Chapter 10, Excessive Use of Fire

Guan Fengsheng did not hesitate at all

Li Si's emotions were stirred as he examined "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature"! Upon careful review, it turned out to be the edition from the tenth year of the Chongzhen reign! The earliest version!

My brother is too shy to speak up, but he is watching Tian Qing and the eldest daughter...

The remaining work involves the tasks of the carpenter and the blacksmith. They modified the air inlet to connect directly to the heat storage chamber, while the air intake was placed on the side of the heat storage chamber. He, the carpenter, along with Guan Fengsheng, who is originally a blacksmith, quickly resolved the matter.

Is it really fate that you still hold on to, not allowing your own son to be just a peaceful dog

This mine was established with the support of Guan Fengsheng; with his backing, everything proceeded smoothly

In the year 1712, it was not yet a widely known classic. Apart from a few editions from the early Qing dynasty, it had not been disseminated further. Strictly speaking, it had only been fifty years since Song Yingxing's death, which still placed him within the same era. During the Qianlong period, when the Manchu court compiled the "Complete Library in Four Sections," not only was this book not included, but it was also directly banned.

The design plans are actually all in Li Si's mind. Throughout the day, he is busy with the work of explanation, while those who are making bricks are making bricks, those who are forging are forging, and the carpenters are also rolling up their sleeves to get to work. At the mine, tools are often procured independently, and Li Si's task is merely a small project that can be resolved with some leftover materials. The guards at the mine have always refrained from interfering with the operations of the mine; their only responsibility is to keep an eye on the ore and the molten iron. Old Master Zhong also does not concern himself with how the iron smelting furnace is to be handled.

Lazily flipping open the last box, I picked up a book, and the four characters on the cover caught my eye.

Fang Yizhi's "Small Knowledge of Physics", Wang Fuzhi's "Record of Inquiry"

Guan Fengsheng had great confidence in Li Si and resolutely issued the order

As he gazed at these books, Li Si's mind was stirred by the words in the *Illustrated* book, and the phrase "revolt" lingered in his thoughts.

I know what you are thinking, but Yun Niang has already been promised to me in front of Brother Li

You

Mr. Guantian hesitated to speak, while Guanfengsheng let out a cold snort

After a while, Guan Fengsheng regained his spirits. If he could not forge steel, he could at least save enough money for firewood, allowing him to breathe a little easier this year. With a slight adjustment, the issue of the imperial grain on Li Si's side could be resolved.

Li Si's task is quite simple: to add a heat storage chamber to this furnace. The iron smelting furnaces of this era are all open, resulting in low thermal efficiency of the fuel. By constructing a heat storage chamber using heat-resistant materials, the thermal efficiency of the fuel can be improved, thereby reducing consumption

A tender voice was heard, but the footsteps were not singular; it was Guan Erjie along with Jia Gouzi and Wu Shitou who had arrived together. Li Si's emotions settled; for him at this moment, rebellion was merely a castle in the air. What he needed to do now was to lay a solid foundation and build the steps.

The most troublesome aspect is the furnace top. The ideal heat storage chamber should, of course, have a closed furnace top. However, since this is merely a renovation, we must consider the material input from the furnace top. Li Si's plan can only involve using iron sheets to create a large funnel that can cover the furnace top after the material is fed in. Above the funnel is a curved iron pipe, the other end of which can be inserted into the brick passage.

Turning to the last book, it was a handwritten manuscript, with four small characters on the cover: "Nian Bo's Essays"

He Mujiang let out a disappointed sigh, yet his expression remained calm. In this era, craftsmen guarded their unique skills closely; if others did not speak of them, he certainly could not inquire further.

Li Si did not think too much about it; such matters are too common in this era. The case of Dai Mingzhi's "Nanshan Collection" was only last year.

In the crowd of astonished onlookers, He Mujiang from the mine could not help but ask, as he had a share in this achievement. Li Si had him create a wooden gear for the speed change, which was used to drive a hand-cranked fan

Next to the iron smelting furnace, dig another pit directly at the top of the pit, and construct a small brick house. The interior of the brick house features a honeycomb-like refractory brick structure. Additionally, excavate a passage leading to the furnace's air inlet, which should also be constructed with bricks. Above the brick house, similarly build a passage close to the top of the furnace, where a chimney is erected in the middle of the passage. A protruding pipe structure is installed, with a fan made of iron sheets mounted behind the protruding pipe, operated manually. This setup allows heavy smoke to exit through the chimney, while lighter hot air can be drawn into the heat storage chamber by the fan. Above the brick house, similarly build a passage close to the top of the furnace, where a chimney is erected in the middle of the passage. A protruding pipe structure is installed, with a fan made of iron sheets mounted behind the protruding pipe, operated manually. This setup allows heavy smoke to exit through the chimney, while lighter hot air can be drawn into the heat storage chamber by the fan

Looking at the little girl who seemed to have captured all the stars in her eyes, Li Si felt a warmth fill his heart

Fourth Brother, you are indeed not an ordinary person

He encountered a little girl and her two companions, and Li Si smiled slightly, saying: "Today we won't learn characters; I will teach you to recognize the stars"

The next day, Guan Fengsheng observed Li Si's expression, which left Li Si quite puzzled. However, when Guan Fengsheng glanced at Tian Qing, he sighed but said nothing further

It doesn't matter anymore; after all, the knowledge in my mind should be sufficient. Looking for books is merely a way to prepare for when I need to deflect the questions of people like Guan Fengsheng.

"New Book of Military Effectiveness" ! "Practical Records of Military Training" ! ... The military treatises of General Qi Jiguang ...

It is likely that something taboo was destroyed

At night, Li Si was tossing and turning under the bed, dragging out several large wooden boxes. Upon opening the boxes, he was immediately engulfed by a pile of thread-bound ancient books. He was reminded of his own offhand remarks during the day, wondering what books his father had left for him.

After flipping through a stack of "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature," and then turning to the illustrated book, Li Si increasingly believed that Old Li was no ordinary person

Old Li's name is Li Zhui, courtesy name Nianbo. This book should be Old Li's notes. The regular script is quite upright; although the skill cannot be said to be very high, it possesses a robust structure and exudes a grandeur that is absent in the works of the Qing people.

Li Si suddenly felt that his mouth was like possessing the "Great Prophecy Technique". Previously, he had casually mentioned something at the mine, and unexpectedly, he found this treasure right under his own bed. With this book, the authority on smelting iron and steel was firmly in his hands

Li Si is not being perfunctory; the principle is similar to that of a bicycle chain. Those who understand it find it quite simple, but for those who do not, they must grasp many concepts to comprehend it.

Opening the book, Li Si frowned, as only a small half of the white pages remained, with paper shavings at the binding, and the portion with text had naturally been torn away

The heat storage chamber has been completed, and the next step is to verify the results. Li Si felt a sense of unease, as he had never practiced it before. Although Tian Qing was taken aback by the series of events, like many others, he still did not believe that this strange device could save charcoal.

In a while, when I have some free time, I will take the opportunity to give lectures. If you wish to learn, you must come to attend the classes, and remember to bring your apprentice with you

Dozens of people surrounded the stove, exchanging looks of surprise and suspicion. In the distance, more individuals slowed their pace, scrutinizing the stove's peculiar modifications

It was not until the Republican era that the Chinese people became aware of the existence of this book from scant traces, and subsequently found the original in Japan. As a result, it was discovered that not only was it available in Japan, but the entire Europe had it as well. All versions of "Tiangong Kaiwu" published during the Republican period originated from the Japanese "Sugamoto".

To understand this, one must learn many things

Old Li, do you truly consider yourself just an ordinary scholar

Li Si nearly spat out a mouthful of blood upon seeing the picture book, "Hey, hey, Li old man, this is not just unusual, it's far too unusual.

Under the same starry sky, Guan Fengsheng and his wife lay in bed, also discussing Guan Erjie

Tian Qing spoke in a strained voice, but was slapped by Tian Dayou beside him. Upon hearing about this, he also came over to see the commotion. Although he reprimanded his son, his brows were furrowed, indicating that he did not have a favorable view of the situation.

We need bricks, we need iron fan blades, we need labor, all of which are available at the mine. Why should you spend any money! You are the leader, we all follow your lead

The project is not complicated; in fact, there is no need to burn bricks again. Wu Tantuo dismantled a previously abandoned charcoal kiln, and combined with the originally collapsed furnace, he managed to gather enough refractory bricks that Li Si required

In this day and age, books are regarded as the ultimate authority. Not to mention those illiterate furnace workers, even Guan Fengsheng firmly believes this, while only Tian Qing remains stubbornly defiant.

It would be best to marry the fourth brother together.

Song Yingxing's "Tian Gong Kai Wu" is hailed by later generations as "the world's first comprehensive work on agricultural and handicraft production," and is referred to by Europeans as "the encyclopedia of crafts in 17th century China"

Ms. Guantian was so angry that she could not speak, turning her head and no longer paying attention to her husband

I know, but this mine does not belong to us

Mr. Guantian gritted his teeth, still unwilling to accept it

"Fourth brother, why does the fan spin so fast when someone gently shakes it?"

This stove has an extra large lump; be careful as it may consume more charcoal

He Mujiang was filled with deep emotion

In summary, this design is quite rudimentary, yet everyone was captivated by one particular detail

Most of them are related to the Four Books and Five Classics. Li Si was too lazy to flip through them, so he just scanned the covers one by one. He had rummaged through the bottoms of all the boxes, yet still found nothing of value or any illustrated books.

The primary function of this heat storage chamber is to raise the furnace temperature, which can be utilized in steelmaking. The maximum temperature of the furnace for smelting pig iron is less than 1200 degrees, while molten steel requires a temperature of 1600 degrees. However, there are currently no sufficiently heat-resistant materials available for the furnace, and this mine belongs to Lord Zhong, making it unnecessary to pursue steelmaking. Therefore, Li Si is merely using it to save charcoal expenses for the mine, while simultaneously accumulating technical knowledge for his next plan. However, there are currently no sufficiently heat-resistant materials available for the furnace, and this mine belongs to Lord Zhong, making it unnecessary to pursue steelmaking. Therefore, Li Si is merely using it to save charcoal expenses for the mine, while simultaneously accumulating technical knowledge for his next plan.

While renovating the iron smelting furnace, Li Si became acquainted with a charcoal worker named Wu. This individual, named Wu Yaluo, has a rather modern name, yet he is quite rustic in demeanor. Indeed, his work involves burning clay and firewood. In addition to producing charcoal, he also engages in the production of furnace bricks.

He intends to sell the land not merely for this stove; the next stove is more important, as it is his own stove

The two individuals then focused their thoughts on the modification of the stove

Fire!

Li Si sighed, while Guan Fengsheng felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, left dumbfounded. Indeed, this is Master Zhong's mine, and the principle by which this "capitalist" governs people like them is simply to ensure they are well-fed. Even when they produce steel, they are still exploited by Master Zhong to the point of having little left. Although in this era, those who know how to smelt steel are considered skilled craftsmen, and if they went to Foshan to work as furnace operators, they could earn at least two to three hundred taels a year, they are still burdened with a mountain of debt owed to Master Zhong, leaving them with no means to escape.

Look at the thoughts of Fourth Brother; they do not seem to be on Yun Niang, but rather he is more fond of Second Sister

Following Li Si's words, He Mujiang stared wide-eyed, and it took him a long time to regain his senses, nodding repeatedly, asking why he didn't learn it

Sister Guan Er stared blankly at the night sky: "Stars? Upon closer inspection, they are denser than rice porridge; how can one distinguish them clearly?"

Fourth brother! You promised yesterday to teach us to recognize and write characters