1850 American Gold Tycoon

After Le Goff agreed to apply for an $800,000 loan from the Bank of France for the California government, Gibson was still unwilling to see the relationship between France and California getting closer and closer, and the relationship between France and England becoming more and more distant.

Judging from the current development trend, California is a market with great potential.

In the end, Gibson also made a concession and said that he could also provide a $1 million loan to the California government from Barings Bank, provided that Liang Yao could also sell him 600 barrels of kerosene at half the market price.

The current production cost of kerosene is 4 cents per liter, and the market price in California is 20 cents per liter.

Liang Yao still has a lot of profit margin from selling kerosene at 10 cents a liter, not to mention the increasing maturity of crude oil mining technology, the advancement of kerosene refining technology, and the increase in production. The production cost of kerosene can be further reduced.

Liang Yao reluctantly agreed to Gibson's request, saying that for the sake of the friendship between Britain and the United States, he was willing to suffer some losses and sell 600 barrels of kerosene to Gibson at a low price to thank Barings Bank for providing it to the California government. Support and help.

Gibson, who is the official Union Jack of Old London, certainly knows in his heart that this is just a deceptive plan. If there is friendship between Britain and the United States, sows can climb trees.

The relationship between Britain and the United States in the 19th century was far less harmonious than the relationship between Britain and the United States in the 20th century. Although the United States has been independent for 70 years, Britain still holds a grudge against the independence of its former North American colonies.

Although he thought so in his heart, on the surface Gibson still readily accepted Liang Yao's remarks. After all, no one would have trouble with money.

At present, the supply of kerosene exceeds the demand. As long as he gets these 600 barrels of low-priced kerosene, he can make a lot of money no matter what. Friendship belongs to the country, and money belongs to oneself. The astute Gibson figured this out clearly.

If he can make more money from the friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States, Gibson would not mind making a contribution to the friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Although he is a banker, in the final analysis he is just a senior wage earner at Barings Bank.

Following the completion of the California Railway (San Francisco-Los Angeles), the largest railway project in California: the railway from the state capital Sacramento to Reno and Carson in Nevada is also about to be completed.

The report submitted by the California Railway Company to Liang Yao was that the railway would be fully open to traffic around February 15, 1853, that is, one month later.

After the railway is fully opened to traffic, it means that California and Western Nevada will be connected. Gold prospectors and immigrants can enter the Nevada area more easily and conveniently. Daily supplies from San Francisco and Sacramento can also be transported to California through this railway. Novo Carson.

Before this, all kinds of materials that wanted to enter Nevada could only be transported into the Nevada area by the most primitive method of transportation, that is, people carrying horses and camels.

Due to inconvenient transportation and high transportation costs, prices in Nevada have always remained high.

The opening of the entire Nevada Railway is great news for people living in Nevada, as their cost of living will be greatly reduced.

Of course, products from the Nevada region, such as gold, coal, and iron ore, could also be imported to Sacramento and San Francisco via rail.

The transportation trunk line constructed by Liang Yao in California has been initially completed. California's industrialization is at least guaranteed in terms of transportation.

The length of the railway from Sacramento to Reno and Carson in Nevada is only 260 kilometers, which is only a little more than one-third of the California Railway, but the time it takes is almost the same as the California Railway. The most important reason is that it leaves the Central Valley. To the east, the terrain becomes steeper.

200 kilometers of this 260-kilometer-long railway pass through mountainous areas, and most sections of the California Railway are built along the Central Valley, with very flat terrain. The engineering difficulty of the two is not the same.

In fact, the railroad from Sacramento to Reno and Carson was originally planned to be completed by the end of April 1853. The reason why it was completed more than two months in advance was because the California Railroad Company boldly used the newly invented liquid explosive. Railway workers We prefer to call it explosive oil.

To put it bluntly, it is nitroglycerin explosive.

The village of Auburn, northeast of Sacramento, sits at the juncture of the Central Valley and the mountains.

This was originally an uninhabited and barren land. With the construction of the railway line from Sacramento to Reno and Carson in Nevada, some new small villages appeared along the railway line.

This is the area specially designated by Liang Yao for Nobel's experiments. Nobel's experiments are too dangerous and are not suitable for the laboratory to be placed in densely populated places such as San Francisco and Sacramento. Liang Yao could only designate an inaccessible area for Nobel to conduct experiments.

Fortunately, people engaged in scientific research can generally endure loneliness. It is far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. After the railway between Auburn Village and Sacramento, transportation is more convenient, and the experimental materials required for Nobel can also be transported here very conveniently.

Therefore, Nobel was very satisfied with this experimental site. Since arriving at this experimental site, Nobel has almost never been out of this place.

Liang Yao even asked the telegraph office to build a special telegraph room in Nobel's laboratory, and the telegraph route was established. If there was any need, Nobel only had to go to the telegraph room to send a telegram. It is very convenient whether it is life or work.

This was paradise for Nobel.

Accompanied by a deafening loud noise, Liang Yao's eardrums were almost shattered.

The explosives buried halfway up the mountain blasted a large hole halfway up the mountainside, and the debris shattered by the avalanche continued to roll down the mountainside.

"A small amount of general gunpowder can cause a violent explosion of nitroglycerin. No matter how pure the gunpowder is, it is not as powerful as nitroglycerin." Nobel introduced this dangerous explosive to Liang Yao.

"With it, we can mine and build roads with twice the result with half the effort." Liang Yao sighed.

Of course, this more powerful high explosive can also be used in war, but now Liang Yao does not need to mention war in front of Nobel.

"You have only seen its good side. This kind of explosive is too dangerous and the risks are difficult to control. From production to transportation, to storage and use, if you are not careful in any link, an uncontrollable explosion will occur. Leading to tragedy.

This explosive has only been in use for two months, and already 16 railway workers have died in accidental explosions. Given that this explosive is immature and carries too many risks, I do not recommend putting this explosive into use at this time. "

Nobel's voice was choked when he spoke, and his face was filled with self-blame.

"Maybe I shouldn't have brought this kind of thing into the world."

Historically, after the advent of nitroglycerin explosives, the largest sales volume was in California, United States. Due to long-distance transportation and use, many serious liquid nitroglycerin explosion accidents occurred.

In order to solve this problem, Nobel personally rushed to California and tried to manufacture it locally to avoid the dangers caused by long-distance transportation. Later, he eliminated interference from all aspects and concentrated on researching the safe transportation method of nitroglycerin. In the end, two relatively safer solid explosives made of diatomaceous earth and nitroglycerin were developed, namely No. 1 Explosive and No. 2 Explosive. The emergence of solid explosives has made possible the large-scale industrial application of explosives.

The only drawback is that compared to liquid nitroglycerin explosives, solid diatomaceous explosives are slightly less powerful, only three-quarters of liquid explosives.

But safety is only relative. When diatomaceous explosives are damp or under pressure, there is still a risk of nitroglycerin seeping out.

Therefore, Nobel continued to devote himself to experiments to develop a new type of explosive that had the explosive power of nitroglycerin and the safety performance of explosives.

Hard work paid off. After countless failures, in 1875, strong cavity explosives and soft and malleable colloidal explosives were successively released.

This kind of explosive has high explosive effect and is relatively cheap. It has greater explosive power than pure nitroglycerin and greater stability. It will not explode when ignited and will not get damp when immersed in water.

It can be said that after the advent of nitroglycerin explosives, Nobel has been making tireless efforts to develop safer explosives, indirectly saving countless lives.

If conditions permit, cavity explosives and colloidal explosives are naturally the best choices. However, with the current almost zero level of chemical industry in California, it is impossible to produce the raw materials required for colloidal explosives.

Even if some samples can be produced in the laboratory, it will be difficult to achieve mass production.

What Liang Yao needs now is explosives that can be mass-produced and put into use immediately. Even if the explosives are not that safe, they are better than nothing.

Of course, Liang Yao didn't intend to sit still and wait for death. Although liquid nitroglycerin could be used, it was too insecure in terms of safety.

Nowadays, the whole country of the United States is carrying out large-scale construction and laying railways. There is still a market for high-power explosives. If you want to sell explosives to the eastern and central regions thousands of miles away, transportation safety is indeed an issue that you have to consider.

Although colloidal explosives cannot be produced for a while, diatom explosives can still be tried.

The United States, a geomantic treasure land, has almost all kinds of minerals. California itself has the largest marine diatomite deposit in the world, and there is no shortage of materials for making diatomaceous explosives.

Furthermore, once the diatomaceous explosive was developed, Nobel's development of the detonating material for the diatomaceous explosive: the detonator was just a matter of smooth sailing.

Diatomaceous explosives must be produced no matter what!

While Liang Yao was thinking, the image of an oil explosion appeared in Nobel's mind. The sky-shattering flames, flying broken limbs, and charred body became Nobel's nightmare that he couldn't get rid of in the past few months. .

His emotions quickly lost control, and his faith began to waver.

His original intention of developing explosives was to improve the efficiency of mining and road construction. Now the new explosives have indeed improved the efficiency of mining and road construction, but the accidents that followed have also claimed more lives.

Is it all worth it?

Nobel tortured himself over and over again, and his body began to tremble involuntarily.

Liang Yao noticed Nobel's abnormal expression and asked with concern: "Are you feeling well?"

"I feel uncomfortable, sir. This kind of explosive is too dangerous. Give up the production of this kind of explosive." After hesitating for a long time, Nobel finally expressed his thoughts.

Although he himself knew that he should not say such depressing words to his sponsors.

Liang Yao was not as compassionate as Nobel. Liang Yao's original intention of funding Nobel's development of nitroglycerin explosive was for military use. To put it bluntly, it was to kill people and kill people more efficiently.

The function of explosives in mining and building roads is not even as important as killing people in Liang Yaoyan's eyes.

Therefore, when he first witnessed the explosion of nitroglycerin, Liang Yao felt more joyful.

The progress of human civilization is built on piles of corpses, and someone has to pay the price for the progress of civilization.

"Since we have chosen a road full of thorns, we will inevitably be hurt by the thorns." Liang Yao put his hands on Nobel's shoulders and said sincerely.

"Even without the use of explosives, there are many railway workers who have accidentally fallen and died while building railways in mountainous areas. I think you also know this. The explosive you invented shortened the construction period of the Nevada Railway by two full months, and you also saved many railway workers. , but you can’t see these.”

Liang Yao now wants money, power, and fame.

There are many paths he can choose. He can also choose to live a comfortable life like the slave owners in the South, waiting to die.

The only result is that after the Civil War breaks out, California, like the slave owners of the Confederacy, will find that their state cannot even produce decent guns, and the Yankees will continue to attack their doorstep without anyone to take advantage of them. One can only place hope on international assistance outside the blockade.

After listening to Liang Yao's words, Nobel's mood calmed down a little, and his mood gradually stabilized.

"Sir, can I wait until I improve the explosive and make it safer before mass production and putting it into use?" Nobel raised his head and asked.

"Let's wait until the railway in Nevada is completed." Liang Yao said while supporting Nobel's swaying body.

"Liquids are unstable. Have you ever thought about making nitroglycerin into a solid form? If this powerful explosive can exist in a solid form, I think it will be more stable and much safer."

"Let nitroglycerin exist in a solid form?" Nobel seriously recalled some past experiments in the laboratory, and then shook his head helplessly, "I once had this idea and put it into practice. It has been practiced, but I have tried many methods in the laboratory and cannot turn nitroglycerin into a solid.”

"Kony, bring a piece of cloth and a pot of water." Liang Yao called to Kony beside him.

Soon, Kony, who looked confused, brought Liang Yao a piece of cotton cloth and a pot of water. Kony didn't know what Liang Yao wanted to do with the cloth and water. Was it to wash his face? But then I thought it was wrong, and the boss didn't seem to be a mysophobic person.

Liang Yao took the cotton cloth from Kony's hand, then poured water on the cotton cloth, grabbed a ball of wet cotton cloth and said to Nobel: "What if nitroglycerin is adsorbed on a certain solid?"

Nobel slapped his forehead, suddenly enlightened, and said excitedly: "This is a very good idea! I will try this aspect and find some materials with strong water absorption. Just adsorb nitroglycerin on the solid and explode. The power will inevitably decrease."

"For safety and life, it is worth sacrificing some power." Liang Yao said.

"I understand! I understand! You wait for me, I will find materials for experiments as soon as possible and come up with a finished product that satisfies you!" Nobel's expression was very excited.

"I will also look for some materials for you to experiment on." Liang Yao nodded with a smile, patted Nobel on the shoulder, and said with great concern, "Your experiment is very dangerous, so be sure to pay attention to safety! If you are missing something, just get it." Telegram me!"