I built a manor in the Middle Ages

Chapter 216 Wrought Iron? Pig Iron?
Before Hoffmann's caravan even entered Knightsburg, Luc had already established a short trade route.

However, this also makes connecting the two banks of the Agate River a key focus going forward.

Normally, the raft can hold its own whether transporting people or wine.

But Luke will need to transport stones in the future, and the flimsy wooden raft will not be enough.

"Build a bridge?"

Ryan and Little Maiman stood by the Agate River, exchanged a glance, and said:

“Sir, the Agate River is two hundred feet wide. If we want to build a bridge, the workload will be no less than that of building a church. Moreover, winter is not a good time to build a bridge.”

Since becoming lord, Luke always felt that time flew by, and before he knew it, it was winter again.

He nodded: "I understand. So the task for winter is to plan out the location of the bridge first, so that we don't have to concentrate on it next year and can build it slowly when we have time."

"By the way, Ryan, once the ice has frozen solid, take the sled to Ponsburg and bring back some more stones."

"can."

With enough chainmail and a warhorse, Ryan could now go to a place where nobody knew him and impersonate a knight.

Silently waiting for the river water to freeze solid.

During this time, Luke compiled all the equipment.

"Three sets of chainmail, seven sets of leather armor, and eight pieces of military uniform."

"This is enough to arm an elite squad!"

Luc braced himself on the wooden table, having already given away five pieces of leather armor, leaving only the double-layered leather armor and Henry's leaky armor.

"I don't even know if it can be sewn up properly. What if I accidentally ruined it completely instead of patching the hole properly?"

If you were to count all the soldiers under Luke's command who had seen blood, you could probably find at least ten.

However, if they want to leave their jobs, they'll probably have to satisfy Ryan and the two of them.

"Ryan, Jean, and George are all good riders. Should we assemble a cavalry unit?"

Luke was contemplating the organization of the army.

"No, Knight's Castle is located deep in the mountains. Perhaps spearmen and crossbowmen would be more suitable to protect my territory."

The crossbows played a significant role during this period, and Luke intended to continue expanding the scale of the operation.

Heavy crossbows are difficult to manufacture, but light crossbows can be copied.

This war also demonstrated the power of both: the condition of chainmail was unclear, but leather armor was utterly vulnerable to heavy crossbows.

Even a light crossbow can easily penetrate ordinary armor.

There were also spearmen, whose spears were the easiest weapon for ordinary peasant soldiers to master.

"Use these men as a foundation and train them diligently. Then add ten more peasant soldiers, training them every two weeks."

The latter do not seek to fight on the battlefield, but only to increase their ability to protect themselves.

With a large population, conflicts inevitably arise.

Having been back in Knightsburg for nearly a month, Luke had punished at least three violations of the Cross Law, and had to order young Maiman to build several more wooden cages.

They were all placed on the east side of Knights Castle, and people were locked inside. Every afternoon, when the shadows of the wooden walls obscured the prisoners, only their heads were visible, which was eerie and terrifying.

Once Ryan successfully brought the limestone back, Luke immediately rushed to the iron ore plant.

“Sir, with limestone, the iron does melt faster, but the earthen furnace seems to be struggling to keep up. I think we should modify the furnace when we have time.”

Limestone is simply limestone that has been chiseled and ground into powder. Jason knew the proportions, so it wasn't difficult for him to work with it.

Jason hadn't settled down in Blackridge Valley yet and was constantly on the move. To prevent outsiders from knowing Jason's situation, a small hut had been built for him in Knight's Castle. "In a few days, I'll find you an honest and reliable apprentice among the new residents." Luke picked up Jason's recent work and suddenly noticed a strangely shaped iron block piled up not far from the workshop.

“Oh, sir, that’s iron that can’t be forged, or rather, it’s too difficult to forge, so I discarded it,” Jason said quickly as he saw Luke pick up the iron block.

"Difficulties? Why do you say that? Isn't it possible to carburize it?"

Luke placed the iron block in the sunlight, and the winter sun shining through the tree branches made it appear even darker. When placed next to other freshly forged iron, it looked even rougher in color.

“That’s why it’s so difficult to forge,” Jason shrugged. “Normally, iron becomes stronger the more it’s carburized, but this strange iron does the opposite. Ironware made from it is already brittle, and the more it’s carburized, the more brittle it becomes. It’s really bizarre.”

"Is that so?" Luke frowned.

He had never quite understood the need for carburization in iron smelting, and now, hearing Jason's words, he was even more confused.

Could it be that iron smelting always results in a situation where one batch is burned and another is scrapped?

Iron smelting is not easy, and if possible, Luc would not want to give up any iron ore.

Carburizing. Carburizing.

As Luc compared the two types of iron that looked almost identical, he pondered the word "carburization," when suddenly his pupils dilated.
Carburizing? Does that mean ordinary iron has too low a carbon content, so carburizing is necessary? Does carbon content play a significant role in ironware?
“Jason, have you ever forged iron without carburizing? How did it go?” Luc turned to the blacksmith and asked quickly, “I mean, normal iron.”

"I hit him when I was just an apprentice, and Smith yelled at me for it."

Jason recalled, "As for the effects, the weapons were very easy to dull, and the farm tools wore out much faster, but they were good for making some nails."

"What about this iron I have? What kind of weapons would be made from it if it weren't carburized?"

"It's harder than regular weapons, but like I just said, it's more brittle," Jason answered truthfully.

Having received the reply, Luke slowly exhaled; he was now fairly certain.

Carbon content is indeed a key factor affecting iron quality!

Carburizing ordinary iron is used because the low carbon content makes the resulting weapon more flexible, which is why it tends to chip.

And this kind of iron.

Luke lifted the strange iron block that had long since cooled and gone cold in his hand; it was actually too high in carbon!

"Too high in carbon makes it harder and more brittle."

Luke silently closed his eyes, his eyeballs darting around. As someone with experience, he knew all too well that there was a weapon material superior to iron.

--steel.

For example, Henry's steel cross sword was forged from this.

But he didn't even understand iron smelting, so how could he make steel? Therefore, from beginning to end, Luc never thought about steel.

But at this moment, a thought slowly began to emerge in my mind:
Perhaps steel is also related to its carbon content.
"I'll take this piece of iron. I'll modify the earthen furnace for you as soon as possible. Also, there's one more thing."

Luc turned to Jason and said seriously, "I hope that you will gradually increase the number of carburization cycles. Don't worry about producing scrap iron. The manor doesn't need ironware for the time being."

The number of weapons has increased several times.

The farm tools such as hoes and shovels are temporarily available, as it is winter and the extra iron tools of the extra people can be put to rest for a while.

"Remember, you must watch very carefully. What changes occur in the iron with each additional carburizing cycle? Do you understand?"

Seeing Luc's earnest gaze, Jason nodded firmly: "In the name of God, I will do as you command!"

Luke tucked the iron block into his pocket and rode back to Knightsburg.

Since ordinary iron undergoes carburizing, then this process is decarburizing.

Luke decided to think of a solution.

(End of this chapter)