Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 272 Zhao Shuo's Workshop: The Power to Change the World!

Next, Sun Wei presented Zhao Shuo with white sugar.

By this time, the sugar industry was already a relatively mature sector. When Zhao He was in Egypt, the Egyptians, to show their submission, presented him with a small tower made of two thousand sugar blocks.

The sugar industry in the Jiangnan region was particularly developed. With Sichuan, Fujian, and Zhejiang as the main production areas, various sugar products were produced. Professional books on sugar making, such as "The Sugar Frosting Manual," have been around for over a hundred years.

As for exporting various sugar products to Japan, Southeast Asian countries, and countries with true religious beliefs through trade, that goes without saying.

People in Fuzhou even have a unique secret recipe for making "dry white sugar".

However, their technological approach seems to have problems, resulting in extremely low production and extremely high prices, making them very difficult to find on the market. Some became royal tributes, while others were unavailable to those without a certain social status, even if they had the money.

It was precisely because the sugar industry was so developed in this era, and mainly concentrated in the Southern Song Dynasty, that Zhao Shuo, who had acquired a huge amount of wealth from his conquests of Western countries, was not short of money. Therefore, he had become too lazy to teach the "yellow mud water leaching decolorization method".

It wasn't until after Zhao Shuo had completely conquered the Song Dynasty that he taught his workshops the "yellow mud water decolorization method," allowing them to research techniques for making white sugar.

As expected, it doesn't require much technical skill; the workshop has already produced the finished product.

From now on, the sugar industry will become a major source of wealth for Zhao Shuo.

Actually, if you think about it carefully, white sugar is not only used for food, but also for military purposes.

Sugar plus gunpowder equals Ivan the Great.

Zhao Shuo then instructed Sun Wei to combine gunpowder and sugar to see how to achieve maximum power or develop some kind of firearm.

Afterwards, Sun Wei had several bolts of cloth brought over.

One of the pieces of cloth was made using a technique called "treading cloth," which was recently invented by the artisans in the workshop. This involved rolling the woven cotton cloth onto a wooden roller and placing it on a stone slab, then pressing the cloth by stepping on a concave stone that could weigh thousands of pounds.

This process has many advantages.

Firstly, it can make cotton fabric denser and reduce shrinkage after washing.

Secondly, it makes the cotton fabric smoother, more textured, and softer to the touch.

Third, it reduces dust adhesion and is less prone to getting dirty.

The other pieces of fabric either had new colors added or the craftsmanship improved to make the patterns more exquisite.

Zhao Shuo was not particularly interested in these things by nature, but he did not show it outwardly. Instead, he rewarded the craftsmen who had made contributions.

Simply put, while the aesthetic appeal of clothing cannot significantly enhance a country's hard power, it is still very beneficial for improving its soft power.

What is Huaxia?

"The beauty of clothing is called Hua, and the grandeur of etiquette is called Xia."

Magnificent clothing was originally one of the symbols of the Celestial Empire.

The development of Chinese clothing further increased the affinity of barbarians for China.

Zhao Shuo wasn't particularly interested in these things; that was simply his personal temperament. But for a ruler of a country, it was still something that needed to be taken seriously.

The next few items were not suitable to be seen here, so Sun Wei led Zhao Shuo to inspect the various workshops.

The craftsmen have just built a state-of-the-art spinning machine that greatly improves spinning efficiency through a tool called a "flying shuttle".

However, this thing requires a very high-performance spring.

The materials used to manufacture the springs became a major problem.

In addition, the various mechanical structures also consumed too much of the energy of the skilled craftsmen in Zhao Shuo's workshop.

Given the capabilities of Zhao Shuo's workshop, it was impossible for them to mass-produce this spinning machine with a shuttle at this time; it could only be considered an experimental product.

Of course, Zhao Shuo wasn't in a hurry.

Something is better than nothing. Problems with the materials can only be solved by trying them one by one; it's not something to rush.

The production of various machines also requires the gradual efforts of the new generation of young people.

Next, Zhao Shuo also inspected the artillery workshop.

The primitive cannons weren't technologically advanced; the workshop had actually produced one five years prior. However, the results were far from satisfactory, so mass production never began.

During Zhao Shuo's visit to the artillery workshop, he noticed that while the power of the cannons had indeed improved somewhat, the overall effect was still quite mediocre.

Zhao Shuo felt that equipping the Eight Banners army with this type of artillery might not necessarily enhance their combat capabilities. Furthermore, there was the risk of technology proliferation.

Forget it.

Zhao Shuo instructed Sun Wei to continue improving the power of the cannons in the workshop, but not to mass-produce them.

Then, Zhao Shuo inspected the mint workshop, wanting to see firsthand how the silver coins were pressed out by water-powered machinery.

"Your Majesty, this man is the greatest contributor to the creation of the gear-shaped gold coin. Guo Xun, the head of the mint. Guo Xun deserves immense credit for the rapid development of this water-powered machine. In addition, he also made significant contributions to the manufacture of the metal screw."

Sun Wei brought a young man in his late twenties to Zhao Shuo, his face full of admiration.

"Guo Xun pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Guo Xun quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Zhao Shuo.

Zhao Shuo, of course, valued this kind of technical talent highly, and said, "No need for formalities. Guo Xun, you are so young, yet you have made so many contributions. I am truly happy to meet you today. May I ask where you are from?"

"I am from Xingtai County, Xingzhou, Hebei Province," Guo Xun replied somewhat reservedly, seemingly not good with words.

Sun Wei introduced him, saying, "Guo Xun is a famous scholar in Xingtai. His father, Guo Rong, was a renowned scholar in the area. He was not only proficient in the Five Classics and knowledgeable in astronomy and mathematics, but also skilled in water conservancy. Guo Xun comes from a family with a long tradition of learning, and his scholarship is no less than his father's."

“Three years ago, Guo Xun visited Guicheng in Harka and we met by chance. I saw that he was very knowledgeable and tried my best to invite him to join the workshop. Over the years, Guo Xun has solved many problems for the workshop.”

Zhao Shuo was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Guo Xun, your scholarship is so good, taking the imperial examination would be a great career path for you, so why are you content to stay in the workshop?"

Guo Xun said, "This is what I think. Participating in the imperial examinations will only lead to a minor official position. To become a high-ranking official, one must make sufficient contributions. However, I am naturally fond of scholarship and do not like dealing with people. Even if I participate in the imperial examinations, I will not achieve much."

"Your Majesty's workshop not only offers excellent pay, but it is also the most suitable place for scholarship. Only by staying here can I make the most of my life."

Zhao Shuo nodded slightly and said, "That's true. Everyone has their own ambitions. Although there are many people in China who want to be officials, there are also quite a few who are indifferent to fame and fortune. Guo Xun, you are one of them. By the way, who else is in your family? Have they moved to your city of Harka?"

“My father is reluctant to leave his hometown and is still in Xingtai, where my second and third younger brothers are taking care of him. I also have a wife and a son, who are currently living in the city of Harka.”

"Oh, and you have a son. What's his name? How old is he?"

Zhao Shuo had only asked casually, but Guo Xun's answer was completely unexpected.

"Guo Shoujing is just five years old this year."

Hmm? Guo Shoujing?
When Zhao Shuo was preparing to build the Egyptian canal, he had considered Guo Shoujing. However, his memory was quite vague, and he didn't know exactly when Guo Shoujing was born. He only estimated that Guo was very young and probably wouldn't be needed now.

Zhao Shuo had also forgotten where Guo Shoujing's ancestral home was.

Zhao Shuo only vaguely remembered that Guo Shoujing's scholarship was mainly passed down from his grandfather, a family tradition of learning. Later, he became a student of Liu Bingzhong.

As for who Guo Shoujing's father was, there is no record in history, as if he never existed. People speculate that he died young.

Is this Guo Xun the father of Guo Shoujing, the famous scientist in history?

It's very possible!
Guo Xun's father and Guo Shoujing's grandfather were both great scholars, which makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
Thinking about it more carefully, why didn't even his father's name survive when Guo Shoujing was such a famous historical figure?

It is likely that, in history, Guo Xun not only died young, but also participated in some anti-Mongol uprising, which violated the court's taboos and is why his name was not recorded.

Zhao Shuo changed history; Guo Xun did not die in the chaos of war, and his talents were not wasted, as he joined Zhao Shuo's workshop.

Zhao Shuo said happily, "As I just said, the people who made the metal screw and the clock will be rewarded handsomely. Sun Wei, among the two heroes who made the metal screw, is Guo Xun among them?"

Sun Wei said, "Yes! If the metal screw is made, Guo Xun can rank second. According to Your Majesty's orders, he should be given a seventh-rank title, five hundred taels of gold, and a beautiful woman."

Zhao Shuo said, "Guo Xun also made a contribution by creating the gear-shaped gold coin, so he should be rewarded more generously. Let's give him the rank of fifth grade, a thousand taels of gold, and two beautiful women."

"Uh..." Guo Xun hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Sun Wei urged, "What are you waiting for? Quickly thank His Majesty for his grace!"

Zhao Shuo, however, didn't take it to heart and said, "Guo Xun, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Boom!
Guo Xun kowtowed repeatedly to Zhao Shuo, saying, "It's not that I'm ungrateful, but Your Majesty's reward is too generous. My treatment in the workshop is already very good. Even if you only rewarded me with five hundred taels of gold and a beautiful woman, I would be extremely satisfied. Could you..." "How?"

"People say that Your Majesty has not only invented many novel things, but is also knowledgeable in astronomy and geography, a scholar of both heaven and man, and even knew about the aurora borealis in the North Pole long ago. In fact, I have always had a question in my heart. Could I use these extra rewards to ask Your Majesty to resolve this question?"

"Oh? What exactly is your doubt?"

"Uh... I dare to ask Your Majesty to dismiss your attendants."

"You all get out."

Zhao Shuo was in a good mood, so he agreed to Guo Xun's request for a private audience. Besides, Guo Xun was no weak scholar; even if he were a powerful general, how could he possibly threaten Zhao Shuo?
Perhaps it was a perk of time travel, but although Zhao Shuo was already fifty years old, he not only looked like he was in his thirties, but his physical strength was also about the same as when he was in his thirties, and there were no signs of aging.

Sometimes Zhao Shuo would secretly wonder if he could have an extra long standby time in this life.

Before long, only Zhao Shuo and Guo Xun remained in the mint workshop.

Guo Xun then cautiously said, "What I want to ask is about the thunder in the sky. Some people say that thunder is caused by the wrath of heaven. However, when it rains in summer, there is thunder and lightning. It can't be that every time it's heaven's anger, can it?"

"Some people say that lightning is essentially fire, because a person struck by lightning is like being burned. However, in fact, although it looks like being burned, it is still very different from being burned."

"The third theory is that thunder is created by the collision of yin and yang energies. Your Majesty, you are a scholar of celestial and human affairs, could you tell me what thunder truly is?"

"So that's what you wanted to know."

Zhao Shuo then understood why Guo Xun had asked him to dismiss everyone else.

Firstly, people generally believe that thunder is related to the heavens. Wouldn't it be a great taboo for Guo Xun to ask about thunder? If Guo Xun were to ask Zhao Shuo this question in public, and Zhao Shuo is particularly concerned about such matters, he might make an example of him.

Secondly, even if Zhao Shuo didn't care that the thunder was related to the heavens, he still didn't know what the thunder was all about. What if he couldn't answer this question? Wouldn't that make Zhao Shuo look bad? It would be better to have a private audience.

Zhao Shuo thought for a moment and said, "I think the saying that the clash of Yin and Yang creates thunder is more accurate."

"why?"

"Think about it carefully. What exactly is the phenomenon of thunder? It's nothing more than a flash of light followed by a loud sound."

“There are similar examples in daily life. For instance, in winter, when the weather is dry, you might hear a slight popping sound when combing your hair or putting on and taking off clothes, or even see a tiny light in the dark. If you magnify this phenomenon, isn't it lightning?”

Lightning and static electricity are quite different, but both are phenomena of electric charge discharge. In this day and age, this is a very accurate statement.

"Yes! Why didn't I think of that?"

Many people have seen apples fall, but only Newton discovered the law of universal law.

Guo Xun had certainly seen electric discharge phenomena in daily life, but he never associated them with lightning.

At that moment, he suddenly understood and said, "It's possible that when I was combing my hair, the comb carried some yin energy, and my hair carried some yang energy. The interaction of yin and yang produced this phenomenon. The thunder in the sky may also be caused by some clouds carrying yin energy and others carrying yang energy. The interaction of yin and yang energy produces thunder. It's just that the yin and yang energies carried by the clouds are much greater than those carried by the comb and hair!"

Actually, Guo Xun's statement is not accurate. Lightning involves discharges within clouds, between clouds, and between clouds and the ground, mainly caused by huge potential differences.

However, a detailed explanation is far from something that can be explained in just a few words.

Zhao Shuo simply said, "I'm not a god, how could I know everything? I'm just telling you some of my thoughts. Whether it's true or not, you'll have to find a way to verify it yourself."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly find a way to verify this carefully."

Guo Xun was simple-minded and possessed an extremely strong thirst for knowledge. At this moment, his mind was already involuntarily focused on how to verify it, and his gaze became somewhat vacant.

Zhao Shuo added a further point, saying, "When I was conquering the world, I once saw a sorcerer's trick. They put an iron rod and a copper plate in vinegar. When a metal wire connected the copper plate and the iron rod, the wire would heat up rapidly, and violent bubbles would appear on the iron rod and the copper plate. I suspect this is also a way of balancing yin and yang, only gentler than combing hair. Uh..."

At this point, Zhao Shuo suddenly had a thought.

The device he was referring to is the "Baghdad Battery".

In the 1930s, an artifact was unearthed near Baghdad. Upon close measurement, it was discovered that the artifact was made more than 200 years BC.

By simply pouring an acidic liquid into this artifact and connecting it with wires, a stable electric current can be generated.

What was this thing used for back then?

Some speculate that it was used for the most primitive electroplating, others that it was used for medical purposes similar to acupuncture, and still others that it was used by shamans to perform supernatural rituals.

Some even suspect it was purely a coincidence. Since no wires were found, people at the time may not have used it as a battery.

In any case, the technology involved in this most primitive type of battery is practically nonexistent. All you need is copper and iron, and some acidic liquid—even diluted lemon juice will do.

Zhao Shuo originally had no intention of developing power technology.

Even a steam engine is completely beyond Zhao Shuo's capabilities in his workshop. Let alone any electrical revolution; it seems pointless to waste effort on it.

Since Guo Xun brought this up today, Zhao Shuo offered a brief explanation. However, upon closer reflection, the technology behind this battery seems rather rudimentary.

With further improvements, it doesn't seem too difficult.

Sulfuric acid existed 500 years ago and was known as "green vitriol oil".

The power generation efficiency of a copper-iron combination is indeed lower than that of a copper-zinc combination. However, extracting zinc is not particularly difficult.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, people used zinc ore and copper to refine copper coins, making the color of the coins closer to that of gold. By the Ming Dynasty, pure zinc had become a regular commodity traded in large quantities and was called "Japanese lead." The word "Japanese" was chosen to mean "fierce" or "intense," referring to the fact that zinc's chemical reactivity was stronger than lead's, rather than referring to Japan.

With copper, zinc, and dilute sulfuric acid, we have a basically usable battery, right?
By connecting these batteries in series, the voltage can be increased!
With a reliable power source, how far could a wired telegraph travel? It was far less technically challenging than the steam engine.

Even if this kind of power supply is more expensive, what does it matter to a global empire?
What benefits would a world empire with telegraphs have in maintaining unification?
Zhao Shuo thought it over and became more and more hopeful, and continued, "You can carefully improve this device. If the power is great enough, you should be able to see the lightning and hear the sound. If you study it more carefully, you may not only discover the secret of lightning, but also use the secret of lightning to benefit the world."

"For example, why can this turbulent Yin and Yang energy be transmitted through the metal wire? Can we measure how much it contains? How fast is it...?"

With Zhao Shuo's guidance, Guo Xun's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Guo Xun initially visited Harkhagui City because he had heard it was also known as the "Capital of Craftsmen." The most brilliant craftsmen from both the East and West resided there, and most of the world's newest creations originated there. He wanted to come to Harkhagui City to exchange knowledge with these most intelligent people in the world.

Another theory suggests that Zhao Shuo himself was responsible for the invention of things such as perfume, white salt, and hot air balloons.

Guo Xun, of course, scoffed at this claim.

Zhao Shuo is the ruler of a great nation and frequently leads his troops on military campaigns. Even if he were a scholar of great learning, where would he find the time for research? It's no surprise that this claim is a deliberate attempt by his subordinates to flatter Zhao Shuo and attribute the workshop's achievements to him.

However, after joining the workshop, Guo Xun gradually realized that his previous ideas were wrong.

He has been a member of the workshop for more than three years, participating in the manufacture of metal screws and gear coins. He is considered one of the core members of the workshop and has access to most of the workshop's information.

I also met many artisans from various workshops.

He was astonished to discover that those new things were indeed closely related to Zhao Shuo's guidance. Especially Sun Wei, who usually spoke of Zhao Shuo with a face full of admiration, which was definitely not a flattering expression.

When Guo Xun heard Sun Wei mention that Zhao Shuo had predicted the aurora borealis in the Arctic decades ago, he was so astonished he could hardly speak.

The workshop produced exquisite white sugar based on Zhao Shuo's instructions, something Guo Xun had personally experienced, so it's hard not to believe.

Now, Guo Xun hears Zhao Shuo recount the secrets of lightning.

The secret of the thunder that he had been pondering was casually described by Zhao Shuo as a feasible research path!

He had never seen that strange device before.

But thinking about it carefully, what difference would it make even if we met?

Didn't he see the electrical discharge phenomenon when combing hair in daily life? Why didn't he connect it to thunder?

Even if one were to think of thunder, it would be impossible to conceive of such a significant function.

It can only be said that comparisons are odious; the gap between him and Zhao Shuo is too great.

Thinking about it more carefully, if it were really as Zhao Shuo said, and the knowledge of lightning were thoroughly studied, allowing news to travel a hundred miles in an instant, what kind of scene would that be?
Not only will it be enough to go down in history, it will also be enough to change the whole world!

What a bright future this is!
Guo Xun now not only admires Zhao Shuo to the point of prostration, but has also made up his mind to dedicate the rest of his life to electricity, determined to develop the device that can transmit messages over long distances that the king foretold!
Zhao Shuo, observing Guo Xun's demeanor, was also very satisfied with his performance.

If only we could actually get wired telegraphs out. His orders could be transmitted within a day to every corner reached by wired telegraphs, the significance of which cannot be overstated.

Guo Xun's promotion of the electrical revolution will likely be one of the most significant scientific achievements in world history, perhaps even surpassing the title of "one of the most significant."

It's quite interesting when you think about it. In another timeline, the greatest scientist, Newton, served as the Master of the Royal Mint.

In this time and space, the title of the greatest scientist would probably belong to Guo Xun, who also oversees the mint!

(End of this chapter)