Only Changsun Chong's face was red, as if he was being heated by a furnace.

Although the results have not come out yet, he knows that there is a 90% chance that he will lose this bet.

Even so, he still hoped for a miracle and stared at the steel-making furnace motionlessly.

There was no sound from everyone at this time, except for Su Dingfang who strictly followed Yang Fan's instructions and commanded the craftsmen, and His Majesty Li Er's breathing which became somewhat heavy.

If Yang Fan's weird steel-making furnace can produce refined steel at once, it will be a major breakthrough.

As an emperor with a military background, of course he knew what this meant?

If this steelmaking company could produce tens of thousands of kilograms of fine steel a day, then every soldier in the Tang Dynasty would be equipped with indestructible weapons.

As soon as the time is right, he can send his army to the east and destroy Goguryeo.

Complete what all previous emperors have failed to accomplish.

When the time comes, he, the emperor, will surely become the emperor of the ages.

Of course, this open-hearth steelmaking method that has been tested by later generations certainly did not disappoint His Majesty Li Er, not for a moment.

The iron ore melts into a red mixture of molten iron, which initially completes the heating and melting process.

The process of open-hearth steelmaking is usually divided into several steps: charging, heating, mixing with molten iron, melting, refining, deoxidation and tapping.

Now that the melting is complete, the next step is to proceed with refining and deoxidation.

The main difference between iron and steel is the carbon content.

An iron-carbon alloy with a carbon content of 2% to 4.3% is called pig iron.

Steel is a general term for iron-carbon alloys with a carbon content between 0.02% and 2.11%.

The chemical composition of steel can vary greatly. Steel containing only carbon elements is called carbon steel or ordinary steel.

To make steel, of course the carbon content must be refined to an appropriate level.

This step requires higher furnace temperature and catalyst. At this time, the huge water wheel on the side plays a role.

The waterwheel can not only perform simple hydraulic forging, but also provide power for the blower to increase the furnace temperature.

I saw a craftsman filling the stove with coke and shouting to Su Dingfang: "Master Young Supervisor, the fuel has been filled!"

Su Dingfang glanced at Yang Fan, and after receiving the signal, he waved his hand: "Start the waterwheel and start blowing!"

Another craftsman listened to the order and immediately pulled the trigger, and the waterwheel slowly started to rotate under the impact of the water flow.

The water in the diversion channel impacts the water retaining piece, transferring the kinetic energy flowing down from the height to the waterwheel, and then the rotation of the waterwheel compresses the reciprocating motion of the bellows piston.

Along with the whirring and rattling wooden instruments, air blew into the blast furnace from the air duct.

At first, the water wheel rotated slowly, the air pressure of the blower was low, the oxygen supply in the furnace was insufficient, and the coke in the furnace was not burned well.

As the waterwheel rotates faster and faster, the oxygen supply in the furnace is sufficient, and streams of flames burst out vigorously and go straight to the bottom of the open-hearth furnace.

At this time, the temperature of the furnace rose instantly, and everyone standing far away could feel the scorching heat.

As the molten iron in the flat-bottomed furnace continues to churn, the craftsman standing aside adds catalyst to the furnace from time to time.

The subsequent work was all based on the experience of the craftsmen and was completed step by step according to the steps given to them by Yang Fan.

After the deoxidation was completed, Su Dingfang, who was watching from the side, said excitedly: "Master, it's done! Come and see, it's completely burned into molten steel, just like you said."

Before Yang Fan made any move, His Majesty Li Er suddenly took a few steps forward and asked in surprise: "Are you serious about this?"

Su Dingfang wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded like a chicken eating rice: "Your Majesty, it is absolutely true!"

How could His Majesty Li Er bear it? He climbed directly to the tower next to the steel-making furnace. After climbing two steps, he remembered that all the courtiers were watching!

When he turned around, he saw Yang Fan's teasing gaze. The boy was grinning, his eyes full of smiles...

And everyone's eyes were full of strangeness.

Knowing that he acted too impatient, His Majesty Li Er blushed and said with some embarrassment: "Um... why don't we all go and see it together?"

Yang Fan laughed loudly and said disapprovingly: "Your Majesty, you have to calm down and don't worry. You can't lose the glass craftsmanship, and the dividends from the glass business will be even less!"

His Majesty Li Er was exposed and said angrily: "It's no big deal. Do I take money so seriously? I just want the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty to shed less blood in future battles."

And impatient."

But I secretly muttered in my heart, I am the emperor, I also need money, and I also need this era-changing craftsmanship...

Therefore, His Majesty Li Er no longer cared about his manners and climbed directly to the tower nearby. He wanted to witness the birth of the first furnace of steel with his own eyes.

The mellow Changsun Wuji was not far behind. He was more agile than generals like Cheng Yaojin. He climbed up right after His Majesty Li Er.

Maybe I climbed a little too fast and almost fell down, which looked a little funny.

Of course Yang Fan knew the intentions of Duke Zhao.

This old and cunning uncle must have seen the advantages of the open-hearth steelmaking method, and obviously wanted to take advantage of it.

It's a pity that he is destined to be disappointed.

So Yang Fan laughed and joked: "Zhao Guogong, be careful as you get older. Isn't it just steel? What's the matter?"

Changsun Wuji, who had just climbed to the top of the tower, was extremely depressed when he heard this.

So what?

Absolutely!

Their eldest son's family makes a living by selling iron ore and iron tools, so they naturally have a clear understanding of the difficulty of steelmaking.

Not to mention directly making steel, it is just melting iron ore into molten iron, which requires many times more manpower and material resources than it does now.

Even so, there is very little iron coming out of the furnace at one time.

But now?

Yang Fan used this weird equipment and it took him only half a day to smelt a large furnace of steel without even burning the iron ore.

If such craftsmanship cannot be learned, the industry that his eldest grandson's family relies on for survival will be completely destroyed.

What kind of face do you need at this time?

Even Changsun Wuji was a little lucky. Fortunately, Changsun Chong made a bet with Yang Fan and asked Yang Fan to donate such advanced steelmaking technology.

If it were hidden, it would be really difficult for his grandson Wuji to snatch it openly.

As long as Yang Fan dedicated this manufacturing technology to the court, his eldest son, Sun Wuji, would be able to obtain it.

Changsun Wuji looked down from the observation port of the blast furnace. At this time, the molten steel in the furnace showed a charming orange-red color, even a little dazzlingly shiny.

He knew that the furnace should be tapping out soon!

Sure enough, after Yang Fan came up, Su Dingfang put on thick protective clothing, held long-handled iron pliers, and opened the valve at the lower outlet of the blast furnace.

The orange-red molten steel rushes out happily...

This molten steel passes through a special pipe and is directly injected into rows of molds. After cooling, it is cast into dark and shiny gun barrels.

When the molten steel in the furnace runs out, these molds are almost completely filled.

Changsun Wuji was completely stupid!

Our largest iron-making furnace can only produce a thousand kilograms of pig iron per furnace.

But the gun barrels placed with so many molds weigh at least several thousand kilograms!

You know, these are all fine steel!

With so much steel, his eldest son's family would have to concentrate their efforts for at least half a year before they could forge it.

Changsun Wuji pinched his thigh fiercely, and a burst of pain came. He realized that he was not dreaming, and finally he could only ask in a trembling voice: "Mr. Wannian County, am I right? If I am right,

These steels weigh at least four to five thousand kilograms, right?"

"With such a large output, even if it is to smelt pig iron, it would take ten and a half days to smelt it. With so much steel, the output of the entire Tang Dynasty in a year was not much more than this, and you can't use it.

Half a day, simply, simply..."

Changsun Wuji didn't know what words to use to describe it.

Yang Fan smiled disapprovingly: "Mr. Zhao, stay calm. You will know in the future that this is just a routine operation!"

Seeing Yang Fan's pretense, His Majesty Li Er did not say anything to stop him.

Because he has already imagined the scene in the future where the Tang Dynasty’s cavalry will trample all the foreign races.

All the ministers present were also stunned!

If Yang Fan is showing off, he does have a reason for home decoration, and it makes you unable to refute it.

Changsun Chong had obviously lost his mind and said hysterically: "Yang Fan, this must be fake. How can steel be made directly? I don't believe it!"

Regarding Changsun Chong's unreasonable troubles, Yang Fan did not get angry, but said calmly: "If it is true or false, you will know it once you test it. Can't Changsun Shaojian not afford to lose?"

Yang Fan's words made Changsun Chong blush.

Everyone's eyes couldn't help but cast towards Changsun Chong. This eldest son of Zhao Guogong's mansion seemed to be a loser with no eyesight.

It’s not good to offend anyone, but if you provoke Yang Fan, wouldn’t you be making yourself uncomfortable?
To be continued...