In the meeting hall of the pulping and dyeing industry.

Everyone just heard the old president say in a deep voice: "Thank you all for your kindness. I have been in charge of Wuhu's pulp and dyeing industry for 20 years. I have only acted arbitrarily once, when I was fighting for the right to sell dyed cloth. I insisted on a stalemate with the cloth merchants in Songjiang and finally forced them to give in."

"We are where we are today thanks to the old president who stood up against all the opposition." Everyone said in a satisfied manner, "We will listen to the old president this time too."

"Yes, we will do whatever the old president says!" all the dyeing factory owners, big and small, shouted.

"Okay, thank you for your trust. I will be decisive again today." Ruan Bi nodded, and said to everyone slowly and firmly: "For many years, my attitude has never changed. Everything is based on the development and growth of our Wuhu pulping and dyeing industry. As long as the industry grows, everyone will benefit greatly."

"So we should put aside our personal selfishness and choose a path that is most beneficial to the development of the industry. It is obvious how to go down this path." The old chairman said calmly: "Looking at the Ming Dynasty, the fastest growing group is the Jiangnan Group. And judging from its layout, it is backed by the Yangtze River and surrounded by Taihu Lake. It is just a matter of time before Jiangnan is under its control."

"As the saying goes, 'When the great roc soars with the wind, it can soar to 90,000 miles.' As long as our Wuhu pulp and dyeing industry gets on board the Jiangnan Group, it will naturally grow and develop. But only by becoming a part of the Jiangnan Group can we be treated like the group's own sons. On the contrary, if we don't want to lose our dominant position and are ambiguous, we will be seen as servants by others, and the benefits we get will be limited after all."

In order to let those big dyeing factory owners hear what is in his heart, Ruan Bi broke it down and spoke in a very simple way.

The big dyeing factory owners were embarrassed, thinking that you don't have a son, so it's easy to say that it's easy to do it from the overall perspective. But we have sons, and we want to be local tyrants for generations...

"It's okay if you disagree. I allow it." Ruan Bi knew what these guys were thinking, and said calmly, "It doesn't mean that everyone in the guild has to invest in the future pulping and dyeing company. Those who disagree can just not invest. I promise that the company will not embarrass you in the future."

As he said this, he spat out the betel nut residue in his mouth, lowered his eyelids and said, "That's it. Those who are willing to participate can stay, and those who don't want to participate can go back first. Come and go as you please."

"..." The hall was completely silent, and no big dyeing factory owner dared to move.

The old man is very bad, I would never trust you.

They are not three-year-old children, how can they be naive to think that they can live in peace in the future?

Once Jiangnan Pulping and Dyeing Company is established, will these workshop owners still have a way to survive?

Now everyone lost their spirit and no one dared to leave the hall.

The next day, Mr. Zhao visited the Wang family's Wangji Steel Works on the Yangtze River.

Originally, Xu Bangrui, chairman of the Jiangnan Coal and Iron Group, was scheduled to come for the visit, but Zhao Hao received an urgent letter from him last night, saying that his father-in-law Xu Pengju suddenly fell ill, and as his son, Xu Bangrui naturally could not leave Beijing, so he could only see him in Nanjing.

Zhao Hao wrote back to greet his grandfather and said that if he needed a doctor, he could inform Jiangnan Hospital at any time.

Fortunately, Xu Pengju has completed his mission. He used the power of the Duke of Wei's Mansion to directly buy more than half of the iron ore in Fanchang County. For a long time, Jiangnan Group did not need to worry about high-grade iron ore.

So it doesn’t matter whether you come or not, it’s the same if Mr. Zhao visits alone.

Zhao Hao was still very interested in this most advanced steel production factory in Ming Dynasty and even in the world.

The carriage drove along a tightly packed coal gangue road and entered a huge yard with an independent dock.

As soon as he got off the car, Zhao Hao saw several hills of black ore piled up next to the riverside dock.

If you look closely, you can still tell them apart: the larger, lighter-colored stones are iron ore, while the darker black ones are coal.

Zhao Hao couldn't help but sigh that Wuhu's water transportation advantage does have unparalleled competitiveness in this era.

"The location of your steel mill is so convenient."

"This kind of iron ingots is transported from Zheqiling in Fanchang, and the coal is pulled from Mantou Mountain in Guichi." Wang Yu explained with a smile: "We don't produce coal and iron in Wuhu. If we don't build a mine by the river, the freight will be unbearable. Fortunately, these two mines are on the upper reaches of the river, so the freight is acceptable."

"Well, it's built by the river, so it's very convenient for getting water to wash ore and cool it down." Zhao Hao nodded. When it comes to iron smelting, he knows much more than slurry dyeing. The 01st Institute of the Research Center was established under the guidance of Mr. Zhao, and is conducting research in the direction he gave.

Wang Yu couldn't help but secretly admire him. Although he was the one who gave the dozen blacksmiths on Xishan Island to Zhao Hao, it was really unbelievable that Mr. Zhao, who was busy with all kinds of things, knew such small details like the back of his hand.

"It seems that all success is not a fluke." Wang Yu sighed, and his words and actions became more respectful. He led him directly through the yard and into the steel mill gate.

As soon as he entered the steel mill, Mr. Zhao saw two huge greenhouses. Dozens of workers were using wheelbarrows to transport iron ore and coal from outside into the greenhouses on both sides.

In the shed on the left, there are long brick and stone troughs, and next to the troughs is a water reservoir also made of bricks and stones.

Workers poured several carts of iron ore into the trough and opened the sluice gate. The water in the reservoir rushed into the trough fiercely, carrying away a lot of mud and impurities. Some workers used rakes to stir the ore vigorously to remove the clay attached to it and the stones mixed in it.

Then, a special ore dressing master would carefully wash and select the iron ore with a dustpan. Any ore with vein stones or too poor quality would be directly discarded. Only high-quality ore would be put into a bamboo basket on the side.

However, these ores still cannot be put into the furnace directly. They need to be crushed into ore sand with a small hammer and then washed once. Finally, what is left is iron ore with very few impurities.

Zhao Hao nodded approvingly. This is the same principle as ore washing and ore selection in later generations.

Wang Yu introduced from the side: "This washing pool was created by my father. Although it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, it has many benefits."

"After washing, will there be more iron and less slag? Can it also save coal?" Zhao Hao grabbed a handful of dark brown ore sand. The quality is indeed high, which can be seen with the naked eye. In fact, Fanchang Iron Mine is also one of the few high-grade iron mines in my country. The reason why Sugang is unique in the world has a lot to do with the materials used.

"As expected of Master Zhao, you really know everything about the world!" Wang Yu quickly flattered him, "No one knows more than you."

Young Master Zhao rolled his eyes. What kind of bullshit title is this?

p.s. Sorry, I’m too tired after coming back. There is one more update, you can read it tomorrow morning.