Money-Making Projects

Although their majors are industrial design with a mechanical focus, they also have some knowledge of and interest in the raw materials used in the products they design because the design process requires understanding the properties of materials. Furthermore, their academic excellence ensures that their research on raw materials goes beyond the surface.

The two people are of different genders, have different personalities, different interests, and different areas of expertise. Even with the same subject, their understanding, depth, and breadth of knowledge may differ.

Thus, with two cobblers working together and with the help of skilled craftsmen from ancient times, it wouldn't be difficult for them to conduct experiments and bring about a small-scale industrial revolution in the Great Jin.

Hearing Xiao Lingyan's explanation, Zhao Ruxi nodded. "Alloy spring steel is mainly a silicon-manganese steel with a slightly lower carbon content. Its performance is mainly improved by increasing the silicon content. I'm not very clear about these proportions. If you have the resources, you can ask the metallurgical craftsmen in the Ministry of Works to try it out."

She racked her brains to recall her knowledge of steel smelting, "There are also alloy spring steels made of chromium, tungsten, and vanadium, and elements such as boron, niobium, and molybdenum can be added to silicon-manganese steel..."

As a boy, Xiao Lingyan was naturally more interested in girls in this area. He knew all of what Zhao Ruxi was saying.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. It shouldn't be long before I have them smelting the new steel. My vehicles' steel cables and bearings all depend on them," he said.

When this was brought up, Zhao Ruxi asked, "Do you have any rubber?"

Xiao Lingyan shook his head. "We can only send someone to collect Eucommia ulmoides gum. This can't be rushed; it takes time. Just leave it to me."

He looked at Zhao Ruxi: "What do you need springs for?"

"I want to make a mechanical clock," Zhao Ruxi said.

She certainly couldn't make delicate mechanical watches, but she thought it was feasible to have a craftsman make one or two large grandfather clocks by hand, investing a lot of effort in the process.

Xiao Lingyan's eyes lit up immediately, and he slapped the armrest, saying, "That's a great idea."

Both he and Zhao Ruxi had worked on projects in Germany with their mentors. He stayed in Germany for five months; Zhao Ruxi stayed there for a full year.

People like them who work in mechanical design can't help but study anything they encounter. They both have studied the exquisite craftsmanship of Germany clocks.

Zhao Ruxi said, "Actually, I originally wanted to work in printing. The spiral-type wooden printing press invented in Europe in the mid-15th century didn't need steel at all. I could draw up some blueprints, hire a few carpenters, and make a printing press in no time."

Xiao Lingyan nodded. "That's perfectly feasible. I remember you and your mentor once designed a new type of printing press."

Once they understand the principles of a printing press and have visited this old-fashioned wooden printing press, they can easily replicate it and make improvements. Lead movable type is no problem for them either.

"I had this idea when I accompanied Xu Xue to the bookstore to sell storybooks. Once this thing was made, it could at least lower the cost of reading and slightly increase the literacy rate in the Great Jin," Zhao Ruxi sighed. "But once it was made, the impact on printing houses and bookstores would be too great. And the profits wouldn't be much; it's a slow and steady stream. But it would certainly generate a lot of resentment. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages, so it's not worth it. After thinking about it, I gave up."

Xiao Lingyan frowned.

Knowledge is often concentrated in the hands of the ruling class. Large printing houses and bookstores, as means of disseminating knowledge, are no exception. In places like the capital and Beining, large printing houses and bookstores were all owned by prominent families. The same was true in other places as well.

Once the printing press is manufactured, the cost of printing will decrease, and the price of books will certainly be much cheaper, increasing the number of people who can afford to read. Although this will benefit many scholars and ordinary people, and in the long run it will be beneficial to the entire Great Jin, it is undeniable that in the short term it will definitely infringe on the interests of established families that run printing houses and bookstores.

Throughout history, many reforms have failed because they offended the interests of rulers and large landowners. With him around, although he could protect Zhao Ruxi, it was completely unnecessary for him to stand against the powerful families just to gain some financial benefits in the face of the two upcoming political struggles.

"You're right. This can be done, but not now. Later..." He gave Zhao Ruxi a meaningful look, "There's a long road ahead, take it slow, no rush."

Zhao Ruxi waved her hand. "This not only infringes on the interests of aristocratic families, but also leaves many people who make a living from this without food, such as scholars who make a living by copying books, craftsmen in printing workshops, and small business owners and employees of bookstores. The manufacture of machines will liberate labor, but in reality, it will cause people in this industry to lose their jobs. This kind of thing is a bit immoral, so we should slow down."

Every industrial revolution inevitably leads to unemployment among workers.

If someone with ulterior motives uses this to their advantage and incites the workshop workers to cause trouble for her, even with her master and senior brother protecting her and Xiao Lingyan helping her, she will still get herself into a lot of trouble.

Anyway, it's not worth doing this now; it'll just cause too much trouble.

"After much thought, I decided to just make money off the rich. We'll make a few large grandfather clocks, give one to the emperor, and then sell them for exorbitant prices. The money comes quickly, and it's all from the wealthy—it couldn't be better. After six months or a year, we can release even more exquisite and accurate clocks, and set a new high price."

"Yes." Xiao Lingyan clapped his hands. "Actually, we can go down this path in the printing industry. We can get the printing presses out and sell them. After making a fortune, we can improve the machines and harvest that money from the wealthy families again."

"Xiao Ke," Zhao Ruxi pointed at him with her finger, "I've discovered you're really naughty."

"Same to you."

The two men looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"Let's work on these three projects first. I'll take care of the others when I have the chance," Zhao Ruxi said, then asked Xiao Lingyan, "Have you sent anyone to deal with the Feicui?"

"After I told you that day, my men set off the next day. I set up contact points along the way, and I'll send a message back by carrier pigeon when I have any results." He asked, "You bought the men, right? How's the training going? Once I find the jade, can your men go there to purchase and transport it?"

Zhao Ruxi nodded. "I think it should be okay."

She felt it was a good idea to send Zhou Chun and Ma Sheng with some men. Both of them seemed quite capable.

The value of Feicui has not yet been discovered; to others, it's just a rock. Transporting the stones back from the south isn't very risky, and Zhou Chun and Ma Sheng should be able to handle it.