In the seventh year of Chongzhen, no major events occurred. The energy of the ministers in the court was concentrated on the feudal kings' affairs in North America.
Only Zhong Jinwei spared some energy to do other things. For example, various Mongolian tribes surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, but this happened at the end of last year. Because of the severe cold weather, many things were delayed until this year.
The northern territory of the Ming Dynasty gradually moved north. The field legions and local armies of the Ming Dynasty began to recruit Mongolian people and divided them into different army systems according to their elite level. Then the garrison moved north, building cities on the grassland and moving forward slowly in a distributed manner.
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After the unlucky Zuo Liangyu heard that all his colleagues had been promoted to chief military officers, he regretted that he had let Dorgon go because of his greed.
His mission remained unchanged. Without chasing down Dorgon, he would not be able to return to Beijing victoriously. However, when the Ming Dynasty annexed various Mongolian tribes and readjusted the northern border, he took a complete rest for more than half a year.
After Zhong Jinwei figured out a preliminary clue about the affairs in Northern Xinjiang, he had to set off again, heading further north to look for traces of Dorgon.
However, due to the interference of the Cossacks, he also added part of the new army during this departure. In addition, he also added more Mongolian soldiers who were good at tracking on the grasslands and adapted to living in the northern climate.
When Zhong Jinwei was busy with things on the grassland, it was already midsummer in the seventh year of Chongzhen.
There is still no sign of the Northern Fleet led by Yan Yingyuan. The imperial court cannot wait for the Northern Fleet to return. If it does not send a second batch of vassal kings to invade, this year will be delayed.
Fortunately, the second batch of Northern Fleet has been formed, although its combat power is definitely not as good as that of the first batch.
But because there is a precedent for setting off to North America, the supply points along the way have been replenished for the passing fleet for the first time, and all aspects are familiar. What items are missing and what items are in high demand have been tested. Once the fleet passes by, the supplies
At this point, a ship returned to the Ming Dynasty to report that the imperial court had already sent a supply ship to adjust the reserves.
As the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning. This second time when the vassal king came to the vassal, compared to the first time, I felt less panicked and everything was in order.
Therefore, King Fu of Luoyang, Henan, who was the second to conquer North America, set out for North America in mid-summer.
Although the people along the way still came out to see the strange things, they were no longer as enthusiastic as when the Tang Dynasty was feudal last year. And Prince Fu's team also felt a lot calmer because the Tang Dynasty was in front.
Zhong Jinwei did not participate too much in the feudal feudal North America, because everything was regulated by laws, and other officials could just follow the rules.
In private, he guided Archie's chemical experiments and helped Archie review the articles she wanted to publish, which made Archie's reputation spread among scholars who were interested in chemical research in the Ming Dynasty.
Zhong Jinwei himself devoted more energy to the inspection work of various research institutes. Based on the knowledge he had mastered, he was able to give pointers to the researchers of the institute from time to time, thereby accelerating the progress of research work.
Under the leadership of the research institute, Daming Science and Technology has developed rapidly. Steel production has continued to rise, especially the experiments and output of various steels, which have benefited many industries.
On this day, Emperor Chongzhen led his cabinet members and six ministers to the Power Research Institute to see the prototype of the train highly recommended by Duke Xingguo.
The Han generals of the Jin Yiwei were all around the Power Research Institute and all the important roads in the institute, while Fang Yizhi, the director of the institute, led the researchers to wait in the large courtyard of the institute.
This courtyard is very large and was later expanded. Around the inner circle of the courtyard, there is a railroad track on the ground that is very familiar to later generations.
On the track near Fang Yizhi and the others, there was a very simple steam train parked. Originally, according to the opinions of Fang Yizhi and the researchers, they wanted to make it look better, and then draw some images on it to show its extraordinaryness and make it easier to use.
Welcome the Holy Master.
However, Zhong Jinwei stopped them from doing this and asked them to focus on the improvement of steam engines and not to engage in frivolous things. Researchers should be knowledgeable, not flattering.
Although Zhong Jinwei did not say it very seriously, the meaning was clear, which made Fang Yizhi and others very ashamed. Therefore, this train prototype did not undergo artistic processing.
Emperor Chongzhen came excitedly. As soon as he arrived, he was full of curiosity about the train. After Fang Yizhi and others finished saluting, he walked out of the corridor, ignoring the strong autumn sun, and came to the front of the train to take a closer look.
At this time, someone stepped forward to introduce Emperor Chongzhen. If it had been anyone else, Fang Yizhi might not have had this opportunity to perform, because Zhong Jinwei was obviously more qualified and had a higher status when it came to trains.
But Zhong Jinwei was different from others. He had already told Fang Yizhi to introduce him to Emperor Chongzhen. This made Fang Yizhi very grateful and secretly grateful to have such a good prince. He could not only guide him in research and development, but also provide
gave him a chance to perform.
Emperor Chongzhen listened to the introduction and saw that the steam engine was pulling a long string of carriages, and there was a large amount of coal piled on top of the carriages. He couldn't help but ask: "Can this really pull so many carriages loaded with coal?"
"Your Majesty, please move to one side of the corridor, and I will have someone test it for Your Majesty to have a look at." Fang Yizhi replied respectfully.
Emperor Chongzhen was very interested and immediately said to the ministers who were following him: "Let's go, please follow me to the side to see this steam train!"
When he walked back to the corridor, he realized that Zhong Jinwei had been staying in the corridor and did not go over to watch. Emperor Chongzhen immediately smiled and said: "Master Zhong, it's time to take your train out for a walk. Aren't you nervous?"
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"Your Majesty, I have all ridden an electric train, let alone a steam train!" Zhong Jinwei replied calmly.
Emperor Chongzhen was startled after hearing this, and turned to look at the ministers around him, as if he had never heard what Zhong Jinwei said. Then he stood next to Zhong Jinwei with a smile, and then asked Fang Yizhi to start the steam train to show him.
When these ministers saw that the steam train was about to be started, they couldn't help but pay full attention to the situation in the yard. For them, the start-up situation was still very curious.
Seeing their behavior, Emperor Chongzhen couldn't help but approach Zhong Jinwei and asked in a low voice: "Master Zhong, what did you say about the electric train just now? Is it more advanced?"
Zhong Jinwei smiled silently and replied in a low voice: "Of course it is much more advanced than this steam train. It can travel one thousand two hundred miles in one hour."
He was talking about the high-speed rail, which translated into such a speed. Emperor Chongzhen opened his mouth wide and stood there in shock.
We can't blame Emperor Chongzhen for being so rude, after all, this kind of speed is really unbelievable to ancient people.