45: Chapter 45 The Power of Industry: Li Si and Feng Quji are forcibly controlled!

"When high-pressure steam enters the cylinder from the left, it pushes the cylinder piston to move to the right."

"At this point, the piston causes the flywheel to rotate through the crankshaft and connecting rod mechanism."

"The rotation of the flywheel in turn drives the connecting rod, causing the reversing valve to move to the left."

"In this way, the reversing valve will prevent steam from entering the cylinder from the left."

"At the same time, a passage is formed between the cylinder's intake port and exhaust port, allowing the steam inside the cylinder to be discharged from the exhaust port, releasing the pressure within the cylinder."

"When the pressure of the high-pressure steam on the right side of the cylinder is greater than on the left, the piston will then move to the left."

"Similarly, the reversing valve above will move to the right, driven by the flywheel, thereby closing the right intake port."

"By cyclically changing the intake path of the steam in this manner, the Steam Engine is set into continuous motion."

"You all understand now, right?"

After Zhao Fusu finished explaining the working principle of the Steam Engine, he inquired of Li Si, Feng Quji, and Old Mo.

"Abba, abba, abba, abba..."

After Li Si and Feng Quji heard this, their faces were completely blank.

They clearly felt they were among the most intelligent people in the Great Qin Empire, yet listening to Zhao Fusu's words, they understood every single word individually, but couldn't make sense of them when put together.

They felt as if Zhao Fusu was speaking a celestial language; they had no idea what he meant at all.

"This old man understands."

Old Mo shouted.

Li Si and Feng Quji both looked at Old Mo in confusion. How did you understand?

"I've got it."

Old Mo's emotions were incredibly stirred.

His eyes were fixed intently on the internal structural diagram of the Steam Engine.

Just now, as he listened to Zhao Fusu explain the working principle of the Steam Engine, he felt a flash of insight in his mind.

Everything he hadn't understood before suddenly became clear.

He finally understood how the interior of the Steam Engine operated.

This also meant that he, too, could build a Steam Engine!

Old Mo's face was flushed with excitement.

Zhao Fusu watched the different facial expressions of Li Si, Feng Quji, and Old Mo.

He could immediately tell that Li Si and Feng Quji were liberal arts talents, while Old Mo was a science and engineering talent.

In the sciences, if you don't get it, you just don't get it.

Some people study physics and chemistry desperately, yet their grades just won't improve.

Others study physics and chemistry while sleeping all day, only to flip through the textbook a few times before an exam and master it.

Even more so, some sleep during the math teacher's lecture.

The math teacher isn't afraid of them sleeping.

What they fear is the student suddenly opening their eyes and looking at them.

The math teacher knows that if the student is looking at them, it must be because they made a mistake.

"The reversing valve is truly a stroke of genius!"

Old Mo looked at Zhao Fusu with immense admiration and said reverently, "Young Master Fusu, you are truly too brilliant!"

"To think you could design something as ingenious and exquisite as the reversing valve."

"Your wisdom is deeper than an abyss and wider than the ocean; you are even more formidable than our grandmaster, Mozi!"

"You flatter me."

Zhao Fusu smiled modestly.

As for the ingenious design of the reversing valve being attributed to him once again...

Zhao Fusu still didn't show the slightest hint of shame.

The Empress Dowager paid the patent fees long ago.

"It's enough that you understand."

Zhao Fusu said, "See if you can manufacture a second Steam Engine."

"Yes."

Old Mo said, "Young Master Fusu, could you lend this book to me? I want to copy down the structural diagram of the Steam Engine."

"Certainly."

As Zhao Fusu spoke, he handed the industrial encyclopedia in his hand to Old Mo.

"Thank you, Young Master Fusu."

Old Mo's expression was one of immense respect; he bowed and carefully accepted the industrial encyclopedia.

"Young Master Fusu, this old man will take his leave first."

Old Mo hurried away.

He couldn't wait to build Great Qin's second Steam Engine.

Zhao Fusu was also looking forward to Old Mo building the second Steam Engine for Great Qin.

With the accumulation of technology, it wouldn't be as difficult for Great Qin to build a third, fourth, or fifth Steam Engine.

With the aid of the Steam Engine, Great Qin's productivity would increase significantly.

When the Steam Engine is widely used as a power source, it will mean that Great Qin has entered the First Industrial Revolution.

Zhao Fusu continued leading Li Si and Feng Quji to see the coking, iron smelting, and steelmaking processes.

When Li Si and Feng Quji saw steel knives identical to the one in Zhao Fusu's hand being mass-produced, they truly believed.

They found it incredible.

Such terrifyingly sharp blades could actually be mass-produced.

Zhao Fusu said to Li Si and Feng Quji, "The production cost of steel is much lower than that of bronze."

Li Si and Feng Quji also understood that the price of iron ore was far lower than that of copper.

The price of copper was twenty times more expensive than iron ore!

Their eyes watched fervently as steel flowed continuously from the open-hearth furnace.

This steel was a strategic resource; its cost was far lower than bronze, yet it was much harder.

Li Si and Feng Quji never imagined such a miraculous creation could exist in this world.

This time, the Leader had truly created something extraordinary!

Li Si and Feng Quji both looked at Zhao Fusu with shock.

"The Steam Engine is built from steel."

Zhao Fusu continued, "Once the steam rotary tiller and steam combine harvester are manufactured, one farmer will easily be able to do the work of thirty-three people!"

"This is the power of industry!"

Every word Zhao Fusu spoke was powerful and resonant, filled with a sense of strength.

Li Si's expression was grave.

Previously, he believed it was absolutely impossible for one farmer to do the work of thirty-three people.

But after seeing the roaring Steam Engine and its terrifying explosive power, he was shaken.

He could hardly imagine such a creation existing in this world!

Feng Quji was the same; he was also awed by the fearsome power of the Steam Engine.

Feng Quji possessed a far-reaching vision.

He could see that the emergence of the Steam Engine would change the very structure of an era!

Previously, Feng Quji had explained in simple terms the concept of 'when money thrives, grain perishes; when grain thrives, money perishes.'

Now, Zhao Fusu was also using simple terms to make Feng Quji understand the power of industry!

Li Si and Feng Quji were completely stunned.

"Developing industry will increase productivity and improve the efficiency of agricultural production!"

"Developing commerce can drive economic growth and improve the people's quality of life."

"During wartime, our Great Qin can implement a planned economy, controlling strategic materials like grain."

"But now that the wars are over and the people of Great Qin are exhausted from years of conflict, we should open up the economy and allow them to recuperate."

Zhao Fusu keenly sensed that the current rise in grain prices was inextricably linked to strict grain controls.

Only the government could sell grain; nobles, merchants, and commoners were forbidden from selling or buying freely.

This made it extremely easy for grain prices in Guanzhong to skyrocket.

As long as Qin was willing to lift grain controls, market adjustments would naturally bring the prices down significantly.

If grain prices in Guanzhong were too high, merchants seeking profit would naturally transport grain from areas where prices were lower.

This would lower the grain prices in Guanzhong.

The reason Zhao Fusu spent so much effort introducing the Steam Engine to Li Si and Feng Quji was to prepare them mentally, persuading them to agree to opening up Qin's wartime economy.

Once the Steam Engine became widespread and the steam rotary tiller and steam combine harvester were invented, agricultural efficiency would soar, and there would no longer be a need for so many farmers to be tied to the land.

With the advent of the Steam Engine, the saying 'when money thrives, grain perishes; when grain thrives, money perishes' would no longer apply!

The mindsets of Li Si and Feng Quji were also changing because of the Steam Engine's appearance.