Leaving the hall, while walking down the corridor, before entering his study André turned to look at Mario, who was following him closely, and said:
"Mario, I want you to find the best blacksmith in the city and bring him before me. You have half an hour."
"Yes, my lord." Mario did not ask questions; he simply nodded and left in a hurry.
André entered the study, sat in the desk chair, and closed his eyes, thinking about what had happened moments earlier in the hall.
He had been able to feel the malicious gazes as he left, which made him realize that he currently had no way to protect himself. After all, he was only a reincarnated human; he could die from a sudden stab in the back at any moment.
"It seems I'll have to slightly change my plans," André said to himself in the room. Then he grabbed a parchment and began writing some notes, until he heard a knock at the door.
"Come in."
Mario entered, followed by a middle-aged man with a sturdy body and a thick beard.
"My lord, I have brought him."
"Good. You may leave, Mario."
"Very well, my lord." Mario bowed and left, closing the door.
"What is your name?" André asked.
"My name is Orobio, my lord."
"Orobio, tell me how steel production is in your workshop."
It should be noted that the units of measurement in this world were exactly the same as those on Earth in André's previous life.
"My lord, when it comes to producing steel I have great confidence. My workshop can produce one kilo of steel for every ten kilos of iron."
André was not disappointed; he had expected a similar answer, since steel production in this world seemed rather random. It was achieved while refining iron with charcoal, and from time to time they managed to obtain a piece of steel.
André opened a drawer in the desk, took out a parchment, and handed it to Orobio.
"I want you to look at this and tell me if you can make it."
Orobio took the parchment and opened it. What he saw were drawings he had never seen before: an elongated tube along with other parts whose purpose he did not know.
"I want you to take these blueprints and make a sample for me using steel ore."
Upon hearing what André said, Orobio looked away from the parchment, thought for a moment, and then said:
"My lord, I will do my best. In one week I will bring you the sample."
"Very well. I have something else to show you that is of the utmost importance for the entire fief," André said, causing Orobio's expression to become solemn.
André took another parchment from the desk and handed it to Orobio.
The latter took it and looked at the drawings and letters with an embarrassed expression.
André saw the shame on his face and realized what was happening. Then he also said, a little embarrassed:
"You can't read."
"No, my lord. This one doesn't know how to read, but I'm sure I have a very clear understanding of mathematics, so I can complete your commission."
André took the parchment, spread it out on the table, and proceeded to explain it to Orobio:
"This is a steel-smelting method I developed. I call it the **BLAST FURNACE** method."
André then explained how it worked:
A typical blast furnace consists of a cylindrical steel capsule about 30 meters high, lined with a non-metallic, heat-resistant material such as asbestos or refractory bricks. The diameter of the capsule decreases toward the top and bottom, and is greatest at a point located approximately one-quarter of its total height.
The lower part of the furnace is equipped with several tubular openings called tuyeres, through which preheated air is forced, causing the combustion of the coke.
Coke is a solid fuel formed by the distillation of bituminous coal, heated to temperatures of 500 to 1100 °C without contact with air.
Near the bottom there is an opening through which the pig iron flows when the blast furnace is emptied. Above that opening, but below the tuyeres, there is another hole for removing the slag.
The pig iron is placed in a crucible, which is also a container in which a metal is melted, usually at temperatures above 500 °C. These crucibles are often made of graphite with clay as a binder between the materials.
The upper part of the furnace contains vents for the exhaust gases and a pair of round hoppers, closed by bell-shaped valves, through which the iron ore, coke, and limestone are introduced.
Listening to André's detailed explanation, Orobio could not hide his excitement as he looked at his young lord as if he were looking at a monster.
Picking up the parchment with great emotion, as if he were collecting the greatest treasure in the world, Orobio prepared to take his leave. He could not wait to go to his workshop.
"My lord, I assure you that in one month the BLAST FURNACE will be ready."
André took a note and gave it to Orobio.
"Take this and give it to Mario. With this you have the right to dispose of as many blacksmiths as necessary."
"I want you to have five furnaces in three months, and the number will increase according to the needs."
"Yes, my lord."
Orobio wondered why his lord needed so much steel.
"Very well, you may leave."
Mario entered after Orobio's departure.
"Mario, take this. I need a group of craftsmen to take charge of this project." André gave Mario the method for manufacturing paper.
"Remember that I need trustworthy people in the mansion who have no connection with other nobles. All of this is confidential."
Mario took the note and nodded. As he prepared to leave, he saw his lord suddenly put a hand to his forehead and say:
"I also need you to recruit a group of alchemists—the more, the better. I want to see them in three days."
"Yes, my lord."
"Good," André said curtly, allowing Mario to leave.
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