The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 207 Hydraulic Power
Hanzhongwei Youqianhusuo, the southern suburb of the city.

The Han River flows through here. The river in Shiquan is curved, with a steep left bank and a gentle right bank. The width of the river is about 200 meters, and the width of the valley is more than 500 meters.

As the largest tributary of the Yangtze River, the Han River occupies an important position in history, often juxtaposed with the Yangtze River, Huai River, and Yellow River, collectively known as "Jianghuai River and Han River".

Hanzhongwei Youqianhusuo City was built on the northwest side of the Han River, which is the right bank. Because the right bank is relatively slow, more than [-]% of the residents in the village are also distributed on this side.

The drought in northern Shaanxi does not seem to have had much impact on Hanzhong Prefecture. When the drought was the worst in the past, the water level of the Han River did not drop much.

The land and people along the Han River basically did not suffer from much famine, and the drought only affected the places where the mainstream of the Han River could not radiate.

And Shiquan is located in the basin of the main Han River, so naturally it has not been affected by the drought much.

The drought has not affected the Hanshui River, but now there are many new utensils beside the Hanshui River in Shiquan County.

On the southern outskirts of Weiyouqianhusuo in Hanzhong, there are many deep and wide canals on the banks of the Hanshui River compared with the past, all the way to the east.

There are several spectacular dams behind the canal, where a large amount of river water is accumulated, and then flows into the distance along the discharge holes.

The water flow through the discharge hole is stable, without the slightest fluctuation, but on both sides.

All kinds of hydraulic machinery are running driven by the water flow, and the sound of water hammer clanging can be heard endlessly, and a large number of houses are distributed on both sides.

There are many carriages and horses transporting goods on the road, and there are many craftsmen and peasants who are hurrying back and forth.

Chen Wang was standing on a high slope next to a dam, looking at the machinery and water channels down the slope.

Standing by his side, not only Tang Shiping and Wang Yuankang, but also Qi Zhengsong and Jiang Wanshan, the head craftsmen of Weapon Workshop and Jiajia Workshop, were standing beside Chen Wang.

All the personal guards in slope armor and hat-shaped helmets were dedicated to their duties as guards.

It was three days ago that I met Bo Jue.

During these three days, Chen Wang spent most of his time in the city of Youqianhusuo.

Chen Wang had already changed from the armor he was wearing to a dark blue Taoist robe, and the iron helmet he was wearing had also become an ordinary cloud scarf.

Wearing loose regular clothes, Chen Wang's mind also relaxed a lot.

In the nearly three years since he arrived in this world, there was hardly a moment when he could relax.

The bandits are in constant chaos everywhere, the imperial court is constantly recruiting, and countless incidents follow one after another, which makes people almost breathless.

"The Ordnance Bureau has all moved to this place before January. These hydraulic equipment have indeed made many things that required a lot of man-hours much easier. For example, water hammers have been used to make wrought iron plates. It saves a lot of manpower."

Qi Zhengsong lowered his head and bowed his body, appearing extremely respectful, and reported the situation here to Chen Wang.

"However, because these are new-style utensils, most of the craftsmen are not very skilled."

"So the output of manufactured equipment has not increased much, but starting from this month, the output of many things has increased."

Chen Wang nodded slightly, and said to Qi Zhengsong.

"Hydraulic power has many uses. You can do more research and research. For example, the barrel of the bird's gun takes a long time to drill. The hydraulic power is now stable. You can try to drill with water power, which can save a lot of labor."

"The villain also has the same idea, but he doesn't know whether it is feasible, and dare not act rashly. Since the adult ordered it, the villain will try to do it."

Qi Zhengsong lowered his head and replied respectfully.

In front of Chen Wang, Qi Zhengsong didn't dare to talk nonsense. Chen Wang was not the kind of ordinary official who didn't know how to play tricks.

Sometimes Qi Zhengsong wondered whether their Chen Zongbing was originally from a craftsman's family, so he knew so many skills.

But the identity is different, he doesn't care about talking nonsense, he just thinks in his heart.

Chen Wang naturally didn't know what Qi Zhengsong was thinking, but if he knew, he would be speechless at most.

The understanding of equipment naturally comes from those miscellaneous books read by later generations and articles on the Internet, which contain real knowledge and many mistakes, so he dare not just talk nonsense.

Like the previous idea of ​​casting iron cannons in iron molds, Bo Jue had an own trouble.

"Weapon Workshop can do things with water power, so can you Jiafang."

"I remember that there is a hydraulic machine called a roll machine, which can press several wrought iron plates at the same time. These iron plates can be used to make armor. The book I bought from the moat should contain..."

Chen Wang turned his head to look at Jiang Wanshan, talking to himself, but stopped halfway through the speech. Jiang Wanshan was a craftsman and didn't know a few words at all.

"Yuan Kang."

Chen Wang was a little helpless.

"Find some masters, and open some literacy classes in the Military Weapons Bureau."

If you bought a book, but you can't read the words, then the book you bought is useless at all.

"Let's leave it at that for the time being. After the literacy class in the workshop is established, let's talk about other things... By the way... How are these dams and channels built?"

Jiang Wanshan looked slightly embarrassed, and was finally relieved to hear that Chen Wang had changed the subject.

Then he heard the only question he could answer, stepped forward a little, and answered.

"The water-driven hammer that my lord said, the "Illustration of Newly Made Various Utensils" written by Mr. Wang, and the organs and utensils in the "Illustration of Strange Utensils in the Far West". flow of water."

"The water flow in Shiquan County is affected by the four seasons and troubled by weather and other problems, so the water flow is unstable, so the water power has not been able to be used."

"Later, Mr. Wang led us to build canals to divert water and build dams. Only when we got a stable water flow, we were able to use these organs and equipment."

Chen Wang glanced at Wang Yuankang who was standing beside him with some surprise. The Lord Wang that Qi Zhengsong said was naturally Wang Yuankang.

"As the commander of the Hanzhong Guards, the villain is also in charge of all the farming affairs. Naturally, he must know how to build dams and diversion canals."

"Besides, the original Military Weapons Bureau was often managed by villains, so they naturally knew something about the organs and artifacts."

Wang Yuankang bowed slightly and explained.

"A person cannot be judged by his appearance, and sea water cannot be measured. This matter should be credited to you."

Looking at the military bureau in full swing, Chen Wang was in a good mood, and said to Wang Yuankang with a smile.

"These are the responsibilities of villains, and what should be done within their duties, I really dare not be greedy for credit."

Wang Yuankang also showed a smile. When he saw Chen Wang on weekdays, Chen Wang was always quite serious and rarely praised others.

When he was in Hanzhong Weicheng, Chen Wang's momentum was overwhelming, and everyone in the city was trembling, like a tiger or a wolf.

Although some time has passed, Wang Yuankang still has lingering fears when he thinks of the original scene.

Now that Chen Wang is so amiable, to be honest, Wang Yuankang feels a little flattered.

"I don't spend much time in Suocheng, and most of the time is outside. I don't know if you and I have not been together for a long time."

"Those who have made merit will be rewarded, and those who have done wrong will be punished. You have made great achievements, so you will naturally be rewarded."

Chen Wang waved his hand, only with clear rewards and punishments can people have enough motivation.

"In the past, the Military Weapons Bureau was small and small, so I didn't oversee it. However, the Military Weapons Bureau will soon expand and start to get on the right track. Naturally, various rules and regulations must be determined first."

The rules still need to be established first, otherwise it will undoubtedly be much more difficult to change after the scale becomes larger.

"Originally, there were only three levels of craftsmen, and only weapons craftsmen and armor craftsmen. These are too general. I have formulated a new plan to divide craftsmen into more details."

The current grading system was just an expedient measure when there was no time at that time, and it definitely needed to be changed.

Moreover, the work efficiency of the Military Weapons Bureau is not high now, and basically they all do their own things.

Chen Wang is going to start to determine the division of labor, changing the production mode of the Hanzhong Wei Military Bureau to an assembly line division of labor.

Those who are skilled in drilling gun barrels will specialize in drilling gun barrels, and those who are skilled in punching will specialize in making them.

The division of labor on the assembly line can improve the efficiency of work, thereby reducing the cost of manpower.

In addition, although the blunderbuss produced by the Weapons Bureau are qualified, there are basically no incidents of bombing, but because of the craftsmen, the specifications of the finished products are different, which naturally has an impact.

Therefore, Chen Wang prepared to formulate a general standard for various utensils, and then made them according to this standard.

"There is also an announcement that anyone who proposes a method that can increase production and reduce production costs will be rewarded according to the advantages and disadvantages of the improved efficiency and reduced costs."

"If a new mechanical device is invented, or a certain manufacturing process is improved, not only a large amount of reward silver will be issued at one time, but additional rewards will also be given."

"According to the level of contribution, directly increase the craftsman's level, and at the same time, for a long time, a monthly bonus will be issued. The greater the benefits created, the more bonuses."

Chen Wang took a towel from Tang Shiping's hand, wiped his hands, and said.

"I wrote all of these in the plan. There are two copies of the plan. Each of you will take one."

"One is about the Military Weapons Bureau, and the other is about the development of the Weisuo Mintun. After you two read it, tell me where the plan is feasible, where it is not feasible, and where it is not feasible. I will deal with it later. These."

Wang Yuankang and Tang Shiping looked at each other, but bowed their heads respectfully, and obeyed Chen Wang's order.

Many of the decisions made by Chen Wang seemed whimsical or even unfeasible at the beginning, but in the end they all proved feasible.

So the two of them naturally did not have the idea of ​​disagreeing.

"By the way, is this the Lanzhou water truck you mentioned in your report letter?"

Chen Wang put down the face towel in his hand, and pointed to an extremely tall water wheel by the distant water and asked.

The waterwheel is not far away, almost 100 meters away.

The waterwheel is huge, with a height of more than ten meters. It stands beside the water, and its tall body stands above the field, which is very spectacular.

"Exactly."

A smile appeared on Wang Yuankang's face, which was also a major political achievement he had made.

"This thing is called the Lanzhou Water Truck, and Ningxia and other places build this truck to transport water for irrigation."

"In the high water season, the natural water flow is used to boost the rotation, and in the dry season, the cofferdams are used to divert the water and gather water. The water flows through the small canals between the weirs, and the river water flows by itself, without the need for manpower."

The distance of more than 100 meters is not long. I rode a horse and arrived at the waterwheel.

When we got closer, it was another scene.

"This type of water wheel has a total length of more than five feet, including the base, more than six feet, and even up to seven feet. With only one water wheel, it can irrigate [-] mu of land when used properly."

Wang Yuankang stood aside in a timely manner and introduced the situation of the waterwheel to Chen Wang. These things were built under his supervision.

One zhang is about three meters three, and six zhang is about 20 meters high.

In later generations, one floor was no more than three meters high, that is, a round of Lanzhou waterwheel, which was said to be nearly seven storeys high.

Looking at those skyscrapers made of reinforced concrete, Chen Wang was not much shocked.

But now when he looked at the wooden Lanzhou waterwheel in front of him, Chen Wang had a different emotion.

Chen Wang stood silently on the shore, looking at the water wheel driven by the current.

He watched the waterwheel's woven blades being continuously rotated by the turbulent water, and the sound of rushing came from his ears.

The water flow naturally impels the wheel blades to drive the rotation of the spokes of the water wheel, and the water bucket is filled with river water, lifting the water to a height of 20 meters.

After turning to the headspace, it is poured into the wooden trough again, and the bamboo tube on the wheel leaves continuously pours water into the canal on the bank, and the river water continues to flow forward, continuously flowing into the surrounding fields, creating a new environment for the surrounding farmland. Irrigation is provided.

Chen Wang actually had an impression of the Lanzhou water truck.

Lanzhou waterwheel can be regarded as a kind of bobbin cart, but the technology is more advanced.

In the 50s, there were 250 waterwheels in Lanzhou, and there were many waterwheels on both sides of the Yellow River. The total drip irrigation area reached more than [-] mu.

"I remember that such a round of waterwheel would cost about 90 to [-] taels of silver including the materials and labor costs?"

Chen Wang walked on the bank of the river, looked up and down the waterwheel in front of him, and asked.

"My lord remembers well, such a round of Lanzhou waterwheel will cost a lot of money."

"Generally, the water trucks used to irrigate wells cost no more than ten taels of silver, and after diverting water, they can irrigate more than [-] acres of fields."

Wang Yuankang's memory is very good, and she also knew that Chen Wang would definitely want to see these things, so she naturally kept the labor costs and so on in mind.

"This type of Lanzhou waterwheel is more expensive because it uses a lot of materials, but after careful calculation, it is actually cheaper than ordinary well-filling waterwheels."

"It's just that such a huge water truck cannot be used in some places. Due to local conditions, we can only use ordinary well filling water trucks..."

Wang Yuankang stopped before he finished speaking. He saw a change in Chen Wang's expression.

Chen Wang's eyes were deep and gloomy, and his eyes did not fall on the Lanzhou waterwheel in front of him.

Instead, he looked into the distance, not knowing what he was thinking in his heart, and he was a completely different person from when he was full of ambitions before.

"You don't need to worry about money. Build more water trucks, dig more wells, and ensure that the fields have enough water to irrigate. As long as every penny is spent on the real thing."

Chen Wang withdrew his gaze again, looked at the Lanzhou waterwheel in front of him, and spoke again.

The reason why he fell silent was because he remembered something, something that was about to happen.

The mountains and the rain are coming and the wind is filling the building...

(End of this chapter)