Chapter 379 (1/2)

It Really Is Comfortable to Rely on Men!

The word “success” represented them finally succeeding in replacing electricity with wind power.

“Begin melting!” Feng Yu Heng loudly said: “Wind power is feasible. Begin melting!”

The soldiers working the bellows did not understand what she meant, but the joy of success had already raised their morale to the upper limit. Even if their arms were tired and sore, they did not feel as though this was hard, saying with confidence: “We have plenty of energy. We will continue to work the bellows for general and county princess. However much wind county princess desires, we will provide it!”

“Good!” Feng Yu Heng nodded then said to Xuan Tian Ming: “The main focuses during the melting phase should be the open-hearth furnace and the electric furnace. What we have right now, however, is not an open-hearth furnace or an electric furnace. It’s a wind-powered furnace, but the theory is the same. Everything from the pouring in of molten iron to the melting down of the furnace charge is all considered part of the melting phase. The goal of the melting phase is to melt down the furnace charge at a high temperature while producing coke slag for the melting phase.” After saying this, she personally went to pour the molten iron. At the same time, she said: “Saying it like this may not be too clear, but it’s fine. I will try it first. You should understand after watching once.”

This time, Feng Yu Heng personally took care of the work, but she did not think that it was very standard. She tried another two times, and on the third time, she finally nodded, “It’s fine. The matter of melting is not hard. Come and try.”

Xuan Tian Ming took over the job. In the end, he had experience with blacksmithing, so he was much more adept at the work than Feng Yu Heng. He managed to succeed on the first attempt.

The two melted all of the previous materials. Like this, they spent one day and one night handling the melting.

Four groups of soldiers were used to work the bellows, but none of the soldiers that had been replaced were willing to return to the camp and rest. They simply stood to the side under one of the temporary tents that had been set up. They took shifts sleeping and would immediately get to work after waking up.

Feng Yu Heng felt that the efficiency was quite high and began to discuss with Xuan Tian Ming: “How about having some soldiers come to work the bellows? This is a physical job. Those that do not have the strength will not be able to work the bellows. Moreover, when mass production begins, just one bellows will not be enough. At the very least, we will need to ensure that there is one for each furnace. We also need to have some spares in case one becomes damaged.”

Xuan Tian Ming naturally understood this logic, thus he asked her: “Roughly how many people will be enough?”

She thought a little, “At least 100 people.”

“That’s fine.” He turned around and said to a soldier: “Did you hear what county princess said? Go and pick 100 soldiers and tell them to be ready at any time.”

The soldier was just a normal soldiers. Normally, he would at most take a look at Xuan Tian Ming from the distance and would never get a chance to speak. Over the past few days, he had helped work the bellows and would occasionally get a chance to say a few words. This was already enough to give him a feeling of having received a great glory. He was even thinking that when he went out to brag, later on, he would have a basis to do it. No matter what was said, he had spoken with the general and county princess.

Now, Xuan Tian Ming actually had him go pick soldiers? The soldier was immediately frozen. Thinking a little, it was possible that the general wanted him to inform deputy general Qian, right? After all, when it came to choosing soldiers, that was deputy general Qian who usually decided on such things, but… “General, deputy general Qian has gone to search for blacksmiths and will not be back for a few more days.”

Xuan Tian Ming furrowed his brow: “What’s the relation between him going to look for blacksmiths and me telling you to pick some soldiers?” Thinking a little, he understood a bit. He removed a token from his body, “Hand down the order that 100 soldiers will be brought to help county princess produce steel. Those 100 soldiers will be left under your command. Show a little spirit.”

Feng Yu Heng saw that the soldier was stunned and could not help but smile, “Your general has given you a promotion. Shouldn’t you go and quickly get to work?”

The person finally managed to react and dropped to his knees: “This servant thanks the general and thanks county princess! This servant will go do it immediately.” Saying this, he received the token from Xuan Tian Ming and ran off.

Feng Yu Heng then said: “Once I become immersed in work, I tend to forget the things that are happening around me. You really are better at observing your surroundings.”

Xuan Tian Ming nodded, “Un, although it’s just the simple job of working the bellows, there is a certain skill involved. At the same time, it tests a person’s endurance. Although we do not lack people to work the bellows, only these ten people have any experience. We cannot possibly teach all 100 people one more time. We can only rely on these ten to teach them. That’s why this temporarily made bellows team also requires a leader. It’s not just to teach them the technique, he will also be in charge of choosing people. We cannot allow for things to become chaotic. Just now, that kid looked very sharp. Over the past few days, he was also the most diligent one. Handing over control of the bellows team to him will give me the most peace of mind.”

Feng Yu Heng leaned against him. Once she began to rest, she became a little lazy, and her arms and legs began to feel sore. “If you think it’s good, then that’s good. When it comes to managing people, I am far worse than you.”

The two spoke and did not really avoid others, and they did not bother lowering their voices. The soldiers that remained all around could all hear what they had said, and they all became extremely moved. One was unable to hold back and frankly went to ask: “General’s meaning is that we can remain here to continue to help with the production of steel?”

Others also began to ask: “Can we really participate in the production of steel?”