Chapter 2071: The Iron Age
"We are now in the Bronze Age, and the next step is to move towards the Iron Age."
The most crucial breakthroughs in the Iron Age were in three areas.
A triple breakthrough in temperature, materials, and reducing environment.
Iron has a melting point of over 1,500 degrees Celsius, which is much higher than that of copper.
The high-temperature furnace we built previously maintained a temperature of over 1,000 degrees Celsius.
It can only smelt copper, not meet the demand for iron smelting.
Therefore, building a high-temperature furnace capable of meeting the 1,500-degree Celsius requirement is a crucial technological hurdle for us.
Only in this way can we move towards the Iron Age.
Only in this way can we obtain iron as a raw material.
Only with steel can we build more ironware.
As for the reducing environment, it is the 'oxygen-deficient environment' that we need in the metallurgical process, in order to release our metals.
..."
This conference mainly focuses on the development of industrial science and technology.
The main evidence was the presence of Annie and her team, as well as the presence of the succubus in charge of recording the events.
"We have been in this world for two months now."
Our original plan was to enter the Iron Age within six months.
"There are still four months left, and I believe everyone can do it," Zhao Chen said, encouraging everyone.
After the meeting ended.
It was already late at night.
Zhao Chen gazed at the distant sea and could hear the sound of waves crashing against the rocks.
That's why he demanded that we enter the Iron Age as soon as possible.
This is because the technology and materials needed to build ports and to construct ships capable of long voyages required the advent of the Iron Age.
What they urgently need right now is a large sailboat that can meet the requirements of long-distance voyages.
He wanted to explore other new continents and expand his territory as soon as possible.
Because they are currently facing a problem that is limiting their development.
population!
He brought only ten thousand men with him.
Leaving aside how long it would take for 10,000 people to reproduce on their own, it would take at least a dozen years for them to grow from children to adults.
Therefore, the fastest way to increase the population is undoubtedly to explore other continents and find the original inhabitants there.
This also depends to some extent on luck.
Because they are not yet sure what era the people on this planet are in.
If it were ancient times, and everyone was an ape-man.
That would be the end of us.
If it were people from ancient times, it would be a bit troublesome, but it would still be possible to spend some time enlightening them and imparting knowledge. Although it would take some time, it would still be possible.
For people in modern times, it would be even more convenient.
In just a few months, they can train artisans who meet their minimum requirements.
Ten thousand people are far from enough for the development of a civilization.
That's why Zhao Chen was so eager to explore new continents.
"Based on our current speculation."
This world should not be in the information age.
If it were the information age, with airplanes, ships, and satellites, it would be impossible for such a large continent as ours to remain undiscovered.
Then it could be from the early days of the industrial age.
Why is it called the initial stage?
Because in the later stages of the Industrial Age, various civilizations would inevitably explore new continents and seek more territory and resources.
In the mid-term, this ability also exists, but it depends on luck.
If it's in the early stages, then everything makes sense.
They are still exploring, but they haven't found us yet.
Our previous researchers measured this planet.
Although there are no satellites, there are telescopes.
But we used the most primitive shadow method to measure the planet we live on.
It is approximately 100,000 kilometers away.
It belongs to a relatively large planet.
Such a large scale, ships built according to the technology of the industrial age.
If one were to travel around this planet using a sailboat, it would take at least thirty to fifty years.
If a steamship is used, it will take about ten years.
Even with the technology of the late industrial age, it would still take at least a year.
On such a vast planet, our continent is essentially an island, with a very low probability of being discovered.
A diameter of 100,000 kilometers.
This planet is big enough.
If it's big enough, then there are both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that the planet is large, with more resources and land, which is suitable for the early development of civilizations.
There are downsides, namely that unifying this planet would take much longer.
Because there will be more continental civilizations on this planet.
"It seems that it won't be easy for us to unify this planet in a short period of time."
Zhao Chen said with emotion.
The succubus Barbara nodded.
For the next period of time.
On the continent of Dragons, ten thousand people continued their rapid development and research work.
Dragon Continent was the name Zhao Chen gave to this continent.
Because of the planet's large size, it was later also called Dragon Island.
Through the daily and nightly work of Anne and others.
The high-temperature furnace capable of smelting iron ore has been completed.
They successfully unlocked the potential of iron as a raw material.
What followed was the rapid development and construction of the Iron Age.
Even Xiaolong City has ushered in its second phase of expansion.
In the space outside the inner city, more factories and industries were built, with ports and docks being the most important.
Zhao Chen planned to build their first ship within six months.
Time flew by and it was already the fifth month.
It has been almost half a year since Zhao Chen and his group arrived on this planet.
Looking at the port, which was basically completed, and the dock built on one side of the port, where their first batch of sailing ships were being built.
Once these sailing ships are completed, they will be able to usher in the Age of Exploration.
By then, we will be preparing to enter the industrial age.
The potential dangers of this unknown world.
Only by entering the industrial age can safety be ensured.
"Industrial Age"
We will enter the industrial age within three years, which is two and a half years away.
There were many technological breakthroughs needed during the industrial age.
"The most crucial technology was the steam engine," Zhao Chen said with emotion.
The invention of the steam engine marked the beginning of the industrial age and would change many things.
Suddenly, an angel flew down from the sky.
"Urgent news, urgent news."
"A fleet has been spotted on the sea thirty kilometers away!" the angel cried.
"A fleet?" Zhao Chen's heart skipped a beat.
What kind of ship did they use?
Zhao Chen immediately asked.
"It's a cargo ship, and it uses high-pressure steam turbines or high-power diesel engines!"
..."
Based on the angel's description, Zhao Chen had a general idea of what he was like.
This is a threshold for industrial maturity.
This essentially means that time outside has entered the late stages of the industrial age.
In short, it is the era of airplanes, cannons, and aircraft carriers, and we are moving towards the information age.
"Immediately issue the order: the Dragon Continent shall immediately enter a state of wartime alert and cease all operations that could expose the existence of our continent."
Have our air sentries monitor the convoy undetected.
"Until we are far away from our waters!" Zhao Chen said solemnly.
"yes."
"Your Majesty, it seems that time is running out for us."
Once our existence is discovered by other civilizations, whether they are trial civilizations or native civilizations of this planet.
Friction is highly likely to occur.
"Our current technology is far from reaching the level of the industrial age," the succubus Barbara said seriously.
"Hmm, it seems we need to hurry."
"And everything is ready." Zhao Chen took a deep breath.
My nerves, which had just relaxed, tensed up again.
Fortunately, this fleet did not discover the Dragon Continent and sailed away from the surrounding waters.
However, Zhao Chen issued a new order regarding this discovery.
Strengthen patrols outside the mainland, mainly composed of air and sea units.
Because among the 10,000 people Zhao Chen brought, there were also some species that could survive in the sea.
As for those in the air, they were naturally angels, winged creatures, and elves.
They formed a patrol team for the Dragon Continent, patrolling the surrounding seas daily.
Make sure no other ships discover the existence of the Dragon Continent.
Furthermore, an emergency plan has been developed.
Once a fleet is detected nearby, an alarm will sound on the Dragon Continent, halting certain operations that generate smoke or other harmful substances.
Ensure that the Dragon Continent remains undiscovered.
If it is nighttime, then all lights and fire sources need to be turned off, so that the entire Dragon Continent disappears into darkness.
At the same time, Anne and others accelerated their pace toward the industrial age.
The simplest steam engine was invented. Although it had many flaws and problems, the invention of the first steam engine marked the beginning of a new era for the Dragon Continent.
Following this, the first generation of lathes, machine tools, and standardized industry began.
The first railway and trains connecting the north and south ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) appeared on the Dragon Continent.
It greatly shortens the travel time.
This also greatly increases the efficiency of mining operations.
Furthermore, Zhao Chen naturally did not slack off in terms of weaponry.
From early flintlock muskets to later machine guns, cannons, and even the manufacture of coastal defense artillery.
Zhao Chen also began constructing defensive fortifications and shore artillery in several locations on the Dragon Continent in the shortest possible time.
The most important thing right now is to prepare for defense and to meet any enemy.
Only then can we expand outwards.
Steam paddle steamers also appeared, but their speed was only about five knots.
It is still far from meeting the needs of long-distance travel on such a large planet.
After the first sighting of the fleet, a fleet was spotted almost every month.
Fortunately, the existence of the Dragon Continent was not revealed.
Until, a year had passed in the Dragon Continent.
It happened to be a stormy day, and the fleet may have drifted off course.
The discovery of the Dragon Continent, coupled with a torrential downpour at sea, prompted the fleet to approach it.
"The fleet consists of more than 30 cargo ships and a small frigate."
They are approaching us and are expected to land on the southern shore of our Dragon Continent in fifteen minutes.
"If we were to attack them, our shore-based artillery would have a high probability of destroying their escort ships." The succubus Barbara looked at His Majesty Zhao Chen.
Now Zhao Chen has a choice to make.
How to deal with this fleet that is approaching the Dragon Continent?
wipe out?
Based on the strength they've demonstrated, there's a chance to eliminate them.
but......
"Are you confident you can annihilate them all?"
"Can you confirm that the other party doesn't have any communication devices like radios or radios?" Zhao Chen asked.
The succubus Barbara shook her head: "The chances of annihilating them are slim."
Although we have coastal artillery, the frequency and number of shots are limited.
We can only prioritize attacking the enemy's warships. As for other merchant ships... once they see that we intend to attack, they will definitely flee.
However, we can send air and naval forces to board the ships.
"As for whether they have remote communication capabilities... we don't know either," said the succubus Barbara.
Zhao Chen clenched his fist.
"First of all, we are not sure what would happen if our people died here."
Is it a real death?
If we engage in close combat, there will inevitably be casualties.
If they have remote communication methods.
They probably sent out our coordinates the moment they discovered our continent and we launched our attack.
Our attack could very well provoke a retaliatory attack from the civilization behind this fleet.
Zhao Chen shared his thoughts.
“But once they get close, they’ll also discover our presence,” said the succubus Barbara.
"Actually, contacting them has both risks and benefits."
The advantage is that we can get some intelligence information from them that we want.
Relay my orders.
Immediately hide some of our more advanced equipment and make our streets a bit dirty and messy.
Apart from humans, all other races should hide for now.
"We must show weakness to the enemy!" Zhao Chen paused and said, "But we can't let these people think we're easy to bully."
Prepare two weapons of different tiers.
Observe the weapons carried by the soldiers when they log in.
If it's a flintlock musket, then our visible Marines also carry the same weapon.
If we find that they have bolt-action rifles and machine guns, then we should also bring out our own weapons of the same type.
Take those that look rather worn out, and it's best to make some signs of wear and tear on them.
It's so obviously of poor quality that you can't tell at a glance.
Zhao Chen was ready to put on a show.
Time passed little by little.
Soon the fleet reached the shore amidst the storm.
At this time, they also discovered that there were traces of human habitation on this previously undiscovered continent.
"Captain, there are people over there."
"They seem to be signaling to us." The crew member on the frigate pointed to a small hill behind the beach in the distance, where someone was waving a red and yellow flag.
"Someone's there?" The captain immediately became extremely vigilant.
You should know that the goods he was responsible for escorting this time were very important.
"This island wasn't marked on the nautical chart before!" The captain looked at the nautical chart in front of him.
"Because of the presence of some reefs in this area, ships that are not suited to this sea condition are unwilling to approach it."
So it's possible that no one has explored this area.
We wouldn't have ended up here if it weren't for the storm ahead.
"Captain, how should we deal with the natives on this island?" a crew member asked.
At that moment, they thought it was just a slightly larger island.