usatvline Chapter 66, Hey, guess what?
Chapter 66, Hey, guess what?
The project was actually progressing faster than Lin Zhou had anticipated. These guys were really hardworking, working day and night. They were treating torches that they wouldn't normally use like free money. In just five days, the workshop had already taken shape.
Moreover, coal kilns were also starting production at the same time, because the kiln openings were formed faster than those in steel mills, and the first batch of coke had already begun trial production.
Since large-scale purchases of coal and charcoal all had to go through the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Works naturally became aware of this matter. However, since the person in charge was the young master of the Shen family, and the project was also Qin Hui's project, the Ministry of Works naturally did not make things difficult for him.
But while they weren't bothered, they were filled with curiosity about the methods the coke-making workers used. The coke kiln had coal going in on one side and blue flames shooting out on the other. The workers now used those blue flames to boil water, keep warm, and cook, which was truly amazing.
Then there were the bricks that they couldn't understand at all. Ordinary bricks would crack and crumble into dust if the temperature was too high, but the bricks they used were different. They were light, dense, and regular, and they didn't break even at high temperatures. They were burned white by the fire, but after they cooled down, the bricks didn't have a single crack.
At this moment, Qin Hui was dressed in casual clothes, with a firebrick on the table and the Vice Minister of Works reporting on his work next to him.
"These bricks were made there. We did some calculations, and among other steel mills, bricks need to be dried and fired for thirty-seven days, making them extremely expensive, costing nearly one string of cash per brick. However, this man's bricks were made using porcelain stone, kaolin, sand, and quartz, and he even used his own coke to make them."
"Is it easy to use?" Qin Hui raised his head slightly at this moment.
"It works extremely well. We've tested it, firing it in other iron furnaces for three days, and it didn't soften, crack, or deform." The Vice Minister of Works said with a radiant face, "If this brick-making method and charcoal-making technique could be brought to the court, it would be a great achievement."
"No."
Qin Hui slowly lowered his head: "How can our great dynasty compete with the people for profit? If one comes today and you have people present things to the court, and another comes tomorrow and you have people present things to the court as well, who will be willing to do business and set up factories in our Great Song Dynasty in the long run? This is no less than draining the pond to catch all the fish."
"Prime Minister Qin's lesson is indeed correct..."
"Well, since what he produces is so excellent, let him keep it." Qin Hui put down his teacup and said softly, "Do you think his factory can make money?"
That place was originally Qin Hui's property. Although it wasn't directly registered in his name, he was the one who funded it and the people were his subordinates. How could he possibly hand it over to the imperial court? He'd be crazy. If it were really promoted, he wouldn't make any money at all! He understood perfectly well the principle that monopolies were the most profitable.
"There's definitely money to be made here. Not only is the steel from his steel mill valuable, but the brick kilns and charcoal kilns must also be very profitable. Their charcoal kilns are excellent. I took a look, though I didn't quite understand them. They can turn bituminous coal into anthracite, which they call coal washing. After the washed coal is coked, it's much more advanced than our current refining techniques."
Qin Hui didn't understand many of the technical terms, but with his intelligence, he still accurately found the key. He raised his hand and stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light.
"You mean, in a steel mill, steel is valuable, coal is valuable, and even bricks are valuable?"
"Yes, Prime Minister Qin. These three technologies are currently unavailable in our Great Song Dynasty. Even the Jurchens would be eager to acquire them and would certainly seek to purchase them in large quantities."
"Massive purchases..." Qin Hui pondered the phrase for a moment before finally asking, "How much do you estimate the Jurchens will buy?"
"Currently, the Jurchens purchase nearly five million catties of refined iron from our Great Song Dynasty every year, far exceeding the annual tribute expenditure. It's not that they don't have coal mines, but what they lack is the technology for coal washing and steelmaking. They have good coal but can't use it. If we had such methods, we should be able to earn a lot of money for the court."
Qin Hui raised an eyebrow, but remained expressionless: "I already know. You should go back and rest."
The Vice Minister of Works bowed and withdrew. Qin Hui sat in the room and pondered carefully. He did not doubt what the Vice Minister had said. At the moment, he was considering how to maximize the benefits of this matter.
The situation between the Jin Dynasty and the Mongols is extremely tense at present, and war may break out. If we can sell high-quality steel, iron and coal to the Jin Dynasty at this critical juncture, and raise the price by 30%, they probably won't mind.
If the battle lines are extended, the smokeless coal can even be sold to both the Jin and Mongolian peoples at the same time. The northern, cold lands are most in need of this kind of good coal and charcoal, and the wealth will be more than just abundant.
Thinking of this, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up. However, he soon had some doubts in his mind: why didn't Lin Zhou, who donated the steel mill, directly give the technology and the steel mill to the Jin Kingdom?
He could have become the son-in-law of the Jin people anyway, so wouldn't it be a godsend to give him this?
But Qin Hui quickly figured it out; this little matter was no problem for him. Based on the boy's various actions, it was clear that the person behind him wanted him to gain a foothold in the Song Dynasty and obtain the position of Jin Dynasty prince consort as a Song citizen. This way, he could continue to be involved in politics and rise rapidly in rank.
However, giving the goods to the Jin Dynasty would indeed be a timely help for the Jin Dynasty, but for him it would be no less than drinking poison to quench his thirst. He would lose his position on the Song side and become the consort of the Jin Dynasty, but he would only be confined at home and accomplish nothing.
After Qin Hui figured it out, he smiled wryly. If he didn't squeeze him dry, he would be letting him down. Once he succeeded, fame and official position would be easy to obtain, but if he wanted to take the next step, he would have to exchange things for them.
"Someone, call Cao Wenda over here."
At this moment, Lin Zhou had no idea what was happening to him outside. All he knew was that he couldn't poop without eating some vegetables in the dead of winter.
So he took out the potatoes and cabbage he had brought with him on previous trips. He sliced the potatoes and broke off pieces of the cabbage and put them into the hot pot.
"What is this? It tastes powdery and soft." Tang Wan curiously picked up a slice of potato and took a bite. "I've never seen this before."
"Potato."
"Potatoes? Where are they from?"
Lin Zhou thought for a moment: "I remember there's a 'South' in it, but I can't remember if it's South America or Southeast Asia. Corn and chili peppers are from South America, but where are potatoes and sweet potatoes from... Just assume they're from Southeast Asia."
"Can it be grown?" Lu You asked, "I also quite like the taste of this plant. If it can be grown, I would like to plant some."
"Sure, I'll teach you. See those sprouts on the potatoes? Cut them into pieces, and each sprout can grow individually. One piece can grow a whole patch. My grandma used to teach me to plant potatoes when I was little." Lin Zhou laughed, "Why plant this stuff? It's not worth much."
"I've never seen this on the market before, and it tastes good. Wan'er likes it, so I found a big pot and planted some."
"Okay, you plant it."
The group chatted and ate hot pot. Lu You had originally planned to compose a poem in response to his feelings, but Lin Zhou found the food extremely distasteful and thought it was utterly boring.
Tang Wan laughed and said, "Brother Lin, you don't seem to have any interest in composing poems or lyrics at all. But if you don't know how to do that, how can you attract the attention of those pretty girls?"
"Trying to imitate a cat but ending up with a dog is like trying to draw a tiger without getting it right. The only things I can recite are things like 'The bright moonlight before my bed,' or 'Three people in the shadows.' Wouldn't that be considered an introductory text for you?"
Tang Wan covered her face and laughed, then lowered her hand after a while: "I have a poetry gathering tomorrow. Brother Lin, come with me. We'll pick a pretty girl, and I'll help you find her."
"Wan'er... Brother Lin has someone he loves."
"Does Brother Lin mind having one more?" Tang Wan raised an eyebrow: "My Song family's daughter is by no means inferior to that Jin woman."
"Okay, okay." Lin Zhou nodded hurriedly, his face full of smiles. "Actually, I don't really like the Jin Kingdom princess that much. My impulsiveness back then has cooled down now, and I can totally get to know a new girl."
"Brother Lin, you..." Lu You looked troubled: "You...you should at least pretend for a moment, your words make you seem heartless."
"You don't know anything." Lin Zhou curled his lip, making an exaggerated arc with his hand over his chest: "I will always be loyal to Da Lai Lai."
Tang Wan laughed heartily, while Lu You sighed helplessly and shook his head silently.