Chapter 354: Telegram
As the horse-drawn carriage smoothly traversed the well-constructed East African Highway, members of the Far East Assistance Mission marveled at the advanced infrastructure they encountered. They observed threads hanging at intervals from wooden poles along the road and asked Vilix, their East African guide, about them.
Li Ge inquired through Aryan's translation, "Mr. Vilix, what are the threads hanging on the wooden poles at intervals beside the road?"
Aryan conveyed the question and responded, "That is the wire used for communication. It can connect the city of Dar es Salaam with the first town."
Li Ge expressed amazement, "Communication? Just relying on those two lines?"
Aryan explained further, "Yes, this is the charm of science. If I were to explain it to you, you might not understand it fully, but just know that with these cables, news from Europe can reach East Africa within a day."
Li Ge was puzzled by this newfound knowledge and tried to grasp the concept, "You mean you can create thunder...electricity using a generator?"
Aryan clarified, "It's not lightning, it's ordinary electricity. With current science and technology, no one can control actual lightning. It possesses tremendous power and is uncontrollable."
Li Ge then asked, "So, you can create thunder...electricity using a generator?"
Aryan explained, "Electricity is a natural phenomenon, and European scientists have studied it to harness its energy. This energy is what we call the magnetic field."
Li Ge, still grappling with the concept, asked, "Magnetic field?"
Aryan went on to describe the general operating principle of the telegraph. Li Ge found this information both fascinating and challenging, especially since his education was rooted in traditional Chinese philosophy rather than modern science.
Li Ge marveled, "You mean you made thunder and lightning and used them to deliver messages?"
Aryan clarified once more, "That's not lightning, it's just ordinary electricity. With current science and technology, no one can master lightning. Its energy is too powerful and uncontrollable."
Li Ge, although initially amazed, remained skeptical, "Then you said that you can create thunder...electricity using a generator?"
Aryan patiently explained, "Electricity originally existed in nature, and European scientists studied electricity itself and converted it into energy. This energy is the magnetic field."
Li Ge confessed, "I've never heard of a magnetic field before." To him, thunder and lightning were manifestations of heaven's will, and attempting to manipulate them was beyond comprehension.
Aryan reassured Li Ge, "Mr. Lige, you don't need to be surprised. Telegraphs exist in the Far East as well, but you may not be aware of them."
Li Ge inquired further, "There are telegraphs in the Far East?"
Aryan confirmed, "Yes, telegraph lines from Hong Kong to Shanghai and Nagasaki to Shanghai have been laid recently. It is estimated that they are almost completed. The Hexingen Power Company is also planning a telegraph line from Shanghai to Jiaozhou."
Aryan elaborated that these lines were being laid by British, Norwegian, Tsarist Russian, and Danish companies and would be connected to the Danish Great Northern Telegraph Company, effectively establishing a telegraph network in the Far East.
In fact, Aryan was personally involved in coordinating these efforts when he worked in the Far East, helping with translation and liaising between foreign companies and the local government. He knew that the network would significantly improve communication.
While Li Ge was unaware of these developments, he recognized that the Far East lagged behind Europe in terms of science and technology. Aryan, who had previously lived in the Far East, understood this discrepancy well.
Aryan also mentioned that the Far East was gradually embracing modernization, with the Huaihai Economic Zone becoming a focal point. The Heixingen Consortium was at the forefront of this development, investing heavily in the region's telegraph network, which was linked to Xuzhou.
Although the economic prospects of this project were uncertain in the early stages due to the relatively underdeveloped Huaihai Economic Zone, the Heixingen Consortium remained optimistic about its long-term profitability. They believed that Xuzhou's strategic location as a transportation hub would eventually drive its success.
Aryan emphasized that technological progress and the proliferation of telegraph networks were inevitable, making them valuable investments for the future. While the Far East was initially less advanced in this area, it was gradually catching up with the rest of the world.
(end of this chapter)