After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 593 - 587 Hydraulic Forging Press

Ji Yuan asked in surprise, "Isn’t a water mill just for hulling rice and grinding flour?"

Although a water mill can indeed greatly reduce the labor involved in hulling rice and grinding flour, in terms of value creation, it’s still not as good as the Glass Workshop, right?

Fu Tinghan: "If the water mill can succeed, then I can make a hydraulic press machine."

Ji Yuan looked confused, "What is that?"

But seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes light up, he knew it was something good.

Zhao Hanzhang: "You just focus on your research. Whatever you need, tell me, and I’ll have someone get it for you."

Fu Tinghan smiled and said, "I know. Water mills existed since the Han dynasty, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry should know how to make them. I merely drew a diagram based on the power system, but it might not be correct. The current water mills are single-belt driven, just to avoid high costs if mistakes occur."

Ji Yuan: "Ministry of Industry?"

"It’s the department in charge of engineering constructions," Zhao Hanzhang casually explained, then said to Fu Tinghan, "Such talents should be in the Ministry of Agriculture, Qi Bu, and Water Department."

The Western Jin doesn’t have a so-called Ministry of Industry. Its functions are scattered between the Ministry of Agriculture, Qi Bu, and Water Department, and are under the Winter Palace, overseen by the Grand Minister of Supervision.

But the Grand Minister of Supervision also reports to the Chief of Staff, coincidentally, Zhao Zhongyu is the Chief of Staff.

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and then said, "Previously named officials either moved with the emperor to Yun City or were killed by Shi Le. However, their families might still be in Luoyang. I’ll have someone look for them."

In this era, knowledge is monopolized, and craftsmen too.

And some craftsmen only know the work they do without understanding its principles, with true knowledge lying with aristocratic officials.

They aren’t merely humanities students as presumed later; there are many science students too.

Moreover, in the two Jin dynasties, not only humanities students were formidable, philosophers, military strategists, physicians, and Mo School members, even astronomers made significant contributions.

All of them, one by one, she wants them.

The rise of a power shouldn’t just excel in one aspect. To truly win all hearts, philosophers and literary figures are essential, as well as others.

Ji Yuan sat quietly on the side, waited for them to finish talking, then continued questioning, "Sir, what is a hydraulic press machine?"

Fu Tinghan returned to reality and explained, "It’s used for forging iron and steel."

He said, "Currently, we have three iron mines at hand, and I’ve sent people out to find new ones. We’ll need to mine more in the future. A single mine now consumes a labor force between three to eight thousand people, and the workers behind forging iron tools and steel also exceed eight thousand, almost ten thousand."

"Yet the weapons and armor these people forge can’t meet our army’s needs; efficiency is too low," Fu Tinghan said. "The Zhao Family Army led by Hanzhang has the highest armor coverage, with each soldier holding three to five iron plates, averaging 4.3. Next is the Zhao Family Army led by Second Son, averaging 3.7."

"The Xiliang Army is 3.4. Calculating individually seems like everyone has iron plates protecting vital parts, but the Yu State Army only has 0.8, and the Zhao Family Army, counting regular soldiers, has only 1.2. In other words, armor rates aren’t high."

Ji Yuan was dumbfounded and asked, "When did you calculate these figures, sir?"

"I’ve always been responsible for military readiness, always having the data," Fu Tinghan turned to Zhao Hanzhang and continued, "Ultimately, it’s because the efficiency of smelting and forging is too low. People need to lift hammers weighing dozens of pounds to strike iron, generating enough force to forge iron and steel. Even the best blacksmith can only continuously strike for half an hour. A person can’t swing a hammer for twelve hours a day."

Fu Tinghan said, "But water can."

He said, "Besides the hydraulic press machine, water power can also be used for blowers. Currently forging steel requires high temperatures, and the three iron mines use horses for steel forging, but they’re insufficient, occasionally needing people, causing significant harm to workers. The Ru Nan iron mines even had incidents of worker injuries, so I want to try water pumps."

He spoke in a low voice, "Once the hydraulic press machine and water pumps are feasible, we can produce too many weapons. Armor can be improved to be stronger, thinner, even softer; crossbows can also be improved..."

Ji Yuan has already shut his mouth, just watching them discuss the things to do after the hydraulic press machine succeeds. His lord even envisioned every soldier wearing full armor, even fitting armor on horses.

He internally sneered, thinking they were completely dreaming. The lady only dared tell Mr. Fu these things. If it were anyone else, who would listen to such say dream-like things?

But... Why does it feel so exciting?

The things Fu Tinghan does, it seems each one succeeded.

Ji Yuan thought of the few "golden eggs" in the Zhao Family Army laid by Fu Tinghan, and his mood surged. What if... it really succeeded?

To craft a hydraulic press machine, one must first create a water mill, confirming feasibility before further technological improvements can be made.

Fu Tinghan is right, this water mill is much more important than the Glass Workshop. Ji Yuan also became serious, waited for them to finish discussing, and said, "Sir, if you lack anything, just tell me, and I’ll do my utmost to find it for you."

Fu Tinghan smiled and said, "Just lacking people, lacking those who know how to build water mills, skilled craftsmen, and..."

He glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and said, "Also people familiar with astronomy."

"Astronomy?" Ji Yuan asked curiously, "What does a water mill have to do with astronomy?"

Fu Tinghan said slowly, "As far as I know, some astronomical devices in this dynasty also tried using water power, so I think they might know something."

"Chief Historian..." Ji Yuan seriously searched his brain and after a moment said, "If I’m not mistaken, the Chief Historian is named Li Wen, seems not listed among those harmed by Shi Le, should have moved with Your Majesty to Yun City."

Fu Tinghan looked at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a bit and said, "I’ll write a letter to Uncle Grandfather later."

Whether or not they can invite him over is uncertain, but at least they can exchange letters, share knowledge, naturally, if they can snatch, oh no, invite him over, that’d be even better.

Ji Yuan, with a smile on his face, watched Fu Tinghan go to rest, waited until he was out of sight, then turned back, "Sir focused on work, isn’t very concerned with outside matters, naturally wouldn’t know what the lady plans, did the lady not get angry for Mr. Fu ordering to execute Xiao Wei?"

"No."

Ji Yuan: "I also think the lady wouldn’t be angry, Second Son is generous, close to Mr. Fu, certainly wouldn’t mind, but not necessarily the people around Second Son."

He said, "When the lord is humiliated, his ministers die. This achievement was originally Second Son’s; also a chance the lady left for Second Son to establish prestige, suddenly snatched by Mr. Fu, surely someone might be dissatisfied."

"Such good feelings can’t withstand repeated provocations." Ji Yuan sighed, "Back when the Old Lord and Second Uncle weren’t on good terms, but brotherly feelings weren’t shallow either. Later, Empress Jia repeatedly provoked, only then the rift gradually deepened, eventually reaching such a state."

Zhao Hanzhang instantly became alert, "I understand."