Guide to Traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty.

Chapter 215 0210 [Magic Square]

The carriage drove to the palace, and the father and son went to contact the emperor.

Zhu Ming fiddled with a Rubik's Cube, and said amusedly, "Dean Zhu, how boring are you in Tokyo? Not only did you make a telescope, but you actually made a Rubik's Cube as well."

"It's actually quite simple," Zhu Guoxiang explained. "First make a central axis with wood, and then make the spring by hand. In fact, the spring is optional, and it's just more difficult to assemble. Screws are not necessary, and they are directly fixed with nails and wooden plugs. Then use wood to grind the track, and the wooden blocks of each layer can move, and cooked tung oil is rubbed in the middle for lubrication."

"That's not the point," Zhu Ming said, "The point is how do you know the internal structure of the Rubik's Cube?"

Zhu Guoxiang said: "I had a roommate in high school, and his family had some overseas connections. Relatives went back to their hometown to visit relatives to visit graves, bought a TV for his family, and bought a Rubik's Cube toy for each child. They didn't provide instructions, and they didn't know the formula of Rubik's Cube at all. My roommate couldn't get it right for a long time, so he simply disassembled the Rubik's Cube to observe the internal structure."

Zhu Ming complained: "You can't play Rubik's cube, but you know how to dismantle Rubik's cube?"

"Normally, it's easy to disassemble, and you can pull it off by turning the top layer," Zhu Guoxiang said. "I asked a carpenter to make this one, which is not easy to dismantle. There are no screws, and it was nailed to death during installation."

Zhu Ming asked, "What did your roommate do afterwards?"

Zhu Guoxiang said: "I studied civil engineering and later became a bridge expert."

Zhu Ming suddenly asked: "President Zhu, you even know the internal structure of the Rubik's Cube, how much do you know about the indigenous method of steelmaking?"

Zhu Guoxiang said: "When I can remember, I didn't make steel much. I heard from the elders that the thing is useless, it's just for business. Do you want to make steel?"

"My knowledge of steel smelting is half from Tiangong Kaiwu and half from HowNet papers," said Zhu Ming. "I have seen small blast furnaces in novels. It seems very powerful, but I only know one The name, as well as the general shape, are completely unclear."

Zhu Guoxiang asked: "What are the records in "Tiangong Kaiwu"?"

Zhu Ming said: "One is to improve the method of frying steel, linking the iron making furnace and the iron frying furnace to combine the two processes into one. When I was in Puzhou, I asked blacksmiths, and the iron smelters knew how to fry steel." Steel method, but the ironmaking and iron frying processes are separate. If they can be connected, the smelting efficiency will be doubled."

"The second is to improve the steel pouring method. Instead of sealing the furnace with mud, it is covered with broken sandals coated with mud. This will allow the steelmaking furnace to continuously obtain oxygen and melt the pig iron in a reducing atmosphere. The other is to beat wrought iron into Thin slices are bound to the pig iron for forging, increasing the contact surface of the raw and wrought iron, allowing the charcoal to penetrate more evenly."

Zhu Guoxiang commented: "Knowing this is already a great improvement, don't think about eating it and becoming a big fat man."

Zhu Ming said with a smile: "There is also an advanced version of the method of pouring steel, which is the so-called Sugang. In the late Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, there was an advanced version of Sugang. When the furnace temperature was more than 1000 degrees, the pig iron melted, and the molten iron was evenly dripped on the cooked steel. Iron, and then forged. This method of pouring steel is of better quality than Sugang, and its efficiency is greatly increased."

Zhu Guoxiang said: "I can probably understand the principle."

Zhu Ming also said: "There is also a kind of retort furnace, which appeared in the Ming Dynasty and was used until the early days of New China. It was used to cast ironware weighing less than a thousand catties. This kind of retort furnace is very convenient for casting small cannons. It is also very simple. It is an improvement of the row furnace in the Song Dynasty. version, you can understand how to make it just by looking at the graphics.”

"You quit your job and studied these all day long?" Zhu Guoxiang was speechless.

"It's not research. If you see something interesting, you can collect materials and make a video," said Ju Ming. "I don't understand anything more complicated."

While chatting, the father and son had already arrived at Donghua Gate.

They can directly enter the imperial city and wait in the office area of ​​the foreign ministers. The eunuchs have already gone to the palace to report.

There is ground tea here, and there is a honeycomb stove to boil water at any time. The eunuchs quickly brew them for them, and you need to do the steps of ordering tea by yourself.

After the eunuch left, Zhu Guoxiang asked while ordering tea, "Do you want to build muskets in Jinzhou?"

Zhu Ming said: "Build a few small cannons first, this thing is easier. We also need to build an iron smelting factory, and spend two or three years training skilled workers."

Zhu Guoxiang asked: "I know that Jinzhou is rich in gold. Is there iron ore there?"

"Yes," Zhu Ming said, "I already inquired about it when I was in Daming Village. There are iron mines in Yangzhou, and iron mines in Jinzhou. They mainly produce daily necessities, iron pots and farm tools. And there is no official mine. It’s all run by the people.”

Jinzhou (Ankang) has always had iron ore. In 2004, a large magnetite with a reserve of over [-] million tons was even discovered.

Zhu Ming explained his plan: "When I went to Jinzhou, I first inspected the local iron smelting situation, and then surrounded a mine to build a smelting plant. I was trying to improve the smelting technology. It must be immature in the early stage. I mainly made farm tools and cultivated more skilled workers. Work. When everything is on the right track, build a few small cannons, and at the same time explore the production of muskets. If the time is right, a large number of cold weapons can also be produced.”

"What if I transfer you away halfway?" Zhu Guoxiang asked.

Zhu Ming said: "People can be transferred, but the smelter can't be transferred, just arrange the confidants to continue to operate."

This father and two are enough, sitting in the imperial city drinking tea and discussing rebellion.

About four or ten minutes later, the eunuch took them to the painting academy.

Song Huizong did not practice Taoism today, nor did he play around, but admired paintings at the painting academy.

Li Bangyan, Wang Fu, and Cai You were all there, as well as a group of painters and poets.

The chief painter is called Zhao Lingrang, who is the fifth grandson of Zhao Kuangyin. Before Song Huizong became emperor, he often discussed painting skills with Zhao Lingrang.

There is also a young man named Wang Ximeng, who was an apprentice in a painting academy at a young age and was personally instructed by Emperor Huizong of Song Dynasty.Immediately, he asked to travel to various places, and Shi Jin presented "A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains". Song Huizong loved it very much and rewarded this painting to Cai Jing.

As for Zhang Zeduan, he was also present at this time, but he was not ranked at all, he was an unappreciated little guy.

The focus center of the audience is Jia Wang Zhao Kai who is only 15 years old!

"King Jia's painting skills are quite reminiscent of the official style in those days." Zhao Lingrang flattered him.

Li Bangyan said: "Not only painting art, but also calligraphy."

Cai You said: "King Jia's thin gold characters already have the official charm."

The compliments from many close officials made the young man feel elated, and he looked at his father expectantly.

Finally, Song Huizong also nodded his approval: "You are quite young at such a young age."

Jiawang Zhao Kai presented a second painting a few days ago, and his painting skills have greatly improved. Song Huizong suspected that his son did not do it himself.So he came to take the exam, and Zhao Kai performed very well, which made the emperor feel very pleased.

Then he tested and taught Zhao Kai's poems and books, all of which were far superior to those of his peers.

Song Huizong liked it more because of this, and gave birth to the idea of ​​"this child is like me".On the contrary, Prince Zhao Huan and Song Huizong felt that his aptitude was mediocre, and he could not be compared with King Jia Zhao Kai at all.

The thought of changing the prince flashed by, but fortunately, Song Huizong was not stupid to the end, and knew that such a thing should never be done.

But he just wanted to show off, so he recruited many close officials and asked Zhao Kai to paint on the spot.

Everyone was flattering, even though they were flattering Zhao Kai, every sentence made Song Huizong feel good.

The eunuch announced that Zhu's father and son had arrived, and Song Huizong immediately waved with a smile: "Come here!"

Zhu Ming went to visit with his father.

Song Huizong laughed and scolded: "You are so good at messing around. You have only been in Puzhou for a few days, and you have been impeached by Ye Duo."

Zhu Ming said: "For the government and the people, I have dedicated myself to death, so why be afraid of a few impeachment memorials?"

"Now that you're back in Jinzhou, don't be willful again." Song Huizong began to show off his son again, "Come and see my son's paintings."

The father and son watched it closely and found that it was really awesome. At least for a 15-year-old boy, this painting skill is already very superb.

After another round of flattery, Song Huizong returned to Yanfu Palace, Zhao Kai, Zhao Lingrang, Li Bangyan, Wang Wei, Cai You, Zhu's father and son followed.

On the way, Zhu Guoxiang took out the Rubik's Cube: "I made this toy out of river maps, and dedicated it to the officials for entertainment."

"Hetu?" Song Huizong became interested.

There is a formula for the Rubik's Cube. Zhu Guoxiang has been studying it for more than a month, summed up many rules, and then memorized them by rote.

I saw him messing up the Rubik's cube, twisting and twisting it, and quickly restored it.

Song Huizong took it over to play, and twisted it a few times to disrupt it, but he couldn't recover it.

The more you twist, the more anxious, upset.

Song Huizong simply stopped, and the eunuch put away the golden chair, and this guy sat on the side of the road and played Rubik's cube.

After playing for a long time, there were always two or three variegated colors that could not be corrected. Song Huizong said depressedly: "You can make the whole color, and twist slowly!"

"Yes." Zhu Guoxiang began to recover slowly.

Song Huizong observed for a while, took it back into his hand, and continued to play after disturbing it.

Everyone could only stand and wait. After nearly half an hour, Song Huizong finally restored the Rubik's Cube.The sense of accomplishment is self-evident, he smiled and said, "It's not too difficult."

This guy is already addicted to playing, completely disregarding others, and continues to fight wits with the Rubik's Cube there.

The second restoration took less time than the first one, and Song Huizong seemed to have gained experience.

After three consecutive restorations, the emperor finally calmed down and praised: "This thing is excellent, and it implies the way of magic numbers. Aiqing can always make such novel things. Do you have a name?"

Zhu Guoxiang said: "For the time being, I will name it Magic Square."

"That's a good name," Song Huizong nodded and said, "Let's go to a banquet with me."

Li Bangyan really likes to play, and even asked the emperor for a toy: "Officials, can I lend the magic square to my ministers to play with?"

"I'll play with you for a while." Song Huizong handed it over.

Several people from the monarch and ministers moved to the feast, and Li Bangyan drank a few cups, and then kept working on the Rubik's Cube regardless of the presence of the emperor.

Song Huizong was aroused by his addiction and scolded: "It's so good to eat wine, give me the magic formula!"

Li Bangyan returned the toy with a smile, turned to Zhu Guoxiang and said, "Mr. Zhu wants me to know how this magic square is made."

Zhu Ming joked: "Twenty sticks for one, do you want to buy it or not?"

"Buy, I want ten." Li Bangyan said.

Wang Fu also came to join in the fun, and was still competing: "I'll buy twenty!"

Zhu Guoxiang felt that he could open a toy factory.

Song Huizong didn't let Li Bangyan play the Rubik's Cube, but he started to play it himself. While drinking and twisting, he said in a happy mood: "Aiqing has made a contribution to offering the Magic Cube. Since you like farming, you will give ten hectares of land in the suburbs of Tokyo."

Zhu Guoxiang cupped his hands and said, "Outside of Tokyo, all the land has its owner. If Your Majesty wants to give land, he can give the barren land in Yangzhou, so that the people will not be disturbed."

Song Huizong said: "I will rely on Aiqing, but ten hectares of barren hills are too shabby. You can choose fifty hectares of barren hills yourself."

5000 mu of mountain land was just given away casually.

It's not that Song Huizong is so stupid, but that the emperors of the Song Dynasty were like this, and they gave land and acres at every turn.

If it is fertile cultivated land, generally 2 to 10 hectares are granted.

If it is a barren land and forest, it can easily cover thirty to fifty hectares.

The above are only given to private individuals, but are often given to various institutions.For example, Song Shenzong granted Xingde Chanyuan 30 hectares of silt fields at one time, 3000 mu, all of which are top-notch cultivated land.Even people and fields, directly encircle and occupy!

Song Huizong advocated Taoism, and rewarded Taoist temples with numerous temple fields in the past two years, which further intensified the annexation of land across the country.

The land of Daming Village was rewarded by the emperor, so it will be legal from now on.

(Drink too much yesterday, try to make up for that one today.)
(End of this chapter)