Chapter 474 - Chapter 474: Chapter 474: Grandpa Lu Celebrates his Birthday_1 (1/2)
Chapter 474: Chapter 474: Grandpa Lu Celebrates his Birthday_1
Wei Ruo had a furnace of the same design in Mo Jiazha at Huzhou Prefecture, located at the rear of the house where she once lived.
Wei Ruo did not use it often, but found it inconvenient when needed and lacking. So, she chose a spot in the capital’s outskirts for this purpose.
The last time Wei Ruo made armor for Xu Zhengyong and Wei Mingting, she used steel she had forged at Mo Jiazha.
Now all that steel has been used up, and she needed to make more using this new furnace.
She had come to Long’an Temple on the first day of the second month to burn incense, primarily to select a location for the construction of this furnace.
Now, the furnace was ready for use; old Tao had brought her iron ore and coal, and all that was left was to fire it up.
After carefully inspecting both furnaces and confirming that they were both working effectively, Wei Ruo gave a satisfied nod.
“Good job, it’s almost indistinguishable from the blueprints, even the small details are perfect.”
“Master Xu, you’ve made it all so detailed and explained it to us so many times. We wouldn’t dare disappoint you by doing a poor job.” said Shi Dayou.
Soon after, Shi Dayou asked Wei Ruo, “Master Xu, there’s something I don’t quite understand. Since we are turning iron ore into iron anyway, why don’t we not just fire up the left blast furnace directly? Why is there a need to burn coal first?”
“Because the coal tar produced after coking coal is of great use to me. It is a good material that cannot be found elsewhere.” Wei Ruo answered.
“I see, Master Xu, you are knowledgeable! I am quite dull, I hope you don’t mind me.”
“It’s alright, just ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand.”
Upon hearing this, Shi Dayou took the opportunity to ask the questions that had been bothering him: “Master, these two furnaces are small, and the speed of firing is not fast. Does it matter?”
“That’s how it is. We don’t need to pursue speed. What I need is high-quality steel, prioritizing quality first.” Wei Ruo said to Shi Dayou.
This furnace, like the one in Mo Jiazha, is not large. The amount of steel and coal tar that can be produced at one time is not large, but Wei Ruo had never intended to mass produce these items.
“Okay, Master Xu, rest assured, we will do everything as you have instructed! We pledge not to cut any corners!” Shi Dayou assured her.
“After successful forging, I will have Meimei come and pick them up. I have a use for them.” said Wei Ruo.
“Okay.”
“What about the sulfur bought by the master, just leave it here?”
“Let it be, just make sure it does not get damp. I will come and use it when I need it.”
“Okay.”
After Wei Ruo finished her work and left, Xiumei asked Wei Ruo on the road, “Miss, what are you planning to use this forged steel for?”
“Make a sword for my second brother.” Wei Ruo answered.
Sitting in the carriage, leaning against the cushions, flipping through the account books, she responded to Xiumei’s question from the front of the carriage.
“Miss, you still care a lot about Prince.”
“Who asked him to be in the same boat as me? If he’s doing well, I’m doing well too. If anything were to happen to him, won’t I have to bother rescuing him? Hope that by providing him a good sword for self-defense, he does not find himself in a dangerous situation, thereby protecting myself as well.” said Wei Ruo.
“Miss is right!” Xiumei agreed.
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On the 20th of May, the patriarch of the Lu Family celebrated his 70th birthday.