Shaoxing Prefecture, Kuaiji County, at the foot of Kuaiji Shanxi Mountain, Zheng's Iron Works.
Standing in front of two blast furnaces in the drizzle with mud full of slag under his feet, Zhao Hong frowned as he looked at the iron smelting furnaces with black smoke in front of him.
About two feet high and one long in diameter, there are two iron smelting furnaces, but only one is in production, with hundreds of people busy.
"Executive member Zheng, how much iron is produced in one year and how much profit can you make?"
Zhao Hong asked the owner of the workshop, a fat man in his forties.
After walking around and seeing the iron smelting process, I felt somewhat confident.
Later generations were lucky enough to travel in Kuaiji Mountain, and they probably knew that this was the largest iron ore base in Zhejiang, and it was enough to cast the firearms used by an army.
"Commissioner Zheng, please answer His Highness quickly. Don't exaggerate or conceal anything!"
The accompanying Kuaiji magistrate and county board of directors spoke out loudly.
The iron ingots cast and smelted by Zheng's iron workshop will eventually be sold to Kuaiji County, and then used by Kuaiji County for its own use and shipped to Shaoxing and Lin'an Prefectures.
Wang Gang, the prefect of Shaoxing, glanced at the board of directors, remained silent, and turned to Zhao Hong.
This "romantic figure" who compares himself to the "Emperor of Qin and the Emperor of Han", is he really here to see iron smelting?
The singing girls in Shaoxing Prefecture are not as good as those in Lin'an City.
"Mr. Magistrate, your highness and Mr. Wang are here. How dare common people talk nonsense?"
The fat-headed and big-eared Zheng Hao had an apologetic smile on his face. He quickly took out a thick account book from his pocket, opened it, and started talking carefully.
"More than 100 people, more than 500 sticks a year, which is a lot!"
After hearing this, Zhao Hong laughed and pointed to another idle kiln.
"Commissioner Zheng, why did you stop an iron smelting furnace? Is it because there is not enough iron ore?"
A kiln can smelt 80,000 Song Jin of iron a year, which is 100,000 Jin in later generations, or about 50 tons.
After all, the artillery weighing a thousand pounds was only enough to build 100 pieces, which was really too little.
"Back to Your Highness, there is plenty of iron ore, but the labor and charcoal costs are too high and the cost is too high, so we stopped one line."
Zheng Hao nodded and bowed.
Is this prince really here to annex his property?
"Executive member Zheng, is there a lime kiln near you?"
Zhao Hong changed the subject.
"Your Highness, there are many lime kilns, including several at the foot of the mountain. Lime is a common item used in building houses and for medicinal purposes. It is indispensable in daily life."
Member Zheng was confused. I wonder what Zhao Hong meant when he asked about the lime kiln?
"Commissioner Zheng, I have something I want to discuss with you."
Zhao Hong didn't hide it and spoke frankly.
He issued a military order in front of the emperor and the ministers. Although it seemed harmless even if he failed, he could not fail.
This is not only his personal gains and losses, but also the national destiny of the Song Dynasty.
"That's His Highness's order."
Member Zheng still had a smile on his face, nodded and bowed.
This prince was approachable and showed no trace of arrogance or dandyism, which made him feel more relaxed.
"When making iron, add limestone, the content is about 6% to 8%. Then remove the scum on the surface."
Zhao Hong made a guess and said it.
"Your Highness, why... why do you need to add limestone?"
Zheng Hao asked stammeringly.
"You will know when the time comes. This is a secret for me. Remember, only you and people you trust know."
Zhao Hong pretended to smile mysteriously.
Limestone is added, of course, to remove gangue from the iron. The gangue is silica, which has a very high melting point. By removing the gangue, the temperature required for ironmaking is greatly reduced. It also reduces the content of impurities in pig iron, and can also remove the sulfur dioxide produced by ironmaking.
"Executive member Zheng, I will give you one kiln for 1,000 guan and two kilns for 2,000 guan. You can also open the other kiln and give me the smelted steel directly."
Zhao Hong thought about it and said it.
"Your Highness, what do you mean is that if a villain can smelt so much iron in a year, you will pay double the price?"
Zheng Hao had a quick mind and reacted immediately.
"Your Highness, whatever you want me to do, just ask me!"
Limestone is not valuable, so it doesn’t matter how much you add. As long as the price is fair, he certainly won't object.
Li Tang, Xue Tan and others, including officials from Shaoxing Prefecture, looked at Zhao Hong.
They all wanted to know what kind of explanation this His Highness the Duke of Ji Guo would give.
"Commissioner Zheng, you are such a smart man!"
Zhao Hong looked at the chubby Zheng Hao, withdrew his smile and looked serious.
"I want you to modify the kiln, and I'll pay you the extra cost. In addition, when smelting iron, something needs to be added!"
Seeing Zheng Hao's confused look, Zhao Hong patted his thick shoulder affectionately and started talking carefully.
"Regenerator?"
Zheng Hao looked confused, and he understood a little bit instantly.
"That's right, the regenerator!"
Zhao Hong nodded heavily.
In an open iron smelting furnace, all the heat is dissipated into nature. Making an insulated regenerator not only saves energy, but also increases the furnace temperature a lot.
"Does any of you know where there is fluorite?"
"fluorite?"
Not only Zheng Hao and other craftsmen, but also Dong Hui and Wang Gang were also stunned.
"It's the Luminous Pearl. Have any of you seen the stone used to make the Luminous Pearl?"
"Your Highness, it turns out to be snake eye stone. Fenglingguan in Pucheng County on Fujian Road is at the junction of Zhejiang and Fujian. The whole mountain is covered with this kind of stone. There are also many such stones in Chenzhou, Hunan. If If you want to use it, the Ministry of Industry’s warehouse should have it.”
The board of directors immediately spoke out.
"Your Highness, you don't need to go to the Ministry of Industry. There are some in Shaoxing Prefecture, but the stock is not much. It should be enough for Your Highness."
Wang Gang said it with a smile on his face.
"Mr. Wang, thank you very much!"
Zhao Hong was overjoyed.
With fluorite powder, it not only acts as a co-solvent for iron-making, lowering the temperature of electrical appliances, but can also be used together with limestone to remove manganese, phosphorus, etc. from molten iron. Successful iron-smelting should be just around the corner.
"Everyone, don't worry! By following my method, you can not only save a lot of charcoal money, but also smelt better steel. It will be of great benefit to the country and the people."
Zhao Hong made arrangements immediately.
It is estimated that it is not difficult to approve two to three thousand guan of funds a year. Besides, with his father-in-law and mother-in-law supporting him, he didn't care about this little money.
Zheng Hao let out a long breath. As long as His Highness did not come to rob him of his property, he would be relieved.
It doesn't matter if you take ten thousand steps back or take it away, as long as you compensate according to the price.
Zhao Hong was strategizing and commanding, while Wang Gang, Dong Hui and others looked at each other in confusion.
Why does it look like this prince has a few brushes and is not pretending to be a ghost?
"Commissioner Zheng, please call your kiln-burning and iron-smelting craftsmen. I want to explain to them."
Zhao Hong immediately gave orders to Zheng Hao.
In fact, his methods are all bad street methods of later generations, and they are all available online.
To deal with the invincible Mongolian cavalry, without firearms, he felt uneasy.
The history of the demise of the Southern Song Dynasty has also proved that without a sharp weapon that transcends the times, it seems that we can only seek death.
He wants to forge sharp weapons such as artillery, firecrackers, and thunderbolts. Without good steel, everything is nonsense.
Not to mention anything else, just the chamber pressure of the artillery and gun tubes requires good wrought iron. Once it is shoddily manufactured, the risk of explosion will definitely increase significantly. He did not dare to take the risk of losing eight thousand without killing the enemy.
Seeing Zhao Hong surrounding the kiln and explaining things carefully to the craftsmen, Wang Gang couldn't help but asked Xue Tan at the side.
"Proctor Xue, does your highness also know how to smelt iron?"
He only knew that Zhao Hong's "Qinyuanchun" and "Swordsman" were shocking, but he didn't know that Zhao Hong was also involved in such strange skills as iron smelting.
Not only did he dabble in it, but the way he talked eloquently made him look like an expert.
"Ms. Wang, I don't know for sure. However, His Highness is an excellent horseman and seems to know some martial arts. He also teaches officials to practice and strengthen his body. These abilities of Your Highness are beyond my expectations."
Xue Tan shook his head and said. It was also the first time for him to see Zhao Honghui's iron-making skills, and he was so shocked that his crotch almost split.
Everyone in Lin'an City knows that His Highness is fond of music and lust, but he is also aloof and withdrawn. Only today did he realize that it is difficult to live up to his "prestigious reputation".
"The article is the best in the world, Corporal Lixian, this His Highness seems to be very different from the rumors outside."
Wang Gang also shook his head, his eyes dark.
In fact, when Zhao Hong came to Kuaiji County, as the prefect of Shaoxing Prefecture, he could pretend to be deaf and dumb and there was no need to come. However, a few of Zhao Hong's lyrics and music reached his ears, which shocked him.
And this was also the reason why he was curious and saw the true face of Mount Lu.
"A lot of words make a fortune, but a lot of people tell you. Sometimes, some rumors cannot be believed!"
Xue Tan looked embarrassed and smiled self-deprecatingly.
His father was also responsible for these rumors.
Dong Hui looked at Xue Tan and lowered his voice.
"Xue Jianzao, if we have this official family in the Song Dynasty, it will be a blessing to the country, the people, and the Song Dynasty!"
Xue Tan nodded repeatedly with an apologetic smile on his face. He turned his eyes to Zhao Hong, wondering what he was thinking.
Looking at Zhao Hong, he seemed to have thought of something, and Wang Gang whispered a few words in Dong Gui's ear.
Dong Hui nodded repeatedly, then came over and stood beside Zhao Hong and the craftsmen, seeming to be listening carefully.
"Except Member Zheng, fellow craftsmen, I leave it to you to renovate the kilns and smelt the iron! Remember, everyone, this is a major matter for the imperial court, and must not be leaked, otherwise the laws of the country are ruthless!"
Zhao Hong gave serious instructions.
Once the smelting is successful, it will be a major breakthrough in iron smelting technology. The country's important weapon must not be leaked.
"Your Highness, don't worry!"
Zheng Hao and all the craftsmen all solemnly said yes.
The dignified prince explains, who dares to make a mistake?
After Zhao Hong finished explaining to everyone, Zheng Hao and the craftsmen dispersed after whispering to each other.
"Your Highness, I have something to say. I don't know whether I should say it or not?"
The board of directors came up, said respectfully and in a low voice.
"Ms. Dong, just say it straight away, don't be secretive!"
After solving a major issue, Zhao Hong felt relaxed.
Next, we have to deal with the formula of gunpowder and training troops. These are the top priorities.
"Your Highness, since you are in Shaoxing Mansion, you always have to pay homage to the tomb of your ancestors. Otherwise, it will always arouse criticism."
The board of directors was respectful and whispered.
He is both the magistrate of Kuaiji and the magistrate of the mausoleum. Of course, these unworthy descendants of the Zhao family must be reminded of these details.
Zhao Hong was shocked and reacted instantly.
"Ms. Dong, thank you for reminding me. Gu Zheng has this intention. When I go back to bathe and change clothes, we will go to the mausoleum to worship!"
Anyway, the kiln renovation and the preparation of various raw and auxiliary materials for fluorite, limestone, etc. will take a while, so there is no rush.
However, he was really aggrieved to be asked to pay homage to the ancestors of Zhao and Song Dynasty, especially Zhao Gou, Emperor Gaozong of Song Dynasty, who was the most unkind throughout the ages.
