It is not difficult to realize the concept of armored combat vehicles, but it is almost impossible to achieve the effect of tanks in later generations, because the armor that can be made at this time is not the same as tanks in later generations.

For example, if you don’t have a powerful engine, it’s good to rely on a steam engine. The heavy armored combat vehicle can reach the speed of normal people walking. The world’s earliest tanks have a speed of less than four kilometers per hour, which is equivalent to the walking speed of normal people, and they are the ones that walk relatively slowly.

For example, in terms of flexibility, the tank propulsion system in later generations had engines with mechanical transmission, hydraulic transmission and electric transmission, and complex spring shock absorption systems. In this era, mechanical transmission can only be made, and even spring shock absorption systems have to be explored slowly.

There is also defense. To have strong defense, you need to thicken your armor, and the steam engine cannot carry it when the armor is thickened. This is an unsolvable vicious cycle. Fortunately, there are no high-explosive bombs, armor-piercing bombs, and anti-tank missiles at this time. The power of the artillery is basically due to smashing. To prevent ordinary shells, you don’t need too thick armor.

As for the power of the main gun, let alone the cannons of this era are not the same as the cannons of later generations.

Of course, this era does not require such advanced tanks as later generations. With the weapon level of this era, even if it is a mobile iron lump to block the infantry in front of it, it can determine the outcome of the battle.

Therefore, Zhu Cijing was still very concerned about the development of armored combat vehicles. He specially appointed Sun Yuanhua, the Minister of War, as the project leader, and also dispatched Song Yingxing and Wang Zheng's several proud disciples to form the first project team, specializing in armored combat vehicles.

In the afternoon, Zhu Cijing summoned Sun Yuanhua to discuss the specific progress with the project team members.

According to his idea, the research and development and testing of armored combat vehicles will be completed within half a year, because the war next year will face great powers with muskets and artillery. He really doesn't expect the Ming army soldiers to suffer too much casualties.

After the armored combat vehicle project was arranged, the next one was the car. The next day, the seminar continued. Zhu Cijiu did not say anything at the beginning, but drew a picture of the land-turning dragon that was the same as yesterday.

Everyone was wondering, what does the emperor mean?

Zhu Cijiu did not make everyone think for too long. After the painting, he explained: "Yesterday I was talking about an armored combat vehicle that integrates defense and attack. Today I want to talk about a pure means of transportation, just like a train, which is not directly put into the battlefield, but can transport food, supplies and soldiers, and can also be used as a means of transportation for civilians."

Everyone can understand what he said, but if such heavy things are on the road, no matter whether they are stone or cement roads, they will be damaged after being crushed a few times. Therefore, the land-turning dragon is generally not allowed to go to stone or cement roads, in order to protect the roads. Why does the emperor want the land-turning dragon to go on the road again?

Zhu Cijing certainly knew what everyone was wondering. He turned around and wiped off the crawlers' tracks and the row of plows behind him, drew two rows of rubber tires, and then explained: "If the hard tracks pressed on the road, it would definitely crush the road, so, change to a rubber wheel similar to a carriage wheel."

Speaking of this, he suddenly stopped. It was not that he didn't know much about the car and had nothing to say, but that he wanted to change the way to let everyone think positively. After all, after thinking, asking questions and getting answers is much more influential than listening to others' speeches.

After stopping for a while, he spoke again: "I have also thought about the name of this transport tool. The car pulled by the horse is called a car, and the car driven by the steam engine is called a car. You can ask any questions about the car. If you don't mention it, you have to designate someone to do it."

His move really worked. Everyone below was afraid that the emperor would be appointed to take charge of this project by the emperor. If it could not be done at that time, it would be troublesome, so everyone started asking questions enthusiastically.

The first question was Bi Maokang, the Minister of Works. He coughed like morning court and reminded everyone that he was about to speak. Then, he stood up and bowed: "Prince, please forgive me for being stupid. The rubber is very soft when it is thin, but the wheels as big as the emperor painted are still very hard. With the weight of the entire car, the stone roads and cement roads can't bear it?"

Zhu Cijing waved his hand to signal him to sit down, and then praised: "Meng Hou asked this question well. If this rubber wheel is made into a solid piece, it will naturally be hard. But what if it is made into hollow? For example, it is made into two layers, one layer on the outside is about an inch thick, and a thin rubber airbag inside is made into a thin rubber airbag, and then fill the airbag with air and support the entire wheel. In this way, it will not crush the road surface."

No one has seen rubber tires, so they were confused when they heard this. Seeing this, Zhu Cijiong had to pick up chalk, turn around and draw a simple tire shape, and draw a sketch of the inner tube, and then explain: "That's it, stuffing this rubber airbag like the placenta into it and supporting the shell, so it's a bit inappropriate to call this thing wheel, but should be called a tire, a rubber tire."

Now most people understand, especially Bi Maokang, who looks eager to try, as if he wants to make this tire.

But then, Wang Zheng coughed again, stood up and bowed: "Prince, please forgive me for being stupid. According to the weight of the current steam engine, plus the water tank, coal box, frame and shell, even if nothing is installed, it will weigh several thousand pounds. In this way, the speed of the car will be extremely slow, even much slower than a carriage. Isn't this suitable for transporting food, supplies and even soldiers?"

He said this in a more tactful way. If it is really slower than a carriage, what's the point? It's better to use a carriage. After all, raising more horses is much easier than developing a car!

Zhu Cijiu waved his hand to signal him to sit down, and then praised: "Well, Liangfu asked this question well, everything should be practical. If the car is not as fast as the car, it is better to use a car. Even building a railway or using a train is more convenient than developing a car. Therefore, the weight of this car must be as light as possible and the speed must be accelerated as much as possible."

These are basically nonsense, and everyone is still confused. Who doesn’t know how to reduce weight and speed up? How can we reduce weight and speed up?

Giving everyone some time to think, Zhu Cijing then explained: "To reduce weight, it is naturally to do something about steam engines. You can consider developing steam engines with better sealing, greater force and smaller size. You can also consider replacing steam engines with other powers, such as oil. If oil is lit, it can also push up the piston. Of course, the research on this light power device is time-consuming. It may take several years, more than ten years, or even decades to truly develop and put into use. However, once it is successful, the convenience brought can even exceed that of the train, because the car does not have to walk on the rails, it can walk everywhere. Think about it, if there is a car, how convenient it will become for the people to travel. We must do this kind of thing that benefits the people and future generations, no matter how much time it takes! "
Chapter completed!