Flowers in full bloom

Chapter 354: When you can’t exaggerate the result, you can exaggerate the difficulty of the process

However, in Shangjing City, because the crops grown are relatively drought-resistant wheat and corn, even if crops such as rice that require a lot of water are planted, they are planted as close to rivers as possible, so there are not many irrigation tools.

As for the wind-powered waterwheel that Hua Lei mentioned, Rong Jin had indeed never seen one.

"The biggest difference between a wind-powered waterwheel and a drum wheel is that a wind-powered waterwheel uses the power of wind to make the waterwheel turn. It consists of two parts: a windmill and a waterwheel. The windmill transmits wind energy to the waterwheel, which then turns the waterwheel, allowing it to draw water continuously. It is much more efficient than a drum wheel.

But I am also worried that the pond halfway up the mountain will definitely not have as much wind power as the one at the top of the mountain to drive the waterwheel, so I want to make a waterwheel halfway up the mountain that can be manually pedaled, so that there is double insurance. When there is wind at the top of the mountain, we can use the wind, and when there is no wind, we can use the manual pedal waterwheel halfway up the mountain. "

"Sister Hua, the human-powered waterwheel and wind-powered waterwheel you mentioned are actually two types, right? One is a waterwheel that uses manual pedals, and you want to install it in a pond that is semi-windless. The other is a wind-powered waterwheel that is a combination of a windmill and a waterwheel, and you plan to install it in a pond with wind, right?" Rong Jin asked.

"Yes, but the structures of the two water wheels are actually similar in terms of the water-drawing part, except that one has a windmill to utilize wind power, while the other uses manpower." Hua Lei explained.

"Do you know how to operate both types of water wheels?" Rong Jin asked again.

"Well, I roughly know the principle of this waterwheel. It is somewhat similar to a drum wheel, but the construction of the waterwheel body is somewhat different from that of a drum wheel. The waterwheel is equipped with a scraper and a water bucket.

When the waterwheel is driven by the wind, the scraper scrapes the water and the water bucket is filled with water. Then, with the inertia of the water and the help of the wind, it slowly rotates and the water bucket filled with water is lifted up step by step.

After reaching the top, the water bucket naturally tilts and pours all the water into the transitional trough, and then flows to the irrigated farmland through the opened bamboo pipes. "Hua Lei said slowly while thinking about the waterwheel she had seen.

"Sister Hua, have you told anyone about this waterwheel?" Rong Jin asked nervously.

Hua Lei was startled, shook her head, and said, "No, I plan to draw a blueprint before the New Year, and then let Uncle Zhao bring a few people to try and see if it can be done."

"Sister Hua, don't tell anyone else about this. Also, don't alarm too many people when you do it. Also, tell the people who made the waterwheel not to leak this matter casually." Rong Jin said softly to Hua Lei.

"This... why? After this waterwheel is made, it won't be very small. It will usually be more than ten meters high. Even if it is made smaller, it will be at least three or four meters. If it is a wind-powered waterwheel, the volume will be even larger and it cannot be hidden." Hua Lei said honestly.

Rong Jin thought for a while and asked Hua Lei, "Sister Hua, can you draw the structural drawings of these two water wheels?"

"Um...it should work, but I may not remember some of the details clearly, so I will need to experiment while doing it." Hua Lei's face turned red. She only had a general understanding of and had seen this wind-powered water wheel, and had never studied it in detail.

Rong Jin nodded and said, "Sister Hua, how about you draw the blueprint of the simple waterwheel first, and ask Uncle Zhao to scale it down according to the blueprint and make a one-meter-high pedal waterwheel? Then don't make the wind-powered waterwheel for the time being."

"Why? Since you're going to make it, just make one that can be used. Even if you make a simple manual waterwheel first, you have to make one that can be used. Isn't it a waste of time to make it so small? A one-meter-high waterwheel can be used to water flowers and trees even if it is placed in your own yard." Hualei frowned.

"Sister Hua, listen to me." Rong Jin came over quietly and said softly, "These two water wheels should not have appeared here before. They are rare. So we have to make use of them.

You should first make a scaled-down version of an artificial waterwheel. If it can be used for irrigation as you said, then let my grandfather bring this waterwheel and the waterwheel structure diagram you drew to the palace to show His Majesty. Say that you came up with it for irrigation.

If this artificial waterwheel can catch the emperor's eye, he will definitely ask the Ministry of Works to make it and promote it to the people, which will be a great achievement for you. Even if there is no reward, I can ask my grandfather to persuade the emperor and ask the Ministry of Works to make a few waterwheels for you, which will save you a lot of trouble.

If the human-powered waterwheel catches the emperor's eye, but he doesn't give you a reward, you can still get the Ministry of Works to make it for you, which is a reward. At that time, you can take out the structural diagram of the wind-powered waterwheel and ask the Ministry of Works to continue to help you make it.

You designed two different water wheels in a row, so your contribution can be accumulated. Even if the emperor doesn't promote you, he should at least give you some gold and silver rewards. Even if it's just a little silver, it's a good thing." Rong Jin paused and continued.

“However, if you make these two types of waterwheels and place them on this barren mountain, others will still see them and imitate them. The emperor will think that you made them just for his own convenience, so it is normal for him not to reward you. Then you will get nothing, right?

The way a new thing appears will affect or even determine its different values. It is better for you to take the initiative to send the finished waterwheel to His Majesty than for him to know the effect of the waterwheel from other places, otherwise the credit of the waterwheel will fall on someone else. Anyway, making a small waterwheel is just a practice for Uncle Zhao and an experiment. It's also good. "Rong Jin patiently explained to Hua Lei.

"This... will it work?" Hua Lei hesitated. She had never thought of this.

"Sister Hua, will this work? I can't guarantee it, but we should try. We may not succeed if we try, but if we don't try, we won't even have a chance of success, right?

Even if it doesn't work, it won't do you any harm, at most you can still make all the water trucks yourself. But if it works, it will definitely be good for you." Rong Jin continued to analyze.

"Okay, then I'll ask Uncle Zhao to make a small human-powered waterwheel to try." Hua Lei nodded.

"Well, remember, keep it a little hidden." Rong Jin reminded again.

Hua Lei nodded. She couldn't help but think of what Lord Pei said to her when he just returned to Beijing.

When you cannot exaggerate the result of something, you can exaggerate the difficulty of the process.