My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 816 New Star

In the shipbuilding workshop of Dahan Beizheng Port, a brand new steamship had just been launched. Accompanied by Zu Huan, Zhu Zhanhe watched the entire launching ceremony.

This steamship is obviously different from other steamships. Although it also has a conspicuous large chimney, there are no steamships’ iconic paddle wheels on both sides of the hull. Without these two paddle wheels, the steamship’s The body also looks smoother.

"Your Highness, the propeller steamer has been successfully launched. Do you want to take a test ride?"

Zu Huan next to him asked Zhu Zhanhe with a happy face.

After their efforts and Zhu Zhanhe's help, they finally successfully installed the propeller on the ship, replacing the original heavy paddle wheel.

"Of course I have to give it a try, otherwise wouldn't I be here in vain?"

Zhu Zhanhe laughed and said, it could be seen that he was also in high spirits. After all, after waiting for so long, the steam ship was finally on the right track. In the future, he only needed to continue to improve on the current basis.

So Zhu Zhanhe, Zu Huan and other officials from the shipbuilding workshop boarded the ship. Before the ship was launched into the water, basic tests had been done and there were no problems in all aspects.

So as the boiler was ignited, the internal steam engine also began to operate. Standing on the deck, Zhu Zhanhe could even feel the vibration of the machine inside the ship's hull.

"set sail!"

Following Zu Huan's shout, the steamship gave out a loud whistle, then the ship's hull shook first, and then began to slowly accelerate.

The speed of this new steamship was not very fast at first. It was not until it left the port that the ship began to accelerate, and it was clearly felt that the ship accelerated faster than the paddle steamer and turned more flexibly.

After the boat speed increased, Zhu Zhanhe, who was standing on the bow, could only feel the roar of the oncoming sea wind, which was much faster than the original paddle steamer.

"Your Highness, although there has been no actual test, according to our estimates, the speed of this ship is more than twice as fast as a paddle steamer. No wonder you said that the ship has no future!"

At this time, Zu Huan next to him also reported to Zhu Zhanhe with excitement.

"In that case, from us to Port Suez, it will take at most four or five days to arrive. Even if we go back to Daming, it will only take more than ten days at most."

When Zhu Zhanhe heard this, he was also very surprised and patted the ship's ramp.

This kind of speed is certainly not worth mentioning in future generations, but in this era, it can greatly shrink the world, allowing a person's activity trajectory to even directly expand to the entire world.

"Not only that, we feel that there is still a lot of room for improvement in the propeller. It will definitely make the ship faster in the future. Maybe it will be able to return to Daming in a few days just like your highness said at the time!"

Zu Huan also said confidently at this time.

"Okay, you continue your research. The production of paddle steamers will be stopped immediately and we will go all out to produce this new type of steam ship. In addition, I will let the Navy contact you and design a steam warship. It will also be time for the Navy to make a major change. Installed!"

Zhu Zhanhe said excitedly immediately. The previous paddle-wheel ships were a kind of transitional ship. Zhu Zhanhe didn't like them at all, and he never thought about equipping the navy. But now with the successful development of propeller steamships, the navy can finally be equipped with steam ships.

Think about it. In a few years, the Han Dynasty's navy will all be replaced by steamships. When the Suez Canal is dug, as long as Zhu Zhanhe gives the order, the Han Dynasty's navy will be able to enter the Mediterranean in a few days. With the speed and firepower of steamships, , enough to blast through the gates of the entire Europe.

Zhu Zhanhe took a steamboat around on the sea and got a feel for this new steamship. However, in addition to its advantages, this ship also has some shortcomings. For example, there may be problems with the transmission in some places, causing the hull to vibrate a bit. Large, and although the steering is flexible, the inclination angle of the hull when turning is a bit wrong.

Of course, these are minor problems, and Zuhuan has recorded them so that they can be improved upon when we return.

Finally, the steamship returned to the dock. Zhu Zhanhe named the first propeller steamship "Xinxing". After Zu Huan and the others corrected some minor problems with the ship, they could start sea trials. The first stop was still Ah Port Dan.

After leaving the shipbuilding workshop, Zhu Zhanhe went to the Second Arsenal in the north of Beizheng Port, mainly to visit the production of yellow gunpowder and the manufacturing of rifled guns.

After the yellow gunpowder was developed and tested by the Beijing Firearms Bureau, it could completely replace the black gunpowder, so this gunpowder was officially put into production. Duzhu's master and apprentice at the Yiren Bureau also helped simplify the process.

Compared with black gunpowder, the production of yellow gunpowder is more complicated and has certain risks. Therefore, the gunpowder production process in the arsenal is also very strict and no mistakes are allowed.

Firearms that match yellow powder are also in production, such as grenades and rifled guns. They have now begun to be equipped in the army on a small scale. Based on the current output, it is estimated that it will not be long before the entire army will be equipped with these. firearm.

After leaving the arsenal, Zhu Zhanhe finally came to the naval station. Zhang Zhong has been staying here during this period and is responsible for training the navy.

"Zhan He, you are here. How is the pepper cultivation going? When can we all have chili sauce?"

When Zhang Zhong saw Zhu Zhanhe, he immediately asked him eagerly.

"Brother Zhang is too anxious. Peppers also need time to grow. The second batch of peppers have just bloomed. It will take some time for them to mature."

Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but replied helplessly after hearing this.

During this period, Zhang Zhong wrote many letters, urging him to produce chili sauce quickly. The dozens of bottles he brought back last time had been snatched away by his men, and he didn't even have to eat them.

"Oh, Zhanhe, you don't know. Since I didn't have chili sauce, everything I eat now tastes tasteless. I'm still staying at the port. If I get on the ship, I'm afraid I won't be able to eat anything."

Zhang Zhong also complained to Zhu Zhanhe that he knew he was rushing too fast, but he had no choice. For their navy, eating was indeed a long-standing problem, and it had even seriously restricted the navy's combat effectiveness.

"Don't worry, we don't have the chili sauce yet, but I will bring you something good, which is even more meaningful than the chili sauce!"

Zhu Zhanhe said and gave instructions to his subordinates, and someone immediately brought a box.

Zhu Zhanhe opened the box with his own hands, and Zhang Zhong also looked inside curiously. He saw that the box was filled with glass bottles one after another. The outsides of the bottles were wrapped with straw to prevent them from colliding. The mouths of the bottles were plugged with cork. Can't see clearly what's inside?

Zhu Zhanhe reached out and picked up a bottle. Only then did Zhang Zhong see clearly that the bottle actually contained a kind of light yellow cube, which looked like some kind of cut fruit?

(End of this chapter)