When a rare snowfall fell in Shuzhou, the bridge connecting the two banks was finally completed.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan did not know if the cement they made could withstand the impact of the river for a long time, but the two of them still built the bridge. It was not beautiful at all.
The bridge deck was made of iron chains and wood. When one walked on it, it would sway. If it were two people at that time, there was no point in building such a bridge. It would be a waste of money and would be scolded to death.
However, at this time, no one scolded them. Everyone thought of ways to praise them, especially the people near the bridge on both sides of the Yangtze River. After the first batch of merchants and nobles who came to participate in various activities and spent a lot of money and experienced the sound of firecrackers, they rushed to the bridge one after another.
All of them seemed very excited. Fortunately, there were iron chains blocking the way. Otherwise, a few of them would have squeezed down. It was as if standing on the bridge for a while was an infinite honor. This group of people did not want to go down after getting on the bridge, so they all blocked the bridge.
Zhang Zhong immediately posted a notice and asked people to stand on both sides of the bridge to read to the illiterate people. This rule was set. As for Xuan Zhou, who was connected to the other side, he did not say a word. He tacitly agreed that Zhang Zhong's rule was applicable to both sides. After all, the bridge was built by him. At the same time, he did not dare to provoke Zhang Zhong at this time. Many people were paying attention to this.
The bridge was built, but if one wanted to go from Xuan Zhou to Shuzhou, they had to take a boat. The water had just been connected, and the bridge here had not been built yet. The diversion of the river would have to wait until next year to build a bridge. Even if it did not snow in winter, it was impossible to expect this bridge to be built before the new year.
Taking advantage of this time, the people of Shuzhou began to block the diversion of the river. Unlike last time, they could get a wage this time. After all, they were not helping with disaster relief.
Wangjiang Building was also under construction. It was all made of wood, not cement or iron. It should be ready for use next summer. The furniture bought from Lu Zhou was also on the way.
The building was too big. Wangjiang County issued a notice to recruit people from all over the country to work. They divided the work into sections and finally connected the sections. This way, the work speed would be faster.
Liu Zhirou, the Minister of the Ministry of Works, also brought people over to see how the bridge was built. At the same time, she also wanted to see the electric lights.
In addition to this matter, he also wanted to see his nephew. His nephew was now working for the Zhang family and was treated well. He was the only one who could enter the inner courtyard without signing a contract.
Of course, the places he could enter were restricted. It was impossible for him to enter just any courtyard, especially Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's courtyard. There was no need to even think about it. That would expose the two of them. One order after another was issued from this courtyard.
When Liu Zhirou arrived with a large group of people, there were already a lot of people gathered in the largest courtyard of the Zhang family. In addition to the people from the inner courtyard of the Zhang Family and Wang Family, there were also the three old men and Old Man Pi and Old Yao's families.
When Liu Zhirou came, he didn't inform them in advance. Therefore, even if the people from the Zhang family who stayed in the capital to collect information sent the news, no one went to pick him up.
When he entered the courtyard with his two followers, the first thing he smelled was the fragrance of the food. It smelled so good. He didn't eat anything at noon, so he was even hungrier now. After smelling the fragrance of the food, he couldn't wait to rush over and eat without caring about others.
After swallowing a few mouthfuls of saliva, Liu Zhirou finally found Old Man Pi and Old Man Yao. The two old men greeted him with their eyes and ignored him. Instead, they set their eyes on the stove used to cook.
Following the gaze of the two old men, Liu Zhirou suddenly widened his eyes as if he couldn't believe what he saw. The stove didn't burn firewood. Instead, there was a copper pipe connected to the back. The fire wasn't small, and the smell came from the pot when a chef was cooking.
At this time, the follower beside him also had an expression of disbelief. It was the first time he saw a fire that didn't need coal or firewood.
At this time, the chef had already finished cooking the dish. He looked at another pot that was steaming something and another pot that was stewing something. He brushed the big spoon in his hand and continued to cook the next dish.
There were already 11 dishes on the table, but no one ate them. They just let the dishes cool down. In addition to the three stoves that were burning, there were also four copper pipes with flames on top of them.
Liu Zhirou wasn't hungry this time. He was already attracted by the stove. It wasn't until someone coughed that he woke up. He put his mouth between Old Man Pi and Old Man Yao's heads and asked: "Old Minister Bi, Master Yao, what is this thing?"
"Uh-huh!" Old Man Pi deliberately coughed. Looking at Liu Zhirou's anxious appearance, he slowly said: "You haven't seen it before, right? Don't you think it's very strange? Think about a swamp somewhere. Someone put a bamboo tube in it and then lit it up. "
When Old Man Pi said this, Liu Zhirou understood. It was recorded in the book. So it was like this. But what was the gas used to store so much? Even if they took the biggest water tank and sealed it, it was impossible to store so little gas in three stoves and four burning pipes.
Liu Zhirou didn't understand, so she asked: "Old Minister Bi, what was used to store the gas in the swamp? It had to be something as big as a house, right? "
"Could it be that Minister Liu thought that the Zhang family had nothing better to do and spent a lot of money to make something to store gas and then come back to cook? This time, you didn't come in vain. You can see the bridge, you can see the light bulb, and you can also see this thing called marsh gas. You might not believe it, but the gas used to cook is made from feces, grass stalks, and other things.
As long as the place is big enough and there are a few of them, the gas can be used continuously. At night, you don't need to light an oil lamp, and you don't need to use firewood to cook. "
Old Man Pi shook his head and said. Liu Zhirou was stunned. She was afraid that Old Man Pi was lying to her, so she asked Old Man Yao: "Master Yao, is this true?"
"Why would I lie to you? This thing is good, but it's a pity that the Zhang family still wants to make money. The cement can't be taken out casually, and there's no need to think about the recipe. This thing can be used to build city walls. What if other people know about it? After the Zhang family makes money with the cement for two years, they will lower the price and build this marsh gas pool for the slightly wealthier people. "
Old Man Yao was reasonable. Even if he wanted the Zhang family to immediately sell the cement to the people and teach them how to make it, he couldn't not let the Zhang family make money. Otherwise, they wouldn't make things in the future.
Liu Zhirou was also used to the Zhang family's way of doing things. If they should take out something, they would definitely take it out. If they shouldn't take it out, they would also not take it out.
"What a pity. Wouldn't it be better to let the people of Tang use it earlier? It doesn't matter if it's used for cooking, but the oil lamp is very good. It's actually feces. I thought feces have no other use except for farming. Good, good. "
"Minister Liu may not know, but the feces can still be used to make fertilizer, and it's better than usual. If you raise dozens of pigs at home, you don't have to worry about not having enough feces. It's enough to support a big yard of more than 100 people.
More importantly, the Zhang family is prepared to replace the fertilizer for free, saying that it can increase grain production. They want to sell this fertilizer around the rich families. It can also be used to raise fish, but it can only be used in nearby places. It's not convenient to transport it far away.
Unless it's dried, it's not cost-effective and can't be bought at a high price. Later, I'll ask them to tell you how to do it, or I can go with you to your house and help you build a yard. I'll tell you, 50% discount. "
Old Man Bi told him everything that he knew. He also told him about the various twists and turns.
Liu Zhirou was depressed. Did she also have to spend money? 50% discount? You can just say it's half the price. It's not cheap. Her eyes were still fixed on the stove, and she said, "Don't worry, I'm not going back right away. It's not easy to come here. Who told the Zhang family to put on airs? If it were other people, they would just send an order directly to the capital."
At this time, the twelfth stir-fry dish was done. The steamed food was also finished, and there was still stewing.
Liu Zhirou knew it was time for her to show up. Just now, she didn't say anything, so they ignored her. Obviously, they knew each other, otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to enter the yard.
She took two steps forward and said to Zhang Zhong, who was standing in the yard, "Provincial Governor Zhang, congratulations, congratulations, you have another profitable business."
"Oh, it's Minister Liu. I didn't know Minister Liu was here, so I didn't welcome you, and …"
"Okay, don't talk about it. Don't be so polite with me. Later, you must tell me how to build this methane pool. When I return to the capital, I'll help people build a few more, especially in the palace. There are so many … What's the previous one? It's a waste. I think this one can also be used for heating, right?"
When Liu Zhirou saw that Zhang Zhong was about to start a polite conversation with her, she waved her hand and interrupted him. Her words were also very casual. She didn't want to distance herself from the Zhang family. Anyone who had a good relationship with the Zhang family would be able to get benefits. The good furniture in her house was sent by Lu Zhou, and it was very comfortable to use. They were genuine goods, not fake.
When Zhang Zhong saw that Liu Zhirou didn't speak in a bureaucratic tone, he also changed his tone and said, "There's no problem with heating. It's better than firewood and coal, and it doesn't emit smoke. If you really want to build it at home, you'll have to raise a few more pigs. It's better to dig a pond to raise fish, and build three ponds in rotation. Originally, it was said that there was no rotation, but I didn't figure it out, so I can only use the stupid method."
Zhang Zhong was speaking the truth, but Liu Zhirou didn't listen to him. Turning feces and grass stalks into things that could be used for lamps and stoves was a stupid method? He was being too modest.
Anyway, it was fine as long as it could be used in her house. It could save a lot of money for lamp oil and candles. If it could be used in the palace in the same way, it would save even more money. It would be a great merit.
Thinking about it, Liu Zhirou suddenly thought of the most important thing and asked, "Is it difficult to make this copper pipe?"
Zhang Zhong nodded and said, "Indeed. If it's not done well, it will leak. This is the most troublesome. After making dozens of pipes, you can only find two or three that are not a problem. As for the rest, you have to put them in water to see where they leak. You can also apply glue to the outside and paint them, but you have to be careful."
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