Chapter 155
Chapter 155
Many people would say that you have to find the right way to do things in order to save time and effort.
But what is work and what is force.
Here, work refers to power, and force refers to strength.
Power, easy to explain, human power, animal power, wind power, water power.
The power of each force is different.
Human resources are undoubtedly the least efficient.
So when manpower is insufficient, the human brain develops other forces, which are the following three forces.
Of these four types of forces, human and animal power is naturally the lowest.
The latter two play a significant role.
But the problem is.
In modern times, wind power and water power are still restricted by natural conditions and cannot fully play their role, let alone now.
Therefore, all that can be used are human and animal power.
The problem is that whether using people or livestock, it can only save labor but not effort.
For example.
When washing clothes alone, one used to wash them by hand, but now one uses a washboard instead. It saves effort, but one still has to do what needs to be done.
Throwing clothes into a fully automatic washing machine saves time and effort, freeing up your energy to do other things.
This can be seen from this somewhat extreme example.
Saving labor and effort is the direction of development of mechanical science.
Ji Yuan wanted to develop the steam engine in order to save energy and effort.
The two households in Ning'an Prefecture had one cow, which just helped them save effort.
But they are still trapped in the fields.
The best method is definitely fully mechanized planting.
The problem is that science and technology is much more difficult than the imperial examination, and it is impossible to achieve success in one go.
Therefore, even if Ji Yuan knew the final answer, he still had to write down the steps to solve the problem.
In agriculture, promoting the use of oxen and cultivating good varieties is like writing the steps to solve a problem.
It is different from the steady and cautious approach in agriculture.
Steam engine aspect.
From the very beginning, Ji Yuan came up with a more complete steam engine blueprint.
All in all, it has been four years.
Master Gao, Dr. Yin, and Master Gao's fellow disciples spent four years on this research at Jianmeng Mansion.
You still have to go back and start solving the problem from the first step.
In other words, Ji Yuan gave the answer first.
But what’s the point of giving an answer? If you can’t solve the problem, it will still be useless.
When Ji Yuan sorted out the history from the beginning, he realized that he was on a steam engine and was still impatient.
At that time, Master Gao comforted him: "Don't be too anxious. If you don't give us this blueprint, we don't know which direction to start working on."
Giving a standard answer will help us move closer to this direction.
If this thing can be developed, it can really save effort.
Ji Yuan explained it.
Cai Fenglan was so shocked that he almost dropped his head. He said, "You mean, after this thing is made, the loom can weave cloth by itself? No one needs to do it by hand?"
"Isn't that a divine ability?"
"And can it drive vehicles and sail boats without horses or oars?"
Cai Fenglan knew that Dr. Yin and Master Gao would go to the iron smelting shop whenever they had nothing to do.
But I didn't know they were studying such weird things.
At that time, he was so focused on the imperial examination that he didn't pay any attention to it at all.
But now I think, if he knew all this, he would definitely be tempted to check the progress of steam engine research every day.
There's no way, this idea is just too tempting.
Ji Yuan said again: "It's not the ability of gods, it's the power drawn from fire."
Fire burns water, water produces steam, and steam is force.
So we draw strength from the fire.
Cai Fenglan understood it, but he still found it magical.
But think about it again, when you boil water or drink tea, the steam is so strong that it can burn blisters on your hands, which is no less powerful than fire.
After explanation.
Ji Yuan listed the research results of Master Gao and his colleagues.
Their goal and the standard answer was the steam engine.
Therefore, all research is focused on how to build a reasonable and complete steam engine.
First of all, the materials.
Most of the material has already been worked out.
The steel used to build a steam engine requires extremely fine quality, top-notch craftsmanship, and excellent sealing.
This alone took a total of three years.
Next, it’s about how to utilize thermal energy.
When Ji Yuan left Jianmeng Mansion, the steam engine could barely operate.
But there are still many problems, big and small.
Small issues can even be put aside for the time being.
There are two big problems.
First, heat waste.
Mr. Gao calculated that the thermal energy utilization of steam is less than one percent.
This means that of the heat energy generated by 100 kilograms of charcoal, less than one kilogram is actually useful.
This waste is horrific.
But this is not the main thing.
The second point is also outrageous.
That is, the use of steam is not consistent enough and temperature control is a big problem.
If it is too cold, it will stop working; if it is too hot, the furnace will explode.
The latter could result in death.
If Ji Yuan remembered correctly, it seemed to have taken fifty-four years for the Newcomen steam engine in his time and space to become the Watt steam engine that people are familiar with.
In the four years he has been here, he has indeed only stepped into a small threshold.
Sometimes even if you know the answer, you can’t copy it.
Science is different after all.
Cai Fenglan was excited about the idea just now, but now he felt it was outrageous.
But things need to be resolved.
They will all be solved.
They have great faith in Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan closed his eyes and thought carefully about the development process of the steam engine.
From the beginning of the steam power era to the application of steam power.
What exactly did they do wrong?
After a moment.
Ji Yuan suddenly sat up.
It's practice.
All the research on the steam engine has not been put into real practice.
He always emphasized that the steam engine could transform the textile industry.
But whether it’s Master Gao or Dr. Yin.
Do they understand the textile industry?
Have they touched a loom?
No, even I only know the principle but not the specific operating steps.
So, how to put it into practice.
"So that's how it is."
The steam engine in his time and space was designed to solve problems.
For example, the Newcomen steam engine was designed to solve the problem of pumping water from mines.
First there is a problem, and then we solve it step by step.
So, even if that steam engine is bulky, inefficient, or even made up of many existing things, it is still a steam engine.
Later, more complete steam equipment was developed based on that steam engine.
On the other hand, here they are.
They only know how to research but don't put it into practice.
Ji Yuan slapped his head hard: "Why am I so confused?"
If I hadn’t gone to Jianmeng Mansion this time, if I hadn’t taken the time to think carefully.
I guess everyone is still busy with research.
So what’s the point of research if it’s not implemented?
Science must be combined with practice.
So what if I mentioned a textile machine?
Although people like Mr. Gao who study mathematics are not welcomed in the imperial examination and official career nowadays.
But they are still scholars and nobles.
The textile loom and the women who operate it, one is a craftsman, the other is a workman, or even a female craftsman.
Among the scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans.
They won't have much contact.
Naturally, no one would really study its uses.
in other words.
Master Gao and his friends just thought this thing was interesting but didn't think it had any practical use.
There is no right or wrong in this mentality.
It's just a limitation of thinking in today's era.
Ji Yuan just felt that he was stupid.
Why did he ignore this issue.
When the Meng Mansion was being built, seeing that Master Gao and his colleagues were extremely enthusiastic about the steam engine, they forgot to check whether there were any textile machines in the yard.
Ji Yuan recorded these situations.
In order to develop the steam engine, we also need to use the steam engine to solve practical problems.
Because the answer of studying steam engines is too big.
What we need to do now is to solve the problem step by step.
Ji Yuan and Cai Fenglan discussed and studied the matter. Cai Fenglan asked directly, "Are you going to do these things in your next term?"
Cai Fenglan and Ji Yuan have been friends and classmates for many years. They are both from Zhengrong County, so naturally they understand each other.
Seeing Ji Yuan nod, Cai Fenglan said without hesitation: "Take me with you, I will be your assistant."
That’s good.
But are you sure?
Ji Yuan said: "To make this thing, you must not go to a too prosperous place, or you will definitely be targeted. I plan to go to a place with a large area and few people."
Dianzhou Prefecture is very good.
However, once the rubber industry in Dianzhou Prefecture was developed, many people were watching it.
He wanted to go to a place with more land, fewer people and preferably flatter terrain.
Cai Fenglan is not afraid of this at all: "Go ahead, it doesn't matter if there are few people, we can still develop with a small number of people."
"Besides, it's not easy to go anywhere now."
But if Ji Yuan speaks up, it will definitely be feasible.
When the time comes, the two of them can go anywhere together and make a career.
In fact, considering Cai Fenglan's rank and ability, he wouldn't have to go that far.
But Cai Fenglan trusts Ji Yuan immensely.
He was also really interested in this steam engine.
Now that the matter has been settled, the two are already choosing where to go.
There are actually quite a few places with vast land, sparse population, flat terrain and very backward.
It might be difficult to choose other places and send them out.
But places like this are relatively simple.
They were sorting out information about the steam engine and preparing to set off to any destination, and soon it was July.
July 12th.
Wang Changdong was executed in the suburbs.
Ji Yuan just watched from a distance and said sorry to Ji Yuan's family in his heart.
It took him nearly twelve years to accomplish this.
But he assured me that this was only the second step.
The first step is Uncle Ji’s family.
The second step is Wang Changdong himself.
Soon, more people will come.
Many people knew that Ji Yuan went to watch the execution, but they sighed and did not continue to talk to him about marriage at this critical juncture.
But after July, things are different.
Ji Yuan only felt that more and more people were proposing marriage, and he was also discussing things with Prime Minister Li.
"Are you sure you want to go to the northwest?" Li Shoufu said in disbelief, "With your achievements, it is feasible for you to go to any place in Tianqi Country."
"Yingtian Prefecture welcomes you very much."
But Prime Minister Li thought again and decided that Ji Yuan didn't have to go to Yingtian Prefecture.
The enemy has passed away.
Ji Yuan said: "I want to go to the northwest to study wheat seeds."
ah?
This answer was something that even Prime Minister Li had not expected.
In the northwest, wheat is indeed grown.
But do you want to go over?
If I say something else, people might still have doubts.
But it’s normal that Ji Yuan cultivated rice seeds first and then went to another place to cultivate wheat seeds, right?
"Yuzhou and Ludi, aren't they enough for you to cultivate?"
Prime Minister Li said directly.
Ji Yuan had already said: "The area there is vast and sparsely populated, which is more suitable, and the people there are simple."
This is true.
In traditional wheat-growing areas, the human relationships are very complicated. After all, it has been a good place since ancient times.
Prime Minister Li really doesn’t understand Ji Yuan.
Or rather, Ji Yuan seemed to understand it a little too well.
There really are such spirited young people in this world who are dedicated to serving the people.
Even Prime Minister Li felt a little ashamed of himself.
Li Shoufu was silent for a moment, then laughed: "Once this news comes out, I'm afraid the whole court will be shocked."
Era will be back at the end of May.
Everyone thought that he didn't understand the situation in the capital and was walking into a tiger's mouth.
Unexpectedly, he understood and still came back to avenge his parents.
After taking revenge, he was actually summoned by the emperor.
Not only did the emperor not say anything, he also gave a lot of rewards.
Then, everyone thought that the emperor would reuse him and keep him in Beijing, or that he would be carefully selected for a good position as a transition.
What?
All the positions outside are full and there are no good positions available?
Come on that's epoch.
Wherever he goes, everyone is welcome.
But he says now.
He is going to the vast and sparsely populated Northwest.
Everyone would be shocked.
God knows what kind of wheat he will breed.
While I was shocked, I also felt it was natural.
Sure enough, when the news reached the Ministry of Personnel, everyone in the Ministry of Personnel was in disbelief.
ah?
Going to a remote place again?
Last time it was the Fifth Prince who transferred you there, but this time? Are you the one who came to do it yourself?
Why?
For wheat seeds?!
This reason seems acceptable.
It is something that Jiyuan can do.
When the memorial was handed to the emperor, the old emperor was silent for a moment.
Even he couldn't find any fault with it.
Even though he was angry at those who sent the young people in his family out of the capital, he really couldn't be angry at Ji Yuan for doing this.
Especially on August 15th this year, more than a dozen small countries in the southwest came to pay tribute. This was the first time in nearly twenty years.
If Ji Yuan really developed excellent wheat seeds in the northwest.
Will the small countries in the northwest also come?
Just thinking about it made the old emperor feel excited and he couldn't wait for Ji Yuan to set off immediately.
But he had another matter on hand and wanted to let Ji Yuan do it.
He has been thinking about this matter ever since Ji Yuan returned to Beijing.
Now that the young man had taken the initiative to help him cultivate wheat seeds, he appreciated it even more.
"Rubber Division."
The old emperor spoke slowly and looked at Duke Xie.
This Duke Xie is the brother of the Imperial Concubine and the uncle of the Fifth Prince. He is also the father of Xie Zhifu, who ranked second in the palace examination that year.
Duke Xie was a little conflicted, but he also knew that he could never ask his son to take charge of the Rubber Department.
Not to mention his son’s lack of ability.
Furthermore, working for the current emperor means you are risking your life.
Therefore, no matter how attractive the Rubber Company is, its own people cannot go in, at least not for the time being.
So, what is the Rubber Division?
Lord Xie said, "I think Lord Ji is indeed suitable."
"He invented the method of making rubber and was also involved in the business."
"All rubber workshops in the world will definitely listen to him."
"It's perfect for him to be the head of the Rubber Department."
The emperor nodded, he thought so too.
The emperor was a little tired, but for the Rubber Company, he still forced himself to work.
What is Rubber Division?
Judging from the official offices in the capital of Tianqi State today.
In addition to the six ministries, temples, prisons, etc.
There are also twenty-four yamen and the Imperial Household Department that are specifically responsible for palace affairs.
The twenty-four government offices of Tianqi State are twelve surveillance offices, four departments and eight bureaus.
These are all eunuchs.
Different from other government offices where they are foreign officials.
After learning about the situation with rubber, the emperor ordered people to build the 25th yamen, the fifth department, the Rubber Department.
Many people in the court opposed it.
Even if a special agency is to be established, it should be located in the office of a foreign minister, under the six ministries, or it can be set up as a separate department.
In short, it should not be set up in the eunuch department.
To put it bluntly.
Rubber should be a national tax like salt and iron, not the emperor's personal tax.
Received from the official office of a foreign minister, certified as state tax.
Once received by the eunuch's office, it will become the royal silver.
But Duke Xie and other royal relatives also have something to say.
Rubber is taken from the mountains and forests.
All forest and fishery activities in the world are subject to mountain and swamp taxes.
Mountain and swamp taxes have always been exclusive to the royal family.
How can this be the same!
The previous mountain and swamp taxes did not include rubber!
Rubber is another product entirely!
Salt and iron are also extracted from surface mines. Can they also be classified as mountain and swamp taxes?
There has always been controversy over this matter.
When the emperor was young, he could debate with others and his arguments were reasonable.
But he is old now.
The older people get, the more stubborn they become.
The emperor was no exception.
The tax on rubber, the potential of rubber is terrifying.
The more knowledgeable a person is, the more he wants this benefit.
The old emperor understood it very well; he just wanted it.
Is there anything in this world that does not belong to him?
Up to now, it has been confirmed that the Rubber Department will become the 25th government department and the fifth department within the palace.
Those who oppose it can no longer be seen in the court.
Prime Minister Li and Grand Secretary Chu rarely stood together, and they were both scolded back.
Of course it was not the emperor who cursed, but Duke Xie and the royal relatives who cursed.
This matter has been debated for a long time.
The imperial court had tacitly agreed that the Rubber Company would become the private property of the emperor.
What else can we do if we don't default?
After the agreement, the job in the 25th Yamen became a popular one.
Since the advent of rubber, anyone with a little foresight knows its great potential.
Otherwise, the emperor wouldn't be so moved.
Would Ji Yuan be willing?
Such a good job, you should want to do it.
If it weren't for the fact that the first rubber director was too eye-catching, the emperor would be in a state of mood swings now.
He really wants to nominate himself as the leader.
Duke Xie was shocked, but couldn't help but say, "It was Ji Yuan who first proposed it. He wanted to go to the northwest to cultivate wheat seeds for the emperor."
"Otherwise, when the emperor finishes his inspection and announces his order, if Ji Yuan says he wants to be sent out again, then there will be no way to explain it."
Is this era smart or lucky?
To be honest, I really want to marry him.
If he could marry my daughter, or even my niece, I would definitely send him out of the capital.
Being the head of this department means having countless gold and silver and enormous wealth.
Not to mention this life, I’m afraid that my descendants won’t have to worry about money.
The emperor said, "Spread the word."
"I want to see if this era is truly loyal."
Another test.
Duke Xie was even worried about Lord Xiao Ji.
On the sixth day of August, Ji Yuan heard this outrageous news.
The emperor did not intend to send him abroad, but wanted to keep him as an official in the palace and the head of the 25th yamen.
As soon as this news came out, it caused a huge uproar again.
There's no way, the news about the era is always so ups and downs.
He had just applied to the Ministry of Personnel, wanting to go to the northwest to cultivate wheat seeds.
News was spread in the palace that the emperor intended to make him the head of the 25th Yamen.
You must know that the heads of the twenty-five government offices in the inner court are basically royal relatives, princes, and ministers, without exception.
It is hard to say how high the official position is, but the benefits are definitely lucrative.
How to choose the era?
No, does Ji Yuan have a chance to choose?
If the emperor really intends to do so, Ji Yuan will definitely not be able to leave the capital.
There are even more outrageous rumors.
It is said that the emperor intends to marry Ji Yuan to a princess, so that he will be a real royal relative in the future.
Then it would be most appropriate for him to be in charge of the inner court and be the head of the inner court government.
When Cai Fenglan heard the news, he almost died of anger.
In other words, anyone who cares a little about the people of the world would be furious.
Even Prime Minister Li was shocked.
The prince also thought it was a bit ridiculous, but did not say much.
Such a powerful court official, a young minister who serves the country and the people.
Don't shoulder the heavy responsibility of people's livelihood and don't benefit the people.
And to be his own retainer? !
Actually, it can be understood this way.
Foreign officials are in charge of the affairs of the world.
The eunuchs are considered the emperor's household servants.
It is conceivable that if a young and ambitious minister like Ji Yuan became a retainer of the emperor, it would be a huge loss for the people of the world.
However, there was no debate about this matter.
Everyone is curious about how Ji Yuan will choose.
Go out and work hard to cultivate wheat seeds?
It’s better to stay here peacefully and be rich and famous.
It’s actually not bad to make money for the emperor.
Generally speaking, everyone chooses the latter, right?
It is said that if you want to be an official, you must be an official in Beijing, and if you are an official in Beijing, you must be a close minister to the emperor.
If Ji Yuan became the head of the Rubber Department, he would be able to rise to the top overnight.
It’s not bad to marry a princess or a county lady, so that your descendants won’t have to worry about anything else in the future.
And with his ability, the princess and the county lord will not influence him, but will only help him.
As for Ji Yuan himself, he comforted Cai Fenglan: "Don't worry."
"It's not that bad yet."
Ji Yuan had no expression, or even any thoughts.
After all, in a feudal dynasty, anything is possible.
Some people also came to ask him what he thought.
What does he think?
The document requesting him to go to the northwest is still in the Ministry of Personnel.
That's what he thought.
The Ministry of Personnel received a hint, but the documents they handed to the emperor were still not approved.
It seemed that Ji Yuan was choosing this matter, but in fact, he never had the power to decide.
Really?
Is this really the case?
Ji Yuan played with the thing in his hand and said to Cai Fenglan, "Try it again?"
Cai Fenglan nodded.
They were doing an experiment in the main courtyard. The experiment was not big, but it had to be done behind people's backs.
This device is both complex and simple.
If you must give it a name.
That is the steam automatic door.
Using water vapor, the door can be opened automatically.
It doesn't seem like anything.
But what if it is covered with a layer of metaphysical cloak?
This is what Ji Yuan showed Cai Fenglan.
He placed a brazier in front of the main courtyard gate, and the brazier was placed on a seemingly ordinary wooden box.
Ji Yuan lit the brazier, and as the yellow paper in the brazier burned, the door slowly opened, like a miracle.
Cai Fenglan probably knew the reason and couldn't help but be surprised: "It's done!"
Cai Fenglan looked at the box under the brazier, which was actually a sealed container filled with water.
As long as the yellow paper is lit above and the charcoal fire is ignited, the heat energy will be used to boil the water in the iron container, and the water inside will be squeezed and flow to the back along the pipe.
And this pipe is the switch that controls the gate.
That is to say, using steam and ropes to open the door.
It sounds like that, but it's enough to fool people.
Cai Fenglan asked, "Are you going to show the emperor the function of a steam engine?"
Ji Yuan shook his head: "If he knew about steam engines, why didn't he immediately set up a steam engine department?"
Cai Fenglan was silent.
It seems there is no way to refute it!
In the next few days, Ji Yuan and his friends perfected this little trick, waiting for the right time to show it off.
As for who to show it to?
Anyway, he is not the emperor.
On the ninth day of August, more than a dozen small countries from the southwest finally arrived in the capital after a long journey.
They ran very fast on the road just to catch the Mid-Autumn Festival and come to pay homage to the Emperor of Tianqi to show their respect.
The journey was so rushed that several people fell ill.
The emperor of Tianqi State enjoyed watching these people in such a miserable state.
Look how much effort they put into worshipping me.
The people in the Ministry of Rites couldn't help but look down on others.
These small border countries are really boring. They are so poor and stingy. How can they still have the nerve to give out those gifts?
It's really not worth it to hold a grand Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the palace this year just for them.
The small southwestern countries, led by Jing and Hehui, did not say much, but concentrated on preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
The most different among them are the several "living Buddhas".
The one invited by Hehui Kingdom was even a high monk from India.
Apart from anything else, these monks were very different from others. They were dressed in luxurious clothes and had gentle faces. When they were chanting, they even looked like the Buddha statues in ancient paintings.
This special fact was naturally reported to the Emperor of Tianqi.
The old emperor's expression changed several times.
He looked at the people closest to him and saw that they also looked shocked, so he stopped asking them and instead asked Ji Yuan who was standing at the back.
"Master Ji, what are the customs of this small country in the southwest? Why did they bring living Buddhas here?"
Speaking of which, the last place of Ji Yuan is the closest to that place, so it would be appropriate to ask him.
Ji Yuan answered seriously: "This is the special thing about that place. People there generally believe in Buddhism, and there are many Tantric Buddhist sects."
"I guess they invited their most important person to go with them as a sign of respect."
This is quite appropriate.
The old emperor had a hint of expectation in his eyes, but he was not sure how to show it, so he said directly: "The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in five days must be held well."
"Let these barbaric and small countries see the majesty of Tianqi, so that they will be in awe."
"Those living Buddhas must also be entertained well, and more vegetarian food must be prepared. Do not neglect them."
Most people in the Qinzheng Hall did not understand what it meant.
The Crown Prince and Prime Minister Li showed a hint of disapproval.
The Fifth Prince noticed nothing.
Scholar Chu was prepared to please him.
The rest of the people still don’t know what the emperor is thinking.
Ji Yuan stood back again and at the very back.
Soon, everyone will know what the emperor really means.
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