Chapter 22: The Autumn Tiger

The land had been mined for coal, but its true use had not yet been realized.

Iron refining technology relied on bloomery methods.

The furnaces were very low.

Wood and charcoal were placed inside the furnace and lit, with iron ore on top of the charcoal for smelting, dissolving the impurities in the ore, and after all the slag flowed out, what remained was honeycomb-like sponge iron.

To remove the sponge iron, the furnace shell had to be broken open—it was almost like disposable chopsticks, used once then thrown away, manufacturing a new pair for each meal.

Naturally, the iron yield was low.

Because the demand for iron was so great, blacksmiths had to improve their smelting methods.

They built permanent iron stoves out of stone and lined the inside with clay, achieving a similar effect to the furnace, and after each iron smelting session, only the clay lining needed replacing.

But the output still could not be raised.

So don't blame the high price of iron ingots.