A few people walked around several workshops, but they were all empty and there was nothing interesting to see.
But now in the workshop in front of Tang Ping, it was obvious that someone was working inside.
Tang Ping asked curiously: "What kind of workshop is this? Is it already under construction?"
Fang Xuanling glanced at Wang Qingluan first and then said: "This is a tung oil workshop, and the tung oil produced is mainly used for trade with Dongyue. There are two workshops behind it, which are also processing tung oil. "
Tang Ping understood that the amount of tung oil traded with Dongyue was huge. Although Datang was rich in tung oil, because of the export trade, the production capacity had to be further increased, and it was natural to build a new tung oil workshop.
"Can I go in and have a look?" Tang Ping was also curious about how the workshops of this era operated.
"Of course!" Fang Xuanling nodded. This workshop should be official, and there are guards at the door.
The leader obviously knew Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. He called the manager of the workshop and welcomed the few people in respectfully.
Tung oil is produced, and the flavor is naturally great.
After entering, the strong smell of tung oil hits your nose.
"Sir, the raw tung oil is pressed here, so the smell is a bit stronger."
Neither Fang nor Du were delicate people, and Wang Qingluan looked normal, but Tang Ping found the smell a bit uncomfortable.
Here are rows of oil-pressing machines. A worker pours the seeds of the tung tree into the material port, and then steps on the pedal next to it, and the oil slowly flows out of a cylinder.
The manager introduced: "These are new oil presses made by the Ministry of Industry. It turns out that the oil press is pulled by a donkey. Not only is the oil press large, but the oil output is also slow."
"These are improvements they made based on the pedal-operated keel waterwheel!"
Tang Ping did not expect that this oil press was actually improved based on the keel waterwheel he taught them.
It can be said that the wisdom of the ancients cannot be underestimated if we can improve the transmission device that also uses pedals from the pedal device of the keel waterwheel, and then use human power to drive the oil press.
"Is this raw tung oil? What's the difference between it and cooked tung oil?" Tang Ping asked curiously, looking at the still turbid oil.
The person in charge didn't know who Tang Ping was, but since he could follow Fang and Du, it wasn't easy. He bowed and replied:
"Sir, this is indeed raw tung oil. However, this kind of tung oil is used to build ships. It can't be used for a month, and the wood is not very edible, so it needs to be made into mature tung oil!"
As he spoke, he pointed to the back: "Then behind is the production of cooked tung oil. Do you want to have a look?"
Since everyone came here, they naturally wanted to see it, so a few people walked to the back. The scale here is smaller. After all, the production of cooked tung oil is based on the amount of raw tung oil.
The person in charge also knew that Tang Ping was inexperienced, so he took the initiative to introduce: "Sir, look, these big iron pots are filled with pebbles for frying, then the pebbles are fried dry, and then the raw tung oil can be poured in. "
"After oil flowers appear on the tung oil, heat it for half a stick of incense, and then pour in the ginseng."
"Ginseng?" Tang Ping asked curiously, "Is it ginseng?"
Before the person in charge said anything, Fang Du and Wang Qingluan were covering their mouths and laughing softly from behind.
The person in charge also suppressed a smile and said, "Sir, you are kidding me. If ginseng is added to this tung oil, who can afford it?"
Wang Qingluan spoke from behind: "The soil ginseng he mentioned is Yinhu, also known as tripe root, white root root or sand ginseng."
Tang Ping also knew that he had made a joke. He knew it when he heard Wang Qingluan talk about ginseng. He also ate stewed chicken with ginseng a few days ago.
But he didn't expect that such medicinal materials would be used in refining tung oil.
The steward did not lead them any further, but pointed to the smoking cauldron at the entrance of the workshop from a distance and said: "After pouring the ginseng in, a layer of white foam will appear on the tung oil, and there will be a layer of white foam on the tung oil. The thick yellow smoke requires workers to stir it vigorously with wooden sticks."
"When the smoke changes from yellow to black, it will basically be ready. The worker will take some tung oil and put it on the iron sheet. If you can pull out such a long silk with two fingers, it means it is ready. Lift the pot aside and let it Just let it cool down!”
Tang Ping watched the steward stretch out his index finger and thumb and make a mark about two centimeters long and wide.
I didn't expect that there are so many explanations about the simplest tung oil production.
After completing the transfer of this workshop, Tang Ping asked curiously: "Since the workshop here has been repaired, why not get a few more factories to come over for production?"
Fang and Du were stunned for a moment before they understood what Tang Ping meant by factory, and then replied: "You should know that this year's locust plague, the Tang Dynasty traded food with the surrounding countries for the people, and the money in the treasury has been gone for seven years. It’s over 70 or 80 years old, it’s really beyond my power to fill up this workshop all at once!”
To put it simply, the country does not have that much money now. These workshops and houses have been built, but the equipment and other equipment inside them will not be able to be purchased by the Tang Dynasty for a while.
"Then let's attract investment!"
"Investment?"
Fang and Du were stunned. This word was new and they didn't understand it even after thinking about it.
"Let me ask you, are there any rich people in Chang'an City?"
"Of course there is!"
Is not this nonsensical? In the entire Tang Dynasty, there were five surnames and seven Wangs, all of whom had been aristocratic for hundreds of years. You would not believe it if they said they had no money.
Many of these aristocratic families have properties in Chang'an. In addition to the main family, many second- and third-bedroom families also choose to settle down in Chang'an.
To say that the richest people in Chang'an are definitely not the royal family of the Tang Dynasty, but these aristocratic families.
"Then why don't you jointly set up a factory with those rich people? They will pay for it, and the land is yours. Then the Ministry of Industry can find people to make the machines, and finally the final profits will be distributed according to everyone's investment."
Everyone in the world pursues profit, especially aristocratic families. As long as it is profitable, are you afraid that they will not take out the money?
"But... this..." Fang and Du looked at each other and asked private capital to enter the government-run workshop. To be honest, they really hadn't thought about it.
"Look, are there many people outside waiting to recruit workers?"
Fang and Du nodded. With the completion of the construction of Chang'an Workshop, there are fewer and fewer jobs that can be done. Indeed, many people are beginning to find no new jobs.
"Then you are also waiting to make money and fill the national treasury, right?"
The two nodded again, isn't this nonsense? A country can only do whatever it wants when its treasury is full, and it can raise as many troops as it wants.
"And we are still waiting for these workshops to make down jackets, so what..." Wang Qingluan was beside him, and Tang Ping didn't say anything about fighting the Turks.
But Fang and Du naturally understood, and nodded again like a chicken pecking at rice.
