Chapter 611 Emperor Chapter 611 Black Technology

Xu Xinsu was born as a maritime merchant. In his early years, he often sailed with fleets and traveled to many places, from Japan, Korea, and Ryukyu in the north to Annan, Luzon, Java and other places in the south, setting foot in various places, large and small.

I have seen many ships at sea, but this is indeed the first time Xu Xinsu has seen such a unique warship like the "Prestige Signal".

From the appearance point of view, this warship looks very much like an enlarged version of the "Exploration Class" warship that the Fujian Navy has begun to equip. However, Xu Xinsu is also an expert herself. Of course, she knows that shipbuilding is not just about scaling up.

When a ship's hull reaches a certain level, its structural strength may not be able to bear its own weight. Otherwise, with so many shipyards in Fujian, they should have built large warships on their own long ago. Moreover, the "Exploration-class" warship purchased from Haihan has arrived.

After that, he personally went to carefully inspect the internal structure of the hull. Indeed, there were many hull components that could not be imitated in Fujian. If the Haihan people dared to ask for such a high price, they should be very aware that others could not easily imitate this kind of hull.

The artillery arranged on both sides of the ship were covered with oilcloth jackets and could not be seen clearly. Xu Xinsu could only focus on other places. He soon noticed that there was a thick iron cylinder on the stern of the ship extending from the lower deck, pointing straight to the sky.

The upper end is 1.56 feet higher than the command cabin, and this component has never appeared on the "Exploration Class" or the "Exploration Class" warships in the Haihan Mission.

Xu Xinsu couldn't understand, so she asked Shi Diwen. Shi Diwen smiled and asked, "What does this look like to Master Xu?"

Xu Xinsu observed it carefully before replying: "I see that there are heavy traces of smoke on the outside of this iron cylinder, and it looks a bit like a chimney."

"Yes, this is a chimney." Shi Diwen nodded and confirmed Xu Xinsu's guess: "Master Xu, please come with me to the lower deck to take a look."

Going down the passage at the stern of the ship to the cabin, Xu Xinsu found that there was actually a huge iron thing hidden inside. Although she was still a little confused, Xu Xinsu recognized part of the thing: "This thing...is the same as the one in my house.

The hot water boilers installed are somewhat similar..."

Shi Diwen said: "Yes, the iron can that Mr. Xu saw is actually a hot water boiler. However, it is not used to provide hot water to the crew, but has another wonderful purpose."

Xu Xinsu was still waiting for Shi Diwen to reveal the answer to the mystery, but Shi Diwen had already changed the topic to another direction: "For a long time, we have only relied on wind power or manpower to sail on the sea. Not only is the speed slow, but it is also affected by the climate.

Very large. So we used many methods to find another solution that does not require wind power or manpower to propel the ship on the sea."

Xu Xinsu wondered: "Is there really such a wonderful way in the world? Could it be that this is the way those big iron ships without sails and oars cross the sea from Victory Port?"

"Although Mr. Xu's statement is not very accurate, it is almost the same." Shi Diwen responded with a smile. The ships used for the crossing are basically powered by diesel engines, while the ones installed on the "Wei Signal" are

Although the structures and principles of steam propulsion are different, they are all used to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy. However, the steam engine on the "Wei Signal" is still in the prototype stage, with insufficient power and limited operational stability.

More often it is still necessary to rely on wind propulsion systems.

Xu Xinsu had naturally heard of various folk legends about the Haihan iron ship in Victory Port. He personally did not believe in such mysterious things, thinking that it was probably just some kind of gimmick created by the Haihan people——

If these ships really could move, why were they never seen sailing out of Victory Harbor?

However, the meaning behind Shi Diwen's words was that the "Prestige Signal" warship had been equipped with similar devices. Xu Xinsu suddenly had an inspiration when she saw the pile of strange metal transmission devices connected to the boiler.

Now: "Could this be what Mr. Shi said?"

Shi Diwen admitted without hesitation: "With this device, our ship's speed can be increased by about 30% based on the simple use of sails. I think Mr. Xu will understand that this 30% acceleration function is

What it means on the battlefield."

Of course, Xu Xinsu understood the importance of speed. He spent a lot of money to order a warship from Haihan. In addition to the powerful firepower configuration on the ship, one of the reasons was its high speed that exceeded that of traditional Chinese warships. In the past, he and Shibazhi

When pirate ships confront each other at sea, they often choose to retreat because of the loss in numbers. However, after using Haihan's warships, even if there are not as many ships as the opponent's on the scene, because of their superior speed, they can arrange tactics more flexibly, and the battle can be carried out evenly.

Fly back the opponent's kite.

If there is a way to increase the speed by another 30% on the basis of the "Exploration Class" warship, then Xu Xinsu believes that this advantage alone is enough to defeat Shiba Zhi's pirate ship at sea - the speed difference is at least double, and the firepower configuration

It was several times worse. If he still couldn't defeat those pirate ships, Xu Xinsu felt that he should be the first one to jump into the sea and commit suicide.

"Mr. Shi... are you serious about what you said?" Xu Xinsu's voice even trembled when she asked. If this can be achieved, then it really won't be that difficult to eradicate Shiba Zhi.

Shi Diwen said: "It's empty talk, and it's probably hard for Mr. Xu to believe what I said. After we go to sea, I'll have someone demonstrate it, and Mr. Xu will know whether it's true or not."

"Okay, okay, I'll wait and see!" Xu Xinsu said to herself. If she had known that there was such a magical thing on the Haihan warship, she should have urged the preparations for the joint tour to be completed as soon as possible. But this kind of good thing is probably only available

Looking at it from the side, I guess the Haihan people are determined not to sell it outside.

After the troops participating in the joint military exercise assembled and boarded the ship, Shi Diwen invited Xu Xinsu to the bow of the ship to announce the start of the military exercise. However, because the mission fleet did not bring loudspeakers this time, Xu Xinsu was not invited to say anything.

Mobilization speeches and other sessions were held. A large "Xu" flag was hoisted on the main mast of the "Wei signal". When the drummer on the dock saw it, he beat the big drum as a signal for the fleet to set off.

The warships of the Fujian Navy participating in this military exercise were the first to sail out of the port. Haihan's "Wei Xian" and two "exploration-class" warships were the main warships on this voyage, together with the other two Ming Army Fu ships.

Serving as the central army, at the end are Haihan and several supply ships of the Ming army.

A fleet of thirty ships, large and small, sailed out of the port with quite an astonishing momentum. If there were spies arranged by Shibazhi nearby, it would probably be difficult not to notice this scene. It was just that Haihan's side formulated this

They didn't care about Shiba Zhi's feelings when they made the action plan. Even if they found out that the momentum was wrong, they would wait for the news to be sent back to Penghu and then mobilize troops from Penghu to rescue them. It should be a few days later. According to the plan, that time

The combined fleet has already captured Nanri Island, so it doesn't matter whether they hide their tracks or not. If Shibazhi really dared to launch a large-scale attack, then Shi Diwen would have the intention to deal with these pirates near Zhangzhou.

According to the exercise plan, today's itinerary is to head north to Quanzhou. After conducting some maritime training off the coast of Quanzhou, the fleet will settle near Quanzhou Port that night and march towards Nanri Island the next day.

The route Shi Diwen planned for the fleet was to set off from Xiamen Island, pass through the strait between Dadan Island and Little Kinmen Island, go around the east side of Kinmen Island, and go straight north to Quanzhou. The voyage is about seven

More than ten nautical miles. This voyage is naturally no problem for Haihan's warships. If they sail at full speed, they can reach Quanzhou Port before dinner. However, the Ming army's ships are slower and it will take at least ten years to complete this voyage.

A few hours later, even though we set off from Xiamen Island early in the morning, we would probably still have to travel through the night to complete this journey.

However, this is also part of the training this time. Night sailing is a training subject that must be mastered by the fleet. The Ming Navy has relatively little training experience in this area. It can take this opportunity to practice this.

Special skills.

In fact, on the coastline from Zhangzhou Port to Quanzhou Port, the Ming army's defensive strongholds were not only Zhongzuosuo City, but also Kinmen Suo, Fuquan Suo, and Yongningwei. These were just the deployment of troops and defenses.

Not as powerful as Zhongzuo.

After sailing past Kinmen Island, the sea ahead was open and the view was good. Xu Xinsu couldn't help but remind Shi Diwen that he had promised to activate the acceleration function after going to sea. Shi Diwen knew that he had almost eaten up his appetite, so he

Ordered the engine room to start the steam engine and turn on the auxiliary propulsion device. At the same time, the crew was asked to raise a flag on the mast to notify the ships in front to give way to the "power signal" and give way to the forward channel.

A moment later, Xu Xinsu, who was in the cockpit, heard a low noise coming from inside the ship, and soon even the shipboard beneath her feet began to shake. Xu Xinsu was shocked and said, "What happened?"

Shi Diwen comforted him: "Don't be afraid, Master Xu. This is just a normal phenomenon after our device is started. Let's go out and take a look."

Xu Xinsu followed Shi Diwen out of the cabin in shock. At a glance, she saw the iron chimney at the stern of the ship continuously emitting gray smoke. Shi Diwen took him to the stern of the ship, pointed to the sea and said: "Master Xu, please look

!”

Xu Xinsu looked down after hearing this, and saw waves splashing on the sea surface at the stern of the ship, as if something was desperately twisting under the water, pushing the huge ship forward.

"It's true!" Of course Xu Xinsu knew that it was not some water monster pushing the boat below, but what Shi Diwen said was at work. And this device also significantly increased the speed of the ship. Xu Xinsu discovered that the ship

It is surpassing other ships at an unimaginable speed, and even the other two "exploration-class" warships with a similar appearance to this ship have gradually been separated.

"With the speed of this ship, it is unlikely that any other ship can catch up with it on the sea. Of course, it will be extremely difficult for any opponent to surround or intercept it at sea." Shi Diwen was full of enthusiasm.

Proudly boasted to Xu Xinsu.

As one of the manufacturers of marine steam engines, Shi Diwen is quite satisfied with his work. Although there is still a lot of room for improvement in this kind of steam engine, given the current conditions of this time and space, this is already the best that humans can currently build.

It is the most remarkable power propulsion device ever invented. You must know that more than a hundred years ago, in 1769, the French inventor Geoffrey was the first to install a steam engine on a ship, and it also drove a set of wooden paddles as propulsion

Device. In 1802, the Englishman William Symington used Watt's improved steam engine to build the first steam-powered paddle steamer "Charlotte Dundas", but this experimental product did not gain recognition from the world.

, was strangled in the cradle by tugboat owners for some ridiculous reasons. It was not until 1807 that the steamer "Clermont" built by American Robert Fulton was recognized as the first commercial voyage in the world.

Steam-powered ship. The first warship to use steam propulsion technology was the American battleship "Demologos" built in the early 19th century.

As for propellers replacing paddle wheels as propellers, we had to wait until the British took the lead in the mid-19th century. But after the time travelers came to this time and space, they advanced the timetable by more than two hundred years. Even the shipbuilders in Fujian

Seeing the propeller hidden under the water, it is difficult to understand what the function of that strange thing is. In other words, Haihan does not need to keep this secret at all, because with the technological level of this era, there will be no second

Anyone can copy the black technology mastered by Haihan.

The Ming Navy also had ships, but they used manpower to assist them. Paddle ships are not a new thing in China. The warships designed by Li Gao in the Tang Dynasty were mentioned in the "Old Book of Tang Dynasty" as "taking two wheels to fly."

Records such as "The wind blows and the waves are as fast as a sail mat" are seven or eight centuries earlier than in the West. The largest paddle wheel in the Southern Song Dynasty was twenty to thirty feet long, with a draft of about one foot, and could carry more than a thousand people. However, these

All kinds of paddle wheels are based on human power, which is different from the steam-powered propulsion device Xu Xinsu saw on the "Wei Signal".

Xu Xinsu had seen many strange things in her life, but she had never been so excited as she was today, and even her face turned red: "With such a sharp weapon, it is so easy to use it across the world!"

Shi Diwen smiled and said nothing. The steam propulsion system is powerful, but it is not as exaggerated as Xu Xinsu said. Not only will it be limited by the supply of fuel and fresh water, but its operational stability is also a huge problem. At this stage,

It can only be used as auxiliary power. It is not realistic to rely entirely on steam power for propulsion. Moreover, because the power of existing steam engines is small, the propulsion effect is far less than that of wind power. Of course, these shortcomings and hidden dangers, Shi Diwen

I will definitely not take the initiative to inform Xu Xinsu.
Chapter completed!