Halfway through, Song Xuan finally remembered that his group didn't have any tools in their hands.
"Shi Meng, go back and get some shovels!"
This time I came here to do some construction, so although I didn’t bring many shovels, I did have three.
Since the water channel had completely stopped flowing, Song Xuan walked quickly and went straight to the spring.
But when he reached the halfway point of the mountain, Song Xuan heard the sound of water flowing on the other side of the hillside. It seemed that the spring water should be fine, but he didn't know why it no longer flowed into the canal that everyone had dug.
"God's envoy...huhu~"
Listening to Shi Meng's rapid breathing behind him, it could be seen that he also ran back and forth as fast as he could.
Everyone is very aware of the importance of water sources, so they all know that this cannot be delayed.
As soon as he crossed the ridge, Song Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.
The spring water was still gurgling outwards, showing no signs of slowing down. As for why the canal was cut off, it was because a big stone from the mountain rolled down into the canal.
The stone appeared out of nowhere and was a full meter square. Looking up from here, it was all trees broken by him.
With this big rock blocking the way, water naturally has no way to cross the ridge.
Although the stone is very big, fortunately it is not a problem with the water source. As long as it is moved away, the water will naturally continue to flow along the ditch dug by everyone.
It's just that such a big stone is obviously not something that Song Xuan and the others can push. The three of them tried it, but since the terrain here happened to be a small platform, they couldn't push it even with all their strength.
"Shi Ri, go back and call a few more people over!"
Since he couldn't handle it himself, Song Xuan also hurriedly waved people away. It was too late and there was no time to delay.
However, Shi Meng interrupted Shi Ri who was about to set off.
"No, angel!"
Then he walked back to the other side of the hillside, made a trumpet shape with his hands and shouted:
"Hu~lulu!"
Since the distance was not very far, after shouting several times, the same response finally came from the valley.
"Hu~lulu!"
Shi Meng shouted again, and then said to Song Xuan:
"Hey, angel, they will be here soon!"
Song Xuan really didn't expect this kind of communication. He looked at the sky and saw that it was getting dark. He originally thought that he could have a good rest tonight, but he didn't expect this.
However, everyone came very quickly. In less than an hour, everyone arrived at a trot.
"Chief, what's wrong?"
Shi Meng turned sideways and pointed at the big rock not far away:
"Come on, push it down together!"
This time it can be said that the whole team was mobilized, and even Wangcai came over.
The stone, which was originally very heavy, was nothing in front of more than twenty people.
"Hey hoo~hey hoo~"
Three sides exerted force at the same time, and even many people were unable to get into position. In a few moments, he pushed the stone down the valley. Listening to the sound of the boulder rolling, Song Xuan felt very happy in his heart.
Since it was already dark, while the moonlight was still bright, Song Xuan also asked everyone to repair the water channel. Fortunately, only the section under the boulder was flattened, and there was nothing major in other places. After the problem was repaired, the water channel It started flowing again along the canal dug before.
"Let's go back quickly!"
When everyone came, there were a few clever minds who brought a few torches.
It also came in handy at this time. Due to the cover of the leaves, the forest was basically opaque. Although there was no problem walking along the water channel, everyone was obviously a little scared when walking in the dark.
Although there are not many torches, it is no problem to get one for four or five people to light the way.
"Let's go, Wangcai, follow us!"
Fortunately, the canal was built before this section of the road, but it has been cleaned very clean. At this time, there are only a few more fallen leaves.
Although it was night, it did not have much impact on the speed. After more than an hour, everyone returned to the valley. The stream even arrived earlier than everyone else. When he came back, Song Xuan took a look at the water in the small puddle. It's already much deeper than it was at the beginning.
It's just that the flow has just resumed, and the water quality is not very clean. I don't know if the impurities will be settled tomorrow.
The water channel has resumed flow, and at least there is no problem refining the salt. The valley will be renovated tomorrow and it will be put into production soon.
The prepared broth had been simmering in the pot for a long time. It was completely rotten by now, and the temperature was just right. Each person devoured one bowl at a time. Song Xuan didn't forget to fill a bowl for Wangcai, too. He has been busy all day today.
When pushing the stone, he also used his little claws to help Song Xuan use his strength.
Although it doesn't have much effect, it still exerts some strength.
After arriving at Teng She, it was rare to have a meal and rest after being so busy.
After eating, I just took care of everyone and quickly set up camp to rest. Fortunately, the temperature now allowed us to do without a tent, and there was no wind in the valley. We could just raise a few bonfires and make a bed next to them.
Not long after, everyone fell into sleep.
After getting up the next day, Song Xuan first ran to the puddle to take a look at the situation inside. Fortunately, there was no soil in the water flowing down, but a pile of leaves could still be seen at the water outlet.
If it hadn't been too late yesterday, Song Xuan would have re-drilled the canals, but now it seems that there is no great need. Anyway, after a night of flushing, almost everything that can be flushed has been flushed. Song Xuan received a basin of water, which was also very clear, with almost no impurities visible.
Returning to the valley, he said to Shi Meng:
"Shi Meng, go and connect the water pipes, and then fill up all the pots!"
Others are responsible for reinforcing a few sheds and putting away the various equipment they brought. Refining salt is an assembly line-like job. The position between each workbench should be particular. The distance should not be too far, as far as possible. Reduce movement between each link.
In just half a day, the valley was completely new. Three stone mortars were brought and placed directly next to the original big rocks. This is the most suitable location, not far from where everyone is mining and the water source.
A simple lunch to refine salt is the beginning. Since some tools have been made specifically for winter, mining is not as troublesome as before.
Although the chisel is polished with stone and looks a bit rough, the effect is still good and it is much faster than directly hitting the rock wall with a stone.
The specially polished stone hammer can bring down a lot of salt ore with each hammer blow.
The current stone mortar is much easier to use than the previous big stone. A person can hold it in his arms. The previous big stone can only be said to be barely usable. It is difficult to put oneself in a comfortable position. Now he can just sit on it It can be placed on the ground, which makes people feel much more comfortable. Moreover, as long as the small dents created by polishing are slightly protected, there will be basically no gravel splashing out, and the utilization efficiency is also much higher.
However, even the stone mortar cannot put down too much ore at one time. If it is too much, the effect will not be so good, and it will be difficult to completely grind it into powder.
The next step is filtration, clarification, and evaporation. The processes are not much different from before, except that the clay pots used for filtration are now specially designed, and the facade is directly divided into three sections.
There is a hole as thick as an arm in the middle of the two upper sections. This is to facilitate the placement of things such as bamboo charcoal for filtering. After placing it, you can directly use a pottery plate with a hole to block it.
Of course, there are many small holes in each section to facilitate the flow of water.
Although it is only a small change, it makes filtering a lot easier, and it also plays a very good role in blocking large impurities.
The filtered clay pipe was placed directly on the stone platform at calf height, while the basin containing the initially clarified salt water was much higher than him.
But now there is no need to manually pour it slowly. The basins and jars have small openings, and the water can flow out directly. Only one person can control the water flow of the two devices. The method of controlling the water flow is also very simple, that is, see some filters below If not, just block it with your fingers.
Although it is simple, the efficiency is still quite good. One person can do the work that only four people could do before.
And it was very easy, even the filter element was replaced by him.
Although it is only a small change, it has really reduced everyone's workload. The most troublesome thing now is crushing ore.
This work is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and in order to extract more salt, the stone must be completely crushed.
Even though three stone mortars were added, they still couldn't keep up with the pace of mining, and the original big stone platform had to be reused.
With the new equipment, everyone's mining speed has also increased. Seeing this, Song Xuan also readjusted his manpower, leaving only eight people to continue chipping stones on the cliff. The other people either came over to help with grinding. Or just be responsible for smashing the rocks as much as possible. Although some of it will be wasted, as long as the place is fixed, it won't be too much.
The more broken the stone is, the faster it will be ground.
Not long after, all five large pots were full.
Song Xuan also asked everyone to slow down the speed. Evaporation also takes time. If you do too much, deal with it. If you don't finish it, it is better to do it slowly to make yourself more relaxed.
Five cauldrons are enough. If there were more, everyone might have to keep busy without touching the ground. This speed is just right now.
When we rest at night, the water in the pot is still full. Even so, most of the containers brought are filled with filtered salt water, waiting for the next evaporation.
So even at night, the fire under the pot did not stop burning, but it was slightly reduced. At midnight, Song Xuan asked the master to add some water to the pot, and it looked like the wood below was almost burning. , and threw in a few large logs. With these additions, there should be no big problem in burning until morning. People should stop the fire, so that enough salt can be refined. .
