Chapter 22 Chaos
With the steam engine, craftsmen began to improve its functionality based on this simple foundation while also enhancing its durability.
Although the forging level has improved in recent years, the steam engine needs to be used for a long time, and the way it is heated is completely different from the equipment in the past that relied entirely on water power. Therefore, a higher level of technology is required for smelting, forging, etc.
No matter how good something is, if it becomes scrapped after being used a few times, it becomes a useless thing that is neither tasty nor worth throwing away.
Zhu Yuhuan was not in a hurry and just asked them to consider using steam engines in mining.
For example, steam engines are used to drain mines, transport ore, or to vent air from mines and blow air for smelting.
When mining, groundwater and gas leaks are inevitable. Drainage and exhaust mostly rely on manpower. Sometimes the situation is so serious that mining operations are suspended, which in turn forces more miners to work day and night to meet their quotas. They are forced to work underground for long periods of time, which is extremely miserable.
If it were feasible to use steam engines and bamboo pipes to drain and exhaust water, the efficiency would be greatly improved.
Of course, this is an optimistic view. If this is the case, Yunnan's mineral mining burden may even be heavier.
But exhaust and drainage are not only related to mining efficiency, but also guarantee the safety of miners. It is worth a try anyway.
In addition, Zhu Yuhuan also considered applying steam engines to agriculture, but the number of craftsmen was limited, and the energy that could be allocated was naturally limited, so it was naturally limited to mining-related matters.
Today's farm tools are sufficient for the time being, so there is no need to rush. However, if we want to comprehensively improve smelting technology, the "feedback" of steam engines is also very necessary.
As for Zhu Qizhen, Zhu Yuhuan also asked people to make a few relatively small models so that they could be brought back for Zhu Qizhen to check.
"Let's get started."
Zhu Yuhuan watched the craftsmen start to use the steam engine. Under the power of steam, the water level in the pool gradually dropped. After about an incense stick of time, the small pond in the yard was empty.
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but smile and said, "You guys are the best. This bamboo tube is indeed more useful than an iron tube."
"After a while, the bamboo drainage pipes in the mine will be installed. Then we can conduct another experiment in the mine. If there are no mistakes, we should be able to build it in other mines."
Zhu Yuhuan nodded slightly and then asked, "Is the equipment for transporting the minerals ready?"
The craftsman led Zhu Yuhuan to a well and said, "This is easy. We made two types, both horizontal and vertical." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "If we can build a smooth path through the mine without any obstacles, the ore can be transported even faster."
Zhu Yuhuan was stunned at first, then smiled and said, "If that's the case, then build a road."
Before the craftsman understood what she meant, Huai En came over and said, "Your Highness, there is news."
Seeing this, the craftsman understood that the princess had important things to do, so he walked away.
Zhu Yuhuan asked, "What's wrong?"
Huai En whispered, "Minister Wang specifically sent someone here to say that there's a civilian rebellion in Fujian. It's so powerful that even Zhejiang has responded. At the current rate, I'm afraid Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi will all be affected. Minister Wang's message is... Your Highness might not be able to return to the capital for the time being. Not only that, the last batch of soldiers allowed to return to their hometowns to farm must also remain in Yunnan."
Zhu Yuhuan was unconcerned and simply asked, "What's going on with the rebellion in Fujian?"
"I don't know the exact situation yet, but I heard that many miners joined the rebels in the riots. It seems to be because of the mining..."
Zhu Yuhuan frowned slightly, as if thinking about something, and said, "I see... Then let's wait."
Huai En was stunned when he heard this, but he quickly understood what Zhu Yuhuan meant.
According to Wang Ji, the government troops were clearly no match for the rebels, otherwise the rebellion would not have spread to three provinces. With Yunnan's situation gradually stabilizing, the troops initially deployed to prevent the rebellion by the native officials had largely been disbanded. However, some remained within Yunnan, and together with the local Yunnan troops, the number of troops available for deployment was at least 10,000.
As long as Zhu Qizhen gave the order, Wang Ji and Zhu Yuhuan in Yunnan could immediately lead their troops into battle.
The key lies in what Zhu Qizhen thinks.
Zhu Yuhuan smiled at Huai En and said, "We just have to wait for good news. I was worried that the steam engine issue would not be completely settled before Yu Ge'er's wedding, but now it seems that we will have more time."
Although he said this, Zhu Yuhuan actually already had the answer in his heart.
Zhu Qizhen would not use either Zhu Yuhuan or Wang Ji.
Although Wang Ji believed that this rebellion should not be underestimated, for Zhu Qizhen, it was just a small local rebellion, which in his opinion was perhaps not as threatening as the rebellion in northern Zhili when he first ascended the throne.
Not to mention that Wang Ji and Zhu Yuhuan had both experienced the Battle of Luchuan. Asking these two people who were in command of a large-scale war that transferred half the country's military pay to quell a small refugee rebellion was really a waste of talent, and it seemed that there was no one in the court.
However, Zhu Yuhuan also had another guess, that is, after Zhu Qizhen experienced the Liu Qiu incident, he inevitably had some grudges against her.
Even if Zhu Yuhuan's illness was really just a coincidence, it gave officials the opportunity to "criticize" him in front of the emperor in the court. Moreover, Yang Pu was the former husband of Princess Shunde. With Zhu Qizhen's personality very similar to Zhu Zhanji, he would inevitably feel resentful about this and would no longer be willing to trust Zhu Yuhuan as he did in the past.
Wang Ji continued to stay in Yunnan before Zhu Qizhen regained power, playing the role of "surveillance" beside Zhu Yuhuan.
Therefore, Zhu Qizhen would most likely prefer to send officials from the capital to the local area to "suppress the bandits" rather than let Wang Ji do it personally.
As for whether the officials who traveled thousands of miles from the capital to the south could succeed in suppressing the rebellion, that was not something Zhu Qizhen had to consider.
For the emperor, the most important thing is to achieve successful results.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuhuan said to Huai En: "It just so happens that I was just talking with the craftsmen about steam engine transportation. I remember there is a small mine. You can ask someone to pave a road in that mine to facilitate the transportation of copper ore."
Huai En responded: "Huai En understands."
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