pdf-ebookys Chapter 416 The Spark of Technology is Sprouting
Chapter 416 The Spark of Technology is Sprouting
"Let me see." Ying Wuyou approached the simple steam engine, his heart churning with shock. Although the structure was simple, it was indeed the basic principle of a steam engine—using steam pressure to convert into mechanical motion.
She crouched down and carefully examined each component. The seal of the copper pot was remarkably precise, and the fit between the piston and the cylinder had been meticulously crafted. What surprised her most was that Lu Sheng had designed a simple valve system that allowed the steam to rhythmically drive the piston in a reciprocating motion.
"How did you come up with this valve design?" Ying Wuyou couldn't help but ask.
Lu Sheng's eyes lit up: "I read in my chemistry book that 'steam can only continue to flow if it enters and exits continuously.' I pondered this for several days and suddenly remembered the working principle of a bellows, so I replicated this valve." He pointed to a small copper plate on the device, "When the piston moves up to this position, the copper plate is pushed open, and steam escapes; when the piston falls, the copper plate closes, and new steam enters."
Ying Wuyou was deeply shocked. Was this the wisdom of ancient craftsmen? They could recreate such an intricate mechanism based solely on a rough description in a chemistry book. She seemed to see the seeds of the Industrial Revolution taking root and sprouting in this ancient time.
"Excellent!" Ying Wuyou exclaimed sincerely. "Lu Sheng is indeed exceptionally talented. If this thing could be expanded, it could be equivalent to the strength of a hundred men."
Upon hearing this, Gongshu Ye's hands trembled slightly with excitement: "Your Highness flatters me. This item still has many shortcomings; its power is weak, and it leaks occasionally..."
“It’s alright, any new creation needs constant improvement.” Ying Wuyou stood up and looked around. “Where is Xu Fu? I need to speak with him.”
"Fellow Daoist Xu is testing a new formula in the backyard," Lu Sheng pointed to the backyard.
Before he could finish speaking, Ying Wuyou quickly walked towards the backyard. Passing through a corridor, she saw Xu Fu and several disciples gathered around a brick kiln. Xu Fu, holding a long iron hook, was taking a red-hot container out of the kiln.
“Xu Fu!” Ying Wuyou shouted.
Xu Fu was startled and nearly dropped the container. He hurriedly placed it into the prepared sand trough before turning around and bowing, saying, "Princess, your sudden arrival is an honor."
Ying Wuyou waved his hand, his gaze fixed on the red-hot container in the sand trough: "What is this?"
Xu Fu wiped the sweat from his brow, a tired yet proud smile on his face. "Princess," he said, "I'm trying to use my knowledge of chemistry to make something like test tubes. The book describes mixing and melting quartz sand, limestone, and soda ash. But..." He pointed to the container, "after cooling, bubbles and cracks often appear, and the transparency isn't as ideal as described in the chemistry book you gave me, Your Highness."
Ying Wuyou approached to observe. The substance in the container had begun to cool gradually, turning a translucent pale green. Although far removed from modern glass, it was a revolutionary breakthrough for this era.
"How is soda ash produced?" Ying Wuyou asked.
"According to the book, it's obtained by soaking, filtering, and crystallizing plant ash." Xu Fu led Ying Wuyou to a workbench nearby, where several ceramic jars were placed. "This is purified soda ash, and these are experimental samples with different proportions."
Ying Wuyou carefully examined each sample. Some were too cloudy, and some were full of cracks, but the sample in one small dish was clearly superior to the others—it was more transparent and had only a few bubbles.
“This formula is optimal,” Ying Wuyou pointed out. “Remember this ratio and continue to optimize it. Also…” she pondered for a moment, “try adding a small amount of manganese powder; perhaps that will eliminate the green color.”
Xu Fu quickly wrote it down: "Your Excellency is wise. It's just that manganese powder is rare..."
“I will have someone collect them.” Ying Wuyou surveyed the backyard, which had become a small chemical workshop, with various raw materials neatly categorized and detailed experimental records hanging on the walls. “You’ve done a great job, exceeding my expectations.”
Xu Fu bowed deeply: "I owe everything to your guidance, sir. I have studied diligently day and night, fearing only that I may fail to live up to your expectations."
Ying Wuyou suddenly remembered something: "By the way, were you involved in Lu Sheng's steam engine project?"
Xu Fu shook his head: "That was Lu Sheng's own research. I only provided my understanding of the high temperatures involved in the alkali-making process. He's exceptionally talented and often able to apply what he's learned to other situations."
Ying Wuyou was secretly delighted. She had only expected a breakthrough in glass, but she hadn't expected to witness the emergence of two important technologies in a single day. This progress was much faster than she had anticipated.
"Summon everyone, I have something to say," Ying Wuyou commanded.
Before long, Xu Fu, Lu Sheng, and more than a dozen alchemists gathered in the courtyard. Ying Wuyou stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping over each face filled with thirst for knowledge.
"What I have seen today is gratifying," she said in a clear voice. "Lu Sheng's steam engine and Xu Fu's glass experiments have both begun to show results. These two will change the course of the world."
Everyone listened intently, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
"However, the road ahead is still long." Ying Wuyou changed the subject, "The glass needs to be more transparent and smooth, and the steam system needs to be more powerful and durable. Starting tomorrow, we will divide into two groups to tackle these challenges: Xu Fu will lead the glass group, focusing on the formula and process; Lu Sheng will lead the machinery group, improving the steam mechanism."
She paused for a moment, then took out several rolls of paper from her sleeve: "These are some ideas I've drawn up for your reference. But remember, don't be bound by them; innovation is the source of progress."
Lu Sheng respectfully accepted the paper, unfolded it, and his eyes widened in astonishment. It depicted various ingenious mechanical structures, including gear transmission systems, improved piston designs, and even complex multi-cylinder linkage devices.
"This...this..." He was so excited that he couldn't speak coherently.
Ying Wuyou smiled: "It's just a direction; you'll have to figure out the specifics yourself." She turned to Xu Fu, "Regarding glass, besides test tubes and the like, we can try making windows, which is something I urgently need right now. In addition, we can try making lenses."
"A lens?" Xu Fu asked, puzzled.
Ying Wuyou drew a circle in the air with his finger: "A convex lens can focus light and ignite a fire, while a concave lens can aid in seeing. If these could be made, they could be used to create telescopes for stargazing and microscopes for microscopic observation."
Xu Fu suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly.
“Furthermore,” Ying Wuyou continued, “I will send more manpower and supplies. Stone, copper, iron, fuel—everything will be readily available. You only need to focus on your research.”
Everyone responded in unison, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
Looking at this group of explorers of knowledge, Ying Wuyou felt an unprecedented surge of hope. Perhaps, in this time and space, she could truly ignite the spark of technology, allowing civilization to avoid thousands of years of detours.
“There’s one more thing,” she concluded. “All research findings must be documented in detail, including lessons learned from every failure. Knowledge needs to be accumulated, not repeatedly tested through trial and error.”
As they left the manor, the sun had already set. Sitting in the carriage on the return journey, Ying Wuyou's mind replayed what she had witnessed that day. The rudimentary steam engine, the breakthrough in glassmaking, and that group of passionate alchemists... all of this made her feel that perhaps the wheels of history could indeed turn in a different direction.
She gazed at the library foundation under construction in the distance, where stonemasons were still busy at work. Soon, an unprecedented stone library, complete with bright glass windows, would stand there, becoming a sanctuary of knowledge. And steam power might accelerate this process, even changing the way the entire Qin Dynasty was built.
A slight smile appeared on Ying Wuyou's lips. In this ancient era, she was sowing the seeds of modern civilization. Although the road ahead was long, today she saw hope sprouting.
The carriage drove across a wheat field, the evening breeze carrying the fragrance of harvest. Ying Wuyou took a deep breath, his mind already planning a new direction for tomorrow.