Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 580 Paddle steamer

At Zhu's Shipyard in Jingkou, Fan Ning unexpectedly met Zhu Yuanfeng here, and also got the news that the steam engine was built, which made him overjoyed.

"I wanted to surprise you, so I didn't tell you that the steam engine has been built."

"But it's not perfect yet!"

Zhu Yuanfeng glanced at Fan Ning and said, "It is relatively large and consumes a lot of charcoal. If you go sailing, you have to prepare a lot of coal."

Fan Ning nodded. Of course he knew all this. Now what he cares about is whether the steamship has been built or not?
"I hope my third grandfather can give me another surprise."

"I don't know if it's a surprise, but you can see for yourself anyway!"

Zhu Yuanfeng took the three Fan brothers to a heavily guarded wharf in a shipyard. The ship in front of him made his eyes shine. The mast on the ship was gone, replaced by a big chimney. This is a cargo ship of [-] stone. , at the rear of the cargo ship, a huge paddle wheel was installed.

"Why not a propeller?" Fanning asked strangely.

"I'll answer this question for you!"

Zhu Xiaolin next to him said: "There are still many problems to be solved with the propeller. It can't be installed for the time being, and it will take a few more years."

"But the problem of water entering the ship."

Zhu Xiaolin shook his head, "Water seepage is only a small problem. The water that seeps in in a day can be cleaned up in a quarter of an hour. At present, there are two major problems. One is that the wooden propeller is not strong enough. We are worried that it will be easily damaged in the sea, so we decided to use it. Iron may be used to make large propellers, but it will take time, and the second problem is that after using propellers, the stern vibrates badly, and this problem will also take time to solve.”

"Is there a solution to the vibration problem?"

"Maybe it's a bit eye-catching!"

Zhu Xiaolin smiled and said: "Our craftsmen have thought about it for a long time, and we think that changing the shape of the stern and adding blades at the same time, changing the three propellers to five or more, should have an effect. time."

Fan Ning thought for a while and said, "Perhaps we can change the shape of the leaves!"

Fan Ning was not worried that people in the Song Dynasty would not be able to make large forgings. The anchor of a [-]-stone ship was as high as one meter. The Cangzhou Iron Lion built in the early Song Dynasty weighed five tons. Not a problem, as for the degree of precision, Fanning is not worried.

He imagined the shape of propellers in later generations, and drew a banana shape on a white board with charcoal, and said with a smile: "It probably looks like this! You can try more."

Zhu Xiaolin carefully picked up the plank, handed it to the attendant next to him for safekeeping, and said to Fan Ning, "I will try my best to succeed in the experiment within two or three years."

After the propeller had a plan, Fan Ning didn't ask any more questions. He turned his attention to the steamship again. He couldn't figure out why Zhu Yuanfeng installed the first steam engine on the three-thousand stone ship instead of the Wanshi large ship. Onboard trials?

Ming Ren had already figured out this problem, he kicked Fan Ning lightly, and whispered: "This is to drive into Beijing to show the emperor."

Fan Ning suddenly burst into laughter, and Zhu Yuanfeng was still thinking about it.

Zhu Yuanfeng blushed and explained: "This is what Zhizhengtang means. I hope to see the power of the steam engine. I thought about it again and again. Only ships can show it. So this is actually for Zhizhengtang to see."

Fan Ning didn't care about Zhu Yuanfeng's pursuit of honor, which was normal. He hoped that the steam engine could be fully developed in Song Dynasty.

"I hope that the third grandfather can set up a special workshop to manufacture steam engines, and don't worry about others stealing lessons. We will study together to promote the development of steam engines. In addition, we will establish a steam engine research institute to thoroughly understand its principles, and then find ways to improve it. improve."

Zhu Yuanfeng nodded silently, and Fan Ning said to Zhu Xiaolin: "Although the output of the government-run coke plant in Handan is large, it is not for civilian use. There are also many private coke ovens there, which can be bought to produce coke for shipping. The Song Mansion also controls an iron mine, and there will be a large demand for pig iron in the future."

"Leave the iron ore business to us!"

Mingren and Mingli said with a smile: "We also have a third part of Cao's iron mine, we can invest more money to expand the mining capacity."

"That's good, iron and charcoal are the foundation, we must do it in advance."

The three-thousand-stone steam engine ship was not yet fully built, and Fan Ning continued to go north. A few days later, they arrived in the capital.

At this time, it has been exactly one year since Fan Ning returned to Beijing to report on his work last year, and his term of overseas strategic envoy is only one year left.

When he came back this time, on the one hand, he had to report on the situation in the Southern Continent, and on the other hand, he also considered his next position. Of course, the purchase of the island had to be completed, which was considered a private matter.

The three disembarked at the North Dock of Daxiangguo Temple. Mingren and Mingli went to meet their parents. Fan Ning didn't want to disturb their first family reunion in several years, so he made an appointment with them and walked south with a few of them. go.

Fan Ning has not walked alone in the street for many years. Perhaps it was a long time sailing. The cries on the street made him feel very familiar and friendly. Even the sound of tinkling irons was so pleasant. Fan Ning looked around all the way. After a while, he walked out of Shuyuan Street.

The square in front of the Daxiangguo Temple has always been the busiest and busiest place in the capital. This is the middle section of East Street, where businesses are dense and the flow of people is turbulent. In addition, a large number of people of all religions and styles gather here, making it overcrowded all the year round.

Zhu Long and the other four were very nervous, for fear of losing their master. At this moment, Fan Ning stood in front of a carriage in a daze. it's here.

But what attracted Fan Ning and made him stunned was not the luxurious decoration of the carriage, but the wheels of the carriage. These turned out to be steel ring teeth, and the teeth were the outer ring of the carriage. There were also twelve spokes. Spokes, but this is the first time I have seen a spoke made of pig iron.

The wheel structure is no different from the bicycle rims of later generations. There is a groove in the middle of the teeth, and the rubber tire is just embedded in the groove. Inside is the inner tube, and a layer of outer tire is wrapped. Don’t doubt the wisdom of the craftsmen of the Song Dynasty. The tire wraps the wheel. It is well made and the workmanship is exquisite, even the inflation port is also inside the rim.

As for the inflation device for the wheel, Fanning saw it in Akihito's workshop, using a bellows connected to a rubber tube.

In fact, not only Fan Ning was surprised, but many passers-by were also surprised and gathered around the carriage to discuss.

After all, the production of pig iron in the Song Dynasty cannot be compared with that of later generations, especially the wheels are made of hard iron with high carbon content, which makes this kind of wheels made of pig iron and copper shafts still a luxury.Rubber tires can be popularized, but the current production is limited, and it can only meet the needs of the royal family and the powerful.

Zhu Long walked up to Fan Ning and said in a low voice, "This carriage is the Qian family's carriage."

The carriage saw a lantern hanging above the shaft, and the word 'Qian' was written on the lantern. He nodded. No wonder, only the rich and powerful of the Qian family can use pig iron wheels. Looking at the interior, it is estimated that this is the carriage that Mrs. Qian is riding on. .

After watching for a while, Fan Ning left the carriage and continued to walk along the East Street. Granny Cao's meatloaf was still lined up in a long line. The Zhanggu Rouge shop opposite was crowded with people rushing to buy something. The paper bag comes out.

Fan Ning saw a big sign standing next to the shop, which read: 'The soap of Yugufang is limited to two pieces per person. '

Fan Ning laughed. Yugufang is the workshop of his fourth uncle Fan Tongzhong, specializing in the production of soap and scented soap. It has been in business for a year. Is it still so popular?The formula didn't spread out?

At this time, Zhu Long stepped forward and patted Fan Ning's arm lightly. Fan Ning turned his head, and Zhu Long pointed to a carriageway in the distance: "Officer, someone is looking for you over there."

It seemed that he had met an acquaintance. Fan Ning walked over quickly, but his attention was on the wheels. Although the carriage was also very gorgeous, it was not iron wheels, but wooden wheels, and there were no tires. A rider beside him laughed. Said: "Why is Mr. Fan always staring at the wheels?"

As soon as Fan Ning looked up, the person on the horse was actually Cao Shi, with several followers behind him.

Cao Shi has transferred from literature to martial arts. Last year, he was promoted to General of the Left Guard, Commander of the Deputy Commander in front of the palace, and controls the four armies that defend the capital. This is also the layout of the Empress Dowager Cao. This position is the most suitable, because after Fan Cao's marriage, the Cao family does not need to make too many arrangements for civil servants.

Fan Ning chuckled, "Why is third brother here?"

Cao Shi Daxiangguo Temple, said with a smile: "Today is the day of wish fulfillment, I will accompany my wife to Daxiangguo Temple to offer incense."

It turned out that the Princess of Lu State was in the carriage, and Fan Ning saluted with fists in his hands, "Your Highness, Fan Ning is being polite!"

A soft voice came from inside the carriage, "They are all from my own family. You are welcome, Uncle Fan. Can Xiu'er come with you?"

"She's still in Quanzhou, and she will take him to Beijing next time."

Princess Lu said to her husband again: "You can accompany Uncle Fan! I will go back by myself."

"Then lady, be careful!"

Cao Shi also asked his family to take good care of him, and when his wife's carriage was gone, he smiled at Fan Ning: "Since we met, go have a drink!"

Fan Ning nodded, pointed to the opposite restaurant and said, "This restaurant of Thousand Days Drunk is not bad, let's go to it."

(End of this chapter)