Chapter 264
"Go, go right now!"
The place isn't far. There are a few artisans who are quite skilled in handicrafts.
Although these people do not specialize in mechanical skills, they have a broad understanding of related fields.
After seeing the items, Fan Xiaoxiao was inevitably a little disappointed because her expectations had been too high.
The materials used are all newly made cowhide and ordinary iron.
It's not so much that it's not very appealing, but rather that it's utterly ugly.
Xiao Hei scratched his head: "They usually just do it for fun, and for very short periods of time..."
"It's alright," Fan Xiaoxiao quickly nodded with a smile, "It's already quite good that you've managed to do this well."
She understood that with the current conditions in Tianshan Village and the few days she had left, it was impossible to create a perfect work.
Most importantly, her ideas were influenced by modernity to some extent.
Fan Xiaoxiao glanced at the flames in the furnace, composed herself, and placed her hand on the leather handle of the blower.
The others looked on with hope.
Everyone held their breath, eager to hear her evaluation of the product's effectiveness.
Fan Xiaoxiao gripped the handle tightly and pulled hard.
The airbag, made of special materials and with several pleats, stretches slowly.
She wasn't very strong, but thanks to some ingenious principles, she used it very easily.
Now, it's time to witness a miracle.
Fan Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and pressed the handle inward forcefully.
This time, the airflow bulged up from the bottom of the furnace.
It rushed into the charcoal fire quite smoothly.
Flames several times stronger than before shot up.
The air was thick with heat, and the temperature was rising.
It was a success!!!
Fan Xiaoxiao was very excited. Although her expression was blank for a moment, her pupils swayed and her body trembled slightly.
When she stood up, Xiao Hei, who had been entrusted with the task, and the three "amateur" craftsmen in charge of the production, were also somewhat uneasy.
A few seconds later, Xiao Hei couldn't help but ask, "Lady Xiao... how is it? Did you manage to do three or four tenths?"
He didn't dare to be presumptuous and only dared to say a small part of it.
Fan Xiaoxiao suddenly laughed and raised her fist: "Perfect!!!"
"Ohhhh!!!"
Cheers erupted in the makeshift foundry.
"With this, I will never have to worry about the temperature being too low or unstable again."
"Even though we may not be good-looking, what we want is real meaning!"
A surge of pride welled up in Fan Xiaoxiao's heart.
In this world, steel is still forged through hammering, as the saying goes, steel is forged through repeated tempering.
To make good weapons, the blacksmith not only needs to have an excellent physique, but also needs to have the patience and meticulousness to strive for perfection.
None of them can be missing.
But the battlefield is different. The imperial army is well-equipped, and to resist their slaughter, one person needs to be used as ten.
In modern times, Fan Xiaoxiao is just a food blogger; she certainly couldn't help Gu Zhongtai with leading troops in battle.
However, there are still opportunities in terms of equipment and logistics.
Modern knives are prone to dulling on the battlefield; they might become blunt after killing a few enemies and no longer be able to cut.
Even the better weapons require three forgings and four temperings.
Only junior officers could get ten chances.
Fan Xiaoxiao wants to reform this matter!
Even if it's not super-refined steel, I want everyone in the future rebels to have better weapons.
"But what's the use of this?" a craftsman asked, puzzled.
Fan Xiaoxiao looked around.
The area of Tianshan Village is not large at present, and most people are engaged in fur sewing and meat jerky making.
Previously, most of the artisans who made bottles or did other crafts were doing work they were not familiar with.
Therefore, there was only one casting shed.
Even if they made an improved blower that was better than the traditional one, it was still considered to be a place that made some relatively expensive or uncommon things.
"Improving the making of knives and axes." Fan Xiaoxiao didn't go into details, only giving a brief answer.
She patted the dust off her fingers: "Well, for now it's just research. Before it can be truly put to use, we'll need to establish a foothold here or find a truly suitable and safe place."
Forging tables and smelting workshops are different from other things; they cannot be easily moved. Once someone sets their sights on them, they are almost impossible to take away, yet something they are reluctant to part with.
Fan Xiaoxiao looked at the people present.
Xiao Hei is both the successor of the Ghost Doctor and works for Boss Gu. The other three people who were able to get involved must either have some knowledge in this area.
Either they are very interested in this area.
Both types are seedlings that meet the cultivation requirements.
Without hesitation, she asked directly, "What do the three of you usually do in the village?"
The three of them were ordinary craftsmen before. After being recruited, they no longer had to worry about food and clothing or live in fear. They were all very humbled and apprehensive to be valued by Fan Xiaoxiao.
He quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "We used to be carpenters in the village, and we also have some knowledge of ironware."
"It's just that because I've been starving for a long time, I can't swing a hammer, so I can only do other jobs."
"Now I work as an assistant to the seamstresses in the village, doing tasks such as leather work and butchering."
"It's a waste of talent," Fan Xiaoxiao nodded.
The group quickly said they didn't deserve it, and that they were already very satisfied.
They all knew that Fan Xiaoxiao had made other arrangements for them.
really.
Fan Xiaoxiao said, "You don't need to do this anymore."
She turned to Xiao Hei and said, "Xiao Hei, go and see if there are any other people who are also talented and interested in making things, and gather a few more."
"From now on, I will be specifically responsible for improving cast iron and forging."
Xiao Hei looked serious, and there seemed to be some hesitation in his eyes, but he couldn't say it to his face, so he just agreed.
The three men were overjoyed to hear that they could do other things and wouldn't have to do odd jobs anymore, and they thanked him profusely.
Only after the others had left did Xiao Hei whisper, "Xiao Niangzi, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
“Although we have a source of income, we still have to take care of our basic needs, such as food, drink, and sanitation. Moreover, with so many people around, we can’t earn much money except through bartering.”
These days, Xiao Hei has been working closely with Fan Xiaoxiao. With Fan Xiaoxiao in charge of the overall situation, he has become the de facto chief steward of Tianshan Village.
His concerns were indeed all very valid.
But Fan Xiaoxiao's vision extends beyond this mere Tianshan Village, and even beyond the Tianshan region.
"Xiao Hei, we can find ways to solve the current difficulties, but improving the casting process is a long-term solution."
Xiao Hei smiled wryly: "Miss Xiao, I understand what you mean, but it's really too much of a stretch to have so many people doing this."
"Furthermore, even putting aside the issue of scale, even with improvements, the imperial court has weapons controls, so no one would dare to buy goods from us..."
Unsold goods mean unsold inventory and losses.
Upon hearing this, Fan Xiaoxiao suddenly understood his biggest concern and laughed out loud: "Xiao Hei, why are you still thinking about the imperial court's ban?"
(End of this chapter)
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