Capítulo 18: Blast Furnace Iron Making
After the successful police raid, public safety in towns and cities of the Vijayanagar Empire significantly improved. The common people were grateful for the quick and efficient actions of the newly established police force. Criminals had been put on notice in various parts of the country. Even the always arrogant nobles chose to be lowkey, and for the first time, a sense of law and order was introduced in the kingdom.
Even though the common people in the empire are happy, Ravichandra, the head of finance of the empire, who is currently in the Palace, is not. He approached Vijay with a serious expression. "Your Majesty, I must warn you that our funds are running low to continue the ongoing projects," Ravi said, looking visibly troubled.
Vijay looked at the report brought back by Uncle Ravi. He could see the heavy financial burden they were under, but he still hesitantly replied, "But uncle, we cannot compromise on the military reforms we have started. If we stop these projects now, we will not be able to start them again for another few years."
Thinking about the Dutch threat on the coastline, and the nobles waiting to see his downfall, Vijay felt a huge pressure and didn't want to delay his military construction. He said hurriedly, "We must find a way to make money to stabilize the treasury."
Vijay walked in his room from wall to wall, pondering over the ways to make money. Although he had many ideas to make money, he did not have a method that was suitable for the current situation. Suddenly, Vijay got an idea. He called his butler Vinod and ordered, "Vinod, call all the Best blacksmiths in the country. I have a job for them to do." Vinod quickly bowed and left the room to arrange the matters. Yes, Vijay was going to improve ironmaking to make money. He chose this industry because, in this day and age of Warlords, there was a huge market for Iron weapons and tools. With this, he could not only fill the treasury, but In case of surplus funds, He could also equip his army with iron weapons to increase the military strength of his empire.
The Next Day
In the grand hall of the palace, the blacksmiths gathered, their eyes filled with curiosity, fear and anticipation. Vijay saw them and said, "I have called you all here today to conduct an experiment. I want you to forge an iron sword like you usually do."
"Experiment?" The blacksmiths were confused by the word, but since it was the king's order, they didn't ask many questions and got to work. Using their age-old techniques, they started the work, and soon the hall was filled with the ringing of hammers on anvils. However, Vijay was not satisfied. He noticed that they were still using the direct reduction method for ironmaking. This process involved heating iron ore in a furnace with carbon-rich materials like charcoal or coal. The carbon in these materials would react with the oxygen in the iron ore, reducing the iron oxide to produce iron metal. Although this method was still used in 21st-century India, it was mainly by art craftsmen, while the rest of the metal was produced by huge industrial furnaces.
"I believe there is room for progress in ironmaking," Vijay proclaimed. "I have an idea that could improve the efficiency and increase iron production significantly." Vijay continued, explaining, "It's like this: The method is called blast furnace iron making, in this method we first extract iron from its ore by reducing it through a chemical process using carbon as the reducing agent. The iron ore is charged into the top of the furnace, and as hot air is blown into the furnace, it reacts with coke to produce carbon monoxide gas, which acts as the reducing agent. This carbon monoxide gas then reacts with the iron oxide in the ore, reducing it into molten iron and carbon dioxide gas. The impurities in the iron ore combine with limestone to form molten slag, which is separated from the molten iron. The molten iron is collected from the bottom of the furnace, allowing for continuous large-scale production of iron."
Vijay stated the definition he knew in one breath. Most of the blacksmiths were confused by the new words, but one among them raised his hand. Vijay saw a young man with black hair, Tan brown skin and a round face, who looked like a bodybuilder raising his hand, with curiosity, Vijay allowed him to speak. The young man nervously said, "Ah, Your Highness, is it basically mixing iron ore in a carbon?...or something you said, then the iron is kept on top of the furnace, and hot air is blown from below, making iron after whatever, whatever you said?"
Vijay was surprised by the young man's ability to grasp all the important data from his textbook definition
- talent,
Vijay thought to himself excitedly. "What is your name? Who is your master, " Vijay asked.
The young blacksmith replied, "Your Majesty, my name is Heyram. My father taught me blacksmithing since I was a child. He used to be a blacksmith for the royal family. He recently passed away from a disease."
Vijay nodded and said, "I'm sorry for your loss. And yes, your explanation sums it up."
Intrigued, the blacksmiths started to ponder after listening to Heyram's simplified explanation. But as they were comprehending it, unknown to them, something extraordinary happened. Vijay telepathically sent his knowledge of iron smelting techniques from the 19th century to Heyram, as he was the only person in the group who could comprehend things Vijay said for the first time. However, he did not leave out the other blacksmiths, as Heyram needed some experienced helpers to complete his plan. So, some scientific thinking methods were also sent to all the other blacksmiths.
This was possible because, as he used his Goldfinger ability, Vijay discovered that the more he used it, the stronger it became. Now, he could not only send his knowledge to someone in close proximity without contact, but he could also choose when they received the ideas, making his telepathic skills even more impressive.
Suddenly, all the blacksmiths' eyes widened, and as if a spark of inspiration ignited within them, they began to discuss with each other with enthusiasm. Heyram's reaction was the most intense, as he began to shake with excitement. He ran around the hall like a headless chicken, desperately looking for a parchment to write on. Spotting a servant in the palace, he quickly snatched a piece of parchment from him.
"Hey!.." the servant yelled, but Heyram was too absorbed in his ideas to listen. Without wasting a moment, he took out a coal chalk he carried with him wherever he went and started sketching. The other blacksmiths gathered around Heyram, intrigued by his crazy actions. As they watched on, they too were now brimming with enthusiasm, wanting to bring the new technology to reality.
Vijay soon took the finished design plan and was shocked, or at least he acted like it, but he was still surprised that Heyram could finish the design plan this quickly. Immediately, he decided, "Heyram, you are now appointed as the director of the new Raya Ironworks."
Heyram was confused by the new word, again, looking at Vijay with question marks on his face, Seeing this, Vijay had a headache, but he didn't want to transfer knowledge telepathically for this small thing. Instead, he let Vinod explain it to him. As Vijay wanted Vinod to manage all his family's industries, he had already sent all the basic financial operations of modern society to Vinod, so let him explain.
After the explanation, Heyram understood what Vijay meant, but instead of being happy, he was scared out of his wits and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, please pass on this position to more experienced craftsmen. I am still too inexperienced," he pleaded.
Vijay was really surprised by his words, but he soon figured out the reason why, now in India, it is still the time where elders held a higher position in the social hierarchy. Thinking about this, he said, "Don't worry, from now on, only the capable can be in power in my company. Do it with confidence," Vijay declared, glaring at the other blacksmiths. Seeing this, the other blacksmiths bowed their heads in disappointment, but they still agreed to the arrangement.
Finally, Heyram let go of his heart and agreed, saying, "It's my pleasure to be of service, Your Highness."
Vijay nodded in approval and replied, "This project is of huge importance to our empire, our military strategy and financial stability depend on this. Gather all the people here and get me a prototype as soon as possible."
With determination to prove himself capable in front of other blacksmiths and the king, along with the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, Heyram set out to work with the other blacksmiths.
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