The Great Chu Dynasty lacked the modern industrial system. Xia Daohua couldn't produce the kind of cement that's graded today.
However, the cement series of "Maintaining Everything" does not require so much support from modern industrial infrastructure.
Of course, the product's performance was not as good as that of later cement.
However, compared with the glutinous rice paste walls here and now, it is a quick and cost-effective technological advancement that cannot be ignored.
It is actually not difficult to make cement by traditional methods. You just need to grind the limestone into powder, then add the powdered clay in a certain proportion, put them together and calcine them into clinker, then add the slag left over from iron smelting and continue grinding and stirring evenly. The finished product is traditional cement.
This kind of thing actually doesn't have much technical content, but it has two disadvantages:
First, the quality is difficult to control.
The finished product may be very uniform cement, or it may have abnormal expansion due to problems with the composition of the slag.
The original reinforcement function will not be achieved, but will instead undermine the stability of the building.
Second, processes such as grinding and calcining require a lot of strength.
Mechanized production has advantages. If we rely solely on manpower, let alone whether the grinding quality can meet the standards, just looking at the input-output ratio, I am afraid the data will be quite touching.
So Xia Daohua specially chose a plot of land next to a big river.
Although there is a risk of the workshop being flooded during the rainy season, since it is next to the river, I can design a water wheel and use water to grind and improve production efficiency.
Unfortunately, slag is hard to find. I'm afraid I'll have to put some money down to buy it upfront. Later, once the cement is sold, we'll be self-sufficient.
If that doesn't work, you can also use coal slag directly. Kiln burning also requires fuel anyway, using coal to burn the kiln and using coal slag as auxiliary material is simply perfect!
Brick kilns are much simpler than cement kilns. As for the damage to the environment... I can't care less.
In this era, there are still many uncultivated natural environments, and the population is far lower than in later generations. As long as there is no severe pollution, there is no need to worry too much for the time being.
Xia Daohua thought about all aspects of the situation and boldly started the project of building brick kilns and cement kilns.
With the help of the manpower brought by Wei Jizu and Wang, the work of building brick kilns and cement kilns became much simpler.
The steward sent by Wang was a newcomer from the Wang family to support their own girl.
In particular, the two managers brought by Wei Jizu were said to be Eunuch Wei’s godsons.
One is called Wei Qillang and the other is called Wei Shiqi. There is a full twelve years difference between them, but their names are actually calculated according to their birth order.
It seems that Eunuch Wei likes to adopt godsons!
One of these two men was steady and practical, the other was smart and resourceful. They worked well together and obeyed Xia Daohua's orders. There was almost no need for adjustment in working with them, which made Xia Daohua feel very comfortable.
In just two months, one red brick kiln after another rose from the ground, and the water wheels and cement kilns were ready. Everything was ready, and all that was missing was manpower and sales channels.
Xia Daohua couldn't help but want to sigh.
Look at what Eunuch Wei is capable of!
Why don’t I have such a useful talent in my hands?
The manpower problem was simple. We posted a recruitment notice and sent a few people to promote the job in the downtown area, vegetable markets, teahouses, restaurants, clothing stores and other places. This attracted a lot of people who were willing to work.
Among them were local people from Jixiang County, refugees from other places, and even some strong women.
Xia Daohua screened all the applicants, first tested their physical fitness and endurance, and then asked a doctor to give them a basic physical examination.
Then all those who passed the physical examination were hired.
The probation period is three days. If you work well during these three days, you can stay and become a regular employee.
If the work is not done well, you will be fired at any time within three days, and the wages for the work you have already done will be calculated on a daily basis, with half the wages.
The daily wage during the probation period is ten cents, and after becoming a regular employee, the wage will increase to fifteen cents a day.
Hearing about such a good thing, those who failed the physical examination surrounded Xia Daohua and the others, not letting them leave, and some even knelt down to beg.
Xia Daohua couldn't bear to watch, but someone in poor health couldn't bear to watch such tiring work. She didn't want to see anyone suddenly die on her property...
Manager Wang and Wei Shiqi, who were sent by the Wang family, reacted quickly, quickly mobilized guards, and dispersed the surrounding crowd.
He also personally protected Xia Daohua and helped her retreat to a safe place.
Xia Daohua was shocked by the scene. While she was thankful for the two managers' quick reactions, she secretly decided in her heart that it was time to train some reliable personnel.
Fifth uncle Xia Youliang was interested in the work in the brick kiln, but fifth aunt Cheng thought it was too hard and was not very willing to do it.
Xia Daohua didn't want to force it.
It's just that I can't help feeling a bit regretful, as I feel that it's a bit inconvenient not having my own people in this industry.
Fortunately, after a few days, Aunt Wu figured it out.
He also came to see Xia Daohua in person to thank her for thinking of his fifth uncle first when good things happened.
Because of this matter, Sun started to act sarcastic again.
She felt that Xia Yougui should be given priority for such a good thing. If Xia Yougui didn't want to work, there was Erlang! If Erlang was too busy, there were Sanlang and Silang!
Xia Daohua was unmoved. At most, Sun could complain a few words in the slum. If she found the fourth house, she could only come to Jiang, which had little impact on Xia Daohua.
Wang’s company solved most of the sales problem.
Cement was not only used in the county government's road construction project, but after understanding its properties, County Magistrate Yang thought it could also be used to reinforce city walls and dams.
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