Chapter 148 The Steam Engine Project

After handing over the primary teaching work to several other doctors of the Five Classics, Wu Changqing took Feng Xianzhong and others to an experimental site, where some blacksmiths were already making some strange-shaped parts.

If future generations who know the goods see these parts, they will know what Wu Changqing wants to do. This is to build a steam engine.

The principle of the steam engine is actually very simple, that is, to boil water, let the steam expand and push the machine to do work, which is converted into kinetic energy.

However, it is not easy to convert the principle into the result. Westerners have vaguely discovered the role of steam as early as 1400.

And they built the first steam engine in 1679, and it was only experimental.

The steam engine that can really be put into use will not be until 1698.

And this is just a simple application, and has no commercial value. The value that a steam engine can create is far less than its own manufacturing price.

It was not until 1735 that Watt began to improve for more than ten years before improving the steam engine to a huge commercial use.

Since then, mankind has entered the era of steam, and various technologies have begun to develop rapidly.

There are many reasons why this process is difficult. Materials, craftsmanship and inspiration are all indispensable.

Now, these problems are not a problem for Wu Changqing.

He spent a full 1 million technology points, and mastered a series of related knowledge such as the manufacturing technology of steam engines, the selection of parts and materials, and so on.

Afterwards, he drew the structure of the steam engine, and taught the principle of the steam engine to Feng Xianzhong and others, and asked them to make the steam engine.

Wu Changqing came to instruct himself, and the manufacturing speed will of course be faster, but he does not have the time.

As a person in power, he has to deal with too many things every day.

If you are immersed in this invention and creation, the power in your hands will be seized by the careerists, and all the inventions will be wedding dresses for others.

For him, power is the most important, development is secondary.

"How about it, do you have the confidence to make this thing?"

After Wu Changqing taught the principle and manufacturing process, he asked a question.

"The most difficult part of the teacher has been solved. If the students still can't build this steam engine, they will have no face to be the teacher's students."

Feng Xianzhong said.

What he said was the truth. The most important principles and manufacturing processes of the steam engine have been solved by Wu Changqing, and they only need to operate according to the manufacturing process.

Their role is nothing more than to solve some problems encountered in actual manufacturing.

After all, it doesn't mean that there are no problems with the manufacturing process.

Children know that building blocks only need to be piled up one by one, but how to build higher, this also needs to keep trying and sum up experience.

And making a steam engine is definitely hundreds of times more complicated than building blocks. Even if you know the process flow, you will definitely encounter a series of problems in the actual manufacturing process.

Only those who have a lot of physical knowledge can find clues about these problems. If it is the blacksmiths who build the parts, they are absolutely dumbfounded.

"Well, get this thing out of your heart, this thing is very important. Just imagine, if you put this kind of thing on the bottom of the sailboat, wouldn't it be able to propel the boat forward without the need for wind?

If you put this kind of thing on the carriage, wouldn't it be possible to use the thrust of steam to make the carriage move forward automatically? If its thrust is large enough, can we transport tens of thousands of kilograms or hundreds of thousands of kilograms of materials at one time? "

Wu Changqing pointed out to Feng Xianzhong the use direction of the steam engine, and the steam engine must be used reasonably.

The biggest role of the steam engine is naturally to change the mode of transportation and greatly improve the transportation capacity. Steam ships and trains are the most important representatives. If these two things are brought out, the changes to society will be earth-shaking.

With steam as power, ships can open up a large number of new routes.

You must know that in the current ocean trade, the sailboats mainly rely on ocean currents, and they must be able to sail in windy areas.

On the sea, there are only a few routes with ocean currents. In order to compete for these routes, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom have already fought hard.

At the same time, because of the fixed route, there are also a large number of pirates who make a living by robbery. These pirates don't have to look for merchant ships in the ocean, just wait on those fixed routes.

Although the profits of ocean trade in this year have doubled at every turn, they have doubled several times. But its risks are also very huge. Natural disasters and man-made disasters will take a small life at every turn.

The windless zone on the ocean is now a forbidden place for sailboats. For example, most of the Pacific Ocean is a windless zone, and now there are only two or three routes that can cross the Pacific Ocean.

And with steam engines as power, the way of ocean trade will be subverted.

More importantly, with steamships, those sailing warships can be hoisted when fighting for hegemony in the ocean.

When Zheng He went to the Western Ocean, Ming's navy was still world-class. But now, those countries in Western Europe are fully developing maritime trade, and all kinds of large ships go into the sea like dumplings.

On the other hand, Daming was closed to the country, and shipbuilding technology not only did not improve, but rather deteriorated.

Just comparing the strength of the navy now, in fact, Daming is no longer comparable to the United Kingdom, Spain, or even the small country of the Netherlands.

But Wu Changqing is not worried at all

Heart, it will take more than 100 years for Western Europe to produce a steam battleship, and he can do it in a year or two at most, and those navies in Western Europe who can fight effortlessly by then are screaming.

Following Wu Changqing's words, Feng Xianzhong fantasized about those pictures, and immediately fell to the ground with Wu Changqing's admiration.

He is now Wu Changqing's little fanboy and Wu Changqing's brainless fan. Because of Wu Changqing's various magical knowledge and ideas, his three views have been refreshed again and again.

"Students must do their best to live up to the teacher's entrustment."

Feng Xianzhong said.

"Well, take your time, pay attention to safety, and let the craftsmen do the dangerous work. Don't worry too much, this is a long-term project."

Wu Changqing said that making a steam engine is still dangerous. If the air pressure is too high and not controlled properly, an explosion will occur.

These students are all talents he has spent time and energy developing, and he doesn't want to hear about anyone being bombed.

This kind of concern moved everyone. As for Wu Changqing's words not to worry too much, they were left behind.

How could they not be in a hurry for this kind of Pokémon that has a huge effect, they can't wait to create it right now.

On the one hand, it is to repay Wu Changqing's respect, and on the other hand, it is also to achieve himself.

For creating this kind of thing that can change the world and epoch-making, their names can also be recorded in the annals of history.

Huaxia scholars are very fond of whether they can be recorded in the annals of history, which is the lifelong pursuit of countless people.

And now, a heaven-sent opportunity is in front of them.