Flying into space on a rocket will only happen hundreds of years later.
Now, the possibility of people ascending to heaven is about to become a reality. This is a double blessing for the emperor, and he is in a very good mood.
"Mr. Sun, please come to the Meridian Gate tomorrow to watch the Academy of Sciences' space experiment!" After praising Sun Yuanhua, Zhu Youxiao smiled and extended the invitation.
Sun Yuanhua quickly bowed and said, "I have received the news and am deeply shocked and curious. I will go and see it tomorrow to broaden my horizons and gain more knowledge."
Zhu Youxiao smiled and nodded, agreeing very much with Sun Yuanhua's statement that it broadened his horizons and increased his knowledge.
It's just an enlarged version of the Kongming lantern, but if it can carry people into the air, it doesn't need to be too high. Ten or eight meters high would be enough to shock the ancient people.
It was precisely because of his desire for a sensational effect that Zhu Youxiao had the Academy of Sciences demonstrate the technology publicly in the Meridian Gate. Indeed, the technology had already been successfully demonstrated at the Academy of Sciences, and only minor improvements were needed to ensure a manned launch.
In the eyes of ancient people, being able to ascend to heaven meant achieving enlightenment and becoming an immortal, ascending to heaven in broad daylight. But what Zhu Youxiao wanted to tell them was that this was science, not mythology.
It’s okay if you don’t understand. Take your time. This is just the beginning.
Moreover, would the occurrence of such a shocking event in my Tianqi Dynasty have the same impact as the occurrence of an auspicious sign?
"Long live." Sun Yuanhua hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but feel puzzled and curious. He said, "This chemical equation is very interesting, but I know the result but not the reason. It's hard to understand its logic."
Zhu Youxiao smiled bitterly. It was really difficult to understand the truth.
What are molecules, atoms, elements, valences, and the composition of matter? You can talk about them, but people can’t see or touch them, so they can only be memorized by rote.
But Sun Yuanhua was also right: having equations could solve many practical problems. For example, the optimal formula for gunpowder could be calculated from the equation for gunpowder combustion.
"For now, I can only memorize it by rote, and then slowly study the underlying principles." Zhu Youxiao knew that he was forcing his progress, and that gaps were inevitable. However, inferring the process from the results and understanding the principles was a shortcut.
Sun Yuanhua was somewhat disappointed, but he also remembered his teacher Xu Guangqi's instructions and did not dare to continue to ask questions. He changed his question and asked, "Next, I want to study more powerful gunpowder, which is nitrocellulose."
The technology and formula for black powder have reached their limit, making it difficult to increase its power. The development process progressed from nitrocellulose to picric acid, then nitroglycerin...
If nitrocellulose can replace black powder, it will be another epoch-making progress.
You should know that nitrocellulose not only has a strong explosive power and a better range, but also burns completely, leaving no residue and less smoke. It is known as smokeless gunpowder and causes less damage to the gun barrel.
It can be said that nitrocellulose basically makes up for all the shortcomings of black powder.
In fact, in Zhu Youxiao's opinion, the difficulty of making nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin was about the same. Moreover, the weaponry of black powder was enough for the Ming army to pacify the Liao Dynasty and eliminate the slaves, and even conquer the world.
After pondering for a while, Zhu Youxiao decided to move step by step. This was how things had developed in history, and there must be a reason for it.
Given the technological conditions at the time, it was indeed relatively easy to successfully manufacture nitrocellulose. The key was how to mass-produce it, and if one could just make a small ball of it as a test product, that would be quite easy.
"Since Sun Qing is an instructor at the Academy, you can conduct more research and discussions with them," Zhu Youxiao said. "I know that the Academy is already able to produce sulfuric acid and nitric acid in its laboratories."
The production of sulfuric acid has been known in ancient China. The old method involved calcining ferrous sulfate in a still. Nitric acid is produced by mixing sulfuric acid with saltpeter.
Of course, before reading the book "Chemistry", ancient people did not know what this thing was or what it was used for.
"It was only after seeing the achievements of the Academy of Sciences that I gained the confidence to produce nitrocellulose," Sun Yuanhua replied with a smile, bowing. "There are several students who are very talented in chemistry."
"With talent and hard work, our Ming Dynasty will have scientists like Shen Kuo and Guo Shoujing." Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Master Xu's achievements are already comparable to those of Shen and Guo. If Sun Qing continues to immerse himself in research, he will surely surpass his teacher."
"On behalf of my master, I thank you for your praise." Sun Yuanhua bowed and said humbly, "Compared to my master, I am far behind. I still need to work hard to improve myself."
Zhu Youxiao chuckled and said, "It's important to strive for progress, but Sun Qing doesn't need to be too modest. In the field of firearms, I think you've surpassed me. Sun Qing made an indelible contribution to the pacification of Liao and the extermination of the slaves. I remember all of this."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Sun Yuanhua knew it was time to leave, so he stood up and thanked him.
The hall fell silent. The emperor stroked his chin, leaning back in his chair, a half-smile on his face, yet a hint of pride could be seen.
The emperor was at the very top of the pyramid; this was his fate. Regardless of his wisdom or stupidity, in the feudal era, he was the heaven.
Yes, he doesn't need to be very smart or very hardworking. As long as he can know people and assign them to the right positions, the world will be stable.
Now, Zhu Youxiao felt that he had led the Ming Dynasty onto the right path of development. Even if he stopped caring about it, there would be people who would continue to carry on and fulfill his vision.
Of course, the possibility of capsizing still exists, and the only possibility is that he is gone.
Even if fate cannot be changed, I will complete the great cause of pacifying Liao and destroying the slaves in one year, right? Zhu Youxiao was still quite confident about this.
Wang Tigan walked into the hall and interrupted the emperor's thoughts.
"Your Majesty, Governor Yang Lian of Shanxi and Governor Fang Zhenru of Henan have been summoned to see you." Wang Tigan saw the emperor looking at him and bowed to report with a flattering smile.
Zhu Youxiao nodded, sat up straight, and said in a deep voice: "Announce!"
The major disasters during the Little Ice Age were most severe in the north, with Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan being the most severely affected.
Shaanxi was first governed by Zuo Guangdou, who achieved considerable success in governing the region by developing water conservancy projects and reducing taxes and providing relief to the people. Now, Li Jingbai has taken over, also a good official.
Shanxi Governor Yang Lian and Henan Governor Fang Zhenru were sent outside the capital for several years and did a good job.
Although both of them are labeled as Donglin Party, they are fundamentally different from those officials who talk about benevolence, righteousness and morality but are actually corrupt and shameless.
Their most important characteristics were their integrity and sternness. Their integrity enabled them to care for the people, while their sternness made them fearless of the local vassal kings.
Zhu Youxiao was quite satisfied that he could care for the people and alleviate their suffering; he could strike down the vassal kings and recover their fiefdoms according to the imperial will.
Of course, the work of clearing the military farms and paying the military salaries also relied on the strengths and impartiality of these two men. Cruelly punishing the landlords and gentry who encroached on the military farms was also one of the important criteria Zhu Youxiao used to evaluate officials.
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