My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 765 Bicycle (Part [-])

"It is true that steel is more expensive now, but as long as there is demand there will be supply. I will ask people to find ways to improve the current iron smelting technology and increase steel production. As long as the production increases, the price will naturally drop!"

Zhu Zhanhe replied without changing his expression.

Regarding Tao Qiong's concern that steel is too expensive, Zhu Zhanhe has already considered it. The current price of steel is indeed too expensive compared to future generations. A pound of iron in future generations may not be worth a pound of grain, but In this era, one pound of iron can definitely be exchanged for more than ten pounds of grain.

"What His Highness said makes sense. If that's the case, let's be extravagant. After we develop the steam locomotive, we can pave a section of the road with steel and test its speed!"

When Tao Qiong heard what Zhu Zhanhe said, he finally nodded.

After all, Tao Qiong is just an official, and he is indeed not as far-sighted as Zhu Zhanhe when it comes to the application of steam engines. Therefore, as long as Zhu Zhanhe insists on something, he generally will not refute it.

After talking about the railway tracks, Zhu Zhanhe and Tao Qiong talked about other issues of steam locomotives, such as wheel transmission. Although Zhu Zhanhe has not studied vehicle design, he has at least seen trains, so he can still give advice. Give some useful suggestions.

In the end, Tao Qiong also felt that he had gained a lot, and immediately saluted Zhu Zhanhe and said: "Listening to your words, Prince, it really makes Xiaguan Sheng study for ten years. We struggled to think about problems before, but you can always solve them." Give me a solution!”

"Haha, don't be humble. I can only make some suggestions and ideas. To really implement them, it depends on you people!"

Zhu Zhanhe laughed loudly.

However, Tao Qiong's words also reminded Zhu Zhanhe that although Tao Qiong is a talented person and his craftsmen are also highly skilled, there is a big disadvantage, that is, they are uneducated, and many of the craftsmen do not even know the words. .

Therefore, although these craftsmen have skills, they have no theoretical support. Except for the occasional flash of inspiration, they may have ideas for improving some skills, but there is no way to summarize and record these skills.

Thinking of this, Zhu Zhanhe immediately said to Tao Qiong: "Tao Qiong, how many of your craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry go to night schools in elementary schools to study and become literate?"

"This one……"

Tao Qiong was stunned for a moment when he heard this. He probably didn't expect Zhu Zhanhe to ask this question. He thought about it for a moment before answering truthfully.

"As far as I know, there are very few people. Take the craftsmen under me as an example. They are very busy during the day. After work, these craftsmen prefer to drink some wine together and then go back to have a good sleep. They have no time at all. and energy to go to night school.”

"This won't work. Even if you are a craftsman, you must at least read some books!"

Zhu Zhanhe thought for a moment after saying this, and immediately made a decision: "Let's do this. I will ask the Imperial College to send a few teachers over to organize the craftsmen to read and read. At least they can read newspapers and do some simple calculations! "

"This... ok!"

Tao Qiong hesitated for a moment but did not object. In fact, he was also deeply affected by the fact that the craftsmen were illiterate. Sometimes he would tell the craftsmen a simple question for a long time and they still couldn't understand it. If all the craftsmen were literate in the future, , then their internal communication will be easier.

"By the way, Your Highness, I have already made what you asked me to make last time. Do you want to give it a try?"

Tao Qiong suddenly thought of another thing and asked Zhu Zhanhe immediately.

"So fast?" Zhu Zhanhe raised his eyebrows when he heard this and asked in surprise.

"Actually, the main reason is that the development of the steam locomotive is not going well. I think my subordinates are idle, so I asked them to build something like that first."

Tao Qiong explained with a smile.

In fact, he was afraid that Zhu Zhanhe would blame him for his poor performance and his failure to develop a steam locomotive for so long, so he helped Zhu Zhanhe make another thing. This was purely to please the other party and avoid Zhu Zhanhe blaming him in the future.

"Come here and let me see!"

Zhu Zhanhe knew what Tao Qiong was thinking, but he didn't reveal it, but spoke with some urgency.

When Tao Qiong saw Zhu Zhanhe so happy, he immediately gave instructions to the people around him.

After a while, I saw a craftsman pushing a two-wheeled cart over. The two-wheeled carts of this era had one wheel on the left and one on the right, but the two-wheeled cart launched by this craftsman had one wheel. The one in front and the other behind is a very common bicycle in later generations.

Seeing the bicycle, Zhu Zhanhe quickly stepped forward and took a closer look at the structure of the bicycle.

The idea of ​​a bicycle came to Zhu Zhanhe's mind some time ago, and he suddenly thought of it. After all, steam engines have been built, and steam ships have begun to sail on the sea. Although steam locomotives have not yet been built, rickshaws can. Get it out first.

So Zhu Zhanhe drew the structure of the bicycle, handed it to Tao Qiong, and explained it to him in detail. Zhu Zhanhe originally thought he would have to wait a few months, but he didn't expect Tao Qiong to put the bicycle together so quickly. Made.

The structure of the bicycle is simple, and the most complicated thing is probably the bicycle chain. This thing will not be valuable at all in later generations, but in this era, it is not easy to make it.

However, Tao Qiong and the others are not vegetarians. Especially after the invention of the steam engine, his craftsmen also represent the top craftsmen of this era. Especially when they began to apply steam engines to industrial manufacturing, the craftsmanship of the Han Dynasty was greatly improved. .

If this bicycle were placed in later generations, it might appear very crude and crude, but in this era, it was already a top industrial product. At least Zhu Zhanhe was very satisfied with it.

So Zhu Zhanhe tucked the hem of his clothes into his belt, then took the bicycle, raised his legs and straddled the car, then put force on the pedal with his right foot, causing the car to rush forward.

Although he hasn't ridden a bicycle for a long time, Zhu Zhanhe's riding skills are still there. The bike rides very smoothly. Zhu Zhanhe alternately uses his feet to ride the bike faster and faster.

"Your Highness is so amazing, this car won't fall over!"

Tao Qiong, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but marveled when he saw Zhu Zhanhe riding the bicycle steadily.

Although when making the bicycle, Zhu Zhanhe told him that the bicycle was for riding, Tao Qiong couldn't figure it out. Wouldn't a bicycle like this with two wheels fall over if he rode on it?

Even after the bicycle was built, Tao Qiong tried riding it several times himself, but he fell to the ground every time. He was very discouraged and wondered if he had made a mistake.

So when Tao Qiong took out the car, he was still a little worried, but he didn't expect that there was nothing wrong with the car, it was just that he couldn't ride it.

(End of this chapter)