Chapter 1257 - A National Machine (1/2)

Translator: Transn  Editor: Transn

“I need an additional ammonia plant and a saltpeter plant. You knew that, didn’t you?” Roland asked.

Agatha and Paper had been working on these two materials, but the production rate was not satisfactory due to the lack of catalysts. Although their method was much better than the original acid-making method that involved saltpeter, they could not further increase the production as a result of limited manpower and magic.

After Roland obtained a copy of the complete periodic table of elements, the chemistry laboratory immediately started to make sample elements. With Lucia’s help, the Ministry of Chemical Industry was now able to create a sample for every element on the table, including many rare elements such as platinum and rhodium that were normally used as catalysts in chemical reactions.

As long as there were enough people, they could build as many plants as they wanted. Mass production might not be the most efficient way to produce war materials, but the original acid-making method was solely reliant on Agatha’s and Paper’s abilities.

Kyle said slowly, “Your Majesty, we’ve already verified the theories through experiments and simulated the acid-making process in a small reaction vessel. As long as we have sufficient manpower, we can start working anytime.”

“I can offer you all the literate immigrants. You can start after this meeting,” Roland said. “Also, I plan to create a new production line for lead-acid batteries.”

Kyle nodded in comprehension. Perhaps, not many people knew what those things were, but he had learned elementary and intermediate chemistry by heart and certainly understood what Roland was talking about.

Lead-acid batteries were also known as storage batteries. It was not even that hard for the Alchemist Workshop to make them, since the only materials required were lead, lead dioxide, and dilute sulfuric acidm, let alone the current Ministry of Chemical Industry. Plus, the experiment on electrolytes with a light bulb was a classic experiment in high school chemistry.

The strength of storage batteries was that they could be recharged by supplying water regularly. There was no technical difficulty whatsoever in producing lead and lead dioxide. The reasons that he had not produced them earlier were that they rarely needed storage batteries and had insufficient manpower.

“How many do you need approximately…” Kyle asked as he produced a notebook.

“Around 100 per month,” Roland replied.

Storage batteries would be mainly used to start off piston engines for the biplanes. As the biplane was the most advanced industrial product in Neverwinter, it was unacceptable that it took so long for the plane to take off. Roland attributed this drawback to the lack of manpower. However, with the influx of a great number of immigrants, they could now eliminate this defect.

With so many additional people, they could literally do whatever they wanted.

“We would only need around 10 people to finish this small project,” Kyle commented sagely as he stroked his beard. “Of course, we still need Queen Anna’s help to manufacture other parts like lead plates and shells.”

“If you could provide me with detailed drawings, the Ministry of Industry has no issue with that,” Anna said while nodding.

“Then please give me a few days to think it over, and I’ll send you the drawings shortly.”

Roland sipped his tea in satisfaction. After years of education and training, there were now many talented people in the Administrative Office. It was very common that a project involved various departments. For many projects, Roland only had to provide his advice here and there in the very beginning, and his ministers would finish the rest.

“Now, the Ministry of Industry shall — ”