After returning to Daming Village for half a month, Zhu Guoxiang hurried to the paper mill to estimate the time.

Due to the use of the rapid finishing method, the soaking pond is not large, but there are several of them, which is convenient for releasing and irrigating water at any time.

Zhu Ming's "Heavenly Creation" bamboo paper method said that it would be soaked for more than 100 days.

Therefore, Zhu Guoxiang had to do experiments, and before other facilities were built, he gave priority to digging the pond, and threw the bamboo into the pond after the cylinder building truck dug the pond.

After a few soaking pools, Zhu Guoxiang had to soak for half a month, one month, two months, and three months, and then look at the impact of the length of time on the bamboo paper.

Bundles of bamboo linen are scooped up, and before soaking, the bamboo skin is peeled off and tied up and thrown into the pool.

"Whack!"

Dean Zhu, who has something to do, has become serious again, and his words and deeds seem calm.

After the degreening of the bamboo linen, it is placed in a stone mortar and pounded.

There are two kinds of processes: hydraulic and manpower. The hydraulic mallet has not yet been built, and it will be replaced by manpower.

A sturdy man, using the principle of leverage, stepped on the long wooden mallet, and after letting go, the mallet fell again, repeatedly pounding the bamboo linen.

This is followed by cleaning and cooking with lime.

In this process, Zhu Guoxiang sensed a problem.

It's not that you can't do it, but there are ways to save time and improve results.

You can soak it for a while and add some lime casually. Then pound the bamboo and hemp, and sprinkle the lime in layers to refoam, the bamboo and lime reaction is more adequate and fast.

Therefore, Dean Zhu adjusted the process again and used a new method after soaking the bamboo.

Under the guidance of basic chemical knowledge, Zhu Guoxiang explored the finishing process of Jiajiang paper. The soaking time of more than 100 days of bamboo paper in the Ming Dynasty is divided into two parts, one is to soak for 14 days before smashing, and the other is to soak for 7 days after smashing, and lime is added, and the finishing time is shortened to 21 days.

This kind of bamboo paper was designated as imperial examination and court paper during the Qianlong period.

Of course, the follow-up process needs to be adjusted accordingly, but it can also be used without adjustment.

In fact, there are more time-saving methods, such as Fuyang bamboo paper, which shortens the soaking time to less than 20 days, and can even reach only 10 days. However, the follow-up process is more complicated and cumbersome, and in general, it only saves a little time compared with Jiajiang paper.

Washing, boiling, pouring, dipping, fermentation, pounding, washing, bleaching, beating...... A series of processes have been completed, and the time has entered late autumn.

"No bamboo tendons!" Wen Luan said happily.

The paper salvage was hard at work, and several apprentices were watching.

There are also paper brushers, only two borrowed from the Min family. Pieces of bamboo paper are clamped up, 10 sheets are hung and brushed on the wall, and then they will be dried for four or five days.

Although it can't be used yet, looking at the freshly brushed paper, Wen Luan knows that it is "of high quality".

The bamboo paper of the Northern Song Dynasty is mixed with bamboo tendons, and you can pick out a piece of it with your hand. It is rough and difficult to use, and it is not beautiful and elegant.

And the newly brushed bamboo paper in front of me, not a single bamboo tendon can be seen.

The next day, Wen Wuguang and Su Shi came to stare at the bamboo paper that was drying for a long time.

Wen Wuguang said excitedly: "This bamboo paper can be very useful, and if you buy paper in the future, you will buy it here in Yuanzhang." Painting bamboo with bamboo paper has more charm! ”

A few days later, the clerk was itchy with his bare hands, cut the first piece of paper himself, and then took home a stack for free.

Zhu Guoxiang folded the bamboo paper repeatedly, then poked it with his fingers, gently tore it apart, and finally tried to write with a brush.

His brows were furrowed, and he pondered for a long time, not knowing which link went wrong.

Wen Xiaomei was curious: "Why is Mr. unhappy?" ”

Zhu Guoxiang said: "Compared with leather paper, it is still too brittle. Perhaps it is a matter of materials, I should use the young bamboo in late spring and early summer to make paper, because after the season, I use the old bamboo in late summer and early autumn instead. ”

"It's ready to use, so there's no need to nitpick." Wen Xiaomei comforted.

Zhu Guoxiang made a few large sheets by himself, cut them into small squares and put them away, and he planned to put them away and wipe his buttocks.

After some time, the second batch of bamboo paper was baked, which was made of bamboo and hemp soaked for a month. After repeated comparisons, it was found that the quality had improved slightly, but there was no major change.

Zhu Guoxiang therefore determined that the soaking time did not have to be too long, and there was no need to strictly follow the "Heavenly Works", because he had already improved the process.

Throughout the early winter, Zhu Guoxiang tried repeatedly, standardizing and improving little by little, and by the way, training the villagers' papermaking technology.

Those who are clumsy with hands and feet are responsible for chopping bamboo, cutting bamboo, and pounding bamboo.

Those who are nimble and intelligent are involved in more technical processes.

Before the winter, Zhang Guangdao smuggled back and brought the first batch of Shaanxi immigrants. There are more than 60 people in total, hiding in the mountains and bandits, and their winter days will be very difficult, so they are willing to follow Zhang Guangdao.

These Shaanxi people were all placed in Jintan Village by Zhu Guoxiang and let them build houses further upstream.

Wen Xiaomei came to visit with a food box: "Does Mr. live here in winter?" If it snows, it must be very cold. ”

Zhu Guoxiang said: "When it snows, I will go back to Daming Village." ”

The paper mill is in full swing, but Zhu Guoxiang has not built a house for himself, and has been living in a simple bamboo house for several months.

He really likes to enjoy it more, but when he really gets things done, he still suffers.

Wen Xiaomei opened the food box and took out a few dishes.

He took another piece of clothing from the maid's hand: "This is the robe I sewed for my husband, and I will try to wear it to fit it." ”

Zhu Guoxiang directly put the robe on the outside and touched it left and right: "It's very soft, what's inside?" ”

"Chickens, ducks and goose feathers have been stored for a long time." Wen Xiaomei said.

Zhu Guoxiang nodded and said, "It fits perfectly." ”

"That'll be fine." Wen Xiaomei smiled brightly.

Zhu Guoxiang still didn't copy poems to flirt with his sister after all, this kind of sassy idea can stay in his mind, and it is too cheap to really put it into practice.

Only his stupid son will copy poems and pretend to be forced.

Zhu Guoxiang believes that even if he doesn't copy poems, he is full of charm. You don't see that Wen Xiaomei is becoming more and more affectionate to him, and even sews robes for him by herself.

This winter, the weather was normal, and the first light snow arrived as scheduled.

Wen Xiaomei sent him to the shore and reluctantly said, "Take care, sir!" ”

Zhu Guoxiang said goodbye, and finally asked, "I don't know the name of the little sister yet." ”

Wen Xiaomei smiled slightly: "It is inconvenient to disclose the name of the girl, and the previous words have also been discarded." The day before yesterday, the wind passed through the bamboo forest, and occasionally got a word bamboo wind, what does Mr. think? ”

"Wen Zhufeng?" Zhu Guoxiang muttered twice, "Charm, charm, it is better to call it Wenzhu rhyme." ”

Wen Xiaomei blushed suddenly, and bent down to make a blessing salute: "Thank you, Mr. for the words." ”

The words have been accepted, and the words of the first marriage are no longer used, and the little thing between the two has basically pierced the window paper.

Just as Zhu Guoxiang was about to board the ship, a small boat quickly came.

"Mr. Zhu, let's find it!" The leader was a eunuch.

Zhu Guoxiang recognized this person and asked, "Why did the noble man come to Yangzhou?" ”

The eunuch said, "The official family has sent me to announce the decree." ”

Zhu Guoxiang said: "There are nobles to take a trip. ”

The eunuch stuffed the holy decree over: "Let's talk to Mr. Zhu well, so we don't need to burn incense and bathe, let's read what the holy decree is written for yourself." ”

Zhu Guoxiang opened the holy decree, his expression was a little strange.

actually asked him to lift the Suling Palace in Yangzhou, and also allocated 13,000 yuan for him to expand and repair the Suling Palace.

Don't underestimate this errand is very popular in the Huizong Dynasty, you can mobilize the local people's and financial resources at will, and the state and county officials must be honest and obedient.

The eunuch said: "The official family allocated the 8,000 guan, and there are only 5,000 guan left when you leave Beijing, please forgive Mr. Zhu." ”

"It's okay." Zhu Guoxiang could only pinch his nose and admit it.

He still had to get rid of the man in front of him, although this guy must have reached out and fished for some of it.

Zhu Guoxiang followed the eunuch back to Yangzhou City, received 5,000 yuan (all silver collars) from the emperor, and stuffed back a silver collar to the eunuch, and whispered: "The nobles don't live in Yangzhou for a long time, and the Xingyuan Mansion is even richer." ”

The eunuch smiled: "I can save it, and I won't embarrass my husband." ”

Most of the eunuchs want to take the opportunity to blackmail the place, as long as they don't mess around in Yangzhou, they go to Xingyuan Mansion and do whatever they want.

At the beginning, Zhu Guoxiang tied up the eunuch into Beijing and returned the extorted goods all the way. At that time, the situation was different, and it was necessary to build up prestige as soon as possible, but now it is completely different.

Zhu Guoxiang just wanted to develop his strength as soon as possible, and he was afraid of extraneous complications, so he didn't want to make trouble with this eunuch.

Hurry up and send the eunuch away, and the rest is up to Zhu Guoxiang to decide.

Expansion of Suryeong Palace?

Impossible!

But things can be done under the guise of this.

The emperor asked Yangzhou officials to raise 5,000 yuan, and of course Zhu Guoxiang had to show the holy decree.

As soon as the eunuch left on the front foot, Zhu Guoxiang went to the state government on the back foot.

"Hu Zhizhou, look." Zhu Guoxiang took out the holy decree.

Hu Zhizhou's performance last year was very good, Huang Qianshan provoked civil unrest, he followed the judgment to suppress, and then assisted in the whole process of repairing the plank road. Although the villagers were clamoring and he was almost killed, he finally escaped.

After reading the holy decree carefully, Hu Zhizhou cried with a sad face: "Zhu Xianggong, there is a drought this year, and the imperial court has not reduced or exempted taxes, where can I raise 5,000 yuan to cultivate the Taoist temple?" If it is forcibly requisitioned and conscripted, I am afraid that it will be like last year, and the life of the mob will not be able to calm down. ”

Zhu Guoxiang sighed: "Of course I know what is good or bad, so I can only delay it as much as possible." The official family gave 8,000 guan, and half of it was lost as soon as he left Beijing. I also have to send the attendants who carry the decree, and I only have more than 3,000 pieces left in my hands. ”

Hu Zhizhou asked: "How does Zhu Xianggong plan to delay?" ”

Zhu Guoxiang said: "The exterior wall of the Taoist temple can be painted casually, and the damaged statues inside can be repaired. ”

"This is on me!" Hu Zhizhou hurriedly agreed.

Zhu Guoxiang said: "Don't mention it above, just say that Suling Palace has been repaired." ”

Hu Zhizhou said: "Zhu Xianggong is benevolent and righteous. ”

Really, if Zhu Guoxiang was not in charge of the project, any Taoist priest who came over to supervise the construction would make the state and county officials want to die.

Take the Taoist temple in Luoyang as an example, they actually kill cattle everywhere to take bones and grind powder. The officials who were forced to implement this matter have long been notorious, and they are about to be broken by the people.

Nearly 5,000 yuan of the project was directly swallowed by Zhu Guoxiang, who happened to be short of money and could do many things.

The errand of building a Taoist temple can be fooled around.

(End of chapter)