Ji Yuan said in surprise, “Isn’t the water mill just used for hulling rice and grinding flour?”
Although the water mill could indeed greatly reduce the manpower needed for hulling rice and grinding flour, in terms of the value it created, it still couldn’t compare to the glass workshop, could it?
Fu Tinghan said, “If the water mill workshop succeeds, then I can create a hydraulic forging press.”
Ji Yuan looked completely confused, “What is that?”
But seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes light up, he knew it was a good thing.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Just focus on your research. Tell me what you need, and I’ll have people get it for you.”
Fu Tinghan smiled and said, “I know. Water mills existed since the two Han dynasties. Previously, people in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Works should have known how to manufacture them. I just drew diagrams based on the power transmission system, but they may not necessarily be correct. The water mills being built now are all single-belt, precisely because I’m afraid that if there’s an error, the cost would be too high.”
Ji Yuan asked, “The Ministry of Works?”
“That’s the department responsible for construction projects,” Zhao Hanzhang casually explained, then said to Fu Tinghan, “Such talented people should be in the Ministry of Agriculture, the Construction Department, and the Water Department.”
The Western Jin didn’t have a so-called Ministry of Works. The functions of the Ministry of Works were dispersed, divided into the Agricultural Bureau, Construction Department, and Water Department, all under the management of the Winter Palace, with the Grand Minister of Works as the chief official.
But the Grand Minister of Works also reported to the Minister of the Secretariat. Very coincidentally, Zhao Zhongyu was the Minister of the Secretariat.
Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment before saying, “Previously, the officials of note either followed the Emperor in his move to Yuncheng or were killed by Shi Le. However, their family members may have remained in Luoyang. I’ll have people search for them.”
In this era, knowledge was monopolized, and so were craftsmen.
Some craftsmen only knew how to do the work at hand and didn’t understand the underlying principles. Those who truly mastered knowledge were still the aristocratic officials.
They weren’t the liberal arts students that later generations might imagine. There were many in the sciences too.
Of course, in the two Jin dynasties, not only were there outstanding liberal arts students, but there were also philosophers, military strategists, physicians, and Mohists, and even astronomers who made prominent contributions.
All of these, each and every one, she wanted.
The rise of a power should absolutely not be outstanding in only one aspect. To win the hearts of all people, it couldn’t be separated from philosophers and writers, and the other schools were equally indispensable.
Ji Yuan sat quietly to the side, waiting for them to finish speaking before continuing to ask, “Young master, what is a hydraulic forging press?”
Fu Tinghan came back to himself and explained, “It’s used for forging iron and refining steel.”
He said, “Currently we have three iron mines in our hands, and I’ve sent people out to search for new iron mines. In the future, the number of mines needing to be mined will only increase. Right now, one mine consumes between three thousand to eight thousand laborers, and the workers behind the mine who smelt iron tools and steel also exceed eight thousand, nearly ten thousand.”
“Yet so many people forging weapons and armor still can’t keep up with the supply our army needs. The efficiency is too low,” Fu Tinghan said. “Hanzhang’s directly commanded Zhao Family Army has the greatest armor coverage rate, with each soldier having three to five iron plates, with an average of 4.3. Next is Second Brother’s Zhao Family Army, with an average of 3.7.”
“The Xiliang Army has 3.4. When calculated individually like this, it seems everyone has iron plates protecting their vital areas, but the Yuzhou Army only has 0.8, and the Zhao Family Army, when including ordinary soldiers, only has 1.2, which means the armor coverage rates are all not high.”
Ji Yuan was stunned and asked, “When did the young master calculate these figures?”
“I’ve always been responsible for the army’s military supplies. I’ve always had the data,” Fu Tinghan continued facing Zhao Hanzhang. “In the end, it’s still because the smelting and forging efficiency is too low. A person must lift a hammer weighing dozens of pounds to strike iron, exerting enough force to forge iron and steel. Even the most excellent blacksmith can only continuously hammer for half a two-hour period, and people can’t swing hammers continuously for twelve two-hour periods a day.”
Fu Tinghan said, “But water can.”
He said, “Besides the forging press, water power can also make bellows. Currently, the high temperatures needed for steel refining use draft horses at all three iron mines, but we don’t have enough horses. Occasionally people have to do it too, causing very serious injuries to the laborers. The iron mine in Runan even had an incident of workers being injured, so I want to try water排.”
His voice was low, “Once the forging press and water-powered bellows are feasible, then the weapons we can make are too numerous. Armor can be improved to be stronger, thinner, and even more flexible; crossbow mechanisms can also be improved…”
Ji Yuan had already closed his mouth, just watching the two of them discuss that hydraulic forging press thing and the things they wanted to do after its success. His lord even envisioned having every soldier wear full armor, and even putting armor on the horses.
He scoffed inwardly, thinking they were completely daydreaming. The lady only dared to speak of such things with Master Fu. If it were anyone else, who would listen to her speak such fanciful nonsense?
But… why did he feel so expectant?
Everything Fu Tinghan had done seemed to have succeeded.
Ji Yuan thought of how several golden eggs of the Zhao Family Army were laid by Fu Tinghan, and his mood couldn’t help but surge with excitement. What if… it actually succeeded?
And to create a hydraulic forging press, they first had to create a water mill. After confirming its feasibility, they could further improve the technology.
Fu Tinghan was right. This water mill workshop was much more important than the glass workshop. Ji Yuan also became serious. After the two finished their discussion, he said, “Young master, if you lack anything, just tell me too. I will do my utmost to find it for you.”
Fu Tinghan smiled and said, “I only lack people—people who know how to construct water mills, craftsmen with fine skills, and also…”
He glanced at Zhao Hanzhang before saying, “Also people familiar with astronomy.”
“Astronomy?” Ji Yuan asked curiously, “What does this water mill have to do with astronomy?”
Fu Tinghan said leisurely, “As far as I know, some astronomical instruments in our current dynasty have also attempted to use water power in their construction, so I think they should know something.”
“The Grand Astrologer…” Ji Yuan seriously searched his mind. After a moment, he said, “If I remember correctly, the Grand Astrologer is called Li Wen. He doesn’t seem to be on Shi Le’s list of those killed, so he should have gone to Yuncheng with His Majesty.”
Fu Tinghan looked toward Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang considered briefly before saying, “I’ll write a letter to Great Uncle in a while.”
Whether they could invite the person over was uncertain, but at least they could exchange letters and share some knowledge. Of course, if they could snatch, oh no, invite the person over, that would be even better.
Ji Yuan smiled as he saw Fu Tinghan off to rest. Only after the person was out of sight did he turn back, “The young master is devoted to his work and doesn’t pay much attention to outside matters. Naturally, he doesn’t know the lady’s intentions. The lady isn’t angry that the young master ordered Xiao Wei’s execution, is she?”
“No.”
Ji Yuan said, “I also think the lady wouldn’t be angry. Second Master is magnanimous and close to the young master, so he certainly won’t take it to heart. But the people around Second Master may not be the same.”
He said, “When the lord is humiliated, the servant dies. This achievement was originally Second Master’s, and it was also left by the lady for Second Master to establish his authority. The young master suddenly took it. There’s no guarantee someone won’t feel indignant.”
“Even the best of relationships can’t withstand people sowing discord again and again.” Ji Yuan sighed. “Back then, although the Old Lord and the Second Grand Lord had a strained relationship, their brotherhood was not shallow. Later, Empress Jia repeatedly sowed discord, which gradually deepened the rift, until it became what it was in the end.”
Zhao Hanzhang immediately became alert. “I understand.”