Ming Dynasty: Domination of the World from the Imperial Examination

Chapter 289 The iron cavalry that shakes the world!
"The officials under you are just like you. They are eloquent and can say anything. They also look righteous." Lian Zining listened to the shouts coming from all around and made a joking comment.

Xia Zhibai said calmly, "Birds of a feather flock together. I, Xia Zhibai, am upright in my conduct. How can the officials under my command not be influenced? Although it is a bit heavy, if there is a reason, only by saying this will the local people listen to it."

"It doesn't matter, who cares?"

Lian Zining smiled and shook his head.

When it comes to eloquence, none of them can match Xia Zhibai.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with what Zhou Ning said, but when he looked at Zhou Ning on the stage, he felt as if he was looking at Xia Zhibai, and couldn't help but make a joke.

Jie Min said: "I think Zhou Ning himself can't say these words. How can a person who is buried in an iron box all day be so eloquent? Most likely someone is secretly guiding him, or even teaching him a lot in private."

Hearing Jie Min's joke, the others laughed out loud.

Only Xia Zhibai touched his nose awkwardly.

This is true.

He originally wanted to go up and speak himself, but his current identity was somewhat special. If he went up as an imperial envoy, many officials would inevitably be present, and the atmosphere would then be depressing. It would be better for him not to go up and leave it to the officials below, which would seem closer.

Xia Zhibai said: "As long as the truth is explained, it doesn't matter who says it."

"At least now, the people are listening."

"And when Zhou Ning was covering up just now, not many people got agitated, which means that the kitchen staff also listened to him and agreed with what he said. So Zhou Ning has achieved his goal after talking so much."

Hua Lun nodded.

Although they didn't know the kitchen owner's true thoughts.

But from the reactions of the people below, we can roughly see it.

There is basically no criticism.

They also believe that machines benefit the people.

When a large number of people agree on something, even if the stove owner is dissatisfied or resists, it will be difficult to incite others, and the stove owner can only be forced to accept the status quo.

Ding Zhifang said: "Brother Xia, you brought Zhou Ning and other engineers south, I'm afraid it's not just for a show, right?"

Xia Zhibai smiled mysteriously and said, "Of course not."

"My engineers are best at inventions. Since we are heading south, we must show them off in this area."

"Otherwise, wouldn't it make people think that they have been living off their past achievements?"

"Just keep watching."

"You'll see something new."

After hearing what Xia Zhibai said, Hua Lun and the others also became interested and turned their eyes over.

On the platform now, the 'steam engine' used to cover up the situation has been lifted aside, but it's not over yet. Instead, a new steam engine has been lifted up. This steam engine is very different from the usual ones, with a bigger boiler and no structure to 'extract' brine downwards. Instead, it has two more 'tracks'.

Zhou Ning was also very interested in this new "steam engine".

He said loudly: "In the words of our Lord Xia, the steam engine is about to change the world."

"I didn't believe it before, but as I saw more and more steam engine-related machines being developed, I gradually believed it. What I am showing you is a new type of steam engine. This steam engine is not used to make salt, but to run."

"This is the prototype of the future 'Iron Horse'."

Iron horse?

As soon as he said this, everyone around was shocked.

The few people closest to the stands even stood on tiptoe and watched carefully.

The same was true for Zhang Zhicheng who was in front of the crowd.

They all know the horses.

livestock.

But what is an iron horse? It doesn’t look like it can run. Moreover, a steam engine is made of iron, and it is filled with water and coal. How can such a heavy lump of iron really run?
Many people have doubts in their eyes.

People around laughed and said, "Sir, you are not joking, are you?"

"Iron horse? How can a horse be made of iron? Even a war horse can only wear a layer of iron armor. How can your iron lump compare to it? It must weigh at least several hundred or even a thousand pounds. How can it run with such a heavy weight? And the stove is filled with boiling water. If this person sits on it, won't his butt be burned?"

"Yes."

"I have never heard of an iron horse in my life."

"Can this thing really move?"

"." There were doubts all around.

There was no time for the people around to question him. They didn't know what a steam engine was before, but they had seen it before and knew how heavy it was. It was so heavy that even a horse-drawn carriage would have difficulty lifting it, let alone carrying people. Moreover, there was boiling water on it. Only a very strong person would dare to sit on it, right?

Zhou Ning smiled, not looking annoyed at all.

He had actually anticipated the reaction of the people below.

And it's not just the people below who don't believe it. Didn't he also not believe it in the beginning?

When Xia Zhibai first proposed to turn the steam engine into an 'iron horse', these engineers were all skeptical and did not believe it at all. They even used all kinds of evidence and explanations to persuade Xia Zhibai. As a result, after various tests over the past year, the quality of the 'steel' provided by Zunhua Iron and Steel Smelter, in particular, became higher and higher and more able to meet the requirements. It seemed that the iron horse had really become possible.

The next time, it was actually able to drive the wheels forward.

This also made them completely convinced.

The Iron Horse is real.

It can indeed be implemented.

Especially when he thought about the huge impact that the Iron Horse would have on the entire world after it came out, even Zhou Ning, who thought he had been calm, felt unprecedented excitement and excitement.

This is also the reason why he would rather follow Xia Zhibai south even though his injuries have not fully healed.

He didn't want to miss such a feast.

Zhou Ning coughed lightly, put a tin horn to his lips, and said loudly: "Whether the iron horse is real or fake, we will know it after a try."

"You will know then."

"ignition!"

Zhou Ning didn't say much, and directly ordered the fire to be lit. As the thick smoke billowed out again, several minor officials came forward and put some logs between the two tracks. It was also at this time that the people who were close to the bottom discovered that there were several wheels under the steam engine, but they were previously covered by the tracks.

Everyone looked at it curiously.

Upon hearing that there really was an 'Iron Horse' demonstration, the people in the restaurant, who had been calm and composed, suddenly became a little panicked.

They all stood up and looked over.

They did not believe in the iron horse.

But now Zhou Ning has demonstrated it in public, which is very unusual. There are not just a few people involved, but hundreds of people. There are also many officials and even Jinyiwei watching in secret. If this is a fraud and once it gets out, Xia Zhibai's official position will be lost.

They also didn't believe that Xia Zhibai would dare to cheat in this matter.

Are there really iron horses in this world?
Zhou Ziliang and others were all confused.

They didn't believe it from the bottom of their hearts, but if it really came out, they would feel inexplicably panicked and uneasy.

They had heard Xia Zhibai talk about the Iron Horse and had not taken it seriously at first. However, they also knew that if it really appeared, the impact on the world and the local situation would be so great that it would be almost subversive, and many things would change.

Everyone was secretly worried.

Hua Lun and others also stared intently.

But they thought about more. If the Iron Horse really came out, then what Xia Zhibai said before, traveling hundreds of miles a day, could it be realized? And could the rocket that could hit wherever it was pointed also appear?
If all of these were created, they inexplicably felt a sense of fear.

Xia Zhibai looked indifferent.

Today's Iron Horse cannot really be put into use, but it is enough to be put on display. As long as the news of the advent of the "Iron Horse" spreads, the shock to the world will certainly be far greater than that of salt production. Salt is indeed very important, but the aspects it can affect are very small.

But the Iron Horse is different.

The Ming Dynasty already lacked horses. Once the iron horses began to be put into use, there would inevitably be a great breakthrough in the military. The Ming Dynasty would no longer be restricted by war horses. Moreover, if it could really achieve lightning speed and travel a hundred miles a day, then the Ming Dynasty's transportation and information transmission, even material transportation, and cargo transportation would all be greatly improved.

The barriers between places will be directly broken down.

And it was a very powerful breakthrough.

Doesn't change because of people.

The whole world will change dramatically.

And if one day, the transportation fee of the iron horse is reduced, does it mean that the control of the court over the local areas will be unprecedentedly strengthened? This will be terrible news for the local areas.

"toot toot"

A sharp sound of air was heard.

The lump of iron placed on the high platform was forced to move as if urged by the sound of air.

The iron lump has a very small range of movement.

But it did move!
(End of this chapter)