Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 134 Discussing Countermeasures

Su Chen entered the interior of the kiln, and saw the firing process of the craftsmen inside, as well as the kiln, kiln furniture, steps in the firing process, and the control of the fire temperature, etc., carefully observed.

The kiln has cylindrical and leak-shaped saggers, cushion cakes, pillars, fire lights, etc.; porcelain-making tools include shaft caps, etc.It was the first time Su Chen saw these tools on the spot.

Su Chen was inside the kiln, and found that there was no coal near the kiln, and asked curiously, "What kind of fire do you use to increase the temperature?"

A rough craftsman turned his head and replied: "Of course it's firewood, otherwise what else can I use?"

Su Chen pondered for a while, and then it dawned on him that before the Northern Song Dynasty, people in ancient times used firewood to burn pottery. In the mid-Song Dynasty, some official kilns in the north switched to coal as fuel.

Although the firewood burns quickly, the ashes fall into the ash pit after burning out, leaving no thick burning layer.Therefore, the frequent, fast, and less firewood firing method also provides favorable conditions for the steady rise of the furnace temperature.

When firewood burns, the flame is long and the flame is soft, and the carbon monoxide atmosphere produced is suitable for the color reduction of the copper element in the porcelain glaze. Therefore, the glaze color of firewood kiln products interpenetrates and transitions naturally, presenting a beautiful, elegant and handsome appearance. Elegant beauty.

However, the control of flame and heat needs to be moderate. Often because the fire temperature is not enough, there are often defective products in the waste furnace, and the waste rate is high, which is time-consuming and material-consuming.

Su Chen observed for a long time, and then found a problem, and said: "Your kiln is a bit unreasonable, and the area of ​​the fire net is also small, you can improve it."

An old craftsman said: "We have been firing porcelain in this way for decades. There is no problem with the kiln. If the fire is not enough, we will add firewood and burn it!"

The corner of Su Chen's mouth twitched, he did not continue to explain, but recorded this point.He thought of the firing of ceramics in the Song Dynasty, which seemed to use a two-peak kiln, double fire pits to increase the area of ​​the fire net, and double fire ports to add firewood in turn, which was conducive to the steady rise of the furnace temperature during the firing process, but this is only a small change. Realized, but can not change the overall situation.

If the Bai family wants to compete with the Ding family to win, in addition to celadon and white porcelain, new porcelains are needed, such as blue and white porcelain, or more beautiful blue and white porcelain, but the latter blue and white porcelain is difficult to obtain, so we should first study the reality of blue and white porcelain Some.

According to historical records, blue and white porcelain appeared at the end of the Five Dynasties and the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty. Su Chen calculated the time, and it was about the same time.

Qingbai porcelain is also called "yingqing", which refers to a kind of porcelain whose glaze color is between blue and white, with white in the blue and blue in the white.Qingbai porcelain was produced in Jingdezhen and the kilns affected by it in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. It was a new variety with unique style and distinctive characteristics of the times. From Song to Yuan, Qingbai porcelain was still prosperous.

"The Bai family is best at white porcelain, and they have also mastered the immature celadon refining method. As long as they are mixed and tested, they may be able to produce blue and white porcelain, then its ornamental value and value may soon exceed that of white porcelain. And celadon." Su Chen thought in his heart, but he didn't have a specific method of operation, so he decided to observe it again and go back to think about it.

Next, regardless of his identity as a scholar, Su Chen personally participated in it, and followed the craftsmen to learn the process and specific operation methods of porcelain firing, such as several important steps of clay mixing, molding, glaze mixing, and firing. And study, personally practice hand firing.

Bai Susu saw that Su Chen was so obsessed with his research, his eyes showed a trace of doubt, but also a little bit of appreciation, this Su Chen... serious demeanor is quite attractive!

.........

Runzhou, inside Hongxiufang.

In the attic of the third entrance courtyard, Huadan Fu Chan'er, Huadan Qiu Zhilan of Cuiwei Pavilion, and Huadan Su Xiaowan of Tongquelou sat around the table, discussing how to deal with the pressure of Liu Mo'nong in Xiangyun Pavilion.

The three beauties are all Hua Dan, strong contenders for the title of oiran. Last year, Fu Chan'er won the title and was the most popular. That's because the behind-the-scenes benefactors spent enough money. Not inferior to the other party.

In the past, the three women rarely interacted with each other, and they all competed in secret, but now that Liu Mo Nong's popularity has exploded, they got together in private instead, and were forced to form an alliance temporarily.

Qiu Zhilan was dressed in a plain white dress, white and elegant, with a beautiful appearance, she said to Fu Chan'er, "Sister Fu, your life in Hongxiufang is not easy these days, is it?"

Fu Chan'er nodded generously and said, "At the beginning, I still underestimated Liu Mo Nong's methods. I didn't expect that she could create a new form of stage drama. After three performances of The West Chamber, I heard that the venue was full and the admission ticket has already been charged. It’s ten pennies, and that’s not counting the doubling of the private seats in the front row. Most of the dignitaries in Runzhou City and the women’s families of the country gentry are scrambling to see it first, which has too much influence. In addition to the entrance ticket, there is also a West Chamber effect. The number of guests who go to the Xiangyun Pavilion to drink and have fun every day has also doubled."

Su Xiaowan has a delicate face and an exquisite body, but her childlike face is so charming, she puffed her chest out and said, "Yes, there are only so many dignitaries and gentry in Runzhou City, if they all flock to the Xiangyun Hall , our flower houses have been greatly impacted."

Qiu Zhilan sighed: "Where did this Su Yixuan come from? How could he be so powerful? It is said that at the Xufu Poetry Conference, he wrote poems and lyrics, and the first song was amazing. He also won the couplet with Ye Tanhua, and he became famous." He was immediately sought after by scholars in Runzhou, and now he is called the number one talented scholar in Jiangzuo."

Su Xiaowan tentatively asked: "Sister Fu, Sister Qiu, do you know how Liu Mo Nong fell in love with Mr. Su Yixuan?"

Fu Chan'er said: "I heard that Liu Mo Nong went to the White Mansion, found Bai Susu, the eldest lady of the Bai family, and hired Su Yixuan to write this playbook of The West Chamber with a lot of money."

Qiu Zhilan had an idea, and suggested: "Why don't we also go to the White Mansion and beg Bai Susu, it would be best if we can meet Su Yixuan! Even if we don't see each other, he will give us a lot of money to write a play for each of us. As soon as they both have drama blessings and fame, they are equal to each other, and Liu Mo Nong's advantage is gone."

Su Xiaowan snorted softly: "I don't know if Mr. Su will help! If that Liu Mo Nong is shameless and resorts to a coquettish trick to Mr. Su Yixuan behind his back, and recommends himself a pillow, then Mr. Su will not help us! "

Fu Chan'er frowned, and then thought of a plan: "Why don't we continue to spread rumors that Liu Mo Nong has a very close relationship with a doctor named Su Chen, saying that Su Chen once boarded the boat after she fell into the water? Meng Lang kissed her on the mouth. Afterwards, Liu Mo Nong fell ill, and he stayed in Liu Mo Nong's room all night and did not return. According to Cui Qiaoer and the others in the Xiangyun Hall, this Su Chen and Liu Mo Nong were suspected of having an affair. We can wear this matter to the public, and everyone in the city will know it. At that time, Liu Mo Nong's reputation will be bad, and Mr. Su Yixuan will also dislike her, and Bai Susu will not stand idly by and let the man who pursues her like it with the brothel. If the woman is so entangled, at that time, Liu Mo Nong's chance to get the drama script will be cut off."

Su Xiaowan chuckled and said, "This plan is very good. The more realistic the story, the better. Let's see how Liu Mo Nong restores her reputation!"

(End of this chapter)