Steelmaking was no easy task. Pei Ying roughly remembered that iron smelting methods varied across different eras.
China entered the Iron Age towards the end of the Spring and Autumn period. By the time of the Qin dynasty, people began layering iron ore with charcoal and placing them together into a blast furnace, producing wrought iron with relatively high impurities.
Later, during the Han dynasty, iron smelting technology advanced, giving rise successively to the "Hundred Refinements Method" and the "Puddling Method." It was also during this era that steel, tougher than cast iron and harder than wrought iron, began to appear.
However, due to the relatively backward smelting methods and complex procedures, the quality of steel produced at this time was far inferior to that of later generations.
As time progressed to the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the "Co-Fusion Steelmaking Method," recorded in the Tiangong Kaiwu, emerged. This method involved pouring molten cast iron onto wrought iron, producing steel through the carbon difference between the two, resulting in a qualitative leap in steel quality compared to the Han dynasty.
When the Ming dynasty arrived, the Co-Fusion Steelmaking Method was refined, giving birth to the "Su Steel Method," which is still in use today. This method involved placing cast iron at the furnace mouth, allowing it to melt and drip into the furnace to react with the wrought iron inside.
This process somewhat resembled a titration experiment in acid-base neutralization, allowing for relatively precise control of the proportions of the two materials, thereby influencing the carbon content in the iron-carbon alloy.
Pei Ying looked at the various methods listed in her little notebook. First, she crossed out the "Hundred Refinements Method" with a charcoal pencil. "Too slow. Hammering a single piece of iron for years? We don't have that much time."
"The Puddling Method seems to involve very tedious procedures... Forget it..." Pei Ying muttered to herself, then picked up her pen and crossed out the "Puddling Method" as well.
Currently, the Jingzhou army at Huaigu Pass had achieved a great victory over the allied forces of Yongzhou and Yizhou, while the situation at Dongmen Pass was deadlocked. To a certain extent, the warfare had temporarily eased. Therefore, Huo Tingshan, who wasn't exactly keen on being a loyal minister, found himself with a rare moment of leisure.
He sat beside Pei Ying, listening to her soft muttering, watching her beautiful eyes fixed unblinkingly on the small notebook, utterly focused, as if no living person sat beside her.
This state of hers was truly uncommon. Huo Tingshan watched with great interest, not finding it boring in the least.
Pei Ying spent two hours outlining the general process of iron smelting. In the end, she discarded the Su Steel Method and decided on the Co-Fusion Steelmaking Method.
Once the Co-Fusion Steelmaking Method was revealed to the world, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation, attracting the attention of various powers.
Unlike soap, which was merely a luxury item, this concerned weaponry. Various forces would likely unite and spare no effort to investigate the Co-Fusion Steelmaking Method.
It was inevitable that this method could not be kept secret. First, external forces were too powerful. Second, one should not underestimate ancient blacksmiths; ancient people were actually very clever.
Exploring forward from a single starting point and exploring towards each other from two confirmed points were not challenges of the same difficulty. The Co-Fusion Steelmaking Method becoming public knowledge was only a matter of time—perhaps just two years, or even less than one, before all the provinces knew of it.
She needed to hide another trump card, and that card was called the Su Steel Method.
Once the winds of the Co-Fusion Steelmaking Method had blown through every province, Youzhou could then quietly switch to the Su Steel Method to produce a batch of higher-quality steel.
After determining the steelmaking method, the next key focus was furnace temperature. The Co-Fusion Steelmaking Method required temperatures above 1300°C. How to increase the blast furnace temperature was a crucial matter. Furthermore, high furnace temperatures were not only needed for steelmaking but would also be involved in glass production later.
And it was precisely at this point that Pei Ying got stuck.
Stuck for an entire afternoon.
Huo Tingshan sat beside her, watching her write and sketch. Most of what she wrote was later crossed out by her, the papers crumpled into balls and tossed into a small bamboo basket beside her.
The originally empty little basket gradually filled up.
"My lady, it's getting late. Let's have our meal first," Huo Tingshan said, closing the small notebook in front of her.
Yet the moment he closed it, she immediately reopened it, her gaze returning to the booklet, not drifting towards him at all. "You go ahead. I'll join you later."
Pei Ying felt she was at a critical point, vaguely remembering something she had forgotten.
The tip of the iceberg had surfaced; the fog was about to clear.
She was just that close.
Just a little bit more!
How could she possibly think about eating at a time like this?
Pei Ying was locked in a battle of wills with the steelmaking furnace.
Huo Tingshan wanted to speak again: "My lady..."
Pei Ying couldn't bear any interference at that moment. She immediately turned her lotus-like face, now stern and cold, towards Huo Tingshan. The words he hadn't finished saying inexplicably died on his lips.
He had withdrawn, but his physique and frame were imposing. Even when he deliberately tempered his presence, he was still impossible to ignore.
Pei Ying looked at him, her fine brows gradually knitting together. "Get up."
Huo Tingshan didn't understand why, but he complied and stood up. Then he saw her rise as well and take his arm.
Did this mean she had changed her mind and would join him for the meal?
Excellent.
It wasn't until they reached the room door, walking side by side, that Huo Tingshan felt the arm "linked" with his let go. He was about to turn his head when he saw her take a step back, retreating into the room.
Immediately after—
Thud. The door was shut.
Huo Tingshan: "..."
Li Qiongqi traveled alone on horseback along the official road. He bore two wounds: one on his right shoulder, the other on his left lower back.
The former was inflicted by Huo Tingshan's iron-ridged serpent spear that day beneath the walls of Lingwen County; the latter was from a sneak attack by three men the previous night.
They had been dining at a courier station when he suddenly felt signs of weakness. Either the food had been tampered with, or the water wasn't clean. Regardless of the reason, when those three men abruptly turned on him, everything became clear.
They intended to kill him.
Apart from the initial success of the sneak attack, Li Qiongqi suffered no further losses. Even with a knife wound in his body and an injury to his shoulder blade, he managed to kill one of them.
Seeing his ferocity undiminished and having lost one of their own, the remaining two lost heart and fled for their lives.
Thus, what began as a party of four traveling together was now reduced to Li Qiongqi alone.
The Jingzhou Governor's Mansion was located in Jiangling County, Nan Commandery. Li Qiongqi traveled alone on horseback from north to south, taking a full five days to return to Jiangling.
The guards on the city walls all recognized him. In the past, the guards would always salute him respectfully upon seeing Li Qiongqi. But today, whether due to hearing certain rumors or for other reasons, Li Qiongqi felt the guards' expressions as they looked at him were somewhat peculiar.
But he was in a hurry to enter the palace and didn't dwell on it at the time.
The former Governor Cong of Jingzhou, Cong Liuqi, had declared himself emperor and was now Emperor Zhaoyuan. Having become emperor, how could he still reside in a mere governor's mansion? Therefore, the former governor's mansion was extensively renovated, transforming into a palace.
"Aiya, General Li, you've finally returned," said the newly appointed Zhongchangshi surnamed Zhao, who was on good terms with Li Qiongqi. He hurried forward upon seeing him. "His Majesty is in a towering rage. When you see him later, be cautious with your words. Make sure to explain properly what needs explaining."
His words weren't excessive, just two sentences, hinting enough.
Li Qiongqi's heart sank.
It seemed Hong Bei and Ximen Gong had returned to Jiangling ahead of him.
"I am aware. Thank you for the reminder, Chief Steward Zhao." Li Qiongqi left these words and strode inside.
He was in a hurry to see his superior.
Jiangling was once the imperial capital, home to a sprawling palace complex, but that was over five hundred years ago. Since then, the capital had moved successively to Chang'an and Luoyang, and this once-bustling city of Jiangling had gradually shed its former glory and prosperity.
The newly built palace lacked the weight of history, relying as much as possible on gilded opulence for grandeur, and its grounds were not particularly vast either.
After his report was relayed, Li Qiongqi was granted entry. He saw the man he wished to meet, and beside him, Poison Zhou—once an advisor, now enfeoffed as Chancellor.
"This humble general pays his respects to Your Majesty." Li Qiongqi performed a deep bow.
The former dynasty's preference for the color black had carried over to the current reign, and the imperial robes were likewise black. Cong Liuqi, who had declared himself emperor, now sat upon the dais dressed in profound black dragon robes and a crown with twelve strands of hanging beads. His expression was inscrutable as he gazed down at this once-beloved general.
Though his head was bowed, Li Qiongqi could still sense the slightly dissatisfied and scrutinizing gaze from the figure above.
"Yungui." The Zhaoyuan Emperor called Li Qiongqi by his courtesy name. "We require an explanation."
Li Qiongqi had prepared his account beforehand. He did not conceal anything, laying out the full story.
He told of how he first issued a challenge beneath the walls of Lingwen County, how he wounded two enemy commanders in succession, thereby drawing out Huo Tingshan. He spoke of the subsequent duel where he carelessly had his weapon seized by the opponent. Later, he led his troops in retreat to Shuixiang County, never expecting the enemy to launch a night raid. After that, he was captured, and of Huo Tingshan's order for him to choose men to return with.
Finally, Li Qiongqi said, "...This humble general underestimated the enemy."
Yes, looking back now, it was indeed his underestimation that was to blame.
His initial successive victories against two commanders had made him complacent. Huo, the Regional Inspector of Youzhou, was the commander-in-chief. It was well known that such a leader's prowess lay in outstanding strategy and command, not necessarily in formidable personal combat prowess. At the time, he had naturally assumed the opponent was merely as rumored—possessed of great natural strength—unaware of the man's cunning nature.
Once his Iron-ribbed Serpent Spear was seized and his shoulder wounded, the downward trend was inevitable...
The Zhaoyuan Emperor looked down at the bowing Li Qiongqi and spoke mildly, "Our beloved subject left Huaigu Pass with ten thousand soldiers. How many remain now?"
Shame coloring his face, Li Qiongqi replied, "Apart from this humble general, only Hong Bei and Ximen Gong remain."
Hearing him voluntarily mention these two, the Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly. "Since others survived, why did our subject come alone?"
Li Qiongqi: "This humble general had a falling out with them. Initially, Huo Tingshan ordered me to choose three men. Hong Bei, Ximen Gong, and Fu Xiong were not among my choices. After the three of them left with me, likely fearing being silenced, they plotted to strike first and kill me. Their plan failed, and instead, one of them was lost."
He had indirectly admitted to killing Fu Xiong.
The Zhaoyuan Emperor asked again, "Huo Tingshan captured you twice. Why did he not kill you?"
Li Qiongqi detected no suspicion in his tone, but knew well that doubts must exist, otherwise the question would not have been asked. "He wished for this humble general to pledge allegiance to Youzhou. He also said..."
Here, Li Qiongqi paused. He had been looking down, but now slowly raised his head. "...that Huo Tingshan also said Your Majesty, in order to destroy the Youzhou army, released a pestilence, treating the common people of Sizhou and even the border regions of Jingzhou as mere grass."
He saw clearly, as he spoke these words, a muscle in the right side of the face above him twitched slightly, as if involuntarily.
Li Qiongqi's heart was shocked.
What did this mean?
Could it be that what Huo Tingshan said was true?
"Nonsense!" came an angry shout from above.
Li Qiongqi felt slightly reassured.
Then, Poison Zhou at the side spoke up: "Huo Tingshan is a cunning man. General Li must not fall for his schemes."
Li Qiongqi hurriedly stated that of course he would not.
After his reply, the hall fell into silence.
The scrutiny from the ruler never ceased, but Li Qiongqi felt there was nothing more to say. All that needed to be told had been told, all explanations given.
He was not one for verbose, repeated justifications. Having said everything, the rest was up to the other's judgment.
Poison Zhou beside him hurriedly signaled to the Zhaoyuan Emperor with his eyes. After a moment of silence, the latter finally said, "We are aware. Yungui, you may withdraw for now."
Li Qiongqi bowed and took his leave.
Once he was gone, the Zhaoyuan Emperor spoke coldly: "In your view, Minister, has he turned traitor?"
Poison Zhou stroked his beard. "Likely not. Your Majesty showed him great favor. He owes his current position entirely to your promotion. General Li is not the type to forget such kindness."
"Ten thousand troops nearly wiped out. Fu Xiong dead by his hand. The painstakingly acquired Iron-ribbed Serpent Spear fallen into Huo Tingshan's grasp. You know of that spear, Minister. Even We were reluctant to part with it, yet We gave it to him out of appreciation for his talent." The Zhaoyuan Emperor's heart ached at the thought.
That iron was rare in the world. He possessed only that one piece. And now, it had been taken by Huo Tingshan.
"To release a man based on a mere 'appreciation for talent'—how can you be sure, Minister, that is not merely an excuse?" The Zhaoyuan Emperor's voice grew colder. "Moreover, Hong Bei and Ximen Gong also reported that he insisted on stationing troops in that small town that night. Having suffered a defeat during the day, instead of retreating swiftly that evening... Li Yungui was never such an imprudent man before. How can We not find this suspicious?"
Poison Zhou frowned inwardly.
Hong Bei and Ximen Gong had returned to Jiangling first and seen their lord before anyone else. That first impression was set, making it difficult to change later, especially given their lord's not-inconsiderable paranoia.
Considering this, Poison Zhou rose from his seat, bowed with clasped hands towards Cong Liuqi above, and said, "Your Majesty, even the best horse may stumble, and even the best man may err. General Li might have been careless for a moment. That Huo Tingshan is full of cunning schemes and excels at pressing an advantage, leading to the current situation."
The Zhaoyuan Emperor above remained silent.
Poison Zhou had been by Cong Liuqi's side for over twenty years. He could be considered among the first batch of strategists and the sole survivor from that initial group.
He understood his lord's temperament better than most.
Seeing the other's lack of response now, he knew the doubts remained. His lord was deeply suspicious, and Li Qiongqi had mentioned the pestilence earlier... he would likely inquire about it later...
"Your Majesty, if you employ a man, do not suspect him; if you suspect him, do not employ him." Poison Zhou paused for a long while before finally speaking in a low voice. "If you find you truly cannot trust General Li... I beg you, do not let him leave Jiangling alive."
Li Qiongqi was a tiger, with sharp claws and fangs, fierce and formidable. If this fierce tiger could no longer be used as before, it must be eliminated.
Pei Ying had spent several days in a row pondering the blast furnace. At first, she merely skipped occasional meals in the main hall with the younger generation, but later she stopped going entirely, taking all her meals in her room.
If Huo Tingshan came, they simply added a pair of chopsticks. If he didn't, she would finish her meal alone and then throw herself back into her work.
The golden crow sank in the west, and night fell. Lamps were lit in the main room, their soft, glowing light dispelling the shadows that had begun to gather not long before.
Pei Ying sat before her desk, her small notebook spread open before her. The booklet was filled with numerous notes and diagrams incomprehensible to outsiders.
High-quality charcoal, in a relatively enclosed environment, can reach a combustion temperature of up to 1200°C, which is the limit of current craftsmanship.
To push this 1200°C even higher, Pei Ying knew that besides other auxiliary materials that could lower iron's melting point, oxygen must also be introduced into the furnace to make the fire burn more fiercely.
The problem was how to introduce it.
At this stage, it seemed bellows or air bags were used, but these required manual pumping, meaning a single furnace needed several people working day and night to operate the bellows incessantly.
The matter of steelmaking should not be publicized; having many people involved was inappropriate. Furthermore, if the pumping slackened even slightly, the temperature inside the furnace would surely be affected.
Pei Ying's delicate brows furrowed tightly as she diligently searched her memory for what she had read in books before.
Unconsciously, nearly four hours had passed.
"Creak." The door opened, and a tall figure entered from outside.
"My lady, it's getting late." Huo Tingshan had come to urge her to sleep.
His call snapped Pei Ying back to the present. She realized belatedly that another evening was almost gone, and she still had nothing to show for it.
Pei Ying helplessly massaged her temples.
Seeing this, Huo Tingshan poured her a cup of tea. "This matter cannot be rushed. Have some water first. If there is anything your husband can do to ease your worries, my lady, please speak freely."
Pei Ying was stunned. She turned to look at him, her gaze carrying a trace of bewilderment. "Huo Tingshan, what did you just say?"
The man raised an eyebrow and reached out to touch her fair earlobe. "Being cooped up in the room for days has dulled your hearing."
Suddenly, Pei Ying turned her head away, ignoring him, and swiftly gathered the scattered items on the desk. "Thank you for the reminder. I've thought of how to steadily add oxygen. Huo Tingshan, I'll be borrowing your study tonight. You should rest in our chambers by yourself."
Having tidied up neatly and efficiently, Pei Ying left in a flash, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.
Huo Tingshan looked at the wide-open door and fell into silence.
All he did was pour her a cup of water, and now he had to spend the night alone because of it?
