Borrow the day to change the day

() Zhong Jinwei and Xu Guangqi are both technical figures who do more practical things than talk empty words.There is a huge age difference between the two, and it was the first time they met, for a while, both of them were relatively dumb.

As the master and the leader, Zhong Jinwei didn't want to let this embarrassing situation continue, so he took the initiative to say: "Master Xu, the new kiln has just been built, why don't we go visit it together?"

When Xu Guangqi heard it, he immediately became interested, and without taking a sip of tea, he said to Zhong Jinwei: "Your officer will follow your 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 took all the craftsmen and waited for a long time at the new kiln.Seeing Zhong Jinwei and a senior official in scarlet robes coming, he hurriedly saluted.

Zhong Jinwei asked them not to be too polite, and after introducing Xu Guangqi who followed him, he started to visit under the leadership of Wu Shengda.

The new kiln is not big, it is only experimental, so it can be completed within six days.The appearance is also very ugly. From a distance, it looks like a lump of rice with a grass stuck on it.

The difference from the old kiln is that the blast box does not directly blow the air into the combustion chamber, but enters it through a double-layer duct.

In other words, the outlet pipe wraps the intake pipe, and the fresh air is heated by the high-temperature exhaust gas from the furnace.Finally, the exhaust pipe, which is the grass seen from a distance, discharges worthless exhaust gas into the air.

The pipe is a bit long, and the closer the fresh air is to the direction of the combustion chamber, the higher the degree of heating by the exhaust gas will be, basically it will not reduce the temperature of the combustion chamber, and the fresh air will be supplemented for combustion.

There is a certain distance between the salary raising room and the combustion chamber, and the passage between the two is layered. There is a slope near the combustion chamber. The person who adds charcoal enters the salary raising room. Two layers to see the situation push.Ensure that the charcoal in the combustion chamber is not stacked to increase the combustion area.

In the middle of the combustion chamber is a deep well for discharging coal slag.

Listening to the introduction, Xu Guangqi suddenly realized that raising the temperature is so simple.Based on his many years of experience, Xu Guangqi proposed an improvement method for this pipe for exchanging heat between hot and cold air. He suggested that it should be changed to a folded type, with more loops going back and forth, instead of the current straight passage.

Isn't that just increasing the contact area, Zhong Jinwei thought, secretly admiring Xu Guangqi's reaction speed.However, this new furnace will not be modified for now, after using it first, if the temperature is not enough, then try to improve it.

When Zhong Jinwei was thinking here, Xu Guangqi seemed to have forgotten his identity as the third rank, and had already communicated with Wu Shengda over there.

After Zhong Jinwei came back to his senses, he also interjected in a timely manner to express his views.So, Zhong Jinwei, Xu Guangqi and Wu Shengda began to discuss with each other.Generally speaking, it was the discussion between Xu Guangqi and Zhong Jinwei. He only spoke when he asked Wu Shengda about something.

After walking around the new-style kiln, the relationship between Zhong Jinwei and Xu Guangqi became much closer.

Wu Shengda came out together, and said to Zhong Jinwei: "Uncle Zhongxing, this kiln is now starting to burn in small fires until tomorrow morning, and if there is no damage, the cement can be officially fired.

Zhong Jinwei was also looking forward to that moment, and told Wu Shengda to take good care of the new kiln.Then I went back to the lobby with Xu Guangqi.

At this time, it was almost evening, and the light dimmed.An Guiyi, who came back from seeing off Wang Chengen, took the initiative to light the candles.

After Xu Guangqi sat down, he cupped his fists and bowed to Zhong Jinwei, and said sincerely: "I really admire Uncle Zhongxing's extensive knowledge. No wonder the emperor asked Uncle Zhongxing to give lectures in the palace."

"Where, where, in the Ming Dynasty, when it comes to knowledge, Mr. Xu will do his part." Zhong Jinwei also praised Xu Guangqi sincerely.

Of course Xu Guangqi would not be unhappy when he heard this. He knew that Zhong Jinwei wanted to let himself share the credit for the cement production.But he was getting old, and he couldn't bear to get a share of the credit for nothing if he didn't work hard, so he asked Zhong Jinwei about the cement manufacturing process in detail.

In the past few days, Zhong Jinwei spent time in the ceramics factory and learned a lot about firing ceramics from Wu Shengda.Hearing Xu Guangqi's question now, he explained the cement firing process and key points to Xu Guangqi based on the knowledge he and Wu Shengda had learned, and what he said seemed very professional.

Xu Guangqi unconsciously stroked his long beard under his forehead and listened carefully.

After Zhong Jinwei finished explaining, he frowned and said to Zhong Jinwei: "Uncle Zhongxing, I feel that if the cement is fired according to this method, the output will be too low and it will take a lot of manpower. I am afraid that the cement will be too expensive to be used. "

Zhong Jinwei thought so too, but the matter of production is not in a hurry, and now we need to burn the cement first.

Before Zhong Jinwei spoke, Xu Guangqi had already suggested over there: "If it is feasible to fire cement in this kiln, I think some places can be done by water power or wind power. For example, the fine grinding and mixing of raw materials, and the blasting can also be done manually. Changed to hydraulic continuous."

When Zhong Jinwei heard that Xu Guangqi was so good, he already had an idea to improve some details.He was overjoyed at the moment, and said irresponsibly: "Okay, then I will entrust these things to you. After the cement is fired, I need you to help improve the process and increase the output as much as possible."

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 hesitantly: "Uncle Zhongxing, I want to ask for proof. Is it okay?"

"Please tell me." Zhong Jinwei looked at the old man in front of him curiously, not knowing what he wanted to ask, but even with a little hesitation.

"The emperor asked for the "Nongzheng Quanshu" from the lower officials, and said that he heard Zhongxing Bo say that the lower officials had this book. What the lower officials want to ask is, how did Zhongxing Bo know that the lower officials have this book?" Xu Guangqi stared at Zhong Jinwei , I want to see how he answers this matter.

"Ah, this, I guessed it." Zhong Jinwei played a rogue, looking at Xu Guangqi's expression, it seemed that the book hadn't come out yet.

Xu Guangqi was speechless, thinking, you guessed it, just tell the emperor, this is deceiving the emperor!You dare to do this, really bold.

"Don't you have one?" Zhong Jinwei asked Xu Guangqi tentatively.

"Xiaguan Weishi doesn't have this book." Xu Guangqi shook his head helplessly.

"Then what books or articles have you written in total?" Zhong Jinwei guessed that Xu Guangqi probably didn't sort out the manuscript.

In fact, Xu Guangqi never published a book called "Nongzheng Quanshu" until his death. This book was published six years after Xu Guangqi's death after his disciple Chen Zilong sorted out the manuscripts left by Xu Guangqi.

Xu Guangqi stroked his long beard, thought for a while, and then answered Zhong Jinwei: "I have written or translated some things, please tell Uncle Zhongxing in order."

"Okay, okay." Zhong Jinwei quickly agreed.

"In the 31st year of Wanli, four volumes of "Mao Shi Liu Tie Lecture Notes" were published. In the 35th year of Wanli, six volumes of "Geometry Original" and "Measurement Fayi" were translated. In the 36th year of Wanli, there were "Measurement Similarities and Differences", "Sweet Potatoes" ..."

"Wait, what did you just say?" Zhong Jinwei interrupted Xu Guangqi as if there was a sensitive word.

Xu Guangqi was interrupted, a little surprised, but he said it again according to Zhong Xingbo's request: "There are "Measuring Similarities and Differences" and "Sweet Potato Shu""

"Yes, this is "Sweet Potato Shu". The sweet potato you are talking about, does it just grow in the soil, with large edible rhizomes, and vine-like branches and leaves on the soil, which are also edible." Zhong Jinwei said excitedly , I remember the sweet potato in later generations, also called sweet potato, the name of sweet potato.This thing is a must for food shortages.

"Uncle Zhongxing also knows about this thing?" Xu Guangqi couldn't help asking when Zhong Jinwei preparedly described 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, thought for a moment and said to Zhong Jinwei: "The officials eat this sweet potato. I brought some when I came to the capital to take up my post. I have already eaten it."

When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he was a little disappointed, how could he finish eating.

"I heard that Uncle Zhongxing came back from overseas, and this sweet potato is also from overseas. Could it be that Uncle Zhongxing tastes as good as Xiaguan, and this sweet potato is not good?" Xu Guangqi automatically made up the reason for Zhong Jinwei's excitement just now.