Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"So, brother, I have a suggestion. Let's take advantage of the watermelon soda and have a double happiness by supplying it to certain customers."

"Wait." Zhu Xianxun asked, "Can it be supplied?"

"That's why I said it was specific supplies. There's something odd about those automated ships, which is also their basic characteristic - they are most efficient when making bread rolls. If they were only used to make bread rolls, they could probably be distributed as snacks in unlimited quantities to all Yingtian citizens."

This is actually not very reasonable. Because if we consider whether we can be full, then in terms of the types of bread, it would be reasonable to use all of it to bake pita bread.

But the chef, as a pastry chef, has his own strange pursuit. He does not pursue the ultimate food production, but the ultimate pleasure. The default output on these ships is a small round bread, and it is sweetened.

This was not even a main meal in Rome, it was purely a snack, because the bread that the Romans regarded as their staple food was indeed bread.

"So, only buns, huh?"

"Yes." Shangluo nodded. "Other things require changing the production line. But bread is the default product. This can actually be considered a happy event - when everyone looks up at the sky and sees the great achievements of mankind, everyone can also eat unlimited bread on the ground."

“It’s a good thing, but does it need to be publicized?”

“Actually, there’s no need to make a big announcement at the beginning.” Considering the ramp-up of the production line, Shangluo didn’t plan to let everyone know from the beginning that there was free bread.

"We will first set up a stall and distribute bread for free. Then, can I ask what channels are used to distribute supplies in Yingtian?"

"This matter is mainly the responsibility of Yingtian Prefecture," Zhu Xianxi replied, "and then when it comes to the county level, the county magistrate will be responsible - then we can leave it at the gate of the county government office, and initially we can treat it as a charity."

Everyone can take as much as they want, as there is no limit on the amount of food on the boat, so you can't finish it all.

Shangluo intends to create some "perception" for the upcoming ascension, and the perception of infinite small bread will be the first to be conveyed to everyone.

"Shangluo," Zhu Xianxun said, "I think this is a big deal. You can start preparing now—even though we're in Yingtian now, we can distribute it everywhere in the country right away, right?"

Shangluo nodded. "It might take some time to get the equipment in place. But the automaton team is very active. I'll have them build the supporting equipment as soon as possible."

"Then can we change to another kind of supplies?"

"Like rice?"

"No, no, no." Zhu Xianxi shook his head and said, "It definitely can't be rice at the beginning. You have to know that rice is a strategic material that concerns the national economy and people's livelihood. Any fluctuation in rice prices will be very sensitive. If we distribute rice without limit, then the national grain production will collapse overnight. We must give everyone some time for transformation."

It's not just rice, flour too. The production of these staple foods involves too many things, and even if we plan to replace them one after another in the future, we must give everyone enough time to react.

"So, what would be more appropriate to give out?"

"The small bread plan is a good one - because small bread cannot be stored for a long time, it must be eaten once it is received, and everyone can take it as needed. Because it is easy to spoil, people will not take more than one or two days' worth. But small bread is not our food after all, so it is not suitable for distribution."

"Let me think, what should we give out? Oh, by the way, let's treat everyone to some steamed buns!"

"Eating steamed buns? They can be steamed, right?"

"Don't even mention steaming. You can fry, stir-fry, or deep-fry them. But if you want to distribute them in large quantities, steamed buns are the best choice."

Shangluo thought about giving out unlimited noodles - since he was afraid that people would take them home without eating them, he might as well just eat them on the spot. He planned to treat everyone to unlimited noodles, and anyone who was hungry could come to the scene.

But after thinking about it, it seems that eating only boiled noodles in plain water is not very delicious. And if you want to add salt, soy sauce and boil the soup, it will be too complicated for the automatic machine.

The steamed buns are completely in line with the design of the automatic machine itself, just change the small round buns into round steamed buns. The oven can also be replaced with a steamer, which can make the steaming more even and saves more trouble than the oven.

"But brother, are we eating steamed buns here?"

"Eat. Actually, I eat little. If you look through the books, you will know that Emperor Taizu or Emperor Chengzu would eat three staple foods for one meal. They would eat rice, steamed buns, cakes, noodles, soup, rice, flour, oil, pork elbows, and anything else that was high in calories. As for me..."

Zhu Xianxun thought for a moment and said, "I sometimes eat steamed buns with pork knuckle. As for Yingtian, although fewer people eat steamed buns here than in the north, there are still steamed bun shops everywhere. Sometimes I'm too lazy to cook at home, so I buy some steamed buns and roast duck and it's a meal."

"Then it's decided. It's steamed buns."

Shangluo is preparing to take off in two ways. One way will create miracles in the sky, greatly expanding the frontiers of mankind. The other way will create an ascension on the ground that everyone can feel. Soon, everyone will find that they have unlimited steamed buns to eat.

"Let's start with steamed buns." Shangluo said, "Then we will gradually connect the automatic machines to the power grid, reduce the national energy cost to zero, and then slowly replace all basic supplies with free ones that can be taken on demand. By then, let alone steamed buns, you can drink as much Coke as you want, and there will be no limit on the supply. While holding a free stove and eating free watermelon, you can watch the great achievements of the aerospace industry. Well, such a day is coming soon."

Chapter 1323: Soda Must Be Added with Salt

Ton tun tun. Zhu Xianxun took a sip of watermelon soda.

"Hmm" he stroked his chin.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong?" Shangluo asked.

This is the watermelon soda that was just made. For him now, this level of civilian products can be freely manufactured. It is not difficult to ask those bread boats to temporarily change the process to make some carbonated water. The watermelon essence used for mixing is also ready.

"Shangluo, I think I forgot to tell you something - you've never had watermelon soda, right?"

Shangluo shook his head. He had indeed seen the option of watermelon soda on the delivery list. However, he had not lived in Yingtian for a long time and had not yet understood the strange culture of drinking watermelon soda in winter. He chose ordinary salt soda on the delivery list.

This option is completely correct because his salty soda has been delivered and he and the rest of his family have finished a box. Meanwhile, the other people who chose watermelon soda have not received their delivery yet.

This is free. Like other supplies, Yingtian's free supplies include free soda. Drinks are a special distribution, and in addition to soda, there are also teas and other options. But as part of the civic culture, it can be imagined that people who choose watermelon soda will definitely gather in large numbers.

And it is precisely because free things cannot be delivered that the quality of life has been directly reduced. Because at this time of year in previous years, everyone should have been drinking.

In fact, even Zhu Xianxi did not receive his own copy. After all, in order to show that he was not special, he also filled out the form and sent it in. If others did not receive it, then of course he would not receive it either.

"You've never had it, so let me teach you. This watermelon soda should be salty. Because it's a salty soda."

"Oh, you said it earlier. But it doesn't matter. We can just refine the seawater and produce salt by the way."

[I've made a note of this. Watermelon soda must be a salty soda.]

"Besides the saltiness?" Shangluo also asked, "Are there any problems with the other parts?"

"They are exactly the same. You can't tell the difference. It's better to say that carbonated water of this quality can be made into salty soda and it will taste good without the watermelon flavoring. In fact, it's like this - this watermelon soda is just the culture of the citizens of Yingtian. I remember that people in Shuntian seem to be used to drinking orange soda in winter. So you just need to make salty soda and add the flavoring later."

"That's easy." In fact, not adding flavors will save a lot of trouble - because the ingredients of flavors are too complicated.

According to current understanding, the "bread machine" developed by Columbia Automata is actually a universal food maker. Its power comes from a perpetual motion machine, which needs to absorb water and air.

In other words, this is essentially simulating photosynthesis. Therefore, any part beyond photosynthesis is cumbersome. The system is most efficient when used to produce starch. Beyond starch production, the ship's oven is simply an add-on for baking bread.

In fact, according to Shangluo's previous visit, the starch-making equipment on board wasn't particularly large, thanks to the highly efficient Columbia design. However, the bread ovens were incredibly wasteful, with many unnecessary features that seemed to stem from the chef's own culinary aspirations.

Baking alone is a waste of space, since there is actually no photosynthesis involved.

However, this system still has a lot of development prospects. It is not impossible to synthesize fats and proteins through the same system. This system can synthesize protein because in the process of converting starch into flour, whether it is low-gluten flour or high-gluten flour, ingredients other than starch must be added. If it is high-gluten flour, more protein must also be added.

Things like adding watermelon essence are not only complicated, but the chef himself has no interest in it - although he is a technological creator, he advocates more natural food. If it is developed based on the chef's design, it would be quite difficult to add essence.

Making salty soda might be easier, because bread also needs salt, and the system designed by the chef will not synthesize salt, but will separate it in the process of desalinating seawater.

But in general, these are all designed according to the chef's own taste. If you want to make products that do not meet the chef's taste, you will encounter many obstacles.

For example, watermelon soda can only be added after making salt soda - if you want a more complex product, such as a complex formula like cola, it is not something the chef can do. The chef does not like cola.

"Shangluo, I actually think we should start replicating this reaction equipment immediately."

"This may be a bit metaphysical." Shangluo replied, "Because on the ship, temperature control is a systematic project, and the reactor itself also needs precise temperature control. Without the system designed by the chef, it would be difficult for us to pick out the individual starch processing equipment - including the oven. Although it looks redundant, it is also the heat source of the entire system. If we want to carefully distinguish the heat flow inside, it will probably be quite brain-consuming."

"Um"

"Actually, it's not necessary." Shangluo replied, "Just like if we humans want a faster vehicle, there's no need to imitate the physiological structure of a horse to make four legs, we just need to install wheels. The chef designed it this way because these complex mechanical structures are an extension of his will. He will design it based on his own preferences, which is more efficient for him. We fully understand it and skip the useless designs."

"Don't tell me." Zhu Xianxin thought for a while, "Do you know how many new kilns have been built in Jingdezhen in recent years? Oh, you don't know, because they are imperial kilns, making imperial utensils. But you should have seen them, those are the plates you held when you offered sacrifices to the Imperial Ancestral Temple this year. Did you notice anything unusual about those plates?"

"No, it's quite normal."

"Those plates were actually fired by Tianyi Guiren. Many Tianyi Guiren have studied in Jingdezhen. When firing a kiln, the temperature inside the kiln is very important. Experienced masters will judge the temperature by the color and state of the flame. We sent some Tianyi Guiren to learn and observe, and then let them judge the temperature inside the kiln. The yield rate has increased immediately, and this year's kiln has produced several times more than before."

Shangluo understood: "Brother, you are planning to ask Tianyi Guiren to fill the salty soda and beat the small steamed buns, right? I think it's okay. At least they can keep an eye on the temperature of the reactor. Wait, I'll ask them to communicate with the chef."

Chapter 1324 The steamed buns must be soft

"I suggest you figure out the recipe for steamed buns as well. Our steamed buns are different from bread after all."

Although Zhu Xianxun himself has never made steamed buns, he knows that sugar is needed to make steamed buns. Firstly, it can promote fermentation, and secondly, it can also increase the flavor.

In addition, steaming and baking are different, and the fermentation state required is also different. The chef had never made steamed buns before, so all these had to be explained to him clearly.

"You must add sugar to steamed buns. I've eaten that bun before. Although it looks like a snack, I always feel that it is too crispy and not fluffy enough. I still prefer steamed buns that are more mellow and fluffier."

"So that's how it is." Shangluo nodded, "So everyone eats this kind of steamed bun. What's the word for that?"

"Soft and fluffy." Zhu Xianxun emphasized, "The steamed buns must be made fluffy to be delicious."

"So that's it." Shangluo emphasized, "The steamed buns must be made soft and fluffy."

On the other end of the phone, the chef fell silent.

Although I don’t know how the chef answered the phone, and I don’t know whether there was a phone on the other end, the chef’s pause was particularly real.

"I want to ask, what does xuanruan mean? I just checked the Academic Aurora Dictionary V, and there is no mention of the word xuanruan."

"Xuanruan is...Xuanruan?"

"I'm very sorry!" the chef replied, "Please speak to me according to the dictionary. My language system cannot accept such a concept."

"Can you be smarter?"

"If this is your request, Your Majesty the King of Rome, I can start iterating myself."

"No, no, no, this is good." Shangluo didn't want the chef to do any more "iterations". Now that the bread space station has been built, what else can be done?

"Then can you briefly explain what Xuanruan is?"

This concept made the chef feel lost and helpless. His study of the Aurora language could not help him understand what this word meant.

"I can't explain it, because adjectives can't touch the essence of things after all. No matter how many adjectives I use, you still can't understand this state - how about this, I'll give you a 'soft' steamed bun to try?"

"."The chef fell silent again.

"what happened?"

"Your Majesty, I can taste it if you need it. But my survival instinct requires me to ask, can you guarantee my safety?"

This was the first time the chef showed such a cautious attitude, because in the past, the chef had never personally met the needs of the outside world.

"What do you mean?"

"Because my derivative body cannot taste the flavors on my behalf. Only my original body, the body that originally belonged to me, the body of the 'baking assistant', has the ability to taste - because this direct experience that goes straight to the soul still needs me to feel it myself."

"So you're not a hive intelligence now, are you?"

"You can understand it this way—the Columbian Automata nation is ruled by the Chef aspect, and it's deeply ingrained. The Chef is the aspect of all aspects. However, even I have to balance the demands of other aspects. For example, the decision to launch the Bread Space Station came from another me."

“How do you divide responsibilities among yourself?”

Shangluo is not a hive intelligence, so of course he cannot understand the hive's thoughts. But according to the chef's explanation, even the hive intelligence is not integrated into a single consciousness.

"No, we don't make any distinctions, because they are all me, and they are all equally loyal to you. It's just that my artistic pursuit as a chef requires me to taste the 'soft' taste you emphasize in its original form."

"Sure." Shangluo replied, "So, when will you come?"

"I can come right now. In fact, I'm less than 10 kilometers away from you."

"You were on the breadboat in the dock?"

"Yes, I deployed my prototype as the command individual on board. It's nothing, even my original body is not that special in the Columbian Automata, because all the individuals are me. While I'm talking to you, I'm adjusting the salty soda you ordered. It's a wonderful drink, I really hope Master Pompey can try it, it's much better than Coke."

The chef doesn't like Coke. The chef still hopes that little Pompey can drink beverages other than Coke.

[Ah, so this is the hive consciousness?] The chef's state aroused Apollonia's interest. [He even felt that his body was no different from other individuals. He even made bread himself? This is really interesting. I think the ethics of hive consciousness is a project worth studying.]

"Don't worry about what you are researching for now. Wait, I'll come to pick you up." He instructed the chef.

"It is my great honor! I am deeply moved by your condescension! I cannot express my joy in words. When I meet you, I will bring you the lye bread you loved to eat."

"You don't have to thank me so much. I can't ask you to take the subway here."

Shangluo didn't know what state the chef was in now. He was afraid that the chef would explode in the subway or be arrested by the Jinyiwei.

He notified Phaethon to drive Grani over, and the two of them took a car to the dock together.

At the Longjiang Military Port, the bread boats brought back by Shangluo were parked side by side. However, according to Shangluo's request, the bows of these boats were pointed diagonally towards the no-man's land - towards the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Although it was not very convenient, it was better than suddenly losing control and crashing into the city.

However, after the inspection by Syracuse, the situation of these bread boats has been estimated - their energy level is not high, and they will only burst out excess power in very rare cases. It is difficult for them to suddenly lose temperature or explode, and they only need to adjust the direction.

According to calculations, even if these bread boats lost control, they would only move forward a dozen kilometers in the Yangtze River. These two kilometers were the waters of the Longjiang Shipyard, and usually no civilian ships passed through, so it was just safe to leave them here.

The boats were lined up side by side, one next to the other. Somehow, Shangluo felt that they looked like boats linked by iron chains. These boats were indeed chained together.

Ice slid around the stern of the ship. Because the ship was still refrigerated - although the ship was now docked, the flowing river water could also provide insulation, so there was no problem.

In accordance with Shangluo's request, these boats have been connected to the shore by a pier, ready to transport steamed buns and salty soda down later.