My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 716 The breath of the industrial age

In the textile workshop, rows of machines were rotating rapidly, and some native female workers were busy among the machines. Although the steam engines were separated in a separate room, there was still a rumbling sound. The sound was not loud, but it was The noise is annoying.

Helen followed Zhu Zhanhe into the carriage. Looking at the busy female workers, she grabbed Zhu Zhanhe's arm in fear and followed him closely. It seemed that this was the only way to make herself feel safer.

After passing through the workshop, there was a separate room inside. After opening the door and entering, a stream of moist hot steam hit my face, and at the same time, my ears were filled with a huge roar.

Helen was startled at first, and then she saw the situation in the room clearly. She saw a huge steel monster entrenched in the room, making a thunderous rumble and emitting white steam from time to time, just like the Western Like a legendary dragon.

"This... what is this?"

Helen was so frightened by the steam engine that her whole body went limp. If she hadn't held Zhu Zhanhe's arm, she might have fled.

"This is called a steam engine. Didn't your ancestors discover the function of steam and invent the steam ball? This steam engine is equivalent to a more complicated steam ball!"

Zhu Zhanhe pointed at the steam engine and introduced.

There is only the main body of the steam engine here, and the boiler is placed in another room outside with pipe connections in the middle. The reason why the boiler is placed outside is mainly for safety. After all, open flames are not allowed in the textile workshop.

"Steam engine? It's what my ancestors were searching for, something that can actually apply steam!"

Helen couldn't help but widen her eyes when she heard Zhu Zhanhe's explanation. This news was really shocking to her.

"That's right, it's the thing that your ancestors struggled to pursue but couldn't realize. Now it provides enough power to turn the textile machines outside, thus reducing a lot of manpower."

Zhu Zhanhe curled his lips and explained.

When Helen heard this, she finally woke up from the shock. Especially when she saw the smile on the corner of Zhu Zhanhe's mouth, she thought of the pride and pride she felt when she mentioned the steam ball on the road. Thinking about it now, Zhu Zhanhe looked at her at that time. The look in her eyes was probably more like looking at a fool. People had already put steam into practical use, but she was still boasting about the useless steam ball.

Thinking of this, Helen also felt her face burning, and for a moment she felt ashamed.

However, Helen's psychological quality was still good. She quickly got rid of her shame, and then curiously asked Zhu Zhanhe: "How did you do it? Is steam really so powerful?"

"This is a state secret, how can I tell you?"

Zhu Zhanhe said, directly ordered the door to be closed, and then pulled Helen away, as if he didn't want her to take another look.

"Wait a minute, I want to take a look again, just take a look!"

Helen yelled unwillingly, but she couldn't break away from Zhu Zhanhe's hand, and in the end she had to be dragged away reluctantly.

"Please, tell me, how does this steam engine work?"

Although Helen was pulled away, she still begged unwillingly. She really wanted to understand the principles of the steam engine.

"No, I can't completely trust you yet. If you figure out the principle of the steam engine and return to Venice to copy one in the future, wouldn't I be at a huge disadvantage?"

Zhu Zhanhe made it clear directly.

"You... are so stingy!" Seeing Zhu Zhanhe's resolute attitude, Helen had no choice but to give up. However, the scene of the roaring machine just now has been deeply imprinted in her mind, and she will not be able to forget it for a long time.

"Although I can't tell you the principle of a steam engine, I can tell you some of its application prospects!"

Zhu Zhanhe seemed to enjoy the atmosphere of teasing Helen, and once again gave him a little hope.

"Great, what are you going to do with the steam engine besides weaving with it?"

Helen's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she asked excitedly again.

"That's too much. For example, I went to Beizheng Port before to design a steamship that uses a steam engine to drive the ship without relying on wind power. In addition, I also plan to develop a steam locomotive because it is too heavy. , you can only put it on the rails and move forward..."

Zhu Zhanhe did not hide any more this time and spoke out some of his thoughts about steam engines. The main reason was that in this era, there were too few people who could discuss steam engines with him. Helen was barely half, so Zhu Zhanhe finally I can express all the words I have been holding in my heart.

Helen listened to Zhu Zhanhe's plan for the steam engine and couldn't help but yearn for it. She wished she could see the machines driven by these steam engines running on the earth and ocean now.

At the same time, she also admired Zhu Zhanhe more and more, and even felt that being kidnapped by the Ottomans might not be a bad thing, at least it allowed her to see too many unexpected things.

"If the steam engine ship can succeed, its speed will be far faster than that of the sailboat. When you want to return to Venice, even if you don't go through the Suez Canal, it won't take much time to go directly around Africa!"

In the end, Zhu Zhanhe even used Helen as an example to praise Haikou.

Of course, this is an ideal situation. If there is no supply on the steam engine ship, we will end up lying on the sea.

"Really, can I go home on a steam-powered boat like this in the future?"

When Helen heard this, she also showed an expectant expression, and stars almost appeared in her two big eyes when she looked at Zhu Zhanhe.

"I'm just giving you an example. Steam ships can't travel that far yet, but when they are successfully developed, I can take you on a trial ride and feel the atmosphere of the industrial age!"

Zhu Zhanhe smiled proudly at the end.

The steam engine is definitely the greatest invention in his life. Driven by the steam engine, the entire human society will enter a new era. Of course, this era must be led by a big man.

"That's great, thank you, His Royal Highness!"

Helen cheered excitedly and hugged Zhu Zhanhe's arm tightly with both hands.

The people around Zhu Zhanhe looked at Helen's appearance, and they all had their own thoughts. However, many people knew that from the moment Zhu Zhanhe refused to let Helen learn palace etiquette, this Hu girl would never do it. An ordinary palace maid.

After leaving the workshop, Zhu Zhanhe took Helen on the carriage again. This time there was no detour. The team went straight to Xijing City. When the carriage passed through the city gate and officially entered the city, Helen couldn't help but exclaimed.

Compared to Venice, which is densely covered with rivers, the Xijing city in front of her is more prosperous than Helen imagined. There are many shops on both sides of the street, and there are pedestrians, carriages and horses everywhere on the road. The houses in the distance have cornices and brackets. In Helen's eyes, they look like Full of exotic customs.

As soon as Zhu Zhanhe entered the city gate, news of his return quickly spread to the palace. Queen Wei also immediately came to Chang Sining, waiting for Zhu Zhanhe to give her an explanation.

(End of this chapter)