Crude Salt Extraction Successful

The matter was thus decided. Tran Mac had Ho Thuong Sinh go on a trip to Tuyen Duong County, also called for Truong Ha, and selected two skilled hands from among the hunters. Taking the furs obtained these past few days, he had them accompany Ho Thuong Sinh.

The reason Tran Mac made this selection also carried the intention of surveillance. The meal for the several men was eaten at Tran Mac's house. After eating and bidding farewell to their families, they immediately set off for Tuyen Duong County.

After Truong Ha and the others left, Tran Mac had someone call Han Vu and instructed: "Take people to the riverside to collect seashells. I also want the river mussels from the lake, the more the better."

Many people, upon hearing "seashells," think they are only found by the sea. In fact, not only by the sea, but also by small riversides, beside fields, and by lakes, they can be found among the sand and stones.

"Seashells, river mussels?"

Han Vu was stunned. River mussels were understandable, as the meat inside could be eaten, but what use were seashells? One could grab a large handful by the riverside.

However, Han Vu dared not disobey the task Tran Mac assigned and immediately led people to do it.

The reason Tran Mac wanted to collect seashells and river mussels was because the CaCO3 in seashells, after being heated and decomposed, could yield quicklime.

And for refining crude salt, quicklime was indispensable.

While Han Vu went to lead people to collect seashells, Tran Mac called more people and had them dig a two-square-meter pit in an open space behind the village.

He had experienced villagers build a small brick kiln, ensuring the air vent was left open in advance.

"Immortal Master Tran, are you planning to fire porcelain?" A villager with experience in firing porcelain couldn't help but ask when he saw Tran Mac having people build a brick kiln.

Tran Mac was stunned: "You know how to fire porcelain?"

"I learned from an old master in the city before, but I'm not very good at it," that villager said, scratching his head.

"What's your name?" Tran Mac felt that firing porcelain was also a skill. He could have Vuong Binh note him down first; perhaps he could be of use later.

"Lieu Quy." The man named Lieu Quy thought Tran Mac really wanted to fire porcelain and felt he might be given an important role. He immediately began to talk about the matters needing attention when firing porcelain.

"I'll remember you."

Tran Mac casually replied and then instructed him to find some firewood.

"Alright."

Lieu Quy nodded in agreement, appearing quite excited, and soon brought several people carrying a pile of firewood.

On the other side.

Han Vu led several dozen patrol team members and found seashells by the riverside.

To the villagers, seashells were useless things that nobody wanted. Therefore, there were many in the riverbed and on the riverbank. In no time at all, they had found a basketful.

"You guys go to Dai Dong Lake and help the fishing team find more river mussels," Han Vu said to the patrol team members, lifting the basket.

"Captain Han, what does Immortal Master Tran want so many seashells for? This stuff can't be eaten," someone said.

"Since Immortal Master Tran instructed it, he naturally has his reasons. What are you talking nonsense for? Hurry up and go," Han Vu said.

"Then Captain Han, if we find these seashells and river mussels, can our families eat together tonight?"

Han Vu pondered for a moment and said: "You go register with Vuong Binh first, and I'll ask Immortal Master Tran."

Soon, Han Vu brought a basketful to Tran Mac and explained the situation.

Tran Mac thought for a moment and agreed.

At this point, he realized that it had only been a few days, and without the drive of benefits, his subordinates were not so willing in their hearts.

It seemed making money was urgent.

Tran Mac placed the firewood in the pit and arranged it, then spread the seashells on top.

Han Vu, seeing this scene, was very puzzled and finally couldn't help but ask.

To this, Tran Mac could only perfunctorily reply: "It's a secret."

Truthfully, Tran Mac's knowledge of these procedures was only theoretical. Although he had experimented in middle school, that was with complete materials, and he didn't need to calcine limestone into quicklime himself. Therefore, Tran Mac was not actually sure if it would work in practice.

If it failed, wouldn't he lose face and diminish his prestige in their hearts?

Fortunately, science was also viable in this cultivable otherworld.

Seashells were not very heat-resistant. In less than an hour, Tran Mac got what he wanted.

Afterward, he rushed back to his home without stopping, took out the dozens of catties of crude salt he had bought earlier from the cellar, and went to the courtyard.

Tran Mac set up a large pot in the courtyard, put the calcined quicklime into the large pot, and had Han Vu pour the water he brought into the pot.

The quicklime reacted with the water, rapidly emitting plumes of white smoke.

Han Vu, not knowing what was happening, saw this scene and thought Tran Mac was performing some immortal magic again.

Tran Mac stirred with a wooden stick while having Han An Nuong measure out a few catties of crude salt and boil it with water in the kitchen.

The reason he didn't boil all the crude salt with water at once was mainly because Tran Mac was worried about wasting it if it failed. He could experiment first. If it succeeded, it wouldn't be too late to process all of it into refined salt.

Tran Mac didn't let Han Vu stay idle either, asking him to burn some plant ash. Worried he wouldn't know what plant ash was, Tran Mac even specifically explained it.

"Uncle, is the saltwater boiling?" Soon, Han An Nuong's voice came from the kitchen.

"Sister-in-law, pour it into the bucket."

Tran Mac said, the milk of lime in his own pot was also ready.

Afterward, Tran Mac found an earthenware vat.

At this time, Han Vu arrived carrying plant ash neatly arranged in a pottery jar.

Tran Mac sequentially added saltwater and milk of lime into the earthenware vat.

Han An Nuong, Han Vu, and Tong Man were all somewhat stunned seeing this.

Mixing them together like this, wouldn't the salt be wasted?

The ratio of saltwater to milk of lime Tran Mac used was 2:1. He remembered his teacher had specifically emphasized adding an excess amount.

While adding, Tran Mac also had Han Vu help stir.

Soon, the milk of lime readily reacted with the saltwater, and precipitates began to appear.

To accelerate the reaction with CO2, Tran Mac added a bit of filtered plant ash.

After finishing these tasks, the sun had already set in the west.

Then, all that was needed was to wait.

. . .

Fortunately, time does not fail those who put their heart into things.

This day, before the sky was bright, Tran Mac got out of bed to check the earthenware vat.

A preliminary look showed it was not bad; many precipitates had already appeared at the bottom.

Tran Mac removed the precipitates, poured the liquid into a pot, lit a fire, and began to boil it.

As the water boiled, it began to evaporate, and pure white crystals started to form at the bottom of the pot.

Seeing these crystals, Tran Mac knew that he had most likely succeeded.

At this time, Han An Nuong and Tong Man had both gotten up. Seeing Tran Mac busy in the kitchen, they couldn't help but ask. When they learned that Tran Mac was boiling the things he made yesterday afternoon, they both showed surprised expressions.

Tran Mac saw the light appearing outside the kitchen. In order not to delay absorbing the pre-heaven spiritual qi, Tran Mac asked Han An Nuong to keep an eye on it, waiting until all the water had boiled away.

While Tran Mac was outside absorbing the pre-heaven spiritual qi, Han Vu also came.

When he was practicing his saber in the morning, he encountered some things he didn't understand and sought Tran Mac's guidance.

Tran Mac guided Han Vu while absorbing the pre-heaven spiritual qi.

Time slowly passed.

"Uncle, it's ready!"

Suddenly, Han An Nuong's voice came from the kitchen.

Tran Mac was not willing to delay absorbing the pre-heaven spiritual qi for even a moment, so he had Han An Nuong dish out the white crystals from the pot.

In the kitchen, Han An Nuong put the white crystals from the pot into a bowl, then came out of the kitchen, handed it to Tran Mac, and said: "Uncle, what is this?"

"Flour?" Han Vu curiously leaned over for a look.

"You'll know once you taste it," Tran Mac said, his tone feigning mystery.

Hearing this, both Han Vu and Han An Nuong dipped a finger and tasted it.

As soon as it entered their mouths, both of them frowned.

So salty.

"Is it salt?" Han Vu asked tentatively, but this salt was too fine.

"Then have you noticed any difference from the salt you ate before?" Tran Mac said.

Han Vu dipped a little more and tasted it again. That bitter and astringent taste was gone, only the salty taste remained.

Han Vu curiously asked how this salt was made.

Learning it was from yesterday afternoon's events, Han Vu's face was filled with shock, and he exclaimed at that moment: "It truly is immortal magic!"