Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 170 Physics Starting with Firearms!
A water pump made using the siphon principle.

Zhang Yunxiu really wanted to call it "Dragon Sucking Water".

Unfortunately, even in the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty, although the control of speech was no longer as strict as before, the word "dragon" could not be used indiscriminately.

Therefore, Zhang Yunxiu had no choice but to settle for second best and choose the name "Dragon Drinking Water".

Unlike the five-clawed golden dragon, I suppose the princes and dukes of the world wouldn't mind, right?
Speaking of water pumps, they are actually not unusual. As early as the Northern and Southern Dynasties in my country, there were square plate chain pumps, which used chains to drive wooden boards to circulate in a water tank, so that water could be transported to higher places by human or animal power to achieve the purpose of irrigation.

As for using the principle of atmospheric pressure to draw water from the well using a hand-cranked piston, this technology was also recorded in the "Wujing Zongyao" (Complete Essentials of Military Classics) from the Northern Song Dynasty.

"A water pump is made by making a hole in the bottom of a long bamboo pole, wrapping a cotton swab around the pole, and then pumping water through the hole."

However, this technique was not taken seriously, and there were still few improvements during the Ming Dynasty. Occasionally, some experienced craftsmen would use this method in well salt.

Finding historical sources actually saved Zhang Yunxiu a lot of trouble.

Renmin Medical Clinic.

In a research room in the backyard.

Zhao Shizhen, along with bedding, luggage, and several capable craftsmen, moved into the place that bore the name "Da Ming Machinery Research Institute".

When Zhao Shizhen saw the tightly closed and then locked gate, and the dozen or so Imperial Guards guarding outside, he was startled.

He looked at Zhang Yunxiu with some doubt and said in a trembling voice.

"Master, what is this?"

Could Zhang Yunxiu be a smiling tiger who will turn around and punish me?

"My disciple, there is no need to worry."

Zhang Yunxiu flashed a bright white smile as he spoke.

"How could your teacher harm you?"

He spoke with conviction.

“These days, there have always been some petty thieves in the capital who have been sneaking into the Western Hills and Ruijin Silk Shop to gather information.”

My disciple, you bear the livelihood of tens of thousands of workers in the Xishan workshop on your shoulders. If they find out, and we have a solution, your life may not be spared.

"I'm protecting you!"

“But…” Zhao Shizhen’s lips twitched.

Is there anyone in the world who protects people like this? It seems like they've put themselves under house arrest instead.

Seeing his indecisive appearance, Zhang Yunxiu became furious and slapped him on the forehead.

"You unfilial disciple, do you not listen to your master?"

"If I say I'm protecting you, then I am protecting you. How could I be afraid that you'll leak information and give those villains outside a chance to prepare?"

Zhang Yunxiu crossed his arms, displaying a combination of kindness and severity.

"As I just said, if you do a good job and achieve some results, I will take care of you, your wife and daughters, from now on."

I guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and prosperity!

For some reason, Zhao Shizhen felt quite at ease with the other party's direct and brutal approach.

He cupped his hands in greeting and said.

"Your disciple has no desire for wealth or glory. Your disciple only wishes to follow you, Master, and study the methods of investigating things and extending knowledge, so as to bring blessings to all people!"

The emergence of various novel technologies has an impact on and transforms the conservative and outdated world, and this feeling is far more attractive than power or beauty.

At least, it would be more attractive to people like Zhao Shizhen and Li Shizhen who devoted themselves to the study of a particular field.

Zhao Shizhen was still thinking about the design drawings and what Zhang Yunxiu had just said, such as the atmospheric pressure principle of "dragon sucking water" and the use of the method of investigating things to gain knowledge to develop practical objects!
All of these things filled him with countless expectations.

Looking at the high walls inside the courtyard, he felt not only no stifling feeling, but even a faint sense of anticipation.

However, Master just said something that sounded a bit strange: "I will take care of your wife and daughter."

For several days in a row, Zhao Shizhen only slept for a few hours at a time. As soon as it was light, he would rush into the research room and tinker with those "dragon sucking water" devices.

In reality, this thing is very simple; the only technically advanced part is the faucet and water pump.

After Zhang Yunxiu's suggestion, Zhao Shizhen quickly found two important entry points.

For example, by installing a certain impeller, the water can be pumped using the high-speed rotation to generate stronger centrifugal force.

Furthermore, sealing technology is implemented to achieve better pressure performance.

The sealing membrane is also a very important component. Zhang Yunxiu showed on the drawings that the use of reinforcing steel can better achieve the seal and coordinate the mechanical drive.

It looks very simple, but to achieve the effect shown in the drawings, given the current skill level of craftsmen, it would require an experienced person like Zhao Shizhen to coordinate and make choices.

Fortunately, Zhang Yunxiu had made preparations in advance and provided Zhao Shizhen with several highly skilled carpenters and blacksmiths.

These craftsmen are all quite skilled, but unfortunately they are not very literate. Their skills are passed down orally from generation to generation. With Zhao Shizhen's coordination, they have become much more efficient.

During this period, Zhang Yunxiu would come to the "Mechanical Research Institute" almost every day to answer Zhao Shizhen's questions.

Looking at the insulating membrane made of cow tendon and pine wax, Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but sigh.

"There are still no rubber trees. If there were rubber trees, many problems could be solved."

"Rubber?" Zhao Shizhen's face was covered in soot as he carefully applied kerosene to the faucet water pump.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and said, "There is a type of tree overseas that produces something that is softer than beef tendon and stronger than pine wax."

If we had this, many of our ideas could be easily realized, and the water pump piston would be much more airtight.

Hearing Zhang Yunxiu describe this thing as so miraculous, Zhao Shizhen's eyes lit up with hope, and he asked.

"Can I buy it from a Western merchant?"

Zhang Yunxiu sighed and said, "Westerners often use it to waterproof and make sealing plugs, but the quantity is limited. If we want to get our hands on it, we have to go to sea to find good varieties and cultivate them ourselves."

"Going to sea."

Upon hearing this term, Zhao Shizhen immediately fell silent. Since the opening of the sea during the Longqing era, few people had mentioned this term, and most court officials even avoided discussing it.

At this point, Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help but make empty promises to his newly accepted disciple.

"If we have rubber, we can further improve our hand-cranked water pump. In the future, we might be able to transport and pump water in the mine without the need for manpower."

Zhao Shizhen's eyes widened, and his eyes stood out conspicuously against his dark face.

"Is Master telling the truth?"

He looked incredulous, but Zhang Yunxiu's abilities forced him to believe it.

Just like this "dragon sucking water," after hearing Zhang Yunxiu's description, he specifically went to read the original text of "The Complete Essentials of Military Classics" and found that there was indeed a record of such a thing.

However, the "pump" is quite different from the "dragon sucking water". The "Wujing Zongyao" only mentions it briefly, but Zhang Yunxiu was able to improve it and make it play a more exquisite role!
This made Zhao Shizhen hopeful that objects that do not require human intervention could actually exist.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and explained using a metaphor.

"You seem to have a good understanding of firearms. How are those projectiles fired?"

"A musket?"

Zhao Shizhen didn't know what the connection was between the two, but he still answered truthfully.

"It's simply using gunpowder as a catalyst. The gunpowder is violent, which naturally propels the projectile forward, killing the enemy and achieving victory."

Zhang Yunxiu countered, "Then how can a bullet, through gunpowder, kill the enemy and achieve victory?"

Zhao Shizhen thought this was nonsense, and he said with a puzzled look on his face.

"The bullet has a musket, and the musket has gunpowder, so naturally it can propel the bullet. What's with this 'how' argument?"

Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes: "Have you ever thought about what the force that propels the bullet is called?"

"Huh?" Zhao Shizhen felt that the other party must be looking for trouble.

But Zhang Yunxiu continued, "Let's just call it thrust. It's the gunpowder explosion that generates a strong thrust, which allows the bullet to leave the barrel of the musket and thus kill the enemy. Do you agree?"

Zhao Shizhen suddenly felt an electric current run through him from head to toe.

He felt as if he had touched something important, but he didn't know what it was.

Zhao Shizhen stopped what he was doing, wiped the foreign matter off his cheek with his hand, but the more he smeared it, the darker his face became. However, he didn't seem to care at all and said in a very serious tone.

"This principle is very profound and contains hidden mysteries. I am too dull to understand it, but if we follow Master's words, then it must be so."

Zhang Yunxiu never expected him to understand immediately; he just wanted to plant a seed in his heart.

He leaned slightly forward and spoke in a low voice.

"If, and I mean if, there were a force that was slightly less than that of gunpowder, but more sustained, could it propel a bullet back and forth, ultimately achieving a goal without human intervention?"

With a "bang".

Zhao Shizhen felt as if he had been hit in the head by a musket. He seemed unable to accept it and stammered.

"How can there be such a miraculous force in this world? It's no less than a divine miracle!"

Zhang Yunxiu said dismissively.

"Before the advent of the musket, could anyone have predicted that a single barrel could kill and defeat the enemy within a hundred paces?"

"But. But"

Clearly, all of this was still too far beyond his comprehension.

Zhang Yunxiu didn't explain further, but instead patted the other person on the shoulder and said...

"No need to rush. For now, focus on developing this 'Dragon Sucking Water' technology. Take it one step at a time. Once you understand the principles behind 'Dragon Sucking Water,' you'll also have a grasp of the concept of thrust."

"At that time, developing that unprecedented divine weapon will no longer be a pipe dream."

Zhang Yunxiu's words echoed in Zhao Shizhen's ears.

He painted a huge picture of a bright future for his newly accepted apprentice, then turned and leisurely walked away.

Zhao Shizhen was left standing there, lost in thought.

As he pondered, he brought an object to his mouth.

The bitter, fishy, ​​and greasy taste made Zhao Shizhen feel nauseous, and he immediately started gagging.

It seemed as if they wanted to vomit out everything from the past.

(End of this chapter)