My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 363 Naval Forces Visit Japan

October seventeenth.

Su Ze arrived at the East Palace; today was another day for him to teach Little Fatty Jun.

Just as he entered the Minglun Hall, he saw the Taoist priest Tao Guan demonstrating something to the Crown Prince.

Tao Guan immediately stepped forward and bowed to Su Ze, while Little Fatty Jun also said to Su Ze:

"Master Su, please come and see this rare item!"

Su Ze walked over and saw that Xiao Pang Jun was holding a strange jar with a long, thin tube protruding from it.

"Your Highness, please let me do it."

Tao Guan took the instrument from the prince, then took out two stone-like objects and put them into the jar.

Immediately afterwards, Tao Guan picked up the kettle and poured water into the jar. The jar made a gurgling sound and gas came out of the water.

Tao Guan quickly lit the outlet of the round tube, and a ball of blue flame appeared at the opening.

"Master Su, isn't that amazing!"

This is?

Hydrogen?
No, that's not right. Metals that react with water to produce hydrogen include reactive metals like sodium and potassium, which the Ming Dynasty's current technology shouldn't be able to manufacture.

Moreover, reactive metals like sodium and potassium do not behave this way; they oxidize when exposed to air.

Su Ze quickly thought of another possibility—calcium carbide!
The reaction of calcium carbide and water can produce acetylene, a gas that is very important in industry!
Looking at the canister in Tao Guan's hand, Su Ze confirmed that it must be an acetylene generator.

Su Ze looked at Tao Guan and asked:

"Was this Mr. Tao's invention?"

Little Fatty Jun said smugly, "It seems there are things Master Su doesn't know, haha."

Tao Guan, however, dared not be complacent.

His chemical knowledge was almost entirely taught by Su Ze.

Before meeting Su Ze, alchemists like him simply threw different things into the alchemy furnace and burned them haphazardly.

But what use is the result of the burning, and how to repeat the previous experiment? It all depends on luck.

However, after Su Ze taught him basic chemical knowledge, Tao Guan's experiments became more systematic and could be repeated.

He also developed a simple chemical system that allowed him to attempt to analyze experimental products.

For example, calcium carbide this time.

Tao Guan said:

"After visiting the steel plant with Su Hanlin last time, I became interested in coke ovens."

"I put coke and several other things together and burned them, and I actually managed to burn something out."

"This substance is the product of calcining coke and lime."

"This thing is quite magical. When this stone was first burned, I didn't pay much attention to it. But one time, it accidentally got wet and started to emit gas. That's when I discovered its secret."

"It was later discovered that this stone turns into gas when it comes into contact with water, and the gas can be ignited at a very high temperature, even melting steel!"

Isn't that right? Acetylene's primary function in the original timeline was welding. Acetylene burns at extremely high temperatures and is very easy to prepare. How could I have forgotten about it?

Su Ze quickly said to Zhu Yijun:
"Congratulations, Your Highness, on acquiring another divine artifact!"

Artifact?

Even Tao Guan was stunned. He had originally presented it to the Crown Prince as a novelty, but how did it become a divine artifact in Su Ze's mouth?

Su Ze said:

"Master Tao just said that this flame has an extremely high temperature and can melt steel. Does that mean it can be used for steel processing? If the Ministry of Works can obtain this divine artifact, the iron products of our Great Ming Dynasty will reach a new level!"

"Furthermore, this substance is easy to produce. It is normally stone-like, but when it comes into contact with water, it produces a flammable gas with a bright flame. Wouldn't it be wonderful to use it for lighting?"

"This type of lamp can be used in mines and other places in the field where lighting is inconvenient."

"Isn't this a miraculous tool that benefits the country and its people?"

Hearing Su Ze say that, Little Fatty Jun's eyes lit up, and he said to Tao Guan:

"Tao Qing has truly created something remarkable! I will reward you handsomely today!"

The most dumbfounded person in the entire room was Tao Guan.

No, it was something I haphazardly forged, which I accidentally discovered had peculiar properties and was presented to the Crown Prince for his amusement. How did it become a national treasure in Su Ze's mouth?
But what Su Ze said doesn't seem to be wrong either.

And how did Su Ze come up with the idea of ​​using it to make lamps?

Su Ze then added:
"Your Highness, I request that Mr. Tao name this object."

"This object was discovered by Mr. Tao, and it is his own flesh and blood. Isn't it only natural for parents to name their children?"

Tao Guan quickly said:

"Your Highness, I am Su Hanlin. I am but a humble Taoist priest and dare not claim any credit. Please bestow a name upon me, Your Highness!"

However, Su Ze firmly stated:

"Having the ability to observe the wonders of the universe, examine the workings of heaven and earth, and understand the changes in matter, Mr. Tao has pioneered an industry and certainly has the right to name it!"

"This is an acknowledgment of Mr. Tao's wisdom and hard work, and it can also prevent confusion and misrepresentation in later generations. For example, in this case, Mr. Tao accidentally obtained this substance through experiments on the calcination of coke and lime, and then repeatedly verified its reaction characteristics. No one else could have done this!"

After listening to Su Ze's words, Little Fatty Jun also said seriously:

"Tao Qing, please don't be so polite. Just as Master Su said, this is your invention, so you should name it."

Since Little Fatty Jun had spoken, Tao Guan was deeply moved and did not continue to refuse, but instead said:

"Since this substance generates energy when it comes into contact with water, and it is in the form of stone, I shall venture to call it the Qi Stone. Your Highness, Hanlin Su, what do you think?"

Little Fatty Jun said with satisfaction:

"Okay, let's call it Qi Stone!"

Su Ze said again:
"Your Highness, I believe that gas stone has great potential. Your Highness could invest in a gas stone factory and produce gas stone according to Mr. Tao's method."

Su Ze then said to Tao Guan, "Please ask Mr. Tao to make another effort to research how to process metal with gas stones and make gas stone lamps that can be used in mines."

Tao Guan quickly said:

"I will definitely study it carefully!"

Su Ze then added:
"Mr. Tao's invention is a national treasure. I am also preparing to help him apply for the Huayang Award, so as to encourage more people to devote themselves to practical learning and innovation!"

Huayang Award!
Upon hearing this, Tao Guan nearly fainted!
He had certainly heard of the Huayang Award!

So far, the two craftsmen who have won the Huayang Award are: one is the craftsman who invented the roller hair removal machine. After receiving the prize money, this craftsman set up his own wool factory in Zhigu and has become a very wealthy man in Zhigu.

Another was Zhang Bi of the printing house of Yuefu Xinbao, who invented a movable type printing press that could type.

After winning the award, Zhang Bi was directly appointed to an official position by the imperial court.

How could my invention win the Huayang Award?
Little Fatty Jun also said happily:
“Master Su is right!” Little Fatty Jun was thinking that if Tao Guan could win the Huayang Award as an official of the Eastern Palace, then his mother would no longer be able to object to him associating with alchemists!

After finishing this matter, Su Ze asked:

"Your Highness, what about the Earl of Wuqing?"

Little Fatty Jun smiled and said:

"After the autumn plowing today, Tao Qing visited his maternal grandfather's farm several times, and the fertilizer powder has already been used!"

Ammonium sulfate powder is formed by reacting ammonia gas, a byproduct of coking furnaces in steel plants, with sulfuric acid.

Wu Qingbo accepted the bet from the Yuefu Xinbao newspaper on a farming competition and set up an experimental plot of one mu (approximately 0.16 acres) at home.

Wu Qingbo Li Wei fell for the provocation and, in order to win the game, used his good grandson's fertilizer powder.

"Tao Qing has already gone to provide guidance. Tao Qing, why don't you tell me?"

Tao Guan then snapped out of his elation and quickly said:

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Su Hanlin, in Wuqing Botianzhuang, the crops grown on fertile land do indeed grow faster than those on other land."

"Even the Marquis of Wuqing praised this thing as useful. If it can really increase the yield per mu, then it is truly a national treasure!"

Tao Guan was a Taoist alchemist, but he was also a scholar.

He certainly knew the importance of agriculture.

His admiration for Su Ze reached new heights.

The one who truly didn't take credit was Su Hanlin!
Compared to his own inventions, the fertilizer powder that Su Ze casually discovered could increase land productivity!
What Tao Guan found even more unbelievable was how Su Ze came up with this idea.
He actually managed to find the miraculous substance that increases production in the exhaust gas from the steel mill.

That's right, Su Hanlin is like that. He just saw his own Qi Stone and thought of two uses for it.

Is it really as the folk saying goes, that Su Hanlin was a reincarnation of the God of Literature, born with innate knowledge?
Or is this what real learning is?

Tao Guan became interested in practical learning for the first time, and perhaps he should study it systematically.

Then Little Fatty Jun pulled out a letter:
"Master Su, this is a letter from my uncle in Jeju Island. Judging by the time, shouldn't he have arrived in Sakai Port by now?"

Su Ze took the letter, which was dated five days ago. Given the voyage from Jeju Island to Sakai Port, it seemed like they were indeed almost there.

The sea route to East Asia was short, and the pirates along the way had all been wiped out by the Ming Dynasty navy. Li Wenquan led the Woyin Company's fleet and arrived at the naval port of Jeju Island very smoothly.

Next, they would join forces with the Ming Dynasty navy and continue north to Sakai, a trading city in Japan.

Perhaps at Xiao Pangjun's request, Li Wenquan meticulously recorded everything that happened during the voyage and also introduced the local customs and culture of the ports along the way.

It must be said that although this Li Guojiu was not well-read, he wrote excellent travelogues. His descriptions of the ports along the way made the reader feel as if they were there.

Seeing that Li Wenquan's letter said everything was going smoothly, Su Ze felt a little relieved.

This maiden voyage of the Japanese Silver Company was intended to give shareholders confidence, so it did not include the Southeast Asian portion; instead, it focused on dumping goods directly from Japan and purchasing silver.

For the Ming Dynasty today, the biggest problem is the sea conditions, since even coastal navigation is extremely dangerous in this era.

As long as the silver can be safely brought back and the Japanese Silver Company's trade model can be implemented, then given the size of the company, it will be able to continuously bring silver back to the Ming Dynasty.
-
October 18th.

Su Ze's estimate was correct.

Early this morning, the lookout on the Ming Dynasty naval ship Zhigu, which was escorting the Japanese silver company, spotted Sakai Port in his binoculars.

Zhang Si, the fire chief of the Zhigu, also went up to the lookout tower. After repeatedly checking the nautical chart, he confirmed that Sakai Port was ahead.

The captain of the Zhigu immediately sent someone to report to the naval commander Li Chao, who in turn sent someone to inform Li Wenquan.

Meanwhile, Sakai Port.

Imai Munehisa is serving guests at the tea house.

Imai Munehisa was the leader of the thirty-six members of the Sakai Port Self-Government Corps and the number one businessman in Sakai Port.

Since tea was introduced to Japan, the Japanese developed something called the "tea ceremony" from the tea-making techniques of the Song Dynasty.

Japanese nobles and courtiers were passionate about the tea ceremony, and Japanese merchants, in order to do business with these nobles and courtiers, were also keen to study the tea ceremony in order to do business with them.

Imai Munehisa was also a master of the tea ceremony. The Imai family tea house in Sakai Port was where he conducted business, and he also controlled the castle tower in Sakai Port.

This teahouse was not built in the downtown area, but on a small hill on the edge of Sakai Port.

Imai Tea House has an excellent location, offering a panoramic view of the harbor.

Only Imai Munehisa's distinguished guests could come to this teahouse to drink tea and discuss matters with him.

The guest who has come today is an envoy of Oda Nobunaga, the daimyo who is currently enjoying great prestige in Japan, and a retainer named Kinoshita Hideyoshi.

Imai Munehisa actually looked down on Kinoshita Hideyoshi.

I heard that this retainer of Oda Nobunaga didn't even have a surname a few years ago. He was promoted by Oda Nobunaga based on his military achievements and has reached his current position.

Perhaps due to malnutrition in his childhood, Kinoshita Hideyoshi was short in stature, resembling a skinny monkey.

However, since Kinoshita Hideyoshi came to Sakai Port on behalf of Oda Nobunaga, Imai Munehisa could only suppress his contempt when he met him.

"My lord sent me here to inquire why the Shimada clan's firearms have reappeared on the battlefield against the Oda clan?"

Imai Munehisa secretly allied with Oda Nobunaga to suppress the Shimazu family, the supplier of firearms to Japan. He had already blocked the Shimazu family's saltpeter trade, leaving their firearms without gunpowder.

However, the Shimazu clan suddenly broke through the blockade and regained a large amount of saltpeter, so the Shimazu clan's firearms reappeared on the battlefield.

Imai Munehisa said bitterly:
"It was the Ming Dynasty. The Shimazu family, I don't know how, obtained trade privileges with the Ming Dynasty and bought back a large amount of saltpeter from Penghu."

"what!"

Kinoshita Hideyoshi immediately retorted, "Isn't the Ming Dynasty prohibited the sale of saltpeter? How could they be doing business with the Shimazu family?!"

Imai Munehisa also fell silent.

Imai Munehisa used his connections among the Portuguese to persuade Western merchants not to do business with the Shimazu family, but unexpectedly, the Ming Dynasty emerged.

The Ming Dynasty was the world's largest producer of saltpeter!
Moreover, according to reports from some Japanese pirates connected with Imai Munehisa, the Ming Dynasty's firearms have made great strides and have surpassed the firepower of the Western fleets!

Of course, Imai Munehisa did not completely believe the claims of these Japanese pirates. The development of firearms in the Ming Dynasty had been delayed for a century. In the early stages of the Japanese pirate war, firearms were even inferior to those of the Japanese pirates.

"Please convey to Lord Oda that Imai Munehisa will provide the Oda clan with more and better firearms."

Just as the two were talking, a samurai rushed in.

Although Imai Munehisa was a businessman, he was also the invisible ruler of Sakai Port, and he valued etiquette above all else.

Imai Munehisa frowned, about to reprimand the impolite samurai, when he heard the other man say:

"Master! A fleet! A massive fleet has appeared off the coast of Sakai Port!"

"What!?"

Imai Munehisa disregarded etiquette and hurriedly opened the window. Sure enough, he saw rows of sails on the sea outside Sakai Port!

(End of this chapter)