The Resurrection of the South Seas of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 719 The First Show of the Steam Train (5.8k for Subscription and Monthly Pass)
"Now that the inspection is complete, prepare to add coal and water to the locomotive crew!"

Wang An ordered.

As his words fell, several craftsmen in the uniform of the research institute began to add coal and water to the steam train.

Wang An and a group of researchers stood aside, pacing or talking from time to time.

Take this to vent their nervous emotions!
Whether this steam train is feasible, whether their research for so long is useless, depends on today's trembling.

Can't stand them not being nervous!

Although the steam train has also been tried before, it was run in the test field.

If you want to know whether the steam train is feasible, you have to run it on a real railway to make a conclusion.

Based on how much the emperor attaches importance to science and technology, once the steam train test run is successful, the rewards they can get will definitely be quite generous.

A researcher who looked like he was only in his 20s grinned and said to the companion on the side.

"After the rewards are issued this time, do you want to go to the Qinhuai River together to have fun?"

Unexpectedly, after the companion heard the words, he shook his head and said.

"No, I'll drop off the value later, and I have to go home to accompany my daughter-in-law!"

The young man curled his lips and said.

"Afraid of a daughter-in-law? Really worthless!"

The companion was not annoyed when he heard this.

Just said with a smile.

"I'm not afraid of my daughter-in-law!"

"It's just that I want to save more money while I'm young, so I can buy a house in Nanjing and stock up some land in Jiangnan, which can be regarded as a plan for future generations."

"Isn't it worth spending money on the bellies of women on the Qinhuai River?"

The Ming court was still very generous to scientific research talents. With their salaries and bonuses they could receive for ordinary technological breakthroughs, as long as they saved up for two or three years, it would not be a problem to buy a house in Nanjing with all the money.

Of course, the house here refers to the kind of courtyard house that you enter, not the kind of mansion that occupies a large area.

The young man heard the words, but he didn't take it seriously.

Because, he doesn't lack the houses in Nanjing city and the land in the south of the Yangtze River!
Just shook his head and said.

"The children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and I will enjoy the blessings without children and grandchildren!"

"If you don't go out to play while you're young, you won't be able to play when you're old!"

The condition of the young family is very good, although his family is not conspicuous at all in the Nanjing city of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but that is because this is the city of Nanjing.

Otherwise, based on his family's family business, if it is placed in the local state capital, then he will be the richest man in the locality.

As the youngest son in the family, he was pampered and grew up since he was a child!
Therefore, compared with other people, his thoughts are a bit too egotistical.

Do things only think about yourself, not for others!
If he hadn't been obsessed with strange skills and arithmetic engineering since he was a child, he definitely wouldn't have entered the Daming Imperial Research Institute.

But this companion is different. The companion's family is very poor, he can read and write, and the family tightened their belts to support.

He always knew his responsibility!
He must let his family live a good life.

This is the difference in the thinking of the two.

Wang An took a deep breath, looked at the researchers who were whispering, and said.

"Let's not say a few words, and go to check all aspects of the steam locomotive!"

"His Majesty will come personally for this test run!"

"There must be no mistakes!"

When several researchers heard the words, they all straightened their faces and said seriously.

"I'll wait to understand!"

Just as these researchers were inspecting the steam train again, a group of cavalry suddenly came rushing from a distance.

The flags were flying, and the red dragon flags seemed to be announcing their identities to everyone.

Wang An fixed his eyes and greeted him.

"Everyone is ready to pick up the driver immediately!"

"That's the vanguard of the imperial guards, His Majesty is coming!"

A moment later, the cavalry of the Imperial Guards rushed into the arena and took over the entire station.

A guard named A began to take over the defense, and a group of people searched the entire station to ensure that there were no idlers.

The other group of people stood in their proper positions and were responsible for security matters.

A cavalry general Pegasus came to Wang An, saluted Wang An, and said.

"Master Wang, Sheng Jia will arrive soon. I will take over the station and be in charge of guarding to ensure Sheng Jia's safety."

"excuse me!"

Wang An nodded and said.

"If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask!"

"The entire research institute is willing to give you convenience within its ability, and everything is for the safety of His Majesty!"

The cavalry captain nodded, but said nothing more.

As the guards' inspection was completed, a large puff of smoke appeared at the end of the road.

The emperor's yellow dragon guard of honor fluttered high, Zhu Hongyu did not take a step, but under the protection of a group of imperial guards, he rode his horse to the railway station outside Nanjing.

Today's Zhu Hongyu is dressed quite plainly, without so many complicated decorations.

White embroidered cloud brocade uniform with a dragon pattern painted on it with gold thread, a black cloak behind him, and a snow fox fur scarf around his neck to keep warm.

The pure white coat looks very nice!
On his head was the Wing Shan crown embroidered with gold on a black background, on his hands were leather gloves, and there were still swords and jade pendants hanging from his waist.

The jade pendant is a piece of clear Hetian jade!
The hilt and scabbard of the saber are inlaid with precious stones, which are crystal clear and very gorgeous.

But for an emperor, this can still be considered simple.

Zhu Hongyu rode his horse into the station, and Wang An hurried forward to greet him.

"My humble minister, Wang An, pay homage to my emperor!"

While speaking, he wanted to kneel on the ground.

But he was stopped by Zhu Hongyu.

Zhu Hongyu got off his horse, helped Wang An up, and said.

"You don't need to be too polite, take me to see the steam locomotive!"

For people of this era, steam locomotives must have been a rarity.

But for Zhu Hongyu, it was just like that.

In his previous life, the Rabbit family even had popularized high-speed rail, and trains were basically obsolete products of the times.

However, Zhu Hongyu is still very interested in the steam trains of this era.

Because no one understands the significance of steam trains better than him!
Once the steam train is popularized and the railway network is successfully established, it will become a traffic artery.

And the national power of Ming Dynasty will also take off with the unimpeded traffic arteries!
Zhu Hongyu strode to the side of the steam train, looked at the sleepers and railroad tracks spreading out on the ground, and looked at the stupid, black and thick steam train in his hand.

I reached out and touched the cold car body!

The thick and cold touch made Zhu Hongyu couldn't help but move slightly in his heart. This is the power of industry!

"When can we start?"

Zhu Hongyu asked.

Looking at this steam locomotive, Zhu Hongyu was eager to try it.

He wants to board the car for a walk!
After all, Daming was also the first train in the world, and the emperor himself rode it, which is actually quite meaningful.

Wang An clasped his fists and said.

"Report to Your Majesty, the engineers are still working on the railway!"

"After ensuring the safety of the railway, we can start the train here!"

Zhu Hongyu nodded and said.

"very good!"

"Order people to hurry up and prepare. When the time comes, I will take the car myself and take a round trip!"

Wang An's complexion changed slightly when he heard this, and he began to warn.

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely impossible!"

"This steam train has only been run on the test site before. In fact, it is only the first time that the road is on the road. The risk is uncontrollable!"

"Your Majesty's safety is the first priority, and I must not allow His Majesty to take risks in person!"

"Your Majesty, please think again and take it back!"

This steam train is a new thing, no one would dare to let the emperor Zhu Hongyu board the train without specific experiments.

If something unexpected happened, they would be Daming's sinners!

Zhu Hongyu waved his hand and said.

"I have made up my mind, there is no need to persuade me!"

"Zhao Qiang, let's make preparations for the driver to wait for the car!"

Zhu Hongyu turned his head and gave instructions to his captain of the personal guard.

Zhao Qiang also showed hesitation when he heard this.

"Your Majesty, the general thinks what Lord Wang said makes sense!"

"Your Majesty is a man of gold, you must not take any risks!"

Zhao Qiang also opened his mouth to persuade.

Seeing this, all the people around knelt down in a big way.

"Think twice, Your Majesty!"

"Please take back your life, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty's safety is the most important thing!"

"..."

A group of people turned into kowtowers one after another, trying to dissuade Zhu Hongyu, they dared not let the emperor board the car no matter what they said.

Seeing this scene, Zhu Hongyu took a deep breath, shook his sleeves and said.

"Forget it, get up, I won't get in the car!"

Although Zhu Hongyu wanted to board the car to satisfy his curiosity, he also knew that he didn't need to embarrass these subordinates.

They did not allow themselves to board the car, but also out of duty and loyalty, unwilling to let themselves take risks.

Then why do I have to embarrass them?
Seeing this, all the people around bowed down and said.

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

Seeing this, Zhu Hongyu just nodded slightly and said.

"Zhao Qiang, pass on the order to let the brothers feed the horses enough food. If I don't board the car, it will be no problem to ride a horse and follow the steam train?"

When Zhao Qiang heard the words, he could hear the emperor's displeasure from the tone of his voice, and he didn't dare to hesitate at all, so he clasped his fists and said.

"The last will obey!"

Zhu Hongyu turned around and returned to his beloved horse, patted his beloved horse's head lightly, and then got on the horse.

Zhu Hongyu's imperial horse is a steed from Hexi, which has both the endurance of Mongolian horses and the robustness of plateau horses.

Pure white fur, slender figure, very beautiful!
Its explosive power and strength are also full!
Although Zhu Hongyu didn't need to ride a horse into battle, it was a truly top horse.

Zhao Qiang and the others got on their horses one after another, and surrounded Zhu Hongyu.

Seeing this scene, Wang An boarded the steam train himself, ready to steer the train forward.

Light the fire, add coal, all in one go!
As the water boiled little by little, the steam engine on the steam train started to run.

As the pressure continues to increase, the steam engine runs faster and faster.

With the operation of the steam engine, the wheels of the steam train are also slowly turning under the drive of the connecting rod.

The next moment, the sound of iron wheels touching and rubbing against rails sounded.

Hang Chi, Hang Chi, Hang Chi...

Driven by the kinetic energy provided by the steam engine, the steam train moves forward slowly.

Black smoke began to rise from the chimney, and the siren was sounded!

beep!Dudu!

The piercing sound of the siren almost frightened Zhu Hongyu's war horse out of control.

Fortunately, Zhu Hongyu also had some riding skills, and with his own strength, he forcibly controlled the horse.

Seeing the train moving, Zhu Hongyu rode his horse forward, and moved forward side by side with the steam train.

Around him, the soldiers of the imperial guards also controlled the horses under their crotches, and followed their emperor closely.

When I first dared to start, the speed of the steam train was not fast!

It's just that the speed of walking is about the same as that of a human being. Zhu Hongyu just pinched the horse's belly lightly, and his war horse can keep up.

However, with the passage of time, and the effect of inertia, the speed of the steam train began to become faster and faster.

From walking at a speed similar to that of a human, to trotting at the speed of a human, to trotting at the speed of a war horse, only about half a quarter of an hour has passed.

Although even now, the speed of the steam train is not too fast, but it is not enough.

Because the steam train is a thing that can run day and night as long as it adds coal, and coupled with its cargo capacity, the speed is not necessarily fast.

You must know that this steam train operation test is not running with empty trains. Those few compartments are filled with grain and various bulk commodities.

The total weight is about three hundred tons!

From the perspective of later generations, this number is of course pitifully small.

That is, the carrying capacity of several large semi-trailer trucks is not worth mentioning.

But that is in the hereafter!

In this era, if there is a means of transportation that can pull hundreds of tons of goods and can trot at the speed of a war horse, it is no different from a miracle.

Zhu Hongyu rode his horse and followed the steam train. The guards around him watched the steam train speeding on the rails, but all of them opened their mouths.

A look that has never been seen in the world!
Looking at the speeding steam train beside him, Zhao Qiang couldn't help swallowing.

He finally knew why the emperor cared so much about this steam train!

I really can't bear to worry about it!

Daming had this steam train, wouldn't it mean that wherever the railway was built, the Ming army could follow it?
In the past dynasties, the biggest factor restricting the military's foreign wars, the military's logistics problems, can be completely solved by steam trains.

Even soldiers of the Ming army could go directly to the front line by steam train.

Even if they are marching for thousands of miles, the soldiers are all in cars, so there is no need to worry about the loss of physical strength and morale of the army.

As long as you get off the car, you can immediately enter the battlefield!

This thing is simply a weapon of war!

Don't look at the speed of the current steam train is not fast enough, it is only [-] to [-] kilometers per hour, which is similar to the electric cars of later generations.

However, steam trains can run day and night!
Even if it includes the time for adding coal and water, it is safe for the steam train to run four to five hundred kilometers a day.

Is there a real daily journey of thousands of miles?

If an army can travel thousands of miles a day, it is really terrible!

……

Wang Quanshi is a villager in Wangjia Village.

Although it is already winter, poor people can't rest.

After the autumn harvest, all the young and strong men in the village went out to do odd jobs together to earn money, while the women went to work in the newly opened textile and garment factories in the town.

The old and weak women and children who stayed in the village did not lie down to rest either.

Some people use looms to weave cloth at home to subsidize their households, although with the promotion of machine cloth, it is difficult to sell handmade homespun cloth.

But it is still possible to weave and let yourself wear it!

After all, homemade cloth is much more durable than machine cloth!

The small-scale peasant economy where men farm and women weave cannot be broken so easily.

There are also some people who can't stay idle at all, and ran to their own fields to prepare for the composting in advance, so as to prepare for the spring planting in the coming year.

Although life is very hard, since Daming came back, the common people have been exempted from exorbitant taxes.

The emperor even ordered the Ming court to never increase the tax, and since the Ming Dynasty was restored for such a long time, whatever the court wanted to do was to spend money to hire labor.

Instead of levying corvee to make the people work for nothing.

Everyone knows that this is a typical light corvee and thin Fu, rest with the people!
They have met a good emperor, and there is hope for the future.

So, don't look at the hard and tiring days now, but everyone has hope in their hearts.

Knowing that life in the future will definitely get better and better!

So, don't feel tired!

Wang Quanshi is now busy in his own field.

Swinging the hoe frantically, the withered grass roots were buried in the mud, ready to be fertilized.

The cold wind howled, but Wang Quanshi was sweating on his forehead.

Although he is old now, he is still a good hand when it comes to farm work.

After working for a long time, Wang Quanshi straightened up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Then he picked up the jug on his waist and filled himself with warm water.

Wang Quanshi left the field, returned to the ridge, took out the pancakes he prepared when he went out in the morning, and ate them.

During the Little Ice Age, the winter weather was too cold. If farmers wanted to work, they could only do it for a while when the weather was warm.

When it gets cold at three or four o'clock in the afternoon, you can't do it!

Therefore, many people take some dry food with them when they go out in the morning, eat it in the field at noon, and continue working after eating.

I didn't go home at noon at all, and waited until the afternoon was cold before going home!
While gnawing dry biscuits, Wang Quanshi looked at the railway that was at most 300 meters away from his field ridge.

Looking at the two railway tracks and the neatly arranged sleepers, Wang Quanshi was a little jealous.

Those two rails are made of fine iron!
The sleepers are also made of high-quality wood!
The imperial court just laid these fine iron and wood on the ground, but it was really too wasteful.

Of course, looking at the high-quality iron and wood laid on the ground, it's not that no one has thought about it.

It's something that has been thought about, and basically the whole family has been exiled to Nanyang now!
The sign that the imperial court put up along the railway track read "destroy the railway track and exile the whole family" is not just talk!

The same treatment as destroying railroad tracks, and Daming's telegraph line that is still under construction.

"Once the power line is cut off, the whole family suffers" is not just talk!
No one dared to touch the brow of the imperial court on such a matter.

Although Wang Quanshi felt sorry for the waste of the court.But he had no intention of going up to bring the rails back to him.

Their family's life has finally improved, and he doesn't want the whole family to be exiled to Nanyang.

Waste it, waste it!

As long as the emperor pays lightly and does not torment poor people like them, this is not a big deal!
Just when Wang Quanshi patted his butt and was about to return to the field to continue working.

Woo!Woohoo!

The harsh and sharp siren sounded, and he looked in the direction of the sound.

Seeing the direction in which the railroad tracks extend, a puff of soaring black smoke appeared in the sky at the end of the line of sight.

Moreover, the black smoke was still moving rapidly, approaching rapidly.

Seeing this scene, Wang Quanshi, an inexperienced old farmer in the countryside, subconsciously uttered a cry of surprise.

"Ah... a monster!"

"..."

In an instant, there were screams all around.

When the whole picture of the monster emitting black smoke appeared in front of all of them, the screams became louder.

"Smoky monster!"

"Run! The monster is eating people!"

"..."

Some turned around and ran, while others knelt on the ground trembling and kowtowed in the direction of the steam train.

As the steam train got closer, the sound of rail rubbing became louder.

Gradually, there was the sound of horseshoes!

The Mingzi flag was flying high, and a huge cavalry team was closely following the train.

From the eyes of the people along the railway track, such a scene is more like the imperial army chasing and killing the steel monster...

Looking at the dragon flag fluttering high, this scene is more like a monster that is afraid of the majesty of the emperor, and fled desperately with black smoke.

Unknowingly, the sanctity of the imperial power of the Ming Dynasty has become more and more popular!
"Long live my emperor!"

"Long live Daming!"

"Emperor bless!"

"..."

In the fields around the railroad tracks, more and more people knelt on the ground and kowtowed in the direction of Zhu Hongyu.

"Shut up!"

Zhu Hongyu stopped his horse.

It's not that he doesn't want to continue following the car, but that the horse under his crotch can't run anymore.

He was panting heavily!
"Stop, stop following!"

Following Zhu Hongyu's order, the Ming army stopped.

Thousands of cavalry arrived suddenly, and their training and organization, as well as their excellent combat qualities, were fully revealed.

Seeing the steam train gradually going away, Zhu Hongyu's eyes were full of satisfaction.

After a moment, he turned his head and said.

"Turn back to Nanjing, you don't need to follow any more, it seems that the trial run of the steam train has turned out pretty good!"

……

ps: This is the only point today, and it will resume normal update tomorrow!

(End of this chapter)