After Changsun rushed away, Li Xiaogong glanced at Yang Fan with a complicated expression, and finally Youyou sighed and said: "You, you have the character of a cockfighting cock, you can catch it at once. Now Changsun Chong may even hate me."
Without anyone else around, Yang Fan became more casual. He walked to Li Xiaogong and sat down alone. He laughed and said disapprovingly: "The prince's military strategy is so great that all the barbaric foreigners are staying away. How can he be afraid of a pretty boy who relies on his father's generation?"
Hearing this, Li Xiaogong didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He pointed at Yang Fan and laughed and cursed: "I just want to be an old man who is greedy for pleasure, but you use me as a shield. I have a grudge against you or something?"
"Besides, that kid is just as bad as his father. I don't want to cause trouble for myself. You should be careful during this time."
Hearing Li Xiaogong's words, Yang Fan couldn't help but be stunned.
It stands to reason that even when facing Changsun Wuji, the Hejian County Prince would not be conceited.
Why are you so afraid of Changsun Chong now? Is there something hidden?
Seeing Yang Fan's face full of confusion, Li Xiaogong shook his head slightly.
Yang Fan is a kid with first-class abilities and learning, but his sensitivity to officialdom is a bit low!
The officialdom and the battlefield are two completely different places, and it is not possible to convince others with fists.
What's more, the Firearms Supervision, as a department that His Majesty Li Er attaches so much to, now has his eldest grandson rushing in. Of course, he has no choice but to do so.
On the one hand, the Changsun family controlled more than half of the iron ore transactions in Datang.
Without the support of the Changsun family, it would be extremely difficult to refine steel.
If there is not enough iron ore, how can we make muskets?
On the other hand, letting Changsun Chong enter the Firearms Prison was actually the result of a compromise between the emperor, the prince, the aristocratic family... all parties.
In addition to Changsun Chong, there are other children from aristocratic families in the Firearms Prison!
To put it bluntly, Changsun Chong represents the forces on the prince's side.
Although the emperor had great power, he had to consider the prince's feelings and compromise with the family.
The combination of these aristocratic families is also very terrifying, although it is impossible to overthrow His Majesty Li Er's rule.
But that's for sure. If these guys are looking for trouble, the emperor can't kill them all, right?
This is why His Majesty Li Er asked him, a prince who had nothing to do at home, to serve as the supervisor of the Firearms Supervisor.
The purpose is obvious!
The emperor wanted to use his seniority to suppress the members of the aristocratic family who joined the firearms prison.
Of course, it is also to prevent Yang Fan, a disobedient guy from being reckless and causing trouble!
In order to successfully create the musket and thunder, His Majesty Li Er put a lot of effort into it.
Of course he doesn't allow his efforts to fall short!
But now that Yang Fan came, he was at odds with his eldest grandson, which really gave Li Xiaogong a headache.
Yang Fan is really a troublemaker, and he doesn't bow his head at all.
No wonder His Majesty Li Er warned you to pay more attention to this guy before coming here.
Thinking of this, Li Xiaogong could only say helplessly: "I will be afraid of Changsun Chong. Is Wannian County Duke surprised?"
"But have you ever thought about who he represents?"
Yang Fan frowned slightly and asked in confusion: "Who else can that boy represent besides the eldest son's family?"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."
"oh!"
Only then did Yang Fan suddenly realize.
Unexpectedly, even the newly established Firearms Supervision Bureau became a battlefield for fighting.
Not only were the emperors and aristocratic families fighting, but the various princes were also fighting for power and profit.
Seeing Yang Fan's clear expression, Li Xiaogong added: "I'm here. Rather than being the supervisor of the Firearms Supervisor, I'm here just to show my name."
"My king has only one purpose, which is to ensure that the imperial court can successfully produce firearms to blast the sky."
Yang Fan smiled bitterly. He originally thought it was a very innocent thing, but he didn't know it was also a fight.
Sure enough, wherever there are people there are fights!
But he still asked with some reluctance: "If they mess with me, can they just be a coward? I can't stand that cowardice."
Li Xiaogong said disapprovingly: "As long as we can produce muskets and thunder, I will not bother to deal with your disputes!"
Yang Fan looked dumbfounded!
This county prince obviously wants to be the hands-off shopkeeper!
However, it is also his style!
Since being crowned king, this guy has been degrading himself. He has numerous beauties and mansions at home, just to avoid getting involved in the imperial dispute.
If His Majesty Li Er hadn't invited him to come out this time, the prince might still be enjoying himself in the gentle countryside!
Thinking of this, Yang Fan couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "It seems that my days in the firearms prison will not be easy in the future."
Li Xiaogong chuckled: "I can't control what you want to do, and I don't want to. I just want to complete the tasks assigned by His Majesty as soon as possible."
Yang Fan touched his nose and felt a little dumbfounded: "Then the prince can't just ignore everything, right? Otherwise, why would you, the supervisor, be here?"
Li Xiaogong rolled his eyes and looked like a scoundrel: "I'm here to enjoy myself, what do you think His Majesty wants me to do? Make guns? That's what you should do!"
Yang Fan was really speechless!
This county prince is indeed very messy.
No wonder the original history records that this guy actually did the ridiculous act of sharing a mistress with his son.
Yang Fan had no choice but to ask: "You, the prison guard, are not doing anything, so wouldn't the firearms prison become the private domain of Chang Sun Chong, the young prison guard?"
"That kid obviously doesn't deal with me. How can I carry out my work?"
Since Li Xiaogong wanted to be a shoo-in, Yang Fan certainly wanted him to show his stance.
Otherwise, that guy Chang Sun Chong would use chicken feathers as his arrows, which would be very annoying.
Li Xiaogong said displeasedly: "Why do you think so much at such a young age? A good man should face difficulties, work hard, and achieve great results. Why do he shrink back when encountering difficulties?"
Yang Fan directly pretended to be cowardly: "It's not me who came to the Firearms Prison, it was His Majesty who forced me to come! My ambition is to have a group of beautiful concubines, eat together and wait to die!"
Li Xiaogong really couldn’t listen anymore!
However, this kid's ambition is surprisingly consistent with his.
Having been in the officialdom for many years, Li Xiaogong certainly knew that Yang Fan wanted him to delegate power, so he laughed and scolded: "You boy is born in the year of the monkey. In this way, there are two positions for the Firearms Supervisor, Changsun Chong takes one, and the other is given to
How about you?"
"As for what I'm saying, the top priority is to produce muskets and thunder. Don't get carried away."
"As for what you want to do in the firearms prison, that's your business, as long as you don't kill anyone in front of me."
Hearing Li Xiaogong's words, Yang Fan laughed.
Sure enough, a child who cries gets milk.
Although Yang Fan didn't like the position of Firearms Supervisor at all.
But Su Dingfang is still a non-staff member now!
Since then, he has fulfilled his promise and temporarily found a job for Su Dingfang.
It seems that Li Xiaogong really wants to be a hands-off shopkeeper.
However, Yang Fan liked it very much.
So he said with a smile: "Your Excellency, I have brought a talented person here this time. How about giving him the position of young prisoner?"
Li Xiaogong thought for a moment and then agreed: "Okay, please present his official diploma so that I can report it to His Majesty!"
"Thank you for the recommendation, Your Majesty. This person is Su Dingfang, who was just suspended by His Majesty some time ago..." Yang Fan bowed and thanked him.
Li Xiaogong was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly and said: "I have always heard that Wannian County Duke has an upright temperament, but after this deal, I know that I am as cunning as a fox. You actually said that I recommended it. You are too cunning! However, I
The king admits it!"
Seeing Li Xiaogong react so quickly and so generously, Yang Fan couldn't help but sigh.
No one who can leave his name in history is a simple person.
Although Li Xiaogong usually looks like a confused person who is greedy for pleasure, in fact, he is like a bright mirror in his heart.
If you really think of him as a fool, then you will really become a fool!
This time it seemed that Yang Fan had taken advantage, but in fact Yang Fan owed him a huge favor.
However, Yang Fan decided to accept this favor from him!
After talking about the main business, the two started talking about some men's topics.
Since they had similar interests and hobbies, the two of them had a feeling that they had known each other for a long time.
In the end, it was Yang Fan who asked to leave, and Li Xiaogong gave up.
After leaving the check-in room, Yang Fan was a little worried.
I know from the chat just now!
This time the firearms supervision department has actually started to supervise the manufacture of muskets and thunderbolts.
Because the quality of steelmaking is not up to standard, the finished pistol can easily explode.
This makes Yang Fan a little strange!
Although the steelmaking during the Tang Dynasty was far inferior to that of later generations, the steel produced was not so fragile.
Is there something wrong inside?
With such doubts, he walked towards the steelmaking workshop under the leadership of Jin Wang Li Zhi.
He wanted to see where the problem was.
When they arrived at the steel-making workshop, Chang Sun Chong was also there.
He was not surprised by Yang Fan's arrival, but looked forward to it.
Li Zhi on the side quickly reminded Yang Fan in a low voice: "Brother-in-law, you have to be careful of Chang Sun Chong stumbling upon us!"
Yang Fan glanced at His Highness the King of Jin in surprise.
Could it be that this kid is starting to have a desire to compete for the throne, otherwise there is no need to target Changsun Chong!
If you look at it, Changsun Chong represents the power of the prince's lineage.
Perhaps understanding Yang Fan's meaning, Li Zhi quickly explained: "The steel produced now is not up to standard because the Changsun family is unwilling to contribute the most advanced steel-making technology. Obviously Changsun Chong wants to see our jokes...
"
Yang Fan was a little surprised when he heard Li Zhi's words.
But when I thought about it again, I felt it was natural.
This time, I was the technical person in charge of the firearms supervision of the production of pistols and Hongtian Lei.
If qualified steel cannot be tempered, it may be futile to create a highly tolerant gun barrel.
Changsun Chong obviously wanted to show off to himself and make him laugh.
In Changsun Chong's view, unless Yang Fan could contribute his own steel-making skills, it would be possible to create a qualified gun barrel.
But top-notch steel-making technology is the lifeblood of a family, and there is no way Yang Fan could use it for no reason, even if the other party is His Majesty Li Er.
Besides, His Majesty Li Er is still his biological uncle, and their eldest son's family is still unwilling to come up with the most advanced steel-making technology!
However, Yang Fan didn't want to care about Sun Chong's thoughts.
Seeing a pile of scrap materials piled up in a corner of the workshop, I walked over and picked them up to take a look.
These scraps have all been made into gun barrel shapes, but unfortunately they are either bent or exploded.
Obviously, these products are not qualified.
Yang Fan picked up a gun barrel, looked at it carefully for a moment, took out the knife he carried with him, and slashed it with one blow.
The discarded gun barrel broke with a sudden sound, but Yang Fan's knife was unscathed.
Yang Fan frowned and thought to himself.
This kind of gun barrel is far from up to standard in terms of hardness and toughness, far exceeding Yang Fan's psychological expectations.
I originally thought that with a few adjustments, I could produce muskets and thunderbolts. Apparently Yang Fan was a little too naive!
So Yang Fan decided to find out what was going on. He turned to Li Zhi and said, "Take me to the steel-making furnace to have a look."
When he came to the steel-making furnace, Yang Fan was dumbfounded!
He knew that the steel-making technology in the Tang Dynasty was very backward, but he never expected that the imperial steel-making furnace would be so crude.
It is no different from the steel-making furnace originally built by Wang Xuance in Junyangfang.
In Yang Fan's opinion, these shaft furnaces are not for making steel at all, but for making iron.
Because there is charcoal burning under the stove!
These steel-making furnaces are almost four meters high, with a bottom diameter of about two meters. They are thicker in the middle and slightly narrower at both ends, and the outer skin is made of mud.
There is a charging port at the top and a blast port at the bottom, which allows the relative movement of the charge falling and the hot gas rising.
The high temperature generated by combustion passes through the furnace body and transfers heat to the charge, which is considered a heating process.
There is no blower in these furnaces, and only some iron remains in the furnace!
Although Yang Fan didn't know what the iron-making furnaces looked like in later generations, that didn't stop him from understanding the truth after reading it once.
Compared with the steel-making furnace you redeemed from the system, this thing is really crude.
Yang Fan asked Li Zhi beside him: "You just use this to make steel?"
Hearing Yang Fan's question, Li Zhi looked surprised, but he quickly said: "Brother-in-law, this is not a steel-making furnace, but an iron-making furnace. If you want to get fine steel, it is impossible to make it directly from the iron-making furnace.
"
"This kind of furnace produces fine iron, and then the fine iron is taken out and repeatedly hammered and quenched to obtain the steel you just saw."
"But I don't know where there is a problem. The steel we got cannot meet the needs of the gun barrel."
"Either it is hard enough but too brittle, or it is malleable enough but too soft. We have tried many times but can't find the reason!"
Yang Fan rubbed his forehead and said nothing, he was really depressed.
Xin said, this broken furnace is so crude, it will not be easy to boil molten iron.
How high can the furnace temperature be when using charcoal for heating?
How much temperature is needed to make iron?
Yang Fan touched his chin and thought for a while, it was probably more than a thousand degrees, right?
When he first built the steelmaking plant in Junyangfang, he went out of his way to check the information.
The temperature of steelmaking needs to be higher, and it needs to reach above 1800 degrees.
This broken furnace can hardly raise the temperature to 1,000 degrees, let alone making steel.
It seems that in order to produce qualified steel, these furnaces need to be modified.
In order to establish the steelmaking workshop in Junyangfang, Yang Fan consulted a lot of information, and of course he knew something.
If you follow some modern steel-making methods, you might be able to promote the first industrial revolution in the Tang Dynasty.
Uh, Yang Fan is thinking too far.
He looked at the molten iron in the furnace and sighed in disappointment.
Using wood charcoal to make iron is probably the reason why ancient China could not directly use furnaces to make steel!
After thinking for a while, Yang Fan asked again: "Why not use stone carbon to increase the furnace temperature, but use wood charcoal?"
In Yang Fan's opinion, charcoal can only be used to extract molten iron, while coal can potentially be used to extract steel.
Before Li Zhi could answer, a strange and sinister voice came.
"Oh, Mr. Wannian County is really eye-opening. I don't even understand such simple common sense."
"As we all know, although stone carbon can increase the furnace temperature, the molten iron, although hard, is very brittle and is not suitable for refining refined steel at all."
"I thought that His Majesty appointed you as the person in charge of technology because you know so much, but I didn't know that you are a completely ignorant person. You have betrayed His Majesty's trust. You should just resign from His Majesty, otherwise you will be easily embarrassed.
Visible."
Yang Fan turned around to look, but he didn't know that Chang Sun Chong and several people in green official uniforms were standing not far away, following them step by step.
At this moment, he was looking at them with a playful look on his face.
Yang Fan frowned.
In his opinion, these people are just clowns!
Of course he knew that the ancient iron smelting industry had long been plagued by excessive levels of sulfur and phosphorus, which was probably due to poor iron smelting quality.
However, using coal can save charcoal, increase the furnace temperature, and make it easier to extract refined iron or steel with a higher impurity content, which reduces the cost of iron and steelmaking.
In fact, the solution to high sulfur and phosphorus content is very simple, which is to refine coke and use coke to smelt iron.
However, the Tang Dynasty did not know how to make coke!
Although coke has been extracted in Junyangfang, Yang Fan could not explain the difference between coke and coal to these ancient people.
It's even harder to explain to them what sulfur, phosphorus... these things are.
Therefore, Yang Fan didn't want to pay attention to it.
But Yang Fan's tolerance made these people think it was weakness, and they couldn't help but burst into laughter.
In their opinion, even if Yang Fan wanted to cause trouble, he wouldn't dare do anything to them. He couldn't beat them all up, right?
Knowing the forces behind them, His Majesty Li Er did not want to provoke them easily.
Seeing that Yang Fan's face turned gloomy, Li Zhi was afraid that Yang Fan would suddenly become angry, so he quickly pulled Yang Fan's sleeves and reminded him anxiously: "Brother-in-law, please be patient. These people are descendants of aristocratic families. If you touch them,