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Chapter 100: The Birthday Cream Cake!
First, in terms of raw materials, the main components of soda-lime glass are silicon dioxide, sodium carbonate or other sodium sources, and calcium oxide as a stabilizer.

Silica is usually obtained from quartz sand, which is sand with high purity. It needs to be screened to remove too many impurities, or it can be obtained by crushing flint or quartzite.

Regarding the source of sodium, sodium carbonate in this era came from natural alkalis, such as alkali blocks from alkaline lakes, or sodium salts from wood ash. However, wood ash may have a high potassium content, so it is necessary to distinguish between them.

Alternatively, saltpeter can also be used as a sodium source, but it requires processing.

Calcium sources, such as calcium oxide, are usually derived from limestone, which is calcined at high temperatures to produce calcium oxide. Alternatively, oyster shells, eggshells, etc., which contain calcium carbonate, can also be used to obtain calcium oxide after calcination.

In addition to the main raw materials, flux is also needed. Although sodium itself is a flux in soda-lime glass, the ratio needs to be adjusted.

In addition, clarifying agents, such as sodium sulfate, can help remove air bubbles from molten glass. In this era, saltpeter or certain components of plant ash were used.

Then there's the equipment. High-temperature kilns are needed because coal burns at a sufficient temperature, but the kilns need to withstand the high temperatures. This requires refractory materials, such as a mixture of refractory clay and quartz sand, to make the kiln body and prevent melting.

A crucible is also needed to hold the molten glass raw materials. The crucible needs to be heat-resistant and is made of refractory clay.

In terms of tools, there are refractory rods for stirring, molds for forming, and annealing equipment, because the glass needs to be cooled slowly after forming, otherwise it will break. Insulated containers or annealing furnaces may be required.

The fuel is already available, namely coal, and the coal has a sufficient combustion temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the coal supply and the equipment to control combustion, such as a blower to increase the temperature inside the kiln.

The purification of raw materials must also be considered. For example, quartz sand needs to be washed to remove impurities such as mud, and limestone may need to have impurities removed, otherwise it will affect the transparency of the glass.

Further formula testing is needed because different raw materials have different purities and their proportions need to be adjusted. For example, the proportions of silicon dioxide, sodium source, and calcium source need to be tested multiple times to obtain a suitable formula.

Xiao Ran wrote down all the questions that came to mind.

There's no one suitable to talk to.

Sun Simiao didn't understand these things either.

We can only experiment slowly.

"Big Brother, don't go mining coal today. Go find a few people to build me a stove, a big one, and one that burns for a long time."

Xiao Ran explained the situation that needed attention to Zhang Dalang.

They provided a pencil sketch.

Zhang Dalang took it, but he wasn't very confident.

"Young master, I'll try my best. Please take a look later. I'm afraid it might not be usable."

Zhang Dalang had no idea what Xiao Ran was doing.

"Yes, I'll keep an eye on it. Don't worry, just do as I say and there won't be any problems."

Zhang Erya also looked at the sketch and thought Xiao Ran was very capable and knew a lot.

"Young master, is there anything I can do for you?" Zhang Jinhe asked Xiao Ran.

"Get me some stones," Xiao Ran described the stones he needed.

Previously, Zhang Jinhe, Zhang Erya, and the others thought that the stones were all the same, that they were all the same thing.

It was only after Xiao Ran picked out pebbles while roasting chestnuts that he realized there were many different kinds of stones.

Everyone else had things to do, so Xiao Ran could only ask Zhang Dalang, Zhang Jinhe, and Zhang Erya for help with his own affairs.

The people arranged by Li Lizhi also began to transport the coal away one after another.

The workers were paid every ten days, which was not as good as the previous daily payment, but they trusted Xiao Ran and had no objections.

It wasn't just because I trusted Xiao Ran's character, but also because I had a share in the coal.

In the morning, Xiao Ran got up for his morning exercise and noticed that Third Sister's clothes and appearance were different today.

It's clearly better than usual.

The hairstyles are also quite different.

A red string was now tied around his neck, with a Kaiyuan Tongbao coin attached to it.

"Good morning, Third Sister, you look beautiful today," Xiao Ran praised with a smile.

Third Sister smiled happily, looked at her new clothes, and said, "My older sister said today is my birthday, I'm six years old!"

Xiao Ran suddenly realized, "It's my birthday!"

Since it was her birthday, Xiao Ran wanted to make a cake for San Niang.

There's yeast, flour, eggs, and sugar in the car; making a cake isn't difficult.

The cream is a bit tricky, but it's still achievable.

The essence of butter is to break the emulsion balance of milk fat particles through physical churning, causing them to aggregate and form fat clumps.

This process requires no chemical additives, only the physical action of "stirring".

It is entirely possible.

"For her birthday, we should make two more outfits. Second Aunt should have told us sooner." Xiao Ran looked at Zhang Erya.

“Young master, no need, I have clothes to wear now,” Zhang Erya said, quite satisfied.

However, after Xiao Ran persuaded him several times, he still went to his second grandmother to make clothes for his third sister.

This made Third Sister extremely happy; she had new clothes again.

In the morning, Li Lizhi and the others did not come.

Since it's Third Sister's birthday, even if no one else comes, the two little princesses should be here too.

Xiao Ran took the initiative to write a letter to Zhang Jialin and send it to the Duke of Su's mansion.

We invited the two little princesses to come and play.

When the letter reached Cheng Tiehuan, he knew it was from Xiao Ran to Li Lizhi, and promptly delivered it to the palace.

Li Lizhi, who was in the Lizheng Hall, received the letter and smiled.

It's quite rare for Xiao Ran to take the initiative to write a letter.

This means something really happened.

Li Lizhi quickly opened the letter.

The letter was very short, just a few sentences.

Li Lizhi laughed after reading it.

"Sister, what makes you so happy?" Princess Yuzhang asked from the side.

"The young master wrote a letter saying that today is the birthday of the Third Sister and invited Si Zi Fan Yin to come and play."

After Li Lizhi finished speaking, she looked at Empress Zhangsun and said, "Mother, let's go for a bit!"

"Sizi Fanyin and Third Sister get along well, and it was the young master who invited her, so of course I have to go," Empress Changsun smiled. "And I must prepare a gift."

The two little princesses were also very happy to go to their third mother's house on their birthday.

Li Lizhi immediately arranged for Yu Shu to prepare a gift.

Choose an outfit that suits the Third Sister's status and is about the right size.

I gave both little princesses clothes.

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang presented hair ornaments.

We may not need it now, but we will definitely need it in the future.

Li Wu and Cheng Tiehuan were also needed to accompany Li Lizhi and the others.

Li Lizhi had spoken to Li Wucheng and Tiehuan about it beforehand.

It's not appropriate to go empty-handed in this situation.

I'll definitely bring a gift.

Knowing that Xiao Ran's invitation wasn't for a gift, she still felt she should show some appreciation.

I visit Kaolao Village every few days, so I'm practically an acquaintance there.

By the time we had prepared everything, it was already afternoon.

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang guessed that the food would definitely be different on such a special day.

Tonight we can have a delicious feast.

Third Sister had been waiting outside the courtyard, knowing that her two sisters were coming.

This is what Xiao Ran said, and Third Sister unconditionally trusts Xiao Ran.

Seeing the familiar carriage, Third Sister skipped and hopped over.

Li Lizhi was the first to lift the curtain, and the first to emerge was the little princess, who said with a smile, "Third Aunt~ Happy Birthday~" The little princess didn't understand these things; Li Lizhi had taught her.

"Happy birthday, Third Sister!" Princess Chengyang also said.

Third Sister's eyes lit up instantly, as if two stars had fallen into them.

She clutched the hem of her new dress, her knuckles turning white from gripping it so tightly, not out of nervousness, but out of sheer joy.

Her cheeks were rosy, spreading from her ears all the way to her chin. When she smiled, her mouth stretched wide, revealing two newly grown front teeth, making her look silly yet genuine.

"Thank you, Sizi Fanyin."

Her voice trembled slightly as she shouted, and she took two steps forward before suddenly stopping, as if afraid of getting her new clothes dirty by running too fast.

Hearing the words "Happy Birthday" and "May you live a long and healthy life," Third Sister suddenly lowered her head and quickly wiped her face with her sleeve.

I wasn't actually crying, it's just that the tears in my eyes were too bright, and I was afraid they would be seen.

When she looked up again, her eyelashes were still a little damp, but she laughed even harder.

"The young master said he would cook something delicious for us," said Third Sister, pulling the two little princesses along.

"Really~" The little princess's eyes lit up when she heard about the delicious food.

Xiao Ran and Zhang Erya also came out.

This time, Li Lizhi and her group brought even more gifts.

"Fifth Sister, why did you bring so much stuff! I'll be embarrassed to let you come again!"

Li Lizhi smiled and said, "Today is Third Sister's birthday, and these are gifts from Sizi Fanyin to Third Sister."

Li Wu and Cheng Tiehuan also gave their gifts to Zhang Erya, as a small token of their appreciation for San Niang.

Actually, for San Niang, she was already very happy that her two little sisters could come; everything else was secondary.

Although life was tough before, Zhang Dalang and Zhang Erya treated San Niang very well.

No matter how good the companionship of older siblings is, it can't replace the companionship of peers.

Only when surrounded by her two sisters can she fully unleash her childlike nature.

"Sizi, Fanyin, have some candy!" Third Sister took out the rock candy she was reluctant to eat.

"Mmm-hmm~" the little princess said without any politeness.

While eating candy, the three little girls played with Xiao Hei.

Back in the main room, Li Lizhi picked up the cat from the table.

The dinner was very plentiful.

All kinds of meat are available.

Meat is the little princess's favorite food.

Zhang Mingde was also invited to dinner. He was happy to come over because Sun Simiao was there.

"Sizi, don't eat too much, there's more good stuff coming up!" Xiao Ran reminded the little princess with a smile.

The cake is ready, but I haven't taken it out yet.

It was a surprise for them.

"Mmm, mmm~" The little princess didn't rub her tummy again.

After everyone had finished eating and cleared the table, Xiao Ran brought out a cake.

It's not very good-looking because Xiao Ran isn't a professional.

There aren't even any words, it's too much trouble.

Since neither of the three sisters, Zhang Erya, could read, Xiao Ran didn't write anything down.

"We eat cake on your birthday." Xiao Ran put the things down.

Several people crowded around at once; they had never seen this person before.

"Wow~ This is amazing~" The little princess smelled the cake.

good smell!

"It's so beautiful!" Princess Chengyang exclaimed.

Xiao Ran didn't blow out the candles; people in this era didn't like that kind of behavior.

"Third Sister, make a wish on the cake, and we can eat it together." Xiao Ran smiled. "You can't say your wish out loud; just make it silently in your heart."

“Okay!” Third Sister nodded quickly.

After the Third Sister made her wish, Xiao Ran began to cut the paper.

Xiao Ran made a lot of small wooden forks so they could be used to eat cake.

"Third Sister, cut the cake for everyone." Xiao Ran cut the cake and handed it to Third Sister.

Third Aunt looked at it, then handed the cake to Zhang Mingde first, saying, "Grandpa, have some cake!"

Zhang Mingde smiled kindly, "Third Sister, give it to the old gentleman first."

It's definitely meant for the two elders.

Sun Simiao looked at the cake and thought it was very special.

Inside is a soft and chewy pastry, and outside is a layer of cream.

Sun Simiao picked up a small piece with a wooden fork and put it in his mouth. He first frowned slightly. The cream was so smooth that it melted like solidified fat. It melted on his tongue with a touch, carrying the sweetness of milk and the softness of the cake. It was even more mellow than any other cream he had ever eaten.

After carefully examining it for a moment, his withered fingers tapped lightly on his knee. He looked at Xiao Ran with a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Is milk mixed into this cake?"

"Yes, sir!"

Seeing Xiao Ran nod, Sun Simiao took another bite, this time much slower, swallowing slowly before saying, "It's sweet and refreshing, not as strong as cane sugar, but more like the sweetness of milk has been simmered into the cake."

He looked at Third Sister with a gentle smile, "This kind of soft food is perfect for children. It won't hurt their teeth or upset their stomachs."

Zhang Mingde was already salivating from the sweet aroma. He forked a piece and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed it easily with his teeth. The cake was as soft as cotton, and the cream had a cool sensation as it slid down his throat, suppressing the greasiness of the food he had just eaten.

He smacked his lips, his voice becoming louder: "Good heavens! This cake is even softer than the honey cakes sold in shops in Chang'an!"

Pointing to the cream, he smiled at Sun Simiao beside him and said, "Old sir, look at this. It's so smooth, like frozen milk, and it's so sweet it warms your heart!"

Very sweet indeed.

Seeing Sun Simiao and Zhang Mingde's reactions, the others became even more envious.

Especially the two little princesses.

The little princess received the cake and couldn't wait to take a bite of the cream.

Wow~ It's so sweet~

"That's great!"

The little princess looked completely satisfied, which was entirely different from honey and maltose.

I really love it.

"This is very special, young master, what is this?" Princess Yuzhang asked Xiao Ran eagerly.

“It’s cream!”

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya saw it being done and thought it must be correct.

I never expected it to be so delicious.

The three little girls squatted in a circle around the wooden tray, barely using their wooden forks, and directly used their little hands to pick up the cake and put it in their mouths.

A speck of white cream clung to the tip of Third Sister's nose, like a tiny snowflake. She didn't notice, preoccupied with stuffing cake into her mouth, her cheeks bulging like two round grains of rice, as she mumbled:

"Sweet! Sweeter than rock candy!" she said, tearing off another piece and holding it to Sizi's lips. "You eat this one, it has cream on it!"

The two-year-old princess couldn't wait any longer. She grabbed a handful of cake, getting cream all over her hands, but she didn't care. She put it directly into her mouth, licking the cream off her fingers as well.

When she was enjoying her meal, she clapped her hands and laughed, the cream on her palms smearing onto her cheeks, making her look like a little kitten with milk stains.

Princess Chengyang wanted to help her wipe it off, but the girl used her greasy hands to smear cream on her face. The two girls burst into laughter, not caring that the cream splattered on their new clothes.

Princess Chengyang ate more gracefully, carefully picking up a small piece with a wooden fork, but the cream's smoothness made her laugh—just as the fork reached her lips, the cream "plop"ed onto her clothes. Unperturbed, she picked it up and popped it into her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Third Sister, your birthday is wonderful! There are such sweet cakes!"

Hearing this, Third Sister laughed even harder and simply pushed her piece with the most cream to the middle: "Let's share it! After we finish eating, we'll take Little Black to play."

(End of this chapter)