Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 25
In the Qin Dynasty, the control over ironware was not strict. At that time, the mine called Guanshan was contracted to be mined by the common people, and the profits were divided according to the output value at a rate of [-]%. In addition to strict management of the funded iron workshops to prevent the loss of state-owned assets, the private blacksmith shops are basically ignored, and private blacksmiths are allowed to forge iron and even sell weapons for profit.

In addition, as long as you don't go to the market to run your own business and call for buying and selling, you don't need to be as unlucky as Yu Zhi and may be ruled as a city citizen. That's why Xiang Kang dared to directly discuss with Feng Zhong to open a blacksmith shop. Feng Zhong, an official, also agreed to try without any scruples.

Having tasted the sweetness with Xiang Kang twice, Feng Zhong of course trusts Xiang Kang's words very much. After finishing drinking in Mrs. Chen's wine shop, Feng Zhong arranged for diners who ate and drank at his own house every day to go shopping Coal and ore, and sent people around to find out where they could rent forging tools such as bellows, hammers, crucibles, and anvils, and then sent people to Xiang Kang as soon as the coal was bought according to Xiang Kang's request.

When the diners of Feng Zhong’s family delivered the coal to the village where Xiang Kang lived, the side of Xiang Kang’s dilapidated courtyard had turned into a small construction site. A large earth-stone kiln was built on the waste space next to the courtyard, with holes left beside the furnace for ignition, and a small smelting furnace was built with stones and earth in Xiangkang's dilapidated small courtyard, and the coal had just been transported. At the request of Xiang Kang, the Xiang family brothers poured coal into the kiln and rammed it into a coal seam.

I must confess that the reason why the brothers of the Xiang family who are accustomed to idleness can help Xiang Kang with such dirty and tiring work is entirely because Xiang Kang has done the ideological work of the two aunts and obtained two aunts who are expected to have children. Together to put pressure on them, the Xiang family brothers couldn't stand the tears and nagging of the two aunts, so they had no choice but to work as free coolies for Xiang Kang.

However, the two aunts were also very puzzled by Xiang Kang's actions, because after the coal was rammed into a coal seam, Xiang Kang actually ignited the kiln directly, and directly calcined the coal before the iron ore was delivered.When the two aunts saw Daqi, they both asked Xiang Kang: "Kang'er, aren't you planning to smelt iron? Why do you burn the nirvana directly? After the nirvana is burned, what are you going to use to make iron?"

"First smelt coke, and the iron smelted with coke will be good."

Xiang Kang answered very directly, and then he didn't explain carefully, and he didn't pay attention to the local coke oven that was burning all the time. He led the Xiang family brothers to prepare all kinds of utensils for smelting steel, and prepared a few swords and farm tools in advance. Clay fan mold, just wait for the coke to be smelted and start smelting strip steel.During this period, all kinds of blacksmithing tools that Xiang Kang needed were also delivered to the place with Feng Zhong's help, and everything was ready soon, only Dongfeng was owed.

After nine days of burning in the local method coke oven, under Xiang Kang's command, the Xiang family brothers poured water out of the kiln full of anger, moved out the calcined coke, and then poured the coke under Xiang Kang's command. The carbon was hammered into a suitable size, and put into the smelting furnace layer by layer with the iron ore, and ignited again.

When the ore gradually melted into molten iron, Xiang Kang resolutely drove away all the outsiders including the Xiang family brothers, and asked Xiang Zhuang and Xiang Guan, who had been secretly persuaded by him, to guard the door to prevent outsiders from peeping, and then took out himself to quietly open the door. The graphite powder bought by the two aunts with borrowed money was sprinkled into the molten iron and they were sweating profusely until the flames on the molten iron turned blue. Then Xiang Kang opened the door again to let everyone in to help, and poured the molten iron into the crucible. Then it is poured into the mold and cooled to form a sample embryo.

The final dipping, forging, and polishing were also done by Xiang Kang himself. Under the curious eyes of Feng Zhong, Xiang's brothers, two aunts, and many neighbors, the first steel knife was gradually polished into shape, revealing a shimmering light. Blade with blue light.Then Xiang Kang had just said something, and Xiang Zhuang, who had a sharp eye and a quick hand, was the first to grab the straight knife before it could be attached to the handle. The pile was directly cut in two, leaving two smooth sections.

"Good knife!"

Amidst the exclamation, the Xiang brothers and Feng Zhong completely forgot the hard work of the past ten days, and the wasted coal. They just rushed to try the knife, and couldn't wait to ask Xiang Kang to forge a knife for themselves. Take such a sharp blade.Xiang Kang just smiled slightly, and asked Feng Zhong, who was fond of holding the steel knife, "Brother Feng, how is it? How is the knife made by me using the secret method of Ganjiang compared to the one made by the blacksmith in the city?"

Feng Zhong didn't answer, rolled his eyes, gritted his teeth, and simply pulled out the saber he bought in Xiaxiang City before, and handed it to Xiang Zhuang. Xiang Zhuang understood, took it with both hands, and chopped Feng Zhong hard On the steel knife in his hand.Then with a bang, the steel knife in Feng Zhong's hand, who was weaker than Xiang Zhuang, fell to the ground, but the old sword in Xiang Zhuang's hand was broken, and the new steel knife that fell to the ground was unscathed.Only then did Feng Zhongye roar: "What a great knife! It is indeed a good knife forged with the secret method of Ganjiang!"

"If you still want this kind of knife and agricultural tools made of this kind of iron, you should pay quickly." Xiang Kang said with a smile: "We opened a blacksmith shop in the village, specializing in making this kind of iron and making this kind of knife."

"No problem, no problem." Feng Zhong couldn't wait to agree, and then said quickly: "Brother Xiang Kang, hurry up, make a few more such knives, we will sell them in the city first, and then we will have money to buy nirvana." stone and ore to smelt iron."

The Xiang family brothers also forced Xiang Kang to forge knives for themselves. Unfortunately, Xiang Kang was too lazy to work hard this time. Instead, they forced the Xiang family brothers and Feng Zhong to forge the knives and provide technical guidance. It took a day. Five steel knives and ten Leisi were made, and the diners of Feng Zhong's family brought them into the city the next day and sold them to merchants in the market.

The best iron material in this era is block smelted carburized steel smelted with coal, which is easily damaged due to the many impurities. Xiang Kang’s strip steel smelted with coke is relatively reasonable because the smelting temperature is much higher than that of coal. A certain proportion of carbon not only has much less impurities, but also has much better toughness. Of course, it is difficult not to sell such iron utensils and iron knives at a good price in the market.So in the evening, when the diners brought the money back to Shiling Pavilion, the excited Feng Zhong came to drink Xiang Kang's wine overnight, and discussed with Xiang Kang about formally establishing a blacksmith shop to expand production.

Xiang Kang's life of being idle since time travel has completely become a thing of the past. Now that Feng Zhong has been promoted to Youyuan and is busy with official duties, opening a blacksmith shop has basically become a matter for Xiang Kang alone. With the help of my brother and Feng Zhong's diners, and the fact that winter is now the slack period, there are relatively many idle laborers in the village. As long as the money is paid, there are manpower available, so Xiang Kang is not very tired, and the leaders are very busy. Soon a decent small blacksmith shop was set up, and some swords and farm tools were forged and sold to the surrounding counties. Although due to the production and cost, they didn't make much money, but they had a little spare money. Can be used freely.

During this period, Xiang Kang, who was so angry in his heart, had never been to Yanji Pavilion. However, when the ironware of Shiling Pavilion gradually became famous around, Yu Zhi had the cheek to find Xiang Kang and gave him a gift, saying that he was from Yanji Pavilion. Dian Misan really withstood Shan Youwei's pressure because he had a handle in the hands of the Yu family, and he was adjudicated as a city citizen without filing a case, which saved him from the misfortune of serving in the frontier.Then, while thanking Xiang Kang, he carefully asked Xiang Kang about the secret method of the general who had been passed down miraculously. He wanted Xiang Kang to teach him the method of steelmaking.

Still thinking about the beautiful little girl from the Yu family, Xiang Kang didn't turn his back on the Yu family, but of course he flatly rejected Yu Zhi's request to learn the steelmaking method. He didn't dare to force him, and when he was leaving, he kindly reminded Xiang Kangdao: "Young Master Xiang, there is something you have to be careful about. My family heard the news that Shan Youwei from Ling County is trying to deal with you, and even sent someone to come The prime minister has inquired about your situation, so you have to be careful."

"Thank you." Xiang Kang was not surprised, and said, "I don't have a big problem here. After all, I live in the prime minister. The surname is only Lingxian Youwei. It's not so easy to punish me. But Mr. Yu, you have to be careful. If you get caught alone, it's too easy to punish you."

Yu Zhi nodded, thanked Xiang Kang again, and then left, but never mentioned a single word about his sister. Xiang Kang was even more annoyed, hating the Yu family's ingratitude and snobbish reality even more.However, at this time, the family nephew Xiang It suddenly came to Xiang Kang, saying that the third aunt had something to discuss with Xiang Kang, and Xiang Kang had no choice but to put his thoughts on the little girl of the Yu family behind him for the time being. Together with Xiang Ta, he hurried to the third aunt's house to find out the situation.

The two aunts were at the house of the third aunt, and the two sons of the third aunt, Xiang Sui and Xiang You, were also there, accompanied by a strange man. Xiang It went to the door to stare, and then said to Xiang Kang with a happy face: "Kang'er, come, let me introduce you, this strong man is Han Li, the family member of your uncle Han Liang, and he brought your third uncle's Personal letter."

Having received Han Liang's favor indirectly, Xiang Kang, of course, hurriedly exchanged greetings with Han Liang's family, and asked about Uncle Xiang's current situation. Han Liang's family replied: "Mr. My son, you are full of praise for your recent situation, and I want you to send you a message, asking you to take care of some homes for him, Xiang's family is counting on you for everything now."

"Thank you, strong man. Please tell my uncle. Please rest assured. I will try my best to take good care of my two aunts." Xiang Kang said politely.

"Kang'er, this is a letter from your third uncle." The third aunt took out a white cloth full of words, handed it to Xiang Kang and said, "Your third uncle still needs your help, please take a look."

"How could Uncle Xiang ask for my help?" Xiang Kang was puzzled, and quickly took the white cloth to take a closer look, and then Xiang Kang's face changed slightly. It turned out that the reason why Uncle Xiang sent the book home was him. In Xiapi, I also saw the steel knives sold by Shiling Pavilion, and knew that this sharp weapon was actually made by Xiang Kang, so I asked Xiang Kang for fifty steel knives, and asked the Xiang family brothers to send the steel knives directly. Go to Xiapi and give it to him.

"Fifty knives?" Xiang Kang cried out in surprise, and hurriedly asked Han Li who was delivering the letter: "Han Zhuangshi, why does my uncle want so many knives? What is he going to do?"

"This little guy doesn't know." Han Li shook his head, and said, "Mr. Xiang just ordered you to finish the matter as soon as possible, Mr. Xiang. He is waiting for your good news in Xiapi."

"But where do I go to prepare so many knives?" Xiang Kang complained, and said: "The blacksmith shop in Shilingting was opened by me and Feng Zhong, and his people were watching it. I made so many knives and sent them to the next generation Pi, how could Feng Zhong not know? Although he is my friend now, he is still a member of the government, if he knows the whereabouts of my uncle, how can he let it go?"

"This..., the villain doesn't know what to do." Han Li was also very embarrassed, and said: "Mr. Xiang just asked you to finish the matter as soon as possible, and didn't say anything else."

Xiang Kang was even more helpless, but Xiang You on the other side suddenly opened his mouth and said with a bit of yin and yang, "Brother, you have half of the blacksmith shop, just fifty knives, it shouldn't be a big problem for you, right?"

"Yes, Kang'er, it's rare for your uncle to speak to you, so you should help him no matter what." The third aunt also said anxiously: "You think of a way, anyway, the knife is what you bring to fight Yes, it’s definitely not a big problem to hit fifty more.”

"Auntie, do you know how much a knife in Shilingting sells in the market now?" Xiang Kang smiled wryly, and said, "A thousand dollars, and a pair of rhinoceros leather armor only sells for more than 300 dollars." .Also, even if the government does not prohibit the sale of swords and swords, how can the government not be suspicious if so many knives are sent to Xiapi in one breath? If the government continues to investigate, what if the whereabouts of the third uncle are found?"

Hearing what Xiang Kang said was reasonable, the third aunt, who had always been reasonable, couldn't help showing a worried look. Xiang You, who had been separated from Xiang Kang recently, sneered and said, "It's okay to beat quietly? At worst, our brothers will fight for you together. Anyway, we have all done this kind of work before, and it’s okay to do it again.”

He was very clear about the reason why Xiang You was separated from himself, and Xiang Kang ignored it for the sake of brotherhood and harmony. He just frowned and calculated. It is half of the profit of twenty knives, I will give my money to Feng Zhong, and say that I sold it elsewhere to make money, so that he will not get suspicious."

"But Mr. Xiang wants fifty." Han Li was troubled.

"I can only get twenty of them now." Xiang Kang shook his head and said, "Please Han Zhuangshi tell my uncle the situation, and ask him to understand my difficulties. After a while, I will find a way to get him some more." .”

After all, the trip was not in vain, and seeing Xiang Kang's words reached this point, Han Li had no choice but to nod in agreement, but Xiang Kang could only ask Han Li to wait a day or two because the blacksmith shop did not have so many stocks. Han Li also agreed, and then Xiang Kang left and hurried back to the blacksmith shop to supervise the making of steel knives.

Sometimes good intentions are not rewarded. For the sake of kinship, Xiang Kang gritted his teeth and bought a knife at half price for Uncle Xiang, who opened his mouth wide. Brother Xiang You started complaining in front of the two aunts. He complained that Xiang Kang had no conscience, was ungrateful, and refused to satisfy his uncle's "little" request. He was a typical white-eyed wolf .

Fortunately, the two aunts were very reasonable. Not only did they not help Xiang You to criticize Xiang Kang, but they also asked Xiang You to understand Xiang Kang's difficulties.As a result, Xiang You, who was already extremely jealous of Xiang Kang, became even more furious, and simply said: "Mother, the knife is ready, and Han Zhuangshi and I are sent to Xiapi. I miss my father and want to meet him!"

　The second is delivered.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)