"Uh …"
Li Zexuan was stunned and asked curiously, "Why is that so? Don't tell me Chang 'an City has a surplus of iron ore? "
When he first heard Faubert say that iron ore could not be bought, he subconsciously thought that iron ore could not be bought either. But after hearing Faubert's words, it was obviously not the case!
Faubert said matter-of-factly, "Young Master, isn't this normal? There are only so many iron smelting factories in Chang 'an City. How could they consume so much iron ore? Naturally, there would be a surplus! "
China started smelting iron during the Spring and Autumn Period. Due to the rich experience of smelting bronze, the progress was very fast. Pig iron and "iron smelting" appeared almost at the same time. The iron smelting temperature was low and there were many impurities, but the carbon content was low. It was close to that of wrought iron, with a high melting point and a soft texture. It was suitable for forging weapons. Pig iron smelting temperature was high, with a higher sulfur and phosphorus content. It was hard and brittle, but it was resistant to wear and was suitable for forging weapons.
Since the Han Dynasty, various metal smelting and processing techniques had been developed comprehensively and were becoming fixed in terms of technology. For example, the Hundred Tempered Steel Technique was not used often due to its low efficiency. As the early form of the Infused Steel Technique, it was widely used.
During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the smelting technology continued to develop, but there were not many breakthroughs. They mainly followed the "Infused Steel Technique" at the end of the Han Dynasty, and the smelting efficiency was not high. Furthermore, the smelting business in this era was owned by the country. People like Zhangsun Wuji who could mine and smelt iron were few and far between. Therefore, the productivity of the people could not be unleashed, and the smelting speed could not keep up with the mining speed!
Li Zexuan rolled his eyes inwardly. He thought to himself, What a shame. If I had known about this earlier, would I have waited until now?
"Sigh! Forget it! Since it's already like this, another ten days or half a month won't make a difference! When the smelting equipment is completed, the iron ore from Yifang County should be transported back! By then, our workshop will not lack iron anymore! "
Li Zexuan sighed and said helplessly.
"That's the only way! If Young Master has nothing else, this old man will return to the workshop first! "
Faubert could hear the confidence in Li Zexuan's words. He could not help but smile and bid farewell.
"Yes! Faubert, you should also take care of your body. If there's anything you need, just order your subordinates to do it! Don't tire yourself out! "
Li Zexuan asked with concern.
To be honest, Faubert was already so old, but he was still busy. He felt very apologetic. But at the moment, he really didn't have anyone who could replace Faubert! Fubin might be able to do it in the future, but he was still too inexperienced to take on such a huge responsibility! If possible, he really hoped that Faubert would live a long life!
"Haha! Young Master, there's no need to worry. This old man's body is fine! "
With that, Faubert left the room.
…
"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Yong 'an requests an audience!"
Afternoon, Sweet Dew Hall. Li Er was busy flipping through memorials. It was the end of the year and there were always a lot of things to do. He had been busy for many days until late at night! Compared to the carefree Li Zexuan, he, as the Emperor, was even more miserable. At this moment, the attendant at the yellow door came in and reported with a bow.
"Yes, let him in!"
Li Er held the brush and said without raising his head.
"Yes!"
Not long after, Li Zexuan stepped into the hall and cupped his hands in salute. "Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
"No need for formalities. What's the matter?"
Li Er cherished his words like gold and said softly.
Li Zexuan strangely choked. He paused and replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, the iron mine that you asked this subject to find has been found. It's located near the Huo Family Village in Yifang County. Your Majesty can just send someone to receive it!"
Li Er finally raised his head. "Oh? So fast? It seems that your ability to find ores is quite effective! "
Don't most people look for ores for three to five years? How could there be someone like Li Zexuan, who was able to find five mineral veins in just over a month? This time, this guy really had a mine at home!
"It seems that your harvest this time is not small! Tell me about it! "
Li Er's eyes were like torches as he hit the nail on the head.
Old Li was asking the obvious! Li Zexuan did not believe that Li Er did not know this information. After all, the Hundred Cavalry "Special Agent Organization" was not to be trifled with!
"Uh … the people that this subject sent found a total of two iron mines, two sulfur mines, and one coal mine! Your Majesty said that you only need iron ores, so this subject did not say anything about the other mines! "
What he meant was that Old Li, as the ruler of a country, had to keep his word!
What kind of person was Li Er? How could he not see Li Zexuan's cunning mind? He said unhappily, "Stinky brat! Do you think that I will go back on my words? "
"How could I! Your Majesty is wise and wise. Even if everyone in the world goes back on their words, Your Majesty will definitely not! "
Li Zexuan chuckled as he flattered him.
Li Er scoffed and said, "Don't flatter Us! Speaking of which, where is the other iron mine that you found? "
Li Zexuan's eyebrows slightly wrinkled, then he unfurrowed them and replied, "Your Majesty, the other iron mine is also in Yifang County. However, it is about twenty li away from the Huo Family Village and is near Peach Blossom Village!"
Li Er smiled meaningfully and said, "That iron mine must have more ores than the one in Huo Family Village, right?"
Li Zexuan secretly cursed Li Er for being a sly old fox, but he said, "Your Majesty! How can this kind of thing be accurate? According to the people that this subject sent, the two iron mines look the same from the outside. As for the situation inside, this subject has no idea! "
Although this was what he said, the actual situation was more or less the same. However, when this fellow came, he compared it to the map and recalled the distribution of mineral resources in his previous life. He found that the iron mine near Peach Blossom Village had more ores than the Huo Family Village by thirty percent!
This was why he gave the Huo Family Village's iron mine to Li Er!
Li Er looked at Li Zexuan suspiciously. Although what Li Zexuan said was similar to the information that he received, he could not help but suspect that there was something fishy going on! After all, Li Zexuan was too clever! If he was not careful, he would be tricked by him!
"This subject will believe you for now!"
After all, there were so many ores that he would not be able to refine them all!
After a while, Li Er helplessly sighed and said, "In the next few days, this subject will let the Ministry of Works start mining! If you have nothing else to do, you can go and do your own things! "
The subtext was — — if you have nothing else to do, you can get lost!
Li Zexuan did not like to stay here, so he straightforwardly said his goodbyes, "Your Majesty is wise! This subject still has things to do at the academy, so I will take my leave first! "
After he finished speaking, he saw that Li Er nodded in agreement and quickly turned to leave!
…
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