Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Zhu Yuanzhang arrived at the Industrial University.

The fact that Zhu Yuanzhang, a very busy man, would come to the Industrial University at this time naturally means that the Industrial University had achieved something in some way.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have made this special trip at this time.

This time, the achievements of the industrial university are extraordinary.

This was something that Zhu Yuanzhang had long hoped to see.

It was nothing other than the significant advancements made in the steam engine.

Upon receiving this report, Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed and could hardly sit still.
Naturally, I came here immediately to watch.

At this time, not only Zhu Yuanzhang arrived, but also Zhu Biao, the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty and the Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty, came here with Zhu Yuanzhang.

They were filled with curiosity and strong anticipation.

He had long awaited the cart his father had described—a cart that wouldn't need oxen or horses to pull it, but would automatically move forward simply by adding coal and water.

I've been wanting to see it for a long time.

Through his understanding over time, he had come to know that the steam engine his father had commissioned the Industrial Academy to build was of paramount importance.

As long as the steam engine can be built, then the steam locomotive will not be too far away in the future.

In the words of the Emperor, this steam engine is actually just like an ox or horse pulling a cart.

With oxen and horses in place, various vehicles could also be built one after another.

Take your time, don't be nervous.

Just proceed as you normally would with your experiments.

Upon arriving at the experimental site, Zhu Yuanzhang watched as people added coal into the steam engine, his hands trembling slightly, causing coal to spill out.

He then smiled and offered words of comfort.

If some officials were to see this scene, who knows what they would think.

After all, many of them believed that the emperor was exceptionally strict.

It is the kind of existence whose very name can make people tremble involuntarily.

But now, the emperor has changed his usual behavior and is treating these steam engine craftsmen in such a way.

For them, it's like celebrating the New Year.

Upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, the researchers, who had been nervous about the arrival of the emperor and crown prince, hurriedly bowed to the emperor.

Then I took a deep breath to calm myself down.

Then add water and coal.

This time it went much more smoothly.

Amidst the crowd's attention, the water in the tank boiled as the coal burned.

The coal smoke drifted upwards along the chimney.

The steam engine, which had been relatively quiet, finally started making some unusual noises.

On one side of the steam engine, a circular wheel began to turn slowly.

And it keeps spinning faster and faster.

The layman looks at the excitement and the insider looks at the doorway.

Some of the people in the group were unfamiliar with steam engines, and some even held significant prejudices against the art of craftsmanship.

So, although I found this quite strange, I still had many doubts and questions in my mind.

Although I find this thing rather unusual, as it can spin around.

But it can only spin around.

The previous rumors claimed that this thing could make carts that don't need to be pulled by oxen or horses, and could even plow the fields in place of oxen and horses, being more capable than oxen and horses.

I don't quite understand.

It's unimaginable how something that can only spin around could replace cattle and horses.

But Zhu Yuanzhang watched with great interest, his eyes shining.

These people are more capable than I imagined.

Indeed, our Ming Dynasty is full of talented people.

The steam engine appeared at least a year earlier than I had expected!
However, upon further reflection, it makes a lot of sense.

After all, a steam engine is not a very sophisticated device; it is something that can be made by hand.

Furthermore, there was the existence of such a unique individual as himself, who brought many related theories to later generations.

They could even draw a rough outline of the steam engine for them.

It provides guidance on steel forging and other related areas.

In recent times, the Ming Dynasty has made rapid progress in all aspects.

Under these circumstances, it is perfectly normal for one to be able to see the steam engine.

He stood there and looked at it carefully for a while, then beckoned the researchers from the Institute of Industry in charge of the matter to come to him and ask them about the steam engine.

They were asked, in particular, how long the steam engine could run now.

The answer was that there were no problems for a maximum of three days and three nights.

As for longer ones, that hasn't been tested yet.

Because they were afraid of damaging the steam engine.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face immediately lit up with a smile.

After praising him, he gave new instructions.

That is to let them continue experimenting on this basis, without being afraid of damaging the steam engine.

We need to test the limits of the steam engine.

Ideally, it should be able to run continuously for a month or even longer without any malfunctions. That would be the best possible outcome.

At that time, we can begin mass production.

Strive to go further.

While Zhu Biao was happy for them, he couldn't help but feel a little curious.

How do you stop this steam-powered vehicle?
If oxen and horses are trained well, they can understand human commands and will stop or start pulling a cart when told to.

Even if they don't understand verbal commands, they can still be controlled through reins and other means.

However, the steam engine continued to run at this speed.

To slow things down, do you mean to remove the burning coal and dry out the water?
How to prevent it from generating steam again?

It would be quite inconvenient without this.

However, before he could voice his doubts, the people from the Industrial College demonstrated it to him.

Then I saw someone on the side using a rather long iron rod to poke at something.

A thick mist of water was released from it.

Then, the wheel's rotation speed began to decrease.

After the plug was put back in, it started to accelerate again in no time.

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up slightly, and some of his doubts disappeared.

This is good. This is much more convenient and practical than I had imagined.

"Biao'er, this only controls the speed from the internal combustion engine. In fact, after the car is made, the speed can be adjusted from other places."

For example, installing a clutch on a car.

In order for a steam engine to propel a vehicle forward, another crucial element is using this wheel to drive the wheels on the vehicle.

Gears and belts are needed in the middle to connect them.

So, all we need to do is disconnect this connection.

If the power from the steam engine cannot be transmitted to the wheels, then the vehicle cannot move.

In addition to the clutch, a brake should also be provided.

Even after the power is cut off, the car still has inertia and will continue to move forward.

That's where the function of the brakes comes into play.

Then use it to control the wheels, and the car will stop immediately...

The rotational speed of the wheel can also be controlled by controlling the amount of steam engine exhaust.

It can be set to several speed levels. This is also a way to control the car's speed...

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke of these things with great clarity and expertise.

After all, in his later years, he felt an extraordinary curiosity about everything he saw.

I have thoroughly researched many of them.

It can be said that at this time, in the entire Ming Dynasty, even among those who invented the steam engine, no one understood steam engines and steam locomotives as well as he did.

Zhu Biao nodded from the side.

I'm even more excited about this kind of cart that doesn't need to be pulled by oxen or horses.

If everything can be done, just as Father Emperor said.

Such a thing would be really practical once it's made.

It really makes people look forward to it.

……

"The laying of the railway tracks can now begin."

After seeing the steam engine, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately issued such an order.

At the current pace, usable steam locomotives can be fully developed and put into use in less than the originally planned five years.

Therefore, the railway tracks must be constructed first.

It's impossible to wait until the steam locomotive is built before building the rails; that would be too slow.

Railways are different from other things; they are large-scale projects that require a significant investment of time.

Advance planning is necessary.

Fortunately, he had already given the order in advance and provided some corresponding opinions and technologies.

The people at the industrial university were instructed to conduct research and development on the railway tracks.

Now, the technology is mature enough to be deployed.

Meanwhile, the locomotive, carriage, and other components of the diesel locomotive were also being worked on.

It can be said that the research was carried out almost simultaneously with that of the internal combustion engine.

Now, things are showing great promise.

Given the current situation, it seems that it won't be long before the steam engine can be installed on a steam locomotive for a small-scale experiment.

After all, he was standing on the shoulders of giants to do these things.

Many things can be seen in their entirety from this.

You can start planning the overall strategy directly, without having to develop it step by step.

If all goes well, we might see steam locomotives running on the railway by the end of this year.

Of course, it will take quite some time before it is actually put into use.

However, in the experimental setting, achieving this is not difficult at present...

Zhu Yuanzhang originally planned to spend half a day at the Industrial University.

This time, they stayed for almost a whole day before finally leaving.

Before he left, he specially arranged for someone to bring him the corresponding money, supplies, and other items to reward him for his contributions.

A reward was given to the relevant personnel.

Two people who performed exceptionally well and played a decisive role in the matter even received a house as a reward.

My professional title was also promoted by one level.

All kinds of benefits and perks are provided.

This action greatly motivated everyone at the Industrial College.

Many people were greatly encouraged.

After returning home, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but eat an extra bowl of rice that night.

He held Empress Ma in his arms and talked with his younger sister until midnight.

Envisioning the future.

He said he would take Empress Ma with him, riding a steam train, to travel all over the country...

……

Because of the pleasant surprises offered by the Industrial College.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang's heart was somewhat unable to contain itself.

On the third day, he left the palace again and went to the Academy of Agricultural Sciences to see their research results.

However, compared to the Institute of Industrial Science, the research results of the Institute of Agricultural Science were not as significant.

After all, not all situations are the same.

In industry, especially in its early stages, results are readily apparent.

The situation is different in agriculture.

Many crops ripen only once a year.

In terms of seed selection and breeding, there isn't much time or opportunity for experimentation.

But at least the framework has been set up, and many experiments are underway.

Among these, the research on hybrid rice and hybrid wheat was the most valued by Zhu Yuanzhang.

This project was initiated by him personally and is of paramount importance.

At the same time, the corresponding principles were explained to the people at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Let them conduct their research according to this principle.

Hybridization technology is a cutting-edge technology that enables high-yield grain production and the cultivation of superior varieties.

The principle is also relatively simple.

For example, one type of rice has a high yield but is prone to disease, while another type of rice is not prone to disease but has a low yield.

Then these two types of rice can be hybridized.

This allows us to obtain rice that is both high-yielding and less prone to disease.

However, this process requires artificial selection, artificial cultivation, and artificial pollination.

New rice varieties are obtained by pollinating two closely related but different rice varieties.

The newly grown rice will be planted again, and the best quality and highest yield rice will be selected and cultivated.

It's like holding a matchmaking event for rice.

The principle is relatively simple, but it is not so easy to do in practice.

The most important aspect is that the workload is particularly large and tedious, and it takes a particularly long time.

Not only rice can be hybridized, but also various other crops such as soybeans and rapeseed can be hybridized to cultivate superior varieties.

At the same time, even poultry and livestock such as pigs, chickens, and ducks can be crossbred to cultivate better breeds.

Although no significant progress was seen this time, Zhu Yuanzhang was still very happy.

He also encouraged these people.

As long as someone is willing to put in the effort, there are people who are willing to do it well.

On our side, we have plenty of projects for hybridization and breeding.

So, there will always be a place where things blossom and bear fruit.

If one branch doesn't bloom, another will.

As for high-yield rice, some varieties may have an impact on taste, etc...

This was completely outside of Zhu Yuanzhang's considerations.

After all, only when people are alive and their most basic needs are met can they pursue quality and taste.

Today, countless people die from cold and hunger every year, and countless others go hungry.

When hungry, they can eat even wild vegetables, tree bark, and rice husks, and these things can all be considered delicious.

Not to mention hybrid rice.

After Zhu Yuanzhang returned from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, a message was quickly delivered to his desk... (End of Chapter)