northernbook Chapter 219 The Blacksmith Shop
Chapter 219 The Blacksmith Shop
"Then I'll give you the credit. Just say it's your drawing, and if there's any reward, it'll all be yours."
Qingying quickly waved her hand: "No, no, don't joke with me. This is all your credit. Besides, I don't have that ability. Taking credit for others is a serious crime."
Qing Tong, on the other hand, was much calmer. After thinking about the reasons carefully, he understood Long Chuqing's intention.
If the outside world knew that all the blueprints for so many weapons were created by a woman, it would inevitably attract attention from all sides, and it's hard to say whether that would be a blessing or a curse.
But Qingying's words are not wrong either. This credit originally belonged to Miss Long. Although she herself did not care, it would be unfair to just let it pass by like this, as it was her contribution.
He tugged at Qingying's sleeve. "Things aren't as simple as you think."
Xiao Han slowly spoke: "I was also thinking about this matter just now... and I also considered that there might be many uncertainties."
"However, we cannot simply cover up your contribution, but it is not advisable to tell the outside world that you drew the blueprints in the short term."
"I will tell my father the truth and discuss the specifics with him. When the time is right, I will announce your achievements to the outside world."
Long Chuqing smiled gently, "No need for such trouble, and don't worry about it. I didn't draw these blueprints for merit or reward. I only hope that these blueprints can be used to successfully manufacture weapons and that they can help you."
"Moreover, as I have emphasized to you before, these drawings were not designed by me. It would be unworthy of me to accept this credit."
At this point, Long Chuqing frowned slightly: "No, if I continue, I'll start to feel like I'm committing theft."
Theft? After hearing Long Chuqing's explanation, Xiao Han, Qing Tong, and Qing Ying all looked at her in astonishment.
Feng Yu complained, "No, once I accept the premise of theft, nothing feels right. Should I say you stole or I stole?"
Fei Feng chimed in: "It's your joint masterpiece..."
“Borrowing, do you understand?” Long Chuqing added, “I’m just making good use of them, which is a good thing for the country and the people.”
Long Chuqing glanced at the three of them: "Alright, alright... don't think too much about it. Anyway, it's already drawn, so just use it! Just don't say that I drew it."
Qingying was the first to come to her senses. "To be able to withstand such extraordinary wealth, Miss Long is truly righteous."
After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Han said, "In that case, let's not discuss this matter for now, and make plans later."
He turned to look at Qing Tong and Qing Ying beside him, "The matter of drawing the blueprints must be kept secret and must not be revealed to the outside world, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble for Chu Qing."
Both of them nodded, "Yes."
“However,” Xiao Han picked up the paper with the proportions of the materials for forging swords written on it, “we can’t just present it to Father like this; we need to verify the feasibility of this method first.”
Although Feng Yu's recipe is absolutely correct, I really need to see it with my own eyes to be sure.
“You’re right. I suggest you find a blacksmith in the countryside first and forge a knife or a piece of iron using this ratio to test the hardness. Only a qualified product in your hand will be convincing and you won’t be criticized by others.”
Xiao Han replied, "Well, let's find a blacksmith shop to test the effect first."
After thinking for a moment, Qing Tong said, "Speaking of blacksmith shops in the countryside, I remember that Qingshan's uncle is a blacksmith, and his skills are recognized by the villagers. You can go to his shop."
Xiao Han said to Qing Tong, "Go and find Qing Shan."
"Okay..."
A short while later, Qing Tong went and called Qing Shan in.
When Qingshan learned that Xiao Han was going to his uncle's blacksmith shop, he readily agreed.
After seeing the blueprints, he exclaimed in admiration, his face filled with excitement, and he even asked in disbelief, "Are these... all going to be made for my uncle?"
Bronze patted his head lightly: "What are you thinking! I'm just going to forge a sword and test its effects."
He pointed to the blueprints and said, "Do you think these can be used for forging in the countryside?"
Aoyama scratched his head: "Hehe...No, that's why I was surprised just now!"
He looked at Xiao Han: "Your Highness, when shall we go?"
There is not much time left to waste; we must hurry up with the experiment. If it achieves good results, we can present the blueprints and processes to the Emperor as soon as possible so that the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works can expedite the manufacturing.
He glanced at the sky outside. "It's still early. Let's set off immediately."
Long Chuqing, who was standing to the side, stood up from her chair: "I'll go too."
"Okay, let's go together."
They carefully collected all the dried blueprints, folded them neatly, and then Xiao Han locked them away.
Having taken the blueprints for the sword and blade material proportions and the crossbow, the group mounted their horses and headed west of the city.
They walked through several streets and turned into an alley.
Some of the bluestone slabs paving the alley have cracked, and some rust-colored moss grows in the cracks.
Continuing onward, you'll see other blacksmith shops along the alley.
As soon as you step into the alley, you can hear the sounds of hammers striking each other, some near and some far.
The blacksmith's door frame was charcoal gray from the thick smoke from the furnace and the fine ash from forging iron, and it looked quite old.
Outside the shop were displayed a variety of forged ironware, including farm tools such as hoes and sickles, as well as some knives for daily use and a small number of swords.
Pedestrians stopped in front of the shop, selecting the farm tools and other implements they needed.
The shop contained forging tools such as furnaces, bellows, hammers, and pliers.
The blazing flames on the stove resembled a pulsating scarlet heart, surrounded by thick smoke.
The blacksmith held the red-hot iron block with pliers while hammering it rhythmically with a hammer in the other hand.
As the hammer swung up and down, sparks flew everywhere, accompanied by a series of crisp metallic clanging sounds.
The air was thick with a strong smell, a unique aroma of burning iron and the smell of burning coal.
Despite it being the dead of winter, the blacksmiths working there were still sweating profusely.
Before long, the group arrived at Uncle Qingshan's blacksmith shop.
A slightly worn wooden sign hangs at the entrance, with the words "(Lu's Blacksmith Shop)" written on it. Due to years of exposure to smoke, the sign has turned black and the characters have become blurred.
Even from the doorway, one could hear the clanging of blacksmiths striking metal inside.
The group dismounted, and Qingshan strode into the shop, calling out at the top of his lungs, "Uncle, Uncle... Hey, cousin, you're here too!"
At this moment, two people in the blacksmith shop were engrossed in their work. One of them, who was slightly older, was Qingshan's uncle, and the other, a younger man, was his uncle's eldest son.