Fenghou

Chen Qing stood up and said to Xiangguo: "This is also a potato-like crop called sweet potato. It is also obtained from Nanyang. This kind of sweet potato has a large yield per mu, and it is easy to grow and live. It tastes sweet. It is a kind of vegetable, but the sweet potato is the real food. It can be said that with the sweet potato, the famine problem that plagued the dynasties of all dynasties can be completely solved.”

Zhong Xiangguo has become a little numb to the endless new agricultural products. At first, cotton and cotton wool solved the problem of clothing, and then pumpkin and corn came out. The pumpkin and corn have not been fully digested, and potatoes came out. The shadow of potatoes has not yet been seen. Here comes the sweet potato again.

Zhong Xiangguo smiled wryly, and Zhou Kuan said with a smile: "We are all looking forward to new crops. To be honest, we are more concerned about steam engines that can burn coal for long-distance voyages."

Chen Qing laughed, "Okay! Come back when the harvest is next year. Let's go to the engineering institute first."

……

A group of people came to the engineering institute, Yan Kuo greeted them, and bowed to salute, "My ministers see Your Majesty!"

Chen Qing smiled slightly: "Although you gave me a two-month guarantee, I don't care about your delay. I just want to see good results!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, in fact, it was finished more than a month ago. We made repeated improvements, and it was finally finalized ten days ago. We have tried several times, and it has been successful and smooth. It will definitely satisfy His Highness."

"Go and see!"

Yan Kuo led the crowd to a large room. In the middle of the room stood a boiler with a height of one foot, made of wrought iron. The walls of the boiler were very thick. There was a long black chimney leading straight to the roof. This kind of copper tube is different from the musket copper tube. It is made of two halves of copper tubes combined into one and welded with copper water. The other end is a huge black box that makes a rumbling sound.

"Your Majesty, fellow ministers, this is a steam engine."

Yan Kuo tried his best to use a popular explanation to make Xiangguo understand, which was actually the explanation given by Chen Qing in class.

"We all know that when boiling water, the water vapor can push the lid up. This is a kind of heat. The flying of Kongming lanterns and the rotation of revolving lanterns are all driven by heat. The steam engine uses the power of steam. There is a copper plug inside. The steam first pushes The copper plug moves forward, and then changes the direction of the steam, pushing the copper plug backwards, and the copper plug moves back and forth like this."

Everyone understood, and using the steam to push the copper plug back and forth, Jiang Yanxian asked, "How to change the direction of the steam?"

"Use the gate valve!"

Yan Kuo smiled and said: "It's the relationship between the front door and the back door. When the back door is closed, the steam can only go through the front door. Push the copper plug forward, close the front door, open the back door, steam go through the back door, and push the copper plug back. That's it. repeatedly."

Everyone nodded and understood, Jiang Yanxian smiled and said: "It's indeed very subtle, Dr. Yan, please continue to talk!"

"Then there is a copper rod on the copper plug, please look at it!"

When everyone came over, they saw two long copper rods protruding from the iron box, moving forward and backward at the same time. Yan Kuo explained: "This is a steam engine for ships. There is a runner on each side of the big ship, so it is Two copper rods are needed, and the copper rods are connected to the upper connecting rod of the shaft disc. When the connecting rod rotates, the shaft disc rotates. Did you see that there are two very long shafts on the shaft disc, which are constantly rotating."

Zhou Kuan suddenly understood, "These two shafts are connected to the outer wheel of the big ship, right?"

"That's right, that's how the wheel keeps turning, taking the ship forward."

Jiang Yanxian smiled and said, "I was thinking, if a steam engine is turned on the cart, can it also drive the wheels forward, without using a horse?"

Chen Qing nodded and said with a smile: "Jiang Xiangguo is right. If the runners of the boat are replaced with wheels, can the boat walk on land? Of course, it is not called a boat, but a steam locomotive, but this requires the construction of a steam locomotive. Special roads, this steam locomotive is like dragging hundreds of boats in the water, and it can also drag hundreds of carts on land, transporting tens of thousands of stone materials or soldiers to the Western Regions and grasslands at a time, and then from the grasslands The Western Regions transported tens of thousands of livestock or tens of thousands of shi of grain back, and they can arrive in a few days. Does this mean that we can surpass the Tang and Song Dynasties and completely control the grasslands and the Western Regions? Why are we afraid of the rise of foreign races?"

Everyone was excited to hear that. Since the Han and Tang Dynasties, the imperial court has been unable to control the Western Regions and Mobei Grassland, and finally lost control. If there is such a steam locomotive that transports a large amount of manpower and material resources, it will arrive within a few days. Then it will really be completely controlled Grassland and the Western Regions.

"Your Majesty, is it possible?" Jiang Yanxian asked.

Chen Qing nodded, "It's totally possible, but not necessarily now, maybe a few years, ten years later, steam engine trains will appear."

"train!"

Yan Kuo nodded, "That's a good name!"

Regarding the idea of ​​the train, Chen Qing has communicated with Yan Kuo and other master craftsmen. Their biggest difficulty at present is the insufficient production of pig iron. Increase rapidly.

"Excuse me, Dr. Yan, what is this?" Zhou Kuan asked, pointing to another copper pipe connected to the boiler.

"That's the condensing pipe, and the steam goes back from here, condenses into water and flows back to the boiler."

Yan Kuo said again: "Everyone, this kind of steam engine seems to be very simple, but it is actually extremely difficult to make, otherwise we would not have developed it for three years, and we once had an explosion because the furnace wall was too thin. Two craftsmen Only after his unfortunate death did we know the power of water vapor to expand, so the furnace wall must be thickened, and a portion of water vapor must be released every two hours to reduce the expansion pressure."

Everyone came out of the research and development workshop and sat down in the lobby. Chen Qing said: "The next step is to arrange for craftsmen to build steam engines, and to board the ship for sea trials. May I ask Dr. Yan, how many people are involved in the development of steam engines in Taixue?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there are 22 students, 37 craftsmen, including the ministers, exactly 60 people."

"How long does it take you to build a steam engine?"

"If all kinds of financial and material resources are sufficient, one can be built in about a month."

"Financial resources and material resources are not a problem. Everyone, including students, is treated as a first-class craftsman. How much money, materials, and soldiers are guaranteed. I hope you can recruit 50 more people and build two steam engines a month. .”

Yan Kuo hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, what we need is not ordinary craftsmen, I'm afraid we won't be able to recruit them."

Chen Qing said to Jiang Yanxian: "Jiang Xiangguo, come and arrange craftsmen!"

Jiang Yanxian nodded, "The steam engine can be listed as a special item, which is equivalent to the iron fire thunder. The minister will ask the craftsman to arrange the best craftsman."

"Then there is the issue of confidentiality!"

Chen Qing said to Yan Kuo again: "I have told you before, and I need to emphasize again that all blueprints, technologies and key personnel must not be leaked, and internal guards will send people to supervise. Everyone, the world is big, not just us The Han Dynasty, in the far west, there are many powerful countries, once they learn our technology, we will miss many great opportunities, and we will be ashamed of our descendants."

Yan Kuo nodded, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, we will never leak it!"

The first thousand and 540 chapter three applications

After returning from Taixue, Chen Qing was still full of emotions, and called all the ministers together in the meeting hall.

"While visiting the steam engine, I suddenly thought of one thing, which is about keeping secrets. In fact, Tie Huolei is the one who achieves the ultimate in secrecy. Jin Guo and Song Dynasty tried their best to not steal Tie Huolei's secret. Now The steam engine was successfully developed, and I thought of keeping it secret again, but this time I was a little hesitant, I wonder if the idea of ​​keeping it secret is wrong?"

"What is Your Majesty worried about?" Jiang Yanxian asked.

Chen Qing pondered for a while and said: "The steam engine is not an iron fire thunder, it will promote the prosperity of the Yong Dynasty, if all walks of life do not use it, it will not be able to exert its great ability, more importantly, it has just started, and Huge potential for improvement, and if we stick to secrecy, chances are it won't improve."

"Does Your Majesty think that under the current secrecy system, the technology can never be leaked?"

Chen Qing shook his head, "There is still a secret in Baimi. There is a Tie Huo Lei that was stolen by the Koreans, but I didn't go back because of it. The Tie Huo Lei is not allowed to be used for civilian purposes. If you are afraid of being stolen by others, lock the Tie Huo Lei." In the cupboard, it’s a waste of food because of choking.”

At this time, Zhang Jun said with a smile: "Your Majesty, this minister said one thing, which may inspire His Majesty!"

"Zhang Xiangguo, please tell me!"

"About five years ago, a few Persians came to Pingjiang Prefecture. They visited a farmhouse in Pingjiang Prefecture that raised silkworms and reeled silk. They offered to buy two pairs of silkworms for 20 taels of silver. The farmhouse ran to report to the officials. Several Persians were arrested by the government and beaten with a hundred sticks. They were locked up for a year before they were released. Of course, this was just a coincidence. On the matter of keeping silkworm breeding technology secret from foreigners, both the government and the common people have a consensus.”

"I agree with Zhang Xiangguo's idea, to popularize the awareness of secrecy, especially to form a consensus among officials and craftsmen."

Xu Xiantu also said: "Your Majesty, do you still remember the book "The Great Sage Havoc in Heaven"?"

Chen Qing nodded, "I remember, Xu Xiangguo, please continue."

"At that time, this book sold very well, and it was printed and sold by the "Beijing News". Later, a bookstore secretly carved a set of boards, and sold tens of thousands of copies, earning one or two thousand dollars. The Beijing News found out and reported it to the officials immediately. The owner of the bookstore was arrested, the money for buying the books was confiscated, the boards were burned, and the owner was beaten with fifty sticks. He made a public apology in the Beijing News. I made a profit, and posted hundreds of copies, and my reputation was ruined. Later, the "Beijing News" sold the board to another bookstore, and the bookstore printed books and sold them on Shandong Road and Hebei Road, and they sold well. Earned more than 2000 yuan.

In fact, Weichen thinks that as long as the key technology of the steam engine is not sold, and other big businessmen are allowed to participate in the manufacture, and skilled craftsmen from all over the world continue to participate, the steam engine will be better and better. "

Zhou Kuan also laughed and said: "It is not so easy to manufacture a steam engine. I can bet that if I send a steam engine to Persia, they will not be able to imitate it. They will not be able to cast the boiler alone. It is a one-piece casting. Just that one." Molds can only be made after hundreds of years of technological progress in the Song Dynasty, and the Persians can't even make the anchors of large ships, but they can also make boilers?"

Chen Qing felt a little ashamed. These prime ministers had profound insights, even surpassing himself. They all knew that without sufficient national strength and technology accumulation, they could not build a steam engine.

Blocking the technical secrets of the steam engine by oneself is indeed a bit complacent, which is not conducive to technological progress.

Chen Qing nodded, "Let's decide like this! The technology can be transferred to businessmen for a fee, and they are allowed to build themselves, but all steam engines built must pass the inspection and acceptance of the craftsman before they are allowed to be used. Secondly, anyone is strictly prohibited from selling steam engines to foreign countries. The steam engine technology is not allowed to flow out, and those who violate the order will be executed by the whole family!"

……

In the afternoon, after lunch, Chen Qing closed his eyes and rested in the imperial study. At this time, Yang Tai whispered at the door: "Your Majesty, Duke Zheng please see me!"

Chen Qing sat up and asked, "Is Zheng Tongquan?"

"It's him!"

Chen Qing nodded, "Please come in!"

After a while, Zheng Tongquan walked in quickly. Zheng Tongquan had already resigned from his official position, and he had lost interest in being an official. Chen Qing named him Duke of Hejian County, Prince Shaobao, Jia Tejin, and made him retire with honor.

"My servant sees Your Majesty!

"Zheng Gong is alive!"

Zheng Tongquan said apologetically, "I'm ashamed for disturbing Your Majesty's afternoon rest!"

"You're welcome, please sit down!"

Chen Qing smiled and asked Zheng Tongquan to sit down, and said, "I haven't seen Mr. Zheng for a long time, what are you up to lately?"

Chen Qing was involved in many properties of the Zheng family, but Chen Qing never asked, and it was always the communication between Zheng Tongquan's youngest daughter, Zheng Qiaomei, and Queen Lu Xiu.

If it weren't for Zheng Qiaomei's lack of looks, she would most likely enter the palace as a concubine.

However, Zheng Qiaomei married Lu Xiu's third elder brother, Lu Shao, and is currently serving as a doctor in Duzhi, which can be regarded as a kind of marriage.

Zheng Tongquan said with a smile: "Recently, we have been planning to build a ship school to train young shipbuilders."

Chen Qing was immediately interested, and asked anxiously, "How many students are there?"

"There are a lot of students, there are thousands of them, and there are tens of thousands of applicants, but many of them have never studied, so they don't meet the requirements!"

Learning shipbuilding is a sweet thing. Now the shipbuilding industry is the most prosperous industry in the Yong Dynasty. The monthly income of a first-class master craftsman who can supervise the construction of sea ships is as high as [-] guan, and ordinary master craftsmen also have a monthly income of [-] guan. Carpenters also have a monthly income of [-] guan, that is to say, after learning how to build a ship, they earn at least [-] guan a month, and they are still scrambling for it.

"How long does it usually take to study?"

"In two to three years, Weichen plans to build another branch school in Quanzhou, but Weichen will cooperate with the Quanzhou government, and Weichen's son will run it."

"Apart from building a shipbuilding school, do you have any other plans?"

Zheng Tongquan hesitated and said, "I want to build a steam engine, I don't know..."

Chen Qing was stunned for a moment, "How did Mr. Zheng know about the steam engine?"

"Your Highness, do you still remember the big bell made by Weichen, the Yu family, and the Wang family?"

Chen Qing nodded. It was still a matter of last year. Zheng Tongquan, Yu Haifeng, and Wang Zhenbang jointly obtained the technology of making the big gravity clock, and began to invest in making the big clock. It is because of their taking over that the big clock spread so fast.

"Did you have an idea at that time?" Chen Qing asked with a smile.

"At that time, we knew that Taixue was developing a machine that could be installed on a large ship to replace manpower. We have been paying attention to it. A few months ago, when they first tested it, the three of us went to visit it. .”

"and then?"

Zheng Tongquan said embarrassingly: "Then this morning when we heard that His Majesty and the Prime Ministers went to Taixue, we knew that the steam engine had been officially developed, so we really wanted to participate in the manufacturing."

Chen Qing smiled and asked: "There should be another Xiangguo who notified Zheng Gong!"

"Zhou Xiangguo, he has a very good personal relationship with Wei Chen. He told Wei Chen that His Majesty agreed to let go of the manufacturing of steam engines, and powerful businessmen can also participate."

"I think it's him too!"

Chen Qing didn't care about Zhou Kuan's reporting to Zheng Tongquan. As long as it doesn't violate the principle, there is nothing wrong with reporting the opportunity.

Chen Qing smiled and said, "Did Zhou Xiangguo tell you that there are conditions for building steam engines!"

"He said that the first thing to do is to apply to the craftsman. The craftsman thinks that we have the strength to build before he approves it. Then he has to spend money to buy technology. The Academy will send someone to guide us in the construction. Finally, the craftsman has to check whether it is qualified. , the steam engine can be used.

In addition, rumors are not allowed. This is definitely no problem, but I just don’t know what conditions are required?What kind of strength do we need to be approved by the Craftsman Superintendent? "

The first thousand and 540 chapter four preparations

Chen Qing thought for a while and said: "It is estimated that the craftsman will also ask me for instructions. My idea is that first of all, the East is mainly from the Yong Dynasty, and must not be foreigners, and all the people involved in making machines must not be foreigners. This is the first time. one.

Second, you must have strong financial resources, and the investment cost must be more than [-] guan. I believe there will be no problem with the three of you; third, you must establish a special trading company. Institutions, one is the construction workshop, the other is the technology research institute. In fact, there should be a commercial firm responsible for purchasing raw materials; fourth, there must be a large site. This site should be in the downwind direction of Jingzhao, a little distance from Jingzhao Convenience, I think Xianyang is better;

Fifth, to have the ability to recruit high-level craftsmen, that is, to be able to recruit and retain people, you have to consider providing housing for the craftsmen, basically the above five points! "

"Wei Chen understands, Wei Chen will go back and discuss it, and then proceed to apply."

Chen Qing said indifferently: "Generally speaking, we will approve two or three merchants who build steam engines. At present, the steam engine of Taixue will be installed on a [-] stone cargo ship for testing. After the spring, it will be in Guangyuntan I saw it."

Zheng Tongquan understood the emperor's hint and urged himself to apply quickly. With competitors, it would not be so easy to apply.

"I'm going to discuss it now! If you don't disturb His Majesty's rest, I will leave!"

Zheng Tongquan bowed and withdrew, and Chen Qing told Yang Tai, "I'm going to take a nap for half an hour, don't let anyone disturb me anymore!"

……

Zheng Tongquan left the palace in a hurry, came outside the gate of Taiji Palace, boarded a large carriage, and the carriage slowly drove south.

Inside the carriage, Zheng Tongquan informed Yu Qingfeng and Wang Zhenbang of the emperor's attitude.

Yu Qingfeng immediately said: "There is no problem with one hundred thousand guan. Brother Wang and I will pay [-] guan, and Mr. Zheng will pay [-] guan. How about it?"

The reason why they gave up [-]% of the share to Zheng Tongquan was that they were worried that the emperor would also take [-]% of the share.

Zheng Tongquan understood what they were thinking, shook his head and said, "The emperor does not participate in this business. It's still the same as making clocks. I account for [-]%, and the two of you each make [-]%. Then the clock making and steam engine making will be combined into one."

The two readily agreed, "That's it, four three three, it's more fair, and then, let's go and see the venue."

Wang Zhenbang said with a smile: "It happens that there is a vacant lot for sale in the west of Xianyang. It covers an area of ​​[-] mu and is close to the Weihe River. The asking price is [-] guan. Let's take a look."

Zheng Tongquan gave an order, and the carriage turned around and drove towards the west gate.

The three of them continued to discuss in the carriage. They changed the name of the original clock slightly. It was originally called "Kyushu Gravity Clock Workshop". Recruit [-] master craftsmen, each with [-] yuan per month, and try to build ten steam engines every month, each priced at [-] yuan. Net profit, the cost can be recovered in three years.

The three also unanimously agreed that Yu An, the current head of the Gravity Clock Workshop, will be the head of the new business company, and each of the three companies will send an accountant to be responsible for the accounting. Yu An is the third son of Yu Qingfeng. Extremely clever, he is now able to participate in the installation of the gravity clock.