Xiao Jin understood the deeper meaning behind the rise in mineral prices and the changes in quantity limits. It simply had not expected this to happen so quickly.
Although these were only the first signs, and sales had not been completely restricted yet, they had long needed massive imports of minerals and energy, so they had no choice but to prepare for trouble before it came.
Fortunately, after all these years of effort, they had built an extremely complete industrial foundation.
This City of Steam and Steel was the symbol of that.
Here, they could now even manufacture large steam-powered Steel Warships.
Next, it was time to go a step further on this foundation.
The steam engine, this heart, still seemed far too bulky. Switching to a lighter, more efficient heart would further accelerate Sea Island's development.
In truth, this matter had long been on Quan Yi's schedule. The situation on the continent was merely the reason the plan had been moved forward.
A faint smile appeared on Xiao Jin's face as it gave an extremely calm order:
"Establish a new research team dedicated to the design and manufacture of internal combustion engines.
I will personally be in charge of this team."
Another heavy burden had fallen on Xiao Jin's shoulders, but as the representative of Ultimate Gold, developing and testing internal combustion engines was not difficult for it.
Under Xiao Jin's guidance, a dedicated internal combustion engine research institute was quickly established within the Blacksmith Association.
Even more terrifyingly, in less than a week, this research institute successfully manufactured a simple Four-Stroke Reciprocating Piston Engine.
All the materials and techniques had long since matured here. What they lacked now was the inspiration to integrate all of it and fully unleash the craftsmen's potential.
And this was exactly the part