Rise of Rurik - Chapter 622

[Chapter 623 The Power of the Furnace]

The two huge furnaces were emitting blue smoke, and when one looked closely, more flames spewed out, like two erupting volcanoes.

Rurik came quietly and did not attract anyone’s attention.

But I saw that there are shirtless men everywhere, many of them have scars on their bodies, and many have gray beards.

It is obviously a cold period, why do they dress so coolly?

Not only them, Rurik stood here, and even took off his entourage to keep out the cold coat.

Because there are not only two clay blast furnaces, but also a group of traditional small furnaces, which are the hot core of the Roseburg industrial area.

He soon saw a familiar figure.

It’s Kawhi!

A muscular young man yelled, and another group of men lined up with their clay molds.

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Kawei personally held a common iron rod, and seeing that there were a lot of people in line, he suddenly roared: “The slag is here!”

He pierced the slag channel at the bottom of the blast furnace, and the hot and viscous silicate material flowed out quickly.

As fertilizer, they flowed to the side along the preset groove saved by iron ore, and soon someone splashed it with water from melting snow.

Suddenly, the pungent steam exploded…

The strong steam even hit Rurik’s face. He squinted his eyes and held his breath, watching the steam gradually dissipate.

He saw that the slag had turned into a large pile of cracked black matter, which was still steaming, and was quickly beaten by the helpers with shovels and hammers, and a large amount of broken slag was shoveled aside and scattered on the ground. Mountains of slag forming hillocks.

Apparently even the slag was of great use, and Rurik guessed its role almost instantly—to act as a filler stone with which to cement the raw concrete.

It’s true that these silicate slags are mostly silica, and better yet, they don’t contain sea salt, making them good concrete fillers.

In other words, if everything is historically inevitable, the cement industry of Soviet Russia in history was particularly good at using these metallurgical wastes, water slag, and now the Duchy of Ross, which is suddenly interested, has a very limited cement industry. Water slag is used to make concrete Material is actually a beautiful destiny.

After the initial processing of the slag, Kawei yelled again: “Molten iron is coming! Brothers, get ready!”

Those who run the rotary blowers, they’re sweaty.

Each furnace has three air inlets and three blowers, and each blower is operated by two people.

They are blast furnaces, not those of extreme size, where the molten ore that can be placed inside is limited, so the demand for the air intake of the blower is not extreme.

With the current technical level of the Ross people, both blast furnaces can operate reasonably.

Oxygen was poured in at a high intensity, and molten iron was accumulated at the bottom of it. As Kawei pierced the tap hole, bright yellow pig iron gushed out quickly and was injected into the prepared mold with flames.

Kawei has been able to control the amount of iron tapping more accurately, so the people waiting with the molds have also been quantitatively controlled.

When one mold is filled, it is pulled aside by the iron to wait for natural cooling, and as many as fifty molds are lined up to be filled one after another.

What is this casting?

Rurik is estimated to be the most common iron axe.

After all, all the castings were made of pig iron, and it was precisely because of the high carbon content that Ross could melt the ore with such a crude technology. As a price for the crudeness, don’t expect to use it as a knife.

However, it is quite suitable as a tool such as a hammer and ax that can be used in a variety of environments. Of course, it is not as good as the magical goods made of ferrochrome. Taking advantage of the cost advantage, they beat up the fellow blacksmiths of the Granites.

The fact is that the traditional instrumental ironware of the Ross people has already monopolized the Birka market in an instant by relying on its cost-effective advantage. It is equivalent to occupying the Swedish market during this period. .

Rurik just watched them complete the casting of a furnace of iron, and he even felt that Kawei had made preparations, and he was stuck at the time of casting the iron to demonstrate to himself, which is the so-called flattery?

Maybe it’s just a coincidence.

Kawei did not notice Rurik. He and his people have been busy with metal smelting for the past year. Looking at these two blast furnaces, it is normal to smelt molten iron, and occasionally smelt bronze. .

It is even more efficient to use this furnace to smelt pure copper water and bronze, but copper ore is not as good as iron ore Fuji.

“Good job! Brothers, let’s make persistent efforts, put in ore charcoal, let’s continue!”

Kawei gave the order, and in no time, someone took the materials onto the scorching earth platform, and threw them one after another into the mouth of the cupola that roasted people to ashes in almost a minute.

“They continue to smelt? It’s amazing, our Ross is so great, it should be seen by people in my hometown.” Yefro said with emotion.

This remark reminded Rurik: “The one hundred Suomi shooters haven’t come home yet, maybe they shouldn’t simply be asked to cut wood. Send them here to work? In my opinion, they are too thin.”

“Then let them carry the ore. My lord, I know what you think. You see, these two furnaces are monsters that devour ore. If Kawei and the others work so hard, the ore supply will definitely not be enough…”

“You?” Rurik turned his head and glared at Evro with a smile: “You can see that the supply of ore for the furnace is insufficient? You are much wiser than many people. Simply being a martial artist is a talent, and you are me. The person I like! I already know your idea, it may be feasible, and I agree. Let’s go! Let’s see the Kawei brothers.”

Rurik’s visit did not arouse Kawei’s surprise, he also came quietly before.

After some questioning, Kawei answered fluently, but even if it was an inspection, it would be too uncomfortable to continue to stay in this hell like a flaming mountain.

“Kawwie, wipe your sweat off. We’re assembled in your council chambers. You! Metal smelting, you’re a hero!”

Kawei was very happy to be praised, and because of this praise, he also knew that Rurik would issue a new major decree.

Make big money?

Indeed, I and my friends worked together to run the large-scale “blacksmith shop”, all blacksmith families made a fortune, and the helpers also got good income.

But Kawhi’s mind has long been infected by the dream of “Atomic Theory”.

He no longer feels that he is just smelting iron and copper, but understanding and using the power of Thor God, even…

Kawei, he often stared at the wooden board that Rurik directed to carve, which was a rough version of the periodic table.

He stared at the gold marked with the Roman letters AU, eager to create it!

Perhaps that was too impractical, but he had become Rus’s number one master metallurgist in the non-stop operation of blast furnaces and ordinary furnaces.

This is what Rurik wants to see the most. Kawei has clearly surpassed his father by far.

However, Rose’s metallurgical industry cannot be based on a few super craftsmen. The metallurgical industry needs a whole, a group of people to do it full-time, and immediately expand production.

Kawhi had changed into fur clothes, but the smell of charcoal and rust still lingered.

Kawei tried his best to suppress his excitement, and asked casually: “If you don’t mind, can you tell me what you want to order…”

“It doesn’t matter.” Rurik pointed to the stove, “I want to further expand the production capacity. Even if we don’t rely on war and plunder, we can still make a lot of money by selling iron.”

“That’s a great thing! Don’t we already do that? Maybe you don’t think it’s enough. But…”

“Yes! A lot of problems! Don’t worry, I will make arrangements and try my best to solve the problems.”

“That would be wonderful.”

The blacksmiths had established an industrial alliance a few years ago. At the beginning, it was just a series of “specialized blacksmiths”. Now they are an organization that advances and retreats together, relying on the contract with Rurik to carry out activities.

Their production activities have always been endorsed by the Duke of Ross, and the development of the industry has always been smooth.

Due to the needs of the internal infrastructure of the Principality of Ross, an unprecedentedly large domestic demand market is taking shape.

Where there is demand, there is a market, and where there is a market, there is profit.

All the blacksmith families spontaneously formed the leaders of the Ross industry. Even if they did not need Rurik’s administrative orders and succumbed to the power of capital, they would inevitably start to develop.

The heavy industry of metal smelting is by no means simply melting ore into a liquid state and then processing it into utensils. It actually drives various supporting industries, and directly or indirectly allows a group of relatively unemployed people to invest in new production, thus sharing the industrial dividend. .

The state machinery of the Principality of Ross is in operation!

What Rurik sees is that many people are accumulating wealth around the heavy industry of the primary industry. Many people do not need to participate in wars and plunder, or even do fishing. to benefit.

He has nothing to be emotional about. After all, the metallurgical industry of heavy industry is the foundation of a country’s rise.

No, the parents of all five blacksmith families gathered in their shared chamber.

Not only them, but Kamne and Lilica also came. It seems strange that the two of them appeared among the white-bearded old men, but they have now become a small but important pillar of Ross’s industrial power.

If it is necessary to gather people engaged in light and heavy industries in Roseburg, and hundreds of craftsmen with various skills gather together, the “Ros Duma” hall of the Ross Principality will become extremely important.

The gathered old guys looked at each other happily, and when Rurik entered the room, the eyes projected over again.

Rurik also smiled, and sat cross-legged on the leather cushion casually, and ordered his followers to stand guard at the door.

“The room is quite warm, and the flame in the fireplace may be able to increase a bit.” He said casually.

With a smile, Clavasen still put in new charcoal blocks, claiming: “It is easy to make charcoal, and we are not short of charcoal here.”

Thus, their negotiations kicked off.

Everyone is very familiar with each other, and Rurik will undoubtedly do meaningless politeness. First, a few polite greetings are in the main body of the picture book.

What he wants to know most is exactly how many people are engaged in metal smelting affairs, and more specifically, how many labors have been employed by this group of senior blacksmiths.

Here, even if the old Clavasen suddenly aged very badly, he was too senior and had the greatest right to speak.

“We employ two hundred workers of all kinds, and they provide all kinds of labor for the operation of our various furnaces. In addition, there are at least twenty potters who supply us with molds, and even more people who make charcoal. We It is not an employment relationship with them. They sell molds and charcoal, and several of our families give them money. The supply of molds and charcoal is very stable, and there has been no problem until now. If there is a problem, it is the problem that you can understand best. My lord, we The ore supply is not stable…”

Rurik was listening, Clavassen said, his mind analyzing.

Indeed, although the clay mold is a disposable utensil, it can be discarded after the metal casting is completed.

The damaged mold is crushed into powder and re-characterized, and it can be shaped again after new firing.

Clay mines are not rare here in Roseburg. In addition, the molds can be reused. The craftsmen who make the molds can indeed be busy working every day to make money. to a large number of moulds.

As for the only fuel charcoal, the woods near Fort Rose are still luxuriant, although those tall oaks and pine logs have been cut down for ship materials a long time ago, and other trees have been cut down to make charcoal, no one feels sorry.

Even, people are happy to see the disappearance of nearby forests, so that the people of Roseburg can successfully obtain land from nature for production and living.

“Ore supply problem? Let me guess, you are seriously short of labor force!” Rurik’s words were decisive, and he expected this to be the crux of the future development.

Old Clavassen probed, and all the other old guys probed.

“Exactly. Your Excellency! As for the number of men and women who dig mines, we brothers really haven’t calculated it carefully. There are even women who carry rattan baskets and carry tools to dig rocks in the mountains. We don’t care whether the miners are men or not.” Yes girl, as long as they bring the ore, we will pay the same labor fee. Even so, the supply of iron ore is not enough, so your dozens of small blacksmiths, on average… will go to the mountains in five days Collective mining.” Kravassen described it in this way.

“Is that so? I really don’t know much. You really need a lot of ore?” Rurik almost knowingly asked.

Kawei puffed up his chest and snatched the white: “Of course we need ore in particular. You said that we can make a fortune selling Ross ironware, and it is true. For the prosperity of our Ross, I will take responsibility. I will desperately Ask the brothers to stop production. Do you know that the blast furnace flame has never been extinguished in the wind and snow. I dare say that the long-burning furnace will only be truly extinguished when the blast furnace collapses naturally at the end of its life.”

Kawei’s words were very uplifting, and Rurik was in a good mood. After thinking about it a little bit, Kawei’s description is also very scientific. After all, even if it is a clay blast furnace, the operation of burning fine charcoal with the help of a blower will heat the furnace. The cost is also expensive.

A wise man will keep it smelting ore, and keep it at a high temperature, so as to avoid spending a lot of time and materials on the furnace.

Since dozens of blacksmith apprentices were going to dig mines in person, of course Rurik knew whether their digging operations would turn into collective mining for four or five days, and he immediately asked Kamne who was present.

“My lord.” The young man’s attitude was extremely flattering: “It is true. We have been mining frequently, and finally we can guarantee that the furnace will continue to produce iron. It is my honor to serve Ross, and I am willing to be tired.”

Rurik laughed out loud: “You boy, your words are full of flattery. It’s okay, you boy is much stronger than the boys in your hometown. Work hard, I will find you a woman next year, and I will find you more in the future Woman, give me a large group of highly skilled blacksmiths.”

Hearing this, Kamne blushed immediately, which also caused the others to laugh, and the laughter became more and more wanton.

Old Clavasen patted his chest and smiled: “This boy will indeed reach the age next year, and according to the tradition, he should get married. My lord, you have married more than ten wives and concubines. In my opinion, you value this boy so much. We brothers also feel stuck.” This child, Mne, is trustworthy. It is indeed not enough to find one woman for him, at least three or four are needed.”

“Okay, I’ll make a note of this first.” After finishing speaking, Rurik kicked the shy Kamne and shouted: “Brother, work hard, I have more important things for you Woolen cloth.”

After some inquiries about substantive issues, Rurik had an understanding of the exact production capacity of iron and bronze wares in a corner of Roseburg.

Its number is actually not that high, but compared to other feudal kingdoms in continental Europe, the Eastern Roman Empire is probably the only force with a higher production capacity than Roseburg.

Of course, this is not only because the furnace in Roseburg has been producing iron frequently. Its biggest advantage is that the Principality of Rose is now guarding the best quality iron ore veins in Europe. The iron oxide and even magnet content exceed 70% or even 80%. This is indeed the only ore in China, and what is even more crazy is that guarding the only chromite ore, Elronburg in the north is still producing magical stainless steel.

[End of this Chapter]