Chapter 112 - 106: What Did You Say?
Zhao Song furrowed his brows slightly, "Your grandfather’s sword has been with him for many years, it’s an ancient sword with a sturdy blade, how could it have a nick?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "We encountered a group of Xiongnu soldiers, and the knives they used were extremely good, not inferior to our Central Plains weapons. I wonder where they got their high-quality iron ore."
Zhao Song thought for a moment and said, "Bingzhou has many iron mines. Previously, Liu Yuan occupied the Bingzhou area. If the difference in weaponry is due to the quality of the iron ore, it must be from Bingzhou."
Zhao Hanzhang was pensive. The steel-making process requires higher purity iron ore. Mr. Ji bought two pieces from the iron shop in the county town for Fu Tinghan to practice, but they found the quality of the iron ore very poor, making steel was exhausting, and the refining rate was very low.
Originally, the furnace temperature was difficult to reach the temperature needed for steel-making; with poor-quality iron ore, it became even harder to produce steel.
Zhao Hanzhang handed the spear to Ting He, "Fifth Uncle, I want to reforge this sword, adding better quality iron ore to make it sturdier and sharper."
Zhao Song pondered, "Reforging the sword requires a great craftsman to avoid damaging it."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded in agreement, "Do you have any recommendations, Fifth Uncle?"
Zhao Song shook his head, "Good blacksmiths are mostly with the Ministry of War and various vassal kings. How do we have the chance to get such a master?"
"People can be found slowly. I believe that with sincerity, we will find someone, but good iron ore is rare. Do you know anyone from Bingzhou, Fifth Uncle?"
Zhao Ming: ...