A human-powered helicopter was clearly unrealistic. Zhu Youxiao wondered how fast a chain-driven rotor would need to rotate to lift a heavy "helicopter" into the air.
There seems to be no practical point in finding a lightweight and strong freak just to get the "helicopter" off the ground.
But do scientific inventions and creations really need practical significance? Or, in other words, do they need immediate practicality?
The answer is of course no. Just like when Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction, many people would probably ask disdainfully, what's the point?
Tens of years, decades, and even hundreds of years later, skyscrapers of the electrical age were built on the foundation of electromagnetic induction, forever changing the course of human civilization.
Therefore, anyone who says science is useful or not is a short-sighted fool. Even a towering building needs a solid foundation; it's as simple as that.
The emperor knew that he was laying the foundation of natural science for the Ming Dynasty and cultivating future scientists for the Ming Dynasty. To this end, he was not stingy with money, or even official positions and titles.
Lord Newton, Sir David, Faraday who declined the title... Foreigners can confer noble titles on scientists, so why can't the emperor of the Ming Dynasty?
And now there is a big shot who can be awarded the title, Xu Guangqi and Xu Baoluo. Isn’t he worthy of it?
The emperor was thinking about the "helicopter" and did not hide it. He told Xu Fuyuan and Wang Jizhong about it and also mentioned the children's toy bamboo dragonfly.
"Brother Shen's idea is really refreshing." Wang Jizhong touched his chin and said thoughtfully: "This propeller can indeed generate reverse thrust. If it turns to the sky, it is not too surprising to generate lift."
Xu Fuyuan nodded in agreement and said, "We'll know if it works once we give it a try."
Zhu Youxiao quickly raised his hand and said with a smile, "There's no need to rush this experiment. It will only delay the launch of the hot air balloon. Why not write it in a book so that those who are interested can try it later?"
"Brother Shen is so generous and does not keep his unique secret skills to himself. It is really admirable." Xu Fuyuan and others have always suspected that Shen Lang had the guidance of a master, but the fact that he gave them away without caring about fame and fortune is indeed admirable.
Zhu Youxiao just smiled at this. He knew all about these scientific theories that would only be proven in decades or even hundreds of years, and he didn't feel that he should gain anything for himself.
He was an emperor, so it was useless for him to have so many halos; he was a guide and a builder, breaking the fallacy that there was no natural science in ancient China; he was also a guardian, providing the people with a stable living environment and a stable soil for science to grow.
A few people talked as they walked, and came to a large hall and sat down. They asked the servants to serve tea. The atmosphere became more relaxed, and they talked about some trivial matters and interesting stories.
Brother Shen is either rich or noble, you can tell from the maid!
Wang Jizhong felt emotional. Look at the maids serving him. They are all so pretty. How many of them have they replaced?
Of course, he would never have dreamed how lucky he was to be able to witness the true appearance of the three concubines with his own eyes.
Zhu Youxiao didn't have much thought about this, as his thinking still retained many characteristics of later generations. For example, regarding his attitude towards women, wasn't it normal for them to be exposed in public?
He even plans to gradually introduce new policies to encourage women from ordinary families to leave their homes, work, and achieve a well-off life as soon as possible!
"Some students are very interested in the boilers and steam engines described by Brother Shen, and are currently developing them in a branch outside the city!" Xu Fuyuan said casually, which made the emperor's eyes light up.
Wang Jizhong took a sip of tea and said disapprovingly, "I've seen the boiler diagrams; it shouldn't be difficult. But the steam engine, that's not easy. These students must be desperate for official positions, that's why they're so eager."
Zhu Youxiao smiled faintly and didn't take it seriously. The desire for fame and fortune wasn't a bad thing; it could actually be a driving force for progress.
As for the steam engine, it was obviously impossible to apply it to trains in one go. Even if it could perform the simplest reciprocating motion, it would be a major step towards industrialization.
Official positions can be given, isn't it just a stable job, eating the state's financial food! Not just civil servants, isn't it the same for teachers in later generations?
"I think the Academy of Sciences should hold regular exhibitions of its achievements," Zhu Youxiao said thoughtfully. "The more people come to visit, the greater the impact and publicity will be."
Anyone who came to visit and study would first think of the Junior English Academy. Children who had graduated from primary school could also receive education in new subjects such as physics and chemistry.
Well, some semi-finished products should be sent to the palace, and I will command the craftsmen to complete them.
When the Liao Dynasty is pacified and the slaves are eliminated, when the country's finances are relaxed, and when the world is at peace and prosperous, I really look forward to being a happy little carpenter.
Of course, there has to be a beautiful woman to accompany you. When men and women work together, the work is not tiring.
The emperor gave a wry smile, wondering when he would ever feel this at ease again. State affairs were in perfect order, handled well by his capable officials. He didn't need to worry about anything.
"Brother Shen, did you go to see the hot air balloon launch demonstration?" As expected, Wang Jizhong mentioned the thing that made him most excited and proud. During that demonstration, the emperor granted him an official position on the spot.
"I saw it, I saw it." Zhu Youxiao smiled and nodded, saying, "I envy Brother Wang. This should be enough to go down in history, right?"
Xu Fuyuan laughed and said, "The Wan Hu who wanted to ride the rocket into space didn't leave his name, but Brother Wang is different."
Wang Jizhong quickly waved his hand in mock humility and said, "I was just a little bold, but I don't dare to expect to leave my name in history books."
"If you're not brave enough, how can you dare to try?" Zhu Youxiao said, "If you don't try, how can you make new discoveries? Take gunpowder, for example. Wasn't it inspired by the explosion of an alchemy furnace? The history books don't mention it, but I estimate that in the development of gunpowder to this day, many people who developed and improved it have died or been injured."
"That's for sure." Wang Ji nodded emphatically and said with a smile, "I'm afraid of death too. I only dared to go up because I knew the hot air balloon was tied securely."
Fan Xiaohui blinked her eyes, eager to experience the feeling of flying into the sky. But since the emperor didn't say anything, she didn't dare to interrupt.
Zhu Youxiao had this idea suddenly at the time, but after calming down, he felt that bringing a hot air balloon into the palace was not a good thing.
"It's a pity that Brother Chen is at his estate outside the city and won't be returning." Xu Fuyuan said with some regret, "He's been experimenting with planting early-maturing crops under the orders of Lord Xu, and I heard they've already yielded quite a few."
Wang Jizhong said, "With the support of Lord Xu, Brother Chen's official position is not a problem. Food is the most important thing for the people, and the current emperor also attaches great importance to it."
We must take it seriously, as it is one of the main measures that determines whether we can survive a major disaster.
Zhu Youxiao lowered his eyes, wondering if he would need to send large quantities of food and supplies to Liaodong after pacifying Liaodong. If there were crops with a short growing season, could the fertile land of Liaodong feed the Central Plains?
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