Empire Rise: Spain

Chapter 69: Large Laboratory

With Primó fully focused on reform, and Spain being very stable domestically, Carlo was surprised to find himself with nothing to do.

Leaving reform to Primó was fine, after all, it was something that offended people.

Without exaggeration, reform overall offended all forces in Spain, except for the reformists who supported reform.

If Primó did not have such high prestige in the Spanish Army, his reforms probably would not have been completed before Spain’s prime minister was replaced.

The current reform was also a huge gamble for Primó himself. If he won the bet, Spain would have hope of returning among the great powers, and Primó would remain the prime minister beloved by the people in Spain.

But if it failed, the forces offended by Primó would not let him go. Even if Carlo could provide protection to Primó himself, Primó’s reputation was destined to be ruined, becoming teaching materials for criticizing those reformists.

With Primó acting as the vanguard of reform, Carlo naturally did not want to get too involved in Primó’s reform.

With time on his hands, Carlo decided to supervise the construction of the Electric Research Institute and Engine Company.

As the core of the Second Industrial Revolution, Carlo attached great importance to electricity and engines. Both core institutions were located in Madrid, not too far by car from the Royal Palace.

On a plot of open land in the Madrid Outskirts, a large area of land had already been fenced off at this time. This was the site of the pre-arranged electricity laboratory and engine research office, also the core place for Spain to join and promote the Second Industrial Revolution.

To give Gramme and the others confidence in their future research, Carlo specifically invited Gramme, Benz, and four others, including many technical talents, to visit the construction of the research office together.

The construction difficulty of the research office was actually not high, after all, research in electricity and engines at this time did not require too precise equipment; everything was starting from scratch.

The entire construction site could be seen as a large experimental zone, with the west side being the area built for Gramme and the electricity research office, and the east side being the engine research and development area for Benz and the other three.

The entire large experimental zone generally consisted of small buildings of three stories or less, which was also to build faster, since the experimental zone had no need for high-rise buildings.

In the central part of the entire experimental zone, a five-story-plus apartment building would rise from the ground. The first and second floors of the apartment building were the restaurant and leisure area, and the third to fifth floors were rest rooms for all personnel in the experimental zone.

After all, in the most important stage of experiments, most personnel participating in experiments had no time to go back and forth between home and the laboratory.

Doing so would waste too much time; it was better to build an apartment building in the experimental zone for personnel participating in experiments to take brief rests.

Looking at the planning of the entire experimental zone, Gramme and the others were quite satisfied. Such planning and layout was much more formal than the companies and places they were at before, and conducting their own experiments would be much more handy.

“Your Majesty, when can the electricity laboratory be completed? I can’t wait to conduct my experiments in such an environment; it’s simply too perfect.” Gramme could no longer contain his excitement and asked Carlo eagerly with an impatient expression.

Carlo turned his gaze to the laboratory construction manager beside him, who immediately understood and explained to everyone: “The construction of the experimental zone is going very smoothly overall, and it is expected to complete all construction in 3 to 4 months.”

“Too slow, still too slow.” Gramme shook his head somewhat disappointedly, then asked: “Can the laboratory be built first?

Other less important supporting buildings can be built later. If there is a laboratory, research on electricity can begin.”

“It should be possible, Mr. Gramme.” The official thought for a moment before replying: “If only building the laboratory, it should be completed in one and a half months.

Considering the installation of some experimental equipment, the laboratory should be ready for use after two months.”

Gramme nodded satisfied upon hearing this.

Two months was also the theoretical shortest time. After all, the laboratory had certain needs, especially the electricity laboratory, which also needed to guarantee safety.

Hastily built buildings were no good for experiments, and waiting two months was very necessary.

Seeing Gramme’s urgency to start electricity experiments, Carlo smiled and said: “I have already prepared a temporary testing site for you in the Madrid Outskirts. Although it’s not very formal, it should be fine to make do for two months.

Perhaps by the next time we come, the laboratory construction will be almost completed.”

Although Carlo had approved the laboratory construction long before departing with Cadillac, the construction speed of this era was inevitably not comparable to posterity.

Although they were all small buildings of three stories or less, because they were for experimental needs, they still required a long time to wait.

If it were in posterity, such three-story small buildings would be built at godlike speed; possibly before Gramme and the others arrived in Madrid, the laboratory would already be completed.

Everyone continued the visit.

Behind this large experimental zone, there was also a lake of no small scale. The scenery around the lake was beautiful, the lake water was quite clear, and it was a very nice place for leisure and vacation.

Everyone was attracted by the beautiful scenery around the lake; even the already family man Daimler could not help but sigh: “What a great vacation spot; it feels like a waste to build a laboratory here.”

“No, Mr. Daimler.” Carlo smiled and said: “This is precisely the reason for choosing to build the laboratory here. You scientists doing experiments need such beautiful scenery; experiments and rest are indispensable. Good rest allows for better experiments.”

Hearing Carlo’s words, Daimler was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a smile on his face.

If he had at least six points of resentment about being kidnapped when he first came to Spain, then now that resentment had basically dissipated.

At least he had accepted staying to work in Spain; after all, who else could encounter such a king who respected scientists anywhere?

Without exaggeration, ordinary people in Europe at this time had no human rights. Commoners were objects of exploitation, in other words, livestock cheaper than actual livestock.

Adult males were exploited the most harshly; they worked like livestock, but the reward they got could barely support their family, or even not support their family.

Adult women were exploited like men; the labor they put in was no less than men, but their income was pitifully low.

Child labor was even more unnecessary to mention. Capitalists used child labor like adults, but child labor’s income was the lowest.

In an era when commoners were not even considered people, encountering such a monarch who respected him, Daimler felt that Spain was actually not that bad.

Second update, seeking support!