"Why did the coin minting machine stop?"
Zhao Hong lowered his head and thought. The minting workshop was silent. Zhen Dexiu asked unconsciously.
"Your Majesty is here. I'm afraid of disturbing Your Majesty, so I stopped."
The mint official replied cautiously.
"Go on. Let's go to other workshops and have a look."
Zhao Hong and others left the mint workshop, and soon a deafening roar sounded. It seems that the coin minting machine has been started.
Zhao Hong shook his head. This kind of formalism has been common from ancient times to the present, which is really frustrating.
In the spring bar workshop, driven by a steam engine, red-hot iron bars are continuously smashed into the flat shape desired by the craftsman, and then wound around a steel shaft to form a round column.
"Is this a spring? How is it made?"
Zhao Hong asked in surprise.
Although Bailu Island was covered by jungle, it was still midsummer when he was in front of the steel-making furnace. Zhao Hong's face was immediately covered with sweat, so much so that he kept wiping it with a handkerchief.
It would be nice if this was the towel of later generations.
Only focusing on heavy industry, it seems that light industry must also be developed step by step in order to avoid an imbalance between light and heavy industry.
"Your Majesty, this is called a bullet. We have had this method of smelting iron for a long time. The process is relatively complicated, and quenching is the key. At first, it was mainly produced for the bullet iron of flintlock guns. Later, after improving the quenching liquid, the bullet was made Iron is stronger and has a smoother surface, and is also suitable for pendulums. This columnar spring iron, as reminded by His Majesty, is mainly used to slow down the bumps of the four-wheeled carriage."
Zheng Tu took Zhao Hong and others to the wooden box containing the processed springs, picked up a spring from it, handed it to Zhao Hong, and said with a smile:
"Since Your Majesty named it Spring, let's call it Spring from now on."
Zhao Hong pulled hard on both ends of the spring, but couldn't pull it even an inch. The surface of the spring is smooth. Although I don’t know what the elasticity is, and it is definitely not as good as that of later generations, it is still an improvement.
Whether it is a four-wheeled carriage or a two-wheeled carriage, they are all made of wooden wheels. No matter how smooth the road is, sitting on it for a long time will cause pain in the buttocks. The spring can play a cushioning role, which is really good.
"rubber……"
Zhao Hong frowned and started thinking.
The birthplace of the rubber tree is America, and it is spread all over the Amazon Basin. It seems that we have to find a way to get some seeds back and plant them in the Song Dynasty.
With rubber, the rickshaws of later generations may be available. And simple cars don’t seem to be a dream.
The ministers were sweating profusely, feeling that the heat was unbearable and wanted to go out early. But the emperor didn't move, so they had no choice but to stand firm.
"The carriage and the pendulum, are they selling well?"
Zhao Hong handed the spring to Zhen Dexiu, who had a large amount of wetness on his chest next to him, and continued to move forward.
With thousands of craftsmen and more than 2,000 workers, this should be the largest machine research and development center in the world in this era.
"Back to Your Majesty, four-wheeled carriages and pendulums are owned by almost everyone from wealthy families, and of course they are not cheap. Just like soap, soap, glass, etc., four-wheeled carriages and pendulums are also sold overseas, and the supply exceeds demand. Some goods are sold by large companies. The food merchant sold it to Europe, and I heard it’s worth a fortune!”
Zou Yinglong, the ruling minister on the side, interrupted and shook his head with emotion.
Da Song's products go global, and most product technologies are world-leading and difficult to imitate, let alone surpass. This can be regarded as indeed making it famous overseas. And the people of the Song Dynasty truly benefited from it.
"Go to the steam engine workshop!"
Zhao Hong finally spoke, and the ministers couldn't wait. They were all fierce and energetic, and even more agile than Zhao Hong's legs and feet.
If you stay any longer, I'm afraid it will melt.
"Squeak!"
The harsh sound of metal friction came, even changing the roar of the steam engine. Zhao Hong looked intently. The drill bit on the cast iron lathe continued to rotate and advance inside the fixed iron plate. After drilling a section, the craftsman shook the handle, and the drill bit started to move. Will quit, wait until the steel debris is removed, and then continue drilling. The drill bit will be adjusted to the left and right sides from time to time, and the small holes will be the same size. After a while, a steel plate will be drilled and shipped away. After the craftsmen exchanged the drill bits, they began to drill the next piece.
"Your Majesty, this is the steel plate from the steam engine. It is drilled, heated, and then riveted."
"Are the drill bits easy to make? Are they replaced frequently?"
Zhao Hong asked subconsciously.
Steam engines came out in large numbers, but one hole and one plate was the key to the steam engine.
"Your Majesty, craftsmen have been constantly improving in the past few years. After the drill bit is annealed twice and tempered once, one drill bit can hold three to four blunderbuss tubes. But because the drill bit is easy to manufacture, there is no need to worry about the wear and tear of the drill bit."
"What about the artillery? Are they still using cast cannons?"
Zhao Hong continued to ask after Zheng Tu's words.
The emergence of the steam engine in the 18th century kicked off the industrial revolution. Compared with the traditional clay mold casting technology still used in the Qing Dynasty, the British have used steam engine bore drilling technology. The barrel of the gun made using this process can withstand higher bore pressure, and the barrel can be made longer; the inside is smooth and straight, and the shell and the barrel are more closely integrated, which increases the range of the gun. At the same time, the integrally cast artillery also avoids problems such as blisters that cannot be avoided by traditional casting processes.
It can hit far, hit accurately, and hit quickly. The strong ships and sharp artillery that the people of China say are not in vain.
"Your Majesty, the latest artillery uses integral bore drilling because it is a short breech artillery. Other artillery in the army still use the casting method because there is no punch lathe. However, the integral drilling method will be the general trend in the future, and the manufacturing department will also In casting machine tools, we strive to eliminate the old cannons in the army as soon as possible and use all new cannons."
The machine tool bed is made of cast iron, which mainly solves the problems of easy movement of the bed during the drilling process, rocking and wear of the drill bit, and inaccurate processing of parts. The gun barrel is machined from solid cylindrical cast iron. The wall of the artillery tube is smooth, light and thin, and there will be no problems with blisters, thus avoiding chamber explosion and insufficient air tightness. Coupled with the high precision of lathe processing, the shells and the barrel can be closely integrated, greatly improving the range.
Many artillery pieces in the army have reached the end of their useful life and need to be eliminated or rebuilt. Naturally, the artillery casting method can no longer be used.
"Short-bore artillery? So the explosive bomb has been made?"
Zhao Hong couldn't help but feel refreshed.
Short-breech artillery is specially used for explosive shells. The artillery has been manufactured, and the shells are not difficult. It should be available.
"Your Majesty, then we have to go to the workshop of the Arms Manufacturing Department!"
Zheng Tu laughed softly.
It seems logical that a workshop, a cast-iron lathe used to manufacture artillery carriages, carriages, chariots, etc., should be called a workshop.
Everyone left the machine manufacturing workshop, and before they had walked a few steps, a huge explosion was heard, followed by a roar of people in the distance, making everyone stunned.
Zhao Hong couldn't help but be startled and asked subconsciously.
"What's the sound? What happened?"
"Your Majesty, it seems that the sound came from the steam engine manufacturing workshop."
Wei Liaoweng frowned and said after listening.
"Let's go over and have a look!"
Zhao Hong couldn't help but step forward.
The steam engine manufacturing workshop not only produces steam engines, but also develops steam engines. The talents of the Song Dynasty are all here, but the key departments must not let anything happen.
When they arrived in front of the steam engine workshop, several researchers from the steam engine workshop hurriedly came over to greet them.
"Xin Yong, what happened? Why are you so confused?"
Zhen Dexiu asked sternly with a dark face.
"Back to Your Majesty, back to Mr. Zhen, the steam engine boiler exploded and ruptured, killing two people and injuring five others. Zhao Ruteng was also burned on his leg, but it's not serious."
Researcher Xin Yong, Xin Qiji's grandson, replied cautiously.
Zhao Ruteng was a member of the Song Dynasty clan. Both he and Xin Yong were Jinshi in the second year of Xingqing, and they were also researchers of steam engines.
"Didn't a safety valve exist? How could an explosion occur?"
Zhao Hong broke into a cold sweat subconsciously.
How terrifying is the power of machinery! If he had just inspected the steam engine workshop, wouldn't he have lost his life?
"Back to Your Majesty, the safety valve is rusty. Craftsman Liu was careless and did not check carefully frequently, so..."
"Nonsense! These are rules and regulations, just like military discipline. The power of machinery is so ferocious, if you don't follow it, people will die!"
Wei Liaoweng's face turned serious and he yelled angrily.
"I know I was wrong, please punish me!"
"What's the use of punishing you? Everyone is dead, how can we save it?"
Wei Liaoweng glanced at Zhao Hong who remained calm and winked quietly.
"Your Majesty, let me continue to manufacture and develop the steam engine. It may not take a few years to build a better steam engine with more power! Besides, the steam engine used in the train will be built soon, so we can't give up halfway! "
Xin Yong knew this and quickly knelt down and begged Zhao Hong.
"Get up, don't kneel down all the time. That careless Craftsman Liu will be fired immediately and sent to the government for disposal. Find out how he got in and who recommended him, and he will be removed from office!"
Zhao Hong said with a dark face, giving instructions from ear to ear.
"The rest of you will be fined for half a year, which will be used for the compensation of the dead and injured. Send the details of the accident as soon as possible, check for any omissions and fill in the gaps, and see how to avoid the accident. And send the accident to the major ironworks so that they can learn a lesson."
Especially the Daye Iron Works, which is the production center of steam engines, so there can't be any problems.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Xin Yong quickly accepted the order, and the group stood up anxiously.
"Your Majesty, are you taking advantage of them like this?"
Wei Liaoweng's face was gloomy and unwilling to give up.
"Wei Qing, you will gain wisdom after every experience. That's it."
Zhao Hong looked at Xin Yong and others and solemnly warned:
"You all remember, what you are doing is science and technology, and you can't be careless. The Chinese people are impetuous, careless and self-righteous, and there are too few people who are serious about doing things. I hope this incident can teach you a lesson. Understand the word "serious" and pass on the craftsmanship of "seriousness" to all the people around you."
"I sincerely follow your majesty's teachings! Thank you for your forgiveness!"
Xin Yong and others secretly rejoiced and worshiped together.
The emperor was open-minded, and those words spoke to their hearts.
"Your Majesty, the steam engine has been used on merchant ships and warships for half a year without any accidents. There is no need to stop eating because of choking, as long as the operation is standardized."
When the group came out, Wei Liaowen complimented Zhao Hong and reassured him.
"Your Majesty, steamships can not only be used around the Song Dynasty. They can also go to the South Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Korea, Java, Delhi, and Australia all have coal mines. Our warships of the Song Dynasty can go out in the South Ocean and the Indian Ocean and reach Africa directly."
The use of a steam engine requires a supply of coal. If you bring your own, it won't be able to travel very far.
As the warships of the Song Dynasty cruised in the South and Indian Ocean, the officials of the Song Dynasty also knew the situation in many places.
"Actually, North America has more coal there. I hope that the warships of my Song Dynasty will arrive there early, gain a firm foothold, and put that place under the kingship of my Song Dynasty."
Before they knew it, everyone had walked out of the gate of the Machinery Manufacturing Department. The river was rushing and the breeze was blowing, which made everyone feel refreshed.
"Have you ever thought that when steam engines are used in the world and manpower is replaced by machines, there will be a large amount of idle labor. As I have said before, as long as the population is too large and resources are not allocated enough, it will definitely cause chaos. To At that time, what choice should I, the Song Dynasty, make?"
Zhao Hong looked into the distance and continued.
"Your Majesty, is it too early to talk about this at this time?"
Zou Yinglong said subconsciously. The Central Plains has not yet been restored, and it seems too early to talk about controlling the world.
"premature?"
Zhao Hong shook his head and said in a deep voice:
"In three to five years at most, steam engines will be used all over the world. I'm afraid it will be too late to deal with it by then."
"Your Majesty, how should we solve it?"
Wei Liaoweng felt longing in his heart and spoke unconsciously.
"There is only one way, and that is..."
Zhao Hong looked at the river water rolling away in front of him and softly uttered a few words:
“As I said before, immigrate!”
