Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 1454 Chemical Soda Production
"Our ancestors obtained alkali from brine, plant ash, and underground alkali mines long ago. This kind of thing can wash clothes, ferment flour, and cure diseases. It has a very magical effect. Many people are engaged in alkali mining and processing As far as I know, when mining underground alkali mines, the general process is to open a cellar, soak in water, boil up, dry in the sun, and burn ashes." Li Jinde understood Chu Yun's mention of alkali to some extent.

"That's right, our ancestors have long used alkali to make themselves live a better life. This kind of alkali that can be obtained with a relatively simple method is also called trona. However, it contains a variety of impurities, in other words The purity is not enough. We want to process it into pure alkali products for fine industries. One of the alkalis is called soda ash, which is a very important raw material. Soap, glass, metallurgy, textile, paper, petroleum, and medicine are all Can't live without it."

Chu Yun tried to use the simplest description to introduce what soda ash is to Li Jinde.

In fact, even Chu Yun can easily understand that soda ash is sodium carbonate with the chemical knowledge he learned in high school. It can react with many compounds to form new compounds and become an extremely important industrial raw material. mother".

For example, the reaction of soda ash and silicon dioxide at high temperature can produce silicate, which is the main component of glass.

With the rise of industry under Chu Yun's rule, the demand for soda ash, a chemical raw material, is increasing. At this time, it is imperative to establish a special soda ash factory, otherwise it will not be able to meet the needs of the industry.

Originally, the chemical alkali-making method that Chu Yun thought of first was Hou's alkali-making method.

Mr. Hou, a Fujian chemist, invented this joint soda production method, which broke the monopoly of the West in his era, and presided over the construction of the first soda ash plant in Asia, which greatly boosted the confidence of the Chinese.

At first, Chu Yun planned to build a joint soda factory in one step!

However, Hou's soda-making method appeared relatively late, and Chu Yun could not directly start Hou's soda-making method before starting its pre-technology.

At present, the chemical soda production method that can be realized by the talents summoned by Chu Yun is the Lublain soda production method invented by the French in the 18th century.

Above this method, there is the more advanced Solvay soda production method, and above that is the Hou's soda production method.

Although he still doesn't know the principle of Hou's soda making method, Chu Yun can temporarily use the Lublain soda making method to build a factory to produce soda ash, then study the Solvay soda making method, and finally go to the Hou's soda making method.

"The villain is not clear about the principle. It may take a little time to think about it..." Li Jinde was a little embarrassed.

He was originally just a sea merchant, so it was impossible for him to know chemical formulas and chemical reactions that were beyond the times.

It is very difficult for him to do such a task suddenly ordered by Chu Yun. Could it be that he needs to have a quick knowledge of chemistry?

"Actually, you don't have to worry too much. I just want to entrust you to supervise the establishment and improve the management of the factory. It is not necessary to be proficient in the principles here. Naturally, we will have experts from the School of Chemistry who are responsible for manufacturing corresponding instruments and researching other methods. Principle." Chu Yun said.

"I'm relieved now..." Li Jinde breathed a sigh of relief.

"The place where the factory will be set up this time is expected to be in Tanggu. There shouldn't be any problem with the site selection, and it is also very convenient for you to travel between the capital and Tianjin Wei because of the train. You should not really want to come back from Xiyang by chance. You have to leave home." Chu Yun said.

"Thank you, Lord Commander, for your understanding. If you are only temporarily in Tianjin Wei to do business, you are willing to inspect it when you arrive. If you find any problems, I will definitely report to you." Li Jinde knew that the pressure on this matter was not great, Chu Yun I just want someone who knows how to operate to participate in the supervision, so as to prevent the local officials from messing around.

"Tell me about the situation in London, what you have seen and heard, and I will use it to judge the situation in Britain..." After Chu Yun entrusted Li Jinde with a new task, he asked him to confirm the situation in Britain.

According to his understanding of history, Britain will soon start to fall into the war between England and Scotland, the war between the king and the parliament.

"When I left the city of London, the Scots were already dissatisfied with King Charles. They formed a covenant army, and heard from the British nobles that the soldiers in the covenant army were the local militia in Scotland... As for King Charles in the city of London. I talked with some of the nobles, and many new nobles and businessmen complained about the king. The fact that the king sells merchandise monopoly rights and collects more and more taxes hurts their interests... "Li Jinde explained to Chu Yun what he saw in Britain from his perspective.

Although Chu Yun has already obtained some evidence from the intelligence office to prove that the historical trend of Britain has not yet undergone a major deflection, Li Jinde went deep into the British aristocracy and businessmen and made good friends with them. His angle was different from that of a spy. Similarly, it provided Chu Yun with valuable information.

"It seems that within two or three years, no, the news you brought back has lagged behind. Within a year or two, there will be friction between England and Scotland first, and then a battle between the king and the parliament." Chu Yun Based on the information provided by the Intelligence Department and Li Jinde, the judgment of the acceleration of the British Civil War was made.

Hearing Chu Yun's judgment, Li Jinde always felt a little strange: "It is true that the king might use troops against Scotland, but the parliament was dissolved by the king ten years ago. The parliament should not have the strength to fight against the king."

"This statement is wrong. The parliament represents the interests of the new aristocrats, merchant groups, and urban handicraftsmen. They have more and more influence. It is not the king who dissolves the parliament to silence them. All our trade treaties, The garrison treaty is signed with Charlie, if something happens to him, it will have a great impact on us." Chu Yun said.

According to history, Charles, who was defeated ten years later, would become the only king executed in British history.

And because the historical process is speeding up now, maybe Charlie will die sooner.

So if the parliament is in power, will it recognize a series of treaties signed by the previous king?

These are all issues that Chu Yun must consider.The progress of the British Civil War is speeding up. If soldiers are not sent to intervene in the war between the king and the parliament as soon as possible, given the time lag between the East and the West, the war may end before Chu Yun realizes it.

"So, Lord Commander, are you planning to continue to increase troops to the west to protect the king?" Li Jinde seemed to understand Chu Yun's meaning.

"In the final analysis, it depends on whether Charlie can regain the support of his people. If everyone opposes him, we can only treat him as an abandoned son." Chu Yun said.

(End of this chapter)