I practiced magic in the Three Kingdoms

The difference between the price of steel and the price of bamboo is so big that even a three-year-old child can calculate it, and this spread also represents how much economic benefit can be brought once the technological research and development results are realized.

However, the current problem is also very prominent, that is, the tensile strength of bamboo reinforcement is far lower than that of steel reinforcement. The best bamboo reinforcement material is only equivalent to a few percent of steel reinforcement, and most of them are even lower.

Moreover, the elastic modulus of bamboo reinforcement is only one tenth of that of steel reinforcement, which is a fatal shortcoming.

In addition, bamboo reinforcement has problems such as injection corrosion, insect infestation and difficulty in concrete adhesion, so it is not that easy to use.

After continuous technical testing and using Fumanlou's business channels to source bamboo materials from all over the world, Li Feng, Lao Li, Lu Fang and others conducted a large number of experiments and accumulated countless data. They were at their wits' end, but were still stuck at several key points.

The first thing is to find a suitable bamboo material, but there are so many types of bamboo, and this step alone took a lot of effort.

After all, there are not many bamboos that can be used to make bamboo tendons. After testing, Lao Li found that the ones that can be used are basically concentrated on bitter bamboo, moso bamboo and light bamboo.

Among these three types of bamboo materials, bitter bamboo has the best tensile effect. After conducting a large number of bamboo reinforcement concrete tests, the carpenters in the carpentry group all agreed that bitter bamboo is the most suitable bamboo reinforcement material.

Fortunately, bitter bamboo is widely distributed in China. There are a large number of bamboo forests near Luoyang, which can be said to be everywhere, so it is not difficult to find them.

With the preliminary research results, Lu went to find Wang Jing to report the situation.

Wang Jing was also very happy when he heard the news: "You want bitter bamboo? No problem, I will gather people tomorrow and cut down a large amount of it."

Lu Fang reminded again, "My Lord, due to production process issues, we have special requirements for the bamboo we cut. Therefore, we must make it clear to the workers who are cutting the bamboo. They must cut it completely according to our requirements, otherwise it will be useless."

Among the more than 100 carpenters in the carpentry group, many are experienced craftsmen and therefore are very familiar with bamboo.

During the study, we also paid special attention to this issue and conducted research and summary.

They found that the raw material of bamboo tendons is very particular.

First of all, it cannot come from overly fertile soil, because the bamboo walls in overly fertile soil are thick, soft, and lack elasticity. Bamboo nodes are easy to turn black and break after felling, and bamboo nodes are the part with the highest tensile strength in bamboo.

Therefore, the bamboo used as bamboo tendons is best harvested from mountainous areas where it grows mixed with trees such as fir. The bamboo poles are tall and straight, with short nodes, thin walls and good elasticity.

The bamboo should be harvested on a dry and moonless night, because the bamboo harvested on a moonlit night contains more water, the bamboo juice is sweet, and it is easy to be eaten by insects.

Even the age at which bamboo is harvested has certain requirements. If it is too short, it will be too soft; if it is too long, it will gradually lose its oiliness and lack elasticity.

Finally, felling itself also has certain technical essentials. Of the felled bamboo, only a certain part above the bamboo root can be used as bamboo tendons. It is also required that the bamboo nodes in this part are dense and uniform, without signs of decay or insect bites.

The harvested bamboo will be sent to the wood processing plant only after it has passed inspection. There, it will first be moderately dried and dehydrated (it cannot be too dry, and a certain amount of moisture must be retained). It is then sent to a chemical plant for anti-corrosion, waterproofing and alkali-proofing treatment.

Due to the special nature of the bamboo reinforcement, it absorbs water and expands when pouring concrete. As the concrete gradually dries, the bamboo reinforcement shrinks and hardens due to the loss of water. The shrinkage of the bamboo reinforcement is greater than that of the concrete and the shrinkage speed is much faster.

In this way, it won't take long before the bamboo reinforcement will relax and separate from the concrete, and the adhesion between the two will be lost.

In addition to dehydration, bamboo reinforcement also faces the problem of alkaline corrosion. Carpenters in the carpentry group have conducted experiments and proved that untreated bamboo reinforcement will be corroded by alkali after being in concrete for several months and completely lose its strength.

There were numerous and numerous problems like these, all of which were recorded in detail in a notebook by Lu Fang and his men.

Seeing the booklet specially compiled by Lu Fang, Wang Jing couldn't help but complain: "I originally thought that using bamboo would save money and labor, but it turns out that this thing is not easy at all. If the output of the steel mill could not be increased for a while, I'm afraid even dogs would hate this thing."

Wang Jing finally understood why bamboo rebars failed to replace steel rebars in the end.

Just a glance at the bamboo reinforcement manual in Lu Fang's hand, which is thicker than the Xinhua Dictionary, makes people feel uneasy. With such a complicated process, the labor cost must not be low.

Once steel production is increased, this thing will be completely useless.

However, there is not enough steel at the moment. No matter how complicated the production process of bamboo reinforcement is, it must be used. We can't just not build the house, right?
How long will it take for the steel mill to increase its production capacity again?
But when I think about investing so much money in the research and development of this technology, wouldn’t it be a huge loss if it were to be shelved in the end?
After thinking about it, Wang Jing decided to pass on the blame. This chicken rib was tasteless for him to eat and a pity to throw away, but it might not be the case for others.

Therefore, Wang Jing thought about it and immediately came up with a plan. He immediately asked Lu Fang: "How many people know the progress of the research and development of bamboo tendon technology?"

Lu Fang thought for a moment before answering seriously: "Apart from my subordinates, Li Feng and Li Tuo also know that most of the other members of the carpentry team only know about their own research progress and are not clear about the overall progress."

"very good!"

Wang Jing was overjoyed when he heard this, and told Lu Fang, "Keep the research results strictly confidential for the time being. Just say that the experiment is only halfway done. Then when you go back, spread the news and announce that there is not enough research and development funds and you have no choice but to give up."

"what!?"

After hearing this, Lu Fang was completely confused and had no idea what Wang Jing was up to.

The technology has already been developed, what is going on?

He didn't know that Wang Jing was looking for someone to take over.

After the news was released, the aristocratic families and wealthy families in Luoyang City soon heard the news and sent their men to Qiqiao Pavilion to inquire about cooperation matters.

In the reception room, a group of people gathered around Lu Fang, asking for information: "Master Lu, what is the use of this bamboo tendon technology?"

"By tying bamboo bars together and pouring concrete, you can make bamboo reinforced concrete components, which have a good load-bearing capacity and can help build taller buildings."

In front of so many people, Lu Fang smiled and patiently explained the market prospects of this technology.

But everyone was confused after hearing this, and couldn't help but ask: "How high is higher?"

"It's probably about five or six stories high. Originally, cement and bricks could only build two to three stories, but with bamboo reinforcements, we can build five or six stories or more."

As soon as Lu Fang said this, the people around him were shocked: "Engineer Lu, can you really build it to five or six floors high?!"

In ancient China, most structures were made of wood, so it was very difficult to build a very high building. This was only possible if a large amount of hard and precious wood was used, and skilled craftsmen were hired and it took decades to complete the project.

Even powerful families could not afford such a huge engineering project. Only emperors and top dignitaries had the manpower and material resources to support such a massive century-long project.

But now, Lu Fang said that there is a technology that can build tall buildings on flat ground. How can they not be shocked?

Following Wang Jing's order, Lu Fang directly announced to the public: "The technology is still under development. Currently, more than half of it has been completed, and it is expected to produce results within half a year."

At this point, he suddenly paused and changed the subject: "Unfortunately, the research and development funds are insufficient at the moment. Anyone of you who is interested in investing can share this technology, and after it is officially put into production, you can start making money."

"Master Lu, this news is too important. Please allow us to go back and report to the master, and then discuss it again."

Many of those sent to gather information were shop owners of businesses affiliated with various aristocratic families. They did not have the power to make the final decision and had to go back to their respective backers to make up their minds before they could make a decision.

Lu Fang had expected this, so he was not in a hurry at all, but he still urged, "Hurry up, time waits for no one. We have a lot of research projects in Qiqiao Pavilion. If the research and development funds are not received in time, this project can only be temporarily sealed."

"This……"

Many people did want to lower the price by delaying time, but they didn't expect that Shandong would not give them any chance at all.

…………

At Situ's residence, Yang Biao also heard the news and immediately asked his son Yang Xiu, "Grandfather De, what exactly is this bamboo tendon technique?" Yang Xiu was reading and when he heard his father's question, he looked up, thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Why, father, are you interested in this?"

It is true that the Yang family is a family of scholars, but no matter how scholarly they are, people still need to eat and wear clothes. In this world, who would despise the money in their pocket?
Yang Biao was naturally very interested in the bamboo tendon technique, so he was a little anxious: "Now that it's all over the place, I'm naturally a little curious. Why, from your expression, you seem to know the inside story?"

"As for the inside story, I do know a little bit."

Yang Xiu put down the book in his hand and explained the inside story to Yang Biao: "In fact, the bamboo tendon technology has been developed and can make money, but this money is hard-earned money at best, and it is destined to be unsustainable. So the lord does not think much of it and just takes it out as a sweet date. In the lord's words, this is called cultivating the market."

Selling the bamboo tendon preparation technology and finding someone to take over is one reason, and another reason is to let the wealthy families in Luoyang gradually get used to this way of making money by investing in technological research and development to make profits.

As long as some people taste the sweetness, this model can be successfully promoted and form an interest system and interest group.

In this way, there is no need to worry about the death of a person and the disappearance of a policy.

After Yang Biao heard this, he suddenly realized: "So? Our Hongnong Yang family doesn't need to send anyone to participate in the bidding?"

Yang Xiu shook his head: "Father, this is exactly why our Yang family wants to get involved."

Yang Biao didn't understand it at first, but after thinking about it, he immediately understood what his son meant: "Indeed, our Yang family should get involved."

Yang Xiu’s meaning was very simple. Although the bamboo tendon business was a bit tasteless and the Yang family was not interested in it, they still had to support it and help raise the price.

Otherwise, if everyone sees that even the diehards in Wang Jing’s own faction don’t participate in the auction, wouldn’t it be obvious to others that this is a trap?
A few days later, after a "brutal" battle, the bamboo tendon preparation technology was bought by Manager Zhang of Qianzhen Pavilion for 20 million coins. Not only did Wang Jing's original R&D funds recover on the spot, but he even made a small profit.

After the bamboo tendons are officially put into production and sold, Wang Jing doesn't have to do anything and can still get a commission according to a certain percentage, and all the dirty work can be left to others.

The cattle and horses work hard, and the farmer reaps the benefits.

This deal is simply perfect!
So when Lu Fang went to Wang Jing to report the news, Wang Jing encouraged him: "Zhengliang, you did a good job this time."

Lu Fang smiled, and then sighed: "This time the Zhong family got the advantage. In fact, the bamboo tendon business is quite profitable. I really don't want to accept it."

Behind Shopkeeper Zhang is the power of the Zhong family, who supports him.

Wang Jing looked down upon the bamboo tendon business because he had too many high-profit products in his hands, such as the salt from Hedong, the steel industry, and the glass that had just been successfully developed.

But for others, the bamboo reinforcement business is still very profitable, especially now that the entire Luoyang has become a large construction site with large-scale construction going on everywhere. You can imagine how hot the construction materials market is.

It is precisely because of this that Qianzhen Pavilion, which is controlled by several traditional families in Luoyang such as the Zhong family, has spared no expense in investing in the research and development of bamboo tendon preparation technology in the hope of making huge profits.

As a trusted subordinate of Wang Jing, Lu Fang naturally knew that the Zhong family and other aristocratic families had been doing a lot of tricks behind the scenes and belonged to the hostile faction.

He felt a little unhappy when he saw these people using his technology to make money.

Wang Jing was more open-minded: "It's just a little hard-earned money. If they want to earn it, let them earn it. It will free up our hands to do more important things."

Then Wang Jing asked seriously, "Have you made any progress on the task I asked you to do last time?"

"The kaolin that the lord needs has been collected. There happens to be a large mine nearby."

"Very good, take me there immediately, this matter is very important!"

Wang Jing rarely showed an anxious expression, only because what he asked Lu Fang to make this time was very important and something he would use every day.

And this thing is called a toilet.

After traveling through so many years, Wang Jing has had enough of living without a toilet. Now that Qiqiaoge's research and development capabilities are getting stronger and stronger, it's time to solve this technical problem.

The Chinese had mastered the technology to utilize kaolin very early and used it to make porcelain.

Mining kaolin means being able to make homemade porcelain.

In industry and daily use, Wang Jing also needed a lot of porcelain with special shapes, because the porcelain technology of this era was not yet perfect.

Wang Jing had found many pottery craftsmen and asked them to make vases, water tanks or tiles. They could do it, but toilets, although seemingly simple, actually require a lot of technical skills.

Since he couldn't find anyone to do it, Wang Jing had to develop it on his own.

In order to produce the finished product as soon as possible, Wang Jing ordered Lu Fang to recruit many ceramic craftsmen early on. Among them, many craftsmen were specially serving the royal family during the reign of Emperor Ling. Although they were old and weak, they had rich experience in making and firing porcelain.

With such a group of people, the production efficiency of Qiqiao Pavilion's ceramic kiln has increased by leaps and bounds.

Many special-shaped and oversized pieces that were difficult to make before have now overcome technical difficulties and can be fired. However, these are still just glazed pottery. Without kaolin, it is impossible to make the glaze surface of porcelain.

When Wang Jing and Lu Fang arrived at the ceramics factory, the kaolin that had been mined outside the city and crushed and cleaned had just been transported over.

Wang Jing immediately handed over the flush toilet drawings he had drawn according to his memory to several old kiln workers who were highly respected by Lu Fang.

After greeting Wang Jing, these people took the drawings and looked at them for a long time, but they just looked at each other in confusion and didn't dare to speak.

After a long time, the oldest kiln worker finally spoke.

The man's name was Luo Chuan. He looked anxious and said softly, "General, I have never made this before. We can make large pieces, but there are still some holes in it. I'm afraid we can't make it in one go."

"So how long will it take you to make the real thing?"

Upon hearing this, several kiln workers put their heads together and discussed for a long time. Finally, they wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads and replied, "General, this will take at least ten days and a half months."

"Okay, hurry up and do it first."

Wang Jing attached great importance to making flush toilets, but when asked to do it, he didn't know where to start, so he could only push it to the craftsman in front of him.

No one else has as much experience in firing large-scale porcelain as the pottery craftsmen who worked for Emperor Lingdi.

Because Wang Jing attached great importance to it, Lu Fang also became very interested in the toilet. He came to check the progress almost every day and used what he had learned from time to time to give advice to the tile craftsmen.

But after a few days of hard work, what I finally got was not what I expected.

There was no other way, Wang Jing had to pay another sum of money and ask Lu Fang to find someone to set up a research and development team.

I had guessed that the technical content of ceramic toilets was not low, but after I actually started working on it, I realized that the craftsmanship of this sanitary ware was so complicated that it gave me a headache, especially the surface glaze, which has an extremely high technical content.

The surface glaze must be smooth enough to stay clean and be easy to wash.

Taking the simplest manufacturing process of sanitary ware as an example, most sanitary ware adopts the injection molding process, among which the most technically difficult is the preparation of special molds.

The quality of the molding of sanitary ware mainly depends on the manufacturing level of the mold.

For this purpose, Lu Fang had to visit porcelain workshops several times, mobilize manpower, and make a batch of special molds for sanitary ware. (End of this chapter)