The Ming Dynasty did not revolutionize

Chapter 7 Science Laboratory

During the decades when Emperor Chongzhen ruled the Ming Dynasty, he left behind many modern words that Zhu Jianxuan found very familiar.

Zhu Zhonglin was no stranger to scientific laboratories themselves, and could even be considered to be quite familiar with them.

It was precisely because of this understanding that Zhu Zhonglin was so surprised.

Zhu Jianxuan was only four years old. It was easy to understand if he wanted delicious food, fun things, new clothes, or even carriages, horses, gold and silver.

But the serious proposal to build a laboratory and study physics, chemistry, electricity, and steam engines was a bit too outrageous.

After hearing this, Zhu Zhonglin subconsciously asked back:

"Xuan'er, do you know what the laboratory is for? Do you want to see how the steam engine works?

"If so, I'll find a yard in the palace and install one for you to see."

Zhu Jianxuan has now determined his direction, so he immediately said very firmly and decisively:
"I know what a laboratory is, and I want to do research in a laboratory.

"I have some ideas about steam engines, physics, chemistry, and electricity.

"It requires specialized craftsmen and sufficient equipment to do the verification..."

Zhu Zhonglin opened his mouth, stared at his son again, and had to accept the fact that his son did understand these things.

Then I had a serious discussion with my son, and prepared to give him one last piece of advice:
“The research on the power of steam engines is indeed a very popular research direction, and people in the Royal Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Engineering are also studying this.

"But Xuan'er, you are still too young, and the most important thing is that you haven't received proper elementary education yet. Why don't you study for a few more years?

"At least wait until you are ten years old and leave the palace to study. It won't be too late to do these specific researches."

Zhu Zhonglin was a little worried about the growth and development of the little boy Zhu Jianxuan.

The laboratory must be built outside the palace or even outside the city. I don’t want my son to go out of the palace at such a young age.

Zhu Jianxuan himself was particularly determined.

It takes time to turn your ideas into reality, and it also takes time to turn laboratory objects into mass-produced products.

The American War was about to begin, and he did not have much time left.

So of course the sooner the laboratory is built, the better:
“Father, the war in America is likely to break out in the next two years, and the impact of a large-scale war will soon appear.

“When the world situation becomes tense, especially when export trade plummets, the finances of the court and the royal family will also be strained.

"By that time, my father will have to devote more resources to maintaining social order and stability, and he won't be able to provide me with sufficient support.

“So my obvious plan was to get my lab up and running before the world got tense.

“If my father is willing to give me this kind of help, it doesn’t make much difference whether it’s earlier or later.

“If my predictions are wrong and the world situation is not affected by the American rebellion, we will not suffer any direct losses anyway.

"But if my predictions come true, my research may affect the situation..."

After listening to this logical analysis, Zhu Zhonglin gained a new understanding of the genius of his son.

He really wasn't joking when he wanted the laboratory, nor was it simply a whim to play with the steam engine, but he had his own ideas and judgments.

Regardless of whether the judgment itself is correct, this approach to analysis and decision-making is definitely correct.

The budgets of the royal family and the court are still relatively ample now. If his genius little son wants something, he can easily arrange it for him.

If the court becomes short of funds in the future, even if I insist on helping him, I won't be able to come up with as much money as I have now.

The key is that it may take longer to argue with court officials and royal family members.

If funds don't become more tight in the future, it's just a matter of making the budget for him a few years in advance. He will get it sooner or later anyway.

I was originally thinking about how to arrange the child's future.

Now it seems that he does have the ability of a child at least ten years old, so I will just treat him like a ten-year-old.

After a brief consideration, Zhu Zhongliang reluctantly agreed to Zhu Jianxuan's request:
"Xuan'er has considered everything very carefully. I will arrange staff to prepare a laboratory for you in the next few days." Does Xuan'er have any special requirements for the laboratory's personnel and facilities?
“For example, if you want to study steam engines, you need at least an existing steam engine for observation and testing, right?
"As for the personnel, what kind of personnel are needed? Just mechanics and basic sciences?

“Is there any additional equipment that needs special preparation?”

Zhu Jianxuan thought for a moment:
“Your Majesty is wise, I really need a set of the latest steam engines for observation.

“The laboratory needs people who are good at mechanics, know how to make molds, are familiar with acids, alkalis and dyes, and are familiar with lightning and natural sciences.

“Finally, we also need the latest large-scale boring machines to manufacture cylinders with the highest possible process accuracy and the best possible sealing.

"The best boring machines nowadays should be used for the production of large artillery. I hope to apply for the construction of at least one."

What was the biggest technical difficulty in Watt's improvement of the steam engine, or the most important prerequisite technology that needed to be ignited?

Modern people may subconsciously think of rubber. After all, rubber is often used for pipe sealing in modern life.

But the sealing of Watt's steam engine did not rely on rubber; oil-soaked hemp rope was enough.

Of course, I do make vulcanized rubber, which is used to make various protective equipment and wheels, etc.

Most of Watt's improvements to the steam engine were design improvements.

In other words, as long as you know how it was designed, you can quickly reproduce the improvements.

The biggest improvement in terms of technology, which is often referred to as the "industrial foundation" by people in the industry, is the cylinder manufacturing technology for steam engines.

Before Watt improved the steam engine, the cylinders of steam engines were hammered out by hand by craftsmen, and the error could reach a terrifying centimeter level.

Therefore, air leakage is very serious during operation, and the efficiency of the machine is naturally very poor.

Watt used an integrated large cylinder drilled by a boring machine, which reduced the tolerance to the millimeter level, and naturally greatly improved the efficiency.

But this technological upgrade was not accomplished by Watt alone.

It was done by his contemporary mechanic John Wilkinson, who designed a large boring machine for the production of cannons for the British military.

The inventions or technologies of other people of the same generation enable one's own invention to be truly realized, which is the intuitive manifestation of the industrial foundation.

Zhu Jianxuan has the operating principles of the steam engine and the key design details of the early steam engine in his mind.

Zhu Jianxuan also understood the principles of early boring machines.

If Daming does not have boring machines of the same level now, Zhu Jianxuan will first need to design and produce large boring machines.

The industrial base is indeed a limitation on invention and creation, but it is not unbreakable.

It just takes some time to light up the front-end technology.

However, the current level of handicraft industry in the Ming Dynasty should not be inferior to that of contemporary Britain.

There should already be manufacturing equipment of the same level.

After hearing his son's request, Zhu Zhonglin hesitated for a moment:
"Everything else is fine, but you want a boring machine for the military to make cannons... this is a bit troublesome..."

Zhu Jianxuan understood from his father's reaction that the Ming Dynasty did have such a thing, otherwise he would not have asked himself this question:
"I need the best boring machine. The best should be used to make cannons. This is what I need."

Zhu Zhonglin was obviously still a little hesitant.

This kind of thing is not impossible, but it is indeed a bit sensitive.

Large artillery boring machines have only been around for a short time and are a confidential technology of the military.

Even this new type of equipment and new artillery themselves are still under testing.

At this time, the queen grabbed Zhu Zhonglin's arm and shook it gently:
"Xuan'er is your Majesty's child, the prince of our Ming Dynasty, not some random person."

Zhu Zhonglin sighed softly again:
"Okay, I will arrange for someone to prepare it for you, but I will also ask the people from the East Factory to assist in management and supervision to prevent technology leaks..."

(End of this chapter)