Datang Nongwang

Chapter 584 The Iron Ship's Dream

Thinking is definitely ahead.

It is certainly a good idea to use gears, winches, pulleys and other devices to build a paddle steamer without a mast, but it is definitely not possible at this time.

Li Chongyuan's design of the paddle steamer seemed a little ahead of his time, but his thinking was even ahead of his own.

As Yu Rong said.

The paddle steamer could be built according to his idea, but the speed of the boat would definitely not be too fast.

Moreover, if there is a favorable wind, the speed must be inferior to that of a ship with sails, and it will increase manpower in vain.

After listening to Li Chongyuan's words, Yu Rong was not in a hurry to defend himself, but just listened quietly and thought about it.

At this time, Na Wanhong and others began to talk about the changes of the other paddle steamers.

After they explained, Li Chongyuan agreed with their thoughts very much, and even put forward some opinions of his own.

In the blink of an eye.

It was already getting dark.

Xingba approached Li Chongyuan and reminded him in a low voice: "Young Lord, it's getting dark. If there is anything, we can discuss it tomorrow. You have only arrived in Xixiang today, and you are already exhausted on the way. Sir, you should hurry back and rest."

As soon as Li Chongyuan heard Xingba's words, he looked up and looked outside.

Only then did I realize that the sun had long since disappeared, and it was starting to get dark.

"Everyone, it's getting late, and I think you haven't eaten dinner yet. I just arrived here today, and I'm really tired. Otherwise, everyone should hurry back to eat." Li Chongyuan knew that Xingba's reminder was for good will.

and.

I have traveled all the way by myself, let alone tired, and lack of energy.

When everyone heard Li Chongyuan's words, they quickly responded: "Li Xianhou is right, Li Xianhou just rushed to Xixiang, he must be tired and hungry, this is my fault, please go back quickly and take care of yourself." Rest, let's talk about it tomorrow."

Everyone has been communicating with Li Chongyuan all afternoon.

It can be said that they really did not expect that Li Chongyuan was such an easy-talking and colluding county Hou Xungui.

Put it somewhere else.

Don't talk about nobles, even officials can call them whatever they want.

Li Chongyuan's good collusion has already made them a little impressed.

and.

They also heard from other people's mouths that Li Chongyuan started to do things like he is now, without any airs, and it might be the same as eating and drinking with the helpers.

With such an unassuming noble as his master, the shipwrights are of course looking forward to it.

Li Chongyuan bowed his hands to everyone, followed Xingba and they left the shipyard.

Back to Li Chongyuan in Li Village.

He took a good rest for two days in a row, so as to relieve his tiredness along the way.

And these two days.

That sailor, Yu Rong, locked himself in the design room every day, lying on the desk with his whole body.

at last.

On the third day, he had already drawn the design of the ship he had in mind, straightened up, and stretched his waist, "It seems that there should be no problem, and I don't know if Li Xianhou saw my design. , Will you agree to my plan? No, I have to make two small sample ships."

Move when you say it.

Yu Rong said nothing.

Regardless of whether I was tired or excited, I started building a small sample boat again.

for your own design.

Yu Rong didn't even need his son's help, even a few close relatives and apprentices were sent away by him, and he built the prototype boat by himself.

Li Chongyuan, who had had breakfast, came to the edge of Yangshui, watching an occasional ship on Yangshui carrying goods heading for Xixiang County, feeling a lot of emotion in his heart.

"Line eight, since the foreign waters have been dredged, some large ships can be used here. If this continues, Xixiang will definitely become rich." After Li Chongyuan pointed to a ship full of cargo and headed for the direction of Xixiang County, Said to Xing Ba at the side.

Xingba nodded, "Xiao Langjun, if the waterway is loosened, there will definitely be boats. I don't know if such achievements will be counted on the head of Xiao Langjun or those officials."

"It doesn't matter whoever it is. Anyway, it benefits the people on both sides of the Yangshui River, as well as the people in Xixiang. All of this is worthwhile." Li Chongyuan understood the meaning of Xingbahua.

The foreign water is dredged by someone at their own expense.

All the expenses of this money were borne by him, Li Chongyuan, and the local yamen never paid a penny.

Money is not money.

Li Chongyuan no longer cares about so much.

What he wants is to dredge the ocean water well, no matter who it benefits, in short, the main purpose is not for his own shipyard.

If his fief was located on both sides of the Yangtze River, Li Chongyuan might not have to spend this money.

but.

It's no wonder why his fief is located in Xixiang.

And now.

Li Chongyuan has land on the banks of the Han River and the Yangtze River. At this time, Li Chongyuan is already thinking in his mind whether it is possible to build another shipyard.

Based on the communication with those sailors two days ago, Li Chongyuan is quite sure of their abilities.

Definitely yes.

However, if one's own shipyard wants to build a huge ship, it is basically hopeless.

Li Chongyuan looked at Yangshui, but his mind kept turning.

'I don't know how the treasure ship was built. It's really unimaginable that it can be as big as an aircraft carrier.It would be perfect if I had a blueprint for the design of the treasure ship. '

When Li Chongyuan thought of ships, the first thing he thought of was the treasure ship.

but.

The treasure ship was a ship from the Ming Dynasty. Even if Li Chongyuan wanted to obtain the blueprint of the treasure ship, there was no other way.

The dynasties are too far apart. Although Li Chongyuan had this idea, it was hopeless.

of course.

What Li Chongyuan most wanted to build was of course an iron boat.

That is, modern ships.

but.

The construction of modern ships requires corresponding supporting facilities.

Such as gantry cranes.

Such as air compressors, such as welding torches.

Another example is the steam engine.

In short.

These cannot be done in the present moment, nor are they possible to achieve.

Li Chongyuan thought about the steam engine, but no matter how much he thought about it, there was no good steel or rubber.

Without these things, everything is useless.

Li Chongyuan looked sideways, looked at Xing Ba and asked: "Xing Ba, you said that if I build an iron boat, do you think it will cause a sensation in the world?"

"Xiao Langjun, are you talking nonsense? How can iron walk on water? Even if you build an iron boat, Xiao Langjun, once it hits the water, it will not sink." Hearing Li Chongyuan's words, Bayi directly thought that Li Chongyuan's head had been caught.

Li Chongyuan smiled, "You, the head is still not enough. But I want to build an iron boat now, and I need good steel. Otherwise, even if I build it, it will just sink to the bottom as you said. gone."

Build iron ships.

This idea has been thought of countless times in Li Chongyuan's mind.

As long as the steam engine can be built, the iron ship will not be a dream.

Paddle steamer trials continue.

Two days ago, after the paddle steamer had a trial voyage, after two days of repairs, it started the trial voyage again.

Wan Hong came to Li Chongyuan at a trot, and said with a salute: "Li County Marquis, today the paddle steamer is on trial again, and I invite Li County Marquis to board the boat to experience it, so as to point out some problems that we haven't discovered."

"Alright, I just want to take a paddle steamer too." Li Chongyuan raised his legs and walked towards the pier without saying a word when he heard Wan Hong's words.

Xingba and the others wanted to persuade them, but they swallowed their words when they reached their lips.

Ship trials are as dangerous as war.

but.

Xingba and the others also know that Li Chongyuan is much better than them in terms of water quality.

When he was in Xixiang last year, Li Chongyuan could swim from one end to the other, and even hold back in the water for a long time.

to this end.

If you want to dissuade, you can only stop at your throat.

Everyone boarded the boat.

The boatman listened to the order and began to push a roulette.

After a while, the paddle steamer started slowly under the efforts of the boatmen.

Very gentle, but very laborious.

Standing at the stern of the boat, Li Chongyuan watched the boatmen pushing the roulette and shook his head, "Old Wan, no matter how strong the boatman is, they can't keep pushing the roulette. You have to find a way to reduce the resistance, that is, the wooden wheel and the roulette. For the force between the wooden wheels, you can try to add some wooden gears that move together, in this case, at least a lot of force can be reduced."

"Li County Marquis, I remember. After this trial voyage is over, I will try to make some wooden gears to improve it. However, our first paddle steamer is still too small and the place is not big enough, and the wooden gears are probably only We can add two more." When Wan Hong heard what Li Chongyuan said, although he agreed with it, he had his own opinion.

Li Chongyuan nodded and said: "It doesn't matter whether the place is big enough or not, try to do it. Only after you try to do it, can you know the result. This paddle boat is used to test many immature ideas. Can give paddle steamers the shape."

Wan Hong nodded heavily, but there was some helplessness in his eyes.

in fact.

Wan Hong still disagreed with Li Chongyuan's words in his heart.

Thousands of dollars have already been spent on this experimental paddle steamer alone.

It doesn't matter if you add some improvements or repairs, there are other miscellaneous things.

The price of this experimental paddle steamer alone is estimated to have reached [-] guan.

This is money.

But Li Chongyuan is the boss, so he can only follow orders.

Three words, love money.

Trial down.

Li Chongyuan also put forward some big suggestions.

Wan Hong wrote down one by one.

After the boat returned to the dock, Wan Hong and others immediately recruited hundreds of boatmen to get the boat into the dock.

After another two days.

Wan Hong once again invited Li Chongyuan to participate in the third trial of the paddle steamer.

When the test voyage is over.

Still not able to meet Li Chongyuan's ideal requirements, he still put forward some suggestions and new ideas.

In this regard.

Wan Hong and others did the same as the previous two times, returned the ship to the dock, and went to repair and repair it again.

And just when Li Chongyuan was planning to go to Xixiang County, Yu Rong, who hadn't seen anyone for a few days, ran to Li Chongyuan with a sloppy look, and gasped, "Li County Marquis, please, please." Please stay."

"What are you?" Seeing Yu Rong's sloppy appearance, Li Chongyuan really didn't know how Yu Rong made himself look like this these days.

While panting heavily, Yu Rong pointed in the direction of the shipyard, "Li County Marquis, please, please move over to the shipyard. I have something. I have something for Li County Marquis to take a look at."

"What?" Li Chongyuan was puzzled, but his leg was heading towards the shipyard.

After half an hour.

Li Chongyuan was led to the design room by Yu Rong.

When Li Chongyuan entered the design room, there was a new small sample ship on the desk, and it was obviously different from other small sample ships.

There is no mast.

Some have four paddle wheels.

There is a big paddle wheel on the front, back, left, and right sides.

The four big paddle wheels are all placed under the hull, unlike other paddle boats, the paddle wheels are obviously higher than the boat.

The hull is wrapped with some very thin iron sheets, like the bow and stern, at first glance, it looks very murderous.

Li Chongyuan looked at this very special paddle steamer in front of him, feeling incredible.

If the ship does not have four paddle wheels, it is like an iron-clad ship.

On one side of the sample ship, there is also an interlocking roulette. It seems that this is to be installed in the sample ship.

Li Chongyuan looked at it carefully for a long time, and was very surprised: "Yu Rong, don't tell me, you designed this paddle steamer yourself."

"Back to Li Xianhou, this is exactly what I designed. These two days, I have been thinking about what Li Xianhou said that day, so in these few days, I redesigned the pattern of the boat, and made a The small sample ship came out, and I want Li Xianhou to correct me." Yu Rong looked at Li Chongyuan expectantly, hoping that his achievement would be affirmed by Li Chongyuan.

Li Chongyuan picked up the interlocking roulette on the table and pulled it casually, feeling very smooth, "Is this also your design?"

"Yes." Yu Rong nodded heavily.

Li Chongyuan continued to push and pull, and the power from his hands felt extremely smooth, without any frustration.

Li Chongyuan is really curious, how can this interlocking roulette achieve such an effect, "What material is this made of?"

"Back to Li County Marquis, it is made of camphor wood, and I specially added tung oil to the joints to ensure its smoothness." Yu Rong replied.

Li Chongyuan looked at the special paddle steamer in front of him, and thought of the iron-clad ship, and his mind was full of thoughts.

But the small sample boat in front of me is definitely much better than the paddle steamer used for experiments.

Li Chongyuan can be sure that with just the moving roulette, only three people are needed to make the ship sail continuously.

As for the real effect, Li Chongyuan can't be sure, but it can be inferred.

Li Chongyuan patted Yu Rong on the shoulder, and said appreciatively: "You built this boat for me. I need to verify it. If it is done well, I will credit you for it."

"Yes yes yes, Marquis of County Li, don't worry, I will definitely build this paddle steamer." Yu Rong was so excited that he almost jumped up when he heard Li Chongyuan's words.

For this paddle steamer, Yu Rong has been fighting for five or six days.

It had been five or six days, and finally got the affirmation from Li Chongyuan. At this moment, Yu Rong's heart was almost out of blood supply, and his face was flushed, which was enough to show how excited he was.

(End of this chapter)