On the one hand, he is prosperous economically, but weak militarily. On the one hand, he is civilized and open, on the other hand, he pays tribute to the outside world. On the one hand, he is technologically advanced, on the other hand, he is feudal and conservative.

In fact, when we look at the Song Dynasty for 300 years, his technology was very advanced at that time, even leading the world. But unfortunately, the Song Dynasty lacked an invention that might change history and reverse Gan Kun.

Today we are going to talk about the science and technology of the Song Dynasty and that regrettable invention.

Famous scientific inventions in Song Dynasty, such as movable type printing, such as compass and south locomotive, such as textile machine, etc. At the same time, people in the Song Dynasty also made outstanding achievements in mathematics, astronomy, architectural engineering, metallurgical industry, navigation technology and ceramic firing.

As we all know, the strength of the western world began with the big bang of modern science and technology. In fact, in the Song Dynasty, China's scientific and technological development was hundreds of thousands of years ahead of Europe at that time.

Then, why didn't the Song people turn this scientific and technological power into a driving force to promote the development of the times? We all know the role of science and technology now, so why didn't Song people play this role?

First of all, we must know that the most regrettable thing in the Song Dynasty was his weakness in national defense and military affairs. In the face of Liao, Jin and Mongolia, the Song people were passively beaten for 300 years, and the emperor became a prisoner. Finally100000 elite jumped into the sea, helpless and sad.

So what people in the Song Dynasty need most is actually to apply science and technology to the military!

So, was this done by Song people?

Here's how it works!

In the Song Dynasty, the army applied gunpowder technology to the military, but the gunpowder at that time was still black powder, and the explosive power was not enough to achieve a major breakthrough in military technology. Even so, in the defensive war, the effect of gunpowder killing the enemy is good.

In fact, in the Song Dynasty, only one invention was needed to integrate many technologies to form a powerful fighting capacity, and even to reverse Gankun, change history and push back Liao, Jin and Mongolia.

This technology is the steam engine.

The steam engine was invented by Watt, a westerner. However, if we analyze it, we will find that in the Song Dynasty, China fully possessed the material conditions for manufacturing steam engines.

China people had mastered the principle of transmission machinery in the Han Dynasty. People in the Song Dynasty also invented more sophisticated carving equipment to carve ivory, similar to today's machine tools. Coupled with the superb porcelain burning technology in the Song Dynasty, this ensured that the cylinders and pistons could be produced with sufficient accuracy. As for the ultimate principle of burning coal and boiling water, China people have long mastered it.

It can be said that at that time, there was only one "genius" idea, and all this combined, just like a falling apple made Newton discover the principle of gravity.

If there was a steam engine in the Song Dynasty, combined with the south guide car, an ancient version of the chariot could be made.

Great progress was made in metallurgical technology in the Song Dynasty, and it was not impossible to manufacture early tin chariots and even armored warships. With this thing, even if it is only equipped with pike and heavy crossbow, it can compete with Liao, Jin and Mongolian cavalry in the northern plain!

The military disadvantage of Song Jun's lack of excellent cavalry will no longer exist, and the steam engine chariot will become an artifact of Song Jun. In that case, I'm afraid history will be rewritten.

However, this is just our imagination. The fact is that China didn't invent the steam engine when he had the conditions.

The reason, I think, is only related to the development of psychology in Song Dynasty. The song dynasty was beaten out of the water by foreigners, which turned all the pursuits to the inside and suppressed people's explosive creative spirit. Shen Kuo was even worried about being attacked by his political enemies when he invented, and he was cautious everywhere, which may be the root of restricting the breakthrough development of science and technology in China at that time.