Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 445 The Steel Behemoth Sets Off, The Incredible Emperor!
From the moment the steam engine was successfully invented, its subsequent development was like a magnificent multi-layered symphony.

The craftsmen poured their hearts and souls into exploring the potential of the steam engine and discovering which fields it could penetrate.

Today, it is widely used for drainage in underground mines and for irrigation of farmland.

It also demonstrated impressive efficiency in driving spinning and weaving machines.

However, the cotton production of the Ming Dynasty was ultimately limited. The existing human labor for spinning and weaving was sufficient to meet the current demand. Although the steam engine had superb technology, it was hampered by the lack of sufficient raw materials to fully utilize its capabilities.

Even a clever housewife can't cook without rice; a steam engine, though ambitious, is hampered by a shortage of cotton and can't truly shine.

However, this doesn't matter much, because Zhu had already ordered a vigorous promotion of cotton planting earlier.

When Zhu Yunwen came to power, he took this matter to a new level.

Nowadays, the cotton fields of the Ming Dynasty have yielded bumper harvests year after year, with production soaring like a spring tide, each season surpassing the last.

However, increasing crop yields is not something that can be achieved overnight; it requires time and accumulation.

Compared to the rapid advancements in steam engine technology, the increase in cotton production appeared to be slow and frustratingly sluggish.

Faced with this situation, Zhu Yunwen was unwilling, but he had no other choice but to be patient and wait for the day when the flowers would bloom and bear fruit.

The ingenious uses of the steam engine did not stop there.

It has also made its mark in the paper and printing industries, bringing about remarkable innovations.

The Da Ming Daily, which is now popular throughout the Ming Dynasty, is a masterpiece of steam engine printing.

Don't underestimate this thin newspaper.

As the newspaper with the largest circulation in the Ming Dynasty, it needed to print millions of copies every day.

If relying on manual printing, even a skilled craftsman could only print a few thousand copies a day at his best, which was already the maximum speed.

Even so, to complete the massive task of producing millions of units, thousands of workers still need to work day and night.

In addition to proofreading, supervision, management, and shift work arrangements, the actual number of personnel required is close to two thousand.

The advent of the steam engine completely changed this situation.

It is not only much faster than human power, but also more stable and uniform in quality.

Today, printing the same number of newspapers requires fewer than a hundred workers.

Their only responsibilities are to check the quality of the finished products, feed in the raw materials, and promptly troubleshoot and repair any machine malfunctions.

This is the awe-inspiring power of the steam engine.

Papermaking technology was also widely used, which further reduced the cost of paper production, laying a solid foundation for the dissemination of knowledge in the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, the real achievements of the steam engine were demonstrated in ships and locomotives.

If we disregard the wasted years Zhu Gaochi spent exploring steamships in his early years, starting from the very beginning of the practical steam engine, the development of steamships and steam locomotives progressed almost in parallel.

In Zhu Yunwen's memory, the technical frameworks of the two were basically the same.

Although they were created at different times in history, the time gap between them was not very large.

Furthermore, under natural development, it may not have been technological barriers that prevented the emergence of steam locomotives, but rather people's lack of insight and their failure to clearly define the direction of the future.

Zhu Yunwen, however, had already drawn up a blueprint in his mind.

Therefore, while focusing on building steamships entirely made of steel, they also began building land-based steel behemoths: steam locomotives!
However, their progress has not been parallel.

Compared to steamships that sail on water, the development of locomotives on land is much more challenging, with their complex components being daunting.

After countless days and nights of research, the first steam locomotive ready for trial operation was finally unveiled recently.

Standing before this steel behemoth, Zhu Yunwen was overwhelmed with emotion and could not contain his feelings.

If steamships were the key to the Ming Dynasty's voyages and conquest of the world, then steam locomotives were the unparalleled treasures that connected the borders and brought prosperity to the interior.

After all, the Ming Dynasty was not a small island nation, but a vast continental dynasty.

The prosperity and connectivity of the inland areas are the foundation of a strong nation.

"Your Majesty, this is the steam locomotive that the Steam Engine Company has just developed and is now testing. It is a true steel behemoth. The locomotive alone weighs as much as 50,000 jin."

"Once started, it can pull more than a dozen cargo wagons, each of which can carry 30,000 to 50,000 kilograms of goods."

"In total, a train can carry up to nearly 500,000 kilograms of cargo and can reach a speed of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. This is because the speed is deliberately reduced to ensure safety. If it were to run at full speed regardless of everything, the speed could be increased by a lot."

The person explaining to Zhu Yunwen was not the head of the steam engine company, but Lai Wen'an, the president of the Ming Academy of Sciences.

His voice was steady and clear, with a hint of barely suppressed excitement.

Although the steam locomotive project was led by the Steam Engine Company, it garnered the full support of the Ming Academy of Sciences and the Imperial University of Peking.

The creation of this behemoth involved a level of technology and a wide range of fields that far exceeded the capabilities of the steam engine company alone.

It can be said that this was a miracle created by pooling the wisdom and strength of the entire Ming Dynasty.

Lai Wen'an bowed slightly, his posture respectful, but his eyes burned with an almost fanatical reverence for the young emperor.

The concept of the steam locomotive was first proposed by this young emperor.

At the time, Zhu Yunwen not only put forward this shocking idea, but also explained its principles in detail.

How are the rails laid? What is the general structure of the locomotive designed? And how are a dozen or so carriages pulled to carry goods?

These ideas were presented to him in a clear and logical manner, as if he had already figured them out in his mind.

Although the listeners could easily understand it, they were all amazed: This thing has never existed in the world before, how did His Majesty come up with it out of thin air?
"Incredible!" Lai Wen'an thought to himself.

He raised his head and gazed at Zhu Yunwen's face, which still retained some of its youthful innocence, his heart filled with awe and shock.

"Only a true dragon emperor, who receives divine revelation, could come up with such ingenious ideas. How could mortals possibly achieve that?"

As the president of the Ming Academy of Sciences, his faith in science was as firm as a rock.

At the same time, he also firmly believed that there was a divine will at work.

His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was undoubtedly the chosen one by Heaven, destined to lead the Ming Empire to glory.

"The transport capacity of this locomotive even exceeds that of many cargo ships traveling on the Yangtze River," Lai Wen'an continued, his tone filled with pride. "With it, the transportation of coal, iron ore, grain, and other materials will become incredibly fast and convenient." "Although laying railway tracks is expensive, it is still much cheaper than digging a canal."

"What's even better is that it is completely unrestricted by water sources and can roam freely across mountains and plains."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the towering steel behemoth, his heart surging with emotion.

This is not just a locomotive, but also a symbol of His Majesty's great talent and ambition, and a testament to the ever-growing national strength of the Ming Dynasty.

He took a deep breath, his voice growing stronger: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and your strategies are sound, which is why you have been able to accomplish such a groundbreaking feat. It will surely be recorded in history and benefit all generations!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile, clearly appreciating Lai Wen'an's flattering words.

He was fairly satisfied with the data on these locomotives.

Although it still had a considerable gap compared to the high-speed locomotives of later generations, and was far from reaching the pinnacle of steam engine technology.

But for a newly launched product, such an achievement is already gratifying.

After all, in the long history of the world, when steam locomotives first appeared, they were far inferior to the locomotives we see today.

However, to be fair, the first locomotive in history was invented by the inventor through his own efforts, with limited financial and material resources. How could it be compared to the magnificent project built by the Ming Dynasty with the full support of the nation?

The two are worlds apart from the very beginning.

Zhu Yunwen carefully examined the locomotive and said, "Steam locomotives will surely become a powerful tool for our Great Ming Dynasty in the future."

"In the future Ming Dynasty, railways will be like dragons, winding and stretching out, connecting every inch of the empire's territory. Goods will flow freely and people's livelihoods will be prosperous, all thanks to the power of this steel."

"You must go all out, accelerate the research and development process, overcome numerous technical difficulties, complete the testing as soon as possible, and build a locomotive that can run freely across the land of Kyushu!"

Before the accompanying officials could respond, Zhu Yunwen, without waiting for their reply, changed his tone and asked with a mixture of concern and decisiveness, "Are there any problems troubling you right now?"

"There's no need to hide anything; speak frankly to my face."

"I have come here today not only to inspect the factory's current situation and understand your progress, but also to clear the obstacles in your path."

His voice, though steady, contained a unique imperial air, both dignified and approachable.

Those sharp eyes swept over the crowd, conveying both inquiry and expectation.

This visit is not only to inspect the achievements, but also to pave the way for this magnificent undertaking with the dignity of the emperor.

Upon hearing the emperor's words, Lai Wen'an exchanged glances with the officials beside him, then bowed and spoke, his tone filled with awe and a hint of self-reproach: "Your Majesty's concern for us is truly overwhelming."

He lowered his head slightly, his voice becoming heavier: "Developing steam locomotives is our duty, but now Your Majesty has troubled us with such planning. We are truly incompetent and ashamed to fail Your Majesty's grace."

"However, as Your Majesty said, the steam locomotive is a vital instrument concerning the future of the Ming Dynasty, how could we dare to conceal anything?"

He paused briefly, as if carefully considering his words, before continuing, "This locomotive has astonishing power and extremely high internal pressure, so the requirements for its sealing are almost demanding."

“In the past, the seals of steam engines were maintained entirely by soaking hemp rope in oil. The hemp rope was flexible and could adapt to the slight deviations during piston movement, while the grease lubricated the parts and enhanced the sealing effect.”

"With the advancement of smelting technology, the precision of cast iron rings has been greatly improved, and their sealing performance was once very satisfactory."

"But nowadays, the steam engines used in locomotives have increased in power and pressure, and these improvements have been completely negated."

"Ships can share the load by using multiple steam engines, but locomotives are limited by their structure and can only increase the power of a single engine."

"Moreover, the current test is only being conducted on flat ground. If we need to cross mountains and steep slopes in the future, the power required to haul the cargo will increase exponentially, and the requirements for sealing will be dauntingly stringent."

Lai Wen'an took a deep breath, his tone revealing a hint of helplessness and urgency: "We have tried many methods, such as graphite, resin, and oil, and have repeatedly experimented with various proportions, but the results have been minimal and there has been little breakthrough."

"Last year, the Marquis of Zhulu led his army on an expedition to Southeast Asia and, on His Majesty's orders, sent men to bring back rubber."

"It is said that His Majesty once said that this item has a wide range of uses, not only for making tires for bicycles and carriages, but also for sealing steam engines."

"We were full of hope and immediately began the experiment, but the results were not satisfactory and fell far short of expectations."

He lowered his eyes, his voice low and filled with deep self-reproach: "We are of limited talent and knowledge, and we are now at a loss as to how to break this deadlock. We beg Your Majesty to show us the way and guide us out of this predicament!"

After speaking, he and the officials beside him bowed down, awaiting the emperor's judgment.

His expression showed both anxiety about the predicament and boundless trust in the emperor's wisdom.

In his view, the young emperor of the Ming Dynasty before him was guided by Heaven and must be omniscient and omnipotent.

Zhu Yunwen was slightly taken aback.

indeed.

With the principle of the steam engine clear and it already manufactured, subsequent breakthroughs depended on three core aspects: the sophistication of smelting technology, the precision of component processing, and the strength of sealing capabilities.

Of these three, sealing capability is of paramount importance, and can be considered the lifeline.

"Rubber does indeed have excellent sealing potential. If it can be developed, its performance will far exceed that of oil-soaked hemp rope, and be many times stronger."

Zhu Yunwen's tone was very certain.

Then, changing the subject, he said with a hint of guidance: "However, natural rubber still needs to be improved before it can truly be put to use."

"You need to conduct more chemical experiments on how to make specific adjustments, or try adding certain substances to the rubber, or explore other methods, and verify them one by one."

"If you explore slowly, you'll eventually find the right path."

At this point, Zhu Yunwen felt a sense of helplessness.

He knew very well that the reason why natural rubber shone so brightly in later generations must have undergone complex processing and improvement, but he had no idea what the specific steps were.

He wasn't an expert in this field after all; in his previous life, he was just an ordinary person who was enthusiastic about surfing the internet.

Occasionally, while browsing through the vast amount of information on the internet, I would glimpse some strange and unusual stories, or bizarre but ultimately useless pieces of knowledge, and then casually jot them down.

If it happens to remain deep in one's mind, it becomes the "foresight" that guides the future development of science in the Ming Dynasty; if it is forgotten after being seen, or never encountered at all, then there is nothing that can be done.

These scattered fragments of knowledge were the sparks that ignited the reforms of the Ming Dynasty.

But in my previous life, they were nothing more than trivial things, not systematic knowledge, and of little use.

Who would have nothing better to do than delve into such trivial matters?

……

(End of this chapter)