The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 76

The main river was then blocked by half, and the water level was already about a foot higher than before the dam was built. The river water gushed out from the gap, and it looked like it was full of kinetic energy.

Next, we need to build the waterwheel while waiting for the dam to stabilize; this is essential.

Once the waterwheel was completed and the dam was basically stable, it was reinforced again at both ends to form a trapezoidal structure, so that there would be no worry about it being easily washed away by the water.

The lower half of the gap should also be blocked. This way, the outlet will be smaller, the water level will rise higher, and the water flowing out from the higher place will have more energy.

After the blockage was completed, the outflow of water was indeed much smaller, and the water level finally just barely overflowed the top of the dam, forming a water curtain that flowed downstream.

It was almost perfect; very little water was wasted. Xu Tian praised himself inwardly, noting that it was the result of careful calculation. His design aimed to make the water level perfectly level with the dam crest, but in reality, it was still slightly off.

Once the completed waterwheel is mounted on the support and stabilized, the stuck wooden plug is removed. Under the strong impact of the water flow on the waterwheel blades, the waterwheel spins rapidly, creating a high spray of water behind it.

The wooden frame creaked, but thankfully, the sturdy frame withstood the impact.

Xu Tian roughly calculated that the waterwheel rotates at about half a revolution per second, which is quite fast for such a large wheel. Of course, this speed is adjustable and can be optimized as needed during use.

After three transfers, the kinetic energy was transmitted to the factory. The original three processing machines have been remodeled, and the power source is no longer human-powered, but a gear driven by water power.

As for the results, we'll have to conduct tests to verify them, with a group of people watching.

"Start, lower the gate." Xu Tian gave the order.

At this moment, a carpenter pried open the brake, and the two gears engaged. Energy was immediately transferred to the sawing machine, and the saw blade started to move, swinging up and down rapidly, giving a swishing sensation.

Without Xu Tian giving any instructions, another skilled carpenter who was waiting pushed the workbench forward, and a log fixed to the surface moved forward with it.

A moment later, a "sizzling" sound rang out, and the wood was smoothly cut open without any pause.

"Good!" someone cheered.

As the wood moved forward, it was eventually cut in half, taking only five or six minutes. This is at least ten times more efficient than manual sawing and two to three times more efficient than previous machines.

"I never expected it to be so fast after introducing external force; I can't believe it."

"Indeed, I have never seen such a machine before. Who would have thought that it could be used in this way? Owner Zhang's ideas are unique and extraordinary."

"With these machines, we can save effort, but we also won't be able to showcase our carpentry skills; we'll have little opportunity to use them."

"I'm not too worried. I've been paid well, and there was a contract that I'd be employed for two years. If they want to let me go early, they'll give me compensation."

"That's true. Once I figure out how to make this machine, it will become a craft and a skill, and a more advanced one at that. Even if I don't work here anymore, I can still eat well at other places."

"Shh, keep your voice down. It's also in the agreement that nothing I've seen or learned here in the past two years can be shared with others. But I've put my handprint on it."