Two huge furnaces were emitting green smoke, and if you looked closely, flames were erupting, like two erupting volcanoes.
Rurik came quietly and did not attract anyone's attention.
But I saw shirtless men everywhere, many with scars on their bodies, and many with gray beards.
It was obviously a cold period, why were they dressed so coolly?
Not only them, Rurik stood here, and even his entourage took off their cold coats.
Because here are not only two earthen blast furnaces, but also a number of traditional small furnaces. This is the blazing core of the Roseburg Industrial Zone.
He soon saw a familiar figure.
It's Kawei!
A young man covered in tendons shouted a chant, and a group of men lined up with clay grinding tools.
Kawei personally held a regular iron rod. Seeing that many people had gathered in line, he suddenly shouted: "The slag is coming!"
He punctured the slag tunnel at the bottom of the blast furnace, and the hot, sticky silicate material quickly flowed out. As fertilizer, they flowed to the side along the preset groove made of iron ore, and soon someone was carrying water from the melted snow to splash it.
Suddenly, pungent steam exploded...
The strong steam even hit Rurik in the face. He squinted and held his breath while watching the steam gradually dissipate. He saw that the slag had turned into a pile of cracked black matter, which was still steaming. It was quickly beaten by the servants with shovels and hammers, and a large amount of broken slag was shoveled aside and thrown to the ground. Mountains of slag forming hillocks.
Obviously even slag has great uses, and Rurik guessed its role almost instantly - serving as filling stones and cement to make original concrete. Indeed, the main component of these silicate slags is silica. What's even better is that they do not contain sea salt and are indeed good concrete fillers. In other words, if everything is a historical necessity, the cement industry of Soviet Russia in history was particularly good at using water and slag, which are metallurgical wastes. Now, the scale of the Rus Principality, which is suddenly interested, is very limited. The cement industry uses water and slag to make concrete. Materials are actually a beautiful destiny.
After the initial treatment of the slag, Kawei shouted again: "The molten iron is coming! Brothers, get ready!"
Those who operate the rotary blowers are covered in sweat. Each stove has three air inlets and three blowers, and each blower can be operated by two people.
They are blast furnaces, not extreme-sized blast furnaces with a limited amount of molten ore that can be accommodated inside, so the air intake requirements for the blower are not extreme.
With the current technological level of the Russian people, both blast furnaces can operate reasonably. Oxygen was poured in at high intensity, and a belly of molten iron accumulated at its bottom. As Kawei pierced the tap hole, bright yellow molten pig iron quickly gushes out and poured into the prepared mold with flames.
Kawei has been able to control the iron output relatively accurately, so the people waiting with the molds are also quantitatively controlled.
When one mold is filled, it is pulled aside by the iron drill to wait for natural cooling. As many as fifty molds line up to be filled one after another.
What is this casting? Rurik is probably the most common iron axe. After all, the cast iron was all pig iron, and it was precisely because of the high carbon content that Ross was able to melt the ore with such a crude technology. As a price for the simplicity, don't expect to use it as a knife. But as a tool such as a hammer and ax that can be used in various environments, it is quite suitable. Of course, it is not as good as the magical thing made of chromium iron. It is better than the low cost. Even if it is shipped to the Birka Market in Mälaren, it can be easily relied on. Taking advantage of their cost advantage, they beat up the fellow blacksmiths of the Granites.
The fact is that the traditional tool iron tools of the Russians have already monopolized the Birka Market in an instant due to their cost-effectiveness advantage, which is equivalent to occupying the Swedish market during this period. This really left the new Swedish King Bjorn speechless and helpless. thing.
Rurik just watched them complete the casting of a furnace of iron. He even thought that Kawei had made preparations and gave a demonstration to himself at the time when the iron was cast. Is this the so-called flattery?
Maybe it's just a coincidence.
Kawei indeed did not notice Rurik. He and his people had been busy with metal smelting for the past year. Looking at the two blast furnaces, they were of course used to smelt molten iron, and they also occasionally smelted bronze. Even using this furnace to smelt pure copper water and bronze is more efficient, but copper ore is not as good as iron ore.
"Well done! Brothers, let's keep up the good work, put in the ore and charcoal, let's continue!"
Kawei gave the order, and in a moment, someone brought the materials onto the hot earth platform and threw them one after another into the mouth of the cupola, which burned people to ashes in almost a minute.
"They continue to smelt? It's amazing. Our Rus is so great. People in my hometown should really see it." Jevro said with emotion.
This statement reminded Rurik: "Those hundred Suomi shooters haven't gone home yet. Maybe we shouldn't simply let them cut trees. Send them here to work? In my opinion, they are too thin."
"Then let them carry the ore. Sir, I know what you are thinking. You see, these two furnaces are monsters that devour ore. If Kawei and the others work so hard, the ore supply will definitely not be enough..."
"You?" Rurik turned his head and glared at Jevro with a smile: "You actually saw that the furnace's ore supply was insufficient? You are much smarter than many people. Simply being a martial artist is a demerit. You are me The one you like! I already know your idea, it may be feasible, and I approve it. Let’s go! Let’s see the Kawei brothers.”
Rurik's visit did not surprise Kawei too much. He had come quietly before.
Kawei answered questions fluently, but even if it was an inspection, it would be too uncomfortable to continue to stay in this hell like the Flame Mountain.
"Kawei, wipe all the sweat off your body. We will gather in your parliament chamber. You! Smelting metal, you are such a hero!"
Kawei felt happy to be praised. It was because of this praise that he also understood that Rurik was about to issue a new important decree.
Make a lot of money? Indeed, he and his friends worked together to run the now-large-scale "blacksmith shop". All the blacksmith families made a fortune, and the servants also made good profits.
But Kawei's mind had already been infected by the dream of "Atomic Theory". He no longer felt that he was just smelting iron and copper, but that he was understanding and using the power of Thor, even...
Kawei, who often stared at the wooden board that Rurik directed the carving, was a rough version of the periodic table of elements.
He just stared at the gold marked with the Roman letters AU, eager to create it! Maybe that's too unrealistic, but he has become the number one metallurgist in Russia through constant operation of blast furnaces and ordinary furnaces.
This is what Rurik wants to see the most. Kawei has clearly far surpassed his father.
However, Ross's metallurgical industry cannot be based on a few super craftsmen. The metallurgical industry needs a whole, a group of people to do this full-time and expand production immediately.
Kawei changed into fur clothes, but the smell of coke and rust still lingered on his body.
Kawei tried his best to suppress his excitement and asked casually: "If you don't mind, can you tell me what you want to order..."
"It doesn't matter." Rurik pointed at the stove casually, "I want to further expand production capacity. Even if we don't rely on war and plunder, we can make a lot of money just by selling iron."
"That's a great thing! Aren't we already doing this? Maybe you think it's not enough. But..."
"Yes! There are many problems! Don't worry, I will make arrangements and I will try my best to solve the problems."
"That's great."
The blacksmiths had already formed an industrial alliance a few years ago. At first, it was just a network of "professional blacksmiths", but now they are an organization that advances and retreats together, relying on the contract with Rurik to carry out activities. Their production activities have always been endorsed by the Duke of Ross, and the development of the industry has always been smooth.
Due to the demand for infrastructure within the Principality of Rus, an unprecedentedly large domestic demand market is forming. Where there is demand, there is a market, and where there is a market, there is profit.
All the blacksmith families spontaneously became the leaders of the Ross industry. Even if they did not need Rurik's administrative order and succumbed to the power of capital, they would inevitably start development.
The heavy industry of metal smelting is by no means simply about melting ore into liquid and then processing it into tools. It actually drives various supporting industries, directly or indirectly allowing a group of relatively unemployed people to invest in new production, thus sharing the industrial dividends. .
The state machinery of the Principality of Rus is in operation!
What Rurik saw was that many people were accumulating wealth around the heavy industry of the primary industry. Many people did not need to participate in war and plunder, or even do fishing. They could just stay at home and do metallurgical work. Share the benefits.
He has nothing to lament about. After all, the metallurgical industry of heavy industry is the foundation of a country's rise.
No, the heads of all five blacksmith families gathered in their shared forum.
Not only them, Kamne and Lyrica also came. It seemed strange that the two appeared among the white-bearded old men. It happened that they had now become a small but important pillar of Ross's industrial power.
If you insist on gathering people engaged in light and heavy industry in Rossburg, and hundreds of craftsmen with various skills gather together, the "Ross Duma" hall of the Principality of Ross will become extremely important.
The old guys gathered looked at each other happily, and when Rurik entered the room, pairs of eyes came to him again.
Rurik also smiled, casually sitting cross-legged on the leather cushion, and ordered his followers to stand guard at the door.
"It's quite warm in this room, and the flames in the fireplace may be a little brighter." He said casually.
With a smile, Klavason casually put in new charcoal blocks and claimed: "It's easy to make charcoal. We are not short of charcoal here."
From this, their negotiations began.
Everyone is very familiar with each other, and Rurik will undoubtedly make meaningless greetings, starting with a few polite greetings, which is the main body of the picture book.
What he wanted to know most was exactly how many people were currently engaged in metal smelting. To be more specific, how many laborers were employed by this group of senior blacksmiths.
Here, even if old Klavasen suddenly ages greatly, he is too senior and has the greatest say.
"We employ two hundred workers of all kinds, who provide all kinds of labor for the operation of our various stoves. In addition, there are at least twenty clay craftsmen who supply us with molds, and even more people who make charcoal. We have no employment relationship with them. They sell molds and charcoal, and several of our families give them money. The supply of molds and charcoal is very stable, and there has been no problem until now. If there is a problem, it is the problem you can best understand. Sir, we The supply of ore is not stable..."
Rurik listened with all ears, Klavasen spoke, his mind analyzing.
Indeed, although the clay mold is a disposable appliance, it can be discarded after the metal casting is completed. The broken mold is ground into powder and recharacterized, and it can be reshaped after being fired anew. Clay mines are not a rare thing here in Roseburg, and the molds can be reused. The craftsmen who make the molds can indeed be busy working every day to make money. After all, Rurik personally saw that when the blast furnace produces molten iron, it will be used immediately. Lots of molds.
As for charcoal, the only fuel, the woods near Roseburg are still lush. Although the tall oaks and pine trees were cut down for ship lumber a long time ago, and other trees were cut down to make charcoal, no one felt sorry for them. In fact, people are happy to see the nearby forests disappear, so that the people of Roseburg can successfully obtain land for production and living from nature.
"Ore supply problem? Let me guess, you just have a serious shortage of labor force!" Rurik's words were decisive. He expected that this was the crux that would restrict future development.
Old Klavasen poked his head in, and the other old guys all poked their heads in.
"Exactly. Sir! As for how many men and women there are in mining, we brothers have really not calculated it carefully. There are even women carrying rattan baskets and carrying tools to dig rocks in the mountains. We don't care whether the miners are men. Yes, women, as long as they bring the ore, we will pay the same labor fee. Even so, the supply of iron ore is not enough, so your dozens of little blacksmiths, on average... have to go to the mountainous area in five days Mining en masse,” Kravassin describes.
"Is that so? I really don't understand. You do need a lot of ore?" Rurik asked almost knowingly.
Kawei puffed out his chest and said, "Of course we need ore in particular. You said that we can make a fortune selling Russian ironware, and it is true. For the prosperity of our Rus, I have to take responsibility. I will demand desperately. Brothers have stopped production. You know, it was very windy and snowy a few days ago, but the flame of the blast furnace has never been extinguished. I dare say that only when the blast furnace naturally collapses at the end of its lifespan, the long-burning fire will really be extinguished."
Kawei spoke very energetically, and Rurik felt comfortable listening to it. After thinking about it for a moment, Kawei's description was very scientific. After all, even if it is an earthen blast furnace, the operation of burning fine carbon blocks with the help of a blower will heat the furnace, and it takes a lot of effort. The cost is also high. A smart person would keep it smelting ore at a high temperature to avoid spending a lot of time and resources on the furnace.
Since dozens of blacksmith apprentices wanted to dig mines themselves, Rurik certainly knew whether their digging activities would evolve into four or five days of collective mining. He immediately asked Kamne who was present.
"Sir." The young man said with a very flattering attitude: "It is true. We mine frequently and can finally ensure that the furnace keeps producing iron. It is an honor for me to serve Ross, and I am willing to do it no matter how tired I am."
Rurik laughed out loud: "You boy, your words are all flattery. It's okay, your boy is much stronger than the boys in your hometown. Work hard and I will find you a woman next year and more in the future." Woman, give me a large group of skilled blacksmiths."
Hearing this, Kamne immediately blushed, causing others to laugh, and their laughter became even more wild.
Old Klavason slapped his chest and laughed: "This boy will indeed reach his age next year, and according to tradition, he should get married. Sir, you have married more than ten wives and concubines. I think you value this boy so much. We brothers also feel that it is awkward." This kid Mne is trustworthy. It’s really not enough to find one woman for him, at least three or four will be needed.”
"Okay, I'll note this down first." After saying that, Rurik kicked the shy Kamne and shouted: "Brother, do your best, I have more important things to give you. Woolen cloth."
After asking some substantive questions, Rurik learned about the exact production capacity of ironware and bronzeware in this corner of Roseburg. Its number is actually not that large, but compared to other feudal kingdoms in Europe, the only force with higher production capacity than Roseburg is the Eastern Roman Empire.
This is of course not only because Rossburg's furnace has been producing iron frequently, but its biggest advantage is that the Principality of Ross now guards the best quality iron ore veins in Europe, with iron oxide and even magnet content exceeding 70% or even 80%. It is true that this is the only ore, and what is even crazier is that it guards the only chromite ore. Ailenburg in the north is still producing magical stainless steel.
