Chapter 734 Steam Machinery
"Agricultural machinery?" Wang Chong was stunned. Reading
There are indeed many steam-driven agricultural machinery in the mechanical design drawings given to him by the King of Yan.
It's just that because of expediency, he put these machines behind the research and development plan.
"Yes, this is very important for farming and is also beneficial to industrial development." Zhao Xu nodded.
In the current situation, industry is about to occupy a large number of people.
He has no population for the farm, so he can only think of ways to use agricultural machinery.
According to the knowledge in his mind, steam engine tractors actually appeared in the steam age.
After all, when a steam locomotive is built, a slightly smaller tractor head is a tractor head.
Steam engine tractors can be used to plow the land, and can be equipped with a body to pull grain, which has many functions.
Of course, for individuals, they naturally cannot afford such a large coal consumer.
But on the farm, steam engine tractors are definitely promising.
In addition to steam engine tractors, there are also steam threshers.
This thing appeared in 1837 in the contemporary era, and it can definitely be made with Yanzhou's current industrial capacity.
In addition, there are also combine harvesters.
In 1831, a farmer named McCormick designed and produced the first combine harvester pulled by two horses, which had a harvesting efficiency higher than that of 30 manual workers.
Since then, McCormick has been improving the combine harvester pulled by 40 horses with a harvesting width of 30 meters, and even equipped with a wheat and orange baling device.
Inspired by this farmer inventor, a steam self-propelled harvester appeared.
With this thing, large farms can achieve preliminary steam mechanization.
Although for him, the next step is the era of electricity and internal combustion engines.
But he can't wait forever.
Even if internal combustion engine-driven machinery appears in the future, these steam engine machinery can be sent to more backward places for use until they are scrapped.
In the 21st century, some backward areas abroad have no traces of industrialization.
"Yes, Your Highness, I have roughly seen these agricultural machinery. In fact, once the steam locomotive is built and the power problem is solved, these machines will not be a big problem." Wang Chong said thoughtfully, "I will try my best to allocate people to build an agricultural machinery workshop."
"Very good." Zhao Xu laughed, "This agricultural machinery is one of the civilian machinery. In addition, there are engineering machinery. Let's just build them together."
The large-scale infrastructure construction in Yanzhou has been going on, which also consumes a lot of labor.
If other states in the north also start infrastructure construction, more labor will be invested.
And now, he just wants to save population and enter industry.
For this purpose, he naturally has to think about engineering machinery.
In the steam age of 1833, the steam engine excavator was born, which was called a steam shovel at that time.
This steam shovel operates through a structure composed of a wheel, a pulley, and an iron cable.
The wheel pulls and releases the iron cable, which allows the shovel at one end to move and dig the soil.
This steam shovel was used in the excavation of the Suez Canal.
With this kind of machinery, whether it is mining, laying railways, or even digging ditches and canals, it will be very easy.
"Yes, Your Highness." Wang Chong responded.
Although the task on his shoulders has become heavier.
But he also looks forward to the arrival of the steam machinery era.
This is his romance.
Then, the two talked about the progress of various technologies in the Institute.
Wang Chong mentioned that Qu Sheng was recently researching fulminate of mercury and had some progress.
This aroused Zhao Xu's interest.
"Tell him to be careful not to blow himself up like last time." Zhao Xu said.
Fulminate of mercury is very important for the improvement of the level of firearms.
Because it is a kind of detonating agent, which was mainly used to make percussion caps in the 19th century.
During the contemporary Opium War, the British army had percussion cap rifles to replace flint.
Compared with flint firing, there is still a chance of misfire, and the percussion cap explodes when it hits, which is more stable.
Most importantly, this can further manufacture percussion-fired breech-loading guns.
Twenty years after the appearance of fulminate of mercury, the Dreyse breech-loading rifle appeared in 1836, and was later purchased by the Prussian army.
So, when Qu Sheng's fulminate of mercury is made and a production line is established.
Yanzhou will be able to develop its own breech-loading rifle.
Although the breech-loading rifle was developed in 1836 and equipped with Prussia.
At that time, due to the deep-rooted obsession with muzzle-loading rifles, contemporary Britain and France have never adopted breech-loading rifles.
Until the Dan-Puk War in 1864, it shined brightly, and Western countries equipped breech-loading rifles one after another.
Therefore, he believed that once the royal army equipped breech-loading rifles, it would maintain its advantage for a long time.
It was enough for him to beat the colonists of the East.
...
Lincheng.
When Zhao Xu and Wang Chong were laying out steam machinery.
The second contract signing ceremony of the East Alliance was held here.
Unlike the last time when there were only four families, there were seven people sitting at the square table this time.
There were more Han Zheng, Wang Zian and Xie Duan.
After signing his name, Liang Kai's eyes flashed with a hint of gloom, but he immediately concealed it.
In theory, Han Zheng, Wang Zian and Xie Duan had already pledged allegiance to him.
However, at the request of Japan, Sam and Britain, he was forced to allow the three to sign a contract and become a member of the East Earth Alliance.
He knew clearly that by doing so, he wanted these three families to check and balance the Wu Kingdom, so that the Wu Kingdom would not be arrogant because of its favor.
Compared to the others, Han Zheng and the other two looked excited.
They had no choice but to surrender to Wu.
Now, with the support of the three countries of Japan, they suddenly became bolder.
At least they would not be too humble in front of Liang Kai.
"Now, the troops of Southern Liang have withdrawn to Yizhou, and the land north of the Yangtze River has all fallen into the hands of the King of Yan. It will be more difficult to defeat the enemy if we wait for him to grow and become stronger. We must think of a way to make him bleed continuously."
The contract was signed, and Sato Masahisa said loudly.
Now, he replaced the Japanese envoy a few days ago and officially took over the affairs of Japan in the East Land Alliance.
"It's just that the King of Yan's troops are powerful, and the adults have also seen it. Now crossing the river to the north to attack, isn't it just to die." Liang Kai said.
Xie Duan, Han Zheng and Wang Zian nodded. They also didn't want to continue fighting with the King of Yan.
After all, this battle made them realize the gap in firearms between themselves and the King of Yan.
"Unless you are willing to provide us with firearms equal to the troops of the King of Yan, since we are an alliance, you can't let us send people and you don't say anything." Han Zheng said slowly.
Liang Kai nodded to him, which was also his idea.
He got the sweetness from the King of Yan, so naturally he wanted to get benefits from the Japanese and Westerners.
Even if Han Zheng didn't speak, he would speak.
Hearing this, Wolf said: "This is not difficult. As long as you are willing to pay, we in Britain are willing to sell firearms to you."
When he came to Lincheng, he also saw the warships of Yanzhou through the telescope.
This made him feel a crisis.
No country outside the Western Land has ever been able to build sailing warships independently.
They must pay attention to this King of Yan.