Chapter 20 Is it worth it?
Compared to the capital, Yunnan was much more convenient for doing things. Although Wang Ji was watching over them, Wunong Temple had more materials to draw upon and would not be afraid to try something due to a lack of materials.
In addition, smelting technology has made great progress in recent years, and the purity is far superior to the steel smelted in previous years. The loss of parts is smaller and the fineness is relatively higher.
Such a large investment was not wasted. The craftsmen had the opportunity to try many times and finally came up with a simple prototype, but it was relatively large in size.
But it also makes it easier to see how it works.
Xu Wangzhi watched the connecting rod drive the flywheel to rotate, and couldn't help but move closer. He said in shock, "Can boiling water have such an effect?"
The craftsman said somewhat embarrassedly, "Your Highness said this is steam. When water is heated, it evaporates... and turns into gas. The gas pushes the plug inside. The plug is connected to the iron rod, and the matching wheel moves with it."
Xu Wangzhi walked around the iron machine, looking left and right, and said, "But the cylinder is limited in size. It will eventually reach the end. Then the wheel will stop moving, right?"
Upon hearing this, the craftsman hurriedly explained, "There's a fixed valve on top. This iron rod isn't one long rod, but two connected together, allowing for free bending. The connecting buckle in the middle has a needle-like protrusion. Hitting the valve will seal the left air inlet, allowing steam to enter only from the right. By pushing the plug back to its starting point from the other end, this back-and-forth movement will allow the iron rod to move forward and backward, rotating the wheel along with it."
Xu Wangzhi stood on a stool and looked at the top of the steam engine. Sure enough, he saw two iron pipes. One of them was connected to the cylinder with a water inlet on it, and the bottom was connected to the stove, which was burning with a raging fire.
She roughly understood how this system worked, and couldn't help but sigh, "I'm surprised you can come up with these things. The ones I saw before were made of wood, but now they're all made of iron. This is what we call daily changes and monthly differences."
The craftsman quickly said, "This wasn't our idea. It was your Highness's. We never thought there was such a thing!"
Huai En, who was standing by, had been suppressing his excitement. Upon hearing this, he also spoke: "Just the smelting alone has taken a lot of hard work. The dangers involved in producing iron pipes that won't explode are immeasurable."
The risk of hand cannons exploding is well known. In order to ensure quality, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of smelting.
The most difficult thing is not to copy the drawings, but to improve the originally not-so-sophisticated skills.
When everyone heard this, they showed a bit of shyness on their faces, but their eyes all turned to Zhu Yuhuan who had been staring at the steam engine silently.
For a moment, the only sound in the open space was the sound of wheels turning rapidly.
Ever since seeing the simple steam engine made by everyone, Zhu Yuhuan has been silent, and no one knows what he is thinking.
Xu Wangzhi was the bravest. He stepped forward, patted Zhu Yuhuan on the shoulder, and asked, "What are you thinking about? You don't even smile. It's scary."
Zhu Yuhuan came back to his senses, and finally smiled. He said, "I was stunned. I never expected..."
Before she finished speaking, Xu Wangzhi already understood what Zhu Yuhuan meant.
It’s just that no one expected that these craftsmen could actually turn Zhu Yuhuan’s “wonderful ideas” into reality.
Zhu Yuhuan walked around the machine, which was much larger than she was, several times, looking it up and down, muttering, "It's true...it really worked..."
For Zhu Yuhuan, this was even more intimidating than the reform of the aboriginal system. After all, the imperial court had always intended to bring Yunnan under central management, but it hadn't been implemented. Zhu Yuhuan had some knowledge of this aspect. However, for things like machinery, Zhu Yuhuan relied on ancient texts and his own simple modern knowledge to learn. He hadn't even gotten started, so he had to hand over this "important task" to these craftsmen.
She had managed to obtain so many privileges, including mining, smelting, and manpower. After investing so much, if there was no harvest, both Zhu Yuhuan and the craftsmen would face serious consequences. However, Zhu Yuhuan almost never expressed his concerns in front of outsiders. Even Huai En knew that this matter could not fail.
Zhu Yuhuan had only a superficial understanding of the theoretical knowledge, but these craftsmen were able to complete the task based on Zhu Yuhuan's vague description. Zhu Yuhuan felt a heat rising to his chest, which was then forcibly suppressed by her.
Xu Wangzhi didn't know what she was thinking, but was amused by her mumbling.
Xu Wangzhi waved his hand nonchalantly, "Isn't this something you came up with? What's there to be excited about?"
Zhu Yuhuan just lowered his eyes and smiled without saying anything.
She raised her head again and looked at the machine, which still seemed a bit bulky to her, with mixed feelings in her heart.
"You have all worked hard over the years." Zhu Yuhuan cleared his throat and said, "Before your majesty rewards you, I will first give you the wages you are due."
When everyone heard her say this, they all declined.
In their view, although life in Yunnan is not easy, it at least provides their descendants with an opportunity to escape from the craftsman status. At least their children no longer have to do these hard labors. Such a reward is enough.
Zhu Yuhuan said seriously, "What I'm giving you is what you deserve. Without you, there would be no steam engine in front of you. Just take it." Her tone was initially serious, but after noticing the nervous expressions of the craftsmen, she smiled and said, "Let me be clear up front, these rewards are not given away for free. I want you to use this machine in more places."
Everyone looked at each other.
After a long while, someone asked, "Your Highness, are you planning to use it on a loom? It's faster this way, but it costs more to burn wood and charcoal. I'm afraid it's not as cost-effective as human and water power."
Someone nearby echoed, "That's right. Using this for plowing is even less worthwhile. We already have a farm cart, so we might as well raise a few more cows. Your Highness, Tao Yanwa told me some time ago that he has two particularly strong cows. Maybe they can mate them with even stronger ones..."
Before he could finish his words, someone next to him pushed him and motioned him to look at the eldest princess's expression.
After hearing what they said, Zhu Yuhuan understood that this was the most important point. She said, "In this world, some things don't matter whether they are worth the money or not."
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