The Chinese New Year in Huainan is similar to that in Luoyang. Smoke fills everywhere in the city, and every household is offering sacrifices to their ancestors. There is no sound of firecrackers, but the neighing of slaughtered pigs can be heard from time to time.
After the new year, it will be the fifth year of the first year, the year of Jiazi, which is a new reincarnation of the stems and branches.
As soon as the fifteenth day of the first lunar month passes, the paddy fields where rice is grown can begin to be plowed. Dung piles have been compulsorily implemented, but the Duwei Mansion has not been able to make many curved shaft plows and there is not enough iron material, so most farmers still have to use them for spring plowing.
Long straight shaft plows, or even wooden plows, are very laborious.
Qin Liang took several people with him early in the morning and rode south along the Xian River. They came to Tieguan City on the bank of the Xian River and close to the Dabie Mountains to see with their own eyes the progress of iron smelting.
Chen An and other officials came out of the city to greet him. Qin Liang didn't say much and just asked to inspect the iron kiln. The city was very small, except for Chen An's subordinates and the craftsmen he found were civilian guards transferred from Lujiang County. There were no other guards.
resident.
There was no black smoke rising in the air, and the kiln was obviously not burning yet.
Chen An introduced a subordinate officer named Du Heng, who was recruited from Xingyang County, Sizhou, and who was responsible for supervising the construction of the furnace and kiln.
While listening to Du Heng's introduction to several furnaces he supervised, Qin Liang observed those brick-and-earth furnaces with elliptical bottoms. It is said that this shape has no blind spots for firepower. Qin Liang didn't know much about the specific technology of metallurgy, so he didn't say much.
The people of the Han Dynasty knew how to build blast furnaces. The key was to find people with skills and experience.
After listening for a while, Qin Liang just relied on his intuition and felt that this big man really knew how to make iron. Because Du Heng also talked about the steps of using pig iron to make wrought iron and steel. He burned the iron material until it was semi-melted and then stir-fried it repeatedly.
.Qin Liang has heard of this method.
There is also the hydraulic blower built by Du Heng near the Xiang River. It can rotate and blow very loudly. It is said that these are tools handed down from the Han Dynasty. People without any experience should not be able to make such a thing.
Soon everyone walked around the small Tieguan City and went to the official temple to rest. Qin Liang and Chen An walked out of the official temple alone and walked for a while on the dusty road.
Qin Liang saw that Chen An was thinner than he was in Luoyang, so he said nicely: "Iron officials are not under the direct control of the county governor, so I can only ask Ji Le to help. If there are any difficulties, please just tell me."
Chen An frowned and said: "It's just that it's not easy to find someone. Even two people were hired before. I told you well beforehand that there was also a great craftsman from my ancestor who was a general. I found him and used it. The furnace he built on the first day
It burned down. If not, iron would have been produced in three or four months. After all, iron ore and coal are readily available along the Xianshui River." Qin Liang nodded and said, "I think this Du Heng is quite capable."
Chen An sighed and said, "I hope so."
Qin Liang glanced at his disheveled mustache and said with a smile, "I remember that Ji Le calls himself a lazy person."
Although Chen An has a mustache, the position of his philtrum is very flat, not the character "eight", but a horizontal line (those with no beard on the chin are called mustaches), not the dog-headed military advisor like Ding Mi.
Chen An showed a smile and said calmly: "A lazy person can be content with whatever comes his way."
Qin Liang said with emotion: "I remember when I first became an official, I had a good chat with Sun Qian at first, but I had nothing to say to Ji Le, and then we got to know each other gradually. But now I have no contact with Sun Qian, but I have nothing to do with Ji Le.
The friendship grows day by day.”
Chen An suddenly whispered: "There seems to be something wrong with that Sun Qian."
Qin Liang immediately said in a deep voice: "So Ji Le also noticed it?"
Chen An looked surprised and said, "I thought the prince didn't know."
Qin Liang thought for a while.
He hadn't seen Chao Yun for a long time, and he initially suspected that Chao Yun might be a spy from someone's family. Later, he found out that Cao Shuang was not so careful and vigilant in his work, so he thought that Chao Yun might be from the Sima family.
Thinking about this, Qin Liang felt that Sun Qian might also be related to Chaoyun. On the day Qin Liang was conquered to Luoyang, Sun Qian was the one who entertained guests, and Chaoyun also showed up that night.
There is also a relationship between the Bai family and Chaoyun. But Qin Liang thinks that the Bai family is not very suspicious. After all, the Bai family was still in Qingzhou and Emperor Wei Ming was also in power. It is unlikely that the Sima family would extend its tentacles that far. Most likely Chaoyun
It was only when I was learning singing and dancing skills that I met Bai.
After thinking for a while, Qin Liang nodded slightly and said: "When I first met him, he was very enthusiastic. Now that I think about it, maybe he has an ulterior motive."
Chen Andao: "After the servant hinted, Grand Sinong Huanfan also believed so and even told the general in private. But he couldn't find any real evidence."
Qin Liang said: "Da Sinong is the clearest person in the general's office. Since he has come forward, we don't need to say anything more. If the general can't even listen to Huan Fan's words, he won't listen to us talking."
"The Lord of the Palace should have a quarrel with Da Sinong." Chen An glanced at Qin Liang.
Chen An has worked in the general's mansion for many years, and he really knows the personnel in the mansion very well. Qin Liang said calmly: "One thing comes down to the other, and he also doesn't like me. I didn't recommend him when I conquered Shu last time.
Do I do military planning?"
Chen An smiled and nodded gently.
Qin Liang said: "I have a lot of things going on these days, and I haven't had much time to catch up with Ji Le. Let's have a drink when we are free."
Chen An said calmly: "After we talked at the banquet in the General's Mansion last time, I went back and thought about it. Now that I have a different status from the Lord, it's better not to mention the old things anymore."
Qin Liang didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Chen An, however, disagreed and said: "Our friendship cannot only rely on the past. In the future, the servant must be of some use to the master, so that the friendship can continue. Mr. Fu, don't worry, I will burn out the iron as soon as possible."
Qin Liang sighed immediately, thinking about Chen An's words. It seemed that he was right. It's just that such words usually don't need to be said. However, if you don't make friends sincerely, you won't say it clearly. It's better than someone who talks sweetly and stabs you in the back.
Much more.
He then patted Chen An on the arm and said, "No matter whether our friendship is distant or close in the future, I can still remember the past."
At this time, Qin Liang glanced at the position of the sun and said: "I have to go to Shushui today, so I won't say more for now. Next time I come, I will go to see the iron ore and coal mines."
The two of them bowed to each other on the dusty dirt road.
Just as he was about to turn around, Qin Liang suddenly heard Chen An calling him. When he turned around, Chen An suddenly said in a deep voice: "The general's affairs may be in trouble. Please take care of yourself."
Qin Liang was stunned for a moment, and after observing Chen An's face for a while, he nodded lightly in response.
Sima Yi is now showing some signs of retiring, but he is indeed a feared figure. Even Chen An, a person who believes in metaphysics and talks about the friendship between gentlemen as light as water, has already sensed the danger.
In fact, Sima Yi's strength is very obvious, and only Cao Shuang and his gang don't take it seriously. Not to mention the military commanders at home and abroad, who have soldiers in their hands, and connections among the noble families; it is the Hanoi County run by Sima, which has been run by generations of people.
, just next to Luoyang, it is enough of a threat.
The two of them didn't say much and went back to the office one after another.
Not all cities and towns are paved with bricks and stones like those around the county government, and the roads here are relatively poor. Qin Liang's official robe was now covered with black and gray soil, and his hands were also covered in dust.