Li Lizhi and Xiao Chengyang were deeply attracted by the description of the little princess.
They imagined what a spectacular sight it would be if the Tang Dynasty palaces became as bright as day under the illumination of electric light bulbs.
"Sizi, let's start making carbonized bamboo filament light bulbs!" Li Lizhi suggested impatiently.
Xiao Chengyang also nodded, she had been eager to try it.
So the three of them sat together again and began to discuss the specific production steps.
First, they need to find the right bamboo silk.
The little princess ordered her maids to go to the imperial garden and cut down some slender bamboos.
Then carefully peel off the bamboo skin to reveal the tender white bamboo flesh inside.
Then, they carefully cut the bamboo meat into appropriate lengths, preparing for the subsequent carbonization process.
Carbonizing bamboo filaments needs to be done in a high temperature environment.
The little princess thought quickly and immediately ordered the maids to light the Changle stove and cleverly hang bamboo threads above the fire.
Under the intense burning of the fire, the color of the bamboo filaments gradually changes from vibrant green to deep charred black, and finally transforms into solid carbonized bamboo filaments.
Then they set about making the light bulbs.
"Shun'er, go get the light bulb!" the little princess casually instructed.
However, Wu Shuner stood there in a daze, with deep confusion in his eyes.
This was the first time she had heard the term "light bulb" in her life.
This is actually understandable.
In the Tang Dynasty, glass had not yet been invented, let alone that high-end and exquisite glass product - the light bulb.
"Your Highness, could you please tell me what this light bulb is?"
In desperation, Wu Shuner could only bite the bullet and ask, with a hint of helplessness and fear in his voice.
The little princess was stunned at first, then smiled brightly, "Ah~ Sizi forgot again, there is no such thing as glass in the Tang Dynasty."
She pondered for a moment, her eyes suddenly shining like stars, "Since there is no nest, then we can build one ourselves!"
"Shun'er," she ordered decisively, "Go to the construction supervisor and gather some capable craftsmen immediately, and prepare some quartz, lime, and saltpeter..."
"Also," the little princess added, "go to the Princess Protector's Mansion and bring over a newly built steel kiln."
Although full of doubts in her heart, Wu Shuner did not hesitate at all and quickly carried out the little princess's order.
She quickly walked out of the palace, conveyed the little princess's intention to the Chief of Construction, and urged the craftsmen to collect the necessary materials and move the new kiln as soon as possible.
After receiving the little princess's order, the craftsmen were all confused.
I don't understand what new thing His Highness Jinyang is going to come up with.
But they did not dare to be negligent at all. They quickly divided the work and cooperated with each other and started the preparations in full swing.
Soon all preparations were complete.
The craftsmen gathered in a spacious open space in a corner of the backyard of Lizheng Hall, their faces full of anticipation and nervousness.
The little princess stood among them, her small figure exuding an aura that should not be underestimated.
"Everyone," the little princess began.
Her voice was clear and powerful. “What we are going to create today is something completely new—glass.”
Hearing the little princess' words, curious expressions appeared on the craftsmen's faces.
Glass? What is that?
They had only heard of glass, which was a rare treasure in the world.
I don't know what the glass the little princess is talking about is? Is there any connection between it and colored glaze?
But the little princess didn't care.
Relying on her memory and modern knowledge, she explained the glass-making process in detail and vividly.
From the selection of raw materials to the matching of proportions, from the construction of the kiln to the control of the temperature.
She told the story in a leisurely manner, leaving the craftsmen fascinated.
"Now," the little princess pointed to the prepared ingredients.
"We need to mix these quartz stones, lime, and saltpeter according to the proportions I just mentioned..."
The craftsmen all started to mix the raw materials evenly according to the little princess's instructions.
The little princess then instructed them to heat the mixture in the newly built kiln.
The fire was burning brightly, illuminating the expectant faces of the craftsmen.
As time passed, the raw materials gradually melted under high temperature, forming a new substance - molten glass.
As the sticky liquid rolled in the fire, the little princess signaled the craftsmen to start blowing.
The craftsmen carefully used special tools to blow the molten glass into various shapes, including the light bulb shell that the little princess had been dreaming of.
During this process, the craftsmen were more and more amazed, and always felt that the glass and colored glaze they fired did not look much different.
Finally, the first batch of glass products cooled and took shape.
The craftsmen looked at these achievements with amazement in their eyes.
Not only were these glasses beautiful in appearance, but their transparency and purity far exceeded any glass they had seen before.
However, the little princess frowned slightly at the newly formed light bulb shell.
She sighed softly, "Although this is a rare success, the depth and purity are still far from enough."
She pointed to some tiny flaws and discoloration on the bulb shell and said, "We still need to continue working hard to achieve perfection."
"This, this, this... this is actually colored glaze? Little Sizi, you actually managed to make colored glaze?"
At this moment, Li Shimin's sudden voice came from behind the little princess, his tone full of indescribable excitement.
Liuli, this is a good thing!
Since ancient times, China has exported silk, tea, porcelain and many other treasures to the Far West... no, to the wild land through the Silk Road.
What can be exchanged from the wilderness is very little.
Colored glaze is the most precious and priceless treasure among them.
Its production process has always been regarded as a golden rule by merchants from afar and kept secret.
Over the years, countless Han craftsmen have tried to crack the mystery of its production, but have failed.
At this moment, Li Shimin looked at the sparkling "glass" in his daughter's hand, and the excitement in his heart was beyond words.
He seemed to have seen the magnificent sight of Tang Dynasty's glassware traveling along the Silk Road to every corner of the world, bringing endless glory and wealth to the Tang Dynasty.
It turned out that just now, Li Shimin heard that the little princess had gathered many craftsmen again, and seemed to be tinkering with something new.
He was so curious that he rushed over to find out what was going on.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at the scene, Xiao Sizi brought him such a huge surprise.
In order to ensure the confidentiality of the glass production process, Li Shimin swept his eyes firmly over the craftsmen present.
He decisively ordered: "You, also enter the Princess Guardian's Mansion!
I will arrange for someone to bring your family into the mansion later."
When the craftsmen heard Li Shimin's order, they were stunned for a moment.
But he quickly came to his senses, an expression of joy that was hard to conceal appeared on his face.
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