Chapter 145 Blizzard Returns
Whether Perficott needed a large-scale autonomous machine, there was no doubt after she took Andrew back to the North with her.
Because another blizzard has swept across the entire northern border, this time the thickness of the snow has exceeded one meter.
Looking at the chest-high snow on both sides of the cleared road, Andrew was horrified.
He is already considered tall, but even so, he would probably be unable to move even if he encounters such deep snow.
Northern cities in the New World colonies also encountered heavy snowfalls in winter, but even when it could be called a snowstorm, the snow never reached this depth.
This really opened Andrew's eyes and at the same time he was deeply shocked. He couldn't help but sigh: "Is this winter in the north? The snow is too heavy! No wonder, Lord Earl, you said you need a large size. Machinery, it’s really not possible without a big enough machine.”
Snow more than one meter deep was a very terrifying existence even in the original world before Perfection traveled through, and not many things could handle it. So much snow and the cold weather that comes with it.
Not to mention in this era, there are no crawlers, diesel engines, etc. Apart from their own two legs, the only things humans can use are sleds and steam locomotives.
If Perficott had not built the airship, I am afraid that traffic in the north would be cut off now.
And it is not that communication with the New World colonies and the mainland of the empire is cut off, but only the communication between the Eagle Beak Cliff base and the fjord camp is cut off.
Due to the heavy snow, the railway connecting the three current strongholds in the north was directly buried. The deep snow made the railway snow removal and debris removal equipment useless.
"What's the situation now? Is anyone clearing the snow?" As soon as she came back and heard such bad news, Purficott's mood suddenly became very bad. She didn't bother to arrange for Andrew, and went directly to The civilian officials who always reported to him asked about the current specific situation.
“The current situation is very bad. Although we have organized manpower to excavate the rails on the railway side, everything including the four locomotives and all the carriages has been submerged in the snow. Railway traffic is now completely interrupted. "The official reported to Purficott, his face full of seriousness and worry.
Speaking of which, before this official came to the North with others, he did not know that the conditions in the North were so difficult, nor did he know that the wind and snow in the North were so terrible.
However, his sense of responsibility as an imperial civil servant kept him from flinching, and he still performed his duties conscientiously.
Of course, he has no way out.
Except for airships, the current northern border is really facing a cutoff in transportation. Before transportation is restored, let alone running away, even the fuel for heating is running out.
"Is there not enough fuel? I remember I requested that both the Eagle Beak Cliff Base and the Fjord Camp must reserve at least enough coal to last for more than a week. How can it not be enough?" Ficott frowned, obviously dissatisfied with this situation.
After being questioned by Purficott, the official couldn't help but feel nervous, but he still hurriedly explained: "There were several heavy snowfalls before this blizzard, which caused a reduction in coal mine production, so after the blizzard The coal reserves at the Eagle's Mouth Cliff Base and Fjord Camp have dropped to 60% of their original capacity.
Afterwards, the blizzard hit the coal mines and completely stopped production. Further consumption of coal has caused the reserves to drop to a very dangerous level. We now have to adopt a rationing system to reduce coal consumption. "Is the situation so bad?" "Perfect frowned very much. She didn't expect that the situation was so bad.
She was originally worried that the wind and snow in the north might cause traffic interruptions and prevent her from getting coal-fired supplies. With certain predictions, we ordered to reserve coal for at least a week to prepare for emergencies.
However, we did not expect that we underestimated the impact of the severe weather in the north, which has led to the current cutoff of coal supply. , the coal reserve is almost exhausted.
Thinking of this, she asked directly: "How long will the coal be enough to use under the rationing system? Three days or five days? ”
"It's...two days." The official cringed a little and answered Purficott's question in a low voice.
This answer made her frown suddenly and her face became very ugly.
However, the official quickly added: "There are still some timber reserves here at the Yingzui Cliff Base. They were sleepers cut down during the construction of the railway. We made statistics and found that they can last for about two or three days.
But the fuel consumption at the fjord camp is greater than ours. They may not have enough fuel.”
“Let all the steam knights of the White Bear Knights go out to cut down the trees. No living people can do it. Let the urine suffocate you to death. There are forests around here, and wood can be burned." Purficott immediately issued an order to the White Bear Knights around him, and asked: "How many people in the Knights can use steam currently? Is the knight armored?”
"At present, all the great knights of the Knights can use the Steam Knight Armor. About 80% of the official knights can use the Steam Knight Armor. If you need it, the Knights can gather fifty knights who can use the Steam Knight Armor." Captain William stood next to Purfict and reported. He was currently wearing a steam knight armor, and he understood why Purfict asked this.
Perfect nodded, thought about it carefully and then said: "Excuse me, please dispatch all the steam knights now to first open the railway line from Eagle Beak Cliff to the fjord, and at the same time gather all the people who can use steam. The knights of the knight armor rushed to the fjord camp by airship and unsealed the steam knight armor there. "
"Yes, Lord Earl" Captain William accepted the order, but then asked: " What are our specific mission arrangements?”
He needs to confirm the specific missions of the Knights to avoid deviations.
Perfect nodded slightly, feeling the biting cold, she thought for a while and said: "Your main task is to open up the railway line, and then leave ten Steam Knights each in the fjord and Eagle Beak Cliff. Cut down trees to replenish fuel in both locations
Others... forget it, I'll find a way over there at the coal mine. Your task is to ensure the fuel supply to the fjord and Eagle Beak Cliff. ”
“I understand, the White Bear Knights will never disappoint you! "This can be said to be the first formal mission after the establishment of the White Bear Knights. Captain William naturally hopes to complete it perfectly and beautifully.
While he arranged for his followers to pass the order, he also took the rest of the mission with him. All the steam knights went to the train station at the base of Eagle Beak Cliff, intending to dig out the small train first
(End of this chapter)