Author: Xiaoyaohu

On February 20, the tenth year of Tianxuan, Qu Mao had to leave Liandao, the holy land of King Yi's territory, early in the morning. He took a shuttle boat and went straight to the Fucun Shipyard on the outlying island, and also connected Nanli and Mu in Liandao's new military industrial park.

Desheng took him to the outlying island with him.

Because the night before, Xinping personally sent a remote communication application to Qu Mao, telling Qu Mao that the iron-clad ship at the Fucun Shipyard had made breakthrough progress and that the launch test would be carried out on the morning of February 20.

Subsequently, the person in charge of the ironclad ship research and development project at Fukumura Shipyard also sent Qu Mao a remote communication application and invited Qu Mao to participate in the ironclad ship launch test at Fukumura Shipyard the next morning.

Qu Mao has always been very concerned about the ironclad ship research and development project. Although after steam trains began to be used for civilian use, Qu Mao judged that the steam engine could not meet the needs of the ironclad ship and took the initiative to slow down the progress of the ironclad ship research and development. However, Qu Mao still inspected the ironclad ship research and development project team regularly.

For the entire nine years and one year of Tianxuan, the ironclad ship research and development project is still continuing, but no breakthrough progress has been made. Now, less than two months after entering the Tianxuan tenth year, the ironclad ship research and development project suddenly progressed to the launch test.

Qu Mao was quite satisfied deep down in his heart, so he promised to visit the test site.

Early in the morning on February 20, the tenth year of Tianxuan, Qu Mao took Nan Li and Mu Desheng on a shuttle boat from Liandao Beigang and went straight to the Fucun Shipyard on the outlying island.

On the shuttle boat, Qu Mao also reviewed with Nan Li and Mu Desheng every detail of the ironclad ship research and development project in the three or four years since its establishment, and lamented the stagnation of the ironclad ship research and development project in the eighth and ninth years of Tianxuan, as well as the sudden

I went into the water to test it, and I was filled with sighs and sighs.

In fact, the steel chariot project that Nan Li and Mu Desheng were responsible for was stopped directly in the second half of the eighth year of Tianxuan due to the steam engine, allowing Nan Li and Mu Desheng to focus on controllable

On the two projects of hot air balloon and wing suit.

After more than a year of intensive development, the iron-clad ship research and development project in King Yi's territory was finally about to be launched into the water for testing. Nanli and Mu Desheng suddenly received a notice from Qu Mao asking to go to Fucun Shipyard to observe the launching test. They were very excited about the steel chariot project.

The enthusiasm was aroused again.

At 9 o'clock in the morning on February 20, Qu Mao, Nan Li and Mu Desheng landed on time at the dock of Fucun Shipyard. In this dock, the ironclad ship that was about to be launched for testing was parked.

Kong Ming also brought Bi Sheng, Yan Qisheng and their steam engine project team members to the dock. When he saw Qu Mao, Nan Li and Mu Desheng, Kong Ming came over shaking his goose feather fan.

Qu Mao smiled and said hello to Kong Ming.

Kong Ming shook his goose feather fan and said with a smile: "Sir, did you come from Liandao in a shuttle boat?"

Qu Mao nodded, but he didn't know what Kong Ming's intention was in asking this question.

Kong Ming said proudly: "Sir, our observation team from the Outlying Islands Power Research Institute got on the train from the Reservoir Village Railway Station of the Shuifu Railway at 8:30 in the morning, and arrived at the Fucun Shipyard in less than half an hour. It is more efficient than yours, sir.

I don’t know how many times higher it is.”

Qu Mao rolled his eyes at Kong Ming, then turned his head to the side. He happened to see Xuande hurriedly walking to the dock, and Qu Mao waved to Xuande.

Xuande stepped forward and said with a smile: "Sir, your constant attention is worthy of your attention. The ironclad ship research and development project team has spent 4 years and has finally advanced the ironclad ship research and development project to the point where it can be launched into the water for testing."

Qu Mao said with emotion: "Yes, the reason why it has been delayed for so long is mainly because the power problem of the ironclad ship cannot be solved. Now that it can be launched into the water for testing, I guess it may be that a major breakthrough has been made in the engine."

Xuande shook his head with a wry smile and said: "Sir, although you are more concerned about the ironclad ship research and development project, in the past two years, your subordinates have a deeper understanding of the ironclad ship research and development project than you do.

According to the judgment of my subordinates: today's launch test is of far greater significance than practical significance for the ironclad ship research and development project. The ironclad ship's engine is still far from practical application."

Qu Mao smiled and said: "Xuande, you have to look at this problem from another angle.

If the ironclad can be launched into the water and can travel, it is a great stage victory."

At ten o'clock in the morning on February 20, following an order from the head of the ironclad ship research and development team, the dock where Qu Mao and others were located began to open the gate and release water. The 30-meter-long, 10-meter-wide ironclad ship made of all metal was filled with seawater.

Floating slowly, Qu Mao asked in astonishment as he looked at the huge three- to four-meter-high blades protruding from both sides of the stern of the ironclad ship, and the five-meter-long wooden oars protruding from both sides of the bow.

!Xuande, aren’t we testing the launching of an ironclad ship? What is this? Why is there such a design?”

Kong Ming shook his goose feather fan and said: "Sir, the steam engine currently equipped on the ironclad ship is not powerful enough. The blades on both sides of the tail of the ironclad ship are auxiliary power systems, and the interior is controlled by humans.

There are five pairs of wooden oars in the two rows at the bow of the ship, which are also auxiliary power systems. The interior of the ironclad is manually shaken to provide steering power for the ironclad."

Qu Mao looked at the huge blades and wooden oars speechlessly, not knowing what to say for a while.

When Qu Mao saw the ironclad ship slowly sailing towards the bay outside the dock, he smiled bitterly and said: "It has no actual combat capability at all, the sailing speed is too slow, and it uses a combination of steam engine and human power..."

Xuande also said dumbfounded: "Yes, sir, you are right, but my subordinates think that the ironclad ship research and development team still deserves encouragement.

The current floating height on the water is less than half a meter, and the ironclad ships currently launched for sea trials are not equipped with ship-borne artillery. If an artillery is loaded, even just one artillery, it may cause the ironclad ship to be unable to float. After all, the weight of a cannon will

Reaching several thousand kilograms.

At present, it is not clear on the surface whether the artificial power of giant blades and wooden paddles is dominant, or the power provided by steam engines."

Qu Mao nodded and said: "Yes, it seems that the ironclad ship research and development project team still has a long way to go. It will probably take at least another three years for the ironclad ship to be put into actual combat.

Of course, Xuande, you are right, the armored ship research and development team still needs encouragement, let’s celebrate their achievements at noon.”

Kong Ming shook his goose feather fan and said: "Sir, the power of the steam engine is limited after all. To increase the power of the steam engine means increasing the specifications of the steam engine. What a dilemma."

Qu Mao said: "Let's celebrate the victory of the armored ship research and development team at noon. We will talk about technical improvements later. We can always find a solution."
Chapter completed!