Otaku Engineer in Great Tang Dynasty

"As for Sir Alex Ferguson's previous statement that it is not worthwhile to equip each merchant ship with a compass, but I think it is very worthwhile."

In the main hall of Li Mansion, Wang Renbiao held up the tea cup, took two sips of tea and continued:

"It is conservatively estimated that there will be thousands of ships going south this time. Once there is a big storm at sea, many ships will definitely leave the main fleet. At this time, a compass can add two to the number of merchant ships that are'lost' sailing. A 30% chance of surviving. If this probability can be superimposed, I would be very happy to equip each ship with a few more compasses. Because a compass costs five pennies, and the value of a merchant ship and its crew is much greater than this. of!"

Li Zexuan smiled when he heard the words, and said, "Haha, not bad, I didn't expect Renbiao to see the problem so thoroughly!"

Then he thought for a while and said, "As for the fifty compasses that Renbiao wants, I will let the people in the workshop ‘hand in’ it to you in these two days, but I also need Renbiao’s help."

"Lord Sir!"

Wang Renbiao said quickly.

"The Wang's fleet is heading south this time. I want to ask you to bring me something. I care that this kind of thing is rubber."

"What is rubber?"

Wang Renbiao said "confused". He is also very knowledgeable, but he has never heard of rubber.

Li Zexuan considered the language and described:

"It is the sap produced by a tree. After you arrive in the Southeast Asian countries, you can send people to search for rubber trees. The rubber tree is an evergreen tree with a tap root system, three compound leaves, leathery entire edges, and a cone'inflorescence'. The fruit is a capsule with oval seeds and a'milk'-like sap. This sap is rubber. Normally, you only need to make a cut in the bark, then put a jar under the cut, and it will Collected a lot of rubber."

Wang Renbiao and Leng Yuyao both widened their eyes when they heard this. It was the first time they heard of this magical tree. How did it sound like a fantasy?

"There are such trees in the world? It's really amazing!"

Wang Renbiao was stunned for a while, and finally sighed.

Li Zexuan smiled and said, "Well, this rubber tree is indeed a bit magical. It has another name, that is, a tree that sheds tears. When you cut its bark with a knife, a lot of white'color' juice will flow out. It looks like it hurts and is crying!"

Li Zexuan is not talking nonsense. The term rubber tree originally comes from the Indian word cau-uchu, which means "tree with tears."

Wang Renbiao exclaimed: "Interesting, it's so interesting! Hearing what Ferguson said, if allowed by my family, I would like to take a look at it myself."

Leng Yuyao couldn't help frowning and said, "A good rubber tree, why have to cut its bark? You are so cruel!"

Li Zexuan rolled his eyes, eldest sister, you carry your sword every day, and you will kill people who are not pleasing to your eyes. Do you have the face to say that others are cruel?

Leng Yuyao instantly understood the expression on Li Zexuan's face. She blushed, and quickly looked away without saying a word, just like what she said just now.

"I need this kind of rubber very much. Renbiao will bring back as much as you find this time. I want it all. Don't worry about the price, it will definitely satisfy you! It is best to bring back some rubber seeds, but be careful. , Its seeds and leaves are poisonous, don't let people eat it by mistake!"

When Li Zexuan saw this cold-faced chick, he was still very acquainted, so he didn't know her in general, he said to Wang Renbiao behind him.

There are many industrial products that are inseparable from rubber, and Li Zexuan really wants it. Although rubber was originally produced in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, it has not been introduced to Asia at this time, but the climate in Southeast Asia is very hot, with sufficient sunlight and rain. It has the same climatic conditions as the Amazon rainforest. It is difficult to guarantee that there are no wild primitive rubber trees. If you find it, don't you make it? Especially Malaysia, this place is a famous rubber kingdom in modern times, and its annual rubber output is the largest in the world.

People at this time must have not realized the value of rubber. The first to use rubber is the Indian, the oldest inhabitant of the Americas.

In 1493, Columbus sailed for the second time to the American island of Haiti. He saw the happy game of the Indians: they formed a circle, singing a song, and happily tossing a ball around in rhythm. The ball hits the ground and can actually bounce high. Columbus was amazed. After inquiring carefully, he knew that the ball was made of something he had never known-rubber.

Later, when Columbus returned from America, he brought the rubber back to Europe by the way. However, no one in Europe at the time knew how this wonderful thing could be used in addition to making games. As a result, it was sent to the museum and displayed in a showcase for viewing as "the novelty brought back by Columbus".

It was not until 1770, when Priestley, a British chemist and discoverer of oxygen, discovered that rubber could erase pencil writing, and rubber was formally used.

Uh, there is actually another stalk about the eraser. Nowadays, the English rubber rubber is also used to describe the eraser~www.readwn.com~ But what’s interesting is that nowadays Americans are used to calling eraser by eraser, but rubber is used. To describe condoms

Inside the house.

Wang Renbiao thought about it for a while, and then said: "Since Sir Alex needs it, he will order the people below to search for this so-called rubber tree at that time. In addition, I will apply to the clan and send an additional 20. Merchant ships, specializing in the "door" to install rubber for Ferguson, how about the price of four hundred sticks of rubber for a ship? Of course, if we are not full of rubber, we will also bring some goods back from there. But this way, Sir Alex But we are going to sell us twenty more compasses!"

Li Zexuan was happy, Wang Renbiao was opening the door to himself at this moment! Because if you pull a ship of silk porcelain and ship it to Nanyang and exchange some spices and grains, you will get more than 400 guan. It is conservatively estimated that there will be at least two or three thousand. This is not an exaggeration. Ocean trade is so profitable!

"Haha, the compass is not a problem. Our workshop will give priority to the compass needed by the Wang family this time and provide it for free. Please be assured! If your fleet can really find rubber trees in Nanyang, I will owe Li Zexuan this time. Your royal family is a favor!"

Li Zexuan reciprocated, he was always respected by others, and he respected others.

Wang Renbiao was taken aback, and his attention to this matter rose to a new level. He hurriedly said: "Don't worry, Sir, as long as the rubber trees are owned by the Southeast Asian countries, our royal fleet can definitely be found this time!"

There is one more update, it may be after twelve o'clock, veterans, don't stay up late, see tomorrow! Staying up late hurts!

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