Chapter 1062: King Zhou

The furnace just mentioned was a reverberatory furnace. Zhao Jin had often come across it when leafing through his childhood records, but he had no particularly deep memory of it. If not for today's in-depth conversation with the knowledgeable Xu Housheng and Zhu Xingshu, he probably would never have recalled this point.

Back then, his reading had mainly focused on military matters. The reason the reverberatory furnace came up was that, due to the many wars in Europe, the demand for weapons and armor had increased—especially the demand for firearms forged from wrought iron, which had grown enormously. To meet this demand, the countries of Western and Central Europe began improving their smelting and casting techniques. The reverberatory furnace was one such improvement. Because it reduced contact between molten iron and charcoal while maintaining high temperatures throughout the production process, it cut down on losses during the conversion of pig iron into wrought iron and greatly increased output—one of those instances where war drives technological advancement.

Zhao Jin was not sure whether this technology had appeared yet. Xu Housheng had just mentioned the place name "Iron Trench." Because the Xu family was wealthy and powerful, they had been diligently collecting coal and iron techniques from all over the realm and compiling them into books to pass down. Even though Xu Housheng had never traveled much, this allowed him to be widely knowledgeable. Why such a good method had not been popularized? On second thought, it was quite normal. Such secret techniques had to be passed from father to son—quite possibly not even to daughters-in-law or daughters—so naturally they did not spread widely. But according to Zhu Xingshu, the refining methods the white men now used were essentially the same principle as the Great Ming's puddling process.

"Water-powered machinery is already widely used in Europe. It not only saves manpower but can also process larger objects. In the art of craftsmanship, we have fallen far behind the foreigners," Zhao Jin remarked with a sigh.

Wang Zhaojing and Ruhui both nodded in agreement at Zhao Jin's lament, though their faces inadvertently betrayed a look of dismissal. In their view, what backwardness was there? They were merely some clever tricks the Great Ming had not thought of itself. Hadn't they just caught up now?

Xu Housheng and Zhu Xingshu did not even continue the conversation. They hurriedly left to go prepare. Wang Zhaojing also busied himself along with them. If this method truly was as important as everyone said, then secrecy had to be maintained. Even the people involved had to be watched closely; not the slightest oversight could be allowed.

For this newly built iron furnace, men were specially assigned to construct a large compound. The walls were built high and the security was tight. The master craftsmen who laid the bricks for the furnace were all chosen from the most reliable men of the Xu family. After completing this job, they were effectively placed under house arrest within the firearms works.

However, any Xu family master who had taken part in building this furnace and knew a thing or two about the coal iron-smelting trade naturally understood the significance of this furnace and why they were being confined. No matter who was handling this matter, they could never be completely at ease.

Wang Zhaojing and Ruhui naturally saw the excitement of Xu Housheng, Zhu Xingshu, as well as Yu Shan, Louis, and the other craftsmen—both those of Great Ming origin and those from across the ocean. Yet in their eyes, this was merely a minor detail. Zhao Jin was now presiding over the overall situation; his mind should be on larger affairs. He should even be embracing the whole realm in his thoughts.

But what surprised and exasperated them was that Zhao Jin's attention to the Craftsman Office was not limited to the blacksmiths. The main force of the firearms works consisted of blacksmiths, apprentices, and helpers, but the firelocks, armor, and various implements also required large amounts of timber and other materials. Thus, the carpenters and other craftsmen within the Zhao Battalion Craftsman Office were also quite numerous.

After paying close attention to the blacksmiths for a long time, Zhao Jin shifted his focus to the carpenters.

"Elder Brother, the Tianqi Emperor indulged himself in carpentry toys all day long and neglected state affairs. As a result, the government was seized by Wei Zhongxian and his ilk, who attacked the Donglin partisans without cease, throwing the realm into chaos. This is a lesson from the past. Elder Brother must take warning." Wang Zhaojing was deeply worried by Zhao Jin's behavior, and these words could be considered very harsh.

"He ignored affairs, and others managed them very well on his behalf. Don't be anxious; I know what you mean. I have my reasons for doing these things. You all regard the art of craftsmanship as a minor path, but I see it as one of our foundations—just like the farming on our manors. If we do this well, our household troops and militia can win a hundred battles out of a hundred," Zhao Jin explained with a smile. Wang Zhaojing, however, turned cold-faced and directly laid it out plainly: if Zhao Jin continued like this, he would invite Zhao Zhentang, Wang Youshan, and the other elders to come.

Faced with such blunt remonstration, Zhao Jin did not know whether to laugh or cry, but he still had to make it clear that none of his proper duties had been neglected and that the Zhao Battalion was operating as usual.

"Elder Brother is widely experienced and knowledgeable. Surely you have heard the allusion of King Zhou using ivory chopsticks!" Wang Zhaojing made his words even heavier.

This remark greatly irritated Zhao Jin, but he was also helpless. He simply said, "These matters have not the slightest connection to idle pleasure. I must finish them. Now you may not know why I pay them such attention, but in a year, in two years, you will understand. We have been brothers for so many years—do you not know what kind of man I am?"

Zhao Jin had never imagined that a conversation between brothers could reach such an awkward point; they were almost at the stage of swearing oaths. Wang Zhaojing still refused to relent, though in the end he seemed a bit helpless too. He merely said, "What kind of man Elder Brother is, this younger brother knows very well. However, this younger brother also feels that Elder Brother is too steady and somewhat lacking in a keen drive to forge ahead. This steadiness is not a bad thing, but under such circumstances of wealth and status, it is very easy to grow slack. Elder Brother, do not forget that we are now walking along the edge of a cliff. The slightest carelessness and we will be smashed to pieces!"

"Just watch. Just you watch." By the end of his explanation, Zhao Jin was somewhat exasperated.

Remonstration aside, Zhao Jin's schedule was still decided by himself. Wang Zhaojing followed with a cold face, and everyone was rather uncomfortable.

Compared to the incredibly busy blacksmiths at the firearms works, the carpenters in the workshop compound were just as frantically occupied. The handles and grips for firelocks, pikes, sabers, and axes, as well as the wooden parts on various implements, all needed to be produced by them. Because the Xu family of Jingshan had a large number of blacksmiths, the Zhao Battalion had always been selecting craftsmen and apprentices from the refugees to supplement them. As for the carpenters, aside from the craftsmen among the refugees and captives, Cloud Mountain Trading had gone as far as Shanxi and Huguang to recruit. Any carpenter with skills was offered settlement, a home, and generous pay. Apprentices learning carpentry were also encouraged, with various incentives offered to them as well. Only in this way could they barely maintain a sufficient force of carpenters.

The carpenters of the Zhao Battalion now had a new task: manufacturing equipment for spinning and weaving. The Yu family of Songjiang had long since sent over the patterns—various machines for pressing cotton, spinning, and weaving. The carpenters were to build according to these. Cotton planting on the Zhao Battalion's various manors had already begun on a small scale and was to be expanded on a large scale the coming year, making these machines essential.

In addition to the patterns, the Zhao Battalion had also brought in craftsmen familiar with spinning and weaving from Songjiang and among the refugees, having them work together with the carpenters to build the machines. The carpenters felt somewhat uncomfortable about this, thinking to themselves that those machines were all very simple. If they worked conscientiously, how could anything go wrong? Why did they need these people who knew nothing of carpentry to supervise? Was this not looking down on them?

Zhao Jin was well aware of these complaints. However, these spinning and weaving machines were meant for the weavers to use, so naturally their opinions had to be heeded. Only then would the machines be suitable and easy to use.

When Zhao Jin arrived, the entire carpentry workshop, from top to bottom, roused their spirits, eager to perform well before their patron. A few quick-witted ones even deliberately displayed beside them the clever little objects they had skillfully made. What they did not expect, however, was that Wang Zhaojing's face would turn practically black at the sight of these trinkets.

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Jin lingered the longest at the place where spinning wheels were being made, and he even made many childish gestures. For example, the spinning wheel turned vertically, but Zhao Jin kept pushing it over to lie flat. This left everyone utterly baffled, completely unsure of what he meant.

"... This one spinning wheel can only drive one spindle. Think about it: if you push it over and lay it flat, could one spinning wheel drive several spindles? You needn't worry about wasting labor or materials; it doesn't matter if you can't make it. But as long as you can figure it out, I will give a heavy reward, and your sons and disciples will receive good treatment. I, Zhao Jin, am a man of my word..."

Zhao Jin gave this promise, and the carpenters were naturally eager to try. In fact, once the spinning wheel was laid flat and Zhao Jin put forward the requirement, many could already envision how to do it. What remained was simply to research with those weavers how to make the thing suitable and easy to use, and then claim the prize.

"... I don't want clever, amusing playthings. Things that can be built to save people labor and make work faster—I want as many as there are, and there will certainly be heavy rewards. You can go ask how much the blacksmiths have earned for their innovations..." Before leaving, Zhao Jin made this promise to the carpenters and also set forth his requirements.

What made Wang Zhaojing breathe a sigh of relief was that after doing all this, Zhao Jin instructed Xu Housheng to report progress promptly, and then he hardly went there anymore. Wang Zhaojing somewhat understood: Zhao Jin had gone there for these few specific purposes from the very start. Now that they were accomplished, there was naturally no need to waste time there.

The flag-presentation and review for the Second Brigade, and the flag-presentation and review for the Third Brigade, both required Zhao Jin to go in person. In the northern district of Huai'an, it was fine, but the flag-presentation and review for the Third Brigade was different. The Third Brigade of household troops itself was nothing special, but the locality of Qingjiangpu was in an uproar. Zhao Jin was coming to Qingjiangpu again. Those who wanted to communicate and ingratiate themselves had to seize the moment; even people from Yangzhou came rushing over.

The martial arts tournament originally held in Xuzhou would now be held here in Qingjiangpu, jointly organized by Cloud Mountain Trading and the Qingjiangpu Chamber of Commerce, with the proceeds split according to a ratio. This was an arrangement Zhao Jin made here, and it greatly excited the wealthy merchants of Qingjiangpu.

The martial skill contests at the tournament were very exciting, but that was not what the Qingjiangpu merchants focused on. They could all keenly perceive the various business opportunities the tournament would bring. The business of inns, restaurants, wine shops, and the various houses and pleasure quarters would boom. Merchants from elsewhere would also come here. Everyone would trade and interact, bringing profit in every aspect, and making Qingjiangpu even more prosperous.

Historically, the reverberatory furnace appeared at a later time. However, the various technologies required for the construction and operation of a reverberatory furnace were entirely achievable in this era. All that was lacking was the concept.

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