My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 67 Steam Engine, Complete
Although the portrait of Lao Zhu is certainly not as valuable as "Visiting a Friend with a Lute" in its current condition, it is of greater significance to Li Han.

The value and significance of the portrait personally presented by Zhu Yuanzhang cannot be measured by money.

Not to mention that the drawing paper for this painting can only be found in museums today, and its manufacturing process has long been lost.

Just talking about the person who painted this picture, judging from the colors and painting techniques, it is very likely the work of Sun Wenzong, one of Zhu Yuanzhang's court painters.

During the Hongwu period, there were many court painters, but only three of them have been passed down to the present day: Shen Xiyuan, Chen Yuan, and Sun Wenzong.

Among the three, Sun Wenzong is the most famous. He is an outstanding painter in the Ming Dynasty and is particularly good at conveying the spirit of the characters. He can accurately capture and express the expressions and emotions of the characters.

Only his style could depict Old Zhu's majestic and dignified temperament so vividly.

It was as if Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting in front of him at this moment.

Moreover, this is the only portrait in the world that depicts Zhu Yuanzhang's true appearance, and it is the freshly-printed appearance of Zhu Yuanzhang in the 15th year of Hongwu. Its historical and cultural value is self-evident.

However, for Li Han, the most important thing is Lao Zhu's deep friendship.

This painting must be passed down as a family heirloom to future generations.

Well, it has to be framed quickly. Li Han searched the store and found that the best frame had already been used for "Visiting a Friend with a Lute".

Well, I have to go out and buy it again.

But there is no need to rush, just read the letter first.

He carefully spread the painting aside and then opened the letter.

When he saw the first sentence, Li Han couldn't help but burst into laughter.

where am I?
Still traveling around?
Old Li, I'm just staying at home obediently now. If you go out and turn left about a hundred meters, you will find your home, the Forbidden City, Old Zhu.

Well, it’s called the Ming Palace Ruins here.

In a sense, we can be considered as neighbors who have to meet each other.

As for soaring over the Pacific?

amount……

Although it is possible to fly over the Pacific Ocean, I, Lao Li, don’t like flying because I’m afraid of heights!
Hey, did Lao Zhu see bacteria?
It seems that the microscope has been used, and the discovery of bacteria or cells is a leap forward in biology.

However, Li Han himself did not expect that, as originally envisioned, the first discipline to be developed in the Ming Dynasty should be engineering.

I didn't expect it to be biology. It feels absurd as if the technology tree has gone astray.

However, progress in biology can also bring about rapid development in medicine. I hope Lou Ying can become the first biologist in the Ming Dynasty, or even in the world.

When Li Han saw Zhu Yuanzhang's opinions on the needle-fired gun by Xu Da, Li Wenzhong and Tang He, he could not help but stand in awe.

Tang He's method of using firearms was most in line with the reality of the Ming Dynasty. He obviously combined the advantages of the Ming Dynasty's official army and the advantages of firearms.

Moreover, Tang He was able to take the issue of bullet production into consideration, which showed that he had taken care of logistics when he joined the rebel army.

Xu Da's idea amazed Li Han. Isn't the gun formation he proposed the linear formation used by the Prussian army in the 18th century?

Line formation, also known as line tactics, can form a dense firepower network on the battlefield, maximize firepower and continuous output, and form a strong suppression on the enemy.

Moreover, the Ming Dynasty's opponents were still in the era of bird guns, and there was a natural difference in range, firing speed, and power. Once they encountered the Ming Dynasty's linear formation, it would be a one-sided massacre without suspense. Xu Da alone was hundreds of years ahead of the world!
Li Han was filled with awe and could not help but admire the wisdom of the ancients. What limited them was only the times.

If they can break the shackles of the times, they can create amazing miracles!
But what Li Han most did not expect was the method proposed by Li Wenzhong.

Isn’t this just a night raid by a sniper team and special forces?
Although the Ming Dynasty also had scouts, the way they were used was obviously very different from what Li Wenzhong proposed.

Historically, Li Wenzhong's fighting style was similar to Chang Yuchun's. He was good at using fast maneuvers and flexible tactics, and had all kinds of strange and clever tricks, and he never stuck to the rules.

After Chang Yuchun's death, he further developed this style and swept across the grassland!

This genius brain was able to quickly come up with sniper tactics after seeing the power of the needle-fired gun, which was in line with Li Wenzhong's personality.

Those who can become founding heroes have all experienced thousands of battles. War has long been integrated into their blood, and none of them is a good person.

According to Li Han's idea, the views of the three people are actually correct, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In fact, combining the methods of the three people is the best solution.

Li Han had to think carefully about Zhu Yuanzhang's suggestion of how to carry out the industrial revolution, as this was not something that could be accomplished overnight.

Industrial Revolution, you have to develop industry first and then revolutionize.

Watt did not improve the steam engine on a whim; he was in the business of casting machines.

There is motivation only when there is real need. So what are the real needs of the Ming Dynasty?

Maritime trade, shipbuilding!

This is not only an economic need, but also a more urgent military need. To conquer Japan, even with Goryeo as a springboard, there is at least a two hundred miles of sea area, not to mention the rampant pirates.

Moreover, to control the Strait of Malacca, we need ships with larger displacement and more horsepower.

Then the steam engine should really be put on the agenda.

In addition, industrial development also requires two vital things, steel and coal.

Coal is easy to get, as China has the most of it. Isn’t a famous coal-producing province located in the Central Plains?
As for iron ore?

Li Han wanted to tell Lao Zhu the locations of the iron mines in Siberia, Australia and Brazil immediately, but this was obviously unrealistic.

Suddenly, he slapped his head and realized that he had been thinking too much about politics and had fallen into a common sense misunderstanding, always thinking that China lacked iron ore!

In fact, compared with other countries, China's iron ore reserves are only third in the world, equivalent to Brazil.

The reason why China has the impression of lacking iron ore is not only because many of the ores are poor quality, but also because China's steel production is too large.

For example, in 2023, China's steel production will be about 10 billion tons.

What does this mean? At that time, the world's total steel production was 19 billion tons, which means that China alone accounted for more than half of the world's total.

To put it more intuitively, China's steel production is more than three times the combined steel production of the United States and the Soviet Union during the peak of the Cold War!
And this is the output under the premise of limiting production capacity.

Therefore, it is against the will of heaven that China does not lack iron ore!
But this is China in the 21st century, and for the Ming Dynasty, it was like living on an iron mine.

Besides, who says that the Ming Dynasty cannot own Siberia and Australia?
Thank you for your votes, please continue to support Garlic and keep sending firepower



(End of this chapter)