In fact, in world history, after steam power was invented, the first ship was built, because it was at the peak of the colonial period at that time, and the shipbuilding technology of various countries was quite developed. Only someone thought of it as simple as "wheel" on the ship, and it would naturally succeed.

Trains are different. At that time, there was no prototype of the train, and it needed to be imagined from scratch. Therefore, the steam train was invented decades after the appearance of the steam ship.

On the contrary, after the steam power was used, the first one was built was not a steam ship but a steam train. Now the technology of building steam trains in the Ming Dynasty was quite mature. Adding a "wheel" to the ship was naturally very simple for Bi Maokang and others, so Zhu Cijing didn't need to draw sketches. They just explained it to them slightly based on the actual objects.

Next is to discuss the issue of shipbuilding. With steam-powered propulsion, the size of the hull is completely unlimited. That is to say, the size of the ship you build can sail on the sea, and there is no need to look at the wind direction at all. Of course, the premise is that you have to be able to build the ship. It is not that the ship can be as big as you want. If you can't build it, it's all fake.

The largest ship that can be built with the current shipbuilding technology of the Ming Dynasty was the large treasure ship built when Zheng He went to the West. The treasure ship was 44 meters long, 18 meters wide and 62 meters wide. In modern terms, it was 146 meters long, 62 meters wide, and had a displacement of nearly 20,000 tons, which was almost as big as a small aircraft carrier!

There has always been controversy about how big the large treasure ship is. Many historical materials clearly record that the large treasure ship is forty-four meters long, eighteen meters wide and sixty-two. However, many modern brick manufacturers think this is impossible, because according to the power of the sail, no matter how big the sail you build, it cannot drive such a huge wooden boat!

Zhu Cijing was also very curious about this question. Just now, he thought of it and asked directly: "Meng Hou, I heard that when the eunuch of the Three Treasures went on a mission to the West during the Chengzu period, he supervised the construction of a super-large treasure ship that was 44 meters long and 18 meters wide. Is it true?"

Bi Maokang nodded affirmatively and said, "Your Majesty, it's true. This matter has detailed records in the Ministry of Works."

Zhu Cijing then asked: "If such a big treasure ship is built, it cannot be driven. Why does he still have to man-made it?"

When Bi Maokang heard this, he immediately showed a strange look. He hesitated and did not speak. Even Wang Zheng and Song Yingxing next to him showed the same look. The scene was extremely strange for a moment.

What do you mean by this? What if you want to suck my appetite? Zhu Cijiu couldn't help but urged: "If you know, say it, what are your expressions!"

Seeing that the emperor was about to get angry, Bi Maokang had to hesitate: "This, Emperor, Zheng He is afraid of making taboos."

Being a taboo? What does building a boat have to do with being a taboo? Zhu Cijing became more and more confused as he listened. He couldn't help but ask curiously: "What are you doing? Tell me in detail, don't hesitate."

It was really a bit difficult to talk to the emperor in front of the emperor. Bi Maokang thought about it and then said embarrassedly: "The emperor is the magnificent emperor, and those who are ministers naturally dare not offend him. Zheng He did not dare to take the biggest treasure ship to offend Chengzu, so he built a larger place to show respect for Chengzu."

This is the reason for doing it for a long time. It turns out that this large treasure ship was built not for driving, but for showing respect for Emperor Chengzu!

Zhu Cijing didn't want anyone to build a ship that could not be driven to show respect to him, so he asked directly: "Now with steam power, the large treasure ship is always driven, right?"

Bi Maokang replied with affirmative answer: "This is definitely no problem. Weichen estimated that after installing steam power, the large treasure ship will not only be able to move, but will also be much faster than the current warships."

Zhu Cijing asked with hope again: "Can we build a larger treasure ship?"

Bi Maokang shook his head and said in embarrassment: "Master, this may not work, because the strength of the wood is limited after all. If you build a treasure ship in the big place, it will probably be interrupted as soon as you go into the water."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cijing said with regret: "Okay, let's build a steamer for me according to the size of a large treasure ship, but it must be propelled with a propeller like a fan. Isn't it a problem?"

Bi Maokang thought about it and reported truthfully: "It's no problem to build it, but the propeller mentioned by the emperor may have to be replaced in a few years, because the iron will eventually rust."

There is no stainless steel now, and the steel rusts faster in the sea water. Zhu Cijing knew this, and he said indifferently: "Then replace it regularly. This is nothing. Can all the navy warships be changed to steam power now?"

Now Bi Maokang didn't dare to make a promise. He said in embarrassment: "Master, this may be difficult. It is definitely not possible to add propellers to the warships that have been built. You can only add paddle wheels, and you can only add them to the back. If you add them rashly, the ship will capsize as soon as you drive it, because all ships have a center of gravity, and it is easy to capsize if the center of gravity is unstable!"

This is a problem. Zhu Cijiu said unwillingly: "Isn't there a Type 620 howitzer at the tail of the warship? Will it be unstable to move it to the head of the ship?"

Bi Maokang explained patiently: "This Weichen has also considered it. It is definitely not possible to make paddle wheels as huge as warships with wood. The strength is not enough, so we can only make it with iron. Weichen estimated that an iron wheel of such a large size is at least tens of thousands of kilograms. Once this thing is installed at the stern of the ship, the bow of the ship will definitely rise, and a Type 620 howitzer is only more than 1,000 kilograms, so it can't be suppressed even if it is placed in the bow of the ship!"

Zhu Cijing thought for a while and suggested: "Are there any boiler and chimney? These two things are quite heavy, just put the head of the ship?"

Bi Maokang said in embarrassment: "The boiler and chimney are heavy enough, but the size is too large. The place at the head of the ship cannot be placed at all, so it can only be placed in the middle."

Zhu Cijiu thought for a while and suggested: "Then just put ten Type 620 howitzers on the bow of the ship, wouldn't that be enough?"

Bi Maokang said even more embarrassedly: "At the top of the ship, there are at most three 620 howitzers, and no matter how many, they will be squeezed into a pile, and the cannons cannot be opened. Master, are you sure you want this?"

If you can't open it, why are you there? The 620 howitzer is difficult to build. Just when Zhu Cijiu had no choice, he saw Song Yingxing showing a look of wanting to speak but stopping. He immediately encouraged: "Chang Geng, do you have any suggestions? He said boldly that I will not blame you."

Song Yingxing then bowed: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for offending me. There is no way to add too much howitzer, but the base can be changed. Just change it to the cast iron base on the fort, it's a solid iron lump, and it's no problem to cast tens of thousands of pounds."

When Zhu Cijiu heard this, he suddenly realized that he was obsessed with the cannon barrel, but he didn't expect to use the base weight. He couldn't help but praise: "Chang Geng was right, just do it like this, Meng Hou, is there no problem now?"

Bi Maokang also suddenly realized, and nodded repeatedly after hearing this, saying, "No problem, no problem."

Since there is no problem, Zhu Cijiu immediately made a decision: "That's it. The Ministry of Industry conducted experiments on paddle-wheeled thrusters and propeller thrusters before the New Year, and started to build super treasure ships after the New Year. At the same time, it began to transform the navy's super battleships, and strive to change all battleships into steamers next year!"
Chapter completed!