In Zhou Jun's previous life, there was an exhibition of foreign exhibits in the Municipal Museum. Because city leaders were there, he participated in security work.
After finishing his job, Zhou Jun walked around the exhibition hall and became interested in a display cabinet called "History of Essential Oil Industry".
After reading it, I realized that the first machine for distilling and processing perfume in human history actually came from the Arab Empire in the Middle Ages, and its development and improvement took more than hundreds of years.
It was not until the Crusades that Europe acquired the principles and structure of perfume stills.
Among them, the perfume distillation method is divided into three stages, namely water distillation, water distillation, and water vapor circulation distillation.
The water distillation method originated in Egypt, was improved by the Romans, and special distillation vessels were created by the Arabs.
However, due to the small output, high cost and many impurities, it was once replaced by the Arabs using the pressing and filtration method.
In the late eighth century, palace alchemists created a water still, which further improved the purity of essential oils and reduced impurities.
However, the shortcomings of low material output and high cost have still not been solved.
It was not until the end of the ninth century or the beginning of the tenth century that the advent of the water vapor circulation distillation method enabled spices to be repeatedly distilled and refined.
This greatly increases the production of essential oils and reduces the cost a lot.
What Zhou Jun and Hua Yue were talking about was the prototype machine of the water vapor circulation distillation method.
However, Zhou Jun, who had no further education in the field of physical and chemical industry, just gave a rough idea based on his memory.
There were some key parts and processes that he couldn't elaborate on and explain.
For example, a real water vapor circulation still has not only two main tanks, but also two auxiliary tanks, a hydraulic tank and an airtight tank.
In addition, there are devices such as air valve guides, return drains, and water level observers.
Before the materials are put into the tank, they must not only undergo strict rinsing, but also add different catalysts according to the different materials.
Moreover, during cyclic distillation, it is necessary to constantly observe the water pressure and air pressure, and constantly adjust the size of the firepower, and the timing of water inlet and outlet, air intake and exhaust.
Therefore, even if Hua Yue could roughly understand the machine Zhou Jun was talking about, without the help of professional scholars and craftsmen, it would be difficult to create a finished product that could be used for large-scale production.
However, it may still be possible to produce small quantities of finished flavors of inferior quality.
Hua Yue was left alone to meditate in the courtyard. Zhou Jun said hello, packed up his things, and left for Chang'an.
Riding horseback to the square, Zhou Jun saw Jin Fengniang's mansion. People were constantly transporting furniture and personal belongings out, packing boxes and putting them on the carriage.
Zhou Jun also sighed when he thought that Feng Niang was really gone and that she would never see her again in this life.
When I got home, my eldest brother Zhou Ze came back from private school and was talking to Zhou Dinghai.
Perhaps because of studying hard, Zhou Ze looked thinner than before, but fortunately he was in good spirits.
I just heard him say to Zhou Dinghai: "Qiu Wei's test has been launched."
The latter nodded and said: "The success or failure will be decided next month. If you win, it will be a great blessing for the Zhou family."
Zhou Ze hesitated for a moment and then said: "My son was talking to my mother yesterday and I heard that my parents are planning to arrange a marriage after Qiu Wei."
Zhou Dinghai: "Has your mother-in-law told you? That's fine. You are the eldest son in the family, and you are older than your age. You have been asked several times by people in the shop, and you think it is time to get a wife."
Zhou Ze gritted his teeth and said, "I know my little girl..."
Zhou Dinghai became interested as soon as he heard this: "Oh? Which family is the girl from? What is her family background? Where does she live?"
Just when Zhou Ze was about to speak, Zhou Jun stepped forward and interrupted: "Now that we are less than a month away from Qiu Wei, my eldest brother must be focused on everything. We will discuss the matter of finding relatives after we succeed."
When Zhou Dinghai heard this, he couldn't help but nodded and said: "What Jun'er said makes sense. Qiu Wei is a big deal right now, and the rest can be put aside."
After his father left, Zhou Ze asked Zhou Jun: "Why did Hengcai say anything to stop him?"
Zhou Jun asked: "If I just told you about Yu Junniang's parentage, do you think your father would agree?"
Zhou Ze thought for a while and sighed: "No."
Zhou Jun: "If this messes up your mind, brother, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you this autumn."
"It's better to hold back and not say anything for now, wait until you are successful, and then talk about it while your parents are happy. There is a high probability that it will happen."
Zhou Ze heard this and thought it made sense, so he agreed.
Only Zhou Jun himself knew that even if his eldest brother won the election, his father would probably not agree to the marriage, so he could only take one step at a time.
After the ten-day break, Zhou Jun went to the capital to attend to matters as usual.
Everything went smoothly, and July came to an end in the blink of an eye.
There are several important things in between.
First, the inner garden of Bachuan Villa has been completely renovated. The renovation of Jianjia Courtyard, where distinguished guests will live, is almost completed. Furniture is being purchased and repainted in the courtyard. I believe it will not take long before guests can move in.
Second, the studio invited Jie Qin and Song Ruo'e to go to Liyuan to help rehearse The West Chamber. The latter's reputation not only increased but also increased because of her role as Cui Yingying, and there was an endless stream of people seeking to see them.
Third, Huayue made soap, but due to the lack of refining technology of alkali powder, although it can remove stains, there are too many plant ash impurities in it, which is not very convenient. Therefore, Huayue no longer intends to improve soap.
Instead, the focus is on distillation to extract essence.
Fourth, in the court, Pei Kuan, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, was appreciated by Xuanzong for his meritorious service in tax administration, and his voice for becoming the prime minister became louder and louder. Pei Dunfu, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, was involved in the matter several times because of his request for merit, and he resented that Pei Kuan was appreciated by the saint.
, the resentment between him and the latter became deeper and deeper, even reaching the point of irreconcilability.
Fifth, Liu Zai, the supervisory censor who was originally planned to be released, seemed to like the scenery (and meals) of Bachuan very much. He would come to Bieyuan as a guest whenever he had free time. Later, he simply gave up the idea of going abroad and simply stayed in Chang'an.
On this day, Zhou Jun received a letter from Bachuan Villa during the capital lawsuit.
The letter was written by Pang Gong, and there were only eight words in the letter.
"Dignified guests are here, please take leave and come back early."
When Zhou Jun saw this letter, he immediately understood that it was probably the longevity king Li Mao who had gone to Bachuan.
He quickly found Chief Cheng, and Zhou Jun told him the reason. The former didn't say anything, just took Kan Xing's note and approved the leave.
Without even having time to change his official robe, Zhou Jun hurried back to Bachuan Garden.
Entering the inner garden, I saw Pang Gong sitting in a wheelchair among a group of servants and maids, talking to a man with a face as beautiful as a crown jewel.
Zhou Jun straightened his clothes and informed the guards outside the palace.
After reporting at all levels, Zhou Jun approached the man and bowed in salute.
Just listen to Pang Gong say: "Qing Lang, let's take a look, this is the Zhou Hengcai we told you about."
The man with a jade-like face looked at Zhou Jun and asked with a smile: "Zhou Hengcai? Are you Kan Lu from The Romance of the West Chamber?"
Zhou Jun lowered his head and said yes.
The man nodded and said, "I've read the script, it's very well written."
Zhou Jun: "I don't dare to be greedy for credit. The original goodness of my words is all the credit of the six main writers."
When the man heard this, he turned his head to Pang Gong and said with a smile: "I really surprised my uncle. He really said that."
Pang Gong also smiled and said: "He abides by his duties and does not want to compete for power, but his temper is rare."
After saying this, Pang Gong said to Zhou Jun again: "Don't say anything about it. Come and see King Shou first."
Zhou Jun quickly saluted again and said, "Hengcai has met King Shou."
Li Hao waved his hand and said with a smile: "There are not so many rules here. Just raise your head and speak."
Hearing this, Zhou Jun cautiously raised his head and glanced at Li Hao.
I saw that the longevity king Li Hao, although he was not young, he looked like a boy and a girl, and his appearance was beautiful. He must have been more like Queen Zhenshun in appearance.
He speaks softly and treats others politely, but there always seems to be a lingering sadness between his eyebrows.