"Send it up!"
The Fang family opened the box and took out two books that were estimated to be fifty or sixty pages thick. One was a bit old-fashioned, and the other seemed new.
After Chongzhen took it, he picked up the ancient book and flipped through it. He was surprised to find that it actually recorded the smelting technology, and the previous content had also been read in the palace.
Although he was curious, he also knew that there must be something special about Zhou Tingru bringing this thing at this time, so he patiently looked through it slowly.
Since his time travel, he has focused on the development of firearms, and the most important things in firearms are iron and steel. Naturally, he has read a few books.
Slowly, he discovered that there were many differences between this book and the books collected in the palace library, and many of its insights were very strange.
The more he looked at Chongzhen, the more excited he became. For more than half an hour, Chongzhen closed the book fiercely and looked at Zhou Tingru with his eyes shining.
"Tell me what happened!"
"Your Majesty, after the execution was completed, I returned to the government office. Several businessmen came to the magistrate's office and said that they were asking me to beg for mercy from your majesty. As long as the court completely lets them go, the court will obey them in the future.
Among these people was Wu Dahua, the head of the Wu family who had these two books. He had money, fertile land, etc., but it was his first time to send the book. I boldly read through it and then sent it immediately! "
"Haha, do you mean these people are afraid of death, or do you mean they know the current affairs!"
Chongzhen sneered and joked a few words, then took the book in his hand and whispered: "How feasible do you think the records in this book are?"
"Your Majesty, I have not dabbled in the art of smelting, so I dare not rashly judge the content in the book, but I can make some guesses.
As the saying goes, 'Since European smelters made swords, Wuzhong's iron workers have continued'. Suzhou has been famous for its smelting technology since ancient times, and it has produced high-quality steel like Su Gang.
The Wu family is a well-known iron smelting family in Central Suzhou. They have been engaged in smelting for generations. They have also participated in Su Gang's research and accumulated countless experiences. It is normal to have some strange ideas.
At this juncture, Ning Yuan could not do anything wrong and make fun of such a big thing, unless he wanted to kill the Nine Clans.
From these two points, what is recorded in these two books is 80% likely to be true.
If it is true, this will definitely create a ten thousand-year foundation for the entire Ming Dynasty. I have already brought Wu Dahua. Do you want to call him in to ask? "
"pass!"
After a while, an extremely capable middle-aged man entered the lobby and bowed his head when he saw Chongzhen.
"Wu Dahua, let me ask you, the contents recorded in these two books are the experiences of your Wu family over the years. Can those final smelting methods really be achieved?"
"Young people can't guarantee everything, but you can give it a try. These contents have a certain relationship with Ou Yezi!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the lobby was stunned.
Who is Ou Yezi?
That was the famous swordsmith in the early autumn of the Warring States Period, the originator of Chinese swordsmiths, and the founder of Longquan Sword.
Eight of the ten famous swords in Chinese legends are related to him. Six of them, including Zhanlu, Chunjun, Yuchang, Juque, Longyuan, and Tai'a, were forged by him himself, and two were made by his son-in-law and daughter. Ganjiang was made by Moye.
These people don't know it now, but Chongzhen who came from later generations knew that two famous swords, Ganjiang and Chunjun, were unearthed in archeology in later generations.
It is said that the two swords were dazzling when they were unearthed, with no rust and thin and sharp blades. When they were unearthed, they cut a staff member's finger.
There may be an element of propaganda, but it is definitely sharp.
"Are you Ou Yezi's descendants? Or have you dug Ou Yezi's grave?"
Listening to Zhou Tingru's question, Wu Dahua smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Zhou is joking. I don't even know the birth and death dates of Master Ou Yezi. I don't even know where he died. Not to mention not knowing his grave.
Even if he knew it, he wouldn't be able to dig it out as someone from a smelting family.
Although we did not dig up the grave of Master Ou Yezi, we accidentally obtained the records about smelting left by his son-in-law and daughter. I don’t know how we found it. There is no record in the Wu family’s genealogy.
For my Wu family to occupy a place in the smelting industry, that note is definitely a major contributor! "
I see!
Everyone suddenly realized that they did not expect such a thing to happen.
"No, I remember that Ou Yezi was mainly smelting bronze at that time, which is completely different from your current smelting of steel!"
"Your Majesty, the principles of smelting are the same. The tools, methods, etc. we use now are all slowly improved on the basis of our predecessors!"
Chongzhen was an absolute layman when it came to smelting. He only knew that the flexibility and hardness of steel seemed to be related to the carbon content. He really didn't understand how it came about.
"It's hard for me to judge whether it's true or not. Since you presented these two records to me, you must want me to completely forgive your Wu family. So, I will arrange for Jin Yiwei to send you and the main craftsmen of the Wu family to Beijing.
If it is true as recorded in your book, Suzhou Steel can be mass-produced and the cost and time are reduced, I will not only forgive you Wu family, but also can be promoted to a noble position. You go and prepare, we will set off in three days! "
"The common people thank your Majesty!"
Wu Dahua thanked him immediately and slowly exited the lobby. Although his face was happy, the corners of his mouth were full of bitterness.
Unless he had no choice, he would never give such secrets to the court.
After Wu Dahua withdrew, Chongzhen looked at Li Ruolian: "What's going on with the Wu family? Even if they settle accounts after the fall, they won't kill them all.
After lying dormant for decades, it is not difficult to rise again with this skill! "
"Your Majesty, having said that, it is unlikely."
Li Ruolian sneered: "First, they have a certain relationship with the Wenxiang Sect. They made weapons for them and sold some iron and copper ore to the Wenxiang Sect.
Although they were just doing business and had no knowledge of it, if they really wanted to find out, they would never be able to get rid of the relationship. They would not be able to punish the three clans. At least the male members of the family would be dead;
Secondly, although the crimes committed by the family members are now being released, Qiu Hou will definitely settle the accounts, and they understand clearly;
Thirdly, the imperial court issued an edict last year. Within three to five years, all iron and copper mines will be returned to the imperial court. The private sector also has strict control over iron tools. They will either completely surrender to the imperial court or change careers.
Now that something like this has happened, they can only follow the trend. "
"Okay, prepare yourself, arrange for someone to send them to Beijing, hand them over to Yuan Keli, and ask him to arrange for them to go to Zunhua Iron Works to set up a separate workshop. What kind of full cooperation is needed?
In addition, notify Xu Guangqi and ask them to send people to study it and see if they can gain anything! "
"I obey the decree!"
Li Ruolian left quickly, and Chongzhen gently patted the two books on the table, his eyes full of smiles.
Steel is another foundation of industry, such as steam engines, railroad tracks, cement road construction, firearms manufacturing, warships, machinery, etc., all require high-quality steel. Without these, it would be impossible for a clever woman to make a fool of herself.
He was worried that there was no breakthrough in steel, but he received such an unexpected gain.
According to the records in the book, combined with the top smelting craftsmen in the imperial court, maybe good news will come from the southern tour to Beijing.
After a while, seeing the emperor's expression calm down, Zhou Tingru whispered: "Your Majesty, there are several wealthy businessmen and gentry over there at the magistrate's office, and they have the same purpose as the Wu family. If I am not sure, please let me know! "
