Future library

Among the group of Star Warlocks, Star Warlock Cao Feng is also one of the best. Those Star Warlocks who can have laboratories in the Star Warlock Tower are like expert professors who can own world-class laboratories. Their academic achievements are indispensable. doubt.

But in terms of personal income, he is far from enough.

In fact, there are two types of wealthy Star Warlocks, one is like Star Warlock Liu Kuangxing, who can have enough food and clothing without having to do anything, and the other is Star Warlocks who have nothing to do but have enough food and clothing - most of the Star Warlocks have lost the possibility of advancement. , will turn to politics or business in order to obtain psychological satisfaction.

Although Warlock Cao Fengxing's laboratory was not taken seriously, he was determined to use 120,000 taels of silver, and Warlock Liu Kuangxing still wanted to give it to him. As he said, within the scope of the entire Great Xia Dynasty, Warlock Cao Feng and Jin Xixing were still An authoritative figure in food and other biological aspects. Although this aspect has not received much attention for the time being.

The so-called glass workshop was still busy being relocated. Ma Ling was ordered to supervise the work nearby. When Cheng Jinzhou arrived at the Star Warlock Tower, he lingered and refused to leave. From beginning to end, he never got a book on glass making. Now that he saw others building glass workshops, it goes without saying that he felt envious.

He almost drooled and asked, Can you make glass mirrors?

Of course, you are interested? The price is relatively expensive. The answer was naturally Ma Ling. Although the workshop owner waiting aside was a professional, he was not high enough to speak directly to the Star Warlock. In the outer peninsula, the hierarchy is much stricter than in other areas.

Cheng Jinzhou was immediately disappointed. The price of glass mirrors lies in their secrecy. Back then, Venice concentrated all its glass workshops on Murano Island and kept its treasures in its underwear. Not to mention other countries, even the Italian city-state on the same bed. Don't even want to see it. It took them 200 years to get out millions of gold francs. Once Europe learned this trick, whatever the cost of glass mirrors, their value was elusive.

It is completely impossible for Cheng Jinzhou to understand technical tasks such as glass blowing. Seeing that the only knowledge he knew about chemistry was fooled by an unknown star warlock, he asked with great loss of interest: Where is the star warlock Cao Feng?

In the laboratory. Ma Ling said with a smile. No longer caring about the numerous affairs behind him, he diligently guided Cheng Jinzhou the way - even though the cataracts as big as the Star Warlock Tower had shadows.

Directly south of the second floor, as soon as you walk in, you can see the glass made of wooden clips, which costs at least thirty or forty yuan. The toughness of glass in this era is even worse, and transportation is more troublesome.

Cheng Jinzhou found Cao Feng's rickety back, walked over carefully, and said loudly: Warlock Cao Fengxing.

Oh, Mr. Cheng, you are finally here. I heard that you have been in the dock area in the past few days?

Do some small experiments.

Teleportation star array? Cao Feng quickly asked back.

Cheng Jinzhou laughed awkwardly and said, It's not that profound.

In any case, it is very difficult to conceal the entry and exit of bulk materials. Cheng Jinzhou does not want to fall into the strange circle of explaining the teleportation star array, so he simply plays mysticism.

The research of many star warlocks is private - for this era, powerful star arrays are as amazing as high-tech weapons, and their huge power will naturally bring about similar worries as high-tech weapons. I am not willing to go into details. There are many star warlocks who are willing to explain and disclose their research, and even cherish it until their death. Cheng Jinzhou's statement is not surprising.

Of course, Warlock Cao Fengxing had no intention of pursuing the matter. He laughed twice and stood up from his chair and said, We have been grinding lenses recently, and the effect is remarkable...

Did you buy all these transparent glasses?

Of course, we need a lot of raw materials.

But the glass factory will be built soon.

Cao Feng said dissatisfied: I heard it will take another month. I can't wait that long. We will be able to make a microscope with a magnification of 50 times soon.

Of course, going from 10 to 50 is a significant improvement, but Cheng Jinzhou remembers very clearly that Leeuwenhoek's microscope at that time had at least a magnification of more than 200 times, and with the way Jin Xi processed the lenses, it was very difficult for him to improve his level. ——In Cheng Jinzhou's view, only when we enter the era of microorganisms can the research of Cao Feng and others be considered valuable.

Shrugging, Cheng Jinzhou asked casually: How much does that glass cost?

Each piece is 120 taels of silver.

Cheng Jinzhou was shocked at first. With 120 taels of silver, he could buy two little girls and raise them for another 10 years.

Those are transparent glass, not colored glass, and they are the best transparent glass. Cao Feng snorted twice and said: It's more expensive than crystal, but according to what you said, we have to experiment and see if we can Increase the magnification a little more.

Cheng Jinzhou patted his forehead and said nothing. Researchers are often very paranoid when facing their own topics. Perhaps it is because the research process is so boring that they will consciously or unconsciously magnify their own value - just like everyone does - many advances that are inconspicuous to ordinary people, or to science itself, It is often cherished by them, which sounds cruel to say, but personal value is often limited...

The progress of the magnifying glass from 50 times to 60 times is of no value, let alone the progress maintained by materials. No matter what Cao Feng hopes for this, it will not help. In Cheng Jinzhou's view, this is like the storage capacity of DVD discs increasing by 10%. What's the use?

In response to this, Cheng Jinzhou didn't even want to cooperate with him and laughed twice. He shook his head and said, You should control the expenditure of your own research funds.

Cao Feng said nonchalantly: That's enough.

The Astromancers have never had strict financial management measures to ensure the sustainability of their research funds - perhaps because the Astromancers are so profitable, they are like squirrels that can pick fruits all year round. When storing food, spend and waste it as hard as you can. When the granary is empty, go hunting for wild food. Cao Feng is a first-level star warlock and a second-star warlock. If he spends money to the point of bankruptcy, he must have his own way of making money.

More than thirty pieces of glass are equivalent to three to four thousand taels of silver, hundreds of times the monthly salary given to Cheng Jinzhou by the Cheng family. Classmate Xiao Cheng curled his lips and changed the subject without leaving a trace: Warlock Cao Fengxing, how are you going to cultivate the land next year.

Land near the capital?

That's right. Do you have a plan? You are so busy now...

Cao Feng continued to fiddle with his microscope and said nonchalantly: I am going to hand it back to Warlock Liu Kuangxing. Of course, the experimental field will be retained, and the rest will be cultivated by the tenants.

In fact, the land itself is managed by someone, and Cao Feng's job is to decide what to plant. Because of this, the tenancy and leasing system for Star Warlocks is slightly different.

Compared to Liu Kuang's shrewdness, Cheng Jinzhou of course preferred dealing with Cao Feng, and quickly stopped him: If you are not going to use these lands, I want to give it a try.

Planting?

Yes, uh... I want to try growing your new crop. I call it real rice. Cheng Jinzhou still said it. What is grown on the land cannot be concealed.

Planting in a large area? Cao Feng pondered and said, This is not necessarily a good choice. You know, our research shows that this kind of food crop has some characteristics, but the yield is significantly lower than other crops. And it’s not clear what the side effects are, and you should understand that our research is based on a very small study...

His last sentence was unclear, but Cheng Jinzhou heard it clearly. Based on the current research conditions and research foundation of the astrologers, the report they produced is no better than a careless master's thesis. The so-called research results can be said to have no results.

Of course, these cannot be said publicly, but it also proves that Cao Feng is not optimistic about Zhenmi.

Cheng Jinzhou has obtained all the planting information. Although many of the conditions cannot be met or are difficult for him to understand, even at the current minimum output, his profit is considerable, not to mention that it will help him to go further in the future. development of.

Grain is the Star Alliance's favorite acquisition, and Cheng Jinzhou has long been determined to take the route of a grain king. Now he simply said: If I want to rent the remaining land, what do I need?

Do you need food for your star array? This kind of real rice? Warlock Cao Fengxing said smartly. In his opinion, Star Warlocks will only produce something when the Star Array has a need. Production other than that is of no value.

Cheng Jinzhou shrugged and said, How is it?

We plan to leave 10,000 hectares of land, so there are still 140,000 hectares of land left. With so much land, we must inform Warlock Liu Kuangxing. If you plant all of it...real rice, then the food supply in the outer peninsula will definitely not be satisfied. We need to import from other places. Although it is a small matter, it would be better to explain it. I think Warlock Liu Kuangxing will definitely agree. Warlock Cao Fengxing said according to his own ideas, without considering the price issue at all.

Cheng Jinzhou had to ask: Then how much land tax should I pay to the outer peninsula?

Warlock Cao Fengxing pondered for a moment and recalled: Tenants will ask for 30% of the land's output. If what you grow is not food, you will have to pay for the food. Each acre of land is about 4 shi. The land rent is 50% of the real estate, and the same , if what you grow is not food, you have to spend 6 or 7 shi per acre of land...

Growing real rice means paying 80% of the land’s output. It is also difficult to be a second landlord.

Cheng Jinzhou casually calculated that 140,000 hectares of land equals 2.1 million acres. All of them are fertile fields, and by the end of the year, 21 million shi of grain will be produced, equivalent to 1.05 million tons. It is equivalent to the grain output of an ordinary county in later generations. If things go well, it can be obtained through transactions. However, if you think about it, you will know that so much grain will always have to be mortgaged.

Warlock Liu Kuangxing has never been as kind as his face, and his intelligence level is not as low as it seems.

Coupled with the cost of purchasing seeds and planting, Cheng Jinzhou did not want to lose himself to Warlock Liu Kuangxing.

Therefore, although 2.1 million acres of land was extremely attractive, Cheng Jinzhou still refused: Warlock Cao Fengxing, what is the maximum area you can decide?

I'm not going to keep the land in my hands. Cao Feng said in astonishment: Our progress is very fast, and our research will transcend the times.

At this point, Cao Feng's voice became louder.

At this time, Cheng Jinzhou had already figured out that even if he doubled the funds on hand, he would not be able to support many tenants. He couldn't even afford enough farm equipment and livestock. In any period, it was not easy for big landowners to do so.

At the same time, he cannot give real rice worth 16 times of ordinary grain to the tenants to eat, or pay it to warlock Liu Kuangxing. On the other hand, if he wants to buy seeds from the Star Alliance, he will first spend 16 times the price of ordinary seeds. Thinking of this, Cheng Jinzhou whispered: Warlock Cao Fengxing, I can help you, but I also want you to help me.

What can you help me with?

I will help you increase the magnification of the microscope, and you will let me plant 10,000 hectares of land for free.

Cao Feng said dubiously: Do you have any idea?

I'm proficient in mathematics. Cheng Jinzhou boasted: It's not just about determining the focus. I have many ideas about lenses, such as the calculation of radian and polarization. Have you considered the requirements of the light itself? I can join you. Experiment. What is your goal?

Within three years, I plan to build a 100-fold microscope. Doubling all research results and designing for three years is already very conservative.

Cheng Jinzhou solemnly nodded and said: I promise with my reputation that I can help you complete this work within a year, but I need to concentrate. If possible, I hope to be able to plant 10,000 hectares of land for free. I don't want to go through Warlock Liu Kuangxing , you know, he doesn’t care about the research content of other astromancers, he only cares about the results.”

The controller of any research project will, like a producer, impose various financial restrictions. And researchers' feelings for project controllers often fluctuate like directors and producers.

Cheng Jinzhou said something that could bring the relationship closer, which made Warlock Cao Fengxing nod his head empathetically. However, his mind was still clear, and he thought for a long time and said: Since you have said so, then I will leave you another 10,000 hectares of land, but you want Manage it yourself, and in addition, you have to leave enough food for the tenants and the outer peninsula. It is not possible to be completely free.

The rent of 80% is still not less. 150,000 acres requires 75,000 tons of grain, worth 300,000 taels of silver.

Thinking on the bright side, buying 150,000 acres of land might cost 6 million taels of silver. Regardless of whether it is millions or hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, Cheng Jinzhou cannot let Warlock Cao Fengxing come out when he has nothing. This is basically a situation that both parties can be satisfied with.

Cheng Jinzhou gritted his teeth and said, No matter whether there is a good harvest or not, I will provide food.

That's the best. Cao Feng said, with a rosy glow on his face again: What do you think of the improvement of microscopes?

…

Beyond the word count: The stroll is over…

…