Capítulo 8: Blueprint
"So, Dorj, will you accept me to work at your ministry?" inquired Zuchi, his eyes fixed on Dorj.
"Khankhuu, you can work at the ministry. But I haven't figured out where I should begin yet. I don't possess any experience in handling a government office," responded Dorj, honestly.
Dorj had never been a leader previously. He did not know how to strategize a project or how to lead a government office. For a high school student, managing people and allotting tasks was a tiresome job.
"I understand, Dorj, But that's not a problem. I have been a khankhuu for a while, I will aid you with the matter of leading a government office," said Khankhuu. The exchange between Zuchi Khankhuu and Minister Dorj lasted for a week. They discussed various topics from what the Military requires the most to how to improve the livings of the nomads. For the last week, Dorj and Zuchi had a basic plan of how to fix the Ministry and what would be the first invention.The first invention Dorj would be happening is a way to produce steel.
Dorj lay by the lake's edge, contemplating the first invention he was about to make - a way to produce steel.
In the Middle Ages, steel was considered a precious metal among the nomads. They neither had any metal processing factories nor could they exploit iron from the mountains. The only way to make steel was to plunder from Western Xia soldiers or process metals in acidic slag. This process involved submerging ore and metal in urine, which had a high acidic content that would corrode the impurities within the metal and leave behind steel. However, this was a lengthy process that took at least three years and there was no guarantee of steel as the final outcome. Hence, the nomads were unable to acquire a consistent supply of steel, or make enough sabers for their soldiers.
"My crotch area is killing me after 7 days of riding a horse!" thought Dorj. If you ride for a day, you get a tingling sensation in this area, but after seven days – it feels like you've been hit by a truck.
At that moment, Jegei rode up to Dorj and said, "My lord, Temuujin has declared a Khuraldai." He had no time to tend to his discomfort before attending the gathering. With difficulty, he made his way to the Ger where the Khuraldai was held.
'It hurts when I walk!' he thought as he attempted to focus on something else and forget about his pain.
On top of a cart pulled by 20 oxen was the biggest Ger where Temuujin was seated on his throne surrounded by generals and ministers. Also present were Zuchi, Chagatai, Ugudei, Tolui, and their mother Queen Burte; as well as Temuujin's mother Oelun, and brother Belgutei.
"We are at war with Wan Khan," said Temuujin summarizing their dire situation.
"We have no allies and are running out of food as our livestock has become thin and weak – so we must hunt like predators." He then proposed sending someone as a messenger to Wan Khan in order to make a truce while they gathered more forces.
Oelun /Temuujin's mother/ suggested sending one of her sons who are nephews of Altan, Khuchar and Daridai – to see the reaction they would have when they saw him.
"Lord brother, I want to go as a messenger, I want to see the face of Wan Khan. We have helped them and stood loyal for ten years. But they followed Jamukha's words to attack our brother Khasar!" said Belgutei.
In 1203, the black dog year, Sengum has led their troops to attack Temuujin and took hostage of Temuujin's younger brother Khasar's family. After the attack, Khasar is missing and his family is taken as hostage at the Khereit tribe.
"Khoorchi, you go with Belgutei. He is strong and courageous, but as a messenger, he may be too impulsive" said Temuujin.
"Yes my lord" said the yellow-robed Khoorchi while placing his right hand on his chest towards Temuujin.
"You must make a truce between Wan Khan and me, if we stop this battle, our settlement can increase the number of our livestock and can gather more forces," said Temuujin.
"Also, by this Khuraldai, I want to announce that Dorj has been appointed as the Minister of Millitary Invention," said Temuujin while pointing his hand towards Dorj.
Dorj walked in the middle of the Ger and bowed to Temuujin.
"Khan's generosity is magnanimous," said Dorj and stood in the line back again.
"Lord father, I have an announcement as well," said Zuchi, getting in the middle of the ger, and bowing towards Temuujin.
"Zuchi, please proceed".
"Lord father, I want to work with Dorj as the chief of staff at the Ministry. Dorj came to our clan not long ago. Therefore it would be appropriate if I support him and let him get adapt. Please give me your permission." said Zuchi bowing to his father.
At this moment, Chagatai, the second son of Temuujin sneered at his older brother Zuchi while other generals and ministers got surprised expressions.
'Zuchi, my eldest son. He was born at the Mergit tribe when my queen Burte was taken hostage for 9 months. I know that Zuchi is my son because Burte was already pregnant when she was taken, hostage. But my generals and even his younger brothers don't fully believe so. If he becomes close to the Messenger of Tenger, then perhaps...' thought Temuujin while looking at Zuchi and Dorj.
"I approve. You may have 2 blacksmiths and 8 carpenters at your ministry. Your duty is to assist Minister Dorj from now on." said Temuujin giving his permission for his son to work under a minister.
According to the hierarchy, the Khankhuu is superior to a minister. But with lord Temuujin's permission, Zuchi can now assist Dorj.
After the Khuraldai, Zuchi and Dorj got into Zuchi's ger, and met with his wife princess Ukhaa, who is 5 months pregnant.
"Zuchi khankhuu, you haven't told me your wife is pregnant!" said Dorj feeling surprised.
"Dorj, I am sorry. I was immersed to our conversation and forgot to introduce my wife. Dorj meet with my wife Ukhaa." Zuchi khankhuu introducted his wife Ukhaa.
"I am pleased to meet you!" said princess Ukhaa.
"Nice to meet you." replied Dorj.
"I have made a simple meal and made some milk tea. Please have a seat and eat" said princess Ukhaa, bringing out some meat and milk tea.
While taking a sip from the milk tea from a silver cup Zuchi Khankhuu asked a question that is intriguing him.
"Dorj, I am now officially part of your ministry. We have discussed the urge to have more steel to make weapons. Did you find any solution to this issue?" asked Zuchi looking stressed.
"Zuchi khankhuu, I thought you would never ask me this question. I found a solution already. Look at this!" said Dorj unrolling a rolled sheep skin from his robe.
Zuchi khankhuu and princess Ukhaa is surprisedto hear that Dorj has already found a solution. They looked at the image that is on the sheep skin.
During the past seven days, Dorj has searched for ways to make steel and has found that there is a Bessemer converter invented in 1856 by Henry Bessemer.
The Bessemer process reduces molten pig iron in so-called Bessemer converters—egg-shaped, silica, clay, or dolomite-lined containers with capacities of 5 to 30 tons of molten iron. An opening at the narrow upper portion of the Bessemer converter allows iron to be introduced and the finished product to be poured out.
Dorj has asked Jegei to find a sheet of paper and a brush. But unfortunately, since Jegei couldn't find a paper which is truly expensive in the medieval era, Jegei has given white sheep skin to Dorj to substitute the paper.
Dorj has drawn a blueprint of the Bessemer converter by copying the images that are in the textbooks.
"Dorj, this is an image of a pear?" asked Zuchi while feeling puzzled. Zuchi is not literate and has never seen a blueprint before. Therefore he couldn't comprehent what is drawn on the sheep skin.
Ukhaa princess leaned a bit to take a better look at the image that is on the sheep skin.
"No this is not an image of a pear, but a pear shaped furnance that makes steel. It can produce steel that can weight around 10000 jin to 60,000 jin" said Dorj.
/Estimate 5ton to 30ton./
Zuchi khankhuu and princess Ukhaa looked each other and become enlightened.
"10,000 jin? Are you sure Dorj this furnace can produce 10,000 jin of steel? That is as heavy as 50 oxen" asked Zuchi khankhuu.
"Yes, the minimum amount of steel this furnace can make is 10,000 jin. If we build a bigger one we can make up to 60,000 jin of steel at once. But to build this furnace we must first get bricks, and cover it with steel itself." said Dorj looking at Zuchi seriously.
Regalos
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recibido Estado de energía semanal
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