To be honest, he still thinks that using water power is more realistic, because water can still be touched and 'contained'.
But how to control the heat?
"Are you thinking that since there is already a mechanical waterwheel, why are you still chasing the ethereal heat?" Li Zhiyun looked at his son.
Li Chengzhao nodded and said honestly: "I do think so. There are tens of millions of rivers in our Tang Dynasty, and waterwheels can be built everywhere. But this kind of heat is really too illusory."
"Then do you know that once there is a drought, the waterwheel will be useless?" Li Zhiyun said.
Li Chengzhao said nothing and lowered his head in thought.
After a while, he said very sincerely: "Father, I know that my father is bent on pursuing better machinery, but I think that the current waterwheel is enough. Besides, I have read a lot of books.
There have never been any similar records of using hot air in ancient books, and I always feel that this thing is a bit difficult to make." He tried his best to tactfully persuade.
Li Zhiyun did not blame him for his idea, but said: "What if I told you that once this thing is successfully developed, it will open up a new era."
Li Chengzhao was puzzled.
Li Zhiyun smiled and said, "Watch it."
After speaking, he clapped his hands.
The craftsmen immediately returned to their places. Li Chengzhao saw dozens of craftsmen starting to work. They poured buckets of hot water into the iron boxes, and then someone brought a large amount of coal. The craftsmen poured the coal into the boiler combustion pit.
, and then began to pump the bellows.
call!
Hoo ho ho!
A dull sound came out one after another, and Li Chengzhao saw that the coal was burning more and more fiercely, and as time passed slowly by, the entire huge machine began to operate slowly, and suddenly, 'bang-dang' 'bang-dang'
'Clang'.
As the sound sounded, Li Chengzhao saw the iron rods begin to rotate, followed by other parts. Finally, something like a carriage wheel was spinning in circles. Although the speed was very slow, it did move.
.
"Really moving?" He was shocked.
"Yes, it moved." Li Zhiyun said.
In fact, this little power does nothing, and is prone to boiler explosions, which is just useless.
However, it's a very good start.
The water vapor escaping from each pipe is mixed with the black gas from coal burning, passes through the chimney, and successfully rises to the sky.
"It actually moved." Li Chengzhao's eyes were filled with the words "This is impossible".
It’s ridiculous. Just heating hot water can make that iron wheel turn. How on earth is this done?
Suddenly, he thought of his father's words.
Get the heat!
"Father, aren't those pipes just for holding the heat?" he asked.
Li Zhiyun nodded, "Yes."
He really wanted to explain to his son how this thing works and teach him the function of each component, but this couldn't be done in a day or two and had to be taught slowly.
Li Zhiyun figured out that he couldn't teach these craftsmen who basically had no foundation in basic knowledge of principles. He could only teach them how to make it directly and tell them some key practical skills.
As for the principles, he has already started writing a book. After he finishes writing, he will personally teach it at the university when he has time. No great scholar has the ability to teach this course, only he can do it.
If we were to use an intuitive metaphor for what he was doing now, it would be that he was teaching the savages how to make lighters.
It sounds ridiculous, but it is actually similar. Li Zhiyun estimates that he may not be able to see the steam engine put into use in his lifetime, so he wants his son to see the benefits of such a thing and let him understand some basic principles so that he can persist in the future.
Research and development.
In this case, maybe the steam engine will appear within a hundred years.
Of course, it could also be two hundred years or even three hundred years.
However, that is not something he can control.
"Did you see that iron box?"
"Saw it."
"That's called a cylinder, it's"
An hour later, Li Chengzhao followed the emperor out of the workshop in a daze. His mind was in a mess, and he had no idea what he had just heard.
However, he knew that if the 'steam engine' his father mentioned could really be born, it would change the current world.
On the carriage, Li Zhiyun said: "Take the carriage we are riding now as an example. In a few decades, if the steam engine can be miniaturized and placed on the front of the carriage, then it will be possible to use a steam engine instead of horses to pull the carriage. Still
Remember the track carriage?”
"Kid remember."
"Do you still remember the track car toy I made for you when you were a child?"
"Remember." Li Chengzhao remembered the strange car with four or five carriages he used to play in when he was a child.
Li Zhiyun said: "If we place the steam engine at the front of the car, as long as the front of the car starts running and has enough power, then do you think it can pull other cars along with it on the track?"
Li Chengzhao was confused.
Seeing this, Li Zhiyun made another simple metaphor.
"When you were a child, did you just pull the front car with your hands, and the cars behind would follow?"
"Yes." Li Chengzhao understood now and said, "Father, what you mean is that as long as the front of the car has enough power, it can drive other carriages to move together on the track?"
"Do you think it's okay?" Li Zhiyun asked.
Li Chengzhao nodded with difficulty, "It seems, indeed."
Li Zhiyun asked with a smile: "Do you think steam engines are useful now?"
"Yes." Li Chengzhao swallowed and said: "If the track is laid long enough and there is a steam engine inside, then we can completely abandon the use of horses and use coal to boil water, so that the car can drive at starry night. In this case."
He is a smart child, and when he said this, his eyes gradually brightened. If this kind of thing can really be born, then from now on, as long as there is a track carriage, anywhere, anytime, anyone can get on this
All vehicles can arrive at the designated location in the shortest possible time.
In this way, not only can the army be quickly mobilized to any place, but also a large number of resources can be mobilized everywhere without consuming manpower.
Thinking of this, Li Chengzhao's hands began to shake. He took a deep breath and bowed seriously: "My son has fully understood my father's painstaking efforts. Please teach me how to learn steam engines."
Li Zhiyun said: "Don't worry, we still have a lot of time. You have to remember that it doesn't matter even if you can't learn it, but at least you have to understand its basic principles. From now on, you will learn this from me.
.”
"My son, I obey your orders."
Li Zhiyun added: "This is a very long project, it may take fifty years, it may take a hundred years, or even longer. I hope you can persist in the future."
"Father, don't worry, I will definitely insist."
After finishing speaking, Li Chengzhao asked: "Father, since steam engines can be mounted on cars, can they be used on ships?"
"Of course." Li Zhiyun said: "The boat relies on water and people. If we can install a device on the boat so that it can push the boat, that will not be a problem at all."
Seeing that his son was very interested in this aspect, he reminded him: "However, you are the prince. You can know and understand, but you cannot be obsessed with it. Do you understand?"
"I understand." Li Chengzhao said: "Father, I think we can teach more people to understand it and then study it together. Of course, we must keep it confidential and not leak the information."
"What you said is very good."
Li Zhiyun couldn't help but smile, very pleased with how smart this child was.