Due to the bet, the Firearms Inspectorate was divided into two parts.
Chang Sun Chong took charge of the original ironmaking workshop and improved it, while Yang Fan started a new one.
His Majesty Li Er walked straight towards the original iron-making workshop, obviously wanting to see the progress of the renovation.
When Yang Fan and others caught up, Changsun Chong was leading a group of children from aristocratic families to introduce Li Er.
Seeing Yang Fan's arrival, Changsun Chong showed an arrogant expression.
Yang Fan looked up and realized that the original ironworks had undergone earth-shaking changes.
The place where the low and dilapidated iron-making furnace used to be was now occupied by a steel-making furnace that was more than twice the size.
At this time, the fire under the furnace was burning brightly, emitting bursts of scorching heat, which could be seen through the flames.
The fuel used by Changsun Chong was not charcoal, but coal with greater firepower.
Judging from the amount of smoke produced by burning these coals, we can know that these coals are anthracite coals with relatively low sulfur and other impurities.
Next to the tall iron-making furnace, there are several shelves, which are obviously used for adding materials.
At this time, there was a strong man standing on both sides of the iron-making furnace, holding a thick piece of wrought iron and stirring it back and forth with sweat.
On the other side, there are only a few skilled craftsmen hammering away...
Compared with the iron-making furnace equipment of the original firearms supervisor, Yang Fan could tell at a glance that this iron-making furnace was advanced.
Although it is not a major reform, it must be said that such a change has indeed improved efficiency and quality a lot.
Anthracite coal, which contains relatively few impurities, provides a higher temperature and provides temperature guarantee for smelting wrought iron.
In the past, the normal method of making iron was to extract pig iron from iron ore and then heat it to make mature iron.
The technology of the Changsun family is to directly fry the molten pig iron from the blast furnace into mature iron, which saves steps and improves production efficiency.
Anthracite coal, which contains relatively little sulfur, can reduce the corrosion of iron by sulfur, thus preventing the iron material from becoming brittle.
In fact, wrought iron can be directly used to make various agricultural tools.
Of course, the production process requires forging, infiltration and quenching. Wrought iron is soft, has strong forgeability and superior processing performance.
Obviously, wrought iron cannot meet the requirements of gun barrels.
However, there were craftsmen on the side who were hammering the wrought iron continuously, apparently forging steel.
In ancient times, steelmaking mainly consisted of three processes: steel frying, steel making, and steel pouring.
Frying steel is actually frying iron, which can be produced in an iron furnace, but the main thing produced is wrought iron, and a small amount of medium and low carbon steel.
It's just that this low carbon steel is not of much use.
Steelmaking uses fried steel as raw material, which is heated and then folded and forged repeatedly, or several raw materials with different compositions are repeatedly forged to obtain steel for different uses.
It’s just that this process is extremely complicated, has a low success rate, and is expensive, so it is only suitable for manufacturing a small number of swords.
The method of pouring steel is also recorded in detail in historical records: "The so-called steel in the world is made of soft iron, and pig iron is trapped in it, sealed with mud, and forged into it. It is called group steel, and it is also called steel.
Filling with steel.”
This steelmaking method is also extremely costly and has been used by craftsmen since the Spring and Autumn Period.
During the Han Dynasty, when the Han Dynasty was at its most prosperous, the imperial court used the steel refined by the steel pouring method to make strong fish scale armor and sharp ring-headed swords. Only then did they have an invincible Han army, and only then did they have the saying "Anyone who attacks our Han Dynasty will be defeated no matter how far away it is."
The majestic reputation of "Execute"!
I don’t know whether it was due to war or inheritance, but the steel filling method was gradually lost during the Southern and Northern Dynasties.
This method was developed in ancient India. The Indians used the wootz steel refined by this method to make Damascus sabers that were extremely sharp and were once invincible in South Asia.
At this time, the method used by Changsun Chong was the method of making steel.
Looking at all this, Yang Fan felt excited in his heart.
Although these techniques are very old and backward in Yang Fan's opinion, they are indeed nearly a thousand years ahead of other countries and even the West.
The Chinese nation is indeed the most intelligent race in the world, and the Chinese civilization is indeed one of the oldest civilizations in the world.
Seeing that Yang Fan was so 'shocked' that he couldn't express his words, Changsun Chong, who thought he had a chance to win, looked even more interested.
So he introduced it to His Majesty Li Er more vigorously: "Your Majesty, this is the steelmaking method of our eldest grandson family. I can guarantee that there is absolutely nothing more advanced than this in the world."
"You see, these hundred-refined steel can definitely be used as material for gun barrels. Every day, craftsmen can produce hundreds of kilograms of hundred-refined steel, enough to guarantee the supply of dozens of pistols."
Saying that, Changsun Chong also took the forged Bailiang Steel from the hands of the craftsman and showed it to His Majesty Li Er.
However, Changsun Chong, who was obsessed with showing off, did not notice that at this time His Majesty Li Er's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.
From the perspective of His Majesty Li Er, it is obvious that this game is a sure loss.
He feels distressed!
You must know that the glass business can provide tens of millions of financial income a year.
Although these pistols are good, compared with the huge financial income, Li Er still wants money.
Although he was very distressed, His Majesty Li Er still praised: "Well, it's very good. Keep up the hard work. I'm very optimistic about you. As long as you can produce firearms with high quality and quantity, I will definitely reward you heavily."
"This is a minor matter, and I cannot bear your majesty's praise!" Changsun Chong immediately looked like he was grateful and said humbly.
It's just that that arrogant look doesn't look like modesty at all, but shows off.
His Majesty Li Er was obviously no longer in the mood to stay here. He turned around and glared at Yang Fan fiercely and asked: "The eldest grandson Aiqing has produced hundreds of steel, how many have you produced?"
Yang Fan took a step forward, bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, I have been preparing for the past few days and have not produced any steel."
His Majesty Li Er's face changed, and he said angrily: "What are you talking about? You haven't produced any steel yet, so you dare to make such a bet. It's simply unreasonable!"
Yang Fan lowered his head and muttered: "Isn't there still two days until the end of the game? What's the rush?"
After hearing Yang Fan's words, His Majesty Li Er was so angry that smoke was coming from his orifices, and he was breathing heavily.
As an emperor who was proficient in marching and fighting, he naturally had a very good understanding of the production procedures of weapons.
Although Changsun Chong could only forge hundreds of kilograms of steel a day, it was extremely difficult in this era.
You must know that Bailiangang was a rare item in ancient times. Only officials above the general level were eligible to wear weapons made from Bailiangang.
Yang Fan now looks like a dead pig who is not afraid of boiling water. How can he not make His Majesty Li Er angry?
Compared with His Majesty Li Er's anger, some officials from aristocratic families burst into laughter.
Now that Yang Fan has not even produced any steel, he dares to make a bet with Chang Sun Chong. Isn't this just giving food?
Everyone looked at Yang Fan as if they were looking at a fool.
Seeing that His Majesty Li Er was so angry that his mouth was almost crooked, Yang Fan asked in a hurry: "Your Majesty, Weichen's steel-making furnace production line has been laid out. It only needs to be ignited to produce steel. I wonder if you want to go?"
have a look."
Before His Majesty Li Er could reply, Changsun Chong interjected angrily: "Yang Fan, do you think His Majesty is a fool? You dare to deceive Your Majesty, you are so bold!"
"No one here knows that it is impossible for an iron-making furnace to directly produce steel. You are simply talking nonsense."
"Your Majesty, I sincerely request that Yang Fan be punished for the crime of deceiving the emperor and deceiving the emperor."
In Changsun Chong's opinion, the Changsun family's steel production technology is definitely the most advanced.
Yang Fan said that steel can be produced by igniting fire, which is simply nonsense.
Changsun Chong's words were also agreed by everyone present.
After all, Yang Fan's remarks simply subverted their three views. No one would believe it unless they saw it with their own eyes.
Regarding Chang Sun Chong's question, Yang Fan just replied calmly: "Ignorance is not your fault. If you mistake ignorance for confidence, you are really a fool!"
After saying that, Yang Fan stared at His Majesty Li Er blankly and did not explain anything further.
It’s true that facts speak louder than words. Just take a look and it will become clear.
If His Majesty Li Er folds his sleeves and leaves, Yang Fan will definitely stop caring about this mess and go directly to his fief to become a free king.
Seeing Yang Fan's determined eyes, His Majesty Li Er felt a little guilty.
At a certain moment just now, Li Er really suspected that Yang Fan was deceiving him. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Well, I'll go and see how you produce steel directly!"
Now that His Majesty Li Er has made a decision, of course no one dares to object.
Changsun Chong could only say softly without anger: "Let's see what tricks you can come up with by pretending to be a ghost."
But before he finished speaking, Changsun Wuji gave him a fierce look.
Although my son is smart, he is also too blind!
I didn't see Yang Fan showing any panic at all. He was obviously confident.
Although he didn't know how Yang Fan could master steel in one step, Changsun Wuji felt a little shaken in his heart.
Because he knew that although Yang Fan was very careless in doing things, everything he did had its own rules and purposes and was not done randomly.
Is this kid going to make a desperate comeback again?
Compared to Changsun Chong who might lose, Changsun Wuji was not worried at all.
If there was such a steel-making method, as a family in charge of half of the iron ore trade in the Tang Dynasty, this steel-making method would definitely be good news.
Changsun Wuji even had a glimmer of hope, hoping that what Yang Fan said was true.
Everyone came to Yang Fan's newly built workshop with their concerns in mind.
The location of this place was very particular. Yang Fan built it in a place with a stream passing through it.
When everyone arrived, they saw huge waterwheels standing beside the stream, and the workshops next to them were very simple.
Moreover, there was a row of strange-looking furnaces erected in the workshop. Although they looked like iron-making furnaces, they were very different from those he usually saw.
Of course these people don't know that the steelmaking production line established by Yang Fan is a steelmaking method invented by the German-British inventor Siemens and the French steelmaking expert Martin in the 19th century, called the open-hearth steelmaking method.
After the advent of the open-hearth steelmaking method, it has been widely adopted by various countries and has become the main steelmaking method in the world.
In the 30 years from 1930 to 1960, nearly 80% of the world's total annual steel output was open-hearth steel, and steelmaking output was greatly increased.
Because the open-hearth steelmaking method has several characteristics that ancient steelmaking methods did not have.
First, scrap steel can be used in large quantities, and the ratio of pig iron and scrap steel is flexible;
Second, the requirements for the composition of molten iron are not as strict as others, and ordinary pig iron that cannot be used in other furnaces can be used;
Third, there are many types of steel that can be smelted and the quality is good.
Of course, the more important thing is that the open-hearth steelmaking method can directly smelt pig iron into liquid steel, which is not available in other iron-making furnaces.
This set of steelmaking equipment was designed by Yang Fan based on the open-hearth steelmaking furnaces of later generations.
Due to industrial limitations, Yang Fan could only replace some parts that required steam and electricity with water power.
Just like the water-powered forging hammer next to it, those huge waterwheels are the driving force for these water-powered forging hammers.
Looking at this steelmaking production line, Yang Fan couldn't help but feel proud in his heart.
Although compared with the electrification and automation of later generations, this set of steelmaking equipment is somewhat backward.
But compared to the Tang Dynasty, which was more than 1,000 years ago, it is definitely an advanced production line.
As soon as it starts up, it can continuously produce high-quality steel.
If these steels were used for muskets or various weapons, then the Tang army would be thousands of years ahead of this era in terms of equipment.
The Tang Dynasty wanted to use these sharp weapons to conquer the battlefield and be proud of the world. Who could stop the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty?
Later generations often say that Genghis Khan was the emperor who conquered the farthest in Chinese history.
If the Tang army could be equipped with enough sharp weapons, it would only be a matter of time before they could directly conquer the European and American continents.
His Majesty Li Er and all the ministers were completely shocked by this magical workshop!
Touch this and look at it, it looks like a grandma from the countryside came to the city!
Among these people, only Changsun Chong was so panicked.
Because just now he looked like he was sure of winning. If he loses the bet, he will be really shameless in public!
Although many things in the workshop were incomprehensible, as the emperor, His Majesty Li Er certainly could not admit it and could only pretend to ask: "Can these weird-looking things of yours really produce steel?"
Of course Yang Fan didn't expose it, but started to introduce it in the same way.
He pointed at a huge forging hammer.
This is a hydraulic forging hammer driven by water power, which not only saves manpower and material resources, but also provides continuous power.
The principle of the hydraulic forging hammer is surprisingly simple. Through the explanation, everyone quickly understood the principle.
No wonder Yang Fan wanted to build such a large row of huge waterwheels.
Later, Yang Fan introduced the charging furnace, converter and flat-bottom furnace one by one, leaving everyone confused and dazzled.
However, I can also hear the awesomeness of this equipment.
So, everyone stared at this set of flat-bottomed steel-making furnaces with red eyes.
If there is such a set of equipment, a family will have no worries about food and clothing for generations to come!
Especially Changsun Wuji, he really wanted to move this set of equipment back to his home.
Although Yang Fan hadn't started the experiment yet, seeing Yang Fan's words, Changsun Wuji didn't have the slightest doubt.
Standing next to Yang Fan, Cheng Yaojin and others were filled with admiration. They had such a brain.
Why can this guy always come up with so many incredible and miraculous things?
Yang Fan usually smiles and seems careless about everything.
But when he calms down, his unparalleled potential will immediately burst out, as if there is nothing in the world that he cannot do. Such a person is really terrible.
I really don't know what there is in this world that he can't accomplish.
And His Majesty Li Er was also dumbfounded at this time!
As Yang Fan explained, the shock became even worse, and in the end he even became a little numb.
It wasn't until Yang Fan's mouth became dry as he spoke that His Majesty Li Er asked the most critical question: "How many kilograms of steel can this furnace produce in a day?"
"If there is enough iron ore, it can produce at least tens of thousands of kilograms a day. This is still the most conservative estimate!"
What?
Tens of thousands of pounds?
Upon hearing such a huge number, Changsun Chong roared like a madman. There was no way he could accept such a result.
It’s a shame to lose a bet!
His greatest shame was being defeated by Yang Fan again and again.
His Majesty Li Er was also stunned by such data.
If every soldier can be equipped with sharp weapons, who else can stop the iron hoof of the Tang Dynasty.
The more he thought about it, the more his Majesty Li Er felt that Goguryeo was already in his pocket.
As long as he is prepared and takes over Goguryeo in one fell swoop, he, Li Shimin, will surely become the emperor of the ages!
How could Li Shimin, who was so proud of his face, resist such temptation? He asked in a voice, "Are you telling the truth?"
Yang Fan nodded firmly and said with a smile: "From now on, this steelmaking plant belongs to Your Majesty. Your Majesty will know if it is true!"
His Majesty Li Er seemed to feel his throat being grasped tightly by a hand, and You asked in disbelief: "You mean, this steelmaking plant was given to the imperial court?"
If what Yang Fan said is true, no one knows the importance of this steelmaking plant better than him.
"Sir, if everything is ready, can we start making steel?"
At this time, Su Dingfang's face was dark and gray, but his face was full of excitement. He ran to Yang Fan and asked excitedly.
I have been waiting for this moment for too long!
What's more, he couldn't let Yang Fan lose to a pretty boy like Chang Sun Chong.
Yang Fan did not answer, but turned to His Majesty Li Er with a smile and asked: "Your Majesty, how about you order the ignition and see what the effect is?"
His Majesty Li Er was slightly startled: "You want me to light the fire?"
Yang Fan smiled and nodded: "Borrow Your Majesty's golden hand!"
His Majesty Li Er shouted: "Fire."
The craftsman added the ore, and the entire workshop began to work in perfect harmony.
As Li Er gave the order, the coke began to ignite, and the air entering the furnace was preheated to intensify the combustion reaction.
The iron ore tumbles and burns in the furnace, and the flame smoke released rushes out of the furnace roof and flies into the sky, making the craftsmen in front of the furnace blush!
Everyone stayed by the stove, and no one had ever seen such wonders.
In the past, the iron-smelting furnaces only produced black smoke. Where could there be such a blazing flame?
All craftsmen understand that with such a hot furnace temperature, it is really possible to directly smelt steel.