a request.
There is only one purpose, which is to purchase steam engines and realize the industrial transformation of Songjiang Prefecture's textile industry.
The largest cotton production area in Xia Kingdom is Songjiang Prefecture, which can even be regarded as the largest cotton production area in the world.
In the past, the people of Songjiang Prefecture were very reserved and proud of their skills.
In their opinion, there is no place in the world that can compare with Songjiang Prefecture in terms of cotton manufacturing.
Until not long ago, some of them heard that steam engines could be used to weave cloth, so they came to the textile factory of the Logistics Department for an on-site visit.
After seeing the efficiency of the steam engine, these people were greatly shocked and quickly realized that times had changed.
After consultation, the Songjiang Prefecture Textile Association sent Xu Ji and Pan Yunlong as representatives, hoping to get support from the government.
Regarding the reform of the textile industry, the cabinet and the Central Committee were supportive. However, the issue of steam engines was a serious matter, so Hou Xun still asked them to discuss it with Zuo Mengeng in person.
"In principle, the cabinet and I have the same attitude, and we both strongly support your reforms. But now, there is a very serious problem..."
When they heard that Zuo Menggeng supported the reform, Xu Ji and Pan Yunlong were filled with joy. However, they couldn't help but become nervous when they heard what they said next.
"Zhongheng, no matter how difficult it is, the application of steam engines cannot be delayed. As long as new production methods are established, we are confident that we can completely occupy the entire East Asian cotton market within five years."
"Father-in-law misunderstood."
Zuo Mengeng quickly comforted him.
"Through the application of steam engines to reduce production costs and lower the price of cotton cloth, thereby seizing the market, this is what the government has always wanted to do. But the problem now is that today's cotton production is in short supply."
After hearing this, Xu Ji and Pan Yunlong looked at each other.
With the development of commodity economy and industrialization, cotton cloth has become one of the main products consumed in Xia's domestic market.
Especially as people's lives become increasingly affluent, they are more willing to invest in clothing.
As a result, the consumption of cotton cloth increased exponentially.
Originally this was a good thing, as it could drive continued progress in related industries.
But in the past year, negative issues have emerged.
That is, cotton production began to fail to keep up with textile demand, causing cotton prices to rise.
Obviously, the investment in new technology can reduce the price of cotton cloth. However, the shortage of raw materials has caused the price of cotton cloth to remain high.
Shandong is the main cotton producing area, accounting for almost more than two-thirds of the cotton output of the Ming Dynasty. Even if it is not supplied to places other than Xia State, it can no longer meet production needs.
Jiang Wei has issued a serious warning on this issue.
If there is no solution, the price of cotton will rise to an unbearable level within three years at the latest.
Before meeting with Xu Ji and Pan Yunlong, the senior management had already held a discussion meeting to find a solution.
Jiang Wei, who is in charge of industry, suggested increasing the cotton planting area based on his own perspective.
However, Chen Zilong, who is in charge of agriculture, raised clear objections.
Although the shortage of cotton will affect the industry and economy, in the final analysis, people's stomach is the most important.
Once people don't have enough to eat, no matter how much cotton they have, it's just a castle in the air.
Nowadays, the area of cultivated land in Xia Kingdom is very tight, and it has reached the point where it can no longer bear the growth of population. If the area of food cultivation is further reduced, the pressure of survival will suddenly explode.
Chen Zilong's opinion received unanimous support from all senior executives.
They are all people who have been through hardships and understand the importance of food in troubled times.
It can be said that if there is a food problem, the situation in the Xia Kingdom will not be much better than that in the Ming Dynasty.
Seeing the irreconcilable contradiction between industry and agriculture, Zuo Menggeng also had a headache and has been thinking about solutions.
Reading with rice balls
What I didn't expect was that Songjiang Mansion, a major cotton spinning company, also got involved.
He seemed to see the booming cotton spinning industry, like a giant crocodile, ready to open its bloody mouth and devour countless people alive.
During the industrial revolution in England, a tragedy occurred where sheep cannibalized humans.
Will the Xia Kingdom also experience cotton-eating people?
