In the simple worldview of the ancients, it was impossible for iron to float in water.

Therefore, from ancient times to the present, both large and small boats have been made of wood.

Although the people of the Academy of Sciences have long popularized the relevant knowledge, they have also proved with experiments that containers such as iron basins and iron pots can float on water.

However, when this 10,000-ton giant ship really stands in front of everyone's eyes, everyone will inevitably have such questions in their hearts.

This ship is piled up with countless steels, just imagine, throw the rails, trains, big boilers, into the water, can it float?

Although Jin Ying is the governor of the shipyard, for more than two years, he has put all his energy on the first ironclad ship of the Ming Dynasty, but after all, he does not understand the profession, and it is the first time to face such a huge steel beast.

Maybe...... It won't sink, right?

To him, this battleship is like a child raised by his own hands, but after all, it is cast of steel, although it is now floating in the water, who knows what will happen when the big boiler is started?

All that can be done now is to pray for all the best, countless silver, countless people, countless days and nights......

Can't sink!

At this moment, he secretly made a decision in his heart, if the ship sank, he didn't have to ask for guilt, just sank to the bottom of the sea with the ship!

Although Zhu Qizhen understands the principle of the steam engine, he has little experience in shipbuilding.

He knew very well that he was at most a guide, and whether this giant ship could be driven or not would depend on the efforts of thousands of technicians and craftsmen.

Looking at the huge chimney, standing on the ship, it feels like a boiler room in the backyard of the school......

At this time, a large number of carefully selected sailors and crew members were already lined up on the deck, waiting for instructions on the next step.

Zhu Qizhen looked up, these people were straight and dark-skinned, but they looked very energetic.

"Ladies and gentlemen, everyone has worked hard!"

Everyone immediately replied in unison, "Long live the Emperor!"

Zhu Qizhen is very satisfied, it is different if he has gone to sea, and this momentum is very strong.

"Now at my behest of all, everyone is back to their posts and ready for sea trials!"

"Yes!"

There was another uniform shout from the deck, and immediately after that, everyone immediately dispersed and rushed to their posts.

Following Zhu Qizhen, Bei Lin was originally engaged in scientific research, and was very interested in the shipboard steam engine, and couldn't wait to see what the ship would look like.

Tang Xinggu's face was a little strange, he had no interest in science or anything at all, but what the emperor liked and admired, he would vigorously support it, and it would be over!

However, is this ironclad really not sinking......

"Your Majesty, no!"

Just as Tang Xinggu was hesitating, someone next to him spoke.

He turned his head to see that it was Cao Yi, the political envoy of Zhejiang.

Zhu Qizhen was dissatisfied: "Why not?"

Cao Yi saluted and said, "Your Majesty, this ironclad ship is anchored in the harbor, and if there is any problem, it can be remedied in time, but once it leaves the port, if something goes wrong, this ...... What should I do?"

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Chun, the prefect of Ningbo, also advised: "Please also ask the emperor to think twice!"

These two people were both Jinshi in the Yongle period, and they can be regarded as veterans of the Four Dynasties.

Instead of understanding science, they resist it from the bottom of their hearts.

In Beijing, there were also a large number of scholars, including powerful people, who openly opposed natural science and regarded these people as outliers and a shame for scholars.

However, with the spread of the railway, many people consciously kept their mouths shut.

On the contrary, at the local level, especially in a rich place like Jiangnan, where there are many large families, the more they oppose science.

In fact, this is very understandable, most of the reason why these families can rise is through reading.

They naturally regard Confucianism as a sacrosanct truth.

With the implementation of the New Deal, a large number of natural sciences of all kinds have sprung up, which has shaken the dominance of Confucianism, which is unacceptable to them.

Therefore, for the construction of ironclad ships in Ningbo Shipyard, neither Cao Yi, the political envoy of Zhejiang, nor Zhang Chun, the prefect of Ningbo, have never really supported it.

With these 30 million taels of silver, wouldn't it be good to build more treasure ships?

The treasure ship can earn money and come back when it goes to sea, what can this big iron pimple do?

Now that they heard that the emperor was going to test the voyage in person, the two hurriedly dissuaded them.

Let's not talk about the performance of this iron bump, we don't understand, but it's good to have a crew on the trial, you are the emperor, the Ninety-Five, do you have to risk yourself?

Even if you can't think about it, don't have an accident in Ningbo!

If the ship sinks and the people are gone, what will happen to our brothers?

Seeing this, Zhu Qizhen smiled and said, "Before I came, I had doubts, but when I saw them today, all my doubts have been dispelled, and if the two Qing families are worried, they can go to the shore and wait."

Cao Yi and Zhang Chun glanced at each other, oh, the emperor personally commanded the sea trial, and our brothers were waiting on the shore?

If something happens, we won't be able to save our heads!

Take a step back and say, even if everything goes well, how will the two of us be people in the future?

"Your Majesty, the minister thinks that there is a specialization in the art industry, since it is a sea trial, you should find someone who understands navigation, the emperor has every opportunity, and not everything has to be done by himself."

"You say I don't know how to sail?"

"No, no......"

Cao Yi waved his hand again and again and said, "Minister...... What the minister means is ......."

Seeing this, Zhang Chun hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Lord Cao means that the weather at sea is unpredictable, what should I do if I encounter wind and waves?"

Except for Bei Lin and Tang Xinggu, most of the officials who accompanied him did not want the emperor to board the ship.

Because...... If the emperor boarded the ship, they would definitely have to follow!

Seeing Cao and Zhang stand up, the others also began to follow and advise.

Zhu Qizhen turned his head and asked, "Jin Ying, tell me, how safe is this ship?" Can you prepare corresponding rescue measures?"

Jin Ying nodded hurriedly and said, "Please rest assured, the port has already prepared a search and rescue ship, and the slave maid learned to swim a few days ago, and now he is proficient."

When Cao Yi heard this, he rolled his eyes in anger.

Why don't you learn to swim earlier, let's learn it together!

What's the use of saying this now, when the time comes, if you really fall into the water, how can you still save a boatload of people?

Seeing that the situation was not good, he rolled his eyes and said, "As the so-called gentleman does not stand under the dangerous wall, if the emperor insists on boarding the ship, he will be known by the Ministry of Rites and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and I am afraid that he will have to ...... again."

He knew that he couldn't persuade him, so he simply pulled out the Ministry of Rites and the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

At this time, Tang Xinggu stood up and said, "The emperor wants to test the voyage in person, and he has his own reasoning, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate has no opinion!"

Cao Yi's heart suddenly cooled, why didn't this guy play according to the routine?

You are the dignified Zuodu Imperial History!

Isn't the imperial history supposed to be against the emperor everywhere, and find some problems if there is something to do?

What's the situation?

"Tang Yushi, you have to be responsible for what you say!"

"Nature is responsible!"

Tang Xinggu said expressionlessly, "No matter what the emperor does, the Metropolitan Procuratorate will support it!"

Cao Yi was so angry that he trembled, what are you doing?

Zhu Qizhen didn't bother to talk nonsense with him anymore, so he said with a gloomy face, "If there is any other Qing family who wants to dissuade him, let's persuade him when he gets on the boat!" This ship is the first ironclad ship of the Ming Dynasty, and it has poured the efforts of countless people. I am a true dragon, and I can't drown a dragon in the sea!"

Although he himself knows that feudal superstition is unacceptable, in this era, the identity of this true dragon son is still easy to use.

Even if it is

People who don't believe in ghosts and gods also like all kinds of beautiful meanings to some extent.

Everyone had to shut up, and Jin Ying immediately ordered to go down and prepare to leave the port!

Zhu Qizhen still stayed on the deck, looking at the sea from here, as far as the eye could see, the scenery was completely different, and his mood became broader.

The waves crashed against the hull of the boat, but there was no shaking under the feet, which showed that the waterline of the ship was quite high.

Inside and outside the cabin, there were calls everywhere, and everyone was making final preparations.

"The powertrain is normal!"

"The cannon bay is ready!"

"All the members of the Sail Cabin are assembled!"

"The mainsail is normal!"

"The sail is normal!"

"Helmsman ready......

At this moment, the busiest person is Jin Ying, who can't even take care of the emperor, and the whole person is devoted to the ship.

Finally, all the equipment has been checked and all the personnel are ready.

Jin Ying came to Zhu Qizhen and saluted solemnly, "Your Majesty, the preparations have been completed, have you set sail?"

Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "Spread my will and set sail!"

"Yes!"

Kim Young took two steps back, then turned around.

"The emperor has a decree, set sail!"

Immediately before him, the herald shouted, "Sail—"

Soon, the iron anchor was pulled up and the sails were lowered.

Then, at the feet of the people, there was a rumbling sound, and the whole ship was shaking.

Cao Yi and the others were startled, and before they started, they shook up?

Even Fan Zhong, Yuan Bin and others showed nervous looks on their faces.

The only calm is Belin, the steam engine, such a huge steam engine, if you don't make some noise, it would be weird!

The steam engine had already started, and I saw that the huge chimney began to emit smoke.

The entire hull shook again, and then the hull tilted slightly to one side.

Cao Yi's face was suddenly frightened, and Zhang Chun even let out a wail.

Belin glanced at them and said calmly, "Don't panic, you guys, it should be the hull of the ship turning."

Unlike treasure ships, ironclad ships use pointed bottoms, and their heavy hulls move slowly, setting off huge waves.

In the boiler room, a large number of people are constantly replenishing coal.

This coal will be converted into heat, which will then be converted into power, which will drive the propellers and propel the giant ship forward.

Although the people of this era did not know the principle of energy conversion, they knew that as long as coal was burned, the ship could go.

With a rumbling sound, the hull began to move.

At first, the movement was very slow, so that Zhu Qizhen was a little disappointed in his heart.

The hull was too heavy, and the power was simply not enough.

This is smashed out with 30 million taels of silver, and in the end, it is not just an embroidered pillow, which is useless.

Looking up, Ningbo Port is gradually moving away.

Slowly, you can see the whole shipyard, and from this angle, it is spectacular.

The hull is still steady, but at this speed...... It's really not enough to see.

Zhu Qizhen called Jin Ying and asked, "Is this the biggest motivation now?"

Jin Ying said, "If you go back to the emperor, there are a total of four boilers in the power compartment, and now only one has been started."

Zhu Qizhen couldn't help but ask, "Why is only one machine enabled?"

Jin Ying hurriedly explained: "The original plan was to use two, spare two, and use three or even four at a critical time, but today is just a sea trial, and the slave maid thinks that one is enough."

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he immediately became interested: "How can that be, start now."

With two, I'll see how it works."

Kim Young had no choice but to do so, and soon, the hull of the ship began to accelerate.

The shipyards in the port are also getting farther and farther away, and obviously, the speed has increased.

And that's just steam power, and without the sails, it's already very good.

However, some of the accompanying officials began to react, dizzy, nauseous, and it seemed that they were seasick.

Zhu Qizhen ordered someone to send the seasick to the rest room or medical room, and then gave another order to start the third boiler!

Jin Ying's face was a little ugly, because no one dared to guarantee whether these boilers would be able to operate normally, or how far they could go?

In case of a breakdown in the middle, there is a spare one.

The reason is obvious: the more boilers you use, the more likely you are to fail.

However, whoever dares to disobey the emperor's will has to do it.

The whole ship made a rumbling sound, and Zhu Qizhen felt that the speed had increased again.

Looking behind him, the escorting clippers were a little unable to keep up.

At this time, he was even more interested, and ordered again: "All four are open!"

Jin Ying's face has turned black, if this is all bad, there is no going back!

He hesitated for a moment, and just about to dissuade him, Zhu Qizhen was already impatient and said, "Go quickly, what are you waiting for?"

Jin Ying was helpless, sighed silently, and passed on the order.

The hull of the ship accelerated again, and the escort clippers behind them, even if they puffed up their sails, still became smaller and smaller, and finally, they became black spots in the lake.

At this point, everyone gasped.

The body of steel, the load of 10,000 tons, the speed is so fast!

It can be used to go like the wind.

However, in the minds of most people, there is still some worry.

Because I am accustomed to living on land on weekdays, with the porcelain earth under my feet, and now I am a ship floating on the ocean, I will inevitably feel uneasy.

Jin Ying trotted all the way over and said, "Your Majesty, nearly thirty percent of the fuel has been consumed, do you want to return home?"

Zhu Qizhen frowned and asked, "It's only been such a little time, and it's consumed thirty percent?"

Jin Ying smiled and said, "The emperor doesn't know, since today is only a trial voyage, the slave is worried that there will be too much coal loaded, which will affect the speed of the voyage, so he is good at making claims...... The fuel tank is only 20 percent full."

Zhu Qizhen said dissatisfiedly: "I just want to see the most real speed of this ship, you have less coal today, and if you really sail in the future, will you also load less?"

Jin Ying hurriedly knelt down and bowed: "Slave maid...... I know ...... wrong."

Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said impatiently, "Okay, let's not talk about it yet, let's go back!"