Chapter 368 Opener
The new year has passed, but the new wind is still howling, and there is no sign of spring in the slightest.
The grass and trees are shivering in the cold wind, but only the plum blossoms are proud of the wind and snow.
The season seems to be frozen and no longer turns.
The only good news is that Fengzhou Company has begun to transport black coal to Chang'an. These black fuels have amazed Chang'an's monarchs and people.
The most popular company in Chang'an now is the charcoal field of Fengzhou Company in the city. The coal mined in the open pit of Hetao was transported thousands of miles away to the Feng'an Army Wharf in Lingzhou through ice plows on the ice of the Yellow River, where it was transferred on sleds, and then transported to the outside of Chang'an through the original Jingbin states.
The coal field outside the city crushes and sieves the imported coal, then mixes it with yellow mud, and finally molds it into a honeycomb shape. After drying, it becomes honeycomb coal that is easy to burn and transport. .
These briquettes are transported to the coal yards in various workshops in Chang'an City by black four-wheeled carriages day and night.
Common people can purchase a certain amount of consumption by paying with coal tickets.
The rise of honeycomb briquettes has also made Chang'an charcoal stoves also sell well.
Qin Lang was riding a horse on the streets of Chang'an, and he could see smoke drifting everywhere under the sky of leaden clouds. Tens of thousands of households in Chang'an had already used a lot of coal for cooking, heating and boiling water. No pungent smell.
However, compared to this peculiar smell, the common people are already very satisfied that they can enjoy cheap warmth.
The continuous cold snap and continuous frost and snow have already caused the price of firewood in Chang'an to rise all the way. The common people can no longer afford firewood. Charcoal has become a huge burden. Now the price of briquettes is relatively low There are many, they don't take up much space, and they are resistant to burning, so this little smell is nothing at all.
Qin Lang pondered, after this beginning, I am afraid that Chang'an will be inseparable from coal in the future.
After the thaw in spring, coal will be transported from Hetao to Feng’an, Lingzhou by boat, and then to Chang’an by horse and cart. Can this route guarantee the growing demand for coal?
Several four-wheeled carriages carrying coal passed by Qin Lang. Qin Lang looked at the larger carriages than ordinary two-wheeled carriages, and couldn't help thinking, whether to build a track?
This kind of four-wheeled carriage uses a double-horse drawn carriage, and the loading capacity is several times that of ordinary two-wheeled carriages in the past. It is strange to say that there were no mature four-wheeled carriages in China in the past, and even if there were, they were only extremely simple four-wheeled carriages. , which is equivalent to an enlarged version of a two-wheeled vehicle. It lacks the key technology of a real four-wheeled carriage, that is, the steering technology.
The four-wheeled carriages in ancient China were typically non-steering. If you want to turn, you can only pull them hard, which is very inefficient. Therefore, this kind of four-wheeled carriages is generally used to load heavy objects in specific places.
The real four-wheeled carriage actually has a differential installed on the front wheels. However, the technology of differential gear is not available in the West now, but Rome, Persia and other countries use a simple method. The front two wheels of their four-wheeled vehicles are installed on one frame, and the rear two wheels are installed on another frame. On the frame, the rear frame is framed on the front frame and connected by a vertical shaft. In fact, it is a combination of two two-wheeled vehicles. This kind of stupid method can also solve the problem.
Now Qin Lang has brought this technology over and created a new type of four-wheeled carriage. According to different needs, different four-wheeled carriages have also been designed and produced.
For example, a four-wheel caravan that can carry more than a dozen people, a high-wheel heavy-duty vehicle that can carry more than 3,000 kilograms of goods, and four- or six-seater four-wheel vehicles that can ride comfortably.
These four-wheeled carriages generally adopt a design with small front wheels and large rear wheels to facilitate front wheel steering.
After the steering problem is solved, the advantages of the four-wheeled carriage are reflected. The body and load are no longer borne by the horse, so that the horse only needs to be responsible for the forward pulling force, unlike the two-wheeled vehicle, the frame frame On a horse, the horse actually bears some of the downward pressure.
Therefore, for an ordinary four-wheeled vehicle, one horse is enough, but for a heavy-duty vehicle, only two horses are needed, and the horse is relatively easy.
Even these four-wheeled vehicles are faster and easier to run in the wild than two-wheeled vehicles.
When Qin Lang first started working on this four-wheeled carriage, Lao Cheng and the others were still unwilling to join forces. They felt that this thing was useless. After the Qin family started it themselves, the effect was astonishing, and now the orders are full.
Old Cheng beat his feet and regretted it, especially after he ordered a luxury four-wheeled convertible from the Qin family. This new type of carriage that can be opened and stowed can actually reduce weight when sitting. Shock effect, extremely comfortable, not to mention more regret.
The driver of the four-wheeled coal carriage is in the front, and the seat is very high. The wheels of this heavy-duty vehicle are also high wheels, which make them look taller.
The coachman saluted Qin Lang on the adjacent road from afar.
Qin Lang also nodded with a smile.
He looked at the carriage, and found that it was loaded with three thousand catties of briquettes. As a result, the two Turkic horses still pulled it easily, without any difficulty. And the driver of the carriage drove the carriage with ease.
High wheels, high carriages, and the roof is covered with tarpaulins to prevent rain and prevent coal from spilling and dirtying the streets. If you look closely at the wheels, you can see that the wooden wheels are reinforced with a circle of iron bars. After all, it is a heavy-duty vehicle.
He was thinking, should a railway track be built in Chang'an City? If railway tracks are used, it will be easier to draw a horse, and one horse can haul the heavy-duty vehicle, and it may even extend the carriage, such as several carriages like a train.
Aren't many mines using this method?
But thinking about it carefully, Qin Lang plans not to do this in Chang'an City for the time being, but he can try it out in coal mines, docks, coal yards and other places first.
The people in Chang'an are relatively open.
Whether it is the black charcoal that can be burned, or this new style of four-wheeled carriages, they are not regarded as heretical and evil. They easily accept these new affairs, just like they accept the Southern Barbarians and Northern Hus .
They are confident, broad-minded, and tolerant of everything.
There are more barbarians and barbarians in Chang'an City, and they also bring many novelties, such as narrow-sleeved and lapeled Hu clothes.
Even the milk tea of the Hu people also influenced the food tradition of Chang'an.
"These charcoal and four-wheelers are really good stuff!"
The adopted sons Li Cunxiao and Li Cunyi rode behind Qin Lang on Qinghai horses. They also liked these new affairs, and were even more proud that these were brought by their adoptive father.
"What's so good about it?" Qin Lang asked with a smile.
"It makes life a lot easier!" Keep filial piety.
Li Cunyi lowered his head and thought for a while, "I think this kind of four-wheeled carriage can not only bring a lot of convenience to life, but also has great effect if it is used in military affairs."
"tell me the story!"
"Father often taught us that wars are actually about logistics, and logistics determine the scale and outcome of wars. The boy thought, this kind of four-wheeled carriage has a strong ability to carry supplies, food, grass and equipment, especially the adaptability to roads. Not to mention the smooth roads in the Central Plains, even on the grasslands, this high-wheeled four-wheeled carriage can maintain high load and high mobility, which will undoubtedly provide sufficient logistical support for the war.”
Qin Lang looked at the adoptive son he brought back from Jingzhou, his eyes were a bit surprised. This kid has been in Chang'an for more than a year, and he has really changed completely. The farmer's son who was like a little beggar back then has now been able to Generous and calm, even extremely knowledgeable.
What he said about the use of four-wheeled carriages in military affairs, especially the important role he pointed out in grassland warfare, is indeed correct.
The Northern Expedition to the Grassland requires more and more logistics, and the high-mobility operations on the grassland will make the logistics supply more difficult.
Compared with two-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles are indeed more effective in this kind of warfare.
"The second brother is right. In fact, the Ministry of War is now inspecting our carriage project, and intends to order a carriage for military logistics."
Cun Xiao asked his adoptive father, "The new year is over, is it true that foster father will not return to Toyosu?"
"Um."
"However, it all said that next year the Tang Dynasty will attack the Turks in the north and destroy Jieli. Why would Aye give it up to others with such a good opportunity?" The young man is more eager to make contributions. Growing up quickly, they fantasized that they could become princes at a young age like their adoptive father.
Qin Lang just smiled.
Many people have asked him this question, and even feel sorry for him.
However, Qin Lang has never regretted his decision. The achievements of the world cannot be made by him alone. Besides, if the Northern Expedition is really going to be done, it will be a tough battle. Qin Lang is not alone. An outstanding general, he has actually never fought any decent battles, and it can even be said that he has never experienced a real battlefield at all.
So he has this self-knowledge, and if he really wants to do Jieli and want the Northern Expedition, he should let Qin Qiong or Li Jing, Li Ji, Chai Shao and other generals take command.
War is dangerous.
Qin Lang didn't want to lead the army by himself, which would result in a big defeat and even his death in Saibei.
The battlefield is the easiest place to make a comeback. Qin Lang is still willing to stay behind and calculate the logistics of military supplies, and do something about instigating rebellion and persuading surrender.
As for fighting, leave it to professionals.
What's more, last year he wiped out two feudal clans for the imperial court and took over six prefectures.
"You are still young, don't think about going to the battlefield, that is not something you should think about at your age, what you have to do now is to train yourself hard, improve your riding skills, learn the art of war, and read more sage books , when you have prepared enough and well enough, one day, an opportunity will come, and at that time, you will be able to grasp it."
"Cunxiao, what is your ideal?"
"The child wants to be a general!"
"Cunyi, how about you?"
"The child also wants to be a general!"
Qin Lang chuckled, Great Tang Shangwu, the two teenagers really have a national style.
(end of this chapter)