Chapter 141 How can someone have time to post while there's a war going on...?
Wood ash contains potassium carbonate, which is highly alkaline. When dissolved in water, it can react with calcium and magnesium ions in brine to produce calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
In terms of color, its addition helps impurities in the brine settle to the bottom, making it clearer. In terms of taste, it is also key to removing the bitterness from the finished salt.
Ancient people hadn't systematically studied chemistry and didn't know what acids and bases, ions, or neutralization reactions were. But this didn't stop them from using wood ash. They either buried it in the soil, using the potassium ions from the potassium carbonate to fertilize the land, or used it as a substitute for soapberry, utilizing its alkaline properties to wash clothes.
But can it be used to clarify brine?
This is the first time I've ever seen such hardworking people from ancient times.
When the salt miners saw the brine, which had been covered in wood ash, turn clear, their eyes widened in astonishment. They were even more astonished when they saw the clarified brine being boiled into salt crystals on the spot, the finished salt as white and lustrous as snow.
Rotten grass turns into fireflies, sparrows turn into clams in the water, turning stones into gold, and wood ash into salt... In an instant, Fusu Lu's skill was associated with all sorts of legends. Everyone looked at him with shining eyes.
But Fusu was unaware that he was actually admiring the freshly made salt crystals! They were so white, they could be used in a toothpaste commercial. There's an anecdote from the Eastern Jin Dynasty that describes the whiteness of snow as "scattering salt from the air," but that salt was only affordable to the Wang and Xie families, so its quality must have been extraordinary.
Today, however, it can be mass-produced in the salt lakes of the Northwest.
He dipped two more grains in with his finger and put them on his tongue, his face immediately scrunching up – it was salty. But his scrunched-up pale face quickly relaxed, even breaking into a smile. Because apart from the saltiness, there were almost no other strange tastes such as bitterness or fishiness.
In other words, in terms of color and appearance, Lingzhou salt is no different from modern industrially refined table salt.
And the unsung heroes were none other than the charred, blackened ashes of grass and wood, which could be found everywhere.
"It really is a good stuff." Fusu stood up with deep emotion, patting the dust off his hands. Alkali has immense uses, but alkaline substances are not abundant in nature. Potassium carbonate is the most readily available and cost-effective option. Burning a handful of wheat stalks after cutting off an ear of wheat has countless uses.
He tentatively asked from left and right, "A good thing? You mean...this?"
They pointed to the scattered gray specks on the ground.
“Of course,” Fusu said, “It can not only fertilize the land and wash clothes, but also be used as a purifier…” He was halfway through his sentence when he saw the astonished expressions on the faces of those around him: “You didn’t know that?!”
Zuo You: "Should we...know?"
Didn't they teach that in the Qiuzhi Bao newspaper?
Looking at the workers and other soldiers, they also looked blank after hearing his words, as if they were listening to gibberish.
Fusu was momentarily stunned, then slapped his forehead: Oh right. He had misunderstood.
Ancient people had a history of using wood ash, but that doesn't mean all people in the world used it. Isn't coal the same? In Di Qing's hometown of Dengzhou, a considerable amount was burned every winter. But before honeycomb briquettes were promoted in the army, many soldiers had never even heard of them.
But shouldn't such a cheap, economical, and affordable product have been promoted nationwide before the chemical industry became developed?
Fusu acted immediately.
That night, in his temporary lodging in Lingzhou, he sat down by lamplight, pen in hand, and buried himself in writing. The content he wrote was not a military report, nor a letter home, but a long-awaited article for submission—"On the Preparation Method and Wonderful Uses of Wood Ash."
In the article, Fusu wrote a complete and well-written popular science article, covering everything from the properties and preparation methods of wood ash to its different uses. He even provided an explanation of the principles behind the effects of wood ash.
For example, wood ash can be used to starch clothes. Although Fusu did not explicitly use the word "alkali," he pointed out that its contents (potassium carbonate) have similar properties to soapberry. It can not only dissolve dirt but also wipe away oil stains, etc.
Although it does not involve systematic and complete chemical knowledge, it is easy to understand and engaging enough.
Finally, Fusu appealed that although wood ash is readily available and only requires a small fire, people should not blindly cut down trees and burn mountains just because it is useful. As the saying goes, "Where there's life, there's hope." We must not exhaust the resources!
This short popular science article, carried by military reports, was transported back to Bianjing (Kaifeng) by a fine horse from the Northwest that could travel 800 li a day, and reached the Emperor's desk in just three days. The Emperor, thinking there was some urgent military news from the Northwest, tore open the envelope, paused for a moment, and then chuckled.
"Su'er is indeed Su'er. Even though he is in Xixia, he still cares about the people's livelihood of the Great Song Dynasty."
Overwhelmed with emotion, he read the article twice more before instructing a palace attendant to deliver it to the editorial department of the *Seeking Knowledge* newspaper. The editor-in-chief, Shen Kuo, was initially startled upon seeing the emperor's close attendant. Then, seeing the article tucked in his sleeve and examining the signature, he was startled once more.
Zhao Su? Isn't that—His Highness the Crown Prince?
Shen Kuo blurted out, "Isn't His Highness the Crown Prince in Western Xia?"
"What are you saying?" the eunuch said displeasedly. "Does Your Highness not have the right to express your feelings while you are outside the Great Wall?"
Shen Kuo: "..."
"I was narrow-minded and underestimated Your Highness's magnanimity."
Shen Kuo also became interested, wondering what kind of heroic sentiments His Highness would express in his writings while he was in Western Xia? Would it be as grand as Fan Zhongyan's "Amidst a thousand peaks, the long smoke of sunset falls on the lonely, closed city" when he was guarding the border?
It is said that His Highness was able to easily achieve the highest honors in all three categories at the age of four, and was also a disciple of Mei Yaochen. Surely his writing would not be too bad?
As he read, Shen Kuo's expression changed. This article was completely different from what he had initially expected... and it was difficult to judge it simply by its writing style. It lacked any heroic ambition of conquering fourteen prefectures; instead, it described something completely unnoticed: dust and dirt?
Seeing that the man remained silent for a long time, the eunuch suddenly asked, "Well, Lord Shen? Will His Highness's article be published?"
Shen Kuo shuddered immediately: "Of course!"
Let alone that this is His Highness the Crown Prince's writing. Even if it were written by an unknown author, even if it were utterly devoid of literary merit, he would still publish it, he absolutely had to publish it! This is hardly the work of a talented scholar expressing his aspirations; it is clearly a precious guide to the lives of ordinary people!
"I'll immediately send someone to reprint it and put it on the front page!" Shen Kuo promised, patting his chest.
The eunuch, having received his answer, left satisfied.
But after Shen Kuo summoned the people from the publishing house, in addition to instructing them to increase the number of issues and work overtime, he also added: "This time, the print run of the 'Seeking Knowledge Newspaper' should be doubled compared to usual."
"Double it?" the bookstore staff exclaimed.
“Why not? Don’t you even look at who’s signed this article?” Shen Kuo said.
As it turned out, Shen Kuo was extremely prescient. Even in the early days of the *Seeking Knowledge* newspaper, before anyone knew what it was, it achieved phenomenal sales solely through contributions from "His Highness the Crown Prince."
Now, the "Seeking Knowledge" newspaper has been serialized for four years and its sales have stabilized, but Fusu's reputation is growing day by day.
Moreover, ever since His Highness the Crown Prince brought the Qingbai salt from the Northwest, benefiting the men, women, and children of Bianjing, there has been no further activity. This is his first move since the Qingbai salt incident; how could it not attract attention?
The newsboys carried the message "His Highness the Crown Prince's article is published in this issue" throughout the streets and alleys. People who were used to not buying newspapers themselves but borrowing them from tea vendors or neighbors couldn't help but call out to the newsboys and take out two copper coins from their mouths to buy a copy.
After receiving the newspaper, they didn't look at the contents first. Instead, they scrolled to the table of contents, found the name "Zhao Su," and either were overjoyed or touched it carefully.
This is the first time His Highness the Crown Prince has published an article, unlike the others. Even if they don't read it themselves, it's good to keep it for their collection or let their children study it carefully.
In Yunzhou, which was gradually being incorporated into the Song Dynasty, the "Seeking Knowledge" newspaper was also being sold. However, unlike the private publications that Fusu and Su Shi had previously published, the content of the "Seeking Knowledge" newspaper was now entirely aligned with that of Bianjing (Kaifeng).
As the prefectural magistrate and the most senior editor of the former "Seeking Knowledge" newspaper, Su Shi naturally wouldn't miss it, and even read every issue without fail. Today, as usual, he picked up the newspaper, glanced at the headline casually, and his eyes locked onto a certain word, immediately breaking down his guard.
"Isn't His Highness fighting in Western Xia?" Su Shi cried out loudly, "How does he have time to publish articles? Am I the only one who's running around like a headless chicken?"
Su Shi had never held a position of actual official service before. Taking charge of a prefecture for the first time, even as the second-in-command, the prefectural governor, left him feeling overwhelmed for quite some time. He even had to postpone his plan to have Su Zhen move in for a while, because he was simply too busy to manage everything.
Fortunately, Su Zhen seemed to be busy with his own affairs and took the initiative to write a letter saying that he would be staying in Bianjing for a while and asked Su Zhen to take good care of himself in Yunzhou.
"Damn it, this is not..."
The word "fairness" rolled around in Su Shi's throat several times, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. What kind of work was His Highness doing? Fighting a war. A slight misstep could cost you your head. He was just a little busy.
But it was absolutely impossible for Su Shi to admit that he was inferior in skill (Fusu: I didn't intend to compete with you, did I?). He puffed out his cheeks, held the newspaper, and pondered for a while. Finally, he made up his mind: "Then I'll write an article too."
What should I write about?
Unfortunately, no matter what the content is, he won't be the headline of the next issue of "Seeking Knowledge".
Because news of Di Qing's great victory over the Liao army at the front was being sent on horseback day and night towards Bianjing.
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Author's note: Saturday night failed because the water pipes at home suddenly broke [crying emoji]. So tragic.
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