Zhong Jinwei was indeed right. The cement factory came to report the good news precisely because the new glazed experimental kiln had produced glass.
From then on, glass was no longer a specialty of Westerners, there was domestic glass!
Zhong Jinwei immediately asked craftsmen to rebuild several large glass kilns next to the cement factory to meet the subsequent demand for glass.
In addition, this experimental kiln will continue to fire glass and produce various glass products.
The difference between colored glaze and glass is actually only the firing temperature, and there is not much other difference. In the past, fired colored glaze was mostly used for architectural decoration, so it is basically not difficult to make finished glass products for architectural decoration.[
Previously, Zhong Jinwei had drawn a pattern of glass products for the glass craftsmen to refer to so that they could make similar things.
Now that the bank is about to start construction, let them try to make flat glass first.
For the flat glass at this stage, Zhong Jinwei's requirements are not high. He can make it as large as possible. He will first make a batch and use it for bank accounts. After the technology matures, he will try to make it in a larger direction. It can have many uses.
Zhong Jinwei also remembered the current shortage of telescopes in the army. He was greatly surprised that there was no telescope among the five thousand cavalry army, so he asked craftsmen to make telescopes at the same time to provide them with combat capabilities.
The craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty now all know the principle of making telescopes, and there are several skilled craftsmen here in the capital who can grind lenses. Therefore, there are no technical problems in making telescopes, it's just about the magnification.
Zhong Jinwei also considered a microscope on the spot, but considering that the glass craftsmen now have to be familiar with glass making and have to do the tasks they just assigned, he did not ask for the microscope again and waited for a while before asking them to come.
The experimental microscope is ready.
Zhong Jinwei was so excited that he already made a lot of requests, which kept the clerk on the side busy for a while. After finally recording them all, he and An Guiyi went to see Emperor Chongzhen.
Now several supervisory departments are undergoing restructuring, and various tasks and titles have been changed. It is inevitable that the cabinet and Emperor Chongzhen will decide some things. Therefore, Emperor Chongzhen is very busy.
But when he heard that Zhong Jinwei was looking for him, he still took time to meet Zhong Jinwei in Wenhua Hall.
When Emperor Chongzhen heard that the glass experiment was successful, he was very happy. Ming Dynasty finally had its own glass.
When Zhong Jinwei saw Emperor Chongzhen's smile, he took the opportunity to praise: "Your Majesty, the cement factory is really thanks to Mr. An. If it weren't for him, the process would have been delayed when the Tianchao Bureau was paralyzed a few days ago."
"I know that it is rare for a servant to do practical things." Emperor Chongzhen nodded in agreement. An Guiyi, who was standing behind Zhong Jinwei, heard this and quickly knelt down to thank him.
"Go ahead and do your job well, I will remember it." Emperor Chongzhen said to An Guiyi.
Being able to make the emperor remember him was the biggest dream of the slaves in the palace. An Guiyi was so happy that he retreated, feeling more grateful to Zhong Jinwei. It was indeed wise for him to report to Zhongxing Hou first and then meet the emperor together.
, which is more effective than coming to see the emperor alone.
Because the firing of glass was proposed by Marquis Zhongxing, if An Guiyi came to report the good news himself, the emperor would naturally think of Marquis Zhongxing’s contribution rather than his contribution. It was based on this idea that An Guiyi took the initiative
He first reported it to Zhong Jinwei. He knew that Zhong Jinwei would definitely take credit for his achievements. Now his little plan was successful.
After An Guiyi exited the Wenhua Hall, Zhong Jinwei said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, the significance of this glass is not only that our Ming Dynasty has achieved domestic production, but this glass is the same as cement, for military and civilian purposes, and is even more important than cement.
One of the most basic ingredients.”
"Oh, Master Zhong, tell me quickly." Emperor Chongzhen felt as if he had found a treasure.
"First, this glass can be used to make telescopes for military reconnaissance. I know that they were available before, but the cost was too expensive and could not be popularized. But now that we have glass ourselves, we can make a lot of them. Not only the generals in the army can equip them with
, even if you go out for reconnaissance at night, you can be equipped with a telescope, which is conducive to the collection of intelligence."
Emperor Chongzhen nodded, this is a benefit.[
"Secondly, glass is used in construction. It is light-proof and airtight. It is the best material to replace household paper. Many people should use it. It can also be made into various transparent utensils. It will be a way for state-owned enterprises to make money in the future.
source."
Emperor Chongzhen liked to hear this the most. Anything that brings money is a good thing.
"Third, materials necessary for experimental vessels in the medical and chemical fields."
"Master Zhong, I have never heard of this before. Please explain it in detail." Emperor Chongzhen said after hearing the two new terms.
"Your Majesty, the medical field in my hometown is divided into two categories: traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. I believe that these two categories have their own strengths and complement each other." Zhong Jinwei explained.
"Master Zhong, what do you mean?" Emperor Chongzhen was a little curious when he heard Zhong Jinwei say that doctors are divided into two categories.
"Your Majesty, our doctors in the Ming Dynasty mainly focus on looking, hearing, asking, and feeling, and pay attention to the balance of yin and yang, and use herbal medicine, acupuncture and other methods to treat diseases. But Western medicine is different. It pays more attention to details and uses various specific things that have happened as a reference for treatment.
Such as viruses, bacteria, etc.”
"Master Zhong, why am I getting more and more confused the more I listen to this?" Emperor Chongzhen was confused.
Zhong Jinwei knew that introducing a new thing would involve too many new concepts to explain. After thinking for a while, he said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, whatever we see, what will happen if we enlarge it? For example
Talk about water."
Emperor Chongzhen never thought about this problem. When water is enlarged, doesn’t it just become water?
Zhong Jinwei looked at Emperor Chongzhen and knew that he couldn't answer, so he said directly: "Your Majesty, glass can be made into a tool called a microscope. Through this tool, we can see what else is in the clear and transparent water."
, there’s something in our blood.”
"What will there be?" Emperor Chongzhen asked curiously.
"There are many microorganisms, called bacteria. Some of these bacteria are harmful to the human body, and some are harmful to the human body. So a hygienic habit is to boil water before drinking it, otherwise it is easy to get sick, because boiling water can kill
Bacteria in water." Zhong Jinwei introduced it to Emperor Chongzhen.
When Emperor Chongzhen heard what Zhong Jinwei said, he couldn't help but feel a little sick when he thought of the countless invisible corpses in the water he drank every day.
"Your Majesty, many of our human illnesses are caused by bacteria. The spread of bacteria can be through drinking water, or through fleas, cockroaches, and mice. Oh, by the way, I remembered something very important."
When Zhong Jinwei said this, he finally remembered an important reason for the fall of the Ming Dynasty.
"Master Zhong, what's important?" Emperor Chongzhen was shocked by a series of new terms just now. Now he was numb. He knew that what Zhong Jinwei said must be something he didn't know.
Zhong Jinwei looked at the chambermaids standing aside. Although he had learned from the previous lesson, these people should be absolutely reliable people selected by Emperor Chongzhen, but what he wanted to say involved Emperor Chongzhen's privacy, so it was better that these people could not hear it.
.
Seeing Zhong Jinwei's expression, Emperor Chongzhen knew that he was going to tell some secrets that could not be made public, so he asked all the maids to retreat. Emperor Chongzhen and Zhong Jinwei were the only two people left in the Wenhua Palace.
"Your Majesty, I just remembered an important reason for the fall of the capital in history." Zhong Jinwei said seriously.
When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, his expression suddenly became serious. He sat up straight, looked at Zhong Jinwei, and listened carefully to what Zhong Jinwei was going to say.
"Your Majesty, it is recorded in history that when the bandits attacked the capital, a great plague broke out in the capital, which infected all the defenders of the capital and a large number of people. It is said that there was no one who could stand on the city wall, so the bandits were
The capital was easily captured."
Emperor Chongzhen listened very carefully. As soon as Zhong Jinwei finished speaking, he immediately asked: "Plague?" [
"Well, it is a plague that is highly contagious and has a high mortality rate. Because the source of this plague is fleas on rats, it is called the plague. When the Mongols invaded Europe, they brought this plague with them, causing
Half of the population of Western countries died, and they called it the Black Death."
After hearing what Zhong Jinwei said, Emperor Chongzhen realized the seriousness of the plague and quickly said: "Master Zhong, how should we prevent it? Should we kill all the rats?"
"Yes, killing all the rats is one aspect. We also need to improve hygiene. If someone is infected with this disease, they must be isolated." Zhong Jinwei said.
If there was a plague in ancient times, isolation was inevitable. Emperor Chongzhen certainly knew this. Now after Zhong Jinwei said this, he realized the importance of hygiene. Although the people of the Central Plains have always paid great attention to hygiene, no one has ever been like Chongzhen.
The emperor, like now, has raised the importance of hygiene to an unprecedented level.
"Master Zhong, if someone is infected with this plague, can they be treated besides isolation?" Emperor Chongzhen asked another very important question.