Just then, the first problem arose.
"Oh no! This is bad!"
Old Sun, who was in charge of the heat treatment, exclaimed in surprise, his forehead covered in sweat.
He picked up a red-hot steel billet from the quenching oil bath, his face full of frustration: "I...I didn't control the temperature well again, this piece cracked during quenching! It's ruined!"
This was already their second failed attempt at using material. The discarded cannon barrel wasn't long to begin with, and now they only had one last chance.
Gao Kai's heart sank.
Even the most experienced master craftsman, Old Sun, failed repeatedly. The difficulty of this "secondary annealing" was greater than they had imagined.
Su Tang walked over, glanced at the discarded steel billet, then at the simple coal stove and thermometer next to it, and immediately understood the problem.
“Master Sun, our equipment is too rudimentary; relying solely on the thermometer is inaccurate.” She picked up the fire tongs, clamped the last steel billet, and placed it into the roaring coal stove. “Don’t look at the meter; look at the fire.”
"Watch the fire?" Old Sun was taken aback.
“Yes.” Su Tang’s eyes were fixed on the steel billet in the furnace. Her usually clear eyes were now reflecting the dancing flames, and she was incredibly focused.
Gao Kai's gaze towards Su Tang changed.
Under the lights, her profile was clean and sharp, with delicate features. A few strands of hair, damp with sweat, clung to her slightly dark skin, but instead of looking disheveled, they exuded a breathtaking charm.
At this moment, the ordinary, somewhat thin girl in the crowd seemed to be enveloped in a layer of light.
That was the radiance of absolute confidence and ultimate professionalism, so dazzling that he couldn't look away, and his heart skipped a beat for no reason.
“Wait until it changes from dark red to cherry red, and then to bright cherry red…” Su Tang’s voice was calm and clear, “and take it out the moment it is about to turn orange.”
Old Man Sun and Gao Kai held their breath, staring intently.
Under Su Tang's direction, Old Man Sun precisely picked up the steel billet at the critical point when its color changed and quickly immersed it in the oil bath.
"Sizzle—"
A wisp of smoke rose, and this time, the heartbreaking cracking sound was no longer heard!
It was a success!
Old Sun was so excited he almost dropped the fire tongs in his hand.
Judging temperature by the fire! This is a legendary skill known as the "eagle eye" possessed only by top-tier blacksmiths of the older generation!
"Teacher Su, I, Old Sun, have been repairing guns my whole life, but today I've finally seen the light! From now on, you are my master!"
From "Sister Su" to "Teacher Su," and then to "Master," this change in address signifies that the old gunsmith has been completely captivated by Su Tang's unpredictable and amazing skills from the bottom of his heart.
Just as the atmosphere inside the workshop was getting heated, a series of footsteps suddenly came from outside, followed by a hushed reprimand.
"Who's in there? What are they doing in the middle of the night!"
The three men's hearts tightened. Oh no! It was a patrolling sentry!
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