In the Ming Dynasty, there were four-wheeled carriages without steering devices, which could carry up to 50 dan. The most common type was the two-wheeled carriage, which could only carry about 15 dan.
Although a four-wheeled cart can carry much more than a two-wheeled cart, the "Heavenly Creations" also mentions its shortcomings: "Whenever a large cart encounters a river, it stops; when it encounters a mountain, it stops; when it encounters a winding path, it stops."
The main factor that restricted the development of four-wheeled vehicles in ancient China was that they had very high requirements for terrain and roads. In addition, they had no steering device, so they were far less adaptable to various terrains and less flexible in turning than two-wheeled vehicles.
For Zhu Youxiao, building a practical four-wheeled vehicle was just a topic, and he had no intention of replacing two-wheeled vehicles or unicycles.
We should adapt to local conditions. If the road is bumpy and the terrain is undulating, two-wheeled vehicles are more suitable, so we should use two-wheeled vehicles.
Since ordinary people can’t afford horses, they can just use light wheelbarrows to transport goods and people!
But the technology must be studied thoroughly and firmly mastered, this is Zhu Youxiao's purpose. This is to avoid the trolls in the future saying that the Huang Han technology is not good and China is backward.
Moreover, in the plains of the north, four-wheeled carriages were very useful. Their large load capacity made them suitable for commercial transportation, and with their shock absorption, they were also comfortable to ride in.
As for the maintenance of roads, especially post roads, they have been handed over to the prefectures and counties along the way, turning them into corvée labor to save the common people from traveling long distances.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce also followed the emperor's order and began to build logistics systems such as accommodation and warehousing based on the post stations. Four-wheeled carriages are likely to become the main means of transportation.
"I don't know what Brother Shen is busy with. He hasn't come for a long time." Wang Jizhong shook his head with some regret. "Although he can basically answer all the questions we raise in a timely manner."
The donkey cart stopped and everyone rushed over to observe and comment on it. After some discussion, they felt that there was still room for improvement.
Chen Zilong watched, smiling but silent. He was studying agriculture with Xu Guangqi, and he was also busy looking for data for analysis and research, also an errand assigned by the emperor.
Today I just had some free time, so I came to visit some old friends and see the scientific research they are doing.
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