Chapter 139 139 Firing the first batch of porcelain

Chapter 140 140. Firing the first batch of porcelain

Leah had hardly slept well in the past month, and she spent almost all the time she could squeeze out knitting silk scarves. ✎

Although Luo Ning said, it doesn't matter even if it can't be completed.

But as a servant, Leah would be derelict in her duty if she failed to complete the task and let the lord down.

Although this was her first time handling a special kind of silk thread, fortunately, her many years of experience in weaving woolen cloth and linen cloth could be used as a reference. In the first half of the month, she had completed spinning and dyeing the silk thread.

A large part of the second half of the month was spent on weaving. Although the silk thread broke countless times due to her unfamiliarity with the operation, she became more and more proficient with it as she accumulated experience.

Finally, on the 9th, the weaving of the first piece of silk cloth was completed.

The appearance of this piece of light blue cloth was of great significance to Luo Ning, so he came to visit it in person.

It is very thin and soft to the touch. It is very comfortable and skin-friendly when held in the hand. You can also feel its good breathability and smoothness when you put it on the tip of your nose and breathe. It is completely different from the feeling brought by woolen cloth.

Just from the first impression, he knew that silk would be a high-end product in this world.

With the fabric, it will be much easier for Leah to make the scarf. She can definitely make it before Ronin leaves Wushan Castle on the 14th.

At this time, Leah was busy in the tailor shop in the outer castle of Hillwood Castle, and Tom was eating lunch beside her.

He habitually takes off his mask at home.

"Mother, in two days I will go to Wushan Castle with the lord and the McCann guard to celebrate the birthday of Marquis Rulans. I heard from George and the others that Wushan Castle is super luxurious. I didn't expect that I would have a chance to go in! "

Last time Wharton and George accompanied Ronin to Wushanbao. When they came back, they talked a lot about the delicious food and the prosperous scenery there, which Tom yearned for very much.

"Then you must cherish this opportunity and serve the lord well on the road!"

Leah glanced at her son and continued her work: "Lord Luo Ning is a good lord. Following him, we can all live a good life."

"That is!"

Tom firmly believed in this, "It's just that I won't be able to spend this year's anniversary with you."

"It's all little things."

Leah didn't care about this. "I'm familiar with many people in the castle. The lord has also arranged three apprentices for me. You don't have to worry about me. Try your best to complete the tasks assigned to you by the lord."

While she was talking, she picked up the scarf that was almost finished and put it in front of the light to look at it carefully, sighing in her heart about this kind of silk thread.

"Since the lord came to Shanlin Town, the roads in the town have been clean, people no longer freeze to death in winter, farming has become easier, and even the production of vegetables has increased this year..."

"There is also this magical thread discovered by Your Excellency. His vision, ability, and profound knowledge are beyond our reach!"

Leah looked at her son seriously and emphasized again: "Tom, you must follow Master Luo Ning carefully!"

"I know, you've said it three or four times in a while."

Tom smiled and said: "Actually, it's not just me, all the extraordinary beings are unswervingly following Lord Luo Ning!"

There are actually many people like Tom and his son.

One by one, the castle servants and their families were praising the merits of the lord.

After all, Shanlin Town was not that big yet, and there were many praises. In addition, Luo Ning had indeed brought changes to Shanlin Town, and people's admiration for Luo Ning became even stronger.

This change was subtle, and Luo Ning didn't feel it deeply. He was just following his own feelings.

At the moment, he is firing the first kiln of porcelain with Jim, the potter, in the porcelain workshop.

Inside the porcelain kiln, the flames jumped, warm and dazzling.

They surge in the furnace, gradually raising the temperature inside.

The glazed porcelain blanks have long been put into the kiln chamber. As the temperature rises, the surfaces of these porcelain blanks are also undergoing earth-shaking changes.

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It was the first time to fire porcelain, and no one had any experience.

What Luo Ning and others can do is to put in more dry firewood and prepared charcoal in advance to maintain the combustion atmosphere in the kiln when the firewood is insufficient and the flame is reduced.

The firing lasted for more than ten hours, and after several hours of cooling, it was not until the evening of the next day that it was time to open the kiln.

In order to witness the birth of porcelain with his own eyes, Luo Ning opened the furnace door personally. At this time, there was still a faint heat blowing against his face.

The porcelain bowl tempered by the fire is lying quietly in the kiln room.

When Luo Ning saw the smooth mirror-like surface, a bright smile appeared on his face. The luster was very similar to what he remembered.

"My lord, how is it?"

Jim and the three apprentices on the side were also very anxious to know the result. Their eyes were bloodshot. In order to avoid accidents, the three of them had not slept much until now.

Luo Ning reached out and took out the porcelain bowl inside. Jim and others held their breath.

Is this the porcelain that the lord calls it?

Just from the appearance, it is much more advanced than ordinary pottery.

Pottery is generally simple, rough and unsophisticated, but the porcelain held in the hands of the Lord at this moment is so smooth and delicate, like crystal.

Done?

Luo Ning took a look at the porcelain bowl and the smile on his face froze.

There is an area on the back of the porcelain bowl that is not completely fired. The glaze looks matte and the structure is rough. It is obviously an unqualified product.

Luo Ning handed the porcelain bowl in his hand to Jim, and then took out the remaining few from the kiln room. They were all raw.

So overall, this firing failed.

Sure enough it's not that simple.

Jim and others looked at the porcelain bowl carefully. Although they were still amazed at the beauty of the bowl, they could also see that the lord was not very satisfied with the result.

Finally Jim plucked up the courage and asked, "Sir, did you fail?"

Luo Ning pondered for a long time. Seeing that everyone's expressions were a little solemn, he knew that he was taking it too seriously, so he smiled to lighten the atmosphere.

"Although today's firing is not a complete success, it cannot be said to be a failure. We have already succeeded more than half of it, and we just need to keep trying and improving."

Luo Ning pointed to the unsintered piece on the porcelain bowl and said, "I guess the problem is that the kiln temperature is not enough."

He walked around the kiln in a circle.

"We need to improve the kiln. First we need to bake bricks and use bricks to build the kiln. We can no longer use mud blocks as we do now. Then we need to increase the thickness of the insulation layer when covering it to reduce heat loss."

"Secondly, add a grate in the combustion chamber to hold up the wood, ventilate the bottom, increase air flow, and increase the burning rate of fuel."

Although Jim and others did not understand many of the words spoken by Luo Ning, but based on the context, they could fully understand the Lord's purpose - to raise the temperature in the kiln.

"Sir, you know so much." They couldn't help but admire.

Although Jim is a serious potter, his knowledge of things is completely inferior to that of Luo Ning. In front of Luo Ning, he is like an apprentice.

Luo Ning smiled and said: "Knowing more does not necessarily mean you can do it. The exploration and experiments have to be left to you. Although we failed this time, as long as we learn from experience and lessons, we will always succeed one day."

He said, patting Jim on the shoulder, "I'm going out soon, and I'll leave the porcelain firing to you. You don't have to worry about kaolin materials, just use them when they are needed, and it doesn't matter even if they are wasted."

Jim felt a heavy weight on his shoulders, a lot of pressure, but he also knew it was an opportunity.

"Don't worry, sir, Jim will definitely work hard to live up to your expectations!"

I'm back home. I'm going to bury the grave today. The update will be late tonight.