And these ten days.
Hilde fights with Sophia almost every day.
Hilde, who refused to give up, finally found the trick.
On the day when the firebricks were made, Sophia became the one who fell on the bed and couldn't get up. Hilde walked out of the room calmly and took the firebricks sent by Marcus. She looked at it carefully, and her heart was excited about this shiny brick. After working for so long, the ultimate goal will soon be achieved.
"Marcus, how many of these bricks were produced?"
"Three thousand dollars."
"Okay, that's enough."
You don't need too many refractory bricks, for now.
Hilde immediately asked Marcus to send all the bricks to the iron smelting workshop, where Hilde had already had people dig a pit according to her requirements. At present, Hilde has two buildings to build, one is a blast furnace and the other is a crucible pit. The former is used to turn iron ore into semi-solidified molten iron, while the latter is a tool for frying molten iron and some concentrate powder to finally turn it into molten steel. For this, Hilde really prepared for too long.
"Your Majesty, what is this?"
At this time, Herodotus also came to join in the fun.
He watched the workers stacking bricks into a tall tower, somewhat puzzled.
"I heard that your majesty recently made something called bricks. I have heard that in Persia, Persians like to use this thing to build buildings. I didn't expect that your majesty would also know how to make this thing."
The third chapter, the second section, the knowledge of the Byzantines
Hilde was somewhat surprised by Herodotus' praise.
However, Hilde still smiled and said:
"This is not a very good technology, but it is enough to allow people to live in warm houses and make the city durable and beautiful."
"Your Majesty, you care about the people, unlike some of the dictators I have met."
Herodotus didn't know what he was thinking of. He sighed helplessly and continued:
"Whether it is the democratic system of Athens or the monarchy of Persia, they both rely on the wisdom of the rulers. Although the Athenians have always been proud of the fact that they chose the talented Pericles as the archon, in fact, Athens's achievements today are inseparable from Pericles. Even in a monarchy, Pericles' talent is enough to make him the most trusted minister around the king."
"Yes."
Hilde couldn't help but nodded.
At this moment, Herodotus changed the subject.
"But Pericles' position is no longer secure."
"What happened in Athens recently?"
"It was Cleon. Cleon's pressure almost destroyed Pericles' reputation. I now even doubt whether Pericles can still hold on. If he can't hold on, then where will Athens go if Cleon, a plebeian, becomes archon? Moreover, the news about Byzantium has not yet reached Athens. If Cleon knew about you, he would definitely use the fact that you are the oracle of Lady Athena to attack Pericles."
"Then let him know."
Hilde smiled.
Being able to see Pericles being punished for his actions.
Hilde was happy.
"That won't work... Although Pericles did do something wrong in this matter, we can't erase his merits because of his mistakes. Moreover, Sparta and Athens are now at war. Although Athens is on the defensive, it is precisely because of Athens's inaction that the Spartans cannot expand their victory, and the war cannot spread to all places. The Delian League is still very strong, thanks to Aspasia's diplomatic means and Pericles' personal reputation. If Pericles steps down, then... Cleon will quickly expand the war."
After hearing what Herodotus said, Hilde couldn't help but think.
Maybe this is a good opportunity.
If Greece was busy with internal strife, Hilde, who was far away, would have an opportunity to take advantage of it.
However, it was too early to think about this now. What Hilde had to do was to annex the surrounding city-states and then fight a decisive battle with the Thracian king. Moreover, when fighting the Thracians, Hilde had to unite all the forces that could be united, whether it was the Dacians, Macedonians, or Greek city-states, and she had to win their help... Therefore, Hilde gave up the idea of causing trouble.
"Come to think of it, Your Majesty, you haven't answered me yet."
Herodotus looked at the tower being built in front of him and asked:
"What are these?"
"These? Ah, I won't tell you."
Faced with Hilde's answer, Herodotus was a little at a loss.
"Your Majesty, is it a miracle that I cannot know?"
"No, it's a technology that can make weapons sharper. Anyway, not only will I not tell you, but you have to leave here now. This technology belongs to all Byzantines. You are not a Byzantine, so you cannot watch it." Having said this, Hilde smiled and bowed, "Please go back to the city and rest first."
"Very well, your majesty."
Herodotus had no choice but to accept this reason.
Although he was really curious.
So, after Herodotus left, Hilde took people to start building the blast furnace.
First, the refractory bricks were laid, and then the surface was coated with a mixture of clay and quartz sand, and fixed neatly. Although the blast furnace looked very simple, it had to be done in order to smelt better quality steel. So, after the blast furnace was built, Hilde had people continue to build the crucible pit while adding charcoal to the blast furnace. At the same time, he also prepared a series of necessary materials such as iron ore and concentrate powder.
Everything is ready.
So Hilde raised the torch and lit the charcoal.
This was the first time in human history that iron was smelted in a blast furnace.
Although today's scene may not be recorded in history books, at least Hilde will remember it in her heart.
If it can be successful...
It means that many possibilities will be fulfilled!
After the flames rose, the temperature inside the blast furnace was immediately heated to a terrifying level, and the workers used the ladder next to the blast furnace to add concentrate powder and charcoal powder from the top of the blast furnace to make the flames in the blast furnace burn more vigorously. Now, it is time to test the refractory bricks. If the refractory bricks are not good enough, before the iron ore is burned into molten iron, the refractory bricks will turn into liquid first, and the entire blast furnace will collapse.
The third tune, the third section, a rare invention
So, it's very tense now.
Whether it's Hilde or the other workers.
They were all looking at the blast furnace nervously.
The huge blower was only recently made, and more than a dozen slaves were operating it laboriously, blowing fresh air into the blast furnace so that the charcoal could burn more fully.
Everyone prayed that the blast furnace would not melt or collapse, and Hilde was also worried. If this failed, it would be very likely that he would enter a very painful stage of exploration. After all, Hilde did not know the exact formula of refractory bricks. He just made a dozen bricks in different proportions and chose the most suitable one. However, if this proportion could not be used... then the refractory bricks would become an insurmountable gap.
So, no matter what, you must succeed!
The flames kept burning.
Charcoal and mineral concentrate are also constantly added.
As time went by, the clay outside the blast furnace had dried up, and the entire blast furnace was emitting a depressing energy. The blast furnace was very airtight, so even if you stood around it, you wouldn't feel particularly hot. However, everyone knew that this thing was like a bomb, with huge amounts of heat accumulated inside the blast furnace, melting the stubborn iron ore and turning it into flowing molten iron.
The burning continued for several hours.
Hilde sat on the slope nearby.
Eating the grapes that Sophia limped over to him.
Although I really want to spend some time with Sophia, I have to deal with serious matters now and I can't slack off.
At this moment, the craftsman suddenly said in surprise: "It's out, water is coming out!"
"What's out of the water?"
Hilde quickly stood up and walked to the blast furnace.
At this time, the molten iron in the blast furnace had already flowed into the refractory crucible along the trench paved with refractory bricks. Although the amount of molten iron was small, the red liquid with boiling heat gave people a feeling of blood boiling. Hilde's heart was relieved at once. The smooth flow of molten iron meant that the refractory bricks withstood the test. At the same time, the human ironmaking method also went directly from block ironmaking to blast furnace ironmaking.
"Get ready to stir-fry steel!"
"Yes!"
The molten iron was produced.
Next, comes the second step, frying the steel.
After the hot molten iron was poured into the refractory crucible, the furnace inside the crucible had been heated to a temperature of over a thousand degrees. The huge blast blew the air, and the entire furnace was like a furnace, suffocating people. However, the enthusiastic craftsmen and slaves had already begun to fry steel according to Hilde's request.
As the name suggests, stir-fried steel is to stir molten iron with a huge shovel, and add the concentrate powder ground from iron ore during the stirring process. After these ore powders enter the molten iron, they will react with the carbon in the molten iron. Finally, the carbon will become a paste-like precipitate with other metal impurities, and the remaining liquid is low-carbon steel, which does not exist at all in this era.
Now, success is within reach.
As the workers continue to operate.
Clumps and clumps of paste-like precipitate were fried out.
The molten iron, which was originally a little turbid, is now becoming more and more transparent and has completely turned into a fiery red color. At this time, the time is almost right. If it continues to be made, the molten steel may turn into wrought iron, which is not what Hilde needs. So, after the sediment is fished out, the molten steel is carefully transferred from the crucible to the stone mold next to it. The molten steel is poured into it, and after cooling to a certain degree, it will be made into a weapon.
And now, it's already night.
"His Majesty."
At this time, Marcus ran over excitedly.
"Your Majesty, please go back and rest first. I will stay here and watch the craftsmen forge the weapons."
"Is it really okay?"
"Of course! Your Majesty, your health is the most important thing! I will present it to you when it is ready tomorrow."
"...Okay." Hilde knew that the next ironmaking process would be very complicated and boring. Now that the molten steel was ready, as long as it was made according to more advanced weapon processing methods, it would be possible to create a very sharp weapon. So Hilde handed the work here to Marcus, and she went home to rest.
Although Hilde appeared calm on the surface.
But in fact, I was very happy inside.
She has completed an invention that is rare in the world!
He never expected that with his high school knowledge and what he had accumulated from reading history books, he could actually realize blast furnace iron smelting and crucible steel frying in ancient Greece. Hilde was like a child who had scored full marks in the exam. He was so happy.
When Hilde returned home, she opened the door directly.
"Sophia!"
"Sissi, you're back."
At this time, Sophia was wearing a linen coat.
"Are you planning on going out?"
"I saw that you hadn't come back yet, so I decided to go see you..."
"It's okay, come on, take off your clothes."
Hilde quickly walked up to Sophia and kissed her without giving her any time to explain.
Chapter : The Making of New Weapons
The next day, early in the morning.
Hilde got dressed and prepared to go see how the weapons were being made.
At this time, Sophia's weak voice came from the bed: "Sissi... I really can't do it anymore, please forgive me."
"That won't do. You were so complacent back then. I have to make up for what I lost today." Having said that, Hilde walked to the bedside and gently held Sophia's hand. "Just rest at home today. You don't need to bring me any fruit or lunch. Remember to wash yourself clean at night."
"Sissi..."
Hilde ignored Sophia's pleas.
Instead, he left the mansion directly.
At this time, Aspasia also came out from another house.
"Sissi, what have you been busy with these days? I heard from Herodotus that you seemed to have done something extraordinary."
"Ah, mother." Hilde stopped and explained to Aspasia with a smile, "I am preparing a new method of iron smelting."
"A new way of making iron?"
"Yes, do you still remember the craftsman I executed? Although to some extent, the craftsman did something wrong and cut corners, which led to problems with the weapon, it cannot be entirely blamed on the craftsman. The original iron smelting method had huge flaws. The craftsmen had to hammer hard for a whole day to ensure the quality, which consumed a lot of physical energy. Therefore, I improved the iron smelting method, hoping to improve the performance of weapons in the future and avoid such things from happening again."
Hearing Hilde say this.
Aspasia was a little stunned.
Then she smiled and said, "What a gentle queen."
