"Bingquan" is an old-fashioned steam paddle steamer with a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour.
It has been in service on the "Ligong River" for hundreds of years. Even if it has undergone several renovations, even if its main material is made of Yunzhou green wood, which is said to be "incorruptible for thousands of years", it still cannot hide the "decaying" smell on the hull.
At this time, Zhao Chen, who was standing on the deck, raised his head and looked at the chimney emitting white smoke on the top of the cabin, his eyes full of doubts.
"What are you thinking about?" A voice came from behind, and Zhao Chen knew it was Senior Brother Feng without turning around.
But he still turned around to salute, and then asked casually: "I'm wondering what the so-called 'steam engine' actually burns, and why it generates so much power."
Although the original owner also had information related to steam machinery in his memory, and even knew that there was a steam train station leading to the inland states in Zhangye, the prefecture, but he was completely unclear about how it worked... The original owner's experience was mainly spent on On the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.
"I don't know why it generates power. After all, this kind of knowledge involving principles is 'poisonous' and no one will teach it easily... But I really know what it burns." Senior Brother Feng responded with a smile.
"What to burn?" Zhao Chen asked curiously.
Anyway, it’s not coal that’s being burned… First, the color of the smoke is wrong; second, the smoke coming out of the chimney is full of aroma, and I can’t even tell it’s something like coal.
"The fuel of today's steam engines is a kind of 'charcoal' made from 'nuanyang wood'.
"It is very resistant to burning, and the amount of heat it generates is amazing. A small piece of 'Warm Sun Wood' the size of an arm is enough for the 'Bingquan' to travel back and forth between the county town and the Chijin area."
Perhaps it was because Zhao Chen's "Five Immortals Zhongling Zhenqi" had not been completely restrained. Brother Feng did not show off, but instead said, "This kind of wood was originally cultivated by Huashen Sect, one of the sects. In the past few hundred years, it has been extended to the entire Bacteria.
“In areas like Ganzhou where the climate is not suitable, many farmers are planting these trees and selling them for money.
"Of course, this is also because the imperial court can supply unlimited red millet, which makes farmers more inclined to plant some cash crops."
Is the Huashen Sect so generous? Zhao Chen was a little surprised at first, but then he thought of something and asked tentatively: "Does the Flower God Sect control the saplings of the 'Nuanyang Wood'?"
"Isn't this a matter of course? Only the 'Warm Sunwood' obtained from the saplings provided by the Flower God Sect has the best burning effect. The one I cut privately is more than ten times worse." Having said this, Feng Cang sighed, " My former neighbor didn't believe in evil and took cuttings and cultivated them himself. As a result, not only did the 'Warm Sun Wood' he planted not have the burning effect up to standard, the entire land was destroyed, and no other crops could be grown for more than ten years."
Sure enough... Daxia has lasted for more than 8,000 years. Even if the development of various ideas is slow, it is only for ordinary people. The existence of "Shengxuan" such as Shangzong and aristocratic families can resist "poisonous" knowledge to a certain extent. The forces will definitely not be too far behind...
With this thought in mind, Zhao Chen looked at the ship's chimney again and said as if unintentionally: "I read in a book before that steam engines 'eat' coal. It turns out I was just fooling people."
"Haha, it's not like you're fooling people!
"I heard my master say that steam engines did burn coal in the beginning... But nearly three thousand years have passed since the first steam engine appeared, so as early as a thousand years ago, coal mines in various places were exhausted." After senior brother Feng Cang laughed a few times, he asked Ao again, "Why, junior brother is interested in machinery?"
"It's just the first time I've seen him, and I'm just out of curiosity." Zhao Chen shook his head.
"It's okay to be curious, but don't go deep to explore the inner essence, otherwise it may also attract evil spirits." At this time, Master Huang Xianjun's voice sounded beside the two of them, "It is better to leave the study of these ingenious principles to the 'Tiangong Pavilion' and The masters of 'Baiqiaoyuan', we just need to enjoy the convenience brought by their achievements."
"I've met the master." Zhao Chen saw the master approaching and bowed quickly. Then he pondered for a while and spoke again, "'Tiangong Pavilion' and 'Bai Qiao Yuan'? Are they also the Sect?"
"No...'Tiangong Pavilion' and 'Bai Qiao Yuan' are two independent institutions established by the Great Xia imperial court together with experts from various sects and aristocratic families who like to study the principles of heaven and earth. Their full-time study was named 'Science' by them. 's academic... And steam engines, fire guns and other objects are just by-products of these two institutions.
"In addition, it is said that after seeing the 'scientific' achievements of our country, the Western countries also formed a similar organization called the 'Steam School' and launched a 'Westernization Movement' that lasted more than a hundred years. Today, it is also Quite effective.”
Having said this, Huang Xianjun paused and glanced back and forth at the two apprentices. He found that in addition to Zhao Chen, even Feng Cang was listening with gusto, so he shook his head and said: "You two have little experience. You are like this in Bingquan Town." It's nothing in a remote place, but when you enter the county town, you may be laughed at.
"It seems that I have to give you some lessons in this area, so that you don't know the importance and provoke people you shouldn't provoke in Yumen."
Zhao Chen had already fallen into a daze when he heard his master talking about the so-called "Westernization Movement" in the West, but he immediately came back to his senses when he heard what the other person said later, and he began to look forward to it.
Who would have thought that Master Huang Xianjun did not "show off" but dumped two copies of each of them...
"Magazine"?
Zhao Chen looked at the two volumes of reading materials titled "Ganzhou Fengyunlu (Issue 3112)" and "Yumen Talents List (February 8113, Daxia Calendar)" in his hand, and was stunned again.
He suddenly realized that his understanding of the world was still too one-sided, and the level of development in different places might be even more uneven than he imagined.
"However, this kind of entertainment ranking can only be used as a reference. You can't completely believe what is written on it. You have to make your own judgment..." Master Huang warned Feng Cang when he saw that Feng Cang could not wait to open one of the books.
"It's for entertainment... Master, the Daxia government doesn't have any official rankings or monk lists?" Zhao Chen asked doubtfully.
Isn’t there a list of heaven, earth, and people? Or a list of hidden dragons, young phoenixes, beauties, magic weapons, etc.?
According to the routine, shouldn't the Daxia court use similar things to provoke infighting among Jianghu forces?
"Official ranking? Isn't that creating contradictions? Unless the Daxia court is crazy, why do it?" Huang Xianjun looked at his apprentice strangely, and was very surprised by his idea, "As for the list... there is One, but it is not set up purely for fame and fortune...and only monks in the magical power realm are eligible to compete for a place on this list.
"That's why it's called the 'Star List of Supernatural Powers'."
…
At night, Bingquan Town Guards Mansion.
With a howl that echoed through the night sky, a monster with a human face and a body like a giant jackal fell from the sky, fell into the backyard of the mansion, and spit out a black light from its mouth.
In an instant, before several soldiers on patrol could lift their guns, they were pierced by black light through their chests and died violently.
Just when the monster was about to break into the back house and kill all the people inside, a skinny old man suddenly stood in front of it.
"You evil beast! Don't hurt anyone!"
