Chapter 365 - 158: Charcoal Kiln, Part 3
Finally, the kiln door was completely sealed, leaving only the chimney for smoke emission. By visually inspecting the color of the smoke, one can understand the stage of wood carbonization.
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After several experiments with the "small charcoal kiln," Chen Zhou summarized his experiences to improve the design and added some small features he had previously overlooked.
For example, laying some gravel at the bottom of the charcoal pit to increase ventilation during charcoal burning.
Another example is lengthening the chimney to allow smoke to be emitted higher into the sky, which not only makes the smoke color easier to observe but also reduces pollution.
A critical point is the fire prevention issue, which requires removing flammable materials near the charcoal kiln, digging firebreaks, and setting up a small shed nearby to store some water and sand—
The forest was not far from the charcoal kiln, and there was wood piled up nearby; a fire could have unimaginable consequences.
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Chen Zhou initially intended to build the charcoal kiln by himself without the help of the indigenous people.
But considering the upcoming rainy season, if he couldn't complete and put the charcoal kiln into use in time to produce enough charcoal, his forging plans might be delayed for up to two months before they could begin in earnest.
Moreover, the island had more construction needs beyond just the charcoal kiln.
During the rainy season, the rain is almost incessant. It wouldn't be practical or sanitary to have the two indigenous people go outside to relieve themselves in the rain every day, not to mention the risk of them falling ill.
It was essential to build a toilet for the two indigenous people as soon as possible.
Additionally, cooking outside during the rainy season is troublesome.
Considering that both indigenous people were crammed into a small wooden hut with no adequate indoor space to cook, Chen Zhou planned to build them a separate kitchen or construct a larger wooden house to give them a new home.
Urgent matters weren't just limited to these; there were also some supplies running out.
For instance, the cocoa bean reserves at home were depleted. Chen Zhou had to gather more cocoa beans from Fruit Tree Valley before the dry season ended.
Even if he didn't consume them himself, he couldn't skimp on the rewards for the two indigenous people; it was a matter of principle.
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Work doesn't decrease just because there are more hands to help; as long as you look for it, it is always endless.
To forge qualified metal tools as soon as possible, Chen Zhou forced himself out of "leisure" mode. Every morning, he went alone to the chosen site for the charcoal kiln construction, either transporting building materials, digging deep pits, or building the kiln walls. He was extremely busy.
The two indigenous people weren't idle either. In the afternoons, after completing their tasks, they came to the "construction site" to help.
They couldn't build walls, but they were capable of acting as laborers, handing Chen Zhou bowls of white mud, carrying a few stone bricks, or laying down a layer of sand.
Thus, under Chen Zhou's leadership and the collaboration of the three, by early February, not only was the charcoal kiln completed, but the first batch of wood to be placed in the kiln was also felled, stacked not far from the charcoal kiln.
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The completion coincided with the sunset.
The enormous charcoal kiln, resembling a large mound, was covered with a layer of white mud, basking in the afterglow of the sunset, topped with a tall, straight chimney, presenting a magnificent sight.
Chen Zhou held a bottle of ale in his hand, covered in mud specks, squinting slightly as he examined the colossal structure he had designed and built himself.
The two indigenous people, also covered in dust and dirt, sat behind him, gazing at the charcoal kiln with bewildered expressions, still not understanding the purpose of this giant structure that was more than ten times larger than the tribe leader's house.