I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 874: Turbodrill

Paris, Davaz Town, Tractor Factory.

Dejoka was flipping through the drawings sent by Shire in his office.

It seemed to be an improvement in drilling technology.

Dejoka recently happened to have some knowledge of it because it related to the business of the Romanian Petroleum Company.

However, Dejoka didn't know much; he only knew that the first breakthrough in drilling technology was Fowell's invention of the artificial flushing device, which could pressurize and water directly through the drilling tool, then flush the crushed rock and mud from the surface through the drainage channel.

(Note: Fowell was a French engineer who obtained a patent for the artificial flushing device at the end of 1844.)

The second breakthrough was the American rotary drill technology, a drilling method with a chisel or drill bit mounted at the end, driven by a steam engine to rotate, much more efficient than an impact drill.

(Note: The American rotary drill technology was patented around 1880.)

Now.

Dejoka flipped through the drawings. Could Shire be aiming for a third breakthrough in drilling?

(The above figure shows the turbine drill, the third breakthrough in drilling technology. It combines the previous two technologies by converting the kinetic energy of the flushing fluid into mechanical energy to drive the drill bit's rotation. The design is not complex, but no one thought of it or implemented it for nearly 40 years after the second breakthrough until its invention in 1922.)

Just as Dejoka was about to give up thinking about how this drill works, Fusenden knocked and entered.

He took off his duckbill cap, politely bowed to Dejoka: "Hello, sir, have you been looking for me?"

Fusenden had never been so polite to an employer, not even when he was earning a high salary at the American Power Signal Company.

The reason was that he had to be wary of employers at all times because they were usually eyeing the patents Fusenden held. They were Fusenden's potential enemies.

But Shire was different.

Shire was the person who opened the door to a new world for Fusenden. In this new world, there were countless patents, wealth, and honor waiting for Fusenden to claim.

Even the patents Shire could offer made Fusenden's own patents seem insignificant.

"Yes, professor." Dejoka beckoned for Fusenden to step forward:

"Look at this, I'm not sure if you have researched drilling technology."

"Also, I'm curious about how this thing works; its driving mechanism doesn't seem to be on the rotating rod."

Fusenden took the drawings and quickly became too shocked to speak; he left Dejoka aside, sat down on the sofa, and, with trembling hands, put on his glasses and eagerly went through them.

As he read, he nodded, then looked at Dejoka with excitement: "A great idea, Mr. Dejoka, this must be Shire's invention, isn't it?"

"Is this... an invention?" Dejoka was somewhat skeptical: "Are you sure it can be implemented?"

"Yes, of course." Fusenden nodded assuredly:

"It's not complicated; it could even be described as 'simple'."

"We are currently using a steam engine to drive the rotating rod as a replacement for the previous impact drilling."

"But the rotary drill has a fatal flaw; its drill string has to keep turning, which needlessly consumes a lot of mechanical energy, and during rotation, the rod will also rub and collide with the wellbore, leading to malfunctions."

At this point, Fusenden raised the drawings in his hand: "And this drilling method resolves these problems well; it uses flushing fluid to drive the drill bit."

It seemed that Dejoka understood, as he slowly nodded: "This could bring us significant benefits, right?"

"Of course, Mr. Dejoka." Fusenden eagerly replied before Dejoka could finish: "Its efficiency might be much higher than rotary drills. With this technology, we can find oil much faster!"

Dejoka was instantly stunned; could it really have such a significant impact?

What was Shire thinking?

Just then, cheers erupted from downstairs, and workers even ran out from the workshop, hands raised, shouting, "Long live France!"

"What's happening?" Dejoka puzzledly looked downstairs through the window.

Behind him came a loud "bang" as the door was heavily pushed open, and the secretary burst in.

Dejoka was startled; since when was Fanny so reckless?

But the secretary didn't care; she was full of excitement, holding a newspaper in front of Dejoka:

"I apologize, Mr. Dejoka."

"I couldn't wait to share this great news with you!"

"Shire won the battle; he led the Eastern Army Group to defeat the Germans, and the Germans are retreating on all fronts!"

Dejoka was so surprised that he couldn't close his mouth for a long time.

Before this, everyone thought Shire would be stuck in a lengthy stalemate, and even military commentators thought so:

"If it were the First Armored Army facing the Germans at the Nancy front, I believe Shire could achieve victory as before. But now, he commands the Eastern Army Group."

"Yes, and we all know the Eastern Army Group and Shire don't get along; they are even opponents."

"In this situation, hoping for victory is only wishful thinking. Additionally, there's the rainy season, which is another challenge."

...

However, before anyone was mentally prepared, news suddenly came of Shire's victory, and it was the "full retreat of the German Army."

Dejoka picked up the newspaper and saw that it was indeed true; the German Army was retreating to the Metz line, and Shire's First Armored Army and the US Armored Division were using pontoon bridges to forcefully cross the Meuse River.

...

In front of Dejoka's small house, neighbors crowded around to offer Camille their blessings:

"Shire is our pride, Madam Bernard, thank you and Shire for bringing us victory."

"And glory, Shire's aim is not just to win; he doesn't want France and Germany to suffer more casualties."

"Yes, he wishes to end this meaningless war; he doesn't see the German military and civilians as enemies. I believe this is his true greatness." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Camille responded to them with a smile, trying her best not to lose composure. After all, similar events had occurred many times, but in the end, she couldn't hold back, and tears of pride welled up.

...

Paris was also filled with cheers as people spread the news among each other, and many wondered why the Eastern Army Group, always known for defeats, could achieve such astounding combat power under Shire's command.

In the office of the minister at City Hall, Gallieni fell into silence in front of a map hanging on the wall.

He saw farther than others:

"The Germans are short on ammunition, and the heavy equipment for tanks can almost be ignored."

"Now the 2nd Army's flank is being attacked, and the little heavy equipment they have left will either be destroyed or captured."

"Press on, young man, if you continue the pursuit relentlessly, you'll be the first to reclaim Lorraine and Alsace and completely drive the Germans out of France!"