Zhu Zhanji knew that his father attached great importance to science and technology, so he left the Wenhua Hall and visited the museum of Guozijian in Beijing with other scholars, which has many collections, including the original steam engine for pumping water, and various steam engines that were later improved.

"In the spring of the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu, His Majesty the Emperor, who was still the eldest son of Yan Wangyan, invented a steam engine for pumping water together with the master craftsman Master Wansan, which uses coal as the power of the steam engine is an epoch-making product."

"It's not that the machine is so advanced, in fact, from the current point of view, the steam engine of a few decades ago was very primitive and rudimentary, but the replacement of the rest of the power by the machine power is a huge progress."

The staff of the Beijing Guozijian introduced excitedly.

The entourage also included the university scholar Cao Duan, because Cao Duan's fame was too great, Zhu Zhanji invited this person to join the entourage list, as well as Tao Jun, a natural science thinker from Beiping.

"The Wansan steam engine belongs to the piston steam engine, and its main role is in the mine."

"Master Han Youchang thought of the capping theory by observing the movement of the piston of the steam engine, and invented the collar, which improved the air tightness of the steam engine, and greatly increased the efficiency, which can be used in other industries."

"When Master Han Youchang continued to improve the steam engine, through the principle of steam condensation, the efficiency of steam engine waste was reduced, and since then things such as trains, buses, and even steam ships have become popular."

"Although Master Han Youchang has passed away, the large number of manuscripts left behind are the most valuable legacy, and his descendants donated them to our Guozijian Museum in Beijing for permanent storage."

The staff pointed to a stack of drawings in the glass cover and said proudly.

"Jingcheng Guozijian cooperated with the steam engine factory of Daming Industrial Bureau, and the research and development of steam engines has always been the most important project, and now the most fruitful high-pressure steam engine has a model machine."

On the table, there is a half-human-tall model.

Zhu Zhanji listened very carefully, and after he went back, he would find an opportunity to relay these to his father, who had always been very attentive to scientific and technological matters, and asked in detail, if he could not concentrate on writing them down, he might be asked by his father.

didn't want to disappoint his father, so even if Zhu Zhanji was the crown prince, he was very attentive on weekdays.

"High-pressure steam engine In chemical production, high-pressure steam is often used to heat reaction kettles, extraction and distillation equipment, etc., and at the same time, high-pressure steam is also used as an important means of chemical heat energy consumption."

"Although the chemical plants in Tianjin have not yet been used, they have begun to dock, and will soon conduct field tests, if there are no problems in the test, it will be a new and important technological invention."

"And in buildings and other industrial environments, high-pressure steam engines can be used in temperature-controlled systems to heat water and convert it into steam, which is then piped to the area that needs to be heated."

"High-pressure steam engines can also play an important role in all types of washing equipment."

After visiting the museum, the Guozijian in the capital also prepared more programs for the prince and his party, including all kinds of interesting experiments.

Zhu Zhanji sat in the audience with civil and military officials.

Several scholars set up objects on the stage.

A piece of amber was prepared, suspended in mid-air with a thin thread.

A scholar held the glass rod in his left hand and rubbed it in his right hand, and after rubbing it for a while, the man slowly approached the amber in mid-air with the glass rod, and then found that the amber had moved.

The amber in the air moved itself in the direction of the glass rod, and the people in the audience looked carefully, some were dumbfounded, and some could not explain the principle, but guessed that it was a phenomenon in natural science, waiting for the scholars to explain.

"It's electricity."

"Friction can make different items electrified, but some items cannot be electrified, and items that cannot be electrified are temporarily called insulators." Scholars began to explain.

Sure enough, many people were shocked when they heard the introduction of the scholar.

"Huh?"

"But the electricity of thunder and lightning?"

Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but ask in surprise.

The phenomenon of the experiment is not unusual, even ordinary people can find it every day, but the scholars' statement is explained as electricity, Zhu Zhanji can't help but feel amazing and suspicious.

"Yes, it belongs to the same type as the thunder and lightning in the sky, but the current friction generation is far less powerful than the thunder and lightning in nature, but we believe that if the friction is enough, the power will naturally increase."

"Haven't you mastered thunder and lightning?"

"It's still early to master thunder and lightning, but we have discovered the phenomenon of yin and yang, the same sex repels each other, and the opposite sex attracts."

The scholar shook his head and said honestly, "We have not yet mastered the way of thunder and lightning, but we have already realized the principle of yin and yang, and the phenomenon of the same sex repelling each other and the opposite sex attracting. This is the essence of all things in heaven and earth, and the essence of electricity. ”

When he said this, the scholar's eyes were bright, and the more he spoke, the more energetic he became.

"Since ancient times, sages and philosophers have devoted themselves to exploring the mysteries of heaven and earth, including electricity. In the past, there were sages who watched the power of lightning strikes, saw the disease of lightning, and were in awe and curious. So he spent his whole life studying the way of heaven and earth and delving into the mystery of electricity. ”

"After the efforts of our predecessors and the recovery of my Ming Dynasty, we finally got the principle of yin and yang. The same poles repel each other, and the opposite poles attract, this is the law of the operation of all things in heaven and earth, and the law of the operation of electricity. With this reason, we have the power to harness electricity and make it serve the Ming Dynasty. ”

After some explanation, the scholar became embarrassed again, and his voice gradually became quieter.

"It's just that the mysteries of electricity are endless, and we still need to continue to explore. However, we will not forget our original intention, continue to move forward, explore the mysteries of heaven and earth, and seek well-being for the Ming Dynasty and the people. ”

"Well said."

Zhu Zhanji took the lead in applauding, and the scene was peaceful.

On behalf of the imperial family, Zhu Zhanji donated a grain stamp to the Guozijian in the capital, and the next day, the newspaper published in detail the behavior of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and affirmed and praised His Royal Highness's behavior.

Wen Lou.

Several governors and servants of the Governor's Office of the Five Armies, as well as officials of the Ministry of War, as well as several cabinet elders all wore high-quality official uniforms and sat on the large square chairs on the carpet in an orderly manner, and the large square chairs were padded with thick mattresses.

"Sweet potatoes and potatoes, as well as maize, can be produced in very high yields, and the environmental requirements are very low, and the harsh environment of the Far East has also been successful after many years of trial cultivation."

Hearing the scholars' reports, the civil and military officials had mixed expressions on their faces.

These crops retrieved from distant lands are indeed very good, and can be grown even in the harshest cold areas, which makes the officials very cautious.

The reason why people can't live in extremely cold areas is not only because of the cold weather, but also because they can't get food.

Hunting cannot be maintained, not to mention in extreme environments, hunting is a very difficult behavior, and prey is extremely scarce, and it is not easy for a large area to survive a little people.

But with potatoes it is different, potatoes are cultivated, and behind the cultivation is cost-effective grain.

With food, there will be a surplus population, and even the Far East will be able to live and reproduce, so what in front of you seems to be unremarkable, but in fact it can change the ecological model of the Far East.

The smart officials saw the power, and Zhu Gaochi didn't mention it, his face was heavy.

Since ancient times.

Only the invasion of the nomads of the East to the West not only proves the excellence of the Eastern civilization, but also proves the strength of the Eastern civilization, and the opponent of the Eastern agricultural civilization, whether it is the loser or the victor, can often beat the West.

Until Tsarist Russia broke this convention and was the only successful country to expand from west to east.

In later generations, there was a saying that it was called going to Siberia to grow potatoes.

Potatoes played a vital role in Tsarist Russia's eastward expansion and survival in extreme conditions.

Potatoes are an adaptable, high-yielding crop that can be grown in extreme climatic and soil conditions in the Far East. During Tsarist Russia's eastward expansion, potatoes became an important source of food, providing ample food security for pioneers and immigrants.

In the Siberian region, the cultivation and consumption of potatoes are essential for the survival of the local population.

Potatoes are able to survive and harvest in such an environment where traditional crops are difficult to grow due to the cold climate and poor land. Potatoes have become one of the staple foods of the local population, providing them with the necessary energy and nutrients in extreme environments.

There is a famous painting in Tsarist Russia of several farmers around a bonfire, and potatoes are boiling in the pot of the bonfire.

It can even be said that if there were no potatoes, there would have been no eastward expansion of Tsarist Russia.

The great discovery of the Americas by Western explorers has indeed raised the materials of Western civilization to a great level for Western civilization, and even Tsarist Russia has been stained with great light.

"Although this thing has great benefits, for the current Ming Dynasty, it is necessary to control this thing."

Zhu Gaochi said.

Yang Shiqi and the others nodded again and again, agreeing with the emperor's opinion.

"Although the population of the Ming Dynasty is growing year after year, the expansion of land is also very fast, and the population growth rate cannot keep up with the rate of land growth.

"I can clearly predict that for a long time in the future, at least twenty or thirty years, there will be no migration of people from the Far East and the Far North, and it will be difficult for anyone to be willing to go to extremely cold places."

"Then if this thing falls into the hands of an outsider, will it not be a wedding garment for others."

After Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, some people suddenly realized that everyone generally supported the emperor's idea, but only showed regret.

It's a shame that something so good can't be taken out.

Although Zhu Gaochi was also a little reluctant, he didn't care too much, the current per capita resources of the Ming Dynasty are too huge, and the emergence of crops such as potatoes and sweet potatoes is not a charcoal in the snow but the icing on the cake.

In order not to let outsiders take advantage of it, Zhu Gaochi would rather give up a little profit.

After all, crops such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, which are not vital to the Ming Dynasty, are artifacts in other countries, and many countries have directly changed to these staple foods since the introduction of these crops, completely changing the original food chain.

For example, at the end of the 16th century, the English defeated Spain and introduced the potato, which was widely cultivated in Ireland and quickly became a staple food for the Irish.

The surge in grain production increased the population of the Irish from 1.1 million to 5.2 million in just 100 years, and from 5.2 million to 8.3 million in another 40 years.

So it's not just Han Chinese who can give birth.

It is the developed agricultural technology and rich grain savings of the Han people since ancient times, so that the Han people have always maintained more reserves, and these surplus grains are used to give birth to the population.

The population of the West has always been low because of its backward agricultural technology, and when the high-yielding crops of the Americas were obtained, the population began to explode.

The effect of potatoes and sweet potatoes, if it is twice the effect of the Ming Dynasty, then for other countries, it is at least ten times the effect, based on the limited population of the Ming Dynasty, the slow expansion of the capacity under the conditions, so Zhu Gaochi made the decision to hide these high-yield crops.

Since these high-yielding crops were brought back from the New World by the merchants, they have been in the hands of the Imperial Palace, and only a very small number of people involved in the experimental cultivation in the Imperial Estate are aware of them.

When the order of secrecy is issued, the secrecy of these crops is not a big problem, but although it is not popularized on a large scale, it will continue to research and master more planting techniques.

"In fact, the seven provinces of West Asia are more suitable for planting."

Ren Li said regretfully.

After the end of the Metropolitan Governor of Mashhad, Ren Li was transferred to the Governor's Office of the Chinese Army as the Governor Tongzhi, although he lost the military power of the direct resident army, but he had the qualification to command the front army.

This is also the unspoken rule of the Ming Dynasty.

The middle and lower level officers are stationed in the army, and the relationship with the army is very deep, although there is the hostage of the local guards, but the power is still very large, and it is different when it comes to the upper level, and the marshal of the upper level commands the officers, so there is no need to be stationed in the army.

This system of the Ming Dynasty is actually one ring after another.

The combat capability of the Ming army at the grass-roots level with battalions as units below is good, and the commanders at the top are experienced nobles, each performing its own duties and giving full play to its ability and effect.

However, after the Tumubao Incident, the Ming army not only lost a large number of elite field soldiers, but also lost the command force at the upper level.

The loneliness of Xungui caused the Ming Dynasty to lose the combat ability of the Great Army.

This is not the case at the moment, although many veteran generals have died, such as Qiu Fu of the Feng Yong Army and Wang Cong of the Loyal and Brave Army, there are also a number of experienced veteran generals, such as Zheng Xiang, the former commander of Mi Yunwei and the current veteran of the Beijing camp.

Zheng Heng, who had just turned sixty years old, was extremely experienced, and if necessary, he would be relieved to hand over the front army to him to command and lead, whether it was the imperial court or Zhu Gaochi.

Ren Li's biggest shortcoming is that he is not from the Beiping family, but now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, these old yellow calendars are not the most important.

"The seven western provinces are indeed suitable for planting, but areas such as Qazvin in the west are more suitable for planting, they have more wasteland, and the shortage of food is their biggest shortcoming."

Yang Shiqi explained.

Hearing the initiative of the cabinet chief assistant, Ren Li stopped talking.

Seeing that everyone had no opinions, Zhu Gaochi talked about the Delhi Sultanate. (End of chapter)