big song poppi

Chapter 446 0442 [Fierce oil! Happy New Year! 】

"Your Majesty's talents and strategies will surely lead the world."

Pei Huai's words are not flattery, but he truly feels this way.

Since ancient times, those who win the Central Plains win the world.

One is that the Central Plains is the hinterland of China and is politically superior. China regards the Yellow River culture as the mainstream. The Yellow River is the mother river, not the Yangtze River.

With righteousness in hand, justice reaches all directions.

The second is the environment. As long as the vast North China Plain is managed well, there will be no shortage of food.

The third is talent. Although the South has experienced rapid development in recent years and has frequently produced literati, the Central Plains has a profound foundation, with a very high proportion of scholars and a large number of talents.

Therefore, it is not difficult for those who hold the Central Plains in their hands since ancient times, as long as they are not fools, to unify the world.

Finally, and the most crucial point, Qiu Ba from the Qingzhou Army is really good at fighting!

The horse's hooves made a crisp sound as they stepped on the cement road.

Ahead is a flat mountain col.

The soldiers were very happy to know that the officials came to visit them.

This is an open sentinel, and there are also hidden sentinels in places that cannot be seen.

Craftsman Yuan said with emotion: "Your Majesty, this cement is really a magical thing. It saves me a lot of trouble. If it weren't for the lack of cement, it is estimated that the construction may not be completed until next year."

Just because this place is so important, it is the gateway to Mount Tai.

Han Zhen waved his hand: "I have been poor since I was a child. I have slept on the grass, lived in a ruined temple, and crawled on the ice and snow on the battlefield. I am not that delicate."

Although the civil servants looked down upon the warriors, they had to admit that they had to rely on the military to expand their territories.

Han Zhen chuckled and said: "Technology is the first force of development. This is why I have to waste a lot of money to build a military industrial base. As long as I can tinker with new things, no matter how much money I spend, it is worth it."

When sweet potatoes, corn, and potatoes take root and sprout in the Central Plains, when five grains become eight grains, the conditions for the shift from agriculture to industry will soon be achieved.

Han Zhen is confident that he can wait until that day. He is still young and will only be twenty years old after this year's New Year.

While talking, escorted by three hundred personal guards, the dragon chariot drove into the city and all the way to the palace.

The development of industry does not depend on just one person, but on one generation or even several generations.

Craftsman Yuan was grateful: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It's not hard for me."

Han Zhen waved his hand and went to the military camp first to express his condolences to the soldiers stationed there.

In addition, there are soldiers responsible for patrolling the mountains to ensure that no suspicious persons enter the military industrial base in the mountains.

When walking on the cement road with horses, you can see a sentry post every mile.

Since Jieshou Town fell into the hands of Han Zhen, hundreds of Qingzhou troops have been stationed there all year round, and military control has been implemented.

Looking at his dark cheeks, Han Zhen patted his shoulder: "Thank you for your hard work these days!"

It is said to be a palace, but in fact it is just a mansion.

After the capture of Jinan Prefecture two years ago, many mansions became ownerless and finally fell into the hands of the government. Sanyu Kun sold a batch of them to replenish the treasury, and left a few buildings with the best locations and large scales. The largest mansion in case of emergencies.

All the way to the only foot shop in the town, Craftsman Yuan said apologetically: "The town is shabby, so please forgive me for one night."

Pei Huai couldn't hear the implication of the official's words, and he was very happy.

China had a solid foundation, and by the time of the Song Dynasty, various technologies were far ahead of the world.

Craftsman Yuan was waiting in the town early.

"I will definitely give my best efforts!"

Han Zhen got up early as usual, washed up, and had breakfast, then led his guards out of Jieshou Town. Under the leadership of Craftsman Yuan, he followed the newly paved cement path toward the depths of Mount Tai.

The supervisor on the side looked excited and said tremblingly: "I have prepared a small amount of wine to catch the wind and wash away the dust for Your Majesty."

That evening, he successfully arrived at Jieshou Town.

As for painting cakes, Han Zhen is becoming more and more skilled now.

After walking for nearly ten miles, we rounded a mountain again and the view suddenly became wider.

"Not urgent."

When we came out of the military camp, the sky turned completely dark.

The cement-cast fort is not large and can only accommodate three or five soldiers.

As long as the seeds are sown, they will bloom and bear fruit.

The great victory in the expedition to the north gave all the civil servants a reassurance.

Han Zhen knew this very well, so he founded the College of Engineering.

"I have met His Majesty."

Han Zhenruo pointed out: "Stop flattering and do more practical work. Chang Yukun and Xie Ding often complain to me, saying that the cabinet is busy with administrative affairs."

The next day.

After settling the Zhao Fujin sisters in Licheng, Han Zhen led two hundred personal guards and headed straight for Jieshou Town on the second day.

A small town located in the mountains.

A river comes from the mountains and cuts across the town.

More than a dozen tall waterwheels stand in the river, and each waterwheel is connected to a workshop.

Several plumes of thick black smoke shot straight into the sky from the towering chimneys.

"Where's the gunpowder workshop?"

Looking around at the layout of the town, Han Zhen asked.

Craftsman Yuan explained: "Your Majesty, the gunpowder workshop was built halfway up the mountain. Gunpowder is too dangerous and must be kept away from the town. Otherwise, if an accident occurs, the entire town will be destroyed."

Han Zhen nodded: "As long as you know what's going on."

Following the cement path, the group entered the town.

The town is not small, but there are few people there. Apart from the craftsmen and their families, there are only garrison troops.

Craftsman Yuan asked: "It's been a long journey, would your Majesty take a break?"

Han Zhen ordered: "No need, take me around for a walk."

"Yes."

Craftsman Yuan got off his horse and acted as groom for Han Zhen.

"Currently, there are eleven or twelve workshops in the entire military industry, each with its own strengths and duties. Your Majesty, please see, this workshop is responsible for researching and improving the method of smelting iron and steel." Iron Smelting Steel is a top priority and is the cornerstone of military and industrial development. Following Craftsman Yuan's introduction, Han Zhen's eyes fell on a workshop.

Stepping inside, a wave of heat hit my face.

Several blast furnaces were emitting bursts of heat. A master craftsman was giving instructions while writing notes in an online notebook.

Craftsman Yuan was about to step forward, but Han Zhen stopped him with his eyes.

At this moment, the master craftsman was directing the craftsmen to pour limestone into the furnace.

Limestone has been used as a solvent in iron smelting for a long time. Its function is to make the impurities in the molten iron adhere to the limestone to form oxidized slag, making the molten iron purer.

It was only then that the great craftsman discovered the arrival of Han Zhen and others.

Seeing the dragon pattern on Han Zhen's black uniform, he immediately bowed and said, "I have seen your Majesty."

"No gift."

Han Zhen smiled and asked, "How is the progress?"

The master craftsman smiled bitterly: "I dare not hide it from Your Majesty, I don't have a clue yet."

Hearing this, Han Zhen comforted him with a warm voice: "Take your time, don't be impatient."

"Wei Chen understands."

The great craftsman felt warm in his heart.

Han Zhen pondered: "Although I am not a craftsman, I do know some iron-smelting techniques. After all, it is nothing more than impurities and temperature."

"Your Majesty is a scholar of heaven, and I admire him."

The master craftsman was surprised and flattered him.

He didn't expect the officials to really understand.

Yes, the essence of smelting iron and steel is high temperature and the removal of impurities.

But it's easier said than done.

Han Zhen continued: "I have three suggestions, you can try them."

Hearing this, the master craftsman quickly picked up a pen and paper, preparing to write down every word.

Han Zhen said what he knew in one breath: "The first is to add fluorite to the molten iron. The second is to improve the bellows. I once ordered someone to make a blower. You can study it and switch to hydraulic traction. The other is to improve the bellows. The third is to change the fuel to coke."

Adding limestone to molten iron has been around since ancient times, but adding fluorite was only discovered during the Ming Dynasty.

But he didn't know exactly what period it was in the Ming Dynasty and the proportion of fluorite added.

Including bellows and coke, he only knows what they are, but doesn't know why.

Give a general direction and let the professionals do the rest.

The great craftsman remembered it, then suddenly stopped and said with confusion on his face: "Your Majesty, forgive me for being stupid. I understand the fluorite and bellows, but what is this coke?"

Han Zhen said briefly: "Coke is made by smoldering coal. Clean coal is selected, crushed into the size of pebbles, and washed repeatedly with water to remove impurities in the coal. After drying, it is put into a sealed kiln and smoldered for about ten minutes. It can be done in a day. You can figure out the specific details on your own."

He didn't know much about how to make coke, he only knew the general steps.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I have taken note of it."

At this moment, the master's eyes were shining, and he couldn't wait to experiment now.

Han Zhen finally warned: "I have patience and money, don't be afraid of making mistakes, just try boldly."

The master craftsman nodded solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, please be at ease, and I will spare the trouble for you."

"Ah."

Han Zhen smiled slightly.

After leaving the iron smelting workshop, under the leadership of Craftsman Yuan, he visited ordnance, armor, artillery and other workshops.

When he came to the last workshop, Craftsman Yuan quickly stopped him: "Your Majesty, you can't enter."

"Why?"

Han Zhen asked curiously.

Craftsman Yuan explained: "This workshop is responsible for researching petroleum. In the past two days, the craftsmen extracted a kind of butter from petroleum. It is extremely dangerous. Once ignited, the fire will be extremely violent. If it is stored in a jar and ignited, it will also burn. When it explodes, its power is comparable to that of gunpowder."

Petroleum is not a word created by later generations. It has been around since the Song Dynasty.

There are detailed records in Shen Kuo's "Mengxi Bi Tan": "There is oil in the territory of Yan and Yan. It was said in the past that 'Gaonu County produces fat water', that is why." 】

The two continents of Yan and Yan are the northern Shaanxi region, which is indeed rich in oil, and its reserves are extremely astonishing.

The people of the Song Dynasty not only knew about petroleum, but also had relatively mature excavation technology and were proficient in using petroleum to extract paraffin, asphalt, etc. from it.

More oil is used in the military.

General Zhao Song served as prisoner and even invented a special weapon for him, called the fierce fire oil tank.

According to the "Wu Jing Zong Yao" records: The fierce fire oil cabinet is made of wrought copper, with four legs on the bottom, four rolls on the top, and a huge tube across the roll, all connected with the inside of the cabinet. The horizontal tube has a large head and tail, and a thin tail with a small opening, as big as a millet grain. The head has a round mouth, an inch and a half in diameter. There is a hole on the side of the cabinet, the roll is the mouth, and the mouth is covered, which is the oil filling place.

The master craftsman who served as the supervisor cleverly used the principle of the bellows to create a flame pump with a hydraulic cylinder as the main mechanism. The soldiers pumped the bellows hard, and the fierce oil spurted out from the copper pipe. When ignited with an open flame, a flame pump formed. A fire dragon.

So why is it gradually disappearing now?

There are many reasons, the main one is lack of money.

All the money was used by Song Huizong to enjoy himself and build a palace, so there was no money left for military expenses.

Before Han Zhen's uprising, most of the ordnance in the Zhao and Song armies were still in stock during the reigns of Shenzong and Zhezong.

"gasoline?"

Han Zhen's eyes lit up with surprise on his face.

Craftsman Yuan was stunned: "Your Majesty, do you recognize it?"

"Ah."

Han Zhen nodded without explaining much.

Judging from Craftsman Yuan's description, the so-called butter must be gasoline.

It is yellow, fires quickly, and will explode in a sealed environment. It is also extracted from petroleum. What else can it be if it is not gasoline?

Extracting gasoline is not difficult, just like refining distilled alcohol, but it is very dangerous.

In an environment of high pressure and high temperature, an explosion may occur if you are not careful.

This is also the reason why Craftsman Yuan stopped Han Zhen desperately and refused to let him in.

Hearing this, Craftsman Yuan said in admiration: "Your Majesty is knowledgeable and knowledgeable, and I admire him."

(End of this chapter)