Standing on the bank of the surging river, watching with interest the huge waterwheel that was rotating with the river, Zhao Hong was secretly shocked by the great creativity of his ancestors.
The large waterwheel, which is six to seven feet high, is installed on the "U"-shaped stone dam on the shore. Through the transmission shaft, it drives the stone mill on the shore to grind the produced cement into bags and transport it to various places.
The principle of making cement by local methods cannot be simpler. Limestone and clay are used as raw materials. After mixing in a certain proportion, the clinker is calcined in a lime kiln and finely ground to make local cement.
Although it is not as good as ordinary cement in later generations, its strength and durability are far ahead of its time.
Looking at the big water tanker, some foreign-loving things came to mind, and Zhao Hong could not help but snort coldly.
What a bullshit European windmill, the Chinese civilization is at least a thousand years older than them!
Looking at Bailuzhou and the waterway thirty or forty steps away from the shore, Zhao Hong shook his head. It seems that it will not take long, maybe twenty or thirty years, as the water level drops, Bailuzhou and the tributaries on the shore will become smaller and smaller. Eventually Bailuzhou will be connected with the land on the shore, and there will no longer be separation between the two waters. beach scenery.
The students from the martial arts hall behind were confused. They didn’t know what the emperor meant by bringing them to the cement factory.
"Why are you so dazed? Let's get down to earth and go in and take a look."
Zhao Hong smiled slightly and strode forward. Wei Liaoweng, the minister of the Ministry of War, Qiao Xingjian, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, as well as students such as Cao Youwen and Yu Jie, followed closely.
Everyone entered the cement factory. Although it was a workshop made of rammed loess and looked simple, the stones, clay, coal and other materials were stacked neatly and in an orderly manner. It seems that the manager of the cement plant has some skills.
Next to a pile of green materials, a man dressed as a craftsman was grabbing a handful of cement and examining it carefully. He turned around and walked over, calling him.
"Excuse me, I want to know how many people there are in the cement factory and how much cement can be burned every month?"
Several huge cement kilns rising from the ground in the distance made Zhao Hong a little excited.
With the increase in the foreign population and the development of all walks of life, the expansion of Jinling City is inevitable. A large number of roads and buildings naturally require a large amount of cheap and durable cement.
Four-wheeled carriages and rickshaws would certainly not be able to run on those bumpy dirt roads. Even if the car didn't fall apart, it would still be unbearable for my ass.
"Your Majesty, there are 300 people inside. Now it can produce 30,000 kilograms of cement per day, and about 1 million kilograms per month. When the three new kilns are completed next month, the production can reach 1.5 million kilograms per month."
Peng Daya, a foreign minister from the Ministry of Industry, quickly took off his mask and replied respectfully.
It is said to be a mask, but it is actually made of three layers of gauze, which is of course much worse than those of later generations. However, this is Zhao Hong's invention. Not only the cement factory, but also the gunpowder factory, iron factory and weapons manufacturing branch, all front-line production personnel are one man.
One million Song Jin is just 1.2 million Jin, 600,000 kilograms, or 600 tons in later generations.
"600 tons is still too little!"
Zhao Hong shook his head in disappointment.
600 tons. A school would cost more than 100 tons. I'm afraid it will have to increase five or six times to barely meet the current market demand.
Although he was a little regretful, Zhao Hong also knew that some things should not be rushed.
"Your Majesty, this is Peng Daya, a member of the Ministry of Industry. He developed this cement. He is an official."
Qiao Xingjian, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, introduced at the side.
The Ministry of Works had achieved results, and he, the Minister of Works, also had a bright face.
"Peng Daya, did you try out this cement?"
Zhao Hong looked at the short and slim man in his thirties and asked in surprise:
"Where are your official uniforms? Why are you dressed like this?"
This guy was wearing coarse clothes and a self-developed mask. He had a gray face and a dirty face. His cloth shoes were covered in mud. He thought he was a craftsman from a cement factory.
"Your Majesty, this cement factory is very dusty and dirty. Not to mention the inconvenience of wearing official uniforms, it will look bad after a while. I hope your Majesty will forgive me."
Peng Daya bowed solemnly, a little embarrassed.
"Excuse me for what? You did a great job! You are good and you should be a role model for all officials! I am very pleased!"
Zhao Hong nodded appreciatively. Such pragmatic and hard-working officials are rare.
Maybe we can publicize it well in newspapers.
"Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty!"
It seemed that he didn't expect Zhao Hong to be so kind, and Peng Daya couldn't adapt.
"Peng Daya, tell me, how is cement made?"
Zhao Hong immediately became interested.
"Your Majesty gave me the idea of adding clay and limestone. I just tried it every day and added some gypsum. It took more than a month and more than fifty attempts to finally get the cement. As for the formula, I I have already written it down and will present it to His Majesty later."
Peng Daya was a little proud, a little self-proclaimed.
"You're very direct and you're welcome."
Zhao Hong laughed and pondered slightly.
"Peng Daya, you have done a great job in developing cement. I will promote you to the position of Doctor of the Ministry of Industry and reward you with thousands of coins, specializing in cement production. If there are new "inventions" in the future, I will promote you and reward you heavily."
Tried more than fifty times! The patience, hard work and persistence involved are not something everyone can achieve.
"I thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
Peng Daya was overjoyed and knelt down on the ground, kowtow to thank him.
The foreign minister who is a member of the Ministry of Industry is only a seventh-grade official, but the doctor is a sixth-grade official, which is a whole two steps up.
"Get up. Those who work for the country will be seen in my eyes and remembered in my heart, and I will never treat them badly."
Zhao Hong waited for Peng Daya to get up before continuing.
"In the northwest border, the Jin people destroyed and destroyed it. I want to strengthen the defense of Shukou. Therefore, I want to send some craftsmen there to build cement plants in the three passes and five states..."
"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the craftsmen there to serve the country faithfully and share your Majesty's worries!"
Peng Daya took Zhao Hong's words and said immediately.
"Peng Daya, you are very good!"
Zhao Hong laughed. A smart person who can tell the truth and is willing to take the initiative is a good official.
"You don't need to stay long. After the cement plant in Shukou is built, you can come back. The country is in desperate need of development, and there may be many such external transfers in the future. I hope you can understand my difficulties. .”
Zhao Hong looked at Peng Daya and said warmly.
"But at your Majesty's command, even if I go through fire and water, I will never give up!"
Peng Daya bowed with a solemn expression.
"Well said! Put it into practice. It would be great if there were more officials like you in the world."
Zhao Hong nodded with satisfaction but disappointment.
This Peng Daya, who works hard and never complains, is much better than the Du Fan that the weapons inspector saw back then.
The official uniform and boots on that guy's feet were cleaner than his face. Can such officials do anything for the people and the country?
"Principal, do you want to strengthen the defense of Shukou?"
Cao Youwen, a student from the Jiangwu Hall who was accompanying him, asked in surprise.
This cement is a powerful tool for building cities. Once it solidifies, it will not break with a hammer, no worse than glutinous rice soup and loess. The key is that it's cheap. There is a lot of coal and limestone in Shukou, so just build a few big kilns.
They were looking at firearms and cement. They wanted to send craftsmen to the northwest. It was not obvious that the emperor wanted to strengthen the defense of the northwest frontier.
"Cao Youwen, you are from Tongqing Mansion in Shukou. What do you think of the defense facilities in Shukou? Can they resist the invasion of foreign enemies?"
Zhao Hong asked softly without looking back.
Regardless of the defense system of the northwest frontier, it seems imperative to mobilize troops and generals.
