Not long after Zhang Xian and his entourage entered the palace, Mo Shang, Yuan Feng, Huang Chengyan, and several others also arrived at the palace one after another.

After everyone exchanged greetings, Liu Hong picked up the report and looked at Zhang Xian with a smile.

"Your idea is very good. Could you tell me how you came up with it?"

Zhang Xian calmed his excitement and then said, "Your Majesty, I discovered it by chance during a tea tasting..."

Then, Zhang Xian described in detail everything he had seen, thought of, and the possibilities of this idea.

Apart from Liu Hong, everyone present was astonished by this ingenious idea.

In particular, top mechanical experts Mo Shang and Huang Chengyan were deeply engrossed in it.

They understood better than anyone else the importance of machinery. If steam-powered machinery could truly replace human, animal, and water power, the impact would be unimaginable.

After Zhang Xian finished explaining his idea, the entire hall fell silent as everyone pondered its possibilities.

Liu Hong also looked at Zhang Xian and began to ask him some questions about the principles of steam power and steam machinery.

Thanks to thorough prior preparation, Zhang Xian was able to answer all the emperor's questions.

As Liu Hong listened to Zhang Xian's explanation and answer, his smile grew even brighter.

Although some of the knowledge points in Zhang Xian's answer may not quite conform to the working principle of the steam engine, the main content is still largely correct. As for the details, they can be studied and improved in the future.

It seems that Zhang Xian's idea was not a sudden whim, but rather something he had genuinely thought about and researched.

Such talent must be supported to the end, no matter what.

The people around them listened intently to the conversation between the emperor and Zhang Xian, and memorized it.

About half an hour later, Liu Hong ended his conversation with Zhang Xian, then ordered someone to bring paper and pen, and looked at Zhang Xian with eager eyes.

"You've said so much just now, now I want to see what your envisioned steam-powered machine actually looks like!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Xian respectfully agreed, then took the paper and pen and began to draw according to his imagination.

Liu Hong and the others also gathered around, watching intently.

Zhang Xian first drew a large iron can at the bottom of the paper. On top of the can was an iron pipe connected to a cylindrical iron tube. Inside the tube was another cylinder, and above that was an iron rod.

At first glance, it is clearly a simple piston cylinder.

As for what this piston cylinder can drive, that can only be determined through further research.

After a moment, Zhang Xian put down his pen and then respectfully presented the drawing to Liu Hong.

"Please take a look, Your Majesty!"

"Great, great, that's wonderful!"

Liu Hong took the blueprints and couldn't help but cheer with delight.

Although the drawing is still very simple, it perfectly explains how to convert steam into kinetic energy.

Once this direction is established, there is a possibility of continuing the research.

Then, Liu Hong looked at everyone present and said in a deep voice: "I have decided that the College of Engineering, the Research and Manufacturing Department, and the Scientific Research Department will jointly form a steam machinery research group."

Furthermore, one million silver coins will be allocated annually for research into steam power, to be jointly overseen by Zhang Xian and his ministers!

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

Based on the current price of silver coins, one million silver coins would be equivalent to a full one billion coins, which is almost 30% of the entire research department's research funding.

The emperor was not one to squander money, and the fact that he was able to allocate so much money each year for research showed how much importance he placed on this steam engine.

Liu Hong was determined to continue his research on steam, no matter how much it cost or how many years it would take.

Although he knew that steam research was somewhat beyond the capabilities of most people at present, and that he might not even live to see the invention of the steam engine.

However, Liu Hong firmly believes that as long as people continue to study, the master plan can still generate some related equipment and theoretical knowledge, laying a solid foundation for future industrial development.

After everyone left to carry out their orders, Liu Hong's mind gradually calmed down, and he began to think about the related components of the steam engine.

Rubber was undoubtedly an indispensable element in the development of the steam engine.

However, if you want to produce rubber, you can only get rubber from rubber trees. The Great Han doesn't have that stuff, and the Americas are too far away for now. At present, only Southeast Asia is suitable.

Thinking of this, Liu Hong got up and went to the bottom of the Great Han map, focusing his gaze on the blank area south of the South China Sea.

"Looks like it's time for a voyage to the West!"

Looking at the blank ocean, Liu Hong couldn't help but murmur something to himself.

With Liu Hong's strong support for the shipping industry and a large amount of capital investment in recent years, the Han Dynasty has successively built ports and shipyards in coastal counties such as Donglai, Langya, Wujun, Yinshan, Yongning, and Rinan.

With Liu Hong's guidance, all the ships produced by the shipyard now use keel structures. Although they haven't yet been able to build giant ships similar to those used by Zheng He in later generations, they are not far off and have the ability to sail along the coastline.

Thinking of this, Liu Hong immediately turned to look at Zhang Rang beside him.

"Go to the Ministry of Rites and have them send a message to the envoy stationed in Yamatai, instructing him to find Yuan Shu. I wish to summon his fleet!"

Also, summon Jian Shuo and Chu Qian, the head of the Foreign Affairs Department!

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Rang respectfully agreed, bowed, and quickly retreated.

After Zhang Rang left, Liu Hong returned to his desk and pondered the relevant matters concerning the West.

When people talk about voyages to the Western Ocean, the first person that comes to mind is Zheng He from the Ming Dynasty.

If the Ming Dynasty at that time had been able to follow Zheng He's path and continue to expand and develop based on the navigation technology of that era, it might have been able to achieve a situation where the Ming Dynasty could simultaneously pursue both maritime and land power.

Unfortunately, Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean ultimately came to an abrupt end.

Judging from Zheng He's voyages, he almost exclusively traveled trade routes. Not only did he not incur any losses, but he also brought back a large amount of wealth for Zhu Di, which was used to support Zhu Di's repeated northern expeditions.

There are many reasons why the voyages to the Western Ocean were eventually terminated. Some of these reasons included blocked sea routes, and some included interference from Muslims and Italian merchants that reduced profits. But the root cause was monopoly.

The immense gains Zheng He made on his voyages to the Western Ocean were undoubtedly the envy of everyone, but Zhu Di pocketed them all, leaving others to watch helplessly.

If there's no benefit to be gained, naturally no one will support it.

Therefore, after the death of Zhu Di, Zheng He's investor, the voyages to the Western Ocean were eventually abandoned.

Liu Hong naturally wanted to avoid this situation.