roccoschili Chapter 385 The Bearings Take the Stage!
Chapter 385 The Bearings Take the Stage!
Ying Zheng and Li Si noticed something was wrong and stepped forward.
Following Zong Yu's example, Ying Zheng placed his hand on the carriage frame and exerted a little force, causing the carriage to roll forward.
Ying Zheng turned to Zhang Fan and asked, "Zhang Fan, what's going on? Why is this carriage so light? What kind of magic did you use on it?"
Zhang Fan walked to the carriage, reached out and patted the hub in the center of the wheel, and explained, "Your Majesty, there is no such thing as magic in this world!"
The chariot's lightness is entirely due to the fact that I instructed the Mohist craftsmen to install an iron device called a "bearing" within its axle.
Zhang Fan waved to the side, and a disciple of the Mohist school came forward carrying a wooden box.
Zhang Fan opened the wooden box, inside which was a ring-shaped object made of refined iron.
He held the object in his hand and showed it to Ying Zheng and the others.
"Your Majesty, please look, this is a ball bearing. It consists of two iron rings, one inner and one outer, with many smooth-polished iron balls placed between the two rings."
In ordinary carriages, the wheels are fitted onto the axle, and when they rotate, the wood slides and rubs against each other directly, resulting in high resistance.
After this iron component was added, when the wheel rotates, the force is applied to these iron balls.
The rolling of the iron ball changes the original sliding friction into rolling friction.
Zhang Fan flicked the inner ring of the bearing, and the inner ring smoothly rotated more than ten times before stopping.
"In this way, the resistance when the wheels turn can be reduced by several times. This is why Lord Zong can easily pull the carriage." Zhang Fan put the bearing back into the wooden box and turned his gaze to Zong Yu.
Zong Yu stared at the iron ring, his eyes filled with utter shock.
Zhang Fan turned to face Ying Zheng and continued, "Your Majesty, I know the situation at the front is critical. If the army uses wagons equipped with this device to transport grain, the grain that originally required three horses to pull can now be pulled by just one horse."
In this way, we can save a significant number of draft horses. Horses will exert less effort when pulling, thus increasing marching speed.
Zhang Fan's voice echoed in the courtyard as he continued, "In the past, when transporting 100,000 shi of grain to the northern border, the laborers and horses along the way consumed most of it."
It would be difficult enough to have 30,000 to 40,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) left after transporting them to the front lines!
Using this cart will shorten transportation time, reduce the number of pulling horses, and decrease the loss of grain and fodder along the way. Transporting 100,000 shi (a unit of dry measure), the front lines can receive at least 70,000 to 80,000 shi!
Li Si pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty! If what the immortal master says is true, the problem of provisions for the Qin's northern expedition can be solved! The 300,000-strong army will not only have no shortage of food, but will also have reserves to support a long-term war!"
Ying Zheng's breathing became rapid.
He stared at the carriage, his eyes filled with anticipation; he understood the importance of logistics in war.
With these chariots, the Qin army would have greater mobility and sustained combat capability.
"Good! What a fine bearing!" Ying Zheng shouted.
Zhang Fan pointed to the large iron wagon in the distance and added, "These bearing-bearing wagons are only to address the immediate urgent need for transporting grain during the Northern Expedition. The steam locomotive I promised is for the long-term planning of Great Qin!"
Zhang Fan pointed to the railway tracks on the ground and said, "Your Majesty can immediately order the First Steel Plant of the Great Qin to allocate pig iron to build and modify carriages!"
At the same time, laborers were conscripted to lay railway tracks from Xianyang to the northern border!
Horse-drawn carts were used to transport grain at the front lines, while railway tracks were laid forward from the rear.
Once a section of track is laid, the steam train can move forward a short distance. The train doesn't need to be fed; as long as it has coal and water, it can transport hundreds of thousands of kilograms of goods day and night.
"Horse-drawn carriages solve the immediate problem, while trains plan for the long term. If both routes are developed simultaneously, the transportation problem of the Great Qin can be solved." Zhang Fan took a step back.
Ying Zheng, with his hands behind his back, laughed and said, "Excellent! Zhang Qing's plan is thorough! With you by our side, Qin is truly blessed!"
Zong Yu stood to the side, his face pale.
He was filled with resentment and wanted to take this opportunity to punish Zhang Fan for delaying military operations.
He even prepared his remarks, ready to speak to His Majesty.
But now, Zhang Fan not only produced an iron cart that could move without oxen or horses, but also used a small iron ring to resolve his question about the "urgent need for provisions".
There's no reason to refute it!
If they were to launch a direct attack now, their target would no longer be Zhang Fan, but the Great Qin's Northern Expedition.
This is a crime I cannot bear.
"Lord Zong!"
Zhang Fan looked at Zong Yu and asked, "Do you think my arrangement is feasible? If you think it is not feasible, you can personally lead people to the front line to push the cart, which will also give full play to your talents in both civil and military affairs."
Zong Yu felt a tightness in his chest.
He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, stepped forward, bowed to Ying Zheng, and said, "Your subject... seconds the motion. The Immortal Master's ingenious ideas bring blessings to the Great Qin!"
Your subject...admires you!
Zong Yu said these words with great resentment and bitterness.
……
The inspection ended half an hour later.
Zong Yu got into his carriage and left the Institute of Physics.
On the way back to the mansion, the carriage traveled on the dirt road, the carriage bobbing and swaying with each turn of the wheels.
Zong Yu used to think all of this was normal, but now, listening to the friction sound from the axle and feeling the carriage swaying, his mind was filled with the image of himself pulling that carriage in the Gewu Academy.
That smooth, effortless feeling is truly amazing!
Pooh!
I swear I will never use anything from Zhang Fan!
The carriage stopped in front of the gate of the residence of the Governor of Su.
Zong Yu lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage, straightened his official robes, and walked into the mansion.
As soon as I stepped into the main hall, I heard a burst of laughter and conversation.
Seven or eight civil officials dressed in court robes sat in the hall; these were his close colleagues.
Having learned that His Majesty was going to check on Zhang Fan's progress today, they gathered early at Zongyu's residence, waiting to hear the news.
Upon seeing Zong Yu enter the hall, an official sitting at the head of the table stood up to greet him.
"Lord Zong! You're back!"
The official bowed and said, "We have been waiting at your residence for a long time. Today we are going to the Museum of Natural History; will Zhang Fan be able to produce the steam train he promised?"
Another official stepped forward and chuckled, "Indeed, Lord Zong. Who in Xianyang doesn't know that Zhang Fan has been spending every day in brothels for the past month? If he can create a divine artifact, I'll eat this whole table!"
A burst of laughter erupted in the hall.
"Lord Zong, how did His Majesty determine the crime today?"
The official pressed, "Should we imprison him directly, or strip him of his position as Imperial Preceptor? This time, he absolutely cannot escape!"
Everyone chimed in, creating a lively atmosphere.
Zong Yu, standing at the door, had a livid face.
He did not answer, but walked to the head seat, sat down, picked up the tea on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.
The noisy hall quieted down.
Several officials sensed something was amiss; they stopped smiling and exchanged glances.
"Lord Zong... what's wrong?"
One official asked, "Could it be that His Majesty is favoring Zhang Fan and exonerating him? If so, we will certainly submit a joint memorial at tomorrow's morning court to demand an explanation!"