My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 95 Old Li wants to go to heaven

There are many physical ways to go to space, and the first one that Li Han thought of was a hot air balloon.

Once you go to heaven, all the laws of nature will be put aside.

With the Ming Dynasty's current industrial level just starting out, it would be difficult to manufacture hot air balloons, but it is not impossible.

A hot air balloon mainly consists of three parts: the balloon, the basket and the combustion device. The structure is not complicated, and the most important thing is safety.

Refers to the world's first manned hot air balloon, designed and manufactured by the Montgolfier brothers in France in the 18th century.

The material of the balloon is mainly a fabric made of cotton and thin paper. The cotton provides the main strength and durability, while the thin paper is used to increase the sealing of the balloon and reduce its weight.

This combination of materials was an ideal choice under the technical conditions at the time and was also feasible in the Ming Dynasty.

There was no shortage of cotton cloth in the Ming Dynasty, and as for paper, mulberry paper, which was flexible, wear-resistant and fold-resistant, would also work.

The hanging basket is woven with flexible and strong rattan, which is not only light, but also can play a certain cushioning role when landing.

A slightly more complicated one is the combustion device.

The Montgolfier brothers used flammable materials such as straw and wool as fuel, put them into the combustion chamber to heat and burn them. The hot air produced by the combustion was passed into the balloon through the hot air channel. The balloon expanded due to the heating of the air, and then it could take off and fly.

This design is highly feasible, and Li Han's goal is only to make the hot air balloon fly, and it does not need to navigate, so the sophisticated instruments in modern hot air balloons can be omitted.

At the same time, considering safety, in order to prevent the hot air balloon from flying around, you can also tie a few ropes under the basket and tie it to the ground.

I've made up my mind. I'll ask Xu Nian for his opinion later.

Li Han cooked some delicious noodles and asked the two of them to eat.

Li Momo ate the noodles in small bites, trying her best to look like a lady. However, halfway through, she could no longer care about anything else and simply picked up the bowl and started to devour.

Xu Nian maintained his usual style and ate with big mouthfuls. In his words, eating a little slower would be disrespectful to Li Han's cooking skills.

"Fatty, I have something to ask you." Li Han asked while holding the bowl and eating.

"What's the matter, Lao Li? Just tell me. As long as I don't have to rub or pull the bolt with my hands, we can discuss anything."

Xu Nian said without even raising his head.

A few days ago, after Li Han took away the M1841 craftwork, he kept asking him if he could make a 98K by hand, 56 and a half would be better, but if that didn't work, a Zhongzheng would also be fine.

How could Lao Xu deal with this? Antique guns were still okay, but 98K and 56 semi-automatic?
Even if he is an outlaw, there is no suitable machine to rub it!
Li Momo raised his head and looked at Li Han curiously.

"Do you think that during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, it was possible to make a hot air balloon by hand, similar to the first manned hot air balloon built in France in the 18th century?"

Xu Nian heaved a sigh of relief, thought for a moment and said, "From a technical point of view, it should be feasible with the craftsmanship of the Hongwu period. I have said before that before electrification, the inventions that changed history were not difficult because of the craftsmanship, but the design ideas."

"Many of the instruments that we take for granted today were actually developed by craftsmen and inventors over hundreds or even thousands of years, generation after generation. Therefore, as long as there is existing technology, it is not difficult to make them."

Li Han nodded. With the affirmation of Xu Nian, a tech geek, Lao Zhu could then boldly try it.

When the time comes, I will compile a detailed tutorial on the manufacturing process of hot air balloons, and it would be best to find a teaching video, and then send it to Lao Zhu.

Li Momo looked at Li Han with some longing, "Li Han, are you interested in hot air balloons? I happen to know the owner of a hot air balloon club. Let's go on a hot air balloon ride together someday!"

As if he felt that this made him seem a little impatient, he looked at Xu Nian again and said, "Fatty, come with us!"

Li Han shook his head, "I'm afraid of heights!" Seeing Li Momo's disappointed look, Xu Nian felt so disappointed in his heart. Without me, Old Li, you would be single for the rest of your life!

He said quickly: "Go, you must go, Lao Li, you have a fear of heights, you have to cure it, you have to fight poison with poison!
Momo, go contact the hot air balloon club right now. I will drag Lao Li over to him!"

Li Momo immediately smiled and took out his cell phone to make the call.

Li Han had no choice but to glare at Xu Nian fiercely.

Xu Nian was thick-skinned and quick-witted, so he quickly changed the subject and successfully attracted Li Han's attention.

"However, if we were to build a hot air balloon during the Hongwu period, we wouldn't have to follow the exact method used by the Montegofield brothers. In fact, the combustion equipment could be changed to a gas stove, which would last longer and have a higher thermal efficiency."

"Gas stove?" Li Han was a little confused. Isn't a gas stove the same as a natural gas stove? And the Ming Dynasty did not realize the application of natural gas.

"This gas is not natural gas, but carbon monoxide produced by incomplete combustion of coal."

Xu Nian explained: "You can design a furnace with two combustion chambers. The first one is semi-enclosed, filled with coal, which is continuously heated to produce carbon monoxide.

The density of carbon monoxide is lower than that of air, so it will rise to the second combustion chamber and be fully burned, which can heat the air and make the hot air balloon fly.

And hot air balloons are an open environment, so there is no need to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning."

"Good idea, Fatty, you have a sharp brain!" Li Han patted Xu Nian on the shoulder, "I'll leave the design to you!"

"No, Lao Li, are you serious?" Xu Nian was shocked. He had said so much just to show off, but he didn't expect Li Han really wanted him to design it.

How could he have that free time?

"I've already told you that when writing a historical novel, it's better to be detailed to appear more professional!" Li Han just kept talking nonsense.

"Then for practical purposes, let's adopt a simpler method and just use a coal stove."

In order to save himself trouble, Xu Nian hurriedly tried to make up for it.

"Considering safety and success rate, it is better to use a simpler coal stove. Many of the hot air balloons built by the Montegofield brothers later also used coal stoves. Grinding the coal into ash makes the combustion more efficient and the success rate is almost 100%. Occam's razor tells us that we should not add anything unless it is necessary. The simplest is the best!"

"It's up to you. Anyway, I need a hot air balloon design that can be made by hand during the Hongwu period, with a 100% success rate!"

Li Han put his hands on his hips, looking like a ruthless party.

"Don't forget, all designs must be written in traditional Chinese characters!"

At this time, Li Momo finished the call and said to the two of them happily:
"I'm so lucky. There's a hot air balloon launch today, and the boss said he can reserve one just for me. Let's go now!"

"No, Li Momo, are you serious? Besides, who is the boss to you? You can just keep me if he says so. Are you so proud of me?" Li Han said with a sad face.

Li Momo smiled proudly, "The boss is my good friend who shared the same dormitory with me in college. Of course she will give me face when I ask for help!"

Xu Nian suddenly became excited, took Li Han's hand and walked out.

"Stop talking nonsense. If you want the design, just go ride a hot air balloon. Besides, if you haven't experienced it yourself, how can you write a novel with realism? For the sake of readers, it's nothing to sacrifice a little!"

Please vote, collect and read



(End of this chapter)