Ultimately, by adding alkali metals to silica, you can get glass with different specifications and properties. By adding special compounds, the glass will show more complex and magnificent colors.
Rurik originally thought about continuing to precipitate crystals from plant ash. He knew that the crystals he obtained at once would contain a large proportion of saltpeter.
It was so difficult to obtain a small packet of precipitate. For the time being, Rurik didn't want to do anything exciting.
The blacksmithing work will still continue.
As the blazing embers that buried twenty thick-bottomed and thick-walled glasses were finally extinguished and cooled down, the annealing treatment on the cups was concluded. As for the processing effect, Rurik believed it should be good. He would never pour a cup of hot water on it.
It will explode.
After wiping the toner off the glass and polishing it vigorously with fine sheepskin, the glass really achieved what Rurik wanted it to look like.
In fact, Rurik didn't want to create a glass bottle like a Coke bottle, which could be filled with a variety of drinks by plugging it with a cork.
However, glassblowing is a craft. Without a master, ordinary people's attempts may not only fail, but also burn their mouths.
The crystallization of plant ash was still too precious. Since in theory, glass could still be formed by adding lime and lead, Klavasen started trying overnight.
The next day, Rurik came in great spirits and got the news that Klavasen had made ten cups.
The newly made cups were placed on the wooden platform. In terms of appearance, they were already different from those of yesterday.
"This is your new cup? You actually made them a spout that can pour water?!" Rurik eagerly played with one, feeling its thickness and shape.
Klavasen said with great interest: "After you left, I did some experiments with the machine. I took out the embryo from the bronze mortar and continued to roast it on the fire. I succeeded in hot polishing the mouth of the cup. Because of the strength of the tongs
So, I cut a gap in it. By a wonderful coincidence, I discovered that I could work on it further."
Rurik put down the cup gently, and there was a new idea in his little head.
"Clavathon, you should know Tao Weng's ears."
"Oh? Haha, kid, I already understand! Making cup ears is no problem." Klavasen instantly understood Rurik's idea. Yes, it was to install a handle on the cup.
For a senior craftsman, when it comes to manufacturing equipment, they always have strong thinking by drawing inferences from one example.
Regarding glassware, Klavasen has already thought that more glassware can be pressed by casting new molds.
Clavarson was already making it himself, and he clearly realized that glassware is really a good thing with peculiar properties. Its infinite plasticity will inevitably bring great future.
Making containers such as cups, kettles, etc. is just a small application.
When he accidentally smashed a glass yesterday, the sharp edges of the fragments on the ground immediately reminded him of the possibility of weaponization!
You can use it to make arrowheads, at least for hunting rabbits and doves. Compared with other materials, it is really cheap and easy to get!
That afternoon, Rurik still brought his two followers with him. The three of them had stomachs full of meat, and they were full of strength after a good meal.
Klavasen understood Rurik's attitude, so he said: "I will stop blacksmithing in the afternoon, and I will continue to help you make glass. This time I will put ears on the cup."
"Okay. Let's get started. I want to see your skills." Rurik ordered with a flick of his neck: "Kanuf, Fisk, you two are going to operate the air bag blower."
The switch was just like yesterday's operation, except this time, Klavasen took out some other tools.
How could Clavarson have professional glassware processing tools? He planned to use the tools used for blacksmithing to reshape the formed glassware.
Is this reliable? Rurik thinks it is possible. Oriental chefs can use a kitchen knife to process ingredients in a variety of ways. They are all handicrafts. Rurik needs to take a look at Klavasen's work today.
The raw materials were poured into the bronze mortar, and the flames quickly covered all the raw materials.
As the two children competed to show they were trustworthy warriors, they operated the airbag blower to push the charcoal to its peak calorific value.
The raw materials in the crucible turned into a hot paste again. After being baked for a long time deliberately, the sand full of impurities has been basically refined to the point where only silicon dioxide and alkali metals that are brought in or added intentionally are left.
In general, this process is even shorter and more labor-intensive than making sponge iron.
The suppression of shaping is even simpler in Klavasen's opinion. He pulls the lever and more than half of the most critical shaping is completed.
Because of the heating effect of the molten glass on the bronze mortar, in order to make the production efficiency higher, Klavasen directly water-cooled the bronze mortar.
In this way, five more blazing glasses were made, and this was just the beginning of another great attempt.
Clavarson used tongs to hold the bottom of the cup and put it on the stove to roast it, which was called fire polishing the mouth of the cup.
The whole body also became very soft. At this time, Klavasen deliberately poured it on the iron plate, clamped it into a long and full of dents, roasted it on the flame until it softened, and then made it into a bent shape.
Directly attached to the wall of the glass.
Klavasen knew the technology of thermal welding. This technique is usually used on bronzes. He never imagined how simple it would be to apply this high-end operation on glasswares.
After the flame roasting, the cup ear has been completely integrated with the cup.
Rurik looked at Klavasen's operation with satisfaction, "Are you planning to make a small pot that can pour water?"
"Haha, you can see it. I will try my best to imitate Tao Weng and make a transparent urn."
After saying that, Rurik suddenly saw that Klavasen actually turned the cup with the ears upside down.
Under the action of gravity, the wall of the cup, which is originally very thick, is elongated.
"You actually want to make a small hip flask?" Rurik asked curiously.
"You guessed it right, now watch my performance."
Maybe there is always a naughty child in a man's life.
Rurik felt that Klavasen was playing with a hot and transparent "plasticine".
Klavasen continued to stretch the cup, and used the tongs to restrain the mouth of the bottle above. He rotated the tongs, and suddenly a narrow and hollow neck was formed.
There is a wide opening above the neck, where the fire tongs also clamp the real water outlet.
In terms of shape alone, Rurik feels that it already has the meaning of a handicraft, even if its shape is still relatively rough.
Satisfied, Klavasen put the finished cup aside. But after a high degree of shaping, it was no longer an ordinary cup, but a "big-bellied, narrow-necked glass flask with a cup ear!".
After all, this era is not pursuing simple style. People generally desire that the utensils they can control become more and more gorgeous.
Undoubtedly, this completely transparent pot that can hold liquids such as wine would not be sold at a good price because it is so crystal clear.
Klavasen showed his results with satisfaction: "What do you think? At least I think it's beautiful."
Rurik asked in surprise: "You...have you done many experiments? Your method seems to be rich in experience."
"Hey! Kid, what are you thinking about? Have you forgotten that I am also a gem craftsman, and I can even make bronzes."
"Ah!" Rurik suddenly patted his head.
Indeed, craftsmen of this era often did a variety of tasks, but of course these tasks were generally not sophisticated enough from the perspective of future generations. That was okay, because within the limitations of the times, the need for technology in production and life was not particularly urgent.
In fact, Klavasen himself is very satisfied with the completion of this "handicraft".
He carefully placed the object on a stable wooden platform and prepared to make the next piece of glassware.
Suddenly, he suddenly asked Rurik: "Only ten silver coins? Is this appropriate? Although I didn't use a lot of effort and time to make it."
Rurik didn't think much and said: "It's probably appropriate."
"Suitable?" Klavasen asked suspiciously: "Tell me, what is the glass bottle of that big businessman like? And what is the shape of that bottle?"
"I remember it was about twenty silver coins, it seemed... it seemed like this."
Suddenly, he saw the child in front of him suddenly chop his feet!
"No! It's not twenty silver coins, it's gold coins." Rurik suddenly thought of the details of the banquet, "I can confirm that each of Gould's cups is twenty gold coins. After conversion, it is two hundred.
silver."
"What? Is this true?" Klavason was shocked at first, and then slowly calmed down, with a bitter smile of disbelief on his lips: "How can I believe that this is true?! Two hundred pieces
silver?!"
"It's absolutely true." Rurik also began to tremble, not because he was cold, but after he figured out the exact price, he couldn't help but be shocked by the terrifying huge profits.
Clavarson also asked tremblingly: "Then, why are you still insisting on ten silver coins? We will sell it for two hundred silver coins. There is no sin in us trying to make as much money as possible."
"Maybe you are right."
Rurik gently covered his little heart. After he calmed down completely, he seriously thought about the possibility of "two hundred silver coins".
Is it possible? It should be.
In order to sell the goods quickly and realize cash, I can only give a factory price.
There must be professionals to sell these goods, and they are by no means ordinary goods, they are luxury goods in the true sense! Even if its shape is not something Rurik finds graceful.
Rurik gestured at the shape of the glass bottle.
"That's it?" Clavarson's eyes showed disdain, "For a stick-shaped bottle, that old guy as fat as a seal actually spent twenty gold coins? You might as well buy these from me."
From this point of view, Rurik does not feel that Gould suffered a disadvantage.
As a luxury product, it must be purely rare, and secondly, it must have connotative taste.
"If it really is twenty gold coins, I think it's better to forget it. The price is too expensive, who will buy it? I don't expect Gould to buy everything you made at a very high price."
Now that the topic has reached this level, Rurik thought of many things.
Since ancient times, there has been a so-called "invisible hand" in the commercial society to regulate the relationship between commodity prices and currency.
Marking an excessively high price limits its buyers, so the supply of bulk commodities will reach a tacit agreement with the common people. Although suppliers and producers earn less than buying and selling alone, they cannot handle the large volume. After all, businessmen can still
Make big money.
As for luxury goods, this routine cannot be followed.
Rurik estimated that those who could buy glassware must be wealthy, and there must be very few wealthy people.
The warriors of the tribe are willing to spend their life savings, even if it means borrowing money, hoping to get a good steel sword from the blacksmith. After all, a warrior must have a good sword of his own, and now, he has obtained a sword that can cut through iron like mud.
The opportunity is right in front of you.
Glassware is different. If you just want to drink water, you can just use a pottery bowl or a wooden bowl. Only people with a lot of wealth will think of getting glass cups or horn cups inlaid with gold. Use them as containers to drink water, even if
What they hold is the most ordinary water, but it is extraordinary. What they drink is actually a luxurious taste of life.
However, the price of two hundred silver coins is still too crazy.
Rurik basically figured it out. He said slowly: "We need to negotiate and set a suitable price. In this way, businessmen like Gould will buy in large quantities. In addition to satisfying their own use, they will also sell. From this,
Make a fortune."
"Oh? Really? Just one hundred silver coins." Klavasen couldn't help but glance at his masterpiece and said: "Look at it, I don't even want to make iron! Compared with my current job, I still make glassware.
The most profitable.”
"This is not possible." Rurik shook his head. "I still need a steel sword! Besides, I will have a group of new servants. I have already thought of one thing. I want my servants to come to your blacksmith shop to help you.
Work."
"What? Help me work?"
"Exactly." Rurik replied: "They are free labor. I don't need you to provide any payment to these servants, but I will provide them with food expenses and accommodation."
Klavasen was puzzled when he heard this: "Are you sure what you said went over your head? Is there such a good thing?"
"Of course! I have been thinking about this for a long time. You have to teach them blacksmithing and glassware making. I hope you can teach them many things."
"Okay. The idle people in my work tribe are not willing to do it, so we blacksmiths have always been short of helpers."
At this moment, Klavason did not think about anything like teaching his apprentices to starve their masters to death. The fact was that because the so-called apprentices were his own sons in the past, Klavason's attitude in this regard was very simple and straightforward.
"You do agree with me?" Rurik asked.
"yes."
"Well, I think we should sign a new agreement immediately."
Klavasen asked: "It's still carved on the wooden board."
"Of course." Rurik said: "This is an agreement between you and me. You cannot share it with the other five blacksmiths. Regarding the previous things, I don't want it to happen again."
By the way, Rurik took the opportunity to express his position. He actually did not hate the blacksmiths forming a guild, but it was unreasonable that they did not notify him of the establishment of the guild immediately.
Similar to the previous agreement form, there are three core clauses here.
First: the problem of glassware. Klavasen is responsible for making it and Rurik is responsible for selling it. The final gross profit is divided equally between the two.
Second: This agreement is only for Klavasen and Rurik.
Third: Both parties must guarantee the secret of glassware making. Once one party teaches the skills privately, it is a breach of contract. The breaching party needs to pay a thousand gold coins to the other party.
The written agreement was quickly finalized and seemed very strict.
The fact is of course that he still has many imperfections.
Klavason used a carving knife to carve the terms written in rune on the wooden board as quickly as possible, and Rurik also used a carving knife to carve out his name.
This is a document that satisfies both parties. Klavasen believes in Rurik very much, not only because this kid will be the next leader if nothing happens, but he also thinks that his family has passed Rurik’s so-called
"The knowledge imparted by Odin" makes you extremely wealthy!
For making a steel sword, Klavasen can earn more than fifty silver coins. Now the money box at home has more than a thousand silver coins piled in it.
"You and I have marked our names, and we will not break our promise." Klavasen said happily.
"Of course, we are very good friends. As friends, we will never break our promises." Rurik deliberately spoke louder so that his two subordinates, who were stunned by the glassware, could hear him.
Rurik continued: "I have knowledge, and I will not ask other craftsmen to do these things for me. However, my servant learned the skills from you. I will order my servant to do it, but at that time,
It has nothing to do with you if the goods produced by the servants are sold. But don't worry, as long as you make them, I will help you sell them.
At that time, we need to get together and discuss carefully when selling goods, especially in terms of price, you and I must reach a consensus."
"Oh! You are such a wise child. You are the future leader, but you rarely value our craftsmen. I am very grateful to you."
Rurik knew that this old guy meant what he said, "You can thank me. Regarding making money, we have all gained benefits, which is a good thing."
Klavasen nodded: "I just hope that when I die of old age, you will still value my son Kawei. You know, I only have this one son."
"Of course!" Rurik didn't even hesitate: "I still need Kawei to continue training the craftsman team for me! Ah, maybe I am not a natural warrior at heart, but a craftsman. At least,
I can understand you.
I don’t like to rob. It’s too complicated to rob others with a sword. The way to become rich is too complicated. You see, we can make a lot of money peacefully by making some beautiful things, so why risk our lives to rob?!”
In fact, when he said this, Rurik had no idea that a mighty fleet would return soon. His cousin Arik made great achievements in the Battle of Revenge and led his tribe to plunder huge amounts of wealth! Just silver coins were enough.
There are more than 100,000 pieces!
Yes, this is a huge fortune.
Rurik's idea of making a lot of money from business would not be shaken by this. If he knew that many of his tribesmen had become extremely wealthy, wouldn't it be nice to use reasonable means to earn their money into his own hands?
Klavasen did not think about Rurik's deep plans. He stroked his beard: "You are a smart boy, but naive. Listen, you have made a lot of money. In order to keep this wealth, you need to
Protected by a strong guard."
"Yes, I will have another guard soon. I have asked Gould to recruit a mercenary force for me."
Kravason had heard about these things, and Rurik had the idea of establishing a mercenary guard. It seemed that the rumors were true.
But regarding the mercenary guards, it is difficult for Klavason to have much favorable impression of these people who may exist. Specifically, Klavason does not believe in the loyalty of these people.
Klavasen suggested; "Child, those mercenaries are naturally untrustworthy. They work for you for money. In this case, if they steal your money, why should they work for you to make money again?"
Rurik was startled because he had never thought of it this way before.
"Gould, he has dozens of mercenaries under his command to protect his wealth. Why can't we follow suit?"
"Who knows?" Klavasen shook his head, not changing his attitude at all: "Son, you have to believe in your brothers and bring wealth to them. This is the key to your father's success. You can't trust those people too much.
An outsider seeking wealth."
Rurik then said along the way: "I trust Kawei very much, as well as my brothers, and all your blacksmiths. We are a tribe, and I want to truly integrate the tribesmen into one."
Klavasen smiled and said: "Oh, that is really Kawei's honor. But compared to your great ideals, your father really hopes that those Novgorod people will integrate into us."
"This is the general trend. Your daughter-in-law will be a Novgorod girl, and I think the same will be true for the servant I will give you to train."
"Oh?" Klavasen's eyes lit up: "It's very interesting. Those people led by your cousin will be back soon if nothing happens. It should be in the next few days. Your father will be back soon too.
When everyone came back, I looked at our Roseburg and could really see a large number of Novgorod women walking around freely."
After all, Russian men have no special opinions on the identity of their wives. Even marrying a Novgorod woman can arouse the man's desire to conquer and gain a sense of satisfaction.
Rurik said no more and urged Klavasen to process all the remaining materials. He even made some suggestions.
"We'd better reprocess yesterday's products and make fifteen beautiful wine bottles. Then combine them with the originally made glasses. Put them into a wooden box to make a set of one cup.
Two hundred silver coins is too crazy. After packaging it like this, if the whole thing sells for two hundred silver coins, then there will be no problem."
Klavasen thought about it, it would be much more reliable to arrange the price this way.
Rurik also had requirements for the wooden box for packaging. It needed to be made of hard oak, and the word "von rus" had to be engraved in runic script on the box, just to prove that it was "made in Rus."
Rurik also took the opportunity to joke: "There are wine bottles and wine glasses. They are as crystal clear as ice, but they can hold hot water. We sell it to Gould for twenty gold coins. Maybe the old guy will get fifty
Sold for gold coins, or even more."
"Ah? So, Gould is the biggest winner here?" Clavarson shook his head regretfully.
"But Gould has always risked being killed to do business. Because we have respected him for so many years, Gould claimed that he has regarded our Roseburg as a second home. In fact, you can also feel that, making glass
The technology is actually not difficult. In order to make money, you and I must stick to the agreement and keep this secret.
In fact, in my opinion, the secret of glass making will spread sooner or later, and if it is destined to become cheap, then let’s make more money before then.”
Klavasen nodded and forced a wry smile: "You kid, you are also a born profiteer! But I like it."
"Then let's look forward to our future." Rurik knew that this was actually a compliment, so he echoed: "I hope Kawei's wife is beautiful and hard-working."
"Oh, you can definitely rest assured about this." Klavasen was obviously holding back a smile when he said this. Of course Rurik didn't know the secret behind it.
Rurik attached great importance to Kawei's potential. At this moment, he really couldn't imagine that his relationship with Kawei was destined to be close.
Not only did Rurik need Kawei's work skills, but Kawei needed Rurik's visible future power.
Because Otto insisted on setting up a marriage without any special circumstances, the little girl named Svetlana would become Rurik's wife many years later.
Kavey's wife Lilia is Svetlana's biological sister and Rurik's sister-in-law.
In the foreseeable future, Rurik and Kawei will be brothers-in-law.