HBWnovel Chapter 394: Glowing Light
Chapter 394: Glowing Light
Over the next two or three days, the entire capital was mobilized in the search for suitable materials. The matter filled the streets and alleys, and people were eager to inquire about it. Within the palace, the emperor ordered full support for the search, and officials were dispatched to search warehouses and shops throughout the city. Local craftsmen also spontaneously organized themselves, drawing on their years of experience and knowledge of materials to search the mountains and rivers for possible clues.
Lin Feng wasn't idle either. He was browsing various ancient books in the palace's library. Within the library, bookshelves stood in rows, piled high like mountains. Lin Feng moved between the shelves, his eyes eager and focused, his hands constantly flipping through the ancient books. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, but he was oblivious.
Finally, in an ancient refining tome, he discovered a record of an alloy called Tiangang Tungsten Gold. This alloy was a top-tier refining material, boasting exceptional hardness, melting point, and toughness. When Lin Feng learned of this, he excitedly ran out of the library, shouting, "Found it! Found it!" His voice echoed through the palace, brimming with joy and excitement. He hadn't imagined that, with so much combined effort, they could find the right material so quickly.
Entering the blacksmith's workshop, a searing heat washes over me, like the roar of a ferocious fire beast. In several massive furnaces, charcoal fires blaze like the setting sun melting gold, painting the entire space a dazzling crimson. Several blacksmiths bare their chests and arms, their muscles throbbing and throbbing in the firelight, as if imbued with boundless strength. The massive hammers they wield weigh dozens of pounds, their handles damp with sweat, glistening slightly.
The leading blacksmith, Zhao Gang, was the palace's top ironwork master. His gaze was as sharp as a torch, fixed on the piece of Tiangang tungsten metal in the furnace. Under the scorching heat, the metal gradually took on a strange glow.
Zhao Gang took a deep breath, suddenly lifted up the big hammer, and shouted: "Rise!" The hammer came down heavily on the tungsten gold with a whistling sound, making a deafening noise, and sparks flew like gorgeous fireworks.
The young blacksmith Xiao Li next to him, although his skills were slightly inferior, also gathered his strength. He bit his lower lip, his eyes widened, and followed closely with the hammer in his hand, shouting: "Master, I'm here to help you!"
For seven or eight days, the blacksmiths worked tirelessly day and night, taking turns. Hungry, they nibbled on a few bites of dry food; thirsty, they guzzled water from a large bowl beside them, oblivious to the water dripping down their chins, onto the scorching ground, and instantly transforming into a puff of steam. With each blow, they poured their heart and soul into the hammer, as if engaged in a grueling battle against the celestial tungsten metal.
Finally, at dawn on the eighth day, as the first rays of light struggled to penetrate the narrow workshop window, the Tiangang tungsten-gold thread, condensed with countless sweat and hope, lay quietly on the anvil. As slender as a hair, it gleamed with a tough and cool luster in the morning light, as if announcing its extraordinaryness to the world.
Meanwhile, in an adjacent workshop, Lin Feng was absorbed in another crucial creation. The walls of the workshop were lined with glassware of various shapes, some slender like crane necks, others round like pearls. Lin Feng stood before a large stone platform, upon which lay a variety of sophisticated instruments and chemicals. His eyes were deep and focused, like a tranquil pool, reflecting his dedication and passion for science.
He gently picked up a transparent glass bottle, which seemed to become a rare treasure in his hands. He first carefully measured a certain proportion of inert gas with a measuring cylinder, and the gas appeared a mysterious blue in the measuring cylinder. Then, he slowly poured in nitrogen, and the two gases slowly blended in the bottle, as if spiritual elves were playing. Lin Feng's brows were slightly furrowed, and fine beads of sweat oozed from his forehead. His lips moved slightly, as if he was silently calculating the ratio of the gases. "There can't be any mistakes in this, otherwise all efforts will be in vain." He whispered to himself, his voice as light as a falling feather.
When everything was ready, Lin Feng, with a mixture of trepidation and excitement, slowly placed the precious Tiangang tungsten-gold thread into the bottle. Instantly, a soft, bright light gushed out from the bottle, like a miniature sunrise rising in his hand. This pure and warm light dispelled the gloom within the workshop and lit the first beacon of light as Xingxuan Continent entered the electrical age.
However, when Lin Feng calmed down and calculated the costs, a wry smile and resignation crossed his face. The materials and labor required for just this one light bulb amounted to two Xuanjing coins, equivalent to the average family's savings of two thousand Xuanjing coins. He sighed inwardly, "With such a high price tag, it's practically impossible for this light bulb to reach the average household. But regardless, this is a great start, and I absolutely cannot give up."
Over the next month, the palace workshops transformed into a dazzling, night-lit city. Under Lin Feng's meticulous guidance, the craftsmen, working hand-in-hand with the Grand Secretaries, toiled day and night to produce the bulbs. Each bulb, like a dazzling star, emerged from their hands.
Within the imperial palace, a quiet but profound transformation was slowly unfolding. The dim, flickering glow of candles was gradually replaced by the bright, steady glow of light bulbs. Entering the Hall of Supreme Harmony, beneath the carved and painted ceiling, exquisite bulbs sat in ornate holders.
Lamp bases were carved from precious sandalwood, their auspicious dragon and phoenix designs so vivid they seemed poised to soar; others were cast from gold and silver, gleaming with a dazzling, luxurious radiance under the light. The massive tapestries hanging on the walls, their delicate threads and vibrant colors, became even more vivid and captivating under the illumination of the bulbs. The historical stories and myths embroidered on the tapestries seemed to transcend time and space, vividly brought to life before the eyes. The delicate textures and exquisite carvings of the tables, chairs, screens, and other furniture within the palace were also highlighted by the light, showcasing the palace's dignity and majesty.
Palace maids and eunuchs wandered through the palace, their eyes filled with wonder and amazement. A young maid stood beneath a single light bulb, gazing up at the brilliant glow, her eyes twinkling with excitement. She clasped her hands together and muttered to herself, "Could this be a treasure bestowed by the gods? So bright, yet so quiet, without the black smoke and waxiness of candles? It's truly miraculous!"