Fifteen miles south of Chang 'an City, Ang Lee was still busy researching the technology of tempered glass. According to the memory of his previous life, the manufacturing process of tempered glass was not complicated. It was simply to use a rapid cooling method to create a prestressing force inside the glass. This would greatly increase the temperature difference and impact resistance.
In order to test this theory, Ang Lee asked the craftsmen to use a man-made method to rapidly cool the glass. Then, they would use a hard object to knock on the glass to determine the performance of the test glass.
"Assistant Minister Li, this medicinal jade is so precious. Are we really going to smash it?"
The craftsmen suspected that they had misheard and hurriedly asked.
Ang Lee nodded and said, "If you want to smash it, first use a little less strength. Then gradually increase the strength. First use a flat-headed wooden mallet."
The craftsmen obeyed and took a flat-headed wooden mallet. They gently smashed it on the processed medicinal jade. There was no damage at all.
"Increase the strength a little."
Ang Lee continued to give orders.
"Dong, dong, dong …"
The craftsmen gradually increased the strength and knocked on the medicinal jade. However, even after using a lot of strength, they still could not break the medicinal jade glass. Not even a crack could be seen.
"Good, very good. This medicinal jade can withstand the attack of the wooden mallet. It's already very powerful. Come, change to the iron hammer."
Li An was quite satisfied with the improved glass. At the very least, its performance was much better than ordinary glass that hadn't been treated.
The craftsmen picked up the iron hammer and smashed it on the medicinal jade. There was no reaction. After increasing the strength, cracks appeared on the surface of the medicinal jade. However, it did not break.
"Continue to increase the strength until the medicinal jade is completely smashed."
Ang Lee ordered loudly.
The craftsmen obeyed and continued to increase the strength. The surface of the medicinal jade was badly damaged. However, even after using a lot of strength, the medicinal jade was still not completely smashed into pieces.
"Assistant Minister Li, we just used a strong wind to blow it. This medicinal jade is actually so hard. No wonder it's called tempered medicinal jade. It's really amazing."
The craftsmen were all dumbfounded, sighing at the wonders of creation.
Ang Lee was also very excited. The tempered glass experiment was successful. Next, he could safely change all the windows of the mansion to glass materials. In addition, he also wanted to build an outdoor sunroom that could block the wind so that he could lie in it and bask in the sun during leisure time. In addition, the vegetable greenhouse could also be transformed into medicinal jade. The silk of the ceiling was torn off and replaced with tempered medicinal jade.
"You have to make more Medicinal Jade Molds of these sizes to be tempered. As for the Medicinal Jade Mirror, you can only make a one-foot square mirror and a palm-sized mirror. Remember, the Medicinal Jade Mirror cannot be tempered."
Ang Lee took out a piece of paper and asked the craftsman to make it according to his requirements.
"Assistant Minister Li, this is too much. I'm afraid it will be difficult to do it in a short time. There is only one furnace that can be used in the blast furnace, and the newly recruited apprentices are not skilled and can't do it quickly."
Now there was only one Medicinal Jade Blast Furnace that could be used in the processing plant. The remaining nine were still under construction. It was naturally difficult to fully meet Ang Lee's requirements. The craftsmen felt a lot of pressure.
"It's okay. I'm not urging you. Just do it slowly. Don't be lazy."
Ang Lee told the craftsmen not to be nervous and stepped into the room where the steam engine was developed to further study the steam engine.
After continuous research and improvement, the prototype of the steam engine had come out. After all, the principle of this thing was really simple. If it were not for the limitation of the material strength, it would have been made long ago.
Of course, Ang Lee also had to admire the wisdom and tenacity of the people of this era. Under such backward conditions, there were many things that Ang Lee did not dare to have much hope for, but they were still made by these clever craftsmen. Moreover, they could also think about the problem from another perspective according to the principles explained by Ang Lee and solve the problems they encountered. This surprised Ang Lee.
The ancient people were still very smart. For example, how historical miracles such as the Great Wall and the Pyramids were made under such backward conditions in ancient times had always been a mystery. They were even suspected to be made by aliens.
Similarly, the craftsmen of the Tang Dynasty were also very smart. Moreover, they each had their own unique skills that were unknown to the later generations, so they could solve many thorny problems. This was very beneficial for Ang Lee to develop a lot of science for the later generations.
Many times, Li An only needed to propose a concept, and these craftsmen would immediately come up with a countermeasure. However, these countermeasure methods were something that Li An had yet to grasp. It was also something that he had not learned in his previous life. Thus, during the development process, Li An and these craftsmen learned from each other and improved together. Both sides learned a lot of knowledge that they did not know before.
After such a long period of development, these craftsmen gradually understood the principle of the steam engine. Once it was successful, it could provide a huge tractive force for the iron locomotive, which would completely change the transportation conditions of the Tang Dynasty and greatly enhance the international influence of the Tang Dynasty. At the thought of this, these craftsmen were very excited, and their enthusiasm for the development of the steam engine was naturally higher.
According to the current development progress, Ang Lee was confident that the steam engine test would be successful within half a year, and the steam locomotive that could be operated would be successful within two years. In this way, the transportation conditions of the Tang Dynasty would be qualitatively improved. All the knowledge about the steam locomotive was only known to Ang Lee and a dozen craftsmen. These craftsmen were all people with families. As long as they lived a rich life, there was no possibility of them escaping the Tang Dynasty. As long as he controlled these craftsmen, the technology of the steam locomotive would not be leaked in the future.
Every time he made progress in this research and development project, Li An would be excited for a long time. After all, among all the inventions and creations, none of them could compare to the steam locomotive. The industrial revolution of the future began with the invention of the steam engine.
The time for the spring plowing was quickly approaching. All the people of the Great Tang were busy with the spring plowing, and all the officials of the various levels of government were busy managing the matters related to the spring plowing. They were incredibly busy.
Due to the arrival of the spring ploughing, most of the workers in the major mines returned home to work. The mining progress of the mines slowed down, and the demand for gunpowder naturally decreased. For this reason, Ang Lee only went to the black gunpowder workshop once to prepare a large amount of finished gunpowder. The rest of the time was spent on developing various practical mechanical equipment. Occasionally, he would go to the Imperial College to explain the knowledge of pinyin to the group of scholars. Of course, he also had a lot of leisure time.
During the busiest time of the spring ploughing, Ang Lee took his family to travel outside the city in a carriage under the protection of Duan Xiushi and other Yulin Royal Guards.
Going out to travel in the spring could also be called a spring outing. It was a very comfortable thing to do. It could cultivate one's character and make one's body and mind comfortable. Of course, with Yan Ruyu and Grass to accompany him, this feeling was even more comfortable. Of course, if Duan Xiushi and the dozen Yulin Royal Guards could disappear, it would be even better. Ang Lee never liked third wheels.
"My husband, the scenery here is so beautiful!"
Yan Ruyu hadn't gone out for a long time. As soon as she entered the Fan Chuan, she was excited and sighed with emotion.
"No matter how beautiful the scenery here is, it is not as beautiful as my wife. Come, let your husband enjoy it."
Ang Lee hugged Yan Ruyu and stared at Yan Ruyu's face to admire.
"My husband, don't be so naughty. Grass is still in the carriage."
Yan Ruyu gently pushed Ang Lee away.
"My wife, Grass is not an outsider. What's the matter?"
"Aiya, you are so annoying."
"My wife, there is a pavilion on the mountain in front. Why don't we go up and enjoy the scenery? Standing on a high place, you can enjoy more scenery. "
Ang Lee lifted the curtain and saw the small pavilion on the mountain not far away.
"My husband, this is too high. But since my husband likes it, let's climb up!"
Yan Ruyu agreed readily. If she disobeyed Ang Lee, she knew that it would make Ang Lee unhappy. Moreover, she also wanted to stand on a high place and experience the feeling of looking down at the mountains.
After getting off the carriage, Li An held onto Yan Ruyu's arm and climbed to the top of the mountain. Cao 'er followed closely behind them. Duan Xiushi and the other bodyguards split into two groups. One group led the way in front to investigate the situation, while the other group followed behind. However, under Li An's request, they were relatively far away. They were about thirty paces apart, so it was difficult to be heard if they spoke softly.
"My wife, what's wrong? Can't walk?"
Ang Lee asked with concern when he saw that Yan Ruyu was sweating profusely and seemed to be unable to walk.
"My husband, let's rest for a while! I'm too tired. "
Yan Ruyu was indeed unable to walk. She held onto Ang Lee's arm and refused to leave.
"We've only walked a third of the way and you're already unable to walk. How can this be? If we continue to climb like this, it will be dark by the time we reach the top. Come, your husband will carry you."
As Li An spoke, he carried Yan Ru Yu in his arms and strode towards the top of the mountain.
"Alang, my wife, slow down. Wait for me."
Grass ran up the mountain while panting. However, she was just a young woman. How could she keep up with Ang Lee's pace? Soon, she couldn't keep up and felt abandoned.
"My husband, slow down. Grass can't keep up."
Yan Ruyu felt sorry for her dowry and asked Ang Lee to stop.
Ang Lee smiled and shouted down, "Grass, you don't have to worry. Just climb slowly. Alang and my wife are waiting for you at the top."
After that, he continued to climb up the mountain, leaving behind a young Grass with a pout.
The scenery at the top of the mountain was even more beautiful. Of course, the nearby scenery couldn't be seen. What was beautiful was the scenery at the foot of the mountain. Standing in the pavilion, looking as far as the eye could see, the foot of the mountain was covered with a layer of tender green, full of the charm of life.
Further away, there was a group of farmers working. The farmers added a lively atmosphere to the field. Standing at a high place, Ang Lee felt a sense of superiority. That feeling was really wonderful. No wonder everyone was greedy for power and wanted to stand at a high place and look down on all living things. That feeling was really good and intoxicating.
"My husband, there are so many farmers working in the distance! They are really working hard! "
Yan Ruyu pointed at the faraway farmers and said with emotion.
"Yes! They are all honest people and the cornerstone of the Tang Empire. Without these people, there would be no Tang Empire. But they are indeed the most and the most difficult group. "
Ang Lee considered the problem from a higher point of view, which made Yan Ruyu a little confused.
"My husband, the two in front seem to be women. Do you think so?"
Yan Ru Yu looked at a field not too far away and pointed at the place she was looking at.
Ang Lee glanced at it and smiled slightly. He took out the binoculars from his arms and stood behind Yan Ruyu to look. He found that they were two men, but their hair was not done well and they were far away, so Yan Ruyu saw wrongly.
"My wife, they are obviously two men. How can they be women? You saw wrong. "
Ang Lee quickly put away the binoculars and corrected her.
"No, they are obviously women. Do you dare to bet with me?"
Yan Ruyu believed in her judgment and dared to bet.
"What if I lose?"
"My husband, what do you think?"
Ang Lee smiled slyly and said softly, "If my wife loses, you have to agree to any of my requests. You can't go back on your word. If I lose, it's the same. What do you think?"
"Okay, it's settled."
Yan Ruyu was full of confidence. After a pause, she frowned and said, "My husband, that field is far from the foot of the mountain. How can we prove whether they are men or women? Do we have to run over to see what is going on? I can't run. "
"You don't have to run over in person. Just use the binoculars and see."
Ang Lee smiled naughtily. He took out the binoculars from his arms again and handed it to Yan Ruyu.
"My husband, what is this? Is it called binoculars?"
Yan Ruyu obviously didn't know how to use it.
"Come on, let me teach you how to use it."
Ang Lee put the binoculars on Yan Ruyu's right eye and pointed to the farmland in the distance.
"How is it? Is it a man or a woman?"
Ang Lee smiled even more naughtily.
"How can you see it so clearly?"
Yan Ruyu was completely shocked. She even forgot about the bet with Ang Lee.
"My wife, this is the binoculars. It can see things very far away. How is it? You lose."
Li An said unyieldingly.
"No, my husband is cheating. Just now, my husband must have used the binoculars to see, so you can be sure that they are men. It's not fair."
Yan Ruyu suddenly felt that she was fooled and fell into Ang Lee's trap.
"My wife, I didn't cheat! You didn't say that binoculars are not allowed! It's not against the rules for me to use the binoculars! "
Ang Lee smiled and quibbled.
"Well, let's guess again. Is the pedestrian on the left in front a man or a woman?"
Yan Ruyu was too lazy to argue with Ang Lee. She directly used the binoculars to see a pedestrian and asked.
Ang Lee smiled and took out another binoculars from his arms. He glanced at it and said, "It's a woman with a basket in her hand."
"Wow, my husband, you have another one in your hand. Give it to me, too. Hum."
Yan Ruyu said coquettishly.
"My wife, the woman stopped. Guess what's in the basket in her hand?"
Ang Lee asked again with a smile.
Yan Ruyu looked at it with the binoculars. She couldn't see it clearly at all. She could only see that there was something in the basket, but she couldn't see what it was.
"My husband, I can't see what's in the basket with the binoculars!"
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