Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 116, Section 115: Xiling Seal Ink
Because of their irrelevant and nonsensical conversation, both the emperor and his ministers were in good spirits when they got off the carriage.

Ji Heng acquired divine weapons: paper and gunpowder (prototype).

In Qin Dynasty, you'll gain a better-managed harem and a pine crown (in progress).

So much so that while following Ji Heng to Zhangtai Palace, she instructed Chi Nu, "Bring me a mirror so I can see if my hairpin is really that shabby."

It's top-quality sandalwood, very substantial and beautiful!
Not to mention the turquoise and gold inlays, with gold drawn into extremely fine, soft threads and embedded in the edges of each piece of jade-blue, top-quality turquoise, appearing and disappearing subtly.

When you change the angle, you can not only see the dazzling color of the pine, but also a faint glow.

Why would Ji Heng give it away so quickly and disdainfully after just one glance?
As she spoke, she had already taken her seat in Zhangtai Palace. Chi Nu glanced cautiously at Ji Heng on the high steps—no one had ever before held a mirror and dressed up in the King's Zhangtai Palace.

Ji Heng noticed the gaze and looked at Qin Shi's natural state, so natural that it was as if he were walking down the street and picking up a mirror to take a look at himself, which was perfectly normal.

He fell silent.

Conducting this matter at Zhangtai Palace is hardly dignified. But if one were to speak out because of this…

That's it!

He knew that women were just that troublesome.

The woman in red paused for a moment, not hearing anything from the King of Qin, and then quickly gave her orders.

Before long, two maids carefully brought forward a bronze mirror. Qin Shi looked in the mirror and saw:
It's perfect!

She looked radiant, with fair skin and full, smooth facial features. Her hair was also thick and smooth, a large, dark clump—though, according to fashion experts, it was still rather short, not long enough to be styled into many elaborate buns.

But with such a healthy complexion, she looks good even without wearing anything.

Besides, the hairpin is also very beautiful.

The bronze mirror was removed, and Qin Shi began to wonder: Does Ji Heng like elaborate, magnificent, and grand attire?
However, in terms of pitiful beauty, she cannot compare to Lady Chu, who could dance the lotus dance.

In terms of heroic spirit and magnanimity, she cannot compare to the straightforward and lovely Madam Zheng.

That's settled then!

Otherwise, if she relies solely on her looks, her chances of winning are probably very low.

For now, let's focus on work!
The best way to please a workaholic is to become a workaholic yourself.

At her command, the Red Maiden had already laid out the silk on the table and prepared the charcoal pencil.

Qin Shi then continued with his to-do list on it:
The simple blast furnace is already under construction, and the bituminous coal mine is very close to Xianyang. It should be able to start mining in about two more days.

However, bituminous coal cannot be used directly for iron smelting because the combustion temperature is not high enough, so it must be processed into coke.

The production of coke requires the blending of coal and combustion, with the temperature controlled at around 1000°C—which necessitates the use of materials such as asbestos to construct the refractory chamber.

In the Qin Dynasty, people would draw and sketch on silk scrolls; now, the order of priority has been listed:

Asbestos mining – Coke production from bituminous coal – Sealing rings made from eucommia gum, basic bellows system – Large waterwheels powering the bellows system

After writing those few words, the pencil lead broke.

Qin Shi didn't say anything, but silently switched to another pencil.

After all, the craftsmen had very little time to experiment, and they couldn't precisely control the ratio of graphite to clay, so it's understandable that the pencil lead was a bit soft.

She became engrossed in focused work thinking.

The above steps can be completed in a specific order within the same time period (e.g., one month).

Because mineral extraction is difficult, it doesn't matter that Mo's partner Xin hasn't fully recovered. Besides, since they're both used in iron smelting, they can all be placed in the Ironworks.

With less than two months until the New Year, the first weapon made of tempered steel should be ready.

This is a priority, because no matter how important people's livelihood is, the king's current resources and energy should still be focused on weapons.

To get investors to increase their investment, it's not enough to just make promises; you also need to let them see the returns as soon as possible.

During this period, any excess bituminous coal mined can be used as a side product.

Nowadays, heating relies entirely on burning charcoal and wood, but poor families certainly cannot afford them. Moreover, if these trees were to grow for a few more years, they could clearly be used to make the keel of large ships.

In this case, although there is currently no manpower available for afforestation, it can help to provide some warmth to the poor while reducing the need for burning charcoal and firewood!

After the bituminous coal is transported, it is crushed and mixed with yellow clay to make coal cakes and honeycomb briquettes. Making iron stoves is not feasible for the time being, but small earthenware coal stoves are inexpensive and can be made by bricklayers.

With honeycomb briquettes added... this winter, fewer people should freeze to death in Daqin, right?
Most importantly, these things don't require much technical skill; she only needs to draw diagrams, provide simple descriptions, and let the craftsmen try them out.

Then, on the eve of the New Year in early October, to celebrate the King's acquisition of the divine weapon, the earthen stove and honeycomb briquettes were promoted to the people of the whole country...

Qin Shi remembered this line and wrote it down heavily on the silk scroll.

At the same time, the king's divine weapon would not be completed so quickly. Therefore, before forging the divine weapon, a batch of plowshares for the curved plow must first be made—

That makes sense, doesn't it?

None of these things required Qin Shi to do personally.

Therefore, after the most arduous design communication, she could wait for the Taoist priests from all over the world to enter Xianyang City, and then organize her notes and records on gunpowder.

No, this is not gunpowder.

This is thunder and fire!

It's not even ordinary thunder and fire; if a sorcerer successfully concocts the perfect thunder and fire, it's a divine intervention!

She quickly jotted it down, becoming increasingly focused.

On the higher level, Ji Heng had just changed to a different memorial when he saw Qin Shi also engrossed in writing rapidly. At this moment, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows:

"This pencil of yours is really convenient and quick."

Unfortunately, the pen tip is too soft to write on bamboo slips at present, as it breaks after only a few strokes.

However, Ji Heng also admitted that it was indeed quick to write without having to dip the brush in ink constantly.

Qin Shi suddenly came to his senses, put down his pencil, and laughed, "It's fine for me to scribble casually with a pencil. But Your Majesty's handwriting will likely be admired by future generations a thousand years from now, so it will naturally need to be written with fine brush and ink."

At this point, he quickly picked up his pen again and wrote down the names of [Xiling Seal Ink], [Eight Treasures Seal Ink], and [Li Tinggui Ink].

【Li Tinggui Ink】was made during the Southern Tang Dynasty. It can remain intact in water for three years. The king's handwriting is truly essential!

There are also [Xiling Ink Paste] and [Eight Treasures Ink Paste]. Although these two are not as well-known as [Longquan Ink Paste], they are both considered the three great treasures of ink paste.

the most important is--

【Xiling Ink Paste】is characterized by not solidifying in winter, not seeping oil in summer, leaving marks when burned, and not rotting when soaked in water.

【Eight Treasures Ink Paste】is water-resistant, dry in dry weather, mold-resistant in rainy weather, does not absorb oil in summer, and does not solidify in winter; it remains new and never fades.
These are all great things for preserving historical records!
Qin Jun, recalling the difficulties of archaeology in later generations, was also eager to try it.

A life constantly pressured means spending the morning checking, writing, and more writing...