"Your Majesty, we have basically researched the color-changing ink and floating engraving and printing. We are now making molds. We expect to see the first batch of samples the day after tomorrow at the latest!"
"Um!"
Zhu Gaotian came to the Ministry of Industry alone and specially called Zhang Qixin beside him to ask him to introduce the progress during this period.
"When the time comes, send the manufactured samples to the Imperial Study Room as soon as possible!"
In less than ten days, all these technologies have been solved. Zhang Qixin has to say that he is still a talent in this field.
"In addition, I have a batch of things that I want to give you to do!"
Making banknotes is only the first step. After that, Zhu Gaotian will create all the transportation, railways, firearms, and automobiles.
"Your Majesty, is it something new?"
"Just follow me and you'll find out!"
During this period, Zhu Gaoying often flew into the Ministry of Industry, and Zhang Qixin was not as timid as he was at first after seeing Zhu Gaoying.
Zhang Qixin followed Zhu Gaoyan to a small house next to the workshop.
After Zhang Qixin closed the door, he came to the other side of the table respectfully, and Zhu Gaotian had already placed the drawings on the table and slowly unfolded them.
"Can you see what this is?"
He didn't write for a long time, and Zhu Gaotian was not sure whether the shape of his painting was vivid or not.
To put it simply, it is a simple steam engine.
"this……"
Zhang Qixin's eyes wandered over the drawings, and his fingers pointed in the direction of the drawings.
"Your Majesty made a big pot, but only the lever was attached to the big pot?"
"After the water is boiled, the hot air in the kettle will lift the lever and transmit the power to the other end. Then the lid will fall down, and the cycle repeats?"
Zhang Qixin looked at the drawing and then at Zhu Gaoyan. He seemed to have drawn something like this, but what's the use of it?
genius!
When he heard Zhang Qixin say this, Zhu Gaoyan couldn't help but admire him.
Just by seeing this simple drawing, I already understand the principle of this machine!
With a little enlightenment, you might be able to influence something more useful.
"You're right, I really didn't misjudge you!"
Zhu Gaoyan pointed to the lever on the drawing with a rather passionate tone.
"The other end of this lever can be connected to many things, such as the most common one - wheels!"
Zhu Gaoying immediately picked up a pen and drew a lever connecting the wheel in the corner of the drawing.
"Your Majesty, I understand!"
Not yet. When Zhu Gaotian finished painting the wheel, Zhang Zhang Qixin seemed to have a sudden enlightenment.
"Your Majesty, I understand, you are really a genius. As long as the water in the pot continues to boil, it will continue to move against the lever, and the wheel will continue to move forward due to the push of the lever!"
The scene of boiling water can be seen in every household. Why didn’t I associate these things together?
Zhang Qixin's eyes became more and more passionate as he looked at the drawings on the table.
"As long as there is enough coal and wood, this wheel will keep turning, and even provide powerful power to put it on the carriage, the mill, and the water wheel!"
"This is a horse that never tires!"
Zhang Qixin can already think of scenarios where it will be used in the future. If this machine can be promoted on a large scale, the productivity of the entire Ming Dynasty will at least increase several times, and the people will be liberated from heavy physical labor!
This is simply a groundbreaking invention!
"How many days will it take you to get this thing for me?"
"Five days, no, three days, tomorrow Weichen will be able to make a model of a suitable size and install it on the carriage by then!"
After Zhu Gaoying listened, he shook his head.
"A carriage? No, no, no, this kind of thing is really overkill for a carriage!"
Zhu Gaoyan opened the drawing again, revealing the drawing below.
"What about this thing!"
Judging from the scale on the drawing, this is a huge thing.
In front of it is a huge boiler with countless small wheels connected below, and at the rear is a carriage for placing coal.
"This is a huge machine on wheels. How much cargo can it pull?"
Zhang Qixin couldn't help but sigh, if there were such a locomotive, the transportation of materials around the world would become more convenient and faster!
"If it is built according to this specification, and dozens of carriages are added to the front of the car, it will be enough to pull millions of kilograms!"
Millions of pounds!
This can already keep up with the entire baggage of a hundred thousand troops!
No, this locomotive can even transport troops. In this case, wouldn’t our Ming army be able to mobilize in various areas anytime and anywhere!
"The gas that comes out when water boils is called water vapor, and this machine is called a steam engine!"
"If you want to boil the water in these boilers, ordinary wood will not work, you must use coal!"
"And this locomotive is called a train!"
"So, how long will it take you to build me a decent model?"
Such a huge creation probably consumes a lot of metal, and the internal structure must also be quite meticulous.
Zhang Qixin hesitated, because he also wanted to build this kind of steam engine and train as soon as possible, so the sooner the better, but he was afraid that there would be some mistakes in the manufacturing process, which would delay the construction period, and he would be punished for promising to His Majesty.
"Your Majesty, please give Wei Chen and the Ministry of Industry twenty days. Wei Chen will definitely be able to build a running train for Your Majesty!"
Twenty days?
This is a bit too fast, Zhu Gaotian expected the time to be one and a half months.
To manufacture such a huge locomotive, not only the strength of the metal is required, but also the precise control of various structures is quite stringent. Although it can be built with current technology, it will be quite difficult.
Zhang Qixin, who has been struggling for a while before the announcement, should know the current situation. How could it be built in twenty days?
"Not even twenty days. There are about twenty-six days before new currency is issued. On the day when currency is issued, I want to see the locomotive you made. Can I?"
In fact, even if Zhang Qixin said two and a half months, Zhu Gaotian would not be angry. After all, the railway can be repaired first, and when the locomotive is manufactured, it can be put on the road directly.
"Wei Chen will definitely live up to His Majesty's expectations!"
"Okay, I'm just waiting for your gratifying results. In addition, I would like to remind you that this locomotive is quite heavy. If you want to move or assemble it, you must first build a tower crane that can bear its weight!"
"Of course Wei Chen has already considered this, so please don't worry, Your Majesty."