Chapter 140 Firing the First Batch of Porcelain
Chapter 140 Firing the First Batch of Porcelain
Leah has hardly had a good night's sleep in the past month. She spends almost all the time she can squeeze out on weaving silk scarves.
However, Luo Ning said that it doesn't matter, even if it can't be completed.
However, as a servant, if Leah fails to complete her task and disappoints her lord, it would be her dereliction of duty.
Although it was the first time she had handled silk, a special silk thread, she was fortunate to use her many years of experience weaving wool and linen cloth for reference and utilization. In the first half of the month, she had completed the spinning and dyeing of silk.
A large part of the second half of the month was spent on weaving. Although the silk thread broke countless times due to her unfamiliarity with handling, she became increasingly proficient with the accumulation of experience.
Finally, on the 9th, the weaving of the first silk cloth was completed.
Roning was greatly influenced by the appearance of this light blue cloth, so he came to see it in person.
It is very light and soft to the touch. It is very comfortable and skin-friendly when held in the hand. When you put it on the tip of your nose and breathe, you can feel its good breathability and smoothness. The feeling is completely different from that of wool cloth.
Just by the first impression, he knew that silk would also be a high-end product.
With the cloth, Leah could make the scarf much easier, and she would definitely be able to finish it before Ronin left Wushan Castle on the 14th.
In the tailor shop outside Hillwood Castle, Leah was busy while Tom was eating lunch nearby.
He habitually takes off his mask at home.
"Mother, I will go to Wushan Castle with the Lord and Guard Officer McKen in two days to celebrate Marquis Lulans' birthday. I heard from George and the others that Wushan Castle is super luxurious. I didn't expect that I would have the chance to go in!"
The last time Wharton and George accompanied Roning to Wushan Fort, they talked a lot about the delicious food and the prosperous scenery there. Tom was very yearning for it.
"Then you must cherish this opportunity and serve the Lord well on the way!"
Leah glanced at her son without stopping her work: "Lord Ronin is a good lord. We can all live a good life following him."
"That's it!"
Tom firmly believed it, "But I can't celebrate the New Year with you this year."
"These are all small things."
Leah didn't care about it. "I'm familiar with many people in the castle. The Lord has also arranged three apprentices for me. You don't have to worry about me. Just do your best to complete the tasks assigned to you by the lord."
As she spoke, she picked up the almost finished scarf and held it before the light to examine it carefully, constantly sighing in her heart at the silk thread.
"Since the Lord came to Shanlin Town, the roads in the town have become cleaner, people no longer freeze to death in winter, farming has become easier, and even the vegetable yield has increased this year..."
"And there is this magical thread that the adults discovered. His vision, ability, and profound knowledge are beyond our reach!"
Leah looked at her son seriously and emphasized again: "Tom, you must follow Lord Ronin carefully!"
"I see. You've said it three or four times in such a short while."
Tom smiled and said, "It's not just me. All the extraordinary people are following Lord Roning unswervingly!"
There are actually many people like Tom and his mother.
Every servant in the castle and their families were singing praises to the merits of their lord.
After all, Shanlin Town is not big, so he receives a lot of praise. In addition, Roning has indeed brought changes to Shanlin Town, so people's admiration for Roning has become stronger and stronger.
This change was gradual, and Roning didn't feel it deeply. He just followed his feelings.
He was firing the first porcelain kiln with potter Jim in the porcelain workshop.
Inside the porcelain kiln, flames leap, warm and dazzling.
They surge in the furnace, gradually raising the temperature inside.
The glazed porcelain blanks have long been placed in the kiln chamber. As the temperature rises, their surface undergoes earth-shaking changes.
It was the first time to fire porcelain, and no one had any experience.
Luo Ning and others could add more dry firewood and charcoal to prepare the combustion atmosphere in the kiln when the firewood was insufficient, and the flame was reduced.
The firing lasted for more than ten hours, and after several hours of cooling, it was not until the evening of the next day that it was time to open the kiln.
To witness the birth of porcelain with his own eyes, Luo Ning opened the furnace door himself, and at this time, a faint breeze of hot air was still blowing toward his face.
The porcelain bowl the fierce fire has tempered is now lying quietly in the kiln room.
When Roning saw the mirror-smooth surface, a bright smile appeared. The luster was very similar to what he remembered.
"My Lord, how is it?"
Jim and the three apprentices standing by were also anxious to know the result. Their eyes were bloodshot. The three of them had not slept much until now to avoid any accidents.
Roning reached out and took out the porcelain bowl. Jim and others held their breath.
Is this the porcelain that the lord is talking about?
Judging from the appearance alone, it is much more advanced than ordinary pottery.
Pottery is generally simple, rough, and rustic, but the porcelain held in the lord's hand is so smooth and delicate, like crystal.
Done?
Luo Ning turned the porcelain bowl around and looked at it, and his smile froze momentarily.
An area on the back of the porcelain bowl appears to be unfired. The glaze looks dull, and the structure is unfamiliar. It is obviously an unqualified product.
Roning handed Jim the porcelain bowl and removed the remaining few from the kiln room, all of which were raw-fired.
So, overall, this firing attempt failed.
It's not that simple, after all.
Jim and the others looked at the porcelain bowl carefully. Although they were still amazed at its beauty, they could also see that the lord was not very satisfied with the result.
Finally, Jim mustered up the courage to ask, "My Lord, have you failed?"
Luo Ning pondered for a while. Seeing that everyone's expressions were a little solemn, he realized that he was too serious, so he smiled to ease the relaxed atmosphere.
"Although today's firing is not completely successful, it cannot be said to be a failure. We have succeeded for the most part, and the next step is to keep trying and improving."
Luo Ning pointed to the unsintered part of the porcelain bowl and said, "I guess it's because the kiln temperature is not high enough."
He walked around the kiln from front to back and from left to right.
"We need to improve the kiln. First, we must burn bricks and use them to build the kiln. We can no longer use mudblocks as we do now. Then, when building the kiln, we need to increase the thickness of the insulation layer to reduce heat loss."
"Secondly, add a grate to the combustion chamber to hold up the wood and allow ventilation underneath, increasing airflow and improving the fuel combustion rate."
Although Jim and others did not understand many of the words Roning said, based on the context, they could fully understand the lord's purpose - to increase the temperature inside the kiln.
"You know so much, sir." They couldn't help but admire.
Although Jim is a real potter, his knowledge is nothing compared to Roning. In front of Roning, he is like an apprentice.
Luo Ning smiled, saying, "Knowing a lot doesn't necessarily mean you can do it. The exploration and experimentation are still up to you. Although we failed this time, as long as we learn from our experience, we will succeed one day."
He patted Jim on the shoulder and said, "I'm going out soon, so I'll leave the firing of the porcelain to you. Don't feel bad about the kaolin and other materials; use them when necessary, and it doesn't matter if they are wasted."
Jim felt a heavy weight on his shoulders and a lot of pressure, but he also knew that this was an opportunity.
"Don't worry, sir. Jim will definitely work hard to live up to your expectations!"
I'm back home. I'm burying a grave today. I'll probably update you later in the evening.
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