The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 44

Watching the workers put various raw materials for iron smelting into the furnace one by one, the flames slowly ignited in the furnace, then became raging flames, and finally subsided into a red glow.

After closing the furnace door, a man beside him vigorously pushed the bellows, and bluish smoke billowed out from the furnace top, which was taller than a person.

Xu Tian originally thought that airbags would be used, but unexpectedly, bellows had already appeared.

Because only a small amount of iron ore was added, the furnace was started in the afternoon. The molten iron, glowing red-hot, flowed from the furnace opening into a pre-prepared container. Once the molten iron had almost completely drained, the workers added new ore and fuel to begin the second cycle.

"Master Xu, the molten iron has been produced. Repeat this process several times. After three days, carefully inspect it. If there are no abnormalities, the furnace is good."

What's coming out right now is just molten iron, which is unusable. I've already told you how to turn it into wrought iron.

As for the detailed procedures, you'll have to figure that out for yourself later. It involves official secrets, so I can't say too much," Old Yu said, stroking his beard.

"Thank you, Elder Yu, and all my brothers. You've worked hard these past few days. Now that the molten iron has been produced, we've already achieved our goal. We can't ask you to do anything more," Xu Tian said gratefully.

"These days, Mr. Xu has also put in a lot of effort. To be honest, if I weren't forced to do this, it would be a good thing to stay here for a long time."

“Absolutely. Being served lavish meals every day, more comfortable than Buddha himself, isn’t that wonderful?” someone chimed in.

When the others heard this, they also laughed.

"I am short of manpower here. If things go well in the future, I may need to build a few more iron furnaces. If any of you are no longer working for the government, you may come here to study the art of iron smelting. The treatment is negotiable, and I will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Xu Tian agreed, saying he would also try to poach someone from the other side of the wall.

"That's great! When we can no longer work at the government ironworks, we'll come here to beg for a living. Please don't look down on us, Young Master Xu."

"Is what you say true, Master Xu? If I can no longer work in the future, can I come here?" Old Man Yu turned around and asked.

“Of course it’s true. Even if you can’t do it yourself anymore, you still have the vision, knowledge, and experience to teach and guide newcomers,” Xu Tian replied.

"If your ironworks is still there by then, you can come back and work here for a few more years. But I have something else to tell you. I have an old friend who used to be a blacksmith in the army."

Now that I'm getting old, and with the war in Huaixi over, I went back to Dingxiang City to retire before the new year. But staying at home for too long with nothing to do makes me feel restless, and since the beginning of the year, I've been looking for something to do.

He didn't want to do farming or guarding the gate; he wanted to do something related to blacksmithing. I wonder if Master Xu needs anything like that?

“Yes, yes, of course we need them,” Xu Tian was overjoyed to hear this, it was exactly what he had been hoping for. “You might as well tell him that I need people here, especially experienced seniors, and the monthly salary is negotiable.”

“Okay, I’ll ask someone to talk to him in a few days. He should be very happy to do so.”

"Okay, I'm ready anytime, the sooner the better."

Three days later, the iron furnace was emptied and allowed to cool down. After a thorough inspection, it was found to be intact, and the project was considered complete. Over the next few days, the workers from the government gradually left, and on this day, the last few departed.

Xu Tian had prepared an office next to the factory's living room, which was usually only open to him and Wang Anping.

He returned to his office and spread out a two-foot-wide drawing on his desk. It depicted a rickshaw, the result of months of continuous conceptualization and improvement.

The structure of a rickshaw is actually not complicated; it is simpler than a horse-drawn carriage and has few requirements.

One requirement is that it be lightweight, since it's something people have to pull, so it shouldn't be too strenuous. Another requirement is that it be comfortable to sit in, meaning it needs good shock absorption. On top of that, it should be as aesthetically pleasing and simple as possible.