Chapter 450: New Steam Engine

"How did you modify it?" Simon asked.

The progress made throughout Ashenford had lifted Simon’s spirits, but the news of the compound steam engine had excited him more than anything else.

The industrial revolution was finally taking shape before his eyes. How could he possibly remain calm?

As he walked toward Oxford Academy, his mind was already racing ahead. If the new steam engine performed as expected, he could introduce it into countless industries, from manufacturing and mining to transportation and agriculture.

The possibilities were practically endless.

"Your Highness, the principle is actually quite simple," Ethan explained enthusiastically. "I modified the cylinder by connecting two ports to it. One serves as the steam inlet, while the other acts as the exhaust."

He gestured with his hands, illustrating the piston’s movement.

"When the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, the inlet closes and the exhaust opens. The exhaust leads to a separate condenser, where the hot steam is rapidly cooled and converted back into water. This removes much of the steam from the cylinder, creating a partial vacuum that allows atmospheric pressure to push the piston downward."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"The cycle then repeats, causing the piston to move continuously. Once we connect it to a crankshaft through a connecting rod, the piston’s reciprocating motion can be converted into rotary motion."

Ethan’s face brightened with pride.

"After several tests, we discovered that the compound steam engine is approximately five times as efficient as the original Matelife steam engine!"

"Excellent! Absolutely excellent!"

Simon laughed heartily.

"Your physics academy has made an outstanding contribution. Brambleford is going to undergo tremendous changes because of your work. I have to admit, the chemistry academy has been thoroughly outdone this time!"

The surrounding students laughed at his teasing remark.

Although the academies competed with one another, their rivalry had always served a greater purpose: advancing the development of Brambleford.

Ethan smiled before raising another concern.

"Your Highness, there’s one problem we still haven’t solved. Boring the cylinders takes far too long. Even with the improved design, producing these steam engines in large quantities will be difficult."

He glanced toward Simon.

"I was wondering whether we could use the first steam engine to power the boring lathe. That would greatly improve its efficiency. At present, the lathes in the hydraulic workshop depend heavily on the flow of water. Their performance suffers whenever the water supply is insufficient."

Simon immediately understood what Ethan was suggesting.

The steam engine could be used to manufacture the very machinery needed to produce more steam engines.

It was a simple idea, yet its implications were enormous.

"Of course!" Simon replied without hesitation. "That’s exactly what we should do."

He stopped walking and turned toward Ethan.

"Your physics academy doesn’t need to worry about unrelated projects for now. Work closely with the machinery department and establish a dedicated steam engine production line."

His expression grew serious.

"I want the first engine to help manufacture the machines required for the next batch. Those machines will then produce even more engines. We must break through the limitations of our current manufacturing methods."

He paused before adding boldly, "As for funding and manpower, I’ll provide whatever is necessary. If I have to sell my manor to make this happen, so be it!"

Ethan stared at him in astonishment.

Then his face broke into an excited smile.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

He could hardly contain his enthusiasm.

Simon, however, was thinking about something far more important than the success of a single machine.

Brambleford’s greatest weakness was its limited population.

There simply weren’t enough workers to meet the territory’s rapidly expanding industrial demands. Every new workshop required craftsmen, every new factory needed labourers, and every new industry competed for the same limited pool of workers.

The steam engine offered a way out.

With mechanical power replacing human and animal labour in an increasing number of tasks, Brambleford could expand its industrial output without requiring a proportional increase in its workforce.

For Simon, this was more than an invention.

It was the key to transforming his entire territory.

***

The two soon arrived at Oxford Academy.

Inside the physics laboratory stood two steam engines.

One was the familiar Matelife steam engine, while the other was the newly developed compound steam engine. Both were connected to mechanical assemblies that demonstrated their operation.

Several craftsmen from the machinery department had gathered around them. Tony stood among the group, carefully observing the movement of the pistons and the mechanisms connected to them.

The laboratory echoed with the rhythmic sounds of machinery.

One engine demonstrated the piston’s repeated upward and downward movement, while the other showed how that motion could be converted into rotation.

Seeing Simon enter, Tony approached with a somewhat bitter smile.

"Your Highness, Ethan certainly knows how to keep us busy. We only just finished helping the physics academy manufacture the Matelife steam engine, and now they’ve brought us another one to assemble."

He glanced toward the machinery.

"We’re currently investigating how to combine the steam engine with the boring lathe. If we can solve that problem, producing the cylinders should become much easier."

Simon chuckled.

"Don’t complain, Tony. If the physics academy keeps making breakthroughs, the machinery department will have even more opportunities to demonstrate its abilities."

Tony could only smile helplessly.

Nevertheless, when Simon looked at the two engines standing in the laboratory, he felt a surge of satisfaction.

For a moment, he could almost imagine himself standing inside a workshop during the early days of the Industrial Revolution.

The rhythmic clanking of metal, the movement of pistons, the rotation of mechanical shafts, and the craftsmen gathered around their creations all reminded him of the world he hoped to build.

Yet this was not merely an imitation of something that had existed elsewhere.

It was the beginning of an industrial transformation within the Eldorian Empire.

Ethan stepped forward and explained, "Your Highness, I should clarify that the compound steam engine wasn’t my achievement alone. Everyone in the physics academy contributed to its development."

He gestured toward the students standing around the laboratory.

"We discussed the principles together, conducted experiments, and worked through the problems one by one. Without their help, I wouldn’t have been able to complete it so quickly."

Simon nodded approvingly.

"Good. Very good."

He looked around at the students and craftsmen.

"This is exactly what I want to see. One person’s knowledge may be limited, but when everyone contributes their ideas, problems that once seemed impossible can finally be solved."

He smiled.

"I believe the physics academy deserves a collective honour medal for this achievement."

The students exchanged excited glances.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Their voices rang throughout the laboratory.

For these young scholars, recognition from Simon was more than a reward. It was proof that their experiments and tireless discussions had practical value.

They were no longer merely studying principles in books.

They were helping to reshape the world.

As the laughter continued, something on the central podium caught Simon’s attention.

A small glass model stood beneath the laboratory lights.

Unlike the heavy machinery surrounding it, the model was delicate and transparent. An alcohol lamp burned beneath its boiler, heating the water inside. As steam accumulated, the miniature mechanism began to move.

Simon approached it with interest.

"What’s this? Did you ask the glass workshop to manufacture a model of the compound steam engine?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Ethan answered. "Glass is easier to shape when we’re working with small models, so we decided to construct one first. Once we understood how the components should fit together, the machinery department reproduced the design using metal."

Simon examined the model closely.

Then his eyes lit up.

"Wonderful! That’s an excellent idea!"

He turned toward the others.

"From now on, whenever we develop a complicated machine, we should consider making a model first. If we can test the basic structure on a small scale, we’ll be able to identify problems before committing large amounts of materials and labour."

He pointed toward the glass steam engine.

"This approach could save us considerable time and money."

The students immediately understood the value of his suggestion.

A small model required fewer resources than a full-sized machine. It could also help engineers visualise how different components fit together before manufacturing begins.

For a territory where skilled craftsmen and industrial materials were still limited, the benefits were obvious.

Simon then turned toward the full-sized compound steam engine.

Its steel frame and copper components gave it a solid, imposing appearance. Under the laboratory lights, the polished metal reflected a cold gleam.

This was no longer a theoretical design drawn on paper.

It was a functioning machine.

And it belonged to the Eldorian Empire.

With its successful development in Brambleford, the empire had taken its first significant step toward harnessing steam power.

However, inventing the machine was only the beginning.

The real challenge lay ahead: manufacturing it in sufficient quantities and finding ways to incorporate it into every industry that could benefit from mechanical power.

Simon had no intention of allowing the invention to remain a curiosity inside a laboratory. He wanted it everywhere.

***

At present, the steam engine’s practical applications were still limited by the machinery available to Brambleford.

The piston produced a repeated back-and-forth movement, known as reciprocating motion. To make that movement useful for a wider range of machinery, it had to be transmitted or converted through mechanical components.

Two arrangements were particularly important.

The first used a connecting rod and crankshaft to convert reciprocating motion into rotation.

The second incorporated a flywheel to maintain smoother rotation and help the engine operate more consistently under changing loads.

Simon decided that explaining these principles personally would help the physics academy and machinery department accelerate their work.

He gathered the students and craftsmen in the laboratory and began an impromptu lesson.

"Let’s start with the connecting rod."

He picked up a diagram and indicated its different sections.

"A connecting rod transmits force between the piston and the crankshaft. Its small end connects to the piston pin, while its big end connects to the crankpin. Between them is the rod body, which must withstand considerable forces during operation."

He paused to ensure everyone was following.

"The small end generally takes the form of a circular opening. Because the piston pin moves against its inner surface, friction and wear must be controlled. A bronze bushing can be fitted inside the opening to provide a replaceable bearing surface."

Several craftsmen nodded as they studied the diagram.

Simon continued.

"Proper lubrication is equally important. We need to ensure that oil can reach the moving surfaces. Depending on the design, this can be achieved through lubrication holes or grooves."

He then pointed toward the connecting rod’s body.

"This section experiences repeated tension and compression during operation. If it bends under the load, the entire mechanism could fail. Therefore, the rod must be sufficiently strong without becoming unnecessarily heavy."

He drew a rough cross-section on the board.

"An I-shaped cross-section is one possible solution. It provides good resistance to bending while using less material than a solid section of comparable dimensions."

The craftsmen leaned forward, examining the drawing.

Although many had extensive practical experience, few had previously considered the mechanical principles behind every component in such detail.

Simon moved on to the crankshaft.

"The crankshaft converts the connecting rod’s reciprocating movement into rotary motion. As the rod pushes and pulls on the crankpin, the shaft turns. This rotation can then be transmitted to other machinery."

He pointed toward the flywheel.

"However, the force generated by a steam engine isn’t perfectly uniform throughout every part of its cycle. A flywheel helps smooth out these fluctuations."

He illustrated the relationship between the components.

"Once the engine starts turning the flywheel, the wheel stores rotational energy. It releases that energy when the driving force decreases, helping the shaft maintain a more consistent speed."

He looked around the room.

"With the proper arrangement, the steam engine can drive a boring lathe, operate pumps, power workshop machinery, and perform many other tasks that would otherwise require substantial manual labour."

The laboratory gradually fell silent.

The students and craftsmen were visualising the possibilities.

A steam engine no longer appeared to them as an isolated invention with a single purpose. It was becoming the heart of a much larger mechanical system.

A single engine could drive a shaft.

That shaft could power several machines.

Those machines could manufacture components for new engines, pumps, and industrial equipment.

And those machines, in turn, could increase the production capacity of entire workshops.

For the first time, many of the craftsmen understood why Simon had placed such importance on the development of steam power.

It wasn’t simply about building a machine that moved by itself.

It was about making machines capable of producing more machines.

Fortunately, Brambleford’s existing industrial foundation was sufficient to support the next stage of development.

The territory already possessed steelmaking facilities, copper supplies, and a growing network of workshops. Although improvements in precision and quality would remain necessary, the basic materials required for crankshafts, connecting rods, and flywheels were available.

Simon therefore concentrated on explaining their functions and practical applications rather than dictating every manufacturing detail.

Ethan and Tony were experienced enough to work out the production methods with their respective teams.

What they needed most was a clear understanding of the objective.

Once Simon finished his explanation, the atmosphere in the laboratory changed.

The craftsmen began discussing how to modify their existing lathes, while several students gathered around the diagrams to examine the relationship between the crankshaft and flywheel.

Tony was among the first to speak.

"Your Highness, I understand now. When we return to the workshop, we’ll begin working on the flywheel mechanism."

He looked toward the diagram with growing confidence.

"If we can properly connect the piston, connecting rod, crankshaft, and flywheel, we should be able to convert the engine’s reciprocating motion into continuous rotation. Once we solve that problem, powering the boring lathe will become much easier."

"Exactly," Simon replied.

He looked around the laboratory, satisfied with their progress.

"Don’t try to solve every problem at once. Begin with the essential components, test them carefully, and improve the design as you go. Once the machinery department has a reliable system, we can begin expanding production."

Tony nodded firmly.

Ethan and the other students exchanged determined looks.

The compound steam engine had opened a door, and now everyone understood what lay beyond it.

Simon glanced once more at the steel machine standing in the centre of the laboratory.

Soon, the sound of steam engines would no longer be confined to Oxford Academy.

It would echo through Brambleford’s workshops, mines, factories, and ports. And when that day arrived, the Eldorian Empire would begin a transformation that no neighbouring power could afford to ignore.