Xu He shook his head. Chen Hua was a typical example of showing off his talents and taking advantage of others. The situation in Fujian should be applied to the situation in Lianghuai.
But Lao Zheng didn’t understand the reason: “This is how our ancestors have been here for generations!”
"Ahem!" Xu He coughed twice and said, "Let me explain this!"
"The sea water in Huaibei and the sea water in Heiyang River is extremely salty in nature, no different from marinade. It is more likely to become brine at a height slightly farther from the seaside, where it is not affected by underground moisture! Therefore, you have to carry water for a long distance. Brine pond! Therefore, the Lianghuai Salt Farm is filled with water and the water is dried to become brine, which is called raw salt!"
"As for Mr. Chen's hometown of Zhangquan in Fujian, the sea water is slightly shallow, so it has little impact on the brine. In the end, he chose to brine on the beach!"
To put it bluntly, why do two-thirds of the world’s salt come from the Huaihe River?
First, seawater is inherently salty, and it is also transported to high-altitude brine ponds to dry the brine, so the salt produced is abundant and of high quality!
After hearing this, Lao Zhengtou and Chen Hua looked at Xu He in surprise.
In this era, scholars basically only read the Four Books and Five Classics, and do not read any other books. Their understanding of the world is even more pitiful.
People like Xu He who have such a deep understanding of the salt field situation cannot say much, they can only say no.
Even when salt department officials came, most of them looked confused.
Everyone's understanding of salt production relies on word of mouth and the experience left by their ancestors.
Who knew that the salinity content of seawater in the East China Sea is different from that of seawater in Fujian Province?
"Is this your first time coming to the salt farm, sir?" Old Zhengtou was still a little doubtful.
Of course it was Xu He's first time to come to the salt field. His understanding of the operation of the salt field came from Xu Guangqi's memorial to Emperor Chongzhen, called "Qin Feng Ming's Order to Dedicate the Farm Fields". This memorial clearly stated what Xu He had just said. Word.
Chen Hua said at this time: "Master Xu, since you know so much about the method of frying salt, is there any way to improve it? The kitchen workers are too miserable!"
When Old Zhengtou heard this, he looked at him expectantly.
Xu He nodded. In fact, Xu Guangqi had already mentioned the problem of the salt frying method in his memorial. The salt frying method wasted countless firewood. The large reed swamps that were originally used as firewood for cooking salt could be cultivated into fields, which not only reduced the salt Price, and can prevent illegal salt.
So what exactly is the solution?
To put it bluntly, it is actually very simple, it is sun salt.
The sun-salted method has actually been used in Lianghuai.
For example, if reeds are directly poured with marinade and exposed to the sun, salt will crystallize on the reed poles. When the time comes, shake the reed poles gently and the salt crystals on the reed poles will naturally fall off.
But this still consumes reeds after all, and can only be used as a supplement to the salt-frying method.
"I really have three ways to improve the salt production method!" Xu He nodded.
Chen Hua and Lao Zheng were overjoyed. Chen Hua said excitedly: "Tell me and listen!"
Xu He said: "It's good that the Lianghuai brine pond is built at a high place, which makes it easier to generate brine. However, it requires manpower to go back and forth to collect seawater, which is too inefficient. It is better to build a tidal waterwheel. When the tide rises, the seawater is introduced into the seaside ditch, and then built on the seaside. Personal water trucks bring sea water to high places!”
Water trucks and water lift trucks have long been used in the Jiangnan area. Although they are not popular, Chen Hua and Lao Zhengtou have obviously heard of them. After listening, they nodded repeatedly.
Especially Lao Zhengtou, who patted his thigh and said angrily: "Why didn't we think of such an easy way before!"
Xu He snickered in his heart. In fact, what would happen even if they knew? Anyway, they are working for people, and the wages are not high. Even if there is a smart cook who thinks about this, he will not talk too much. Drawing more sea water means more torture, and no matter how much money he makes, he will be exploited by the salt tyrants. Who is so happy about this?
Therefore, emancipating the mind also improves productivity. This is the truth.
Lao Zheng first read about Chen Hua and Xu He's reform of the Gangyun Method. In the future, Zao Ding will make money from making salt, and of course they will be willing to improve their production methods!
"Second, change from boiling to exposure, and change from frying in salt to sun-dried salt!"
Chen Hua's eyes lit up: "Tell me about it!"
"First build a salt pond and a brine well with Sanhe soil that is not easy to seep. Cover the well and set up a shed on the pond to protect it from the rain. When the sun rises, pour the brine into the salt pond. After two or three days, it will turn into salt! When it rains, there is a shed. , cover it to avoid diluting the brine!”
Xu He borrowed Xu Guangqi's words and concluded: "There is no one who cannot succeed without exposure!"
This is the result of this expert's personal test in his hometown. It is a scientifically proven result. Xu He is certainly confident.
Chen Hua looked at Lao Zheng, a senior cook. Lao Zheng nodded and said, "It seems like we can give it a try!"
Xu He continued: "This is a way to dry coarse salt, but there is also a way to dry refined salt!"
"Refined salt!" Old Zhengtou exclaimed.
Modern people may not know what coarse salt is. Today's cigarettes are white and shiny when they tear open the bag, and they look extremely clean.
But in fact, the salt grains produced after ancient salt production were of different sizes, muddy in color, and had a bitter taste when eaten.
Xu He said: "When there is a drought in the middle of May, take two buckets of water and throw one bucket of salt into the water to make it clear. Then throw in salt again. If the water is extremely salty, the salt will no longer dissolve."
"Change the vessel and continue washing. The sand in the salt will be precipitated, the dirt will be removed, and the clear juice will be poured into a clean vessel. When the sun is good and the wind is not blowing, put it in the sun to dry. What emerges from the water are the flowers. Salt, thick and shiny like stalactites.”
"If you leave it for a long time, it will become seal salt, as big as a bean and square in shape!"
"The flowers are printed with salt and are as white as snow, and their taste is particularly beautiful."
The method of making refined salt mentioned by Xu He actually comes from the "Agricultural Policy Complete Book" written by the great master Xu Guangqi. The principle of his method of making refined salt is completely consistent with the recrystallization purification method widely used in later generations. Salt has less impurities, high purity, and a beautiful natural taste.
Chen Hua and Lao Zhengtou were both stunned after hearing this.
I didn’t expect that little table salt would have so much knowledge.
Especially Lao Zhengtou, the way he looked at Xu He changed, as if he were looking at the Wen Quxing from heaven and earth.
After a moment, he knelt on the ground with a grunt and kowtowed to Xu He: "If these three methods are effective, Mr. Xu will be the benefactor of all the Kitchen Dings in our world!"
Xu He was startled and quickly helped him up. He said seriously: "Uncle, now the imperial officers and soldiers have gone to exterminate the bandit Lei Jun. Take this opportunity to try these methods quickly. After all, everyone still has to eat. ! After delaying the day, even if the army retreats, we will have no salt to sell and no grain to eat!"
When Old Zhengtou heard this, he nodded repeatedly. Now he almost regarded Xu He as an omniscient god, so he naturally obeyed his words. After he confessed to Chen Hua and Xu He, he hurriedly made arrangements.
Chen Hua looked at the back of Old Zhengtou and sighed: "Actually, these kitchen and salt households are kind people. As long as there is a stutter, they will never cause trouble. It is the court that is sorry for them!"
Yes, when making salt in the Lianghuai River, the hardships endured by Zao Ding are unimaginable.
When it rains on a cloudy day, the brine pond accumulates water, and the results of half a month of hard work are often lost overnight. Everyone who goes into the brine pond is barefoot. Under the cold weather, fistulas are often numb, so the households who fry salt are often blind, and the households who dry the brine are often lame. bone.
When Xu He heard the sound of gongs in the distance and the cooks running for their livelihoods again, he couldn't help but said sadly:
"Where can the people who cook the sea camp? The women have no silkworms, the weavers have no plows.
The source of food and clothing is too sparse, so you will lose if you cook in a pot.
Every spring and summer the tide fills the pond, and when the tide recedes the mud turns into islands.
After air-drying, add salt to taste, then add tidal waves to form brine.
The brine is thick and the salt is light, so I can have some leisure. I collect firewood and go deep into the infinite mountains;
Don’t dare to avoid the tracks of leopards and tigers. The morning sun goes out and the sun sets back.
…
The low-thatched cottage of the white-headed stove household, beside the hot fire of frying salt in June;
In the hot sun before going out, I take a moment to enjoy the cool air.
The small house is boiling salt with flames, and the brine is boiling with smoke.
This person's body is just like that of a human being. How is it different from a chicken boiled in a cauldron?
This spring and summer it rains continuously, the sand is soft and the mud is light,
Sitting and thinking about the blazing fire and the scorching sun, it is impossible to seek such suffering! "
"In the scorching sun outside, take a moment to enjoy the cool air." Chen Hua murmured, "Sitting there thinking about the blazing fire and the scorching sun, I wish I could suffer like this!"
Suddenly there was a mist in his eyes, as if he was remembering the difficulties at home before he passed the provincial examination.
He let out a long sigh to hide his trembling lips and Adam's apple, looked up to the sky and closed his eyes silently.
Xu He looked at the endless beach with cooks arriving in dense numbers, and he had no idea of opening his mouth!
