Capítulo 1013: Chapter 1011: Worlds Apart
After the Emperor finished speaking, he again looked at Cheng Dahui’s weather-beaten and noticeably thinner but still excited face.
Well, solving this problem was not easy. If it weren’t for the Ye Family’s extraordinary granddaughter and those leading craftsn at Wong Qiao, even if they knew the reason for the low output and quality of the slting furnace, they probably wouldn’t have been able to solve it.
The issue is, this difficult problem was ultimately solved by them. Isn’t that astonishing?
“Your Majesty is right, it is indeed a simple matter of using wind to aid fire, yet it couldn’t be resolved.” Cheng Dahui replied, bowing slightly.
Although he didn’t know about air composition, combustibles, or accelerants, he did understand that blowing air into various furnaces with bellows could help wood and charcoal burn better.
“We have always used bellows for our iron-slting furnaces. That airflow can’t compare to the airflow provided by the blast furnace. The blades of the blast furnace have an extrely high rotation speed, providing not only a large volu of air but also strong and powerful wind. I believe that, in the future, when building iron-slting furnaces, we can completely increase the furnace size. The blast furnace’s airflow is so strong that it will certainly ensure the normal slting of the iron-slting furnace.”
Cheng Dahui spoke passionately, not waiting for the Emperor to ask further, he eagerly explained all the advantages and uses of the steam engine and blast furnace.
“My colleagues and I from the Imperial Workshops Bureau have greatly benefited from working at the Qi Family chanical Workshop during this period. As Grandma Jiang often says, the Craftsmanship Sector should engage in more collaborative research with others, relying on the strength of one person or one family alone is akin to shutting oneself up, and it’s hard to gain greater progress.”
Zhang Cunhai, standing beside the Emperor, although expressionless, was curious about the practical uses of the steam engine, and kept listening intently.
After hearing Cheng Dahui speak like this, he finally lifted his eyes. How excited is Lord Cheng? Even while conversing with His Majesty, he couldn’t contain his admiration for a private workshop. Is this your way of expressing disinterest in the governnt’s office or the Imperial Workshops Bureau?
Sure enough, upon hearing Cheng Dahui’s words, the Emperor imdiately raised an eyebrow. This guy, Cheng Dahui, seems to have not done enough work at the Qi Family chanical Workshop and doesn’t want to co back?
The Emperor teased, “Beloved Minister Cheng seems to have developed quite a taste for being outside. Are you unwilling to co back, still wanting to continue working tirelessly for the Ye Family girl?”
With only a few people in the room, the Emperor and Cheng Dahui usually spoke casually, and Cheng Dahui did not feel nervous, naturally noticing Zhang Cunhai’s glance at him, and also hearing the tone of the Emperor’s ssage.
A bit embarrassed, he stamred as he explained, “Well, it’s rely because your servant wished to learn more skills to better serve the court.”
Although, given his position as Director of the Imperial Workshops, learning skills from several private craftsn seed rather shaful.
But if one’s skills are inferior to others, what can be said? When the people at the chanical workshop aren’t afraid of him learning their skills, what reason does he have not to seize the opportunity to acquire more skills?
The Emperor had always admired Cheng Dahui’s open-mindedness and certainly would not make things difficult for him now, rely laughed and said, “To have Minister Cheng extol them so highly must an the craftsn at the chanical workshop indeed possess superior skills. Were you referring to Wong Qiao?”
“Not just Wong Qiao.” Cheng Dahui paused, then stood up and bowed deeply, “Your Majesty is wise. The craftsn at the chanical workshop are not only skilled but also diligent in their work. During the months your servant spent at the chanical workshop, not once did I see craftsn slack off; it’s quite different from the usual state when working for others.”
Wong Qiao, who manages affairs, although young, is highly intelligent and excels at chanical structure deduction. He is well-versed in various trades, possessing a wealth of precise knowledge. There is also an old craftsman nad Shi Yin, whose skills are extrely refined; the things produced by his hands can truly be called masterpieces, and they are full of ingenious ideas, truly a genius in craftsmanship.”
Cheng Dahui concluded with an exclamation, “Compared to them, your servant falls far short.”
“Oh?” The Emperor was quite surprised by Cheng Dahui’s assessnt. From what he knew, Cheng Dahui’s skills and knowledge in the crafts were definitely among the top tier in the Craftsmanship Sector.
But from Cheng Dahui’s tone, the craftsn from the chanical workshop, Wong Qiao among them, appeared to have skills far surpassing Cheng Dahui’s.
Also, the other craftsn in the workshop, to fully commit day and night for several months, is truly no small feat.
Craftsn have always been difficult to fully control; often hiding their skills, fearful of others learning, let alone working together wholeheartedly. This alone proves that the workshop established by the Ye Family girl is indeed out of the ordinary.
The Emperor nodded and said, “The Ye Family girl is also capable, for a woman to be able to have so many skilled craftsn work to their fullest, she must have so thods.”
Cheng Dahui quickly nodded, “Although Grandma Jiang is not skilled in craftsmanship, she often has ingenious ideas, always able to provide startling insights at critical monts, enlightening everyone with her words. Without Grandma Jiang’s frequent guidance, it’s likely that things wouldn’t have progressed so quickly.”
The Emperor initially learned of Ye Xinyan’s extraordinary qualities from Jinrong, so, of course, he is aware of Ye Xinyan’s contributions to improving iron-slting efficiency.
Upon first seeing the steam engine model, it was he, as Emperor, who personally urged Ye Xinyan to devote more effort at the chanical workshop.
Cheng Dahui, although excited, had tirelessly been working for over half a month. Having just returned, imdiately seeking an audience with the Emperor, he was indeed covered in dust and seed fatigued.
The Emperor considered for a mont, then said, “You’ve worked hard these past days. Go and rest for now. As for the matters regarding the iron-slting workshop, we shall discuss them tomorrow.”
Cheng Dahui was indeed tired; his reason for seeking the Emperor was to be the first to report the good news to him. He also wanted the Emperor to understand that completing this task was by no ans easy, and that the chanical workshop craftsn had rendered ritorious service.
Since His Majesty had already taken this matter to heart, Cheng Dahui felt reassured. After expressing gratitude, Cheng Dahui was about to withdraw.
The Emperor suddenly called him back, “There is another matter. Since the steam engine and the machine used to blow air into the iron-slting furnace are so important, the court should comnd the craftsn involved in this project. You should have so knowledge about the skills of the Qi Family chanical Workshop craftsn.”
Go back and make a comparison between them and the craftsn within the Imperial Workshops Bureau and the Ministry of Works. If there are craftsn from the governnt who have good skills and have contributed to the court, they can be comnded alongside the craftsn from the Qi Family chanical Workshop.
At first, Cheng Dahui was pleased; the court’s recognition of craftsn is also a good thing for us at the Imperial Workshops Bureau. When our subordinates beco valued by the court, it brings us officials honor in our endeavors.
But upon further thought, he felt troubled; comparing with the craftsn from the Qi Family chanical Workshop? The craftsn from the Imperial Workshops Bureau and the Ministry of Works rely do what tasks are arranged by their superiors, being obedient and diligent is already comndable, how could they compare with the craftsn from the chanical workshop?
The Emperor saw his troubled face but did not point it out, instead waved his hand to dismiss him.
Working for the court, does it an one can be inattentive and unthinking? This comparison serves as a general reminder to the craftsn under the court’s administration; if they aren’t capable, compared to the private craftsn, they fall significantly short.
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