From very early on, there were already blacksmiths who could forge steel.
However, they all use charcoal as fuel.
However, the methods are different. The first one is the block smelting method, which is to forge pig iron blocks and finally make steel. However, the production efficiency of this kind of forged steel is low, and the quality of the steel obtained is not very good.
Later, in order to improve the quality of steel, craftsmen invented the invention of steelmaking. This is to repeatedly heat and fold the steel that has been prepared.
The most popular thing among soldiers and generals is the Hundred Refined Sword, which can be obtained by repeatedly folding and forging it a hundred times.
Then, the generals and emperors saw the benefits of steelmaking and the demand for steelmaking was increasing, so they forced the craftsmen to invent the method of burning and frying pig iron in furnaces to obtain better steel.
This is the emergence of the steel frying method.
Finally, the most awesome steel filling method appeared.
Now, the craftsmen in the Ordnance Supervision are using the steel filling method!
The steel pouring method actually uses high-quality iron ore to smelt high-quality pig iron, and then pours the pig iron that is still in solution onto the wrought iron. The pig iron and the wrought iron are in harmony and blend together.
Then, it is hammered several times with a hammer to completely and evenly fuse the pig iron and wrought iron, and then the iron is obtained, which is steel.
However, craftsmen still cannot overcome the poisonous effects of burning charcoal, so they still use charcoal as fuel. In Li Xuan's opinion, the production efficiency is still very low.
And now, he has connected all the furnaces in the forge with iron chimneys, so that coal can be directly burned to make steel.
Thinking about it, Li Xuan's face was filled with joy.
Um?
Suddenly, Li Xuan thought of the origin of wrought iron explained by Ying Qi and Wu Fu.
It seems that wrought iron is also made by frying pig iron.
Moreover, in the process of frying pig iron to make wrought iron, many times of stirring are required for oxidation and decarburization. This process also takes a long time.
Then, when pig iron is decarburized, the molten iron of the pig iron is cooled down at a certain time when the carbon content is relatively high. Wouldn't it be low carbon steel or high carbon steel?
Thinking about it, Li Xuan's heart moved and he stood up directly.
Quickly come to the forge.
But at this moment, Ying Qi and Wu Fu had already started forging pig iron.
Li Xuan directly explained his thoughts to the two of them in detail.
Ying Qi and Wu Fu were obviously not peaceful masters. In other words, in the past few months since they came to Lijiazhuang, under the influence of Li Xuan'er, these two craftsmen also learned to tinker with some weird things.
After listening to Li Xuan's narration, the two people's eyes immediately lit up, they patted their chests and said firmly:
"Master, don't worry. Nowadays, using pebbles as fuel, calcining a furnace of pig iron can be completed in half an hour. We will test it for a few days to verify whether the smelting method you mentioned can produce hard steel."
!”
"This will trouble the two craftsmen!"
Li Xuan also looked happy, "You two have worked hard these days. You will pick five kilograms of vegetables from my glass greenhouse and take them home to taste with your wife and children. Wait for the cement and steel to be burned.
When it is ready and you can build a house, you two can also build a house in Lijiazhuang and bring your wives, children, and children!"
"Thank you, Master!"
Now, Ying Qi and Wu Fu were even more excited.
How great a blessing it would be to settle down in a prince's village. They knew it all too well after having been in prison for so many years!
Suddenly, my whole body was full of motivation.
"Don't worry, Master, even if we try a hundred times, or even a thousand times, the two of us will definitely be able to smelt the steel!"
"Very good!"
Hearing this, Li Xuan nodded with satisfaction.
Then, he walked out.
Cement and steelmaking have been arranged, and the rest of the time is just waiting.
He believed in the talents of Ying Qi and Wu Fu.
…
"Is everything arranged?"
As soon as he walked into the house, Li Xuan found Li Yuan sitting on the sofa with a smile on his face, looking at him quietly.
"Um!"
Li Xuan smiled lightly and also sat on the sofa.
Li Chongyi on the side had already poured a cup of hot tea.
"I heard you are going to build a house?"
Li Yuan asked, his eyes shining brightly.
"Exactly, this room is already a bit small!"
Li Xuan looked up at the house where he had lived for two years and said with emotion.
"Indeed, if you live alone, this room is okay. But if there are more family members, it will be too small!"
Li Yuan nodded repeatedly.
Um?
After hearing this, Li Xuan was stunned, feeling as if what Old Man Xiong said did not mean the same thing as what he said!
However, I didn’t think much about it.
However, Li Yuan on the side had no intention of stopping, and his face was still full of interest.
"Xuanba, I wonder how big a palace you want to build? Do you have any drawings and plans? Do you want me to call the general supervisor Gongsun Nian to come over and lay it out for you?"
"I already have plans and drawings for this matter. All I need to do is send some craftsmen to build the house!"
Li Xuan refused directly.
Just kidding, after seeing so many buildings from later generations, he already had a fantasy about his own house deep in his heart.
However, in later generations, houses of 100 square meters were sold at sky-high prices. Even if he struggled for a hundred years, he would not be able to afford it.
Now, he wants money, but he still has more than he can spend. He wants craftsmen, and they are all the top craftsmen in the Tang Dynasty. He must turn his fantasy into reality.
"I see!"
Hearing this, Li Yuan only had a flash of disappointment in his eyes, but he soon returned to normal.
Then he asked again: "In the past few days, the news that I have grown vegetables in Lijiazhuang has spread throughout Chang'an City. Even the surrounding aristocratic families have received the news and are riding in carriages, traveling day and night.
.”
"Does Xuan Ba have any rules regarding which dignitaries from aristocratic families and officials to come in to view the glass greenhouse?"
"I'm not familiar with any of those people. Besides, those more than two hundred pieces of glass greenhouses are all yours. Just let whoever you want in!"
Li Xuan said slowly.
He really knew nothing about these things.
However, the old bear in front of him is definitely an old goblin who hides his secrets.
After spending so many days together, he could tell that although the old man Xiong in front of him often had a gentle face, he was by no means an incompetent man with unclear rewards and punishments as later generations would say.
Rather, he is an old goblin with deep plans and great wisdom.
Seeing that Li Xuan was not interested in what he said, Li Yuan stopped asking any more questions.
After drinking the tea, Li Xuan stood up and walked to the glass greenhouse.
It seems that he has been very busy these days and has no chance to calm down and take a closer look at his vegetable garden.
…
The next few days.
Just as Li Yuan said, convoys continued to drive into Chang'an City from all directions.
In fact, some people have begun to wander outside Lijiazhuang despite the cold wind.
In the Taiji Palace, Li Shimin was also busy going around. After a while, the head of a certain big family asked for an audience, or an official asked for an interview.
There were even some envoys sent to the Tang Dynasty who came to the palace to see Li Shimin!
Anyway, no matter who they are, what topics they talk about, and their final intentions, they can all be related to those glass greenhouses in Lijiazhuang!