A Giant Stride into the Electrical Age

"What utter bullshit!"

Sarah put her hands on her hips and yelled:

"What's wrong? Can't ladies do engineering?! Who says girls can't do engineering? Who said that? Let me ask her, did the Goddess of the Moon say girls can't do engineering? Huh?!"

Li Mo explained in a low voice, "Sarah used to have a boyfriend. They got along really well in town, but after he found out she worked as an engineer, he felt it wasn't respectable and broke up with her. From then on, Sarah never believed in love again. She worked hard to prove that girls can also do engineering, and can do it respectably too."

Helen quickly bowed slightly to Sarah: "Sarah is amazing! I want to learn from Sarah!"

Sarah looked Helen up and down and said directly, "Alright, forget about your dad's outdated rules! I'm taking you as my apprentice! From now on, come find me whenever you're free after school! Don't you like steam engines? I'll show you how to operate one!"

Helen was excited and whispered, "R-really? Can you take me on a trip?"

Sarah waved her hand dismissively. "Let's get started!"

Helen nodded vigorously. "Yes! Sarah, Sister Sarah. I'll definitely have fun, uh! I'll study hard!"

Anna smiled as she looked at Helen.

It seems Helen is gradually recovering from the kidnapping incident, which is great.

--You look so beautiful when you smile, Helen. Smile more often.

After gently contemplating this, Anna glanced at Li Mo and saw that Li Mo was also smiling.

She suddenly tilted her head.

My mood isn't as good as it was before.

Mrs. Mrs. Turner and Mrs. Crawford had finished their business and came forward to bid farewell to Envoy Caroline and Li En, eager to return and urge their husbands to get things done.

After seeing the two ladies off.

Li Mo called his father and Sarah together, "Dad, Sarah, do you remember what I said before about the transformation?"

The father asked, "Are we still operating? Our factory currently has military supply orders from the Special Envoy's Office, so we won't lack shipments in the future."

"Yes, this is what I'm thinking. For the orders of military uniform cotton fabric, we can keep the twenty modified new fine spinning machines in the east workshop to complete them. As for the two large workshops in the west, I plan to clear out all the old looms and use them for factory transformation to produce three other things."

Speaking of which,

Li Mo took out his draft notebook and laid it flat on the workbench.

He needs three things in total.

The first one is insulated enameled copper wire.

This is quite convenient; the factory has ready-made winding spindles.

Purchase some fine copper wire, wrap it with two layers of insulating fine cotton yarn, soak it in the prepared flaxseed oil, and then dry it.

Then comes carbonized cotton fibers.

This thing is simple.

The cotton thread spun on the improved spinning machine is placed in a sealed iron box, covered with charcoal powder, and then roasted at high temperature to isolate it from the air.

The last one is a little more complicated.

It is a pear-shaped glass ball.

Li Mo said, "This requires my father to go to town and hire a dozen skilled glassblowers, buy a batch of mercury, and, according to the mercury dripping vacuum device I drew, encapsulate carbonized cotton filaments into the glass bulb and create a vacuum."

Father and Sarah both leaned over and stared at the blueprints for a long time.

Sarah asked, "Xiao Li... why are we making so many glass balls?"

The father was also somewhat puzzled. "Yes, cotton yarn is so precious these days. Why are we leaving the profitable cloth weaving behind and hiring people to blow glass? This stuff can't be eaten or worn, so who are we going to sell it to?"

Estelle watched Li Mo quietly, wondering what this thing was for.

Li Mo and Estelle exchanged a glance, then Li Mo smiled and said, "This is for opening the door to a new world. You'll see when the time comes."

Of everyone present, only Anna knew what Li Mo was up to.

Anna recalled the white light that suddenly illuminated the room that night, and she knew that Li Mo was right; this thing might really have the power to change the world.

Li En and Sarah didn't quite understand.

But then I thought, Li Mo has already helped the family secure the Royal Charter workshop license, what more could they ask for?

Let him do it!

Li En replied, "Alright! I'll send someone to purchase and recruit glass craftsmen first thing tomorrow morning, and I'll have the west workshop vacated tonight!"

Sarah nodded. "Give me that mercury vacuum holder and the sealed metal box. I'll make samples for you by noon tomorrow."

"Then I'll have to trouble Dad and Sister Sarah."

Li Mo glanced at the darkening sky outside the window and said, "It's getting late, let's head back now. I'll compile a detailed set of dimensions for the drawings tonight and have someone bring it over tomorrow morning."

The group walked out of the power room.

Li Mo asked Estelle, "Xiao Xi, which neighborhood do you live in? Should I give you a ride home?"

Caroline readily replied, "No need to trouble yourself, I'll take Estelle back."

Li Mo was taken aback. "Huh?"

Your Excellency... offered to escort a student home? Is that appropriate?

Caroline immediately realized something was wrong, her heart tightened, and she cursed herself for speaking too quickly.

Fortunately, she had dealt with many situations in the capital before, and smiled naturally:

"On the way to the factory, I chatted with Miss Estelle in the carriage and found some of the local customs and traditions in her hometown quite interesting, so I thought I'd give her a ride in my carriage."

Estelle: "Yes, I would also like to ask the envoy for more information about my experiences in the capital."

Li Mo could only nod and say, "Alright, be careful on the road."

Watching Estelle and Caroline walk away, Li Mo narrowed his eyes slightly behind them.

Today, he was focused on his work from time to time.

I noticed details that many people missed.

For example, Caroline always secretly observes Estelle.

For example, Estelle never showed any expression, not even when facing Caroline.

This transfer student is clearly more mysterious than I imagined...

Outside the door.

Three horse-drawn carriages were parked there.

Several rickshaw drivers squatted under a lamppost, smoking and chatting.

Seeing the scene at the entrance, Li En paused for a moment, then turned to Li Mo and asked, "Why are there so many cars parked at the entrance?"

Li Mo said, "Matthew said he'd pay the bill and insisted that everyone have more room to sit."

As he spoke, Li Mo looked around and asked, "Hey, where's Matthew?"

The group searched around.

Finally, Wayne, with his sharp eyes, pointed to a drainage ditch wall about ten meters away and said, "It's over there!"

Matthew stood alone at the foot of the wall, his back to everyone, seemingly observing something on the top of the wall.

The elderly father suddenly became interested.

He stepped forward, grinning, and called out, "Matthew, stop looking at the scenery, it's getting dark, hurry up and get a taxi!"

At the foot of the wall, Matthew stood with his eyes closed, saying nothing.

He felt he deserved to die, really, that he had been unnecessary to chase after him from school today.

Did they really spend their pocket money to charter three large carriages just to witness the Li Mo family being chosen by the royal family and rising to prominence?

Even the five thousand gold pounds that his father had worked so hard to get had become Li En's possession right before his eyes!

What can I do? I can't do anything... I'm just a useless Matthew.

In the end, he simply said, "The fare has already been settled. You can go ahead. I have some things to do, so I won't see you off."

Everyone shouted in unison, "Thank you Matthew!"

Wayne added, "Hey, you don't want to leave? Are you researching 1729?"

Matthew said softly, "Get out."

Wayne was relieved and got into the car with a smile, heading home with Li Mo and the others.

Inside the carriage.

Wayne fiddled with the gold-plated pocket watch, unable to suppress a laugh, "Speaking of which, Matthew has completely surrendered this time, hasn't he? It's a pity we didn't see him kowtow..."

Anna pulled Li Mo into her arms to put him to sleep, and whispered, "He probably won't want to see us for a long time to come."

Helen fiddled with the double slide valve in her hand, muttering, "Damn it... why now of all times..."

Wayne was shocked. "Helen! You actually joked!"

Helen quickly lowered her head, feeling very embarrassed.

The atmosphere in the carriage was very pleasant.

The group quickly returned home.

Li Mo Mozhen slept for a while in the car. When she got out of the car, rubbing her sleepy eyes, she saw Sheriff Sanders standing in front of her own yard.

As soon as Sanders saw Li Mo, he quickened his pace to greet him.

"Li Mo, you're finally back!"

His tone was anxious.

Considering he was still waiting for me at the door so late, something must have happened.

Li Mo, having regained some composure, asked, "What's wrong, Sheriff?"

Sanders' gaze swept over Helen.

Li Mo understood and said, "Helen, you go home first."

"Oh..."

Helen ran home, and Mr. Green was waiting for her at the door.

After she entered the room.

Sanders said with a serious expression:

"Morris is dead. Preliminary assessment: murder."