Chapter 369: The Foundation of Chemistry

Chengdefang. Reading М

Yang He held a piece of soap in his hand and marveled at it.

Zhao Xu was beside him, and Qu Sheng was introducing the entire production process of the soap shop to him.

The Mineral Exploration Department was established, and the task of mineral exploration in Yanzhou was officially launched.

Qu Sheng reported back to him within two days that the soap shop was completed.

There is no doubt that Yanzhou is currently developing steadily according to his plan.

"These pools are specially used to prepare caustic soda." Qu Sheng pointed to the twelve rectangular pools in parallel.

White calcium hydroxide was precipitated in the pool.

Calcium hydroxide is slightly soluble in water, so most of it is precipitated under the pool.

On top is a saturated calcium hydroxide solution.

At this moment, the craftsman was pouring the clear solution from the pool into the water tank.

Another craftsman poured soda ash into the water tank and stirred it.

In other water tanks that had been standing for a while, there was already a white film on the surface.

The craftsman collected the film for use.

The rest was simple, just boiling meat oil and collecting the by-product glycerin.

"Qu Sheng, I was not wrong about you. This soap shop is very good." Zhao Xu showed a satisfied smile.

Now the craftsmen in the soap shop are carrying out each process in an orderly manner.

Batches of soap are produced.

"Thank you for your compliment, Your Highness." Qu Sheng looked excited. He said, "But for me, it is more fascinating to learn these earth-shaking and soul-stirring skills from Your Highness."

Yang He looked at the soap for a long time, smelling and sniffing.

At this time, he couldn't help asking, "Your Highness, what is this thing used for?"

"It is used for bathing." Zhao Xu said, "In the future, you can add essence to it to add fragrance."

"Bathing?" Yang He suddenly felt a little itchy on his body, "Your Highness, I will go back and try it now."

After that, he saluted and slipped away with the soap.

Zhao Xu and Qu Sheng smiled and shook their heads.

"Your Highness, this soap shop has given me some inspiration. Caustic soda is one of the three acids and two alkalis. Since we can make caustic soda now, why not just build a workshop and realize the production of the three acids and two alkalis in the workshop? After all, they are the basis of chemistry." Only two people were left, and Qu Sheng suddenly said.

In this task of independently building a soap shop, he experienced a kind of happiness.

That is the happiness of turning what is in the textbook into reality.

Otherwise, no matter how much you learn, what's the use.

"Hahaha, you and this king really think alike. This king said that this soap shop is just the beginning, and you have a lot to do next." Zhao Xu laughed.

The three acids and two alkalis are nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda and pure alkali.

In the history of chemistry, they are the earliest chemicals to appear.

Above them, more chemicals have evolved from synthesis.

It can be said that they play an important role in the chemical industry.

No less than the steam engine in physics and the artillery and muskets in military technology.

"It turns out that Your Highness has already made plans." Qu Sheng smiled softly.

Zhao Xu nodded. Another reason why he admired Qu Sheng was his attitude of neither servility nor arrogance.

This was a man who did practical things, not a flatterer or a frivolous person.

In this way, he felt relieved to hand over the chemical industry of Yanzhou to him.

"You can choose any student in the Science and Technology School to assist you. Next, you will build this three acid and two alkali project." Zhao Xu patted his shoulder.

"Yes, Your Highness." Qu Sheng replied yes.

After another round of inspection in the soap shop, Qu Sheng returned to the Armory, and Zhao Xu returned to the palace.

Next, the soap shop will be handed over to the business to manage.

...

Yang Mansion.

When Yang Cheng returned home, he went into the bathroom.

Not long after, he walked out of the bathroom with a comfortable look on his face.

He looked at the soap in his hand with disdain, threw it on the ground, and ordered the servants to keep the soap well.

In Dasong, the bathing things of wealthy families are called soap.

This soap is made of plant ash mixed with lard, and it looks black and dirty.

Now that he has used soap, he feels even more disgusted with this soap.

"It's really magical. I'll feel uncomfortable if I don't use it next time." Yang He sighed.

This soap washed away all the grease on his body.

He could imagine that bathing without this thing would be the same as not bathing at all.

In his opinion, as long as he used this thing, he would definitely get addicted.

Put on the official robe.

He immediately went to the business. As the head of the business, he naturally had to turn this new commodity into silver.

Even if His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan didn't say it, he had to take action.

He couldn't have the Prince of Yan remind him of everything.

"Come on, gather the merchants in Yancheng and ask them to go to the Shanshui Bathhouse to wait for me, and say that I want to invite them to bathe." Yang He said with his eyes rolling.

At the same time, he sent someone to the soap shop to get a batch of soap and send it to Jinling, asking Dong An to do the same and make the soap profitable as soon as possible.

He heard that Yanzhou was about to start a large infrastructure project, and money would be spent like water.

As the head of a business, he naturally couldn't let Yanzhou lack money, otherwise it would be unqualified.

...

Royal Palace.

When Zhao Xu came back, he also brought some soap.

That day, he kept it a secret to Feng'er and Luan'er.

Now it's time to let them experience it.

"Soap? Can this wash away grease?" Feng'er asked, holding the clean white soap.

Luan'er was also curious.

Zhao Xu smiled evilly when he heard this, "It's not that simple to know if it's possible. I will reluctantly accompany you to take a bath."

"Your Highness..." Feng'er and Luan'er said in a coquettish voice at the same time.

Zhao Xu laughed and pushed the two to the backyard.

Half an hour later, the three of them came out of the bathroom of the palace, feeling refreshed.

"It's so comfortable to take a bath with this thing in the hot summer." Feng'er looked happy.

Luan'er said: "Your Highness, this thing is really not inferior to perfume."

"That's right, I'm also going to add fragrance to it, so that it will smell good after washing." Zhao Xu said.

However, soap is only one of the purposes of his establishment of a soap factory.

There is another important factor, he also wants to get glycerin, a by-product of the soap manufacturing process.

At present, Yanzhou's firearms face a problem.

That is, the quality of the barrels and gun barrels is so good that it is equivalent to the 19th century.

But only black powder, the most primitive gunpowder, can be used.

This will undoubtedly limit the power of guns and cannons.

Glycerin can be used to make a smokeless gunpowder with stronger explosive energy than black powder.

However, in addition to glycerin, the manufacture of this gunpowder also requires the cooperation of three acids and two alkalis in the chemical industry.

That's why Qu Sheng was given this task.

"Can you add fragrance? Your Highness, this soap will definitely be very popular." Feng'er almost jumped up with excitement.

Seeing Zhao Xu's thoughtful expression, she didn't know that Zhao Xu was thinking about the glycerin problem, but just thought that the King of Yan was thinking about how to sell the soap at a high price.

So he said: "Your Highness, the last perfume lady said that it was very popular in the palace, and because the ladies in the palace liked it, it soon spread to Jinling City. This time, why not send some to the palace, and it can also show your filial piety."

Zhao Xu came back to his senses after hearing this, and he nodded, "Well, it makes sense, let's do it."

This time Zhao Heng gave Yanzhou such a large military supply order, even if it was to leave a good impression on the customer, he should send some to him.