Chapter 796 - 797 Glass(2)_1
At this moment, Cai Wei was elated beyond measure. A pathway promising an opportunity for sudden wealth was already laid out in front of her.
She remembered in her past life reading about the origin of glass. It was said that around 3000 years ago, a merchant ship of Phoenicians from Europe, loaded with the crystalline mineral "Natural Soda", was sailing along the Berus River on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Owing to the ebbing tide, the ship was stranded.
The crew members then all disembarked onto the sandy beach. Some of them brought out big pots, moved firewood, and used a few pieces of "Natural Soda" as a stand for the pot to start cooking on the beach.
After they finished their meal, the tide began to rise. As they were preparing to tidy up and continue their voyage, suddenly, someone shouted, "Everyone come look, there are some shiny, twinkling things on the sandy ground under the pot!"
Transporting these glittering objects onto the ship, the sailors meticulously examined them. They found that these shiny objects were coated with quartz sand and melted natural soda. These glistening objects were the result of a chemical reaction produced by the natural soda that they had used as a pot stand for cooking and the quartz sand on the beach under the influence of flames; this was the earliest form of glass. The Phoenicians later accumulated a fortune selling this newly discovered glass, made by mixing quartz sand and natural soda and melting it in a special furnace.
Approximately in the 4th century, the Romans started using glass in doors and windows. In this world now, there is no such thing as glass. Even the windows of the great halls in the Palace are pasted with Goryeo papers, which not only hinder visibility but also provide poor insulation during winter. If windows made from glass were to be brought into existence, they would undoubtedly make a huge splash and cause an enormous uproar. Should these be produced on a large scale for commercial purposes, it would certainly lead to a financial windfall and could quickly replace the Huo Family to become the wealthiest in the Great Jin Nation!
Additionally, if the Meng slaves would collaborate with her, Lingbei would soon transform into a prosperous place. By that time, when the common people have abundant resources and no worries about food and clothing, leading a nomadic life would fade into oblivion. Who will then care about who the tribe leader is? Or what their nationality might be?