GBP Chapter 718 You're deliberately trying to mess with us!
Chapter 718 You're deliberately trying to mess with us!
Given condition one, Old Deng has never been a good person.
Given condition two, Lao Deng was better off when he was in the capital, but ever since he stayed in Ningyang County, this old fellow has become like a pendant on the official's mother-in-law. He doesn't just follow her everywhere, but he also needs his mother-in-law to accompany him wherever he goes.
Now, while his two wives accompany their mother-in-law shopping, Lao Deng not only doesn't accompany his mother-in-law, but also keeps talking about iron mines, coal mines, and the reform of local administration.
So, is this old man deliberately trying to cause trouble for me?
Yang Shaofeng narrowed his eyes slightly, and the more he thought about it, the more reliable this guess seemed.
You old bastard, I haven't even tried to play the game of "Is the Will-o'-the-Wisp Safe" with you yet, and you're already causing me trouble?
However, if you old man can do what you say on the first day of the month, then I, your son-in-law, can certainly do what I say on the fifteenth.
Yang Shaofeng refilled the hot water for his father-in-law and said with a smile, "Father-in-law, do you remember asking me before whether a steam engine could power a horse-drawn carriage?"
Emperor Zhu was slightly taken aback and asked, "Can you?"
Yang Shaofeng hummed in agreement, got up to find a pair of chopsticks, placed them on the table, and then took a few teacups and placed them on top of the chopsticks. "Let's assume these two chopsticks are railway tracks, each cup is a carriage, and the one at the very front is a giant steam engine."
"As long as the locomotive at the front can pull, it can pull a few more carriages or more goods."
"In this way, we no longer need to worry about problems such as dirt roads being difficult to walk on or cement roads damaging horses' hooves."
"It saves us from using oxen and horses, and there's no need to conscript laborers anymore."
"Moreover, these two rails are fixed, so there is no problem of going the wrong way."
"After all, a steam engine is a device that uses coal to heat water, and as long as there is enough coal and water, it can run day and night."
Emperor Zhu's eyes lit up immediately.
It saves us from using oxen and horses.
No corvée labor is required.
Working day and night without rest.
Tsk tsk.
But then Emperor Zhu frowned and asked, "Shouldn't there be something under these two rails? Otherwise, the goods are too heavy, and all the weight will be on these two rails. I estimate that it won't be long before these two rails are crushed into the ground."
"Moreover, these two railway tracks need to be constantly monitored, otherwise they will deform or be crushed into the ground sooner or later."
"By then, even steam locomotives might overturn on the road."
What the hell?
Yang Shaofeng glanced at Lao Deng with some surprise, but in the end he still gave him a thumbs up.
"Father-in-law, you are right. The railway does indeed have these problems."
"Let's address the first issue. Since the two rails run parallel to each other, crossbeams should be placed underneath them to prevent the rails from sinking."
"Next is the second question. Railways definitely need maintenance, otherwise this thing will turn into a pretzel sooner or later. It's normal for trains to derail; it would be strange if they didn't."
"However, this is a matter for the officials of the Ministry of Works to consider, and it has nothing to do with me."
After shirking all responsibility, Yang Shaofeng continued lecturing Lao Deng.
“Building a railway from the capital to Shanggu County and another to Liaodong would be a duplication of construction and a waste of resources. Therefore, a branch line should be set up within the territory of Hebei Provincial Administration Commission so that steam locomotives can go to both Shanggu County and Liaodong.”
"As for how to design such branch roads so that steam engines can travel in different directions, that's something the officials in the Ministry of Works need to consider."
"As for how to avoid the waste of resources caused by redundant construction, this involves the planning of railway lines, which not only requires the officials of the Ministry of Works to consider, but also the officials of the Secretariat, the Cabinet and the Ministry of Revenue."
"However, I think that if steam locomotives can really be developed, Father-in-law should consider establishing a Ministry of Railways to be specifically responsible for railway affairs in our Great Ming Dynasty."
"Most importantly, this thing can not only transport goods, but also people."
"Originally, it might have taken several months to travel from Liaodong to the capital, and even traveling at full speed would have taken ten days or so. But with the steam locomotives that run day and night, well, assuming they can travel 100 li per hour, and 12 hours a day, they can travel about 1,200 li. The journey from Liaodong to the capital is about 3,000 li, and even if there are some delays along the way, it would only take about five days."
"..."
One hour is two hours.
If you can travel 100 li in an hour, that's 50 li in an hour, which translates to a speed of 25 kilometers per hour.
As Yang Shaofeng finished speaking, Emperor Zhu was completely shocked and bewildered.
Let alone running more than a thousand miles a day, what difference would it make if we ran twice as slow?
Even if one can only travel fifty li in an hour, one can still travel six hundred li in a day. The journey from Liaodong to the capital, which is about three thousand li, can be completed in just five days.
Even if we include the time for adding coal and water, and the time spent on the road, what difference would it make if we extended five days to ten days?
Yes, it's more than 3,000 li from Liaodong to the capital. Even traveling at high speed, it would take about ten days to get there from Liaodong to the capital.
The key issue is that convoys transporting ore, iron, coal, and grain cannot travel 100 miles a day and need to stop and rest frequently.
Add to that the large number of laborers and provisions, and the human and time costs involved are staggering.
"Um... my dear son-in-law..."
Emperor Zhu chuckled dryly, rubbing his hands together as he said, "When will this steam engine be ready?"
Yang Shaofeng added more hot water to Lao Deng's pot, then spread his hands and said, "I also want to get the steam engine out as soon as possible, but there are only a few craftsmen in Ningyang County?"
"Moreover, these craftsmen were also responsible for the water press. Even after the water press was finished, they still had to make farm tools such as shovels, hoes, and plowshares. They could only spare a little time each day to work on the steam engine."
"Furthermore, the steam engine is just a concept of mine. If we really want it to be put into practice, we should at least first develop a steam engine that can drive a water press, right?"
"This involves many steps, including design, prototype manufacturing, testing, and improvements, so it can't be rushed."
"Unless Father-in-law can get enough manpower for Xiao Yue and rely on a sufficient number of craftsmen to build up the workforce."
"Then, we opened relevant courses at the University of Denzhou to let them study better and faster steam engines."
In short, I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush.
Because I want to see you anxious and frustrated, yet helpless.
Just as Yang Shaofeng was secretly pleased, Emperor Zhu impatiently exclaimed, "How could I not be in a hurry?"
Yang Shaofeng spread his hands again and said, "Father-in-law, it seems you've forgotten the other uses of the steam engine?"
Emperor Zhu was slightly taken aback and asked, "What other uses?"
Yang Shaofeng said, "Steam engines can pull goods, so it would be easy for them to power spinning wheels. Maybe someone will come up with spinning machines and similar gadgets in the future."
"Including mining—originally, people had to carry coal and iron ore up from the mine in baskets on their backs, but with the advent of the steam engine, a conveyor belt could replace the baskets, which would affect many people who made a living from mining."
"In short, the steam engine involves many aspects. Father-in-law must make preparations in advance with the officials of the cabinet, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Revenue to avoid impacting the livelihoods of the people."
Alright, I've finished speaking. Now it's your turn to have a headache, old man.
Yang Shaofeng smiled and took a sip of the small dragon ball.
Emperor Zhu was furious.
Well, you bastard! You drew us a big pie in the sky called a steam locomotive, and then told us that this pie is so dry that we have to prepare in advance if we want to eat it.
You're deliberately trying to make things difficult for us!
The Emperor Zhu's hands, tucked into his sleeves, repeatedly shifted between fist, palm, fingers, and claw, but in the end, he could only helplessly let go.