Hongwu Survival Guide

Chapter 141 Thermometer

It was almost mid-autumn, and the early morning on Zhoushan Island was filled with thick fog today, and it was already a bit chilly.

Still getting up early, Xieyi took people out of the inner courtyard in person, and then took all kinds of rice, grain, firewood and other things sent outside, and took the maids and servants to carry them to each courtyard inside, while checking the situation in each small courtyard.

This time, Nuan Niang was called to follow.

When Zhu Yuan moved to this island, her schoolwork for those girls was stopped, and she went to the island together.Nuan Niang also felt in her bones that even if it was to teach those girls, in fact, it would be better to stay in the inner courtyard of the deep house.

Does not like publicity.

After seeing a small courtyard, Nuan Niang with downcast eyebrows wanted to leave together, but when she passed by a window, she was stared at by a girl coldly, she walked forward a few steps, stopped at the end, found a reason to say something to the front, and started again. return.

After entering the room, she moved to the girl who was still by the window. Nuan Niang hesitated for a moment with complicated eyes, and finally asked softly, "San Niang, how are you...?"

"The slave is called Loulan right now, and I won't return it until I break Loulan," the girl said as if she didn't answer the question, and turned to Lihua, who was assigned to the same room for some reason: "Get out."

The illiterate and sheep-like Lihua trembled in fright at Loulan's sharp voice, and hurried out. She was obviously several years older than this girl, but she didn't dare to refute at all.

When there were only two people left in the room, Lou Lan suddenly raised her hand and pinched Nuan Niang's body without any effort, and her tone was filled with strong resentment: "Mother is dead, why don't you go?"

Being pinched by the girl in front of her, and these words, Nuan Niang turned pale instantly, gritted her teeth to endure the pain, bowed her head without saying a word.

Seeing her like this, Lou Lan suddenly let go of her again, looked Nuan Niang up and down, with unabashed teasing and ridicule: "You must be favored by the adults, aren't you?"

Nuan Niang didn't answer.

Lou Lan seemed to know her temperament, and continued, "I'm going to the adults, help me!"

Nuan Niang's face immediately turned paler, and she shook her head slightly.

The girl calmed down just now. Seeing her like this, she raised her hand subconsciously. After realizing it, she didn't dare to call, but changed her expression again: "Don't think I don't know, you are a cold person. If you don't help me, you just want to Just let yourself live a stable life, and don't care about the ups and downs outside the house."

Nuan Niang finally spoke again, and raised her hand slightly: "San Niang, you can't... you can't..."

Lou Lan beat back and finally cursed: "Bitch!"

Nuan Niang was silent.

Lou Lan quickly said again: "You want to help me, and I want to save my father and my elder brother. My lord is favored by Emperor Zhu. If I please him, I will definitely succeed..." He said with hatred He looked at the woman in front of him anxiously: "...I don't expect you!"

Nuan Niang subconsciously shook her head again, paused, and then said: "San Niang, my lord... my lord...he is not so easy to talk."

Lou Lan obviously didn't listen, but just stared at Nuan Niang: "If you don't help me, I'll die here, and I'll come to you every night from now on, and you'll never be safe for the rest of your life."

Nuan Niang immediately looked up, waved her hand and said, "Don't...don't do that to you."

"you help me……"

Nuan Niang bit her lip, remained silent for a while, and finally said, "I... I'll try."

Seeing her agreeing, Lou Lan showed no gratitude at all, and then said, "Besides, my lord likes to draw, and I'm not good at it. If you have time, come and teach me."

It was agreed to just now, and Nuan Niang can only admit it again this time.

Seeing her agreeing again, Lou Lan immediately lost the temper to get along with her at all. He turned his head, looked at the mist in the small yard outside the window again, and said, "You go."

Nuan Niang seemed to want to say something more, but she didn't know how to say it, so she quietly exited the room and left the small courtyard.

Walk through the corridor and through the hole, and soon come to the yard where the little master lives.

Nuan Niang went into the kitchen and took a look. It was Liu Bai and Luo Shui who were busy, and there were four maids to help. Seeing her poking her head, Liu Bai said, "Where is Sister Xiyi?"

Xieyiyuan has not returned yet.

Nuan Niang felt guilty all of a sudden, this girl didn't feel comfortable talking, so she could only whisper: "Slave... I'll go back first."

Liu Bai didn't ask questions this time, but said: "You don't need to be here, just go and rest."

Nuan Niang then backed away silently.

Wanting to go back to his own room, remembering Loulan's request just now, he couldn't help but look at the main room.

According to the little master's timing method, it is only eight o'clock in the morning, not yet his wake-up time.

I wanted to go in and have a look, and I found an opportunity...but, in the end, I didn't.

In fact, I also know that Xieyi is quite defensive towards herself every day, and Nuan Niang doesn't want to make fun of herself.

Instead, I heard the faint sound of singing coming from the house.

It seems that the little master got up a little early today.

Zhu Yuan did wake up earlier today, mainly because he was thinking about something.

Burnt glass yesterday.

Because it is said that the first furnace will burn for six hours, that is, 12 hours, it is impossible for Zhu Yuan to wait and come back here in advance.

Don't know how it turned out.

Last night was Qingniang.

Compared with Luoshui's knowledge, Qingniang is the most obedient one, and she also likes Zhu Yuan quite a lot.Recently, the long-produced Gu girl suit just happened to be completed, and Nuan Niang specially wore it for Zhu Yuan to see yesterday. The beautiful silver ornaments all over her body are really interesting.

Woke up earlier today, and Qing Niang also woke up immediately.

The temperature dropped, and there were no earth dragons here, so she stayed on the bed, and Qingniang couldn't wait for her, and snuggled up to... well, I don't know who snuggled up to whom... entangled.Talking small words, he even sang a tune for his own petty officials.

She doesn't know many tunes.

Not as good as Luoshui's singing, I would not dare to open my mouth on weekdays, but now, if the officials are willing to listen, they dare to sing.

"Fenghuang Mountain rains and clears at the beginning, the water and wind are clear, and the evening glow is bright... I want to wait for the end of the song to ask questions, but no one is seen, and the peaks are green..."

Zhu Yuan put his arms around the woman, listened quietly, and said with a smile: "The artistic conception is very good, but it's not suitable for the scene."

"Well, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival soon, and I should sing Suzi's "Water Tune Song Head"." Qingniang said in a soft voice: "I will study it privately, and then sing it for the little officials..."

Zhu Yuan had a strange expression: "In the future..."

The pure Qing Niang didn't understand what happened at all, she blinked innocently: "What's wrong?"

Zhu Yuan laughed again: "Let's sing now, um, recitation is also fine."

Qing Niang obediently began to read: "... When will the bright moon come, ask the blue sky for wine..."

After reading halfway through, Zhu Yuan decided to: "Change, Su Zi's words are too fairy-like, not suitable for this kind of scene, that, Jiang Jie's "Poppy", sang by Luo Shui a few days ago, You follow along and try."

This time, Qingniang retorted slightly: "Little official, this poem... written by my mother, it hurts too much, I shouldn't listen to it too much."

"It hurts the spring and the autumn, and a literati should be a little sad," Zhu Yuan said with a smile: "Do you think I am a literati as a petty official?"

Qing Niang nodded quickly.

Zhu Yuan patted the woman under the blanket: "Sing..."

Qingniang only felt her body was crisp, and began to hum: "...the young man listened to Yuge upstairs, and the red candle fainted..."

After singing this line, Zhu Yuan didn't feel anything, but Qing Niang's eyes were already full of charm.

The red candle is dim.

It's a pity that this good artistic conception was immediately broken as Xieyi opened the curtain and entered the door.

Looking at the two people on the bed, he walked forward with a smile and let the quilt outside go inside. The young lady who was unknowingly lifted a little pulled her to cover her body, and said, "Little official, you have to wake up now." I think I should go ashore in these two days, the sky is getting colder here, and there are no fire dragons. Besides, the Mid-Autumn Festival must be celebrated on the shore?"

Zhu Yuan had no objection: "Just prepare."

Xie Yi said a few more words before finally saying: "Slave...do you want to get up, little official?"

Can't get up?

So nod.

Woke up, had breakfast, followed by a bunch of things.

Wen Zao came back yesterday and sent Lao Zhu's letter, as well as the battle situation in the north. Zhu Yuan wrote back the letter overnight, and early in the morning, he called Wen Zao again to let him go north again.

This time, Zhu Yuan mainly said one thing to Lao Zhu.

Regarding Dadu, the various documents of the various ministries of the Yuan court, and the various craftsmen in Dadu, we must pay special attention to them, and it is best to send them all to Jinling.

As for the others, gold, silver and jewellery, Zhu Yuan didn't care too much.

In addition, regarding the war in the north, Zhu Yuan did not give any further opinions this time.I wanted Lao Zhu to restrain himself a bit. After all, he had just won Dadu, and he went to outflank Wang Baobao in a blink of an eye, which was somewhat aggressive.

Old Zhu was not like this in the past.

I have to say that my influence... Zhu Yuan himself sometimes feels that it is a bit too much.

Not too worried.

Zhu Yuan could also see that the overall situation in the north had been decided. Therefore, even if Wang Baobao lost this battle, or let Wang Baobao run away, it had nothing to do with the overall situation, but it was just a matter of trouble in the future.

In any case, after this battle is over, compared to just winning Dadu in the past, this time the foundation of the Yuan Dynasty has been eradicated in one fell swoop, and the Yuan court forces in other directions will either stand on their own or surrender.

Surrender is the best option.

As for self-reliance...

In this day and age, it is far from easy to obtain legal orthodoxy as most people imagine. If you establish yourself as a king, will others recognize it?
If you don't admit it, it's a dispute.

The reality is, there is nothing so recognizable.

Wen Zao was sent away, and Qiao Wang also brought people over to deliver the first furnace of glass that was fired last night.

Things are going well and not going well.

Fortunately, all kinds of crystal clear things appeared in the twenty crucibles.

Unfortunately, I don't know if it was overheated, the 'glass' of various colors and perceptions were all stuck to the crucible, so the craftsmen brought the crucible together and let Zhu Yuan decide what to do?
These crucibles are not cheap and cannot be simply smashed like other molds.

Furthermore, whether it is Qiao Wang or other craftsmen, they have also discovered that these finished 'glasses' are definitely valuable things.

It's just that the current situation seems...something is wrong.

Zhu Yuan was also a little confused at first.

I'm stuck together, what should I do, wait online... nothing comes.

I can only think for myself.

After racking his brains, he finally came back to his senses.

The melting point of glass... No, glass doesn't have a fixed melting point. It seems to be what it is... I can't remember it for a while. Anyway, there is probably a melting temperature.

Compared with the firing temperature of one or two thousand degrees, the melting temperature of glass is very low. It seems that it only needs six or seven hundred degrees.

Thinking of this, there is no need for Qiao Wang and the others to go to the kiln at the bottom of the mountain, but at Zhu Yuan's residence, they directly burned the coke furnace and put the crucible. Sure enough, as Zhu Yuan expected, after heating for a while, the glass began to melt. , a graphite crucible with a heat resistance of about 3000 degrees is safe and sound.

The glass melts, and the next step is shaping.

A craftsman has been found in advance.

Interestingly speaking, besides the craftsmen who made the ceramics, Zhu Yuan also recruited two other sugar blowers.

It seems that the glass products used to be, of course, were handmade glass products, rather than mechanized production in factories. In short, it seems... that they were blown.

Various tools are also prepared in advance.

Zhu Yuan's first goal was the thermometer.

There is already a plan.

First, a capillary glass tube is made.

The request was made on the spot, and the craftsmen began to try, blowing out the glass tube first, and then stretching the glass as much as possible to make the middle cavity thinner.However, several craftsmen tried together, each showing their special abilities, and the smallest diameter was only two to three millimeters, which did not meet Zhu Yuan's requirements.

Then someone proposed to perforate by steel wire.

Immediately ordered people to find tools.

Thin steel wire, softened glass, brushed, left blank.

After another attempt, an ultra-thin glass tube with a diameter of less than one millimeter was finally produced.

There is a glass tube, and the bottom of the thermometer... Zhu Yuan doesn't know what to call it. In short, the part that holds the expanding liquid, or alcohol, or mercury.

Of course Zhu Yuan chose alcohol.

Mercury is poisonous.

In short, first make a small spherical container, like a round-bottomed flask that is much smaller.

It is then fused together with the capillary glass tube.

This step is not easy.

To glue the two together, make sure that the capillary and the cavity at the bottom are not blocked.

Tried the same several times, and finally succeeded.

In the preliminary finished product, Zhu Yuan specially made the expansion fluid cavity at the bottom larger, about one centimeter in diameter. This is also considered in advance, and more expansion fluid can be filled, so that when heated, the thermometer at the top is not as good as the thermometer at the bottom. In very thin tubes, the liquid has more room to expand.

The length of the glass tube also reaches one foot.

Then, there are the next steps.

There is no alcohol for the time being, so I found spirits as a substitute, dyed, boiled, put the finished thermometer sample into it, and let the boiled red wine slowly infiltrate through the capillary pores until the cavity at the bottom was almost full.

Although it is not pure alcohol, it is not pure water either. Therefore, the boiling point of spirits should be less than 100 degrees.

Zhu Yuan hopes to reach the level of testing boiling water.

That is 100 degrees Celsius.

Considering this requirement, one of the details, the wine liquid in the capillary pores, cannot be completely filled, and a certain gap must be left.

The last step is to keep the thermometer in the state of boiling spirits, set it up, wipe the top dry, and frost it, and then burn a small piece of glass next to it to seal the capillary pores on the upper end of the thermometer.

This step is also troublesome.

In order to maintain the appropriate high-temperature expansion state of the wine in the thermometer, it is impossible to burn it directly on the stove, otherwise, the wine inside will definitely evaporate.

Also sand it to keep the bond tight.

After the bonding is completed, the first thermometer of this era is officially released.

(End of this chapter)