"Lao Dian, have you ever heard of 'water hammer'?" Zhang Lang asked.

Dian Qing showed a blank look, and clenched his fists and said: "My subordinates are stupid, and I have never heard of water hammers." What is this? ”

Zhang Lang was not surprised by Dianqing's answer, because the so-called 'water hammer' probably appeared in Europe in the late Middle Ages, probably in the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries. In the Han Dynasty in the second century AD, it was naturally impossible.

After thinking about it, he said as much as possible in a language that people of this era could understand: "This 'water hammer' is actually an iron hammer operated by water power, and it is used to forge things, and it does not require manpower. ”

Zhang Lang then carefully described the so-called 'water hammer'.

Don't wonder why Zhang Lang understands this, this guy always likes to read books about ancient military technology when he is idle, so he has a deep understanding of these military-related technologies in ancient times.

Of course, Zhang Lang only understands and knows the general principles and configurations, but it is impossible for him to actually produce them, and it depends on whether the technicians of this era can transform these narratives into physical reproductions.

Zhang Lang spent more than two quarters of an hour describing the so-called water hammer and answering various questions raised by Dianqing.

But in the end, Dian Qing was still slightly furrowed and a little dazed.

When Zhang Lang saw Dianqing like this, he couldn't help but ask: "Lao Dian, can you understand what I said?" ”

Dian Qing nodded a little distractedly, then hugged his fist at Zhang Lang, and said in a not very affirmative tone: "Subordinate, subordinate must do their best." ”

When Zhang Lang saw him like this, he didn't have much hope in his heart.

Immediately, Zhang Lang and his group continued to walk to the depths of the ordnance factory under the guidance of Dianqing, and Dianqing, the director of the ordnance factory, led by the side while explaining the situation in various parts of the ordnance factory for Zhang Lang.

Before they knew it, they came to a huge cave entrance, where miners were constantly transporting iron ore in a rudimentary wooden wheelbarrow.

Near the entrance to the cave stood a number of improvised blast furnaces, all of which were burning, and the ore transported was immediately put into the blast furnace for smelting. The finished iron is transported directly to the crafting area to be crafted into weapons or armor.

From ore mining to the final product, it can be described as an assembly line operation, but this assembly line is particularly primitive.

Dian Qing introduced: "This mine was originally one of the largest iron ore caves in Bingzhou, which was abandoned due to the attack of the Huns, and now it has been fully restored. Thousands of catties of iron ore can be mined every day.

Iron ore reserves here are abundant, and subordinates have ordered people to dig side holes in the cave to increase production. Once completed, it should be possible to increase the daily output to about 10,000 catties. ”

Zhang Lang nodded thoughtfully.

Scanning around the primitive blast furnaces, he found that a large amount of ore had been piled up near the blast furnaces, and the number was still increasing, and it was obvious that the blast furnace could not digest the iron ore at a rate far faster than the iron ore was mined.

At each blast furnace there are many workers who use their sucking strength to push the primitive blower made of wood and leather to supply the blast furnace.

This is a method used in ancient times to send oxygen to the blast furnace to increase the smelting temperature. Of course, the efficiency of such manpower blowing is really not high. This has obviously become a key point restricting iron production.

Zhang Lang's heart moved, and he thought of the hydraulic blast device that appeared in the thirteenth century, and immediately described this device to Dianqing.

Dian Qing was dumbfounded when he heard this, and then bowed to Zhang Lang with infinite respect: "Gongzi is really a god!" Not only is he a world-famous general, but he is also familiar with these many smelting and casting skills, which is really admirable! ”

And Zhang Liao, Zhang He and the others who were following Zhang Lang also looked at Zhang Lang with an incredible gaze, they didn't expect that what their general said casually could make Dianqing, who can be called a master blacksmith, admire him so much.

Thinking like this, I just feel that the general is really unfathomable!

Zhang Lang smiled and waved his hand, and said, "I'm just casually talking, it's up to you whether you can get it out or not." ”

Dian Qing hugged his fists and said: "My subordinates will not disgrace their lives!" ”

Zhang Lang remembered something and asked, "Lao Dian, I asked you to send people to search for ore veins everywhere in Taiyuan County, did you do it?" ”

Dian Qing hugged his fists and said: "I have sent several groups of people to explore everywhere according to the general's orders, but I am afraid that this kind of thing will not yield anything in a short time." ”

Zhang Lang said: "Don't worry. This kind of thing is not in a hurry, but as long as you keep doing it, there will always be a reward. ”

looked at Dianqing and said, "Is there anything else for me to see?" ”

Dian Qing hurriedly asked: "General, please follow your subordinates." Then he led Zhang Lang to continue visiting.

About an hour later, Zhang Lang ended his inspection trip and returned to Taiyuan City accompanied by Zhang Liao, Zhang He and others. Along the way, Zhang Lang frowned, thinking about something.

Zhang He thought of something and couldn't help but say: "Big brother, Jubao Zhai supported a large number of our blacksmiths before, so he was able to create so many iron armors for us. Is it possible to ask them for help again this time? ”

Zhang Lang nodded and said, "I think so too, so I have already sent someone to send a letter, and there should be a reply in a few days."

However, this is an external force after all, and it can be used for emergency purposes, but it is not so reliable, so we must find a way to expand our own armory field. ”

Zhang He and Zhang Liao both felt that what Zhang Lang said made sense and nodded.

The group soon returned to the city. Today's Taiyuan is much more lively than it was at the beginning, the streets are bustling with people, many of them were originally fleeing to Luoyang, and now they have returned to their hometown, and everyone is so excited that they burst into tears.

Zhang Lang and the others returned to the hall of the Taishou Mansion and saw the dusty Chen Palace, and they were immediately surprised and walked forward quickly.

Chen Gong greeted him and bowed: "General! ”

Zhang Lang helped Chen Gong up, patted Chen Gong's arm heavily, and said with a smile: "The public platform is finally here!" ”

Chen Gong bowed with a ashamed face: "My subordinates have been entrusted by the general, please punish the general!" ”

Zhang Lang felt inexplicable and asked with a smile: "How did you say this?" ”

Chen Gong said: "The subordinates failed to bring back the new army trained in Luoyang, and 15,000 of them were all recruited by Chun Yuqiong on the grounds of guarding against Dong Zhuo!" ”

When Zhang Lang and the three of them heard this, they were all stunned. Zhang Liao said angrily: "Those are the general's soldiers, how can he take the army without the permission of the general?" ”

Chen Gong said: "In order to guard against Dong thieves, the prime minister specially awarded Chun Yu Qiongjin with a fast horse to approve the arrow, so that he can act cheaply, if anyone hinders him, he will be punished as rebellious, and he can correct the law on the spot." ”