Chapter 4: The Gu Family Blacksmith Shop in Hangzhou

In fact, steelmaking is merely a process of desulfurization and decarbonization, which Xiao Ming understands. However, the carbon content in steel determines its quality. At that time, ancient metallurgy did not possess the technology for large-scale desulfurization and decarbonization. Nevertheless, the Gu family secretly mastered a formula for the carbon content in steel, which is why the quality of their ironware is certainly much superior to that of others.

It is imperative that Brother Xiao stays for a few more days. Regarding the recent prison break, although the authorities have not conducted a large-scale search, they have still dispatched many undercover agents. It will take some time before the situation can be relaxed, and Brother Xiao can leave then without haste

Unable to find the phone, there is nothing that can be done. However, Xiao Ming asked a question, which is how many years have passed since the signing of the "Tanyuan Alliance" between the Northern Song Dynasty and the Liao State? He knows that the "Tanyuan Alliance" was signed in the year 1004.

Xiao Ming shook his head, "It's very good, recently I feel very comfortable, and I have an abundance of energy, it seems that if I don't release it, it becomes quite uncomfortable."

Standing by and observing, An Daoquan took hold of Xiao Ming's wrist for quite some time, secretly exclaiming: "Strange!"

For more than one hundred years between the Song and Liao dynasties, although there were constant frictions, large-scale wars did not occur. After Emperor Huizong ascended the throne, the court regarded the annual tribute to the Liao state as a humiliation. The annual tribute of 100,000 taels of silver and 200,000 rolls of silk gradually diminished to less than 100,000 taels per year. The emperor of the Liao sent envoys to reprimand, claiming that the Song had violated the agreement and threatened to raise troops for an attack, causing widespread panic among the people. This was the major event of the time.

Andaoquan calculated and informed Xiao Ming that the covenant signed back then has already been 116 years ago

Xiao Ming searched everywhere but could not find An Daoquan. Finally, he received a letter left for him by An Daoquan and a cloth bag from Gu Shouzheng.

From the mouth of An Daoquan, it is understood that the current year is the second year of the Xuanhe era, and the reigning emperor is Song Huizong Zhao Ji

The blacksmith shop owned by the Gu family is actually a medium-sized foundry, equipped with a large iron smelting furnace and employing seven or eight assistants. It is quite busy, with the sound of clanging metal echoing throughout the day. In addition to forging various tools such as iron plows, hoes, kitchen knives, scissors, and iron shovels, it also produces swords and firearms for the Hangzhou garrison.

Xiao Ming and An Daoquan were both taken aback. If Xiao Ming exhibited extraordinary strength, it could be attributed to sheer brute force emanating from his bones, but the strength of his fingers was entirely different; it was a level of force that was exceedingly difficult to control

During a casual conversation with Gu Shouzheng, Xiao Ming introduced a traditional method of desulfurization. The iron castings produced using his method exhibited remarkable elasticity, no longer as brittle as before. This greatly surprised Gu Shouzheng and significantly enhanced his impression of Xiao Ming, leading him to frequently engage Xiao Ming in discussions about iron smelting and steel forging techniques whenever he had the opportunity

Since An Daquan was no longer present, Xiao Ming felt it inappropriate to linger and intended to take his leave, but he was firmly retained by Gu Shouzheng

When the two have nothing to do, they engage in some casual conversation. Their current relationship can be described as both teacher and friend. Xiao Ming is a modern person and does not place much importance on hierarchical relationships. Moreover, An Daoquan is unwilling to acknowledge a master-disciple relationship, so there is no caution between them that is typical of such relationships.

In this ancient society, the lives of the common people are indeed quite dull. Xiao Ming, a modern individual accustomed to the vibrant nightlife of the city, even finds himself aimlessly browsing the internet at home.

One morning a few days later, Xiao Ming woke up and found that An Daoquan was missing. Recently, Xiao Ming had been full of energy and did not want to sleep, waking up after about 4 hours each night. With nothing much to do, he practiced the Golden Needle technique in the courtyard. In the beginning, An Daoquan was there to guide him, but eventually realized that Xiao Ming was becoming proficient very quickly and no longer needed guidance, so he stopped paying attention to him and went back to sleep in his room.

Days passed one by one, and An Daquan and Xiao Ming had been living in the blacksmith shop for over ten days. During this time, Xiao Ming did not stop practicing for a moment, but An Daquan often went out, sometimes not returning until midnight

What year is the second year of the Xuanhe era? Xiao Ming is somewhat uncertain about this. There is indeed some information and novels on his phone that could clarify the timeline. At that time, when he was stripped of his clothes, nothing was found in his pockets. Xiao Ming thought his phone was safe in his pants pocket, but after he was injected with a needle, all his clothes were torn apart, and his phone might have been left in the cell.

The techniques are mainly divided into more than twenty types, among which the most commonly used include: Hua Tuo's Lantern Hand, Hua Tuo's Sword Drawing Hand, Zhong Kui's Pen Holding Hand, Bian Que's Spiral Hand, Su Qin's Sword Carrying Hand, the Piercing Hand, the Lantern Lifting Hand, etc. Xiao Ming quickly mastered these techniques

He stayed at the blacksmith's shop for several days and truly felt bored. At first, he could immerse himself in the art of acupuncture, but once he learned to master it, he realized that the only remaining step was to practice it himself, so he stopped practicing. Aside from using the golden needles to extract poison daily, he also requested Gu Shouzheng to take him to the blacksmith's shed to have a look at the diagrams and books.

Senior, is this meant to practice acupoints? If I learn this, can I use the Sunflower Acupoint Technique to immobilize someone?

During the Northern Song Dynasty, there were 1,200,000 troops, of which more than half of the 800,000 imperial troops had been assigned to the Western Army to maintain the war against the Western Xia Kingdom and to guard the borders. The remaining 400,000 auxiliary troops were composed of refugees recruited from various regions suffering from disasters, resulting in a very low combat effectiveness. Upon hearing that the Liao Kingdom was about to send troops, the entire court was greatly alarmed, and thus allowed the local populace to recruit militia. The individuals who captured Xiao Ming were local militia, which is also the reason why Xiao Ming was suspected of being a spy for the Liao Kingdom

They simply did not think carefully; why would the spies of the Liao state travel all the way to Hangzhou in Jiangnan?

The Gu family blacksmith workshop has implemented several special devices. In addition to the large iron melting furnace, which utilizes a two-layer sealed air chamber for blowing air through a siphon method, each small iron furnace employs a piston-type bellows for heating. Furthermore, a hydraulic forging hammer is used in the forging process. A narrow waterway has been specially excavated outdoors, allowing flowing water to drive a waterwheel, which in turn rotates a cam to provide power for forging. This greatly impressed Xiao Ming with the technological applications of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Regarding the individual Xiao Ming, An Daoquan found him quite peculiar. During their conversation, it became evident that he was rather unfamiliar with the current social dynamics, yet his comprehension ability was astonishing. He often managed to arrive at insights on his own, and sometimes a few simple sentences could pinpoint the crux of the matter, being both concise and unique. Unintentionally, he frequently expressed thoughts that were extraordinary and unconventional.

However, Xiao Ming practiced with great enthusiasm

Andaoquan's actual age is not considered old; after washing up and tidying himself, he appears lean and dignified. With three strands of long beard and bright eyes, beneath his long robe and scholar's cap, he exudes an air of elegance reminiscent of a classic painting. The disheveled atmosphere of the cell is completely dispelled, and he has been in good spirits these past few days, also quite talkative

Is there anything unusual about how you feel?

Xiao Ming was playing with the golden needle, his eyes sparkling with delight, "Not bad! It truly is gold," he expressed with great fondness

"What is the Sunflower Point Meridian Technique? The method of the Huashi Golden Needle does not include these techniques, but it can indeed immobilize a person. This immobilization is primarily for the purpose of treating illness; when the circulation of qi and blood in the meridians is obstructed for an extended period, it can lead to greater chaos in the balance of yin and yang within the body, making it more complicated to regulate. " Immediately, An Daquan explained the Golden Needle technique to Xiao Ming, covering the posture, force, lightness, depth, and timing. These techniques require holding the needle to perform, while some can also be applied directly.

He had no idea that there was a nearly one-thousand-year gap between the two of them. He thought he had encountered a rare talent and had a strong desire to pass on his teachings. However, he regretted having spoken too definitively before, and now it was difficult for him to shamelessly bring up the idea of taking on a disciple again

After familiarizing himself with the meridian chart on the wall, Xiao Ming, invigorated and focused, performed the Hua Tuo's Lantern Hand technique, directing his finger towards the target on the wall, specifically the Tian Tu meridian located beneath the neck of the human figure.

Listening to Gu Shouzheng's introduction, the ironware produced by the Gu family's workshop is very famous, attracting buyers from other provinces and states, and he speaks with great pride

Inside the cloth bag are nineteen gold needles of varying lengths and thicknesses. In a letter, An Daoquan informs Xiao Ming that due to matters that require his attention, he is heading north to the Shandong region of the Two Huai Roads, with an uncertain return date. He leaves a package of gold needles for Xiao Ming, urging him to use the needles daily to extract poison himself and to practice the techniques of using the gold needles diligently. If he needs assistance, he may seek help from Su Bi at the Richanglong Trading Company in the west of the city.

Xiao Ming, feeling helpless, had no choice but to agree to stay a few more days

Regarding hetushu.com, this artist, Emperor Huizong, is well understood by Xiao Ming, who is also a great painter and the creator of the slender gold script in calligraphy. A somewhat melodramatic aspect is that Xiao Ming is particularly concerned with the story of Huizong and the famous courtesan Li Shishi

Xiao Ming is a rational person. If he cannot immediately return to his own era through the time vortex and must remain here, it is essential for him, possessing knowledge of modern history, to carefully plan how to survive in this chaotic period at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty

With a soft "pop!", my finger unexpectedly sank half an inch into the wall

Based on this, Xiao Ming deduced that the current year is 1120 AD. According to historical records, this is precisely the late Northern Song period, with seven years remaining until the Jurchen army of the Jin State would bring about the "Jingkang humiliation" that led to the fall of the Northern Song.

The residual toxins have already infiltrated your limbs and bones, manifesting as a distortion of the fascia. How is it that they are instead being utilized by you, without any signs of expulsion? This is truly perplexing" An Daquan furrowed his brow, deep in thought and unable to comprehend.

Xiao Ming was very curious about this difficult friend and divine doctor. In addition to learning the art of acupuncture from him, he was most concerned about everything in the current era. Therefore, he constantly sought to extract useful information from An Daoquan's words.

However, the Liao state had its own troubles and was merely a paper tiger to the Song Dynasty. Consequently, the local militias that were recruited became personal guards for certain officials and wealthy households. It was during this period that various armed forces of differing sizes emerged within the Song Dynasty.

At the end of the letter, An Daoquan instructed Xiao Ming to stay a little longer at the blacksmith Gu Shouzheng's place, as the authorities would not make a fuss about the prison break for too long. If they wished to meet, they could find him at the Gao family village in Huaixi six months later