บท 10: Preperations complete
The year Black Water Pig, 17th day of the Middle Month of The Fall.
11th of October, 1203
At a workshop near Temuujin's settlement at Buir lake, 8 carpenters are firing clay bricks in a furnace making fire-resistant bricks. Whereas 2 blacksmiths are working to make the body parts of the bessemer's convertor.
The carpenters and blacksmith have not seen the full diagram of the converter, but only the parts to be assembled.
It was a measurement to prevent the full diagram to be stolen by the enemies.
During the past month, Zuchi khankhuu mobilized 100 troops under him to exploit 50 tons of iron ore and smelted 25 tons of pig iron.
There is an abandoned coke coal mine near the border of Western Xia where Zuchi khankhuu has exploited and piled several tons of coke near the workshop.
The raw materials to make the bessemer's convertor and the creation of steel are getting near.
Some herders at Temuujin's facility have gotten interested in Zuchi khankhuu and Dorj's project, not knowing what they are into.
But whenever they get near the workshop, the guards of Zuchi khankhuu are preventing them to look inside what is happening in the workshop.
'Fuu' a young man whose face is covered by coal black dust has swiped his sweat from his forehead.
It was naturally Dorj who is working along with the blacksmiths to create a bessemer's convertor.
Only it would be easier if they had nails and bolts, but unfortunately in the 13th-century nails and bolts are yet to be invented, therefore Dorj is working to create bolts to Bolten down the steel plates to make the furnace.
During the past month, Dorj has learned a lot of skills that is required for Metallurgy and Blacksmithing. He may be a newbie a month ago, but now he has learned the basic skills and knows the knowledge that no one in this era has known ever.
"My lord, the bricks are completely dried up." said a tall carpenter who has been assigned to creating the fire resistant clay bricks.
"Well done. My part of the work is almost done as well, you may leave the bricks there and take your leave" instructed Minister Dorj to the carpenter.
The carpenter looked satisfied that his work has been completed and took a bow and left the workshop with the other 7 carpenters.
"Jegei, are you out there?" shouted Dorj looking outside the tent.
"Yes my lord!" said Jegei in a hurry and entered the workshop.
"Jegei, can you please summon Zuchi khankhuu, and tell him that the preparations are complete, tomorrow morning we can finish our work," said Dorj, looking exhausted.
"Yes my lord!" bowed Jegei and left in a hurry.
In the past month, Jegei had the most wonderful time of his life. He used to worry about his life every day because, in wartime, anyone can die if you are assigned to a dangerous mission. But the missions Minister Dorj assigns to him are basic of basic such as "Can you notify Zuchi" or "Can you bring me that item" etc.
Therefore to not be replaced by any other guard, Jegei whenever he is assigned a task, he puts his effort to complete his task.
"Jegei is quite useful person" murmured Dorj, while drinking a cold water from a jug.
After a few minutes, Zuchi khankhuu entered the tent with an expectant eyes.
"Dorj, did you say the preparations are complete?" asked Zuchi khankhuu with satisfied eyes.
"Yes khankhuu. The preperations are complete. I think we need around 20 of your troops to assemble our Pear furnance." said Dorj with an exhausted tone.
Yes. The final name of Bessemer furnace has become Pear furnace due to Bessemer is a difficult name to pronounce for Mongolians and Henry Bessemer is yet to be born yet. Dorj insisted to call the convertor Bessemer but whenever Zuchi khankhuu tries to call the name Bessemer it fails.
"Bes bese...the Pear furnace need to be assembled by people who don't know how to make the parts. You are insightful indeed" said Zuchi khankhuu, not being able to pronounce the name again!
"Khankhuu, please gather your most trusted 20 troops, if the Western Xia or Khereit tribe finds out our technology to produce steel, then we would be at the disadvantage" warned Dorj.
---
Meanwhile at the main ger of Temuujin. Lord Temuujin and Minister Khoorchi and Belgutei were having a conversation.
In the ger, Temuujin's first wife, queen Burte was serving milk tea to Belgutei and Khoorchi.
The messengers who are sent to Khereit tribe have come back.
"My Lord, I apologize for failing the mission you have assigned me. I have failed to make truce between the war of Khereit tribe and our tribe." said Khoorchi, while making a guilty expression.
"Khoorchi, It's alright. Wan Khan and Sengum are in conflict now. Actually, you made good work by creating a conflict between Wan Khan and Sengum." replied Temuujin while looking at Khoorchi.
"Brother, uncle Daridai has warned us that Sengum may attack us in the future," said Belgutei while looking at Temuujin.
"Uncle Daridai did you say Belgutei? Did you forget that Daridai has betrayed us? We have only 4300 troops left and nowhere to go! Did you think Daridai thought you as his nephew when he had bloodlust to kill us?" replied Temuujin.
"I said nonsense. I apologize" replied Belgutei.
"Lord Temuujin, please don't mind Belgutei's word. Even though the word uncle was unnecessary, the betrayed Daridai is warning us that Sengum may attack." said Khoorchi while trying to appease Temuujin's anger.
"You are right Khoorchi. For this fall, we must increase our strength and gather the Mongolians across the steppe" said Temuujin while stroking his black beard.
"You two must be tired, you are excused to leave" decreed Temuujin.
After Minister Khoorchi and Belgutei has left the ger, queen Burte looked at his husband Lord Temuujin.
"Temuujin. Khoorchi and Belgutei have done their best, don't blame them," said Burte while putting his hand on Temuujin's cheek.
"Yes I know. But we are still in a dire situation. If the Naimans or Western Xia attack us now our Borjigin clan may be annihilated" said Temuujin while shaking his head.
"Temuujin, I heard that your newly appointed Minister Dorj and our son Zuchi is very busy. They have exploited some coal, clay and iron ore and are working on a mysterious project and don't let anyone get near their workshop." said Burte while gazing at Temuujin's eyes.
"Burte, I haven't told anyone yet about this matter. But do you remember the night when I came from the Battle of Muu Undur and asked Khukhchu shaman to come at my ger?" asked Temuujin.
"Oh, is it the day when the lightning flashed and thunder roared without any clouds in the sky?" asked Burte, confirming whether she is recalling the day correctly.
"Yes. Don't tell anyone about this matter yet without my approval. On that day, when I asked Khukhchu shaman to make a ritual to see the fate of Dorj, he summoned my ancestors' spirits and unveiled the fate of Dorj. I was not impressed by Khukhchu, but the Tenger was angered and the lightning flashed just after Khukhchu shaman unveiled his fate. After that in my ger a Totem of a Deer appeared in a shape of a human and knocked Khukhchu shaman unconscious. That Totem of a Deer gazed at my eyes and before he disappear, something whispered to my ears saying that 'Don't pry into the secrets of the Tenger Temuujin! Or you may not be the favored son anymore'" said Temuujin.
Queen Burte gaped and placed her hands on her mouth, looking at Temuujin shocked.
"Temuujin, what did Khukhchu shaman unveil? Did he say your minister Dorj may be a demon?" asked Burte feeling worried about his eldest son Zuchi for being near Dorj.
"Oh Burte, if he was a demon, would I have appointed him as a minister? No, Khukhchu said the complete opposite about him. He is a deity who was sent by the Tenger to me who will become a great general and a loyal minister" smiling and holding the hands of his queen Burte.
Queen Burte took a deep breath and calmed down. If Dorj was the incarnation of devil, Queen Burte would not hesitate to sacrifice herself to save her son Zuchi from the grasp of the demon. But if Minister Dorj is a deity? Then, Zuchi the eldest son who is discriminated may have the chance to be acknowledged in the future.
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