Sima Qi answered truthfully: "Your Majesty, the fire inside the Kongming lantern will scorch the surrounding void. Once the void is scorched, it will generate a kind of gas. This gas will not only expand, but will also become lighter, naturally lifting the Kongming lantern higher and higher."

Zhao Huan was surprised. It seemed that the ancients knew quite a lot, and not all of them knew the "what" but not the "why".

The emperor laughed and said, "No wonder Shi Ziming asked you to write a book on the investigation of things. Minister Sima has a deep understanding of the investigation of things."

"Your Majesty flatters me. I was inspired by reading Dream Pool Essays."

"Oh, Shen Kuo?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Sima Qi continued, "Actually, inside the cannon barrel, the fire ignites the fuse, which in turn ignites the gunpowder, causing an explosion that instantly heats the void inside, generating a very powerful impact."

The emperor nodded, and then said, "Minister Sima, I have another matter to discuss."

"Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

"You said that the impact generated by the scorching void propelled the gunpowder of the cannon to explode. Could this impact be used in other areas, such as in a wheel or a carriage..."

Sima Qi was stunned, and so was Chen Gui.

They all knew the emperor had many strange ideas, but they hadn't expected this many.

They actually thought of using the impact force generated by the scorching heat to drive the wheels or the carriage?

Seeing everyone's bewildered expressions, Zhao Huan asked, "What? Can't you do it?"

"No, no, Your Majesty, theoretically it is feasible, but I need to think carefully about how to make use of it."

Zhao Huan continued, feigning ignorance, and said, "Well, I won't say any more. Think about it carefully yourself. Is two months enough? I'll give you two months to make something for me. I won't say exactly what it is, but make something based on my imagination just now."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

With the emperor's suggestion, Sima Qi began to embark on the path of steam engine development.