Otaku Engineer in Great Tang Dynasty Chapter 263: You are cruel!

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

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

"It is conservatively estimated that there are thousands of ships going south. Once there is a big storm at sea, many ships will definitely leave the main fleet. At this time, a compass can be used for the merchant ships that are'lost' sailing. Increase the survival rate by two to thirty percent. 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 far greater This money!"

Li Zexuan smiled upon hearing 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' and pay you in two days, but I also need Renbiao's help."

"Lord Sir, just say!"

Wang Renbiao said quickly.

"Wang's fleet is heading south this time. I want to ask you to bring me something. I care about it as rubber."

"What is rubber?"

Wang Renbiao doubted that he was'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 whole, and cone flowers. Preface. 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, and then place a jar under the cut , A lot of rubber will be collected."

Wang Renbiao and Leng Yuyao's eyes widened 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 is amazing!"

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

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

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: "It's funny, it's so funny! Hearing what Sir Ferguson said, if my family allows me, 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 as she didn't say what she said just now.

"I need this kind of rubber very much. You can bring back as much as you found this time. I want it all. Don’t worry about the price, it will definitely satisfy you! It’s 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 acquainted, so he didn't know her in general, he said to Wang Renbiao behind him.

Many industrial products are inseparable from rubber, and Li Zexuan really wants this stuff. 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 and primitive rubber trees. If you find it, won'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 have certainly 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 joyful game of the Indians: they formed a circle, singing a song, and happily tossing a ball around in a rhythm. The ball hits the ground and can actually bounce high. Columbus was amazed. After inquiring carefully, he learned that the ball is made of something he never knew-rubber.

Later, when Columbus returned from America, he brought 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 people to watch as "the novelty brought back by Columbus".

It wasn't until 1770, when Priestley, a British chemist and discoverer of oxygen, discovered that rubber could erase pencil writing, and rubber was officially used.

Uh, there is actually another stalk about erasers. Nowadays, rubber is also used to describe erasers~IndoMTL.com~ But what’s interesting is that nowadays Americans are used to calling erasers 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 additional Twenty merchant ships, specializing in the "door" to load rubber for Sir Alex, how about a ship of rubber at the price of four hundred tons? Of course, if we are not full of rubber, we will also bring some goods back there. But this way. , Sir Alex will 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, but a conservative estimate is at least two or three thousand. This is not an exaggeration. Ocean trade is so profitable!

"Haha, the compass is not a problem. This time, our workshop will give priority to the compass that the Wang family needs and provide it for free. Please rest assured! If your fleet can really find rubber trees in Nanyang, it will count this time. I, Li Zexuan, owe your Wang family a favor!"

Li Zexuan reciprocated for Li Dao. He has always been respected by others, and he respected others.

Wang Renbiao was taken aback, and his attention to this matter has risen to a new level. He hurriedly said, "My lord, don’t worry, as long as the rubber trees are owned by the nations in Nanyang, our royal fleet can definitely be found this time. !"

There is one more update. It may be after twelve o'clock. Don't stay up late, veterans, and watch it tomorrow! Staying up late hurts!

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