Early Ming Dynasty: Turning Clouds and Rains into New Learning Saints

Chapter 268 Steam engine, that’s it?

In the letter, in addition to the proper words of New Year greetings, Zhu Di mainly talked about two things on his side.

The first thing that surprised him was that the Japanese knew about the chaos in Korea and came to fish in troubled waters. A large number of Japanese pirates landed in southern Goryeo, but Lan Yu came and stayed as much as possible, and basically could not escape.

Judging from the results of the interrogation of the Japanese pirates, the situation in the Japanese country is also relatively tense.This makes Zhu Di a little regretful!
Because according to Zhu Di's intention, he wanted to take the opportunity to attack the Japanese country, at least to capture Kyushu Island first.However, he has his father's will and is integrating the cavalry armies of Liaodong and Goryeo. It is estimated that this year, the 15th year of Hongwu, he is likely to launch a large-scale cavalry battle on the northern front to wipe out the Mongolian and Yuan remnants hiding in the grasslands in one fell swoop.

Zhang Yifan also knows something about this.

The war in Yunnan has come to an end. Fu Youde and Mu Ying chased and killed the fleeing chieftains, and even entered the territory of the Bago Dynasty.But then, the pursuit was stopped by Zhu Yuanzhang, who ordered Mu Ying to guard Yunnan and Fu Youde to lead the troops.

If nothing unexpected happens, Fu Youde will lead the cavalry northward and join the battle against the remnants of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty on the grassland.

For this reason, Zhu Yuanzhang also sent decrees to King Qin and King Jin to make them actively prepare for the war.According to Zhang Yifan's speculation, Zhu Yuanzhang's three sons should be the commander-in-chief, and they would attack the depths of the grassland in three ways to seek a decisive battle.

Zhang Yifan doesn't worry about these.His current focus is on farming.

After writing a reply to Zhu Di explaining his situation, Zhang Yifan spent his energy to establish the magazine "Nature", which was set to be a monthly magazine and allowed to submit articles.As long as the results can be obtained from the examination of objects, they can be sent to Zhang Yifan for review, and if approved, they can be published.

In addition, just like the popular literature starting point society, there are special gathering places, mainly for discussing Gewu.

Most of this area is managed by Zhu Jingjing.As for Zhang Yifan himself, the main energy is still on the steam engine.

What is a little surprising is that the most active person in the "Nature" magazine is actually Cao Guogong's son Li Jinglong.

At first, Zhang Yifan was a little surprised, but after thinking about it carefully, it didn't seem surprising.

People like Li Jinglong, who can inherit the title, have no worries about food and clothing, and no matter how hard they work, the title has actually come to an end.Li Jinglong actually has nothing to pursue in his life.

But the microscope opened the door to a new world, and he had enough financial resources to do things, so he immersed himself in it.

You know, his good friend Zhu Di made great achievements in his career.When it comes to leading troops in battle, his three-legged cat skills are definitely not comparable, so he can only prove himself in other ways.

The time soon came to the beginning of April in the 15th year of Hongwu. At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang decided not to use the two theories of Buddhism and Taoism because he had already determined the content of the imperial examination. Just like in the original history, he established two departments, Senglu and Daolu, in charge. Monks in the world.In the outer prefectures and counties, the Seng Gang, Dao Ji and other departments are set up to take charge of the affairs.

But at this time, he still treats these transformed people preferentially.For example, it is stipulated that they must abide by the precepts and clear rules, and those who violate them will be tried by the department, and the department will not intervene;

At this point in time, those who are monks and Taoist priests are very concerned about this matter. For most people, they do not pay attention to this at all, because there is a bigger news that attracts their attention.

According to the news, the Prince Consort is taking the lead in making a steam engine and it will be finished soon.

It has been spread all over the world before, saying that this thing based on the phenomenon of boiling water will change the whole world.It can be said that everyone's life will undergo earth-shaking changes.

This matter is probably a sure thing, because this is what the prince consort said to the emperor in the Jinluan Palace, and all the civil and military officials heard it. What if it is false?That is absolutely impossible!

For this reason, forget about people from other places.On the capital side, every day we meet, we talk about the changes that the steam engine built by the Prince Consort will bring about?Then they look forward to the day when they can see the steam engine, which will come soon!
By the middle of the month, definite news finally came out, saying that the Prince Consort's steam locomotive had been completed and was ready to make a circle from the Military Battle Bureau to the Meridian Gate for the emperor's review.

Upon hearing the news, everyone in the capital suddenly became excited.

After they heard about boiling water, basically everyone had played with it at home, but most people couldn't imagine what it could do.

Later, when teaching at the Imperial College, classroom content gradually came out, allowing some interested people to finally know how to use this principle of boiling water.However, they still have problems: This principle seems simple to think of, but it seems very difficult to actually implement it?

There are many honors in the capital, but there are also many people who have nothing to do.With such an interesting thing in front of them, they will naturally try to do it.However, no one can figure out what to do, there are always problems of one kind or another.

Therefore, they want to know even more, what kind of steam engine will the big son-in-law make?

As a result, everyone in the capital went to inquire about the exact date when the steam engine would be unveiled.It took several days before the conclusion was reached, saying that it would be held on the day before the end of the month.

As soon as the news was confirmed, there was a sensation in the capital.

Basically, whether it is between a man and a man or a woman and a woman, when they meet, it will inevitably be about steam engines.

The Battle Bureau is right next to the Imperial City. Even if you go around to the Meridian Gate, the distance that ordinary people can see is limited.If a person with connections can confirm a position in advance, that is showing off.

"If you don't want to take a look, come back and explain it to me in detail!"

"My son and the young master's entourage have an old relationship, and we have agreed to accompany the young master to watch it."

"..."

Basically, those who can get a seat to see it must have a certain status, and ordinary people have no chance at all.

It's impossible to line up in advance because of the curfew.Otherwise, I would probably be able to line up three days and three nights in advance. Considering the popularity of the capital, it is not impossible.

In the following days, everyone was looking forward to the arrival of this day at the end of the month.They were all talking about what the steam engine that would change their lives look like.
The imagination of the ancients was not lacking. If Zhang Yifan knew what they came up with, he would probably be stunned.

Now we are just waiting for the day at the end of the month to see if the steam engine made by the Prince Consort is what they guessed?
The more I wait and hope, the slower I feel that time passes.

Finally, the day at the end of the month finally arrived.

All the civil and military officials went to the court together.Those who were not qualified to go to court ran to the predetermined location and waited to have a look, including Zhang Yifan's 50 students.They already knew most of the principles, but the steam engine was built by Zhang Yifan and the skilled craftsmen in the War Bureau. They didn't know how it worked.

In the morning court, Zhu Yuanzhang was patient and kept discussing matters step by step until he was almost done.Then he chuckled and said, "I know you all want to see what a steam engine is like. Okay, let's go and drive through the Meridian Gate." Not only did he go, he also called Queen Ma and his underage people. The children climbed onto the Meridian Gate Tower together, and there were melon seeds and snacks beside them, just like watching a play.

As for the civil and military officials, they all stood on two sides below the Meridian Gate.Only some of the highest-ranking nobles, such as Cao Guogong and Wei Guogong, can stand in a corner of the Meridian Gate.

After the audience was in place, Zhu Yuanzhang sent an eunuch to pass the decree, and it was time to start.

Queen Ma, who was beside her, saw the eunuch who had delivered the order hurried away, and asked Zhu Yuanzhang with a smile: "You must have seen him before, right?"

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang replied with a smile: "I have seen the steam engine built by Yifan, but this time, I have never seen the steam engine put on wheels and walked over." Yifan said, This just puts into practice what he said. The power brought by the fire burning the water allows you to move around anywhere, which is a huge change from the past that could only be fixed by the water!"

After hearing this, Queen Ma looked very interested and asked again: "Can this thing really bring about earth-shaking changes in our Ming Dynasty?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he replied without hesitation: "After seeing the steam engine coming out, I actually had doubts. How could such a big thing, which was inconvenient, bring about huge changes? But Yifan explained After that, I’ll probably understand. Today’s is just an appetizer!”

Hearing the two of them talking, a prince next to him couldn't help interjecting and asked: "Father, I heard that the steam engine made by my eldest brother-in-law is like a huge rooster, and a man rides on its wings to boil water. Where can it go there?"

"No, no!" A princess heard it, and replied first, "It's like a huge caterpillar, moving forward one by one."

"..."

Listening to these sons and daughters arguing there, Zhu Yuanzhang was very tolerant at this time and just watched them arguing with a smile.

This scene made Queen Ma beside her a little surprised, but based on her understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang, she could figure out why after a little thought.

Not to mention before the founding of the country, but after the founding of the country, Zhu Yuanzhang was more serious every day, as if he had countless thoughts.Queen Ma knew this very well.

After the founding of the country, he was worried about defending the country. How to make the country strong and powerful? For Zhu Yuanzhang, there was no experience to follow and he could only cross the river by feeling the stones.Things to worry about, the Mongolian Yuan enemy country, noble and arrogant generals, and the cultivation of children, etc. are all problems.

Even for a while, Empress Ma noticed that Zhu Yuanzhang's mood was turning cold, and she directly punished Liao Yongzhong with death for illegal things such as using dragons and phoenixes, which was a sign.However, later on, Zhu Yuanzhang's coldness gradually changed.

Empress Ma knew very well that with Zhu Yuanzhang's decisive character, the Kongyin case and the Hu Weiyong case might have caused a bloody storm, but in fact, they did not.

This is probably due to my eldest son-in-law!

When Empress Ma thought of this, she became more and more sure that this conclusion was correct.

It was the birth of the eldest son-in-law in the ninth year of Hongwu that made Zhu Yuanzhang have this change.At least the fourth son's success is inseparable from the influence of the eldest son-in-law, and now he has achieved great military exploits, no worse than those famous generals who founded the country.

With the joint efforts of the eldest son-in-law and the fourth son, the situation in the north has undergone earth-shaking changes with almost no contribution from the court, leaving only the remaining enemy of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty deep in the grassland.

Regarding these, even if Empress Ma doesn't care about the political situation, she has heard about it.And Xiangshan County is an example of successful local governance.With all this, it can be said that there is no doubt that the Ming Dynasty is stable. Is this probably the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang's mentality changed?

When she was thinking about these things, she suddenly heard Zhu Yuanzhang say to her: "Here we come!"

When Queen Ma came back to her senses, she immediately heard a strange sound coming from her and hurriedly heard it.The princes and princesses also stopped arguing and turned to look at the source of the sound.It became quiet upstairs at the Meridian Gate.

I saw a monster appearing on the side of the officialdom in front of the Meridian Gate Tower, puffing out bursts of smoke, and seemed to be coming towards the Meridian Gate one after another.

There were three people on top of that strange thing.

The eldest son-in-law whom Empress Ma knew was standing at the back, in front of the eldest son-in-law. Apparently, one of them was responsible for burning the boiler, and the other one was holding something in his hand, as if to grasp the direction of the strange thing.

What the hell is this?This is too weird!
For the first time, Queen Ma could not help but feel a trace of doubt in her mind.

Zhu Yuanzhang on the side looked at it. He was stunned at first, then he saw it clearly, and explained to Queen Ma: "Look, the one in the middle is the steam engine, mainly this thing. But indeed, it seems a bit strange!" "

As he said this, he himself smiled.

The front half of this land steam locomotive built by Zhang Yifan is like a tractor, with handrails for controlling the direction.The steam engine is connected to the rear wheels to drive, but there is a switch on the armrest. As long as you pull it hard, you can disconnect from the steam engine power.

It is obviously unrealistic to use a steam engine as power to build a steam car, so Zhang Yifan didn't worry too much, he just wanted to make the steam engine appear.

However, everyone in the capital had been looking forward to the steam engine for a long time. After seeing this, they were immediately disappointed.

"Is this a steam engine? What did I think it was like? This is too bad!"

"No, if you ask me, I would rather ride in a carriage than in this weird thing!"

"Steam engine, that's it?"

"..."

Anyway, the disappointment is really beyond words.

However, Zhang Yifan's students were all excited.

The so-called layman only sees the excitement, but the expert is the one who knows the way.As Zhang Yifan's disciples, they can naturally tell the difference between good and bad.

　The fever went away this morning, and then went up to 38 degrees in the afternoon, but I'm still energetic. Yesterday it was 38 to 39 degrees, back and forth.The trouble is, my wife is also positive, has a fever, and is now lying in bed.There are also children who are still wet and have a terrible headache!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)