Han Zuo Gaomen

Chapter 810
Shen Zhezi himself is not a technical talent, and he doesn't have much time to go to the workshop to guide the craftsmen in production, but he has enough resources for those craftsmen to try, and occasionally provides a few new ideas for the craftsmen. We provide a direction to try.

In the smelting and casting workshop located in the Wujiang fiefdom, in addition to maintaining production capacity, there are also nearly a hundred skilled craftsmen who have been trying out smelting and casting methods other than the mainstream, and all of them have achieved little success.

The current mainstream method of smelting and casting is steel frying. The Wujiang fief is not only built with blast furnaces, but also has the geographical advantage of hydraulic blasting. The raw materials are refined into pig iron, and then the pig iron is melted into a liquid state. Through blasting and adding concentrate powder When the reactants promote the oxidation of impurities, malleable and castable materials can be obtained.

Baisteelmaking is based on the basis of frying steel, and continues to deep-forge the material to obtain high-quality steel.What determines the hardness of steel is the carbon content in it, and the materials obtained for frying steel are generally wrought iron or low-carbon steel with low carbon content.Therefore, in the forging process, not only frequent forging, but also the level of carbon content should be paid attention to.The carbon content is too high, the hardness is there, but the toughness is not enough.If the carbon content is too low, it is easy to be soft and deformed, and the hardness is not enough.

Nowadays, there is no concept of carbon content in craftsmanship, and the final product depends entirely on the experience of the craftsman.And it is by no means that the more forging times, the higher the quality of the finished product.Therefore, in addition to the cumbersome procedures, what restricts the output of steelmaking is that there are not many craftsmen with qualified craftsmanship.

Although the Wujiang base now has tens of thousands of smelting and casting craftsmen, if it produces high-quality weapons according to the standard of [-] steel smelting, the output will also be appallingly low, and it will not provide any substantial benefits at all.If you want to increase production, you can only lower the standard.

Although Shen Zhezi does not sit in Wujiang personally, there are scribes stationed in Wujiang, who record the technological process and improvement of Wujiang daily, and report every once in a while.

Although the Wujiang base cannot be said to be the essence of Biji Jiangdong smelting and casting, there are indeed a large number of skilled craftsmen, such as raw material selection, forging process, and quenching and cooling. There is also no shortage of attempts in the category.

For example, the ancient method of block smelting, the block smelting method has survived until later generations, but it is only regarded as an ancient method of inheritance, not to say that it is advanced, but it is a relatively primitive smelting method.The so-called block smelting refers to directly stacking ore and fuel for smelting. The requirements for furnace temperature are not too high. The sponge iron that can be obtained has too many impurities. It must be deep calcined to obtain the finished product, and it cannot even be cast.And this forging process is even more cumbersome than steelmaking.

And there is a more important point, that is, block smelting has extremely high requirements on the quality of ore raw materials. If the ore quality is too low, then the obtained iron impurities will be more, and it is even worthless to continue forging and processing.Because the Wujiang base is close to the big river, it can take more ores from various places for comparison. There are not many that can be used, and it is not enough for large-scale production to equip the army.

The sword that Shen Zhezi showed to Xi Jian is made of Guangang method, or it can be called Su Tie Dao.

The core of the process of pouring steel is to smelt pig iron and wrought iron. Pig iron can be smelted directly from ore, while wrought iron is a product of fried steel. The biggest difference between the two lies in the carbon content. By neutralizing and smelting each other, one can directly obtain high-quality steel, which has both hardness and toughness.Although the specific operation methods are not the same, the principles are similar.

Compared with the old steel frying method, the steel pouring method can directly obtain high-quality steel, which saves the extremely tedious, time-consuming and labor-intensive re-forging and re-strike, and the entire process can be greatly shortened.Although compared with Bailian's high-quality products, the quality of the final product of the pouring steel method is slightly inferior, but the advantage lies in the increase in output.And because the quality of the steel itself is higher than that of fried steel, in the subsequent process of forging weapons, the requirements for craftsmanship are not too high, and only skilled workers are needed to obtain qualified swords and utensils.

For example, if the knives Xi Jian is currently holding are forged using old methods, it will take at least several months of hard work by skilled craftsmen to achieve the same quality.But with the method of pouring steel, ordinary craftsmen can finish it in ten days.Of course, if you still want to pursue higher quality, then the time-consuming will definitely be extended, and the price-performance ratio is really not high. After all, it is not a rare magic weapon, but a standard weapon that can arm a large number of troops.

According to historical records, Qi Wuhuaiwen of the Northern Qi Dynasty used the method of pouring steel to make an iron knife, which can cut thirty armors.The quality produced by Wujiang Workshop may not be that high, but if you look at the large-scale military equipment, it is definitely among the best in this world, and few can match it.

Undoubtedly, the technology of pouring steel is the most in line with Shen Zhezi's values. In his opinion, if any kind of technology is not operable and popular, no matter how high the technical content is, it is just a flashy dragon slaying technique. .Or you can pursue higher skills out of ingenuity, but the practicality is really not high.

At this time, Xi Jian was holding the knife in his hand, and his mood could be described as tangled.He couldn't tell what kind of technique was used to forge this knife, but since Shen Zhezi dared to say so, it can be seen that he must have mastered some forging techniques different from the old ones and be able to mass-produce weapons of this quality.

The significance of this is so great that it can be understood even without deep thought. At this time, Xi Jian is naturally full of curiosity about it. Compared with the knife itself, he naturally hopes to obtain this new forging method.However, seeing Shen Zhezi standing there smiling without saying a word, he also knew that his thoughts were just delusions, but he couldn't help but said: "Could it be that Wei Zhou has already forged such a fine soldier? If so, it is really a great fortune for the whole country." If it can be generalized and widely known, the king's division will undoubtedly be more confident in using troops in the Central Plains in the future!"

After Shen Zhezi heard the words, he laughed again: "Although the ancient sages were taught, and if a worker wants to do a good job, he must first sharpen his tools, but there is also the solidity of the country. Virtue is not in danger. It is also true that a group of sages set up a dynasty and education is the first. Get twice the result with half the effort, and don’t use the advantages of tools to slack off on moral education. Mere craftsmanship is not worth mentioning.”

Hearing this, Xi Jian also felt a little embarrassed.If he was facing other people, he wouldn't be in such a difficult situation, but if he wanted to force Shen Zhezi, no one in Jiangdong would dare to do so.Moreover, sharp weapons are only a part of a strong army, and it is difficult to rely on them to be invincible in the world, so it is really not worth the loss to turn against the Shen family.

"Weizhou's words are sincerely good words. For example, with such a strong voice and undying ambition, even iron can open the sky. It is really a bit of a waste of money to use things. The revival of the king's industry depends on the efforts of all the people, and we cannot rely on one alone. thing."

Speaking of this, Xi Jian put on an indifferent attitude, waved the saber and said in an ordinary way: "But now Xu Zhenjia is in short supply, so he is asking for compensation with audacity. I don't know how much you can help Weizhou?"

The old fox was really thoughtful, Shen Zhezi slandered secretly, and then sighed: "In fact, Xuzhen is trapped, so Huainan is not like this. Now that there is civil turmoil among Jie thieves, all the scholars of the old country are eager for the protection of the king, and it will be easier to move forward a little bit later." It's a point of anxiety, if you really want to talk about troubles, Xi Gong and I have the same thoughts."

No matter how clever you are, I won't sell it!

After hearing the words, Xi Jian couldn't help but froze. He knew how difficult Shen Zhezi was, but he didn't intend to take advantage of it, but he was also the respected Fang Bo of Bian Town. Could it be that he really wanted to bargain here like a businessman, haggling over everything? ?
Neither of them wanted to talk to each other first, so the situation was so stalemate, and finally Xi Jian couldn't bear it anymore, and finally said: "If all the weapons in Huainan are of this kind of quality, then I will take three thousand soldiers. Yes, can Weizhou agree?"

After saying this, Xi Jian looked at Shen Zhezi with burning eyes, hoping to get a glimpse of some inside information through the change of his expression, so as to measure the true value of these tools.

However, he was doomed to be disappointed. After hearing this, Shen Zhezi just nodded casually, and then said: "This kind of matter is handled by the subordinate. If Xi Gong is far away, if he can't entertain him, it is really rude of me, the landlord."

With that said, he invited Xi Jian to get in the car and returned to Neishi Mansion together.

Such an ambiguous answer made Xi Jian even more troubled. On the way home, he couldn't help but said again: "Xu Zhen is also in urgent need, can Wei Zhou tell me how much we need to raise if we use three thousand? I can return to the town as well." Prepare early."

"We're both kings, it's a trivial matter. I would like to ask Xi Gong, is three thousand enough?"

Shen Zhezi still didn't answer directly, but asked Xi Jian instead.In fact, if Xi Jian can reach a position of unanimity in Xu Town, it will not be so difficult to communicate with each other. It is precisely because of the complicated situation in Xuzhou that he needs to stretch a little bit more to gain more initiative.

After Xi Jian heard this, his brows trembled again, and he couldn't tell the depth of Shen Zhezi, and he didn't know how to answer for a while.

"Actually, smelting and casting for military use is to help the community, so how dare you make a profit. But in fact, smelting, casting and forging are all wasteful. I live in Huainan, and I really can't bear to work poorly for the livelihood of the people and greatly damage the materials for the land. Too much trouble, presumably Xi Gong can also experience it."

Shen Zhezi didn't have too much psychological pressure no matter whether he killed a living thing or a familiar one. He guessed that the heat was almost ready before he revealed his real intention: "In the future, the town general will be smelted in Luojian Guangying for military use, but right now it's still difficult. Use things for people, if Xi Gong helps to accomplish this, then both towns will benefit from it, and this is also a good deed to help the community!"

After hearing this, Xi Jian's face turned black. He thought that Shen Zhezi's attitude was just to extort more goods, but he didn't expect that this kid was just trying to get materials from the craftsmen in his town!This is an attempt to draw salary from the bottom of the pot, so that Xuzhou ordnance will be controlled by Huainan in the future!

As the head of Fang Town, how could he entrust such an important matter to outsiders!Therefore, after Xi Jian heard this condition, he subconsciously refused, but he changed his words and said: "If we can make a great event, it will be a great kindness. But this matter is not small, please allow me to go back to the town to weigh a few things." day."

He thought that before Shen Zhezi asked if three thousand was enough, it seemed that the Huainan army already had the ability to provide weapons on a large scale. how strong!If the Huainan army had contact with those people in private, and then began to deal in private, then his assassination history would undoubtedly be even more dismissed!
For such a big matter, Shen Zhezi didn't expect Xi Jian to agree to it immediately, but the distance between them is not far anyway, so we need to communicate more in the future.In fact, the Wujiang base has just explored and matured the steel filling method, and now only more than 300 sabers have been produced. He is using big words to deceive Xijian.

The technology of pouring steel is to simplify the process and quickly popularize it. If you cherish it with a broom in your arms, it is tantamount to giving up the greatest significance of this process.Shen Zhezi can't control the spread of craftsmanship, but he can control the craftsman's body.Not only here in Xuzhou, but when the Jingzhou army arrives in Nanyang next year and gets in touch with Huainan, he will also search for the casting craftsmen in Jingzhou and build the largest military industrial base in Huainan!

(End of this chapter)