Guide to Traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty.

Chapter 262 0257 [The faint king sent money]

After staying in Daming Village for half a month, Zhu Guoxiang rushed to the paper mill after estimating the time.

Due to the adoption of the fast greening method, the soaking pool is not made large, but there are several in number, which is convenient for water release and irrigation at any time.

The method of making bamboo paper in "Tiangong Kaiwu" given by Zhu Ming said that it needs to be soaked for more than 100 days.

So Zhu Guoxiang had to do experiments. Before other facilities were built, he gave priority to digging ponds, and the bamboo material was thrown into the pond after the barrel-making truck dug the pond.

Zhu Guoxiang soaked in several soaking pools for half a month, one month, two months, and three months respectively, and then looked at the effect of the length of time on the bamboo paper.

Bundles of bamboo hemp are scooped up, and before being soaked, the bark has been peeled off, tied up and thrown into the pool.

"Thump it!"

Dean Zhu, who had something to do, became serious again, and his words and deeds seemed calm and unhurried.

The bamboo hemp after degreening is put into a stone mortar and pounded.

There are two types of water and manpower in this process.The hydraulic hammer has not been built yet, and it will be replaced by manpower.

A strong man, using the principle of leverage, stepped on the long wooden mallet, and after letting go, the wooden mallet fell again, pounding the bamboo and hemp repeatedly.

This is followed by cleaning and cooking with lime.

During this process, Zhu Guoxiang noticed a problem.

It's not that it can't be done like this, but there are ways to save time and improve results.

It can be soaked for a period of time first, and some lime can be added casually.Pound the bamboo hemp again, spread lime layer by layer and re-foam, then the bamboo hemp and lime react more fully and quickly.

Therefore, Dean Zhu adjusted the process again, and used a new method after soaking the bamboo again.

Under the guidance of basic chemical knowledge, Zhu Guoxiang explored the finishing process of Jiajiang paper.The 100-day soaking time of bamboo paper in the Ming Dynasty was divided into two parts. One is soaking for 14 days before mashing, and the other is soaking for 7 days after mashing, and lime is added. The time for curing is shortened to 21 days. .

This kind of bamboo paper was designated as imperial examination and court paper during the Qianlong period.

Of course, the follow-up process needs to be adjusted accordingly, but it can also be used without adjustment.

In fact, there are more time-saving methods, such as Fuyang bamboo paper, which shortens the soaking time to less than 20 days, or even only 10 days.But the follow-up process is more complicated and cumbersome. Generally speaking, it is only a little less time-saving than Jiajiang paper.

Washing, cooking, splashing, retting, fermenting, pounding, elutriating, bleaching, beating... A series of processes have been completed, and the time has entered late autumn.

"No bamboo tendons!" Wen Luan said happily.

The paper scooper is working hard, and several apprentices are watching.

There are also paper brushers, only two borrowed from the Min family.Clamp a piece of bamboo paper, hang 10 pieces of paper on the wall, and then hang them in the sun for four or five days.

Although it can't be used yet, Wen Luan knows "high quality" just looking at the freshly printed paper.

Bamboo paper from the Northern Song Dynasty is mixed with various bamboo tendons, and you can pick out a piece of it with your hands.It is rough and difficult to use, and it is not beautiful and elegant.

As for the freshly brushed bamboo paper in front of him, not a single bamboo tendon can be seen.

The next day, after hearing the news, Wen Wuguang and Mrs. Su came and stared at the bamboo paper drying for a long time.

Wen Wuguang excitedly said: "This bamboo paper can be used in a big way. From now on, when I buy paper, I will buy it from Yuanzhang. Painting bamboo on bamboo paper will have more charm!"

A few days later, Wen Wuguang was so itchy that he cut out the first piece of paper himself, and then took home a stack for free.

Zhu Guoxiang repeatedly folded bamboo paper, then poked it with his fingers, then gently tore it up, and finally tried to write with a brush.

Frowning tightly, thinking hard, I don't know which link went wrong.

Wen Xiaomei asked curiously, "Why isn't Mr. happy?"

Zhu Guoxiang said: "Compared with leather paper, it is still too brittle. Maybe it is a matter of materials. I should use young bamboo in late spring and early summer to make paper. Because the season is over, I use old bamboo in late summer and early autumn instead."

"It's already usable, so there's no need to find fault with it," Wen Xiaomei comforted.

Zhu Guoxiang made a few large sheets himself, cut them into small squares and put them away. He planned to put them away and wipe his butt.

After a while, the second batch of bamboo paper was released, which was made of bamboo hemp soaked for a month.After repeated comparisons, it was found that the quality has improved slightly, but there has not been any major change.

Therefore, Zhu Guoxiang determined that the soaking time does not need to be too long, and there is no need to strictly follow the "Tiangong Kaiwu" at all, because he has improved the process.

Throughout the early winter, Zhu Guoxiang tried repeatedly, standardized and improved bit by bit, and trained the villagers in papermaking technology by the way.

Those with clumsy hands and feet are responsible for chopping, peeling and beating bamboo.

Those who are nimble and intelligent are involved in more technical processes.

Before winter, Zhang Guangdao came back from smuggling and brought the first group of immigrants from Shaanxi.There are a total of more than 60 people who hide in the mountains as bandits and people. They will have a difficult winter, so they are willing to follow Zhang Guangdao.

These Shaanxi people were all placed in Jintan Village by Zhu Guoxiang, allowing them to build houses further upstream.

Wen Xiaomei came to visit with a food box: "Sir, do you live here in winter? If it snows, it must be very cold."

Zhu Guoxiang said: "Go back to Daming Village when it snows."

The paper mill is in full swing, but Zhu Guoxiang has not built a house for himself, and has been living in a simple bamboo house for several months.

He really likes to enjoy it more, but when he really does things, he still suffers.

Wen Xiaomei opened the food box and took out a few dishes.

He took another piece of clothing from the handmaid: "This is the robe I sewed for my husband, and I will try it to see if it fits."

Zhu Guoxiang directly put on the robe outside, touched left and right: "It's very soft, what's inside?"

"Chicken, duck and goose feathers have been stored for a long time," Wen Xiaomei said.

Zhu Guoxiang nodded and said, "It fits very well."

"That's good." Wen Xiaomei smiled brightly.

After all, Zhu Guoxiang still didn't copy poems to seduce girls. This kind of coquettish idea can just stay in his mind, and it's too cheap to put it into practice.

Only his stupid son would copy poems to pretend to be aggressive.

Zhu Guoxiang believes that even if he does not copy poems, he is still full of charm.Didn't you see that Wen Xiaomei became more and more intimate with him, and even sewed a robe for him with her own hands.

This winter, the weather is quite normal, and the first light snow arrived as scheduled.

Wen Xiaomei sent him to the shore, reluctantly said: "Sir, take care!"

Zhu Guoxiang cupped his hands to say goodbye, and finally asked: "I don't know the name of my little sister yet."

Wen Xiaomei smiled slightly: "It's inconvenient to disclose the boudoir's name, and the previous characters have been discarded. The wind passed through the bamboo forest the day before yesterday, and I occasionally got the word bamboo wind, what do you think, sir?"

"Asparagus style?" Zhu Guoxiang muttered twice, "Flavour, style, might as well be called asparagus style."

Wen Xiaomei blushed suddenly, bent down and saluted Wanfu: "Thank you sir for your words."

The words are accepted, and the words of the first marriage are no longer used. The little thing between the two has basically pierced the window paper.

Just as Zhu Guoxiang was about to board the ship, a small boat came quickly.

"Mr. Zhu, it's easy for us to find!" The leader is a eunuch.

Zhu Guoxiang recognized this person, clasped his hands and asked, "Why did the nobleman come to Yangzhou?"

The eunuch said: "The official has a mission, let me announce the decree."

Zhu Guoxiang said: "If you are so kind, please go."

The eunuch stuffed the imperial decree: "Let's talk to Mr. Zhu, so we don't need to burn incense and bathe. Let's see what the imperial decree says."

Zhu Guoxiang opened the imperial decree with a strange expression on his face.

He was actually asked to promote Yangzhou Suling Palace, and also allocated [-] Guan to expand and repair Suling Palace.

Don't underestimate that this errand was very popular in the Huizong Dynasty. You can mobilize local people's resources and financial resources at will, and state and county officials must be honest and obedient.

The eunuch said: "The government allocated the 8000 guan, and there are only 5000 guan left after leaving Beijing. Please forgive me, Mr. Zhu."

"It's okay." Zhu Guoxiang could only admit it while pinching his nose.

He had to get rid of the person in front of him to some extent, although this guy must have already reached out to fish some.

Zhu Guoxiang followed the eunuch back to Yangzhou City, took 5000 coins (all silver collars) from the emperor, and handed back a silver collar to the eunuch, saying in a low voice, "Don't live in Yangzhou for a long time. more prosperous."

The eunuch smiled and said, "I'll save it, and don't make things difficult for my husband."

Most of the eunuchs want to take the opportunity to blackmail the place, as long as they don't mess around in Yangzhou, they go to Xingyuan Mansion and do whatever they want.

At the beginning, Zhu Guoxiang tied up the eunuch and went to Beijing, and returned the goods he extorted along the way.The situation was different at that time, and it was necessary to establish a reputation as soon as possible, but now it is completely different.

Zhu Guoxiang only wanted to develop his strength as soon as possible, and he was afraid of accidents, so he didn't want to get into trouble with the eunuch.

Send the eunuch away quickly, and Zhu Guoxiang has the final say on the rest.

Expand Suling Palace?
impossible!

But you can do things under this guise.

The emperor asked Yangzhou officials to also raise 5000 guan, and of course Zhu Guoxiang had to reveal the imperial decree.

As soon as the eunuch left, Zhu Guoxiang went to the state government.

"Let's see Hu Zhizhou." Zhu Guoxiang took out the imperial edict.

Hu Zhizhou's performance last year was very good. Huang Qianshan stirred up civil unrest. He followed the Yunjuan to suppress it, and then assisted in the repair of the plank road throughout the process.Although the townspeople clamored, he was almost beaten to death, but he escaped in the end.

After reading the imperial decree carefully, Hu Zhizhou cried and said: "Mr. Zhu, there is a drought this year, and the court has not reduced or exempted the tax amount. How can I raise 5000 yuan to go to the Taoist temple? If taxes and labor are imposed by force, I am afraid it will be like last year, and the mob will make trouble." It’s not easy to calm down.”

Zhu Guoxiang sighed and said: "Of course I know what is good or bad, so I can only delay it as long as possible. The government gave me 3000 guan, and half of it was lost as soon as I left Beijing. I have to send the servant who passed the decree, and I only have more than [-] guan in my hand." gone."

Hu Zhizhou asked: "Why is Zhu Xianggong planning to delay?"

Zhu Guoxiang said: "The outer walls of the Taoist temple can be painted casually, and the damaged statues inside are repaired."

"This bag is on me!" Hu Zhizhou quickly agreed.

Zhu Guoxiang said: "Don't mention it to the superiors, just say that Suling Palace has been repaired."

Hu Zhizhou bowed and said, "Mr. Zhu is benevolent and righteous."

Really, if Zhu Guoxiang hadn't been in charge of the project, any Taoist priest who came over to supervise the construction would have made the state and county officials want to die.

Take the Taoist temple in Luoyang as an example, they actually kill farm cattle everywhere to get their bones and grind them into flour.The officials who were forced to implement this matter have long been discredited, and their spines are about to be broken by the people.

The nearly [-] guan project funds were directly swallowed by Zhu Guoxiang. He happened to be short of money and could do many things.

The errand of building a Taoist temple can be fooled casually.

(End of this chapter)