At the same time that craftsmen were asked to make distillation utensils to distill liquor, so as to demonstrate the purification method of sulfur to Yan Liben, the method of purifying saltpeter was also being tested.Like purifying sulfur, Zhao Yunze and Yan Liben did not directly use saltpeter for experiments, but first used salt to train the craftsmen.It's a win-win-win-winMoreover, the purification of table salt is more significant than the fact that purified saltpeter is only used to increase the power of firearms.At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, salt was still a scarce material.Especially in the Guanzhong area, the source of salt mainly relies on mineral salt and well salt.Compared with sea salt, mineral salt and well salt contain a lot of impurities.There are a lot of impurities, and they are also toxic minerals.People have not mastered effective purification methods, so the salt mined in many salt mines and salt wells is simply inedible.Although the purity of sea salt is a little higher than that of mineral salt and well salt, there are also many impurities.Because of the impurities, even sea salt always has a bitter taste in the mouth.Even so, because of the transportation cost, the price of sea salt in the Guanzhong area is also quite high, and ordinary people simply cannot afford to consume it.Only rich and noble families will eat sea salt.Even mineral salt and well salt with slightly higher purity are also expensive materials for ordinary people.But people can't afford not to eat salt, so many people buy "vinegar cloth" to use as salt.The so-called vinegar cloth is to put a piece of linen cloth in a salt pan and boil it, so that the melted pure salt adheres to the linen cloth.When cooking rice, put the "vinegar cloth" in the pot and soak it for a while, just have a little salty taste.So was there any refined salt in the Tang Dynasty, and there were salt merchants who repeatedly dissolved and boiled sea salt, filtered and crystallized it over and over again, and finally obtained refined salt.However, this purification method is quite primitive and labor-intensive.And the waste caused is also very large, there is a lot of salt, which is wasted with filtration.Often many people spend several days and a lot of firewood to purify a small amount of refined salt.As a result, refined salt is very scarce and sells for a high price.This refined salt is called "green salt" and is sold as a luxury product.Even the rich and noble families are reluctant to use refined salt to cook, but the young ladies use it to brush their teeth and rinse their mouths.It is precisely because of this that after Yan Liben saw the purification method of saltpeter written by Zhao Yunze, he immediately thought of using this method to purify salt.If this method is feasible, then the inedible well salt and mineral salt can also be purified into refined salt.As for sea salt, that's even more so.The saltpeter purification method written by Zhao Yunze is not like the purification of sulfur, which also requires the creation of professional distillation utensils, only a cauldron and a pottery urn.Therefore, as soon as Yan Liben told the craftsmen the method, those craftsmen could operate it themselves.Just after Zhao Yunze's steaming experiment was successful, the next day, the refined salt purified with salt stones was also sent to Zhao Yunze's council room by Yan Liben."
Brother Zhao, it's successful," Yan Liben couldn't hide his excitement and handed a paper bag to Zhao Yunze.Zhao Yunze opened it and saw that what was wrapped in the paper bag was a pinch of table salt.The salt is white and delicate, the salt grains are uniform, and it has a shiny luster.Zhao Yunze dipped his finger in a little salt powder and put it in his mouth.After a while, his face showed a look of intoxication."
The familiar taste, the familiar feel, it's so wonderful," Zhao Yunze squinted his eyes and said.Yan Liben also stretched out a finger at this time, dipped some salt powder and put it in his mouth.After tasting a few times, Yan Liben said: "There is no bitter taste in the mouth, only a strong salty taste.This shows that the impurities in the salt stone have been removed. ”Although Yan Li had already tasted the freshly purified table salt, he still sighed as if he had tasted the best delicious at the moment.Zhao Yunze and Yan Liben, you and I ate it with a mouthful of salt.The intoxicated expressions on their faces, if you look at them in the eyes of future generations, you still think they are "coughing up powder".Soon, the little salt powder in the paper bag made Zhao Yunze and Yan Liben wipe it out.The two of them smiled at each other, and they were extremely excited."
Brother Yan, are you thirsty" Zhao Yunze asked Yan Liben in a hoarse voice."
Not thirsty."
Yan Liben's voice was also a little hoarse."
You're not thirsty, I'm thirsty."
Zhao Yunze came out with a sentence and shouted loudly outside the door: "Cheng Chumo, where is your kid dead, hurry up and pour me a glass of water" As soon as he finished speaking, he coughed violently.Damn, I wonder if I'm sick, take salt as white sugar and eat it, it seems that there is no white sugar now, only brown sugar and brown sugar with more impurities.Since the salt can be purified by the method of purifying saltpeter and turning it into refined salt, can white sugar also be obtained by this method Zhao Yunze had another idea in his heart.White sugar, if you can really get it out and sell it, it can be regarded as a luxury in Datang.Coupled with the liquor and refined salt, as well as the furniture, haha, the wealth of the family will no longer be a dream Just when Zhao Yunze was lustful in his heart, Yan Liben's words immediately poured half a basin of cold water on Zhao Yunze."
Brother Zhao, we should immediately report the method of purifying table salt to the imperial court."
Yan Liben said."
Why do you want to report it to the imperial court, wouldn't it be very good for us to open a shop and sell this kind of refined salt ourselves," Zhao Yunze was puzzled.Yan Liben shook his head with a smile and said, "Liquor can be sold, but if something like salt is sold privately, it is a big crime."
In addition, the inedible salt stone can be purified into refined salt, and in the future, the source of salt will be more extensive.The price of salt will definitely drop sharply, so that there is no fear that the people will not be able to afford salt.Moreover, if more salt is sold, the tax revenue of the imperial court will also increase.This is a great merit for the benefit of the country and the people. ”Yan Liben's words made Zhao Yunze's newly rising dream of making a fortune instantly shattered.Your sister, I went into the eyes of money, why did I forget that salt belonged to the imperial court monopoly in any dynasty.Cheng Biting Jin seemed to have been imprisoned for selling smuggled salt when he was young.Forget it, since you can't make a fortune with refined salt, let's exchange it for some benefits with His Majesty Li Er.Since Yan Liben said that this thing is a great merit, then His Majesty Li Er doesn't give himself a reward, and he can't say it, but he can't say it, I'd better think about how to make sugar, this is called working and making money."
Well, then Brother Lao Yan drafted a notebook and entered the method of purifying table salt.Then, I will bring some refined salt and go back to Chang'an to enter the palace to play for Your Majesty. ”Zhao Yunze nodded and said.At this moment, Cheng Chumo came in with a large bowl of water."
My lord, do you want to drink water," Cheng asked Zhao Yunze silently."
I want to drink a lot of water" Zhao Yunze took the bowl in his hand and took a big sip."
Ahem, why is it salty" Zhao Yunze asked with a dry cough."
Refined salt was found in the workshop today, I want a little, treat your lord."
Cheng Chu said silently, "Don't waste this bowl of water, adults, you have to put it on hold, the refined salt I added to this bowl of water is enough to buy a sheep." ”One, two, three, four, and five seconds after "rolling the calf", Zhao Yunze's roar sounded in the council's room
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