In his report, Zhang Xian, a student at the Imperial Academy, mentioned that steam machinery could not only replace water-powered forging, but could also be installed on carriages to replace the power of horses.

The report then describes the impact of steam power.

In Zhang Xian's view, once steam-powered machinery is developed, all industries in the Han Dynasty will experience an unimaginable period of rapid development.

Looking at the report in his hand, Liu Hong's expression shifted between joy and seriousness.

The good news is that in this era, someone actually came up with the idea of ​​using steam.

The serious point is that developing a steam engine in this era was an incredibly difficult task, comparable to climbing to the heavens.

After all, the steam engine of later generations was the product of many years of industrial development in Europe, and it also required the impetus of basic physics.

Unfortunately, Liu Hong also knew very little about physics and could not provide any effective guidance.

At present, the Han Dynasty's industry is just starting out, and there are very few people studying physics. It is basically impossible to develop a steam engine at this time.

Seeing the emperor holding the report and his constantly changing expression, Song Dian couldn't help but feel nervous.

At first, Song Dian didn't take the report seriously.

It's just boiling water, how much power can that have?

However, after reading Zhang Xian's description of the impact of steam power, he felt it was a brilliant idea that the emperor would be very interested in, which is why he personally delivered the report.

"Song Dian, go to the Imperial Academy and summon Zhang Xian here immediately!"

After putting down the report, Liu Hong looked at Song Dian with a hint of anxiety on his face.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing this, Song Dian quickly bowed and retreated.

"Also, summon Marquis Moyang, Yuan Feng, Zhang Zhen, Huang Chengyan, and Zheng Xuan as well!"

Just as Song Dian was leaving the palace, Liu Hong called him back and called out the names of several other people.

Apart from Yuan Feng and Zheng Xuan, Mo Shang, Huang Chengyan, and others are among the most outstanding talents in mechanical research within the Great Han Dynasty. Their participation will greatly help in the research of steam engines.

Although Liu Hong didn't think the Han Dynasty was capable of manufacturing a steam engine, he didn't want this groundbreaking idea to be short-lived.

No matter how much funding is invested or how long it takes, even if it takes twenty or fifty years, as long as he is still alive, steam research must continue.

Because this was a concept conceived by scholars of the Han Dynasty without his prompting, and this concept was more than a thousand years ahead of its time, he had to give it sufficient attention.

Only in this way can we maximize people's imagination and creativity, promote the development of physics, and propel the Han Dynasty onto the path of an industrialized nation a thousand years ahead of schedule.

Imperial Academy.

Inside the student dormitory, a college student with a handsome face, dressed in a white robe, was writing and drawing on a desk.

Sheets of scrap paper covered with various drawings were scattered around the desk.

This student was Zhang Xian, who proposed steam power.

The drawings he made were research on how to convert steam into power.

Because of the popularity of tea, scholars and intellectuals nowadays enjoy gathering together to taste tea and discuss philosophy.

During a gathering, Zhang Xian noticed that the lid of a ceramic pot used for boiling water was bouncing around due to the steam. For some reason, he started to wonder why the seemingly light and weightless steam could lift the lid of the pot.

Moreover, the constant up-and-down movement of the lid reminded him of the motion process when he visited the water forging machine.

After having this idea, Zhang Xian became obsessed with it, racking his brains to research it day and night. However, he found that he could not complete such research on his own.

Finally, Zhang Xian had no choice but to write a report on his ideas and submit it to the research department, hoping to gain the support of the imperial court.

He didn't know if his ideas would be approved by the imperial court, so he kept refining his plans.

"Knock knock knock~!"

Just as Zhang Xian was deep in thought, a series of urgent knocks came from outside the door.

"Who is it?!"

Distracted from his thoughts, Zhang Xian impatiently yelled at the outside.

"Zhang Xian, someone from the palace has come and says His Majesty summons you to the palace!" a hurried voice said from outside the door.

"Your Majesty? You summon me to the palace?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xianteng immediately stood up and rushed to the door.

Where are they?

As soon as he opened the door, Zhang Xian looked around anxiously.

Zhang Xian was just a son of an ordinary family and did not show any particularly outstanding talent. The only reason he was summoned by His Majesty was that his ideas had gained the emperor's attention.

Thinking of these things, young Zhang Xian's face was full of excitement and eagerness.

Zhang Xian had also mentioned steam power to his classmates and teachers.

Faced with this unrealistic idea, everyone rejected it, and it even drew a lot of ridicule.

Therefore, during this period, Zhang Xian was very lonely and helpless, but his indomitable spirit still supported him to continue on the lonely road.

Now that he has suddenly learned that his idea may have gained the approval of the current emperor, one can only imagine Zhang Xian's feelings.

Seeing Zhang Xian's state, the man quickly said, "He's with Chief Minister Zheng, come with me quickly...!"

"Walk!!"

Before the man could finish speaking, Zhang Xian took off running towards Zheng Xuan, the Imperial Academy Chancellor.

"You're Zhang Xian?" Song Dian asked, looking at the young man whose face was flushed and who was panting heavily.

Zhang Xian bowed respectfully: "Student Zhang Xian greets Attendant Song!"

"Good, good! You are indeed young and promising, to come up with such a brilliant idea. You are truly extraordinary!" Song Dian praised with a smile.

While in the Deyang Palace, Song Dian keenly sensed the urgency and anticipation the Emperor displayed when he ordered Song Dian to summon Zhang Xian.

Having served the emperor for many years, he rarely saw the emperor show such emotions, and naturally understood how much the emperor valued this young man.

"Thank you for your kind words, Attendant Song!"

Seeing Song Dian's attitude, Zhang Xian immediately felt reassured and was overjoyed once again.

Song Dian smiled and looked at Zheng Xuan beside him, "Chancellor Zheng, His Majesty is still waiting in the palace, let's go quickly!"

"Okay!"

Zheng Xuan nodded, and then together with Zhang Xian, followed Song Dian into the carriage and headed towards the palace.

Throughout the journey, Zhang Xian, sitting in the carriage, kept thinking about and refining his ideas on steam power in order to gain the emperor's approval.

Before long, the carriage arrived outside the South Palace.

Zhang Xian got out of the carriage, looked at the deep palace gate, took a deep breath, and followed Song Dian into the palace.