My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 728: Trial Ride on a Steamship

A few days later, Zhu Zhanhe took Helen and rushed to Beizheng Port with Zhang Zhong.

"Zhan He, is that kind of steamship really as magical as you say?"

On the way, Zhang Zhong couldn't help but curiously asked Zhu Zhanhe.

"You will know when you see it, but the current steamship has only just been successfully tested, and there is still a lot of room for improvement. I dare to say that the sailboats currently running on the sea will definitely be replaced by steamships in the future!"

Zhu Zhanhe finally said with confidence.

This time he and Zhang Zhong went to Beizheng Port together, firstly to see him and Zhu Yong off, and secondly because the development of steamships had been successful and the first steamship was officially launched, so Zhu Zhanhe decided to go See it for yourself.

"Are you saying that all sail ships will be replaced by steam ships?"

Zhang Zhong still asked in disbelief. You must know that almost all ships running on the sea now use sails, and a small number of them use oars as supplementary power. So he really can't imagine what a ship would be like if it didn't use sails. What does it look like?

"That's right, it means all ships. You have also seen steam engines. Using steam engines as power for ships will become a trend in the sea in the future. In the future, your navy will give preferential treatment to equip the first batch of steam ships, so you have to understand it carefully! "

Zhu Zhanhe nodded very seriously.

"Then I have to see what's so magical about this steamship you mentioned?"

Seeing Zhu Zhanhe speak so solemnly, Zhang Zhong also became a little curious about steamships.

Soon they arrived at Beizheng Port. There was a military camp behind the port, next to the firearms workshop that Zhu Zhanhe had previously built. All kinds of new firearms of the Han Dynasty were produced here.

When Zhu Zhanhe and Zhang Zhong arrived at the military camp, intense drills were going on here. Rows of musketeers were seen lined up neatly. With the drumbeats playing next to them, the soldiers at the front began to take out the fixed ammunition, bit open the paper bullets and poured out the gunpowder. Enter the muzzle of the gun, compact it, aim, and then pull the trigger.

"Bah bah bah~"

I saw the muskets spitting out flames and black smoke. The grass man in front who was used as a target was shot into the ground. Then the second and third rows continued to shoot. A large amount of live ammunition training greatly increased the shooting speed of these musketeers. .

"Zhan He, Brother Zhang!"

At this time, Zhu Yong, who was short and stocky, was seen walking quickly. He was very happy to see the two of them and stepped forward and hugged them.

The brothers were naturally very happy to meet each other. Zhu Yong had people prepare wine and food, and the three of them chatted while eating.

Zhu Zhanhe also asked Zhu Yong about his preparations. After all, he was about to go on an expedition, and Zhu Yong also patted his chest and promised that this time he would defeat the Mamluks before the Ottomans and show the majesty of the Han army. Zhu Zhanhe will never be disappointed.

Zhu Zhanhe still has confidence in Zhu Yong's strength. Of course, what reassures him is the power of firearms, especially his improved flintlock rifle, which greatly increases the firing speed of the musket. Even if the opponent's cavalry charges, They will also fall under the fire net of muskets.

After dinner, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't wait to take Zhang Zhong and Zhu Yong with him, and then came to the shipbuilding workshop at Beizheng Port.

"Meet Your Highness!"

Zu Huan, the official in charge here, learned of Zhu Zhanhe's arrival and came to greet him personally.

"No need to be polite, how is the steamer?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked eagerly.

"The ship is at the dock. Your Highness can board the ship and have a try!"

Zu Huan replied immediately.

Since taking over the mission of the steamship, he has been working hard in the past few months. He hastily and slowly built the steamship some time ago, and only after a trial voyage did he send someone to notify Zhu Zhanhe.

"Lead the way ahead!"

Zhu Zhanhe said very excitedly that after waiting for so long, he could finally get on a steamship. With this kind of ship, the four oceans would be at his feet, and the distance between the Han Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, and Europe would also be greatly shortened.

The shipbuilding workshop was built near the sea, so it naturally had its own port. Zu Huan personally led the way, and soon they arrived at the dock.

I saw large and small ships parked on the berth of the wharf. These were all ships built in the workshop and were waiting for delivery. Among these ships, Zhu Zhanhe saw the steamship almost at a glance, because it There is no sail, but there is a large chimney, and there are very obvious paddles on each side.

"Is this strange ship the steamship you mentioned?"

Zhang Zhong looked at this unprecedented ship and couldn't help but asked in surprise.

This steamship is not big, it can only be regarded as a medium-sized ship at most. Although there is no sail on the ship, it does have a large chimney, and the tall paddle wheels on both sides are also very conspicuous. It looks quite bulky, no matter how you look at it, Not as strong as a sailboat.

"Just go up and try it and you will know!"

Although Zhu Zhanhe also thought the ship was a bit ugly, he was still very interested. Under the guidance of Zu Huan, he began to board the ship, followed closely by Helen, who was also very interested in this steam-driven ship.

Zhang Zhong and Zhu Yong also boarded the ship. Zu Huan did not ask anyone to sail the ship immediately, but took Zhu Zhanhe and the others into the cabin to visit the boiler and transmission inside.

Entering the boiler room, I saw the steel giant steam engine behind the boiler. The most excited person among them was Helen, who pulled Zhu Zhanhe around the steam engine for a long time.When Zhang Zhong was in Xijing before, he was dragged by Zhu Zhanhe to see a steam engine, so he was not curious. However, Zhu Yong had been leading troops outside. This was the first time he saw a steam engine, so he was even more curious than Helen. , pulled Zu Huan and kept asking.

Finally, after finishing the tour, Zhu Zhanhe asked Zu Huan to light the fire. A dark-skinned worker threw the red-hot coal into the boiler. There was also someone standing on the blower next to him. For a while, the temperature of the entire boiler room began to rise. It was almost astonishing. It's going to be turned into a sauna.

So Zhu Zhanhe and the others quickly left the boiler room and came to the deck to wait. After about half an hour, the steam engine finally started to start. Black smoke came out of the tall chimney, and the paddle wheels on both sides began to rotate slowly.

"Anchor!"

Following Zu Huan's shout, the craftsmen on the ship immediately raised the heavy anchor, and the steamship slowly sailed out of the dock.

The steam ship was not very fast at first, but as it left the dock, the steam engine began to run at full speed, causing the paddle wheels on both sides to rotate faster and faster, and the ship began to accelerate.

"so fast!"

Zhang Zhong looked at the ships in front and was left behind by them one after another, which made him couldn't help but said in shock.

Beizheng Port is the most prosperous port in the north of the Han Dynasty. It is tied with Lion Port in the south. Merchant ships from all over the world gather here. Some ships are mainly used to transmit information, so they are extremely fast, but they are still surpassed by steam ships. This is enough Prove that steamships are indeed faster than sailing ships.

"In this vast sea, speed is everything, and this is also the greatest advantage of steamships!"

Zhu Zhanhe stood on the bow of the boat and blew in the sea breeze, squinting his eyes and saying very comfortably.

"This steamship is good, but its weaknesses are too obvious. If the paddle wheels on both sides are destroyed by the enemy during a battle, the ship's speed will definitely be greatly affected!"

However, Zhang Zhong also sharply pointed out the shortcomings of paddle steamers.

"I have thought about this, so I have asked Zu Huan and the others to study another type of steamship. It will not be driven by a paddle wheel, but will use an underwater propeller. It will not only be faster, but also more flexible. At the same time, It is also more concealed and not easily destroyed by enemies.”

Zhu Zhanhe nodded.

The shortcomings of this kind of paddle steamer are indeed very big. It cannot be used as a warship for the time being, but if it is used for information transmission, it will definitely have great potential. For example, banks are in urgent need of such ships.

"We are also studying the propeller that your highness told you before. It is indeed much more difficult than the paddle wheel, but we feel that as long as we are given time, we can overcome it!"

At this time, Zu Huan next to him also interjected.

"The propeller will be put on the agenda soon. If you need anything, just ask. I will work together to support you. According to your estimate, when will it be put into practical use?"

Zhu Zhanhe was shocked when he heard this and immediately asked Zu Huan.

"This one……"

Zu Huan lowered his head and made an estimate, then finally raised his head and said.

"If you give me enough manpower and material resources, I estimate that we can build a boat equipped with a propeller in about one and a half to two years!"

"It will take nearly two years, which is too long!"

Zhu Yong was surprised when he heard this and said, just to build a boat, two years is too long.

Of course, Zhu Yong didn't know that some warships in later generations would take four to five years just to build. If you include the research and development time, it might take three or four times more time. So Zu Huan said that two years of research and development would be needed to build one. A propeller boat is actually very fast.

"Okay! Then I will give you two years. Just like last time, make a list of what you need and how much manpower you need, and I will allocate it to you as soon as possible!"

Zhu Zhanhe immediately made a decision.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Zu Huan was overjoyed when he heard this and said that he was lucky to have a boss like Zhu Zhanhe. He not only gave him what he asked for, but also guided him on key issues, which saved them many detours.

"By the way, this ship is so fast. According to my estimation, it should be able to reach Lion Harbor in three or four days, right?"

Zhang Zhong suddenly asked Zu Huan at this time.

You must know that in the past, it would take at least half a month to reach Lion Harbor by sailing ship, even if it was a fast ship.

"General Qi, it's not that fast. The main reason is that the steamship needs coal and fresh water, so it needs to be replenished at the port. Taking this ship as an example, he needs to be replenished twice before he can reach Lion Port."

Zu Huan replied again that they had tested the ship before and roughly knew the speed of the ship and the consumption of supplies, so they could roughly estimate the number of supplies needed in the process.

“It’s also a big shortcoming that we still need supplies!”

When Zhang Zhong heard this, he immediately realized that the steam engine needed supplies. As a warship in the future, it would definitely increase the logistical burden. Of course, there were solutions, such as seizing more ports so that the Han warships could enter the ports in time for supplies.

(End of this chapter)