Chapter 46: The Righteous and the Upright

  Zhao Kuangyi and Li Chongju started to stare blankly, then looked at Song Jiu, who smiled and said: "Second Grand King, Li Sishi, this is the true essence of mathematics. Come see, fold once, one becomes two; fold twice, one becomes four; fold four times, one becomes sixteen; fold eight times, one becomes 256. This is almost the limit of folding this piece of paper. But what if we fold it sixteen times? It's over six million times! What if we fold it thirty-two times? It's over four billion times! What if we fold it sixty-four times? One hundred times?"

  Li Chongju also broke a sweat and waved his hand, saying to the small official who was eager to make a fortune by folding: "Alright, you can go home and enjoy your old age."

  That little official was in a hurry.

  Song Jiu said, "Simple things are not necessarily simple, and complex things are not necessarily complicated. In the Tang Dynasty, when producing Mo Dao, most of them reached the level of hundred-fold forging steel. How many times did they fold? A hundred times or a hundred times? Because after each folding, the craftsman re-hammered it, making it into an integral whole before folding again. It's not just a hundred times, so why is this steel sharp? During the hammering process, there is a carbonization alloy process. On the surface, it seems to have been folded a hundred times, but in reality, it cuts the entire steel into tens of billions of faces and evenly carbonizes them, which is why they produce top-notch steel. This is its principle. However, I see now that there are no records related to technology at all. Li Sishi, you also have some dereliction of duty. Although it's a small way, it's still a way that benefits the country and the people, and it can't be left unrecorded."

  Li Chongju was still in a daze, apparently the difference between one hundred and several trillion was too great, how did they become connected?

  This is a very misleading misconception. If Song Ji didn't use this folding technique, most people would think that the hundred-fold steel was just hammered 100 times, with two surfaces. In fact, each fold involves multiple layers of folding and hammering, not just two surfaces, less than two to the power of 100 squares, but far more than 200 surfaces.

  "Technology is important, one technology can double the yield of iron, another technology doubles it again, and a third technology doubles it once more. In fact, it's not tripled, but increased by eight times!"

  There are some detours.

  However, both of them were extremely intelligent people, and after thinking for a while, they finally figured it out.

  Song Jiuxiao said something about alloys and elements, but it was all in vain. However, he did a simple paper folding experiment, which proved to be more effective than any words. The two of them exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with anticipation. At least sixty percent of the problem was solved. And so, there was a second imperial decree.

  Following Song Jiu's advice, the edict was changed to inspecting the rights of various rivers in Hebei, and he was also promoted one rank to become a regular eighth-grade official, serving as a Lang. If he had been suddenly promoted to a regular eighth-grade official, it might have been just that, some high-ranking officials would have opposed it, but their voices would not have been very strong, after all, it was just an honorary position, not a substantive or difference-making one, although it had a rank, it was not noble. However, as he continued to rise step by step, having risen three ranks in several months, Zhu San began to speak wildly again.

  Song Jiuzhong ignored him and looked at the four people in front of him. Two of them were his tenants, the Guo brothers who sold dog skin plasters. The big iron hammer was quite good at smashing people, if Song Jiuzhong practiced it a bit, he would be able to play with it too, it's all about the principle of pressure in mechanics.

  But this is a strong brother Kong Wu, as for the martial arts and martial arts, Song Jiu has not practiced, not very clear, I guess there are some martial arts, but not necessarily martial arts. Although this brother is performing in front of people, he practices boxing every day without stopping, even though Song Jiu took advantage of his father Song De's credit, with a big head and great strength, it seems that this brother's skills are not weak. Moreover, having been in the rivers and lakes for a long time, they may have been cut by knives, but can also be considered as having seen much and known widely.

  There is another person, Hu Lao Da. As for whether the Guo brothers have ever fought, Song Jiu is not clear, but even if they had, he hadn't seen it. However, he has personally witnessed Hu Lao Da getting into multiple fights. Last time, when he was involved in a group fight with some men from Hebei, he single-handedly took down four big men and wasn't released until after being beaten with 100 large sticks at the Kaifeng Prefecture.

  The last one was also Miao Hui, a laborer on the river embankment. He used to be a hunter and his hometown was hit by a flood, so he moved to the capital with his family. He had excellent archery skills. Song Jiu often ran to the riverside, where the land was vast and sparsely populated, and there were some wild birds. He once saw Miao Hui shoot down a pheasant flying towards the sky with one arrow. There should be some extraordinary people among so many civilians in the river, but he hadn't seen any yet. He had only heard rumors, which Song Jiu didn't quite believe. So he just brought these four people along.

  "Xiao Jiu, what's going on? You want me to be your subordinate?" Old Hu said with a sly grin.

  "Hu Xing's head, what department is it in our dynasty? Go or not, as you wish."

  "I can go, but I declare beforehand, I am not your subordinate, nor your household slave."

  "Go."

  "Besides, I went because of your decent treatment of He Zhong's family, not to fawn on you."

  "Don't listen to Zhu San's ravings, I'm just a scattered official, what's worth fawning over? Going to Hebei can't be considered doing business, it's just taking a look and quickly returning to the capital."

  "Kid, it's a rank of Zheng Ba Pin, that's an official position granted only to those who passed the imperial examination and became a Zhuangyuan."

  "Others have official positions and titles, where are mine?"

  "You should be content with what you have."

  The elder sister didn't know the story behind the scenes, and just smiled from the side, smiling from morning till now, almost without closing her mouth. Yutong stood on one side with a gentle smile, also with a subtle smile, seeing Song Jiu settle down the four people, Yutong said: "Jiulang, you are doing things for the imperial court and are an official of the imperial court, you can't lose face for the imperial court, this is the brocade robe I made for you."

  Open the small package, inside is a piece of exquisite embroidery brocade, obviously Yu Ping spent a lot of effort sewing it.

  "Thank you."

  "You're welcome, it's what I'm supposed to do."

  Old Hu burst out laughing, there's something fishy going on here!

  "Don't get ahead of yourself, stop daydreaming."

  Before the words had fallen, another large crowd surged in from outside. Song Jiu was not informed, but some people were informed, including those from the Fu, Pan, Cao, and Han families. These young masters who had dealings with Song Jiu mostly gathered together. Fu Zhao Shou grabbed Song Jiu and said: "Ninth brother, you're not being considerate, getting promoted without even notifying us."

  Reached the rank of Zheng Ba Pin, in a certain sense, they can really come and go with them.

  "Fu Sanlang, this promotion is a matter of doing things. If things are done badly, it's not called promotion, but finding fault and suffering. What's the good news to report?"

  They all shouted that Song Jiu should treat them, no need to go to the regular store's expenses, just like last time, do it at home, especially that fruit, make a lot more, everyone is ready to eat and take some back home. Just as they were making a ruckus, an even bigger shot arrived, Zhao Kuangyi.

  Zhao Kuangyi was not the oldest among this group of people, but when he arrived, one by one they fell silent and paid their respects. Song Jiu also sighed inwardly and couldn't help but pay his respects as well.

  "Everyone else is excused, how did you two end up coming as well?"

  Song Jiu saw Zhao Kuangyi's intimidating power, while Zhao Kuangyi saw Song Jiu's affability. In his heart, Zhao thought that this young man was a pity for not having lofty ambitions, otherwise he would be an extraordinary figure. Everyone hesitated and muttered among themselves, when Zhao spoke again: "No need to say more, you all want to invite him out, but this time Song Jiu is on official business for the imperial court, can't be delayed."

  "Yes, yes."

  "Song Jiu, are you ready?"

  "The two princes are ready," Song Jiu said, and not only were their luggage prepared, but also several attendants had been invited.

  "Now that we're all set, let's get going. I've brought a carriage and will see you off at the same time."

  Big sister was stunned, the second great king of Beijing personally saw off his brother? Of course, she didn't know that this was said by Song Jiu, if he really came up with a way to increase iron production in the Song Dynasty by one million catties per year, then even sending him out of Fengqiao Gate would be no big deal.

  Zhao Kuangyi looked at Yu Ping again, having heard about this young master many times before, but this was the first time he had seen him in person. He didn't look bad, and seemed quite gentle, at least matching up to that little brat. Why did that little brat insist on pursuing Pan Mei's daughter? He thought of Song Jiu's bet with his older brother again - could it be that this young master was a masochist, specializing in taking on high-difficulty challenges? Taking advantage of the moment when everyone wasn't paying attention, he quietly made his way to Yu Ping's side and whispered: "Yu Niangzi, if this young master succeeds in doing something good for the country this time, his future prospects will be boundless - you should seize the opportunity."

  "Yes, thank you, Second Master," Yu Ping replied nervously, but her heart tightened inexplicably. However, Zhao Kuangyi still didn't look favorably on Song Jiu and Pan Lian'er. After the incident that day, when Pan Mei returned home and heard about it, she was furious, even locking up her two sons to prevent them from going out, and keeping Pan Lian'er confined at home. Fortunately, considering that Song Jiu's father had been a subordinate of her husband, Tian Shi didn't bring her family to their doorstep.

  If the elder brother does not directly intervene, it is estimated that Song Jiu and Pan Mei's daughter are fundamentally impossible. Zhao Kuangyi also wants Song Jiu to settle down as soon as possible. Once a person gets married, they will become stable. This kid is too frivolous and slick, although he has talent, this shortcoming is not beautiful. Now it's a scattered official, if it's an official position, bringing this kind of atmosphere to the imperial court, it will make the historians furious.

  He walked over to Song Jiu and asked: "Song Jiu, how confident are you about this trip?"

  "Second King, I'm just going down to take a look, is there any guarantee that an experiment must be conducted?"

  "Experiment?"

  "Experiment on technological reform."

  "How many copies after the test?"

  "Your two majesties, I have never spoken deceitful words and even more so would not dare to deceive your two majesties. Since I said it, I am confident that it can be achieved. However, as for how much production can be increased, I do not dare say. Perhaps there will be an unexpected joy, who knows, maybe it will exceed the expectations of Your Majesty and the Second King. Maybe it won't reach the Second King's requirement of one million catties."

  "You think there will be unexpected surprises?"

  "The two great kings, unknown, don't force me to take it as a promise." Song Jiu was also afraid, it seemed that the wind and rain were coming, who dared to speak out?

  "Song Jiu, this matter is more important than that crane of yours, don't take it lightly."

  "I dare not, it is also important for the river state of the minister, but it may bring many unexpected joys to the court, not only iron, coal, lead, tin can make it increase production, even steel, but wanting to increase production, must be coordinated with the minister's research and development, technical research and development, and then get it for the court."

  "As long as your request is not excessive, the imperial court will cooperate with you."

  Old Hu and his three companions gathered their luggage, and Zhao Kuangyi said: "Go."

  Song Jiubuzhao he jile. Moreover, the imperial court this time is also cautious, not only gave two horses and a large carriage configuration, but also configured two cavalry guards. As for Hu Lao Da and others, it's embarrassing to walk, even if they are given horses, they may not know how to ride.

  A group of people escorted Song Jiu to Bian Bridge and did not send him off any further. However, Pan Weide became enraged, and Zhao Kuangyi followed his gaze to see two girls standing on the bank of the Bian River, pointing and gesturing in this direction, one of whom was precisely Pan Lian'er.

  Zhao Kuangyi was sweating profusely, this big show, if Pan Lian'er didn't participate, Song Jiu would be a one-sided love, forever without hope, but if Pan Lian'er participated, it would be interesting. Song Jiu also saw it and stood there in a daze. Yu Ping also saw it, looking at Pan Lian'er with complex eyes, unfortunately too far away to see Pan Lian'er's expression clearly.

  Han Qingxiong ignored Zhao Kuangyi's presence and laughed loudly towards the sky: "Haha, haha, haha."

  Zhao Kuangyi shouted in a low voice: "Song Jiu, leave quickly."

  It doesn't matter if you're not around to make a fuss, but when you are, you can't make a fuss. Don't get yourself involved in this farcical drama. Actually, it's unfair to Pan Lian'er - she just happened to be passing by and saw a large group of people standing on the bridge talking, including her two brothers, so she stopped to listen, even chatting with Yiniang about Song Jiu's reckless behavior. Regardless of whether there was a misunderstanding or not, Song Jiu couldn't get close to her in front of so many people. He got into his carriage and bowed to everyone, saying: "Please don't see me off anymore, go back."

  The horse-drawn carriage carries countless hopes and rushes northward.