Lin Gao Qiming

Chapter 573
He is very interested in mathematics. When he was a teenager, he read many European and Arab works in Macau, and he did a lot of research on geometry and algebra.However, outsiders only think that his enthusiasm for mathematics is necessary for business and accounting—and some ignorant people will inevitably make fun of him: saying that Mr. Li loves money like his life, and he is afraid that the accountant will steal money, so he is good at mathematics.

Li Luoyou has heard such words occasionally, and although there is no need to argue, he secretly smiles: the vast majority of Chinese people's concept of mathematics still stays at the simplest level of arithmetic application.Li Luoyou has read many works of Chinese and foreign mathematicians, and has contacts with contemporary mathematicians, but this thing only exists as a "gadget" in a very small circle.Many people think that this is a useless "extraordinary skill", and those who compliment it can only say that it is: "Dragon Slaying Art"-in terms of application, it can only be used in astronomy and calendar.Who can use it in daily life?
With Li Luoyou's practice in algebra and geometry, he can be regarded as a rare mathematical talent in this time and space of Ming Dynasty.But this talent is almost useless.On weekdays, he can only solve geometry and algebra problems for entertainment.It is inevitable that there is a sense of underappreciated talent.

The content of "Nine Chapters of Shushu" is roughly similar to the category of number theory, but it is not purely mathematical theory. There are many practical examples in it, including astronomical calendar, measurement, market transactions, tax calculation, etc.Both theoretical and practical.Li Luoyou was quite interested in this,

The more he looked, the more interested he was, so he simply spread out the paper on the table, took out a quill pen, and started to calculate the examples—this is the habit left by him when he was studying with the Jesuit priests when he was young.

He suffers from vertigo, and after a long time, he can't help feeling dizzy.After getting up and taking a few steps, he simply returned to the deck to get some air.As soon as he got out of the hatch, he saw Sao Ye actually climbing on a box, leaning on the mast and looking out.Seeing the master coming out, he quickly jumped down and passed the waiter.

"What's so good about it?" Li Luoyou was surprised, "It doesn't look like it."

"Yes," Sao Ye said respectfully, "Master taught me the right thing, I'm watching the salt boat."

Li Luoyou looked around and saw a group of boats sailing on the left side of the ship.The boats in this team are all small and medium-sized boats, including two-masted Fuchuan and Cantonese boats, as well as rice boats and towed boats.Ships vary in size.It's just that the words "Linyun" are painted in white on the bow of each ship, followed by Arabic numerals!Li Luoyou was taken aback, he recognized Arabic numerals, and usually remembered that such numbers were used in private accounts.However, I am a very rare phenomenon, and this is the first time I have seen such a direct paint on the side of the boat.

"Is this Lingao's ship?"

"That's right, it's Ma Niao's boat transporting salt." The boss of the boat said, "This is Ma Niao Port, and there is a salt farm."

In this way, Li Luoyou had a slight impression: there is indeed an official salt field here, which belongs to the Haibei Tijusi.

"Where is all this salt going?"

"Of course it's Bopu." Said the boss of the boat.

Australians are smuggling salt!Li Luoyou thought to himself, he watched the team of salt boats, there were about ten ships sailing in a group, each of them had a very deep draft, probably there was quite a lot of sea salt on them.Such blatantly transporting private salt, this group of people really have the guts!
The fleet maintained a regular formation, one after another sailing in single file.The sailors wore the same short blue jackets as the sailors on the patrol boat I saw just now, and some of them carried long bird guns on their backs, standing guard on both sides of the ship's side.Li Luoyou counted secretly, and there were at least four people carrying bird guns on each boat.There are also strange things on the towers of several ships. A round western goblet-like base is equipped with a long black box, and two sailors are standing behind to support it. I don't know what it is for.Li Luoyou guessed that it might be a kind of Australian cannon - they are famous for their sharp firearms, it is not surprising that there are several Ming and Western cannons that do not have firearms.

With such a posture, it is no wonder that the government can only pretend to be deaf and dumb.Li Luoyou thought.The seizure of smuggled salt has always been a matter of catching small things and magnifying them.Those who were caught and punished were nothing more than peddlers of a few jin and tens of jin, and the arrest of a big one with a few stones was considered a major case. No one dared to provoke the real big salt peddlers who trafficked dozens or hundreds of dollars.Not only is the private salt dealer brave and brave, but also because the gentry are often involved behind this kind of business.

Australians are so bold and reckless, who is the gentleman behind it?Gaoju can be regarded as one of their backers.The high-ranking officials are connected with Eunuch Yang in the capital...

However, even Eunuch Yang might not dare to support them in such a mess.Australians are obviously not so simple.The salt fleet gradually fell behind.Li Luoyou looked at Mayiao Port, and the salt fields on the coastline looked very dazzling in the sun.There are windmills between the salt fields, and the huge wind wings rotate slowly in the wind. This kind of huge water-lifting windmill has become a scenic spot along the coast of Ma Niao.

"It's very similar to the scenery of the Netherlands." Quark commented.

"What's the use of these windmills?" Li Luoyou asked.

"I suppose it's for lifting water," said Quark, "otherwise I can't think of any use."

"If it is to lift water, why lift the sea water," Li Luoyou commented, "Isn't it just to open a canal to lead the sea water to the salt fields?"

At this time, the wind pushed the boat a little closer to the coastline. Next to the windmill, there was a wooden high platform. The top of the high platform was a series of ditches filled with bamboo strips. The bamboo strips were dense but very regular.

Li Luoyou looked very carefully, but the distance was still a bit far away, and he could barely see that the windmill was indeed lifting water, and the water was continuously poured onto the high platform and then dripped down.

Li Luoyou's concept of salt-making comes from books. He probably knows that to make salt, you must first make brine, and then make salt by boiling or drying in the sun.After watching it for a long time, I still don't understand what this is doing.

Of course Quark didn't understand. There were still many things he didn't understand. For example, in the inland area, billowing black smoke rose into the sky under a clear sky. Could it be that there was a fire somewhere?

"It's like this every day." The captain of the boat seemed to see the doubts of the passengers, "This kind of black smoke can be seen everywhere in Lingao. They are all released from brick chimneys that are taller than trees. The small ones don't know that they burn the stove every day to make What's the use."

The boat soon arrived at Bopu Port and was leaning against the Lingaojiao Wharf—the natural big stone embankment has been renovated and stretched out more than ten wooden trestles into the harbor. As the passenger and cargo wharf of Bopu, small and medium-sized ships can directly lean on the trestles Loading and unloading passengers and loading and unloading goods.

Standing on the deck, Li Luoyou looked at Bopu Port, which suddenly became prosperous -- he had never even heard of this port before.There are many ships in the harbor, but they are arranged neatly, and they are moored next to the trestle one by one.He noticed that although the water surface was not large, the berthing of ships was clearly divided into areas, and the water surface was marked with colored floating objects. Ships entering and leaving the port had their own routes, which seemed to be in order.

"This is a big iron boat." The boss of the boat pointed to the opposite side of the harbor, like an enthusiastic tour guide.

It is really big!Li Luoyou gasped.The height of this ship is comparable to the city wall of Guangzhou, no, it may be higher than the city wall, and its size is even more enormous.How much can it hold?One hundred thousand shi of goods may not be able to fill the warehouse.

Feng Chenglun completely surpassed his understanding.Li Luoyou's first feeling was that this is something that cannot be made by humans.

"God!" Quark spoke for him, "Only the devil can build this thing!"

Li Luoyou nodded.Thinking of the boat boss saying that Lingao is full of chimneys emitting black smoke.Could it be that this group of Australians are followers of the devil, and they are doing secret black magic here to enhance their power?

He couldn't help feeling vigilant in his heart, touched his own cross, and silently recited the "Rosary".

"The largest ship that England can build is not one-tenth of it!" Quark continued to comment, "It's incredible! It is impossible for humans to build such a huge ship." After speaking, he quickly crossed himself.

"God bless." Li Luoyou couldn't help worrying about his soul.

"Hehe, it's scary." The boss of the boat has probably been familiar with this kind of reaction for a long time, and seems to be very proud, "This boat is still made of iron, do you think it's unusual? Tsk tsk, even a small iron nail will sink in the water In the end, making such a big ship can actually float on the sea!"

Quark is still asking him if it's really iron, and if anyone has gone up to see it.Li Luoyou didn't say a word, whether it was iron or not was no longer important to him, such a big ship was shocking enough even if it was made of wood.He shook his head, and even felt a little remorse for his decision to come to Gao - he increasingly suspected that Australians were believers in the devil - at least they used some depraved and taboo techniques.

On the contrary, Quark didn't care much about it, and looked around with great interest.There are two parallel black iron bars laid on the embankment.The flatbed cart was propelled by manpower, and the iron wheels rolled on the iron bars with a rumbling sound.The cart seems capable of carrying heavy loads.Quark saw that two or three people could push a full flatbed cart to move quickly. Some carts were box-shaped and filled with black coal.

"What a good idea." Quark thought that this method could move heavy goods with very little effort, and it would be more efficient if it was pulled by a horse.However, China seems to be seriously short of horses, and it is reasonable to use manpower.

Li Luoyou's eyes were attracted by the tall towers on the embankment.The towers are tall and short, but the shortest one will not be less than two feet.They are all built with iron bars and strong wood on stone round platforms, and the tops of the towers are slanted and stretch out long arms into the air.A black rope hangs from the top of the long arm.

There are such towers all along Bopu Harbor.On the opposite side of the harbor, it is said that the place where the shipyard is located is even denser.

"Attention! Attention!" Someone on the embankment blew a whistle and shouted, "The loading of berth 15 begins!"

With a bang bang bang sound.A long line of flat cars came along the track, and both Li Luoyou and Quark were taken aback—this track car was not propelled by human power.

Not only were there no manpower, but there were no horses, mules, donkeys, oxen, or any other animal they could think of to work with.There are also no sails on the flatbed.The long line of flatbed trucks came roaring by themselves.

If there is something pulling the vehicle, it should be the first vehicle, with a black iron guy the size of half a table on it, and a round iron-skinned vat-like thing.Hanging on this black tin cylinder is a large wooden board with four large characters "Strictly No Fireworks" written in red on it, and a flame is also drawn.

Beside this pile of strange things sat the driver, his face was smudged black, and his clothes were so stained that he couldn't see his true colors.A white towel that had turned gray was hanging around his neck. The man held the iron rod in his hand and kept pushing and pulling it back and forth, yelling something loudly to the people on the embankment from time to time.

"I heard that Australian boats can do without sails or oars, and this car probably does the same." Li Luoyou said in a low voice.

Quark looked at it for a while, with a look of horror on his face: "The devil!"

The flatbed truck stopped, and with the sound of the whistle, several people wearing blue cloth jackets jumped off the flatbed cart behind——Li Luoyou found that all the people here were wearing this kind of short blue cloth jackets, but some people wore short blue cloth jackets. Some wear belts, but others don't.The common feature is that they all wear a kind of helmet that is probably made of rattan.Li Luoyou couldn't understand what is the use of this helmet?Could it be that the Australians have learned from the Nanman in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and also practice rattan armor soldiers?
The men got into a circular cage under the tower.They ran quickly in the cage, making the cage turn.The long arm on the tower rose accordingly, and then other people pushed the tower with all their strength and turned to the direction of the flatbed.A person kept blowing his whistle and waving two small flags, one red and one green.After watching it for a while, Li Luoyou understood that this was the direction in which the person pushing the tower winch was directed to turn.Under his command, the long arm slowly extended above the first flatbed truck, and a huge iron hook hung down. The people on the flatbed truck hooked the hook to a pile of net ropes on the truck.Quickly jumped out of the car.At the sound of the whistle, the people in the cage ran again, and the head of the iron frame began to rise.

A large pile of rope nets turned out to be a net bag with many sacks and straw bales inside.

"Squirrel cage crane!" Quark recognized the thing.This thing is also used in Europe, but it is quite bulky and requires a lot of manpower. This squirrel cage crane looks much simpler and lighter, and it is probably improved by the Australians.

The long arm began to move towards the ship, and a man on the deck whistled and waved two small flags.The long arm moved above the deck of the ship, the sling was slowly released, and the net bag fell safely on the deck.

Then the crane lifted the cargo from another flatbed truck.This time what was hoisted was not a net bag, but a wooden tray, on which crates were neatly piled up, and the top of the boxes was tightly wrapped with net bags.

(End of this chapter)