ebookland Chapter 418 Steam Engine
Chapter 418 Steam Engine
After the palace examination, the noisy capital gradually returned to peace. Min Xi finally reaped the rewards. After more than two years of hard work, the first steam engine was finally built.
The power of this steam engine is not that great, it can barely drive a pair of millstones to rotate.
After the steam engine was completed, Min Xi invited many people to visit the steam mill, including Emperor Wanli and Zhao Shizhen from the Ministry of War.
The millstone was not big, but the steam engine was quite large. In order to house the steam engine, Min Xi cleared a piece of land in the Yun family's back garden and built a shed.
The servants lit a strong fire, and when the water in the machine boiled and the steam started to roll, it drove the machine to turn, and the millstone turned with difficulty, creaking, and not very smoothly.
Wanli looked at it for a long time before saying, "Why not use human power to push the mill? It seems to be faster and better."
Min Xi explained: "Sir, this is to verify the function of this machine, and it can turn the millstone without human power."
Wanli looked at the craftsman who kept adding firewood and said, "But it will take a lot of firewood, right?"
"That's true. But you can burn coal."
After seeing it, Wanli commented: "I think it's just average, not as good as the bicycle and glazed window you made before."
Others had a similar attitude. They put in a lot of effort, but the things they created did not exceed their expectations.
Yun Ji said quickly: "This is just the first test product of Ninth Brother. I believe he will definitely modify the steam engine to be more practical."
Wanli nodded: "I believe Min Qing can definitely do it. I hope that when I see you next time, you will be able to surprise me."
The effect and response of the steam engine did not meet expectations, but Min Xi was not discouraged. It was only after he had completed the steam engine that he realized the disadvantages of the steam engine. The power loss was too great, most of the heat was wasted, and the energy loss was too great. In the era of fuel shortage in the Ming Dynasty, using this to pull the mill was indeed not ideal, and was not as good as pulling the mill with human and animal power.
Could he make an internal combustion engine? But internal combustion engines require higher precision materials and instruments. He was not sure if he could make an internal combustion engine by hand in this era. But it was also a question. He had to try it to know if it would work.
But before he made the internal combustion engine, he had to transform the steam engine into a more useful machine, otherwise it would be a waste to use it to grind millstones. After all, this thing could be done by manpower or animals, and the cost was much lower than the steam engine millstone.
Min Xi was thinking about converting the steam engine mill into a steam water pump, which would be more practical. However, to convert the millstone into a water pump, more power would be needed, which would naturally be more difficult and would need to be improved.
The first problem that needed to be solved in making a water pump was the problem of the water pipe. At that time, there was no rubber or plastic. If you wanted to pump water, the pipe could only be made of leather or bamboo tubes. Of course, the quality was definitely not as good as rubber pipes.
Rubber was brought from the New World by Europeans, but it is not clear whether Europeans have brought rubber out of the New World at this time. This needs to be verified in the future.
While Min Xi had leather water pipes made, he went to Zhuangzi for an on-site investigation to see where it would be most appropriate to place the steam water pump.
Yun Ji accompanied him to the outskirts of the city this time. It was rare that he finally returned to his normal routine. After being busy for so long, he finally adapted to the work rhythm of the Ministry of Revenue and did it well.
Since the implementation of the new policy reforms last year, the amount of taxes collected in various places has increased significantly. Although the tax standards last year have not been changed, the performance evaluation system has given officials from all over the country a clear sense of urgency, and they no longer dare to default on taxes. Therefore, the amount of taxes collected this year has increased significantly compared with previous years.
As for the results of the tax reform, we will have to wait until this year is over before we can see the actual results.
However, from the emperor's attitude, it can be seen that he is still very satisfied with the new policy.
Min Xi was relieved. No matter what Wanli's attitude towards Director Zheng would be in the future, he would definitely continue to implement the new policy.
Min Xi and Yun Ji returned home from the outskirts of the city. Before they even entered the house, the doorman told them, "Master, Master Min, there are guests at home."
"Who is it?" Min Xi asked.
The concierge said, "Captain Reis, he brought a few foreigners with him."