Hundreds of households in Liaodong, covering the light with one hand

Chapter 192 Dagukou Cast Iron

It’s not that I’m worried about any dangers I’ll encounter on the way south. After all, there will definitely be no danger inside Horqin along the way from Horqin to the Ming Dynasty. Anyone who dares to attack Hai Lanzhu will not need to take action from Yue Shan and others. Horqin King’s Court Seat I am afraid that Xiamengqi will directly crush those Xiaoxiao to death, and as long as they enter the territory of the Ming Dynasty and are supported by Fan Zhongjin and others, under the banner of Langguo Duke's Mansion, naturally no one will provoke them without opening their eyes.

However, Hai Lanzhu went directly south to Beijing without explaining it to him in advance.

Do you want to give yourself a surprise?

Wang Qi doesn't like this kind of surprise.

After thinking for a while, Wang Qi wrote back a letter to Fan Zhongjin.

It mainly emphasizes two things: First, assisting Xu Guangqi in borrowing money to raise Liao's salary is the top priority. This matter must be given top priority without any delay. Secondly, extra manpower, servants, and maids were sent to take good care of Horqin and his party along the way. The route to Beijing should be as broad and official as possible, so as not to be bumpy. Also, pay attention to the formation speed, not too fast, and order guards along the way to march every day. You can't go more than fifty miles, and you can't travel at night. The Langguo Duke's mansion will also send people to greet you and do a good job of protecting you.

As for the issue of Hai Lanzhu’s status after arriving in Beijing.
  At this time, Wang Qi did not feel any psychological pressure or burden.

Princess Ningde was married by the apocalypse, and three years later the matchmaker married her, so Hailanzhu could only be a concubine.

However, for Wang Qi, there is no difference between a wife and a concubine. A bowl of water is just the same. Moreover, given the size of the house, Wang Qi can freely balance the backyard so as not to overturn the grape trellis.

After finishing these things, Wang Qi could take a break.

But about a quarter of an hour later, there would be some officials coming to see Wang Qi.

Although sitting in the position of Duke Lang, it is almost impossible for an ordinary official to hand over a name card to meet Wang Qi, but for Wang Qi, some things must be done, and some people must be met. of.

"Sir, we have arrived," Wang Shouxin reported at the door of the study after a while.

He Ziwu, the head of the Cleaning Department of the Ministry of War Arsenal, visited Duke Lang for the first time.

As the head of the Ministry of War, a small sixth-rank official who is not qualified to ascend to the throne, logically speaking, he has no qualifications to enter the gate of the Duke's Mansion.

But He Ziwu was sitting in the lobby at the moment, adjusting his breathing repeatedly, trying to adjust his emotions and mood to the best before Wang Qi arrived.

The maid had already come twice to change the hot tea, but because he was afraid of going to the toilet in the middle, He Ziwu did not touch the tea. The guards at the door had also changed twice. He Ziwu put his hands in his sleeves and finally calmed down.

"Duke Lang is here!"

As the voice of the guard outside the door sounded, He Ziwu sat up from his chair like a conditioned reflex, and then bowed respectfully: "I pay my respects to Duke Lang Guo!"

"Master He," Wang Qi nodded and walked to the main seat: "Sit down." "Sir, this is the official's memorial to propose the construction of an iron foundry. Please read it first!" He Ziwu did not sit back on his chair. Instead, he took two steps forward and handed over the letter he had already prepared.

The Ministry of War has begun to improve the cast iron process these days, especially the three-forged cast iron process to enhance the airtightness and surface ductility. He Ziwu is mainly responsible for the improvement of steel and fire resistance. Because it involves supplying the Liaodong war, He Ziwu still asks Wang Qi first Take a look.

"The foundry is located in Lugou River?" Wang Qi frowned and asked while reading the proposal letter.

"The Lugou River has been decided after many choices. The remaining Wenyu River and Yuhe River have too small water flow, and the larger Lu River is too far away. After a round of inspection, only the Lugou River is considered the most suitable. "Yes," He Ziwu heard Wang Qi's question and immediately answered. He must have already prepared it.

"The lower reaches of the Lugou River is Triangle Lake, right?" Wang Qi thought for a while, shook his head and said: "There are water intakes for Tianjin Sanwei, Baoding, and Wuqing, where more than 100,000 people rely on water sources. This method is inappropriate. !”

If this address is really decided, not to mention that there will definitely be opposition among the scholars, even Wang Qi himself feels that it is difficult to explain to the people.

If a foundry is built upstream, the people in Sanwei, Tianjin, will have to use molten iron for washing and cooking in the next few decades.

"But other places." He Ziwu wiped the sweat from his head, feeling a little nervous.

It's so pitiful that he, a technical official who has been immersed in iron casting all day long, was asked to face the question of the most powerful person in the country. It was extremely courageous for him not to be frightened and faint!
  "Tianjin Wei, how about Dagokou? It's close to the sea and only a day's journey from the capital," Wang Qi put the letter back on the table, took a sip of tea and said.

"Sir, if you dare, sea water cannot be used for quenching or melting iron." He Ziwu opened his mouth and was about to explain.

"What about filtering the seawater now? We are only using it for quenching. There are also a lot of impurities in mountain springs, streams and rivers. Seawater has more salt than it will. If the excess salt is filtered out, more quenching water can be obtained. "Water is needed for melting iron." Wang Qi reached out and interrupted He Ziwu's words, and said directly: "As for how to filter, I need you to study and test it. Multi-layer filter material or boiled sea salt, you can choose for yourself. I can do it with money and manpower." Provided, you are responsible for giving me the results.”

"Filter?" He Ziwu was still digesting the new words coming out of Wang Qi's mouth when he heard that the Duke of Guo had issued the appointment letter.

"Passing means passing, filtering, and sifting to remove impurities. Specifically, passing liquids and gases through gauze, charcoal, or sand, etc., to remove impurities and make them pure," Wang Qi briefly explained the word "filtration."

He Ziwu turned his eyes slightly, as if he was still thinking about Wang Qi's words.

"From tomorrow onwards, I will be the doctor of the Ministry of War and the assistant and minister of the army. You can write directly to Xu Guang, or you can directly submit the documents to the Military Department. If you have any questions or difficulties, you can come to me." Wang Qi has always disliked procrastination in doing things, so why did he realize this? If people have some talents and can do things, they are directly promoted and appointed.

"what?"

"The documents from the Ministry of War will be issued tomorrow. Please prepare. Ten days later, you will select the manpower and set off to Dagukou to prepare for the establishment of the iron foundry." Wang Qi did not give He Ziwu any time to think or refuse, and directly issued the final order. The command.

"I still have some things to do here. You should go back first. If you have any questions later, you can ask Master Xu first, and he will answer it for you." After Wang Qi finished speaking, he served tea to see the guests off.

Until he walked out of the mansion of the Grand Duke, He Ziwu was still confused. How come he was still the director of the Ministry of War when he entered, and when he came out, he was going to build an iron foundry in Dagukou, Tianjin?
  (End of this chapter)