Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Zhu Han smiled and explained, "Yes, casting is a key step in the formation of the bell. We need to melt a variety of metals in proportion, pour them into the mold through the casting mouth, and wait for them to cool and solidify.

"Pass the order down, prepare for casting!" Zhu Han's voice penetrated the clamor, clear and powerful. The craftsmen acted upon hearing the order and quickly and orderly devoted themselves to the intense casting preparation work.

"The fire has reached its optimal condition and the metal has been completely melted." Li Dachui, the head craftsman in charge of the furnace, reported to Zhu Hanbao, with a barely perceptible excitement in his voice.

Zhu Han nodded, his eyes fixed on the roiling molten metal, "Okay, get ready for casting."

The craftsmen acted quickly and in unison. Some of them carried sandbags and refractory bricks to reinforce the casting area to prevent the molten metal from overflowing; others carefully checked the runners and risers to ensure a smooth casting process.

"Master Zhao, is the pouring gate ready?" Zhu Han turned to Zhao Tiezhu, an experienced craftsman, and asked him. Zhao Tiezhu was carefully sealing the gap around the pouring gate with refractory mud to prevent the metal solution from leaking.

"Your Highness, everything is ready. We are just waiting for the metal solution to arrive." He replied respectfully, his eyes revealing his rigor and pride in his work.

"Okay!" Zhu Han nodded again, turned around and said to Zhu Biao beside him, "Biao'er, you see, this casting process not only requires exquisite craftsmanship, but also requires tacit understanding and cooperation of the team."

At this time, the molten metal in the furnace has reached the optimal temperature for casting. Li Dachui swung the long tongs in his hand, picked up a special refractory brick, gently put it into the furnace and stirred it to ensure that the molten metal was more uniform.

Then he picked up the long-handled iron spoon beside him and steadily scooped up a spoonful of boiling metal solution.

"Start casting!" Zhu Han's voice rang out again, his eyes closely following Li Dachui's steps, as if he wanted to remember this moment forever.

Li Dachui walked steadily towards the cave entrance, taking every step with extreme surety.

"One, two, three!" Li Dachui counted silently in his mind, then suddenly tilted the iron spoon, and the boiling molten metal gushed out instantly like an awakened dragon, rushing down along the pre-designed pouring channel and straight into the ceramic mold.

"Hold steady! Keep the flow even!" Zhu Han shouted, his voice cutting through the noise of the workshop.

"The fire is burning high and the solution is flowing evenly." Li Dachui reported to Zhu Han calmly while observing the furnace. Sweat streamed down his dark face, but it did not diminish the light in his eyes at all.

Zhu Han nodded slightly, his eyes following the trajectory of the metal solution. His voice was low and powerful: "Okay, continue to pay close attention, especially the exhaust hole. No mistakes can be made."

At this time, Zhao Tiezhu, the experienced old craftsman, immediately responded: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, we have already checked it several times and will make sure there is no problem." After saying that, he quickly turned around and whispered a few words to the craftsmen around him. Everyone immediately dispersed and carefully checked the condition of each exhaust hole.

Sure enough, just as Zhu Han expected, as the metal solution gradually cooled and solidified, tiny bubbles began to emerge slowly from the exhaust hole, accompanied by a slight hissing sound, which was evidence that the gas inside the metal was being released.

"Look, those bubbles! Is the bell breathing?" Zhu Biao exclaimed softly, with curiosity and excitement flashing in his eyes.

He approached Zhu Han and asked in a low voice, "Uncle, the design of this exhaust hole is really ingenious. It allows the gas to be discharged smoothly without affecting the structure of the bell. It is really amazing."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes full of praise: "Biaoer is very observant. The design of the exhaust hole is indeed one of the key links in the casting process. It not only affects the quality of the bell body, but also reflects the wisdom and ingenuity of the craftsmen."

As the bubbles gradually decrease, the metal solution gradually solidifies and takes shape.

"It's done! The Hongfu Bell is about to be cast!" Someone shouted this first, and then the whole workshop erupted in thunderous cheers. The craftsmen hugged each other to celebrate this historic moment.

"The casting is complete, and the next step is the cooling phase." Zhu Han said to the craftsmen beside him in a deep voice, with unquestionable majesty in his voice, "Everyone must be careful and ensure that the bell is not damaged in any way during the cooling process."

Upon hearing this, Lao Li immediately organized the craftsmen to take action. They carefully moved the newly cast bell away from the furnace, slowly lifted it up with a special wooden frame and ropes, and prepared to put it into the deep pit that had been dug in advance.

"Are you all ready?" Zhu Han confirmed again, his eyes sweeping over every busy figure.

"Your Highness, everything is ready." Old Li replied respectfully, and at the same time directed the craftsmen to stabilize the bell to ensure that it was stable during the move.

With the joint efforts of the craftsmen, the bell slowly rose and was steadily hoisted above the deep pit. The sunlight shone through the sparse clouds and sprinkled on the cold metal surface of the bell, reflecting a dazzling light.

"Let it down slowly. Pay attention to the angle and balance." Zhu Han instructed, his eyes fixed on the falling trajectory of the clock.

The craftsmen carefully operated the ropes, and the bell slowly lowered into the deep pit, and finally landed steadily at the bottom of the pit, making a dull echo.

"Okay, the next step is the long cooling process." Zhu Han breathed a sigh of relief and said to the craftsmen, "Everyone take turns to be on duty to ensure that the bell is not disturbed by the outside world during the cooling period."

The craftsmen nodded and began to work together. Some were responsible for building a simple shelter around the pit to protect it from wind and rain, while others took turns entering the pit to check the condition of the clock to ensure that everything was working properly.

The bell slowly cooled in the darkness, and the metal structure inside gradually stabilized over time. Craftsmen would enter the pit at regular intervals and tap the bell gently to judge the progress of the cooling by the change in sound.

"The sound is getting clearer and clearer." A young craftsman said to Lao Li excitedly, "It seems that the cooling is going smoothly."

As time passed, the bell finally completed the cooling process. The craftsmen carefully lifted it out of the deep pit and placed it in a spacious workshop.

"It's done!" Old Li announced excitedly after the last inspection process was completed. "The clock is perfect, without any cracks or defects!"

With the successful casting of the "Da Ming Hongfu Bell", the whole Daming was immersed in celebration. However, for Zhu Han, a new challenge had just begun - how to hang this huge bell safely and firmly became the next important task.

One morning, the sun shone through the clouds and gently sprinkled every corner of the workshop. Zhu Han, Zhu Biao and a group of craftsmen gathered in front of the big bell to discuss the specific plan for hanging it. "The design of this hanging structure must take into account both beauty and practicality." Zhu Han looked around with a firm gaze, "We must not only hang the big bell stably, but also make it a beautiful landscape in the capital."

"Uncle, what you said is absolutely right." Zhu Biao nodded in agreement, then turned to the official from the Ministry of Works beside him and asked, "Does the Ministry of Works have a ready-made plan?"

The official from the Ministry of Works stepped forward and respectfully presented a roll of drawings: "Your Highness, I have designed a hanging plan based on the size and weight of the bell. It uses a wooden frame supported by eight inclined columns, which work together to ensure uniform force."

Zhu Han took the blueprint, studied it carefully, and exchanged opinions with the craftsmen from time to time. "The layout of these eight inclined columns may seem simple, but it actually contains a mystery. Their angles and lengths must be precisely calculated to achieve the best support effect."

"Indeed." An experienced old craftsman stepped forward and added, "Moreover, the most critical thing is the copper nail that hangs the bell. It is one meter long, 14 centimeters high, and 6.5 centimeters wide. A steel core must be embedded inside to enhance stability."

"The choice of the steel core is crucial." Zhu Han pondered for a moment, then turned to Zhu Biao and said, "Biao'er, this must be carefully crafted by a trustworthy blacksmith. No carelessness is allowed."

Zhu Biao immediately agreed: "Don't worry, uncle, I will arrange it right away."

A few days later, the copper nails and hanging structure were ready. Zhu Han personally supervised the entire hanging process, striving for perfection at every step.

"Lift!" With the order, dozens of craftsmen worked together to operate the lifting equipment and slowly raised the bell. Under the sunlight, the bell shone with golden light and looked solemn and majestic.

"Pay attention to the angle and height!" Zhu Han closely watched every subtle movement of the clock, and directed adjustments from time to time. Finally, the clock stopped steadily at the predetermined position, and the eight inclined columns surrounded it like loyal guards.

Next, it was the critical moment of installing the copper nail. Zhu Han personally picked up the carefully crafted copper nail, carefully inspected the internal steel core structure, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Hold it steady and insert it slowly!" He instructed the craftsmen to carefully insert the copper nails through the reserved holes between the main beam and the bell. With a slight "click", the copper nails firmly fixed the bell.

"It's done!" The craftsmen cheered and celebrated the arrival of this historic moment.

Zhu Han stood aside, looking at the large clock hanging high up, with an indescribable sense of pride in his heart. He stood in front of the newly hung clock, staring at this masterpiece that condensed the efforts of countless craftsmen, with satisfaction and expectation in his eyes.

He turned to the craftsmen beside him and said, "Thank you for your hard work, but this is only the first step. Next, we have to debug the bell to ensure that it can produce the loudest and longest sound."

When Old Li heard this, he showed a serious expression on his face. "Don't worry, Your Majesty, we will do our best to make the sound of this big bell resound through the sky."

Zhu Han nodded and then ordered: "Then let's get started. First, we need to adjust the tone. We need to find the best striking point so that the bell sound is loud and harmonious."

The craftsmen quickly took action, some preparing debugging tools, while others carefully walked around the bell to find the best place to strike. Zhu Han personally picked up a special wooden hammer, which was carefully selected and made specifically for debugging the bell.

"Listen carefully and feel the echo of the bell after each strike." Zhu Han said to the craftsmen, then gently raised the wooden hammer and slowly brought it down to one side of the bell.

"Dong--" A deep and deep bell sound resounded in the workshop, as if it could penetrate all obstacles and strike people's hearts. The craftsmen held their breath and listened quietly, feeling the lingering sound of the bell.

"The sound is loud but a bit dull. Let's try changing positions." Zhu Han said as he moved to the other side of the bell and raised the gavel again. This time he increased his strength and hit it hard.

"Dong!" The bell sounded louder and echoed longer, but it seemed to lack a clear and melodious feeling.

"Come again!" Zhu Han did not give up any possibility. He moved slowly around the bell, constantly changing the position and strength of his strikes. Every strike was accompanied by the craftsmen holding their breath.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the workshop became more tense and focused. Zhu Han's forehead was covered with beads of sweat, but his eyes became more determined.

Finally, after countless attempts, he found the location that seemed to trigger a miracle.

"It's right here!" Zhu Han shouted excitedly. He took a deep breath, used all his strength, and hit that position hard.

"Dong!!" This time the bell sounded as if it had life. It was low and powerful at first, then gradually rose, becoming clear and melodious. The bell sound echoed in the workshop, and the lingering sound lasted for a full three minutes.

The craftsmen were all amazed and looked at each other with disbelief in their eyes. "It's so beautiful! The sound of this bell is just like the sound of nature!" a young craftsman said excitedly.

Zhu Han also showed a satisfied smile. He put down the mallet, turned around and said to the craftsmen: "This is the effect we want. This 'Da Ming Hongfu Bell' is not only a magnificent building, but also a symbol of our Daming culture."

Zhu Biao was standing nearby and was also deeply attracted by the melodious sound of the bell. He walked up and said to Zhu Han, "Uncle, the sound of this bell is so wonderful. It will definitely become a great spectacle of our Ming Dynasty."

However, new challenges also arose - how to safely transport this giant bell weighing 46.5 tons to its final location became a difficult problem facing Zhu Han and the craftsmen.

In the workshop, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao stood side by side, gazing at the majestic clock in front of them, their eyes filled with solemnity and anticipation for the upcoming moving task.

"Biao'er, moving this huge bell is no easy task. If you are not careful, all your efforts may fail." Zhu Han said in a deep voice, frowning.

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement: "Uncle, you are right. This bell is so huge and heavy, it is not easy to move it. I wonder if Uncle has any good ideas?"

Zhu Han nodded slightly and turned to Old Li beside him: "Master Li, in your opinion, how should we proceed with moving this bell?"

Old Li bowed, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Your Highness, Prince, I think we can use the roller method to move the bell. The specific method is to lay several thick round wooden rollers under the bell, and use the rolling of the rollers to reduce the friction between the bell and the ground, so as to easily move the bell." (End of this chapter)