“The Great Yu Empire’s first steam locomotive successfully operated!”
The next day, the Qingzhou Daily used a large headline to report the detailed process of the steam locomotive’s trial, and at the same time, it explained to the common people what a steam locomotive was and why it could run without using horses.
The content of the report was personally vetted by Xiao Ming. Yesterday, the steam locomotive caused a huge sensation throughout Qingzhou Province.
For the students who understood some technical principles, this matter was just worth celebrating, but for many still ignorant common people, this steam locomotive was nothing short of ghostly power, terrifying them greatly.
And after the steam locomotive disappeared that day, rumors spread through the streets. Things like sorcery and supernatural powers became popular in the city.
In view of this, he finally ordered the newspaper to explain the matter.
However, for technological secrecy, he only allowed the newspaper to publish some superficial information, without involving the core details.
Now was the critical period for him to begin widening the technological gap with the West, and he could not let Westerners learn all his advancements.
For this purpose, after returning yesterday, he specifically organized the control measures for technological blockade, preparing to thoroughly control the export of technology from now on.
In contemporary times, the West has long imposed a technological blockade on China, only selling relatively backward technological products to China, but never relaxing high-tech export controls to China.
For example, in contemporary America, a committee was specifically formed to review goods for export, completely stopping the export of supercomputers, high-tech telecommunications equipment, semiconductor equipment, and advanced mechanical tools.
Some high-tech fields, such as aviation, communication, automotive, and computer sectors, are still restricted by others. Many large system machines and equipment, down to small components, need to be imported from abroad.
And this was not the worst of it. When Xiao Ming was still in the laboratory, many times the West sold second-rate equipment to laboratories at the price of first-rate equipment, and those first-rate equipment were simply not sold to laboratories by the West.
Sometimes, when imported equipment in the laboratory broke down, Western manufacturers would be invited to repair it. At this time, Western engineers would simply adjust a few parameters on the computer and easily modify it, and the machine would be fixed.
At that time, Xiao Ming, ordered by the laboratory, came to inquire about the method of modifying these parameters. After all, they were not fools; the machine’s malfunction was a system error, not hardware damage. However, the other party not only evaded the question but also told him to leave with a very contemptuous tone.
Xiao Ming vividly remembered this humiliating scene. At that time, he and his colleagues in the laboratory were so helpless, yet they still had to pay exorbitant repair fees.
So, although they had the equipment and were engaged in high-tech research, they were essentially working for Westerners; the ones truly making money were them.
Waking from a midnight dream, every time Xiao Ming thought of this, a surge of anger welled up inside him. It was precisely because China missed the Age of Discovery and practiced isolationism that it fell so far behind in technology.
The consequence of this was the inability to master advanced technology, leading to being constrained everywhere from then on. High patent fees, management fees, and maintenance fees were a heavy burden on any industry.
Having suffered enough from technological hardship in contemporary times, he naturally did not want to return to such an era.
At this time, in the study, besides him, there were also Lin Wentao, Chen Qi, Song Changping, and Lu Tong, officials in charge of technology.
After examining his written technological blockade plan, he handed it to Lin Wentao.
“Listen, technology is the most important wealth for the Great Yu Empire, and it is the foundation for the Great Yu Empire to surpass surrounding countries. Therefore, there must be no leakage of important technology to other countries. From today onwards, you will jointly establish the Great Yu Empire Technology Review Department. You will register all existing machinery in the Great Yu Empire, verify its quantity among the common people, and at the same time, create a list of goods strictly forbidden from being sold to Western merchants.”
Lin Wentao and the others looked solemn, as Xiao Ming’s expression was even more serious than theirs.
“Your Majesty, I believe secrecy is important, but some backward technologies can be sold to Western merchants to earn silver for researching higher technologies,” Lin Wentao said, having roughly glanced at the content.
Xiao Ming did not negate Lin Wentao’s idea. He said, “You are right, but before selling, you must ensure a two-generation technological gap.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lin Wentao nodded.
After instructing these technical backbone personnel to establish a review department, Xiao Ming dismissed them and then summoned Pang Yukun to the study.
The technological blockade involved many aspects, and Lin Wentao and the others could only cover one aspect.
In addition, the most difficult to control was the leakage of secrets by students. If these mature knowledge systems were leaked to the West, it would be far more serious than losing a steam engine.
Therefore, he planned to have Pang Yukun promulgate another law, the “Great Yu Empire Secrecy Act.” This act would clearly stipulate that leaking state secrets was illegal.
The promulgation of this law was to sound the alarm for the students, making them safeguard secrets.
Of course, Xiao Ming was well aware that even with this, it would be impossible to completely prevent technological leaks. In contemporary times, with surveillance everywhere, espionage cases still occurred, let alone in the 18th century, where information was scarce and management was difficult.
Although his secret guards were a monitoring department, they could only keep an eye on important figures. He could not have the secret guards watch everyone, nor could it be done, as the number of secret guards was limited and there weren’t enough for one per person.
“After this law is promulgated, it is crucial to inform the students, and also publish it in the newspaper so that merchants and common people can understand some aspects of the secrecy law.”
Handing the complete secrecy act to Pang Yukun, Xiao Ming said thoughtfully.
Pang Yukun nodded upon hearing this. This secrecy law was very beneficial for the security of the Great Yu Empire. Besides technological secrecy, it also contained regulations concerning official secrets.
Receiving the act, he sighed in admiration. In the past two years, Xiao Ming had written many laws, and these laws were very detailed and comprehensive; some aspects were even beyond what he had imagined.
It was precisely because of this that he had always held Xiao Ming in great respect.
“Your old servant will go back and disseminate this law to all the provinces,” Pang Yukun said.
After a pause, he added, “Your Majesty, this year’s spring plowing is about to begin. I had officials from Bashu send a batch of phosphate rock to Qingzhou Province, hoping the common people can try the effects of this fertilizer.”
“Oh? Is that so? You are quite impatient.” Xiao Ming chuckled. Pang Yukun had always attached great importance to farming. He had mentioned chemical fertilizer last time, and now this fellow couldn’t wait.
So he said, “Then I will personally teach you how to produce chemical fertilizer tomorrow.”
Pang Yukun’s face immediately lit up with joy upon hearing this.
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