Although Zheng Quchi has never made ancient weapons herself, she has prototypes of all kinds of weapons from ancient and modern times and from all over the world in her mind. You could say that she can draw hundreds of different weapon diagrams at once.
"Uncle Chang, hurry up and get me something to eat. I'll go to the Ordnance Bureau after I finish eating."
"Madam, you've just returned, and you're already going out again?" Butler Chang felt sorry for her, as she was always so busy.
Zheng Quchi smiled optimistically: "If you're not busy when you're young, how can you enjoy your old age? I'm not tired."
Seeing that he couldn't dissuade her from her impulsiveness, Chang Yue could only personally go to the kitchen to prepare a hearty meal for her to nourish her.
After lunch, Zheng Quchi ran to his study, packed the documents he had prepared earlier, and then went to the Ordnance Bureau.
Upon arriving at the Ordnance Bureau, she told the guards that she wanted to see the bureau's highest leader. This time, she encountered no further obstruction and was respectfully welcomed to the hall. Only then did she learn that the Ordnance Bureau's leadership had recently been purged, with all the supervisors, junior supervisors, assistant supervisors, and registrars replaced. The current leader was called Zhu Shang.
Upon hearing that the general's wife had come to see him, Zhu Shang immediately recalled the incident where she had caused a scene at the Ordnance Bureau. He assumed that she had come to cause trouble again, and immediately became as frightened as a bird. He quickly and warmly went to receive her, adjusting his official hat.
"Your humble servant greets the General and his wife. I apologize for not being able to welcome you properly." He stepped forward and bowed deeply.
Zheng Quchi returned the greeting politely, saying, "Not at all, I apologize for my intrusion."
"No, no, it is an honor for me and the Ordnance Bureau that the General's wife could visit our Ordnance Bureau..."
Zheng Quchi quickly stopped the unnecessary small talk between the two: "Lord Zhu, you don't need to be so polite. Actually, I came to see you today for an important matter."
Zhu Shang looked up and saw that her expression was serious, and her clear eyes had a hint of sternness.
Upon hearing that this was a serious matter, Zhu Shang's heart skipped a beat. He asked somewhat nervously, "This... this is something. General's wife, please speak frankly. I have only been in office for two or three days, and my work may be a little slow, but I am absolutely sincere."
"My lord, there's no need to be nervous. It's like this: I feel that the smelting technology of our Ye Kingdom is too backward, far inferior to that of other countries. As you know, the essence of a weapon lies in its quality. If we don't work hard on this, we won't be able to make a sharp weapon to resist the invasion of other countries." She explained patiently.
She was right, and Zhu Shang nodded in agreement: "That's right. I have been urging the craftsmen to develop and create new smelting technologies recently, and we have even created an unprecedented kiln temperature. However, the smelting of pig iron still cannot reach the flexibility and strength of other countries."
He first boasted of his achievements, then sighed, still unsure of what the general's wife was really up to on this trip.
Zheng Quchi said directly, "There's no need to bother with research and development. I already have mature technology that can be used directly for steel smelting."
Zhu Shang was taken aback, and after a while, he said, "What kind of steelmaking process is the General's wife talking about? I have never heard of it before."
Zheng Quchi did not give him an answer for the time being, but suggested: "How about this, you gather some of the best blacksmiths in the military equipment bureau, and I will discuss it with them. If everyone agrees on this method, then Ye Kingdom can use this process to replace bloomery iron, pig iron, and cast iron, and mass-produce this steel for casting. How about that?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Shang finally understood that the general's wife had brought a "big task," and her words about "replacing" her truly shocked Zhu Shang. How could decades of smelting technology be abandoned so easily?
He was filled with doubt and uncertainty, and couldn't help but ask, "How does this steel compare to the refined iron produced in Julu and Ye?"
“It’s even better than that. You might not be able to fully understand it by just describing it in words, but once everyone is here, I will let you see it for yourselves.” Zheng Quchi’s tone was calm and confident.
If she had wavered or hesitated even slightly, Zhu Shang wouldn't have been so excited. But she spoke with such certainty that Zhu Shang felt his breathing quicken and couldn't contain his excitement. He quickly ran out of the hall and shouted loudly for the guards to go find someone.
This can't be true, can it?
How could that be true?
But who is she? She is the wife of a high-ranking general, the deputy general in the military trials of the six kingdoms, and the chief craftsman of the Imperial Workshop. A woman who can break with tradition and repeatedly create unprecedented achievements in the Ye Kingdom is certainly not someone who speaks nonsense.
Yes, she definitely wasn't lying.
If she says yes, then she definitely does!
Before long, a dozen or so burly men with bronze skin, wearing only cloth jackets on their upper bodies, came over. Although not all of them were tall, they all had clearly defined arm muscles and looked imposing and sturdy.
They must have been called out while they were working; they were covered in sweat and their faces were flushed.
A blacksmith wiped the sweat from his brow, cupped his hands, and asked, "Master Zhu, what business do you have with us?"
Zhu Shang waved his hand and said, "It's not me looking for you, it's General Zheng, no, it's Lord Zheng who wants to see you."
They looked at Zheng Quchi curiously, only to see her dressed in an inconspicuous blue dress, carrying a cloth bag. It wasn't made of expensive fabric, but it wasn't the rough linen of ordinary people either. When she met their gaze, she smiled slightly, her expression peaceful, her eyes clear.
She is clearly a young woman, how did she turn into an adult?
The blacksmiths were astonished and muttered to themselves about it.
"I have a smelting process here that I would like to discuss with you all. I hope you will give me your guidance," Zheng Quchi said politely.
The blacksmiths felt respected by her and immediately put aside their doubts, bowing respectfully: "No, no, please speak, Lord Zheng."
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