IBTCPOTME Novel - Chapter 120
**Chapter 120**
**The Oregon Boundary Dispute (3)**
It’s the age of the Industrial Revolution.
So many inventions have been pouring out that it could be called the age of invention, but I was certain that this was the greatest invention of this era.
“Since the two of you combined your strengths to invent it, we can call it the ‘Neilson-Bessemer Process’.”
“Many other engineers worked together to create it. How about we name it the Estrada Steelmaking Process, after the company?”
James Beaumont Neilson said with a sense of burden, but I already knew everything from Estrada’s report.
“I heard that you two were the ones who came up with the core idea and implemented it. So, it’s not unreasonable to name it after you.”
James Beaumont Neilson, who created a revolutionary steelmaking process called the ‘Blast Process’ in England, and Henry Bessemer, who brought about another revolution by creating the ‘Bessemer Process’ in the original timeline.
The two of them did not disappoint me. In January, they invented the ‘Bessemer Process’ of the original timeline, a full 11 years earlier than in the original timeline.
It was a result achieved after gathering the two best talents of their time in steelmaking and pouring in massive support.
‘It was worth going through all the trouble to bring them in.’
Henry Bessemer was much younger than he was when he made the invention in the original timeline, and the environment was different, so I wasn’t sure when he would succeed even with James Neilson, but this exceeded my expectations.
I asked James.
“Can I see the actual process?”
“Yes. We’re operating it safely according to company policy, so there’s no problem with you observing it directly. I’ll personally introduce you to the process.”
We entered the space where the process was taking place.
We could feel the heat even before entering, but it wasn’t unbearable.
“The steelmaking process begins by pouring molten pig iron into the blast furnace, or converter. This pig iron has already undergone a smelting process in the blast furnace and can be kept in a liquid state at high temperatures.”
As he explained, we could see molten pig iron being poured into the converter.
“Next is air injection. The injected high-temperature air reacts with carbon and other impurities in the iron, oxidizing them. During this process, carbon, silicon, and manganese are mainly oxidized and burned. Air is blown in forcefully through numerous small holes located at the bottom of the converter. It’s about to start now, so be careful.”
The air injection process began with James’ warning to be careful. A violent chemical reaction between air and impurities occurred, emitting flames and dazzling light.
It wasn’t dangerous, but we could feel the heat along with the dazzling light.
When the process was over, lumps appeared on the surface of the iron, and a special device at the top of the blast furnace removed the lumps.
“This is the process of removing the impurities, which have been oxidized and become slag. They are periodically removed through the device at the top of the blast furnace. By adjusting the air injection here, we can control the carbon content and create steel with the desired mechanical properties.”
It seems like it was repetitive work after that.
“I see. I’ve seen enough.”
We left the work area.
“You can reduce the cost of steel production by 80% with this process?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Not only can we reduce the cost by up to 80% compared to previous processes, but it’s also a method that allows for mass production.”
“Amazing. James, Henry, you’ll receive a reward befitting your achievement.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
James and Henry thanked me, but I’m the one who’s more grateful.
How much profit will this invention bring to me and the Mexican Empire? It’s not a few hundred thousand or million pesos. It’s hundreds of millions, billions.
The reason I consider this invention one of the greatest is because steel can be used in almost every industry during this period.
In the 21st century, it competes with semiconductors for the title of “rice of industry”, but until the 20th century, no one denied that steel was the foundation of all industries.
‘It’ll be a big help to Prussia too.’
You could say that it’s a bit cheeky to sell it for 20% cheaper when you can produce it 80% cheaper than the previous cost, but our Mexican Empire doesn’t even have enough steel for its own use right now.
It’s a favor to take out a certain amount and sell it.
I said to Diego as we returned to Chihuahua.
“If we can monopolize this steelmaking process for 10 years, we’ll have nothing to fear.”
Steel is equally important in the defense industry. Steel is important for both the army and the navy. Didn’t they use steel only for cannons and iron for armor because steel was expensive, even for ironclad ships?
“10 years… We need to maintain tight security.”
“Right. We can’t help it if other countries invent it on their own, but at least the technology shouldn’t leak out. I’ll instruct the Military Intelligence Agency to strengthen security for Estrada Steel.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
***
“So many people are hoping to immigrate?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. 8,000 people have crossed over to the mainland this month alone.”
We’re accepting immigrants from the Dominican region, and there are a lot of applicants.
They can receive great benefits from immigrating, and the language is the same, so it’s a natural choice for those who don’t have much property in the Dominican Republic.
We’re recruiting immigrants in Haiti, but there’s hardly any response. Unlike the Dominican region, there’s a big cultural and linguistic difference, and the reform government has implemented radical land reform, so most of the people own land.
‘The Military Intelligence Agency intervened and made the revolution successful, but a country where almost everyone owns land. In a way, it’s become a truly amazing country.’
“Are there many people applying to move to the city?”
“Yes, it’s almost the same level as frontier migration.”
“Good. With that number, we can start construction on the second university right away. The demand for skilled labor is gradually increasing, so it’s a good time to start.”
I plan to build a university in Chihuahua too.
It’s natural, as it’s a key city of the province, but key cities are scheduled to be built in every province in the future, and the size of each province is mostly larger than South Korea in my previous life. So, shouldn’t there be at least one university per province?
I plan to build a comprehensive university, but there’s no need to worry about producing too many graduates and creating unemployment. This is because we’ll have to build them sequentially anyway due to the lack of construction workers.
The population of the Mexican Empire, which is exploding right now, will grow to a certain extent, and in 10 years, we’ll be able to build several key cities in parallel, but right now, it’s not easy to build even one.
‘It’s even more difficult because we’re going to give the workers jobs and have them settle in this city.’
“Since the design for the second university is already finished, we can start construction right away.”
“Right. This will be the last time I’m directly involved in the design.”
It’s because it takes too long to do it all myself, and it’s better to give experience to various architects.
The architectural style of this university is ‘Neocolonial Spanish Architecture’.
This style, which influenced Stanford University in my previous life, is a reinterpretation of colonial-era architecture, so it gives a much more Mexican feel than the neoclassical style used in the Imperial University or European architectural styles like Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque.
Of course, Spain is a European country and was influenced by other styles, so there are many similarities, but there are also unique aspects.
Some of the typical characteristics of colonial-era architecture that add a Mediterranean feel to the building are the red tile roofs, the white or light-colored lime walls, the arched doors and windows influenced by Islamic architecture, and the courtyard (patio), which connects the indoor and outdoor spaces.
As soon as I decided to start construction on the second university, materials and workers began to gather.
“Damian, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I thought we’d have to wait another three years to build this university, so I’m happy that the opportunity has come so quickly.”
It was Damian Luna, the chief architect of Ortega Construction, who had designed the Imperial University with me. I worked together with him to design the second university again, to get help from his aesthetic talent.
“I’m glad too. Since we’ve gained experience building universities, it’ll be faster than last time, won’t it?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We’ve hired architects who have experience building universities, as well as skilled workers, so it will be much faster.”
“It’s good if it’s fast, but remember that safety is also important.”
Construction projects are being carried out throughout the Mexican Empire, so there are constant accidents and incidents. Even if I tell them to be careful, things will happen, but since I was the one who brought up the speed, it’s a good idea to remind them that safety is even more important.
So, the construction of the university began when the construction of Chihuahua was about halfway finished.
“Come to think of it, are the students doing well? The report says that there are more students this year, but if they don’t properly complete their studies, there’s no point in taking up space in the classrooms.”
“They all study hard, but I hear they’re not getting good grades because of the language barrier. I hear that only one Korean student is getting good grades.”
“I see.”
I don’t need to ask who it is. It’s Park Gyu-su. I even heard from the Joseon missionaries that Park Gyu-su was inviting his juniors to Mexico at his own expense, so I can imagine how surprised he was by the new learning.
It’ll be interesting to watch what his passion will bring about.
***
“Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!”
James Polk, who became the Democratic presidential candidate, claimed to be a hardliner, shouting the slogan he used during the primaries, demanding that Oregon territory be given up, but the Whig Party was no pushover either.
“We need to investigate the disappearance of Carter Smith, the patriot who was conveying information to Mexico!”
Henry Clay Sr., the Whig candidate, shouted that Mexico must have assassinated his student, Carter Smith, and that it should be thoroughly investigated.
It’s like a presidential candidate is using conspiracy theories without any evidence, but surprisingly, it worked well with the American people.
Of course, Henry Clay Sr. didn’t really feel sorry for Carter Smith’s death. It was because James Polk, the Democratic candidate, was grabbing the hearts of the people by taking a hardline stance against Britain, so he was aiming for a hardline stance against Mexico.
If one side is a hardliner, the other side is usually a conciliator, but this US presidential election was unusual in that a hardliner was facing a hardliner.
“There’s no evidence that it was Mexico’s doing!”
“Are you saying that you really want to go to war with the British Empire?”
The two candidates continued their campaign speeches, hurling insults at each other.
American intellectuals were worried that both presidential candidates were taking a hardline stance on foreign policy, but the American people cheered.
“Finally, those politicians are being straightforward!”
They agreed with those claims, without any deep thought about the price they would have to pay.
Time passed quickly, and the US presidential election was approaching.