Author: Gongsun Wujiu

Zhang Yue and his party were all in a happy mood at this time. The iron ore they had been looking for since they arrived in the Western Regions suddenly appeared in front of them.

What's more important is that this place is only a few hundred miles away from Luntai, so it is not difficult to mine or transport it.

Wang Hu and other generals in the camp were also extremely excited. They spontaneously explored the surrounding areas without Zhang Yue's command.

As time goes by, there are more and more smiles on people's faces.

Wang Hu returned to Zhang Yue about half an hour later.

"Congratulations, sir, with the iron mine here, the entire army will be equipped with Huanshou swords within a year at most!"

Wang Hu grinned and patted his chest.

Zhang Yue was overjoyed when he heard this, "Do you have anything to say?"

But Wang Hu said: "Don't worry, Lord. How dare Wang Hu speak loudly in front of the Lord..."

Zhang Yue jumped up on a big stone with joy and looked around.

"This place is truly the land God gave me as a great man!"

People around him also echoed, "With this mine, there should be no worries about iron shortage!"

Everyone was chatting happily, when a craftsman stumbled over with a happy face.

Running and yelling...

The craftsman ran and shouted with joy.

"It's clay, it's clay..."

Only when Zhang Yue got closer did he realize that he was holding a handful of soil tightly in his hand.

"Hi, why are you so worried?"

Wang Hu stepped forward and scolded.

The craftsman named "Xi" finally calmed down.

Zhang Yue had some impression of this person, as he immigrated from Yunyang to Luntai just a few years ago.

"Meet the king, meet the great craftsman..."

The craftsman named Xi, although he was saluting, never gave up the soil in his hand.

Zhang Yue asked curiously, "Xijun, what is in your hand, why are you so happy?"

"Xi" said with excitement on his face, "Your Majesty, is this clay?"

As he spoke, he finally let go of his hand.

At this time, Zhang Yue and others saw clearly that what he was holding in his hand was a kind of light red, slightly white, bluish-gray soil.

"What's the magic use of this thing?" Zhang Yue asked curiously

I saw "Xi" carefully wrapping the clay before saying, "So that the princes and princes will know that this is extremely good clay and can be used to make top-grade pottery!"

"This thing can actually be used to make top-grade pottery!" Everyone around was moved when they heard this.

In this era, high-quality pottery is a sought-after commodity all over the world. Having it is equivalent to wealth.

"Can you make porcelain if you find clay?" Zhang Yue asked with some surprise.

In the past, the pottery needed for Luntai was all trafficked by Guanzhong merchants, which was not only expensive but also scarce in quantity.

The quality of pottery produced locally in the Western Regions is worrying. Therefore, if pottery can be fired, it will not only greatly improve the quality of life in Luntai and other places in the Western Regions, but also bring huge trade benefits to Luntai.

At this time, Zhang Yue also thought of other life issues from this pottery.

The more he thought about it, the more ashamed he felt. Based on the existing technology and what he knew, it could actually greatly improve people's quality of life.

It's a pity that I have always been paying attention to the military and weapons, but I have ignored the lives of the people.

However, it is not too late to make amends, and it is not too late to make improvements now.

Thinking of this, he lowered his body and asked, "Can high-quality pottery be made with good clay?"

He said happily, "No. The two most important things for making pottery are fire, which must be high enough temperature, and soil, which must be specific clay. Both are indispensable."

Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Can Xijun know how to make pottery?"

Xi nodded affirmatively and said, "Have you been making pottery for generations?"

At this time, Wang Hu on the side asked in confusion, "Hey, since you know how to make pottery, how did you end up in such a situation?"

He sighed happily, "Every man is not guilty, but he is guilty of carrying a jade..."

Zhang Yue nodded, already understanding in his heart that what happened to "Xi" has been happening continuously since ancient times.

Zhang Yue said a few words of comfort, and then said, "Hi Sir, don't worry, if you can really make good pottery, I will ask for credit for you..."

"Xi" looked happy, but soon he looked sad again.

Zhang Yue asked, "What's the problem?"

He nodded happily and said, "Charcoal is needed to make pottery... but good charcoal is hard to find nowadays, and the king is not allowed to cut it at will..."

Zhang Yue laughed, pointed to the charcoal field not far away and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Xi, there is something better here?"

Zhang Yue was naturally referring to stone carbon.

Xi asked doubtfully, "Something better?"

Zhang Yue said, "Yes, the stone carbon burns more powerfully than charcoal, so it can produce better pottery."

"Happiness" means being hesitant and not fully convinced.

Zhang Yue didn't take it seriously either.

…

After a conversation with Xi, Zhang Yue left the pottery making completely to "Xi". After all, professional work is best done by professionals.

"Xi" did not shirk, and asked Zhang Yue for more than a hundred people to start work.

He first led his people and surrounded the place where the clay was found.

Then he began to choose a place to build the kiln mouth. After selecting the place to build the kiln, he first asked Zhang Yue for instructions.

Zhang Yue looked at it but rejected his choice and chose a more private place.

Naturally, "Xi" did not dare to disobey Zhang Yue's order, so he could only obey it.

"Are you worried that the secret will be leaked?" Wang Hu couldn't help but ask after he left.

Zhang Yue sighed: "Try to hide it as much as possible. Although you will not be able to hide it sooner or later, you can hide it for as long as you can. Calculation using stone carbon is extremely original. If others know about it, this secret will be worthless."

Wang Hu heard this and said solemnly: "The junior official immediately ordered that this secret be strictly kept..."

Zhang Yue nodded and said, "Assign another group of craftsmen to Xi!"

When Wang Hu heard this, he hesitated and said, "I will immediately send ten more craftsmen and thirty servants here..."

Xi heard the words and said happily, "Thank you so much, Your Majesty! Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Yue frowned and shook his head and said, "Too few, give him thirty craftsmen and two hundred servants!"

Wang Hu said in embarrassment, "Your Majesty, but the iron mines also need craftsmen!"

Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Pang Gong will be here soon... This pottery is ready, but it is a golden chicken that lays eggs. Maybe Luntai will have to rely on "xi" to support itself."

Xi on the side was very nervous, "I don't dare... I must bake the pottery well... I..."

He was actually a little incoherent.

Zhang Yue and Wang Hu laughed heartily.

Wang Hu also figured it out at this time and agreed loudly, "I will send the craftsmen and servants to Xijun later..."

He was overjoyed and said, "I pay my respects to the master craftsman..."

Wang Hu laughed loudly and patted Xi on the shoulder, "His Majesty should thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Yue waved his hand at this time, "Hi, I'll leave this place to you!"

Xi bowed and said, "Don't worry, sir, I will do my best as a servant..."

…………
Chapter completed!