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Liang Feng arrived at the Xishan Daoist Temple. Ge Hong was holding a piece of thin ice in his wet hands, staring at it intently. Seeing this, Liang Feng couldn’t help but smile wryly, “Zhichuan, it’s a cold day today. Be careful not to get frostbite on your fingers.”
“If it weren’t cold, how could I grind ice?” Ge Hong didn’t mind, “The principle of magnification that you mentioned, I have understood it. I’m just not sure how many times clear glass can magnify?”
“It depends on the skill of the polisher. It can magnify as much as gazing at the stars and moon or as little as observing a speck of dust. As the saying goes, the Dao has no limits, and skill can also approach the Dao.” Liang Feng replied.
Since the last battle of Lu City, Liang Feng has been visiting the Daoist temple more often. He would spend two days every week discussing scientific principles with Ge Hong. The more they interacted, the more Liang Feng realized that Ge Hong had a wide range of interests and extremely sharp thinking. He had an inquisitive spirit that delved deep into everything.
Just like this block of ice. Originally, Liang Feng casually mentioned it as a method to create fire from ice. Since the experimental conditions were not met, the experiment naturally failed. However, Ge Hong associated it with the principle of using a concave bronze mirror to ignite a fire, as recorded in the “Zhou Li” text. Now, by grinding ice, he was essentially transforming a concave mirror into a convex one. This direct contrast sparked Ge Hong’s profound interest.
And from there, it extended to the optical realm of refraction and focusing issues. Liang Feng saw the opportunity and introduced the concept of a magnifying glass, an essential tool in biology and astronomy. However, due to current technological limitations, colorless glass couldn’t be produced yet. Undeterred by the cold, Ge Hong personally conducted experiments in ice-making. In a surprisingly short time, he had delved deep into the focal length problem, making significant progress.
Liang Feng hadn’t been in contact with these things for many years, and there wasn’t much he could contribute in terms of assistance. He could only provide a few guiding words from the sidelines. However, this could also be considered a serendipitous encounter. Even if producing colorless glass was temporarily unfeasible, they could look for crystals as alternatives to grind into lenses. With this approach, simple telescopes and microscopes could potentially be created. Such advancements would prove immensely beneficial for both military strategy and biomedical research.
Upon hearing this, Ge Hong shook his fingers, which had turned bright red from the cold. He disregarded the block of ice and led Liang Feng into the alchemy room. In recent days, they have been experimenting with chemical agents, mainly focusing on strong acids and bases. These two substances were not only crucial industrial materials but also essential components for developing gunpowder.
Bases were relatively straightforward. Ge Hong had a recipe himself—mix equal parts of white charcoal ash and reed ash, then simmer them into a paste. The white charcoal ash was essentially lime, while reed ash was derived from plant material, which involved mixing calcium oxide, sodium carbonate, and potassium carbonate with water to obtain sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Although this couldn’t be refined, it did qualify as a base. As for pure caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, they would likely need to experiment with saltpeter and slaked lime1.
However, sulfuric acid posed a more difficult challenge. Liang Feng racked his brains and only then thought of vitriol2. It turned out that in some past criminal cases, people had obtained sulfuric acid by roasting vitriol through crude methods. Yet, the process of roasting and even where to acquire vitriol remained problematic.
Ge Hong, however, wasn’t easily discouraged. For him, the various ideas he heard from Liang Feng were even more captivating. Just like Liang Feng’s concept of combining, separating, and substituting. When two substances interact, they can create new ones; one substance can be divided into two others; or one substance can be used to refine another. This idea was reminiscent of “One gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things.” It also harmonized with alchemy methods, greatly appealing to Ge Hong.
Taking out a red pill from the alchemy cauldron, Ge Hong handed it over, saying, “This is the lead pill I successfully formulated the other day. It combines the effects of lead and mercury, transitioning from white to yellow, and finally to crimson red. There’s also the furnace-produced elixir. Does this have any connection to what you mentioned about the law of substitution?”
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Unexpectedly, this Master Ge was not only researching chemistry but also practicing alchemy. What’s astonishing is that he’s working with this type of red elixir. Liang Feng couldn’t help but wryly smile, “Mercury is akin to pseudo-gold, combined with lead, it’s like transforming into bronze or red copper—a kind of alloy. Subsequent transformations lead to another type of disintegration, drawing upon the elemental essence in the air to achieve the changing colors. Such an elixir, no different from consuming gold, I fear it’s not the path to immortality.”
Mercury appears as a liquid but is essentially a type of metal. Due to its property of dissolving metals, it’s highly favored by alchemists. The legendary method of transmuting base metals into gold is also intricately connected to mercury. Lead, mercury, and cinnabar are the most commonly used substances in ancient alchemy practices, all of which are highly toxic. Liang Feng only took interest in these matters because he felt he had too much time on his hands.
Ge Hong frowned slightly, “The Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir naturally involves more than just lead and mercury. However, your deductive method indeed holds a degree of profundity. Yet, substances have their inherent qualities, making it difficult to exchange between them.”
“That’s why catalysts are necessary, along with specific conditions, to give birth to countless methods of refinement.” Liang Feng had forgotten many details about chemistry, but he still retained some fundamental knowledge. Chemical reactions always require specific conditions—high temperatures, pressure, electricity, or catalytic agents—to induce myriad transformations. The elevated status of ancient alchemists was partly due to this, as turning one substance into another indeed possessed an air of mystique.
Ge Hong seemed to accept this explanation and didn’t press on further. He donned gloves made of fine cloth and a thick mask, then proceeded to demonstrate the experiments he had conducted in recent days to Liang Feng. The alchemy chamber lacked suitable tools, mostly relying on porcelain containers. However, this made practices like distillation and condensation more challenging. It was fortunate that Ge Hong was an authentic alchemist with knowledge of various crude methods, allowing him to make do.
Ge Hong was by nature a man of few words, and Liang Feng’s chemistry foundation had slipped quite a bit. He was cautious not to say anything that could mislead the experimental direction. The two of them proceeded in silence, but there was a certain unspoken understanding. Occasionally, Ge Hong would mention points of confusion in his experiments, and Liang Feng would provide a few insightful words from the side, broadening his thinking and prompting Ge Hong to come up with new ideas.
With such back-and-forth, in less than an hour, Ge Hong had completed all the experiments at hand.
Exiting the alchemy chamber, the two of them removed their protective gear, washed their hands and rinsed their mouths, then sat down to chat over tea.
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Letting out a soft sigh, Ge Hong said, “Through all this experimentation, it still feels like there’s a layer of mist in between. If the glass apparatus you mentioned could have miraculous effects, it’s best to start considering its production methods.”
That’s exactly what Liang Feng urgently needed. After pondering for a moment, he suggested, “How about after some time, you make an arrangement to return to the Liang Estate with your master. The kiln3 won’t be closed this winter. You can try purifying glass materials and see if you can create more suitable items.”
Ge Hong hesitated for a moment and asked, “Is it just Assistant Liu returning to the estate?”
Both Liu Xuan and Li Xin currently held the title of assistant and teach mathematics at the Chongwen Academy. However, Li Xin was mostly immersed in trigonometric functions and couldn’t extricate himself from them. Most of the teaching was done by Liu Xuan, who also served as an advisor for the artisans’ workshops. When the students went on winter break, Liu Xuan would need to make a trip to the Liang Estate to address some matters in person. It seemed he could go back with Ge Hong.
“It’s just Assistant Liu
 Is it possible that Zhichuan doesn’t get along with the prime minister?” Liang Feng suddenly realized, “Li Xin might be quiet, but he’s a bit of a troublemaker when he speaks, and he’s managed to offend countless people. I never expected that he could even get on Ge Hong’s nerves.”
Indeed, Ge Hong’s expression showed a trace of unease, “Assistant Li and I have some conflicts in the field of astronomy and geography, but it’s not a major issue.”
To provoke him to this extent, it probably wasn’t just a minor conflict. However, Liang Feng felt it wasn’t necessary to inquire further. One of them specialized in mathematics, and the other in chemistry; astronomy and geography could at most be considered hobbies. Getting entangled in such matters wouldn’t be of much use.
With a gentle smile, Liang Feng advised, “Prime Minister Liu is straightforward and doesn’t have ill intentions. Zhichuan doesn’t need to dwell on it. On the other hand, the water bellows that your master is trying to produce might replace manual bellows and enhance furnace temperatures. If successful, that would indeed be a significant achievement.”
The water bellows was a device that utilized hydraulic power to dehusk grains. Its origins can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it was further improved by Ma Jun during the Wei and Jin Dynasties. In Luoyang, it was used to hull rice. Based on this concept, Liang Feng had Liu Xuan collaborate with the woodwork workshop to develop more hydraulic machinery. The Liang Estate was always short on manpower, so having hydraulic power was much more convenient than relying solely on human labor.
After implementing the waterwheel for beating pulp and grinding porcelain clay, Liu Xuan came up with an idea for hydraulic bellows. This time, during his return, he would work with the woodwork workshop to experiment and hopefully achieve a breakthrough.
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With this achievement, if they could also construct a blast furnace, whether for glassmaking or iron smelting, it would greatly aid their efforts.
Hearing Liang Feng’s persuasive words, Ge Hong nodded slightly and agreed.
Having dealt with the matters at the Daoist temple, Liang Feng found that there was still time left and paid another visit to the library. This library had just been established, converting a corner of the magistrate’s residence. Currently, there are only four rooms. One was a regular reading room with desks and ink for copying letters. Another was a VIP reading room, complete with heated chambers and pavilions, designed for esteemed guests who provided books. There were also two rooms for storing paper books and bamboo slips, with entry requiring registration. There was also a small chamber providing hot water. Essentially, it was a simple library.
The nominal leader of the library is Cui Ji, but there’s also a director below named Xu Xian. This individual is quite capable as well. He studied under Du Yu from Jing County and specialized in the “Spring and Autumn Annals,” “Zhen Shi Yi,” and more. He has extensively read various books, excels in talent and literature, and is also well-versed in legal and penal codes, displaying remarkable talent.
It was because of this library that he willingly took up a position at the magistrate’s residence. And, with guidance from Liang Feng, he established a set of effective regulations. Whether it’s book acquisition or lending and copying, everything is specified in writing. Currently, the library does not allow lending of books to outsiders, nor does it accept readers who do not copy or donate books. It’s actually quite well-managed.
Seeing the arrival of the high-ranking official from Shangdang, Xu Xian also displayed a flattering attitude and respectfully greeted, “Is Zixi here to read books or to inspect?”
Liang Feng didn’t mind this straightforward attitude and chuckled, “Just taking a casual look.”
Xu Xian nodded and followed by Liang Feng’s side, inspecting the new library.
In the reading room, six scholars were diligently copying books, not even lifting their heads. The room had a stove; while not overly warm, it wasn’t too cold either. The chimney was well placed, and although coal was being burned, there wasn’t a strong odor. The heated chamber had an underfloor heating system, much warmer than the reading room. Only two people were leaning by the window, reading. The room had incense burners and desks, with attendants present. With the folding screen set up, it resembled being in one’s own study. The two book storage rooms were also beginning to take shape, with categorized bookshelves. Classics, history, mathematics, agriculture, laws, and even geographical records and miscellaneous materials were divided into sections. Military texts were present as well, but they couldn’t be copied at will; only those who contributed military texts could borrow and peruse them.
After perusing the catalog and carefully inspecting the records of borrowing and copying, Liang Feng nodded in satisfaction, “Director Xu’s work is indeed meticulous. The library should still pay attention to fire prevention and increase patrols. By the way, in these cold days, I’ll have someone deliver hot soup—two meals a day—to be used by the scholars.”
Those who come here to copy books aren’t wealthy individuals. In order to save time, most bring their own provisions and nibble on them. Providing hot water is already quite considerate, not to mention the hot soup in winter. Xu Xian sighed, “Zixi’s considerations are indeed thorough, and I will make appropriate arrangements.”
“Those who come here are all dedicated scholars and shouldn’t be neglected.” Liang Feng asked again, “Have the number of book copiers increased recently?”
Xu Xian replied, “Since the library was just established, the news hasn’t spread widely. By next spring, when more people come to borrow and copy for the imperial exams, the desks and tables in the library might be insufficient.”
As the year draws to a close and the distance is far, even if they heard the news, they might not be able to leave their homes at once. It’s when the news spreads next year and the weather warms up that the library will truly have an impact. Even if they want to select individuals with exceptional calligraphy, a large number of scholars will come to copy books. The small reading room might not be enough.
“If space is insufficient, a few more rooms can be added. The office will fully cooperate,” Liang Feng understood the balance, “And for the book collection, strive to have as many versions and catalogs as possible, be comprehensive and then meticulous. This library is the foundation of learning in the county, so Director Xu should handle it with utmost care.”
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These words filled Xu Xian’s heart with warmth. For years, as an official, when had anyone cared about the significance of education? Whether it’s the Chongwen Academy or the subsidiary libraries, they exuded an extraordinary aura. Such a superior official is the kind of person who can truly assist!
Deeply bowing, Xu Xian solemnly said, “I will wholeheartedly do my best.”
1
TL’s crazy note: Senku? T~T
2
a class of chemical compounds known as sulfates. Specifically, it refers to sulfuric acid (H2SO4), which is a highly corrosive and strong mineral acid. In alchemical and historical contexts, “vitriol” was used to describe various sulfate salts and sulfuric acid derived from them. The term “vitriol” comes from the Latin word “vitriolum,” which means “glassy” or “crystal.”
3
a type of furnace or oven that is used for various processes, such as firing ceramics, pottery, and bricks, as well as for drying or hardening materials like clay, glass, and metal.