Ji Han Grand Commander

Chapter 401 395. Bicycle

However, it is probably not Xiahou Mao's turn to appear at this time, as Guanzhong is still under the charge of Cao Zhen. Although from Xu Shu's personal analysis and intelligence, it seems that Cao Pi intends to let Cao Zhen take over the position of general, but definitely not now, as Cao Ren's body is still warm, so it will definitely take some time.

In this way, Cao Wei's north-south confrontation with Ji Han was still distributed like this: Cao Zhen on the western front, Xiahou Shang on the central front, and Cao Xiu on the eastern front.

But Feng Xi was not in a hurry to march north, he was still waiting for an opportunity. From Feng Xi's perspective, the best time to march north would be two years later.

Why? Because two years later was 226 AD, and Cao Pi was supposed to die by then. What Feng Xi had to do was to take advantage of Cao Pi's death to realize the prophecy he made last year, and then add fuel to the fire, confirming the setting that Cao Pi "usurped the Han Dynasty and died a bad death", and then launch a northern expedition, which would surely achieve twice the result with half the effort.

By that time, Cao Wei would be in a state of internal instability due to the political turmoil caused by Cao Pi's death from illness, and the people would be in panic due to Feng Xi's propaganda war.

If Feng Xi is given another two years, the Han army's armaments will be even more sufficient and advanced.

"Grand Commander, the thing you are talking about has been made."

After Feng Xi finished checking the military affairs, he immediately ran to the arsenal. For the Jingzhou army, technology is the part that can help them overtake Cao Wei's cavalry in a head-on confrontation.

When Fu Zixun saw Feng Xi returning, he reported the progress to Feng Xi with some joy.

"What? I told you there are at least eighty of them, if not a hundred."

Feng Xi rolled his eyes. Who could know what Fu Zixun was talking about when he was acting as a riddle teller?

"Well, the Grand Commander has come to take a look. It really works!"

Fu Zixun was too lazy to explain and simply pulled Feng Xi inside to see the prototype he had made.

Feng Xi saw at first sight that in front of him were two vehicles made of iron rods, with a wheel at the front and back, and two chains fixed underneath as a way to transmit kinetic energy.

"Isn't this a bicycle? How can it be made so quickly?"

Feng Xi's eyes widened slightly, he took two steps forward and touched it. Due to the time period, this bicycle prototype was still relatively rough. Feng Xi took a look and found that the wheels were OK. It seemed that the injection molding of this prototype had taken a lot of effort.

The most critical rubber on the tires was also replaced by the eucommia gum that Feng Xi had previously ordered to be planted vigorously to reduce shock and protect the tires.

Feng Xi personally sat on it and took a few steps in the courtyard of the arsenal. Although it was a little strenuous due to material problems, the speed was undoubtedly much faster than walking.

"Good, very well done. Next, you can try using some oil as lubricant and apply it to the joints between the chain and the pedals so that the rider doesn't have to exert so much effort. Then, if conditions permit, you can make bicycle parts and finally make molds for mass production."

Feng Xi was very satisfied with the successful launch of the bicycle.

Throughout the ages, the only real change in the way humans travel is in modern times. In ancient times, people just walked, rode in a carriage, or rode a horse. However, horses were very precious and human efficiency was too low, so bicycles just made up for this problem.

Even in later times, some excellent bicycles are faster than ordinary racehorses. After all, horses cannot always sprint at the fastest speed, but bicycles are still more labor-saving than racehorses, and they are completely suitable for long-distance travel. Feng Xi plans to use bicycles to replace some messenger jobs first, and then some transportation jobs can be improved slowly. After that, when the production technology matures, it will be gradually promoted to the public. There is no rush for these.

"Oh, by the way, Grand Commander, the modification you mentioned is to change the single rear wheel into two huge wheels, which was also successful. A wooden storage basket was also fixed on it as you said."

Fu Zixun saw Feng Xi grinning at the bicycle and pointed to another bicycle next to it.

Feng Xi then noticed that there was another prototype vehicle. I guess anyone caught two thousand years from now would blurt out “Isn’t this a small tricycle?”

The tricycle is modified based on a bicycle, with a wooden cargo box installed between the two wheels for people to sit on or store items.

"How's the load?"

Feng Xi looked at it and thought that since the technology was relatively crude, it was definitely impossible to put a heavy object like a refrigerator in it like in later generations. But it was definitely better to have it than not.

"At present, it can only hold objects weighing about six stones, so it may be a bit difficult to hold two people."

Fu Zixun replied. One stone is 120 Hanjin, about 26 kilograms, and six stones is close to 150 kilograms, which is barely enough to hold two adult men.

"As for speed, it's slower than a bicycle when there's a heavy load, but still faster than walking and about the same as running at full speed."

Fu Zixun touched his fair chin and reported the approximate data of the two prototype cars to Feng Xi.

"Very good. We will then find a way to mass-produce these two vehicles and slowly study how to improve their quality. For example, bicycles can have a longer service life, or tricycles can have a larger load capacity. We can consider moving towards a triangular structure, as the triangle is more stable."

Feng Xi was very satisfied with Fu Zixun's research progress. With tricycles and bicycles, even if they were used in a limited way, they could bring a lot of convenience to Jingzhou.

"By the way, I'll take this bicycle. I like it very much."

Feng Xi seemed to remember something. He turned around, hooked the bicycle on the ground with one hand, picked it up and walked out, just like a future high school student.

Feng Xi really likes bicycles. Unlike riding horses, bicycles have no temper. They can run as fast as the effort you put in. This is the beauty of machinery.

Moreover, bicycles were a rare item at that time. For example, in the period before the millennium in the future, bicycles were one of the so-called four major items for a newlywed, namely “three turns and one ring”. Its charm would still exist a thousand years later, let alone today?
However, this prototype car did not have a bell because it was too delicate and Fu Zixun was busy working on the general framework and had no time to make one, but Feng Xi didn't really need it either.

The future Feng Tunan has been riding a bicycle on country roads since junior high school, so his skills are guaranteed, at least definitely better than anyone in Dahan.

After coming out of the arsenal, Feng Xi put down his bicycle and rode towards his General Zhengdong's Mansion. Along the way, the familiar breeze caressed his face, making Feng Xi feel extremely comfortable. A feeling of being free from the constraints of heaven and earth arose spontaneously.

(End of this chapter)