I only heard Emperor Chongzhen say to Song Yingxing after the ceremony: "Song Qing, I am looking at the construction of the armored battleship. Is it stable?"
In fact, all the technological innovations in the Chongzhen Dynasty were not technological innovations, but were made based on the drawings, steps, etc. provided by Liu Weichao.
Just because Liu Weichao is not from this plane after all, he cannot give a very specific plan for the actual situation of this plane.
Therefore, there are many things that Ming craftsmen still need to practice according to drawings, steps, etc.
If you want to create something that was not available in the Ming Dynasty, and if you want to use technology that has never been used in the Ming Dynasty, even if you have drawings and steps, it still takes time to become proficient.
The Ming Dynasty built a real iron-clad steam warship, and it was not a paddle wheel, but a propeller-driven one. It was also a familiar process. In the actual building process, various problems would still be encountered.
However, as the craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty became more and more familiar with the technological production of later generations, it was also helpful for them to be exposed to more new things.
For example, the Ming Dynasty Jinjin Shipyard first renovated the original warships of the Ming Dynasty, covering them with iron armor and installing steam engines. In this process, the craftsmen involved will inevitably become familiar with the corresponding new technologies.
Only on the basis of proficiency in this technology can the Tianjin Shipyard be able to truly build a steam-armored battleship, which is relatively easy.
But even so, the most experienced Song Yingxing is leading the team, and has spent more than two years on it.
Of course Emperor Chongzhen would always pay attention to this progress. After all, if a real armored steam warship was built, it would definitely be of great help to the Ming Dynasty in expanding its territory overseas.
After more than two years of copying the same pattern, I have almost understood everything I didn't understand, and I have become familiar with the parameters for building an ironclad warship. Now, it is only a matter of time before a real steam ironclad warship is released.
Of course, it would be best if Song Yingxing had been leading this project. After all, the final process has not been completed, and there has been no actual navigation, combat experiments, etc.
At this time, Song Yingxing was slightly startled when he heard Emperor Chongzhen's question, because he heard something else, and quickly said the truth: "Your Majesty, the first steam iron-clad battleship has been basically completed, but there are many details.
It still needs to be improved according to the drawings, and then comes the actual test!”
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen nodded with satisfaction and praised him: "Not bad, not bad, thank you Song Qing for your hard work!"
After finishing speaking, without waiting for Song Yingxing to reply, he immediately asked: "If I need you to do other important things, will it affect the construction of this steam armored battleship? In other words, how big of an impact will it have?"
After hearing this, Song Yingxing knew that his feeling was right.
So, he quickly said: "Quanzi has been working with Weichen, and he is involved in every aspect. In this situation, if Weichen is not here, Weichen believes that Quanzi can also build this steam armored battleship!"
In this day and age, I don’t want to be too normal when doing things with my son.
For example, if I am a military commander and a warrior, then my son must also be in my army.
There are many such examples. He Renlong joined the army, and his son was also in the army, and even died in battle.
On the other hand, for example, Zuo Liangyu, the same is true. He had his son by his side, which saved him from leaving a seed when his whole family was killed during the mutiny. Of course, in this plane, they have all been rectified together.
Song Yingxing was entrusted with an important task by Emperor Chongzhen and had been engaged in the study of physics. Naturally, his son followed him as his deputy.
Only when I have no future in my career will I consider my son finding another way out.
Therefore, Emperor Chongzhen was very happy after hearing what Song Yingxing said, and said to him: "In that case, I will let him be responsible for the construction of the steam armored battleship, so that you can be freed?"
To be honest, Song Yingxing actually really wanted to complete the building process of this steam armored battleship himself. In this way, his name will inevitably be left in the history of Ming Dynasty's armored battleships.
However, if he gives up the throne now, his son will be able to do things more formally and get the emperor's approval, which is also a gratifying thing for him.
Therefore, Song Yingxing did not hesitate and responded immediately: "Whatever your Majesty needs me to do, I will do it!"
The implication is that he affirmed Emperor Chongzhen's question.
Emperor Chongzhen was very happy after hearing this and explained to him: "Now that the imperial court wants to expand its territory to the west, the most important thing is not the military strength of the imperial court, but the logistical constraints. The other most important thing is the news.
Passed on. This matter is of vital importance to the imperial court. I don’t feel safe leaving it to anyone else, so I want to allocate you to do this!"
Hearing this, Song Yingxing was immediately surprised and quickly confirmed: "Your Majesty, do you mean to invent the wired telegraph?"
Emperor Chongzhen had a plan for the future scientific and technological route. Of course, it was actually Liu Weichao's plan based on the situation of the Ming Dynasty.
No one else knew about this plan, but Song Yingxing, the leader of Ming Dynasty technology, learned about it from Emperor Chongzhen.
The same was true. When Emperor Chongzhen mentioned it, he knew it immediately.
In fact, the principles of telegraphy have been taught at the Royal Academy of Sciences of the Ming Dynasty. Not only the application of electricity, but also electromagnetic applications, etc., all this knowledge is available.
At this time, Emperor Chongzhen nodded when he heard Song Yingxing's words, and then shook his head. Song Yingxing was a little confused, and then he said to him: "I want you to go to Qiongzhou. The rubber trees should be able to barely produce rubber!"
Having said this, he raised his voice a little and emphasized: "This rubber has a very wide range of uses, whether it is military or civilian, it plays a very important role. It is very important in the transmission of messages and transportation.
However, no country currently knows how to actually use rubber, so the confidentiality of rubber production is also a Class A secret. You have experience in this aspect, and I think you are the only one who can handle the operation of rubber factories."
Of course, factory guards and the military will be involved in confidentiality work, but the operation of the entire factory, especially internal management, is beyond the scope of factory guards. At this time, experienced managers and leaders like Song Yingxing are needed.
He is a famous figure, and his prestige is enough that he can stay far away from the capital.
After hearing what Emperor Chongzhen said, Song Yingxing did not hesitate and agreed immediately.
Although Qiongzhou is really far away, without Emperor Chongzhen's appreciation, he wouldn't be where he is today. Since Emperor Chongzhen needs it, he naturally won't have any hesitation.
Emperor Chongzhen was very satisfied and told him: "One of the key technologies of rubber is vulcanization. I will give you manuals on the relevant technologies. In addition, the current production of rubber is still relatively low, so the first thing you have to do is to make
Wires and then send them to the capital. At the same time, Qing also wants to accumulate technology for other rubber products!"
At least in terms of geological studies, Emperor Chongzhen and Liu Weichao chatted a lot. Influenced by Liu Weichao, the tone of speaking in geological studies inherited Liu Weichao's way of speaking.
Song Yingxing certainly knows what a wire is. You must know that the Forbidden City is now equipped with electric lights. However, the copper wire is not wrapped in rubber, but is first painted with raw paint and then covered with ceramic pipes.
The cost of this method is too high, and it is inconvenient to apply and lay on a large scale. The ceramics are easily broken!
At this time, after understanding what Emperor Chongzhen wanted him to do, Song Yingxing was a little disappointed and asked: "Your Majesty, I wonder who should be entrusted with this wired telegram?"
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen said directly without thinking, "I am going to leave it to Fang Qing from the Academy of Sciences to do this!"
As soon as he heard this, Song Yingxing knew who Fang Qing was, and he had nothing to say about it.
Because this Fang Qing was the number one scholar in physics in the first session of the Ming Dynasty, and in the past few years, he has been the most powerful talent in physics. Even Song Yingxing encountered many physics problems and went to the Academy of Sciences to find them.
Fang Yizhi asked for advice.
As far as physics, a branch of geophysics, is concerned, apart from Emperor Chongzhen, Fang Yizhi is definitely the number one person.
Of course, this is also inseparable from Emperor Chongzhen’s deliberate cultivation. As far as the Ming Dynasty is concerned, in terms of physics, he trained Fang Yizhi as the leader, and in chemistry, he trained the couple Xia Wanchun and his daughter as the leader.
For the college textbooks Liu Weichao sent him, Fang Yizhi asked Fang Yizhi to learn and understand by himself first, and then teach others about physics and solve their problems. Similarly, for chemistry textbooks, it was Xia Wanchun and his wife.
The annual special scientific examination on Gurwu studies also allowed Emperor Chongzhen to have a certain reserve of Gurwu scholars. Of course, compared to his demand for Gurwu scholars, it was far from enough.
At this time, Emperor Chongzhen told Song Yingxing some things about Qiongzhou, and then asked him to go back and explain his affairs in the capital and Tianjin first, and then go south.
Of course, at the same time, his decree for Song Yingxing's son was also announced, which calmed Song Yingxing's heart.
After two days of such busy work, the good news about the Hetao Plain was sent back to the capital.
As for the imperial officers and soldiers, 3,251 people were killed and more than 5,600 people were injured. Everything in the Hetao Plain was not damaged by the war!
The allied forces of the western tribes killed more than 35,000 people, captured about 35,000 people, obtained more than 50,000 war horses, and injured more than 10,000 horses.
In this good news, because it was mainly for quick delivery to the capital, the identities of the prisoners were not broken down.
However, because the soldiers of the Tsarist Empire were so different in appearance, it was easy to count. Basically, out of the 10,000 Tsarist Russian troops, more than 8,000 were killed and more than 500 were captured.
Obviously, the casualties were not reduced because they tried to escape.