Lady of the Lord From the East

The bedroom Wei Wei used to live in was next to the hostess' bedroom. This was originally a room prepared for entertaining guests, but now that the guest has become the hostess, she naturally wants to change rooms.

Fortunately, the people in the castle didn't move her things when she was away, so the problem of changing rooms was naturally the first thing to do.

However, according to the nobility's etiquette, Wei Wei should move to the hostess' bedroom, but of course Felix would not agree. He strongly demanded Wei Wei to live with him and not to sleep in separate rooms.

Wei Wei naturally didn't have the habit of getting married and living apart from her husband, so she waved her hand and moved most of her things into the hostess' bedroom, but all the daily necessities were put in the master's bedroom, and Felix Si also moved up from the original room downstairs, and the couple lived together.

Early the next morning, Wei Wei resisted the temptation to go back to sleep and got up to cook sugar.

The harvest period of sugar beet is in the middle and late October. It is a crop that can be stored for a long time for winter. Countries in western and southern Europe have a long history of sowing sugar beets. Their storage technology is naturally advanced enough. Wei Wei bought it from a merchant. Beets that are specially stored until the coldest months and then sold for sale, because vegetables are scarce in the cold winter and twelfth months, the income from selling is naturally higher.

So Wei Wei spent a lot of gold coins to buy those carts of beets. Originally, she didn't plan to use these beets to boil sugar, but would buy them back, mainly to make rouge lipstick color powder.

There are also beets in the plants she grows, and the yield is actually quite good, but she has already planted very few plants, so naturally she will not receive too much.

Of course, her beets are sugar beets, with hypertrophic roots and high sugar content. They are very different from the beets used as vegetables in this period. If they are used to squeeze sugar, the ones she planted are more suitable, so originally she was also There are plans to squeeze those beets into sugar after the spring, so that the cultivation of sugar beets can be promoted in Sardinson County. After all, wheat is still a staple food, and it is not a long-term solution to always use wheat to squeeze sugar.

But now that she has bought more beets, and there is no shortage of raw materials, she doesn't have to bother to open the cellar to get the beets, and just use the new ones.

The method of extracting sugar from beets is also simple. Wei Wei went to the room that was used to make maltose in the past. After not cooking sugar recently, the place was empty. After knowing that the hostess wanted to use it, the servants cleaned it up overnight. When she came , several large pots in the house were washed clean, and the stove was also full of firewood, and a few slaves who were originally responsible for boiling sugar stood aside waiting for her orders.

Wei Wei glanced at the older slaves and saw that they were dressed warm enough. Although their complexions were not rosy enough to be healthy, she knew that they were doing pretty well, so she didn't pay too much attention to them.

The slaves are very grateful to the new hostess. The work of cooking sugar should not have been done by elderly slaves like them. All insiders feel that this is a job that needs to be kept secret. Naturally, Pie is more loyal. It is suitable for someone with more strength to come, but Wei Wei defies all opinions. She thinks that it does not require too much strength to boil sugar, and it can be handed over to the old slaves, and these old slaves have stayed in Sardinson Castle all their lives. , The family and life belong to the Count, so their loyalty will not be enough, and if they can live to this age, they naturally know what to say and what not to say. As long as they are ordered, these people will never reveal anything about their master. information is much safer than a servant who may be bought.

This work is much better than the work of other slaves. It is indoors and by the stove. They cook sugar hot every day. Plus there is enough food, it is difficult for the old slaves to survive the harsh winter. They all survived this year.

Although the work of making sugar has been stopped for a while, the treatment given by the castle has not been taken back. The old slaves have been consciously arranged for less tiring work recently, and they all look good now.

The method of boiling sugar beets is actually very simple, even easier than making maltose. You only need to boil the washed and shredded beets with water in a pot until the beets in the pot are broken, and then put the beets in this pot. For the soup, pour it into gauze, filter and wring the beet dregs, and remove the dregs of the beet juice, which is sugary sugar water, and pour it into the pot again and simmer over a low heat.

The beets were sent from the warehouse. Today is mainly to try, so there are not many beets used. A few slaves washed the beetroots and shredded them and boiled them according to Wei Wei's instructions. Almost, the old slaves of the skilled craftsmen did not have the situation of sticking to the pot even if they were making it for the first time.

When they were busy, Wei Wei, who felt that she was just a decoration here, temporarily left to see the alchemy laboratory.

She had heard that the Roger Raymond alchemist hadn't left the tower in the months they were gone, that the food was brought by a servant, and that if he was missing, he would try to buy it for him as long as he told the servant. Back, so the alchemist, who has no worries about life at all, is already reluctant to think about it in his laboratory.

However, the servants who accompanied Wei Wei cryptically told her that they suspected that the alchemist was doing a dangerous experiment.

"There's been an explosion here on several occasions and we're worried that the gentleman is going to blow up the tower."

The accompanying servant was the one who was responsible for taking care of old Raymond's daily life. He told Wei Wei that although the towers were not destroyed by the explosions, they still damaged some equipment. Ordered again from other cities for a lot of money.

But at present, the alchemist has not shown any benefit to Sardinson Castle except for the contribution of alchemy equipment and Wei Wei's fiddling with alcohol and perfume - and everyone agrees that these are Wei Wei's credit - .

So in private, many people think that he eats plain rice, and they don't understand why the Count and Madam still take care of him so wholeheartedly.

In this regard, Wei Wei just smiled and said nothing.

"You came."

The master who has been experimenting in the alchemy laboratory for a long time is even more sloppy than when Wei Wei first met him, but this is also a good old man. The long beard is much shorter than before. Judging from some traces at the bottom, it should be It was burnt, and the owner apparently had no intention of trimming it and letting it stay.

"Long time no see, Master Raymond." Wei Wei greeted him from a certain distance. Although she could understand him forgetting to eat and sleep because of the experiment, her personal hygiene was so bad that she still didn't want to approach him.

Old Raymond obviously didn't care about her attitude, he just showed Wei Wei his latest experimental results with great interest.

"I think I've finally found a way to make gold!"

Thirteenth-century alchemists pursued nothing more than two things—to make elixirs that would give people eternal life, and to develop ways to convert base metals into precious metals, especially gold.

Taken together, they call the fetish that can achieve these two purposes the "Sage's Stone".

Old Raymond’s original alchemy project was alchemy, a way to turn base metals into gold. This is the goal of most alchemists. Of course, no one has been able to do it so far—it will be true in future generations. That's it, but the cost is too high to meet their initial expectations of getting rich from it.

Wei Wei naturally didn't believe that Old Raymond could find the alchemy method that could only be done in the laboratory in later generations, but she still watched Old Raymond's experimental process.

In the end, she found that his so-called method was to add some gold powder to the mercury, then heat and cool it, and then apply it on the surface of the raw metal (such as iron or copper) and heat it again, and finally a piece of golden "gold" appeared on the outside. .

Holding the piece of "gold", old Raymond looked amazed and excited: "How is it? Isn't this amazing?"

Wei Wei had to hit him: "...I think it's called gilding, and of course it's also called gilding, not real gold."

Although it is not known whether other alchemists in this period have mastered this technique, but in China, the earliest record of gilding appeared in "Zhou Yi Shen Tong Qi" written by Wei Boyang, an alchemist in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the time was probably in the second and third centuries. , about a thousand years earlier than now.

"Actually, if you notice, most of the containers that the cosmetic gem merchants use to store their goods are gilded, and the craftsmanship is similar to the experiment you are doing now."

Old Raymond looked shocked: "I thought those were real gold!"

"It's real gold, but it's just a superficial layer." She pointed to the piece of "gold" in his hand. "They're just like this. If you scrape the outer layer, the essence inside will flow out."

After she finished speaking, she looked suspiciously at the alchemist in front of her: "Are you trying to fool me? With your ability, it is impossible for you to miss the essence of this so-called "gold"."

Old Raymond, who was seen through, put away the expression on his face: "Okay, I'm just joking with you."

When he first discovered this experimental result, he was really surprised, but soon as Wei Wei thought, he discovered that it was not really able to turn other metals into gold, it was just an illusion.

But old Raymond still wanted to show such a rare success to his employer - definitely not hoping to fool Wei Wei and ask her to add some experimental allowances to him.

Facing Wei Wei's suspicious gaze, the old alchemist naturally changed the subject: "Actually, this is what I want to show you."

He picked up an object wrapped in a black cloth from the corner, and lifted the black cloth to reveal the true content underneath.

It was a mirror, and it was a glass mirror, the size of which was half a person's height. The mirror was fixed in a metal frame, and the whole frame was golden, and it looked like it was cast out of gold.

"This is an aluminum mirror I made according to the information you provided. To be honest, it's hard to find such a big glass. I made this specially for you, dear countess."

Although he is an experimental maniac, Old Raymond does not completely understand the importance of interpersonal relationships. He is very clear that he can only get more resources if he pleases Wei Wei here, so Wei Wei always assigns tasks to him as soon as possible. To accomplish, of course, it also has nothing to do with the fact that these tasks are really fun.

The production of aluminum mirrors only appeared in the 1970s. The manufacturing method is: vaporize aluminum in a vacuum, and let the aluminum vapor condense on the glass surface to form a thin aluminum film. This process is very simple at first glance, but in order to achieve a vacuum, it took Lao Raymond a lot of effort. Fortunately, the information provided by Wei Wei is comprehensive enough, so that he doesn't have to take many detours.

In fact, compared with aluminum mirrors, the method of making mercury mirrors is simpler in terms of the craftsmanship of this period, but the mercury is poisonous, and Wei Wei does not want to touch it herself, nor does she want others to touch it too much, and if the mirrors are to be put into mass production , that is very dangerous for the production workers.

Therefore, she gave up the production of mercury mirrors and chose to study the production of silver mirrors and aluminum mirrors instead of electroplating and coating silver mirrors, which need to go through a series of chemical reactions. Secondly, the silver used is also very expensive. In comparison, aluminum mirrors are relatively simple and much cheaper to make, and at the same time, they are more durable and more radiant than silver mirrors.

Wei Wei took over the half-person-high mirror. In her opinion, the retro and gorgeous mirror is very heavy to start with, because the back of the mirror frame is also metal, and there are patterns on it. Although I don't know what metal the original material is, it is obviously not. It was pure gold. Old Raymond didn't have that much money. This should have been done by him after finding someone to make the frame and then doing the secondary processing himself.

Then look at the mirror itself, move it to a place with sufficient light to check, the clarity of the mirror is very high, but it should be because the old Raymond did not clean the glass enough during the production process, and the mirror inevitably left a little flaw after it was done. Fortunately, the location is on the side, and you won't notice it if you don't look closely, so it doesn't affect its overall charm.

This is definitely a babe that will make women of this period scream.

She sincerely thanked: "Thank you, I love it."

"It's great if you like it." Old Raymond rubbed his hands together: "I've compiled the detailed production methods into documents, you can take them now, then, what's our next topic?"

No wonder he was too active. After coming to Sardinson County, Old Raymond discovered that this exotic girl was a treasure. She could always come up with some research topics that interest him, although the information on these topics Too comprehensive made him feel no surprises in the process of making experiments, but they broadened his horizons and allowed him to see a more exciting world that is not limited to alchemy and immortality.

Of course, the most important reason is that Wei Wei signed a contract with him. The contract stated that for any research that Wei Wei provided and completed by him, the profit after the results were put into production would be 100%. One is owned by him, and if it is the research result of his completely independent research, if he is sure to make money, he can get 10% of the profit.

Of course, this profit sharing was time-limited, and it was only valid when old Raymond was alive.

This was too tempting for the poor old alchemist.

Of course, because the previous perfume and alcohol were actually completed by Wei Wei, so he didn't get any commission, so after the mirror was finished, he couldn't wait for Wei Wei to take the materials and put them into production. Only the share that belongs to him can come to him.

Don't look at 1%, but think about the high price that mirrors can sell, and think about the statement that there is no share in this period. Originally, it would be good for old Raymond to get a bonus. This kind of long-term and stable How can the income not let him be moved.

Wei Wei handed the mirror to the servant, and the latter's hands were shaking while holding it, for fear of breaking it accidentally.

She took the materials from old Raymond, thought about it, and said a new topic: "Are you interested in mechanical research?"

Old Raymond: "???"

After coming out of the tower, Wei Wei asked the servant to send the mirror to the bedroom, and she handed the information to Butler Barton, who happened to meet him, and asked him to send it to the study, and then returned to the sugar boiling site to check the progress.

The servant held the mirror that shone even brighter in the sun, and received many curious eyes along the way. He was a little proud, and deliberately turned the mirror to those people, so that they could see himself in the mirror, and swaggered all the way. It was put into the master's bedroom.

After coming out, the servant was surrounded by others and asked him about the mirror. Soon everyone would know that the Countess had a very clear mirror, and that mirror was made by the old Raymond who was eating rice. So old Raymond is not an old liar, but a very powerful alchemist.

Wei Wei had been in the tower for a long time. When she returned, the beet sugar had already boiled out. The boiled sugar and maltose were very dark brown, and the sugar made from beets was also sucrose. If If necessary, it can also be processed into white sugar in the later stage. In fact, in later generations, 30% of the white sugar in the world is made from beets.

According to the data, it takes about six pounds of beets to make one pound of white sugar. If it is just boiled into sugar without further processing, the same amount of beet heads can be about three times higher than sugar syrup.

But that is sugar beet specially cultivated for sugar making in later generations. Now beet is used as a vegetable, and its sweetness is not as high as in later generations, so here, slaves only boiled a pound and a half of sugar syrup with six pounds of sugar beet. , that is, 4 catties of beets can make a catty of sugar syrup, which is much less than what is recorded in the data.

The boiled beet sugar has been poured out of the pot and poured into the prepared wooden mold. The mold is made according to the capacity of a pound of beet sugar. The slaves followed Wei Wei's instructions before the syrup completely solidified. Cut the beet sugar into 50 pieces, which is the candy that Wei Wei wanted.

Wei Wei picked up a piece and tasted it. Beet sugar was much sweeter than cane sugar and had a clear fragrance. It tasted much like honey and was much more delicious than maltose.

She calculated that based on the population of Sardinson, it is conservatively estimated that about 3,500 catties of beets are needed to make enough beet sugar, and the beets she bought are five tons, or 10,000 catties, which is not only affordable This consumption can do more.

So, do I just make a batch as a return gift, or do I make all of it into candy and sell it?

Wei Wei decisively chose the latter.

Wei Wei found the housekeeper and asked him if the serfs had any spare staff recently.

Butler Patton was very embarrassed when he heard the words: "Everyone who can work has gone to the road construction team to help, and now I'm afraid no one can be selected."

Road construction is a major event, and this matter cannot be stopped. After the weather has improved recently, the fields will be busy soon, and there will be fewer people building roads by then, so now they are rushing forward, and strive to build more before the busy farming season. , so recently, not to mention men, even powerful women have been called to help, where else can someone be transferred to Wei Wei.

Wei Wei pondered for a while and asked him, "What about the old and the young, I only need someone to wash and cut vegetables by hand, it's not hard work, even older children can do it."

Butler Patton: "Then what do you think about the kids over there in the church? They should be able to do this, right?"

After his reminder, Wei Wei remembered that there were such a group of child laborers.

Indeed, the group of children were all around twelve years old, and most of them were girls. These girls must have to do housework at home, and there was no problem in letting them do the work of washing and shredding beets.

And if I remember correctly, those kids were clamoring for work when they were in the capital.

"Then let them come and help." Wei Wei arranged: "For the time being, we will arrange half a day of work every day, and let them go back to class for the remaining half day."

So many beets rely on manpower alone, I am afraid it will take a lot of time.

Butler Patton: "Okay, does that start today?"

"Okay, let's start in the afternoon."

The butler responded and called someone to inform the children in the church.

Then he also had something to ask Wei Wei.

"Madam, the young master said that you need to add a few more personal maids. Do you have a favorite candidate?"

A new maid candidate? She really hadn't noticed.

Before, because of her position as a guest, she would only ask Qin and Penny to do things when she took over, but she didn't pay much attention to other maids, and she didn't know much about letting her choose.

But when it comes to candidates, she remembers that there is a more suitable one.

"Can Kama be a maid? If you can't be a personal maid, an ordinary maid can."

Butler Patton thought for a while before he remembered who Karma was.

"She's a slave girl. If you want to make her a servant girl, I'm afraid Master Felix will first pardon her for her crimes."

If it was another female slave, Wei Wei, he would have agreed directly, but Kama was different. She was punished as a female slave because her husband could not cure Master Eric and escaped. It is an order from the old earl, and it can only be decided by the current earl.

Wei Wei still values ​​the female slave who understands herbal medicine. She thinks that with Karma's ability, she will become a very good herbalist with a little training, and if she is brought over as a personal maid, it will also be convenient for Wei Wei to cultivate, otherwise As her slave girl, many things can become troublesome.

Wei Wei nodded: "I will ask him about this. As for the remaining candidates, I will trouble you to help me see."

Butler Patton: "Is there any request from Madam?"

"If you can do a lot of words, it's best if you can read, but don't think too much."

Barton wrote down one by one, and then added some in his mind.

It can't be too beautiful, and it can't have any unreasonable thoughts about the Count. It seems that it will cause trouble.

Master Felix is ​​an infatuation like the old earl, and Miss Wei Wei is the kind of person who dares to love and hate. He doesn't want anyone to affect their feelings in the future.

Therefore, it must be beaten if it should be beaten. They don't want to be a maid who wants to climb the bed in Sardinson Castle!