Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1743 Inspecting the Brick Factory
Hearing Ma Runchuan enthusiastically introducing the Qilu Steel Plant to him, Ye Mingsheng glanced at him. Ye Mingsheng knew that the Qilu Steel Plant was a project that Ma Runchuan was in charge of.

From the project's inception to the completion of the steel plant and the ignition of the steelmaking and blast furnaces, Ma Runchuan was personally involved in every aspect. It can be said that Ma Runchuan devoted tremendous effort to the construction of this steel plant.

Therefore, Ye Mingsheng could understand Ma Runchuan's idea of ​​treating Qilu Steel Plant as his own child and wanting to make it bigger and stronger.

While Ye Mingsheng understood the situation, he still insisted that production capacity should not be expanded blindly. Although various regions are developing, the demand for steel is not high. Therefore, in the next three to five years, the demand for steel in Daqian will not increase significantly. Thus, expanding production capacity at this time is not a wise move.

These steelmaking and ironmaking furnaces require routine maintenance, and workers need to be paid; these are all costs.

Qilu Steel Plant has only been established for less than a year. It should proceed cautiously and carefully, and should not expand blindly, let alone expand for the sake of performance!
Thinking about this, Ye Mingsheng felt even more strongly that Ma Runchuan was still not giving up on his idea of ​​expanding the steel plant's production capacity, and immediately spoke up:
"This steel mill is the best, but the steel it produces can't be eaten. Governor Ma, you shouldn't put all your energy into it..."

Ma Runchuan, who was about to continue introducing the steel plant, immediately understood that Ye Mingsheng was giving him a warning when he heard Ye Mingsheng say that.

Since it was confirmed a few days ago that Ye Mingsheng would be inspecting the industrial park today, he had been planning to introduce his Qilu Steel Plant to Ye Mingsheng during the inspection. He, as the provincial governor, would personally act as a tour guide and explain the Qilu Steel Plant to Ye Mingsheng in order to persuade Ye Mingsheng to agree to build an arms factory in Qilu and expand the production capacity of the rare earth steel plant.

Ma Runchuan had already prepared his explanation, such as that there was vacant land in the Dakang Industrial Park, a large pool of cheap migrant workers nearby, the new factory could create a cluster effect with Qilu Steel Plant, and Licheng to Taogang wasn't far, allowing for direct exports overseas...

However, it now seems that Ye Mingsheng is unyielding and determined not to approve the idea of ​​building an arsenal in Qilu.

Thinking of this, Ma Runchuan felt quite helpless. After all, he couldn't fight against Ye Mingsheng's demands. Since Ye Mingsheng had already put it this way, he had no choice but to give up the idea.

Having made his decision, Ma Runchuan also stated:

"Your Majesty, you are absolutely right. Steel cannot be eaten as food, and production capacity needs to be moderate!"

Seeing that Ma Runchuan had expressed his opinion, Ye Mingsheng didn't say anything more and walked into the industrial park. As soon as he entered the industrial park, Ye Mingsheng saw a brick factory. Listening to the sounds of people working in the brick factory, Ye Mingsheng also led his people in with great interest.

Upon entering the brick factory, Ye Mingsheng saw dozens of workers busily firing blue bricks. Upon seeing Ye Mingsheng's arrival, a man who appeared to be the factory manager immediately looked unfriendly and wanted to say something. However, he quickly noticed Ma Runchuan standing behind Ye Mingsheng!
Although this man did not know Ye Mingsheng, he knew that the provincial governor Ma Runchuan had visited the industrial park many times. So he obviously knew Ma Runchuan. When he saw the dignified provincial governor following closely behind Ye Mingsheng, he seemed to have thought of something and quickly came over with a smile.

"This humble servant Liu An greets you, esteemed gentlemen!"

Looking at the middle-aged man with a fawning smile in front of him, Ye Mingsheng asked directly:

"Who are you to this brick factory?"

"Reporting to my lord, I am the foreman at the brick factory, and I am currently in charge of the factory!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng looked at the freshly fired bricks beside him and asked:
"I see your brick kiln is quite large. Can your factory fire 5,000 bricks in one kiln?"

"Replying to you, sir, our brick factory's brick kiln is a medium-sized brick kiln, with each kiln producing approximately eight thousand bricks!"

"Eight thousand bricks is quite a lot. What's the yield rate?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, our brick factory is staffed with experienced craftsmen, so the yield rate for this kiln is about 70%, and this kiln contains approximately 5,700 finished bricks!"

Hearing this, Ye Mingsheng casually picked up a blue brick from the ground and examined it. He then tapped it and, seeing that the brick was of excellent quality, nodded slightly.

"Not bad!"

As soon as Ye Mingsheng finished speaking, Jing Ren, who was accompanying him on the inspection, followed his father's example and picked up a blue brick to examine it. Then, he asked Liu An curiously:

"Master, how are these blue bricks fired?"

Although he couldn't ascertain the identities of Ye Mingsheng and the others, seeing the respectful governor beside him, Liu An organized his thoughts and introduced them:
"Young master, there are five main steps to firing blue bricks!"

"The first step is to select high-quality clay. After buying the clay, we first need to remove impurities, such as small stones and grains of sand. These need to be cleaned out. Finally, the clay is left to stand for three hot summer months and two hot summer months..."

"What does 'three periods of intense heat and two periods of intense summer heat' mean?" Jingren asked curiously.

"What you mean by 'three periods of intense heat and two summers' is that the selected clay needs to be dried and turned over. This work needs to be done continuously for three periods of intense heat, from the first summer to the second summer."

Jingren said with some surprise:
"Wouldn't that take a year? What if it rains during such a long time?"

"Bring it in immediately if it rains!"

After saying this, Liu An pointed to the workers standing to the side and said:
"Young master, look, these people are turning over clay. It snowed lightly just now, so they didn't take the clay out to dry. Now that the weather is clearer, they need to take the clay out and dry it properly!"

"What should we do with this clay after it's dried?"

"Then we need to move on to the next step, which is to make the brick. Mix the clay and water in a 7:3 ratio, then put the kneaded clay into a mold and tamp it down. Finally, smooth it with a wire bow, and the brick is done!"

Seeing that Jingren seemed very interested, Liu An led everyone to a certain part of the factory, where the workers were making brick blanks as Liu An had described. Liu An casually picked up a freshly made brick blank and showed it to Jingren, saying:
"Young master, look, these are the finished brick blanks. Our brick factory's blue bricks are generally like this: about two feet long, one foot wide, and half a foot high. However, these dimensions are not fixed; we can customize them according to the customer's needs..."

After carefully examining the brick blank, Jingren also touched it with his hand. Then, the Crown Prince of Daqian, who was intrigued, looked at Ye Mingsheng and said:
"Father, can I make a brick myself?"

Ye Mingsheng smiled and said upon hearing this:

“Jingren, this Master Liu is the one in charge of this brick factory. If you want to make brick blanks, you have to ask him.”

Upon hearing this, the officials nearby were immediately taken aback. Ma Runchuan, the Provincial Treasurer, quickly said:
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is of noble birth..."

Before Ma Yunchuan could finish speaking, Ye Mingsheng raised his hand to stop him, while Liu An stood there dumbfounded. Although he had silently guessed Ye Mingsheng's identity in his mind, the answer he heard from Ma Yunchuan still startled him. Just as his mind went blank and he was at a loss, Jing Ren asked:

"Master Liu, could you let me make a brick myself?"

Jingren's words brought Liu An back to reality, and Liu An immediately knelt down and said:
"This humble servant was unaware of Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince's arrival. I have failed to greet you properly and beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Seeing his expression, Ye Mingsheng said calmly:

"It's alright! The Crown Prince wants to make the bricks himself, do you agree?"

Liu An looked troubled and said:
"Your Majesty, it is an honor for our brick factory that the Crown Prince wishes to make bricks. However, making bricks involves dealing with mud, which is indeed quite dirty. I am afraid that His Highness's hands will be soiled..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng looked at Jing Ren and said:
"Jingren, what are you thinking?"

"Dad, I'm not afraid of getting dirty!"

Hearing Jingren say this, Ye Mingsheng looked at Liu An again. Seeing this, Liu An had no reason to object and immediately said:

"Your Highness Jingren, please!"

After explaining this, Liu An personally demonstrated how to mix clay and water in a 7:3 ratio to form a slurry, then put it into a mold and compact it, and finally smooth it with an iron wire bow.

Because these steps were relatively simple, Jingren learned them after only watching them once. After a cup of tea, Jingren, his hands covered in mud, held up the brick he had made and asked Liu An:

"Is the next step to fire it directly in the brick kiln?"

"No, no, no, the next step after the brick blank is made is to let it air dry. Generally, it needs to be air-dried for fifteen days. During this period, it must not be exposed to the sun, otherwise the brick blank will crack and it won't work. Of course, it also cannot be rained on!"

Hearing Liu An say this, Jingren was immediately disappointed. This was a brick blank he had made himself, so he wanted to refine it into blue bricks and take it back today, which would also have a commemorative meaning for him.

Seeing Jingren's disappointed expression, Ye Mingsheng understood his son's thoughts and then smiled and said:
"Not only does the brick blank need to be air-dried naturally, but the burning of paper money also takes more than ten days. In short, it will take at least a month to get the brick!"

Hearing his father say this, Jingren looked at Liu An beside him, and Liu An nodded and said:

"Your Majesty is right. This brick blank will take half a month to air dry, and it will also take eight to fifteen days to fire it in the kiln. It will indeed take a month to fire this brick blank into a blue brick. However, we have plenty of blue bricks here. Your Highness can take whichever one you like..."

"I don't want any other bricks, I only want the one I made myself!"

Hearing Jingren say this, Liu An, who was standing to the side, looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

At that moment, Ma Runchuan also stepped forward and said:

"Your Highness, why don't you leave the bricks here and let Master Liu air-dry and fire them for you? After a month, when Master Liu has finished firing them, I will send someone to deliver them to you!"

Jing Ren's eyes lit up upon hearing this, but just then, Ye Mingsheng spoke up:
"No need, I can pick it up on my way back from Tao Port!"

After speaking, Ye Mingsheng looked at Liu An and asked:
"I heard that the most difficult step in firing blue bricks is pouring cold water into the kiln?"

Upon hearing Ye Mingsheng ask this, Liu An nodded without hesitation and said:

"Yes, this fifth step, watering, is also the most difficult step. Only a very experienced master craftsman can complete it!"

After finishing, Liu An's eyes flashed with pride, clearly indicating that he himself was the experienced master craftsman he had mentioned.

Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng couldn't help but ask:
"I just looked around, and it seems you only fire blue bricks here. Don't you fire red bricks?"

"Your Majesty, our brick factory only produces blue bricks. In my opinion, red bricks are inferior, so we never produce them. Our brick factory only makes the finest quality bricks..."

Hearing Liu An's disdain for red bricks, Ye Mingsheng couldn't help but frown slightly.

Red bricks were developed by the Da Dong Sheng Trading Company under his guidance. Compared with traditional blue bricks, they were cheaper and produced in higher quantities, so they were very popular as soon as they were introduced and quickly became famous throughout the country. Brick factories in various places also learned the technology and began to fire red bricks.

At this moment, Jingren also looked at Liu An and said:

"Master Liu, what's the difference between blue bricks and red bricks?"

Liu An said without hesitation:

"Your Highness, the difference between blue bricks and red bricks is enormous. First of all, there is a difference in the firing techniques. The first four firing steps for blue bricks and red bricks are basically the same, but the most crucial difference lies in the fifth step!"

"After the bricks are fired, we pour cold water into the kiln. This cooling process gives the bricks a bluish-gray color, making them of better quality, more resistant to weathering, and more water-resistant. In their natural state, these bricks will not deteriorate for a hundred years, making them the best bricks available today!"

"This red brick is a product of natural cooling without pouring cold water into the kiln. Such bricks are red in color and have small pores on the surface, so they easily absorb rainwater and are eroded. Don't be fooled by the large number of red bricks sold now; these things won't last more than a few decades!"

Hearing Liu An say this, Jingren asked, quite puzzled:
"Master Liu, according to you, the blue bricks are of much higher quality than the red bricks. So why do the red bricks sell more? Shouldn't the higher-quality blue bricks be more popular?"

Upon hearing this, Liu An sighed and said:
"His Highness the Crown Prince has extremely high requirements for both the raw materials and the craftsmanship of the artisans when firing blue bricks!"

"The raw materials for blue bricks can only be high-quality clay, but red bricks can be made using shale and coal gangue, which changes the cost of raw materials, making blue bricks more expensive..."