() Zhong Jinwei and Xu Guangqi are both technical people who do more practical things than talk empty words. There is a big age difference between them, and it was their first time meeting each other. For a while, they were relatively mute.
As the owner and leader, Zhong Jinwei could not let this embarrassing situation continue, so he took the initiative and said: "Master Xu, the new kiln has just been built. How about we go visit it together?"
When Xu Guangqi heard this, he immediately became interested. Without even taking a sip of tea, he said to Zhong Jinwei: "I will obey my orders."
Zhong Jinwei always felt that the two were too polite, but there was nothing he could do for the time being, so he led the way and took Xu Guangqi to visit the newly built new kiln.
Wu Shengda and all the craftsmen had been waiting at the Xinshi Kiln for a long time. When they saw Zhong Jinwei and a senior official in scarlet robes approaching, they quickly saluted.
Zhong Jinwei told them not to be too polite, and after introducing Xu Guangqi who was following him, they started to visit under the leadership of Wu Shengda.
The new kiln is not big, it is only experimental in nature, so it can be completed within six days. It also looks very ugly. From a distance, it just looks like a pile of rice with a piece of grass stuck in it.
The difference from the old kiln is that the blast box does not blow air directly into the combustion chamber, but through a double-layer pipe.
In other words, the air outlet pipe wraps the air inlet pipe, and the high-temperature exhaust gas from the furnace heats the fresh air. Finally, the exhaust gas pipe, which is the grass seen from a distance, discharges the worthless exhaust gas into the air.
This pipe is a bit long. The closer the fresh air is to the combustion chamber, the higher the degree of heating it will receive from the exhaust gas. It will basically not lower the temperature of the combustion chamber and supplement the fresh air for combustion.
The fuel-increasing chamber is at a certain distance from the combustion chamber, and the passage between the two is layered. There is a slope near the combustion chamber. The person adding the charcoal enters the salary-increasing chamber. After opening the gate, he uses a tool to push the charcoal in, up and down.
Two layers are recommended depending on the situation. Ensure that the charcoal in the combustion chamber does not stack up and increase the burning area.
In the middle of the combustion chamber is a deep well for discharging cinders.
After listening to the introduction, Xu Guangqi suddenly realized that it was so simple to increase the temperature. Based on his many years of experience, Xu Guangqi proposed an improvement method for the pipe that exchanges heat between hot and cold air. He suggested that it be changed to a foldable type, with more loops back and forth instead of
Such a straight passage now.
Isn't that just to increase the contact area, Zhong Jinwei thought, and secretly admired Xu Guangqi's reaction speed. However, this new furnace should not be modified first, use it first, and if the temperature is not enough, then try to improve it.
While Zhong Jinwei was thinking about it, Xu Guangqi seemed to have forgotten his identity as a third-level official and was already communicating with Wu Shengda over there.
After Zhong Jinwei came to his senses, he also timely intervened to express his opinions. Then Zhong Jinwei, Xu Guangqi and Wu Sheng began to discuss with each other. Generally speaking, it was a discussion between Xu Guangqi and Zhong Jinwei. When something happened, they asked Wu Sheng
He didn't speak until he was older.
After walking around in the new kiln, the relationship between Zhong Jinwei and Xu Guangqi became much closer.
Wu Shengda followed him out and said to Zhong Jinwei: "Uncle Zhongxing, this kiln will now start to burn with small fires until tomorrow morning. If no damage is found, the cement can be officially fired.
Zhong Jinwei was also looking forward to that moment and told Wu Shengda to take good care of this new kiln. Then he and Xu Guangqi returned to the lobby.
At this time, it was almost evening and the light had dimmed. An Guiyi, who had returned from seeing off Wang Chengen, took the initiative to light the candle.
After Xu Guangqi sat down, he cupped his fists and arched his head towards Zhong Jinwei, and said sincerely: "I really admire Uncle Zhong Xing's extensive knowledge. No wonder the emperor asked Uncle Zhong Xing to teach in the palace."
"Where, where, in our Ming Dynasty, if we talk about the profound knowledge, Mr. Xu is the one who does his part." Zhong Jinwei also sincerely praised Xu Guangqi.
Of course Xu Guangqi wouldn't be unhappy after hearing this. He knew that Zhong Jinwei wanted to give him a share of the credit in cement manufacturing. But as he got older, he would always feel uncomfortable if he got a share of the credit in vain unless he put in some effort.
Ask Zhong Jinwei in detail about the cement manufacturing process.
In the past few days, Zhong Jinwei spent time in the ceramics factory and learned a lot about ceramic firing from Wu Shengda. Now when Xu Guangqi asked about it, he combined the knowledge he and Wu Shengda had learned to explain to Xu Guangqi.
The cement firing process and key points were spoken in a very professional manner.
Xu Guangqi unconsciously stroked his beard and listened carefully.
After Zhong Jinwei finished explaining, he frowned and said to Zhong Jinwei: "Uncle Zhongxing, I think that if cement is fired according to this method, the output will be too low and it will be very labor-intensive. I am afraid that the cost of cement will be too expensive and it will not be used widely.
"
Zhong Jinwei thought so, but the production volume was not urgent yet. Now we need to burn out the cement first.
Before Zhong Jinwei spoke, Xu Guangqi had already suggested: "If it is feasible to bake cement in this kiln, I think it can be done with water or wind in some places. For example, the fine grinding and mixing of raw materials, and air blasting can also be done manually.
Instead, water power was used continuously.”
When Zhong Jinwei heard that Xu Guangqi was so wise, he already had ideas to improve some details. He was overjoyed and said irresponsibly: "Okay, then I will leave these things to you. After the cement is fired, I want you to help improve the process."
, try to increase production.”
Xu Guangqi accepted the task without hesitation. Then, he took a sip of the hot tea he had just put on and asked Zhong Jinwei a little hesitantly: "Uncle Zhongxing, I would like to ask for confirmation. Is it possible?"
"Please tell me." Zhong Jinwei looked at the old man in front of him curiously. He didn't know what he wanted to ask, but he still had a trace of hesitation.
"The emperor asked the official for the Complete Book of Agricultural Affairs, saying that he heard from Zhongxing Bo that the official had this book. What the official wanted to ask was, how did the official Zhongxing know that the official had this book?" Xu Guangqi stared at Zhong Jinwei.
, I want to see how he answers this matter.
"Ah, that's what I guessed." Zhong Jinwei was acting rogue. Looking at Xu Guangqi's expression, it seemed as if the book hadn't come out yet.
Xu Guangqi was speechless and thought to himself, you guessed it, just tell the emperor, this is deceiving the emperor! You dare to do this, you are really bold.
"Don't you have one?" Zhong Jinwei asked Xu Guangqi tentatively.
"Xiaguan Wei actually doesn't have this book." Xu Guangqi shook his head helplessly.
"So what books or articles have you written in total?" Zhong Jinwei guessed that Xu Guangqi had not compiled any manuscripts.
In fact, Xu Guangqi never published a book called "The Complete Book of Agricultural Affairs" until his death. This book was published six years after Xu Guangqi's death after his disciple Chen Zilong compiled the manuscripts left by Xu Guangqi.
Xu Guangqi stroked his long beard, thought for a while, and then replied to Zhong Jinwei: "Xia Guan has written or translated some things, and I will tell Uncle Zhongxing in order."
"Okay, okay." Zhong Jinwei agreed quickly.
"In the 31st year of Wanli, four volumes of "Lecture Notes on Mao's Poems" were published. In the 35th year of Wanli, six volumes of "Elements of Geometry" and one volume of "Measurement and Measurement" were translated. In the 36th year of Wanli, "Similarities and Differences in Measurement" were published.
","Sweet Potato Sparse"..."
"Wait, what did you say just now?" Zhong Jinwei seemed to have a sensitive word when he heard it, and quickly interrupted Xu Guangqi.
Xu Guangqi was a little surprised to be interrupted, but he still followed Zhong Xingbo's request and said it again: "There are "Measuring Similarities and Differences" and "Sweet Potato Thinning".
"Yes, it is this "Sweet Potato Thinning". The sweet potato you are talking about grows in the soil. The large rhizomes are edible, and the vine-like branches and leaves growing on the soil are also edible." Zhong Jinwei said and became excited.
, I remember the name of the sweet potato in later generations, also called sweet potato, sweet potato. This thing is a must-have for food shortages.
"Does Uncle Zhongxing know about this?" Xu Guangqi asked when he saw Zhong Jinwei preparing to describe the situation of sweet potatoes in the field.
Zhong Jinwei couldn't sit still anymore, stood up, approached Xu Guangqi, and asked in surprise: "Where can I get this sweet potato?"
Xu Guangqi was a little surprised by Zhong Jinwei's performance. He thought for a moment and said to Zhong Jinwei: "Xiaguan loves these sweet potatoes. I brought some with me when I came to the capital to take up my post. I have already finished them."
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he was a little disappointed. How could he finish the meal?
"I heard that Uncle Zhongxing came back from overseas. This sweet potato was also introduced from overseas. Is it possible that Uncle Zhongxing also tastes this sweet potato as well as Xiaguan?" Xu Guangqi automatically figured out the reason for Zhong Jinwei's excitement just now.