As the silk-winding disc turned, the diameter of the copper wire reduced from one centimeter to nine millimeters, and its length increased.
After a copper rod had been drawn through completely.
It was heated again and drawn thinner.
Through repeated drawing.
One centimeter became four millimeters.
A three-meter copper rod transformed into nearly twenty meters of copper wire!
Seeing the good results,
Fang Er, without hesitation, led people to build several more wire-drawing machines.
Repetitive wire drawing became a streamlined operation.
Using silver, they exchanged it in Chang'an city for one thousand guan of copper coins, all of which were made into copper wire.
The combined length of the copper wire was over ten thousand meters.
It was piled in a corner of the warehouse.
With these as a foundation, the generator finally had hope.
After obtaining the copper wire, the stator iron core and coil winding were successfully made.
When it came to making the rotor, Fang Er encountered another problem.
Magnets were not considered overly rare at this time.
Inquiring with the blacksmiths, he learned that these items were generally sold in pharmacies, though mostly in powdered form.
He had Zhuzi spend a high price to buy an unground magnet from a Chang'an pharmacy.
The problem arose when shaping the magnet.
This material's magnetic force was too strong.
Metal cutting tools could not be used.
Furthermore, its texture was too brittle and hard. When Fang Er swung his hammer, not only did the hammer get attracted to it, but the magnet also split into two pieces and instantly sprang apart.
Unable to solve it himself, he had to go through books.
Fortunately, the answer was there.
A blank was made using molten steel, and then it was repeatedly rubbed with a magnet to magnetize it.
An artificial magnet was thus created.
With copper wire and magnets.
When it came to adding an insulating layer to the wires, another problem arose.
There was no rubber!
This was a disaster!
Without a power source, there was no way to test the materials.
Fang Er placed his hope in the system store.
After using up his two refresh opportunities, Fang Er held a pack of No. 5 batteries, filled with excitement.
He wrote a list and asked Zhuzi to search for various materials.
Silk, cotton cloth, fish glue, tree resin, and so on.
He asked Zhuzi to find everything he could think of.
Fang Er then led the blacksmiths to draw a coil of copper wire slightly thicker than a strand of hair, for testing the insulating materials.
Countless materials and copper wires were wasted.
Finally, it was determined that tree resin could be used.
The copper wire was dipped evenly in melted tree resin, coating it with a layer.
After solidifying, it was covered with a transparent tree resin insulating layer.
After processing the wires.
The entire generator reached its final step: assembly.
Coils of copper wire were made into windings.
The stator, rotor, bearings, and frame were installed one by one, secured with steel pins in place of screws.
The generator, standing a person's height, was completed!
Fang Er did not understand concepts like current and voltage.
He also made several small electric motors for testing.
The generator was mounted on the Longshou Canal, with half of the blades submerged and half above water, spinning rapidly, resembling a peculiar waterwheel.
The electric motor and generator were connected to the generator with copper wires.
As Fang Er flipped the switch on the generator.
The rotor and bearings engaged.
The stator cut the magnetic field.
Traces of invisible current, conducted through the wires, flowed to the motor set up for testing.
Driven by electricity, the electric motor began to rotate slowly.
Before Fang Er could even rejoice.
With a "poof!" sound.
The motor emitted a puff of black smoke.
It had burned out!
Young master, is this some new weapon?
Zhuzi asked, looking at the black smoke.
(￣工￣lll)
Fang Er gave him a sideways glance and then explained to him and those around him.
You can understand it this way: the one on the canal is a generator, which can use water flow to produce something called electricity, which is invisible and intangible.
The one that emitted black smoke just now is called an electric motor.
Because the current was too large, the electric motor couldn't withstand it, so it broke.
Zhuzi was a little bewildered.
Invisible and intangible?
Isn't that a ghost?
Thinking this, he couldn't help but shiver.
Young master, what can this electricity be used for?
Blacksmith Zhao Gang asked curiously from the side.
There are many uses, it can make electric motors turn, as you just saw, it can also provide light, heat, and so on and so forth. There are truly too many to count; you'll know when the time comes.
While Fang Er was doing his popular science explanation.
Li Er in the Eastern Palace was so happy his face was almost creased.
He was holding a memorial report.
This was sent back by Chai Shao.
It detailed the entire process of the campaign against Liang Shidu.
At the same time, placed before Li Er was a wooden box, inside which was Liang Shidu's severed head.
Hahahaha!
Li Jing, Yuchi Jingde, and others all gazed enviously at the memorial report in Li Er's hand.
Li Jing wanted to know the details.
Yuchi Jingde wanted to know how his son was doing.
Li Er casually handed the report to Eunuch Deng.
Pass it around, let everyone see! The report states that this time, we achieved three victories in three battles. The combined force of firearms and explosive satchels was invincible in attacking and taking cities!
Li Er was very pleased!
This campaign had gone exceptionally smoothly.
Not only was Liang Shidu eliminated, but the conscripted soldiers had also sent back over ten thousand prisoners of war, along with cartloads of gold, silver, and treasures, worth more than thirty thousand taels of silver!
For him, this was akin to receiving charcoal in the snow!
This battle was incredibly worthwhile!
This! Fang Anzhi actually heavily wounded Liang Shidu from two hundred paces away and he didn't recover?! Aren't firearms only effective up to a hundred paces?
Li Jing's eyes were wide open, afraid he had misread.
Don't forget, he was the one who created those firearms and cannons; it's normal for there to be improvements.
Li Er added from the side.
Hearing him say that, Li Jing accepted the fact.
According to this report, fighting Goguryeo should pose no problem at all!
Fang Xuanling spoke up.
The issue now is not whether we can defeat them.
The problem now is that we need to select a batch of usable officials as quickly as possible.
Honghua, Yan'an, and Diaoyin cities are currently without any proper administrators!
Therefore, before the northern expeditionary army returns, we must quickly sort this matter out.
We can't have the three generals taking cities in the north, only for the imperial court to be unable to send people to manage them.
Li Er described the current predicament.
In the early Tang Dynasty.
There were primarily three systems for selecting officials:荫 (Yin, hereditary privilege), 杂色入流 (Za Se Ru Liu, entry through minor official positions), and 科举 (Ke Ju, imperial examinations).
Yin was a system of heredity, mainly for the children of high-ranking officials of the fifth rank and above, inheriting their fathers' noble titles or ranks, or directly entering officialdom through privilege.
Za Se Ru Liu was for the children of officials below the sixth rank, who were directly recommended for basic duties. After serving for a certain period, they would be assessed by the Ministry of Personnel, and if they passed, they would be promoted.
Ke Ju was pioneered by the Sui Dynasty and was open to scholars from across the empire, selecting officials through subject-specific examinations.
Your Majesty, I suggest we convene a grand court session on an auspicious day, where officials can recommend suitable candidates.
Wei Zheng stepped forward and said.