Chapter 379 - 165: [Simple Methods for Producing Explosive Materials]
In the face of a previously unpracticed problem, the approach to solving it is often far more important than effort.
Chen Zhou’s idea, though bold, couldn’t withstand the fact that the material used to make the block was too special. Its excellent properties gave the lead casting method plenty of room to play.
...
On May 21st, when Chen Zhou began his attempt, he succeeded in casting a lead key blank in just two tries.
To be more precise, he actually succeeded easily with just one attempt—
Because during the first try, the lead inlet reserved was too small, making it impossible for the lead liquid to successfully enter the mold. Strictly speaking, this wasn’t a failure.
After the lead liquid inside the mold solidified and cooled, he broke open the white clay wrapped around it, and Chen Zhou obtained a key blank closest to the correct answer.
He meticulously polished the entire key smooth.
After more than a dozen fine adjustments, a sound like a monkey’s howl abruptly erupted in the brightly lit casting room on the evening of May 21st.
Chen Zhou’s eyes were bloodshot, and he looked incredulously at the key inserted into the keyhole and turned half a circle, not daring to blink.
Just moments ago, after filing away a tiny protrusion on the key, he gently turned the key inserted into the keyhole and vaguely heard a crisp "click" sound, like the sound of unlocking.
"Did I achieve it this easily?"
Having been tormented for so long in the past, Chen Zhou always felt like he was dreaming.
But reality hadn’t blinded his eyes.
After the click sound, the faint blue block seemed like a machine awakened after years of slumber, gently unfolded with a tremor, becoming increasingly flat.
Countless tiny blue light spots surrounded the block, and within just a dozen seconds, they solidified into sheet after sheet of paper—
It had clearly transformed into a book made from the same material as Robinson Crusoe.
The whole book wasn’t thick, the cover had a seventies or eighties style, printed with a retro layout and a line of large red text—"Simple Production Methods of Explosive Materials"
...
Seeing this line of text, Chen Zhou’s heart was immediately filled with jubilation.
He knew that this time his epic speed of cracking had brought him a reward that could be considered a "Divine Artifact".
His heart racing, he flipped open the book with trembling hands, past the introduction, and arrived at the table of contents, where Chen Zhou saw extremely explosive content.
"Chapter One: Method of Manufacture for Explosive Drug, Overview—
The properties of mercury fulminate, the chemical reaction process and technical conditions for producing mercury fulminate, nitric acid preparation, mercury purification, alcohol distillation..."
Flipping further.
"Chapter Two: Method of Manufacturing Nitroglycerin—
Overview, properties of nitroglycerin, preparation of glycerin from plant (animal) oils, nitroglycerin manufacturing."
"Damn, this isn’t just ordinary knowledge, this is purely a handbook for cultivating explosive geniuses!"
The more he read, the more excited Chen Zhou became, knowing that now not only was his firearm modification on the right track, but even manufacturing handmade rockets, soil-based landmines, and even naval mines was no longer just talk.
The knowledge of the seventies and eighties was relatively backward compared to the twenty-first century, but in the seventeenth century, it was absolutely "Tian DIng Xing technology" beyond anyone’s imagination.
If he truly understood this book inside and out, not just a mere Native Tribe, but even multiple fully armed Spanish Raider Ships would find it hard to be his foe.
What else?
Trying hard to contain his excitement, Chen Zhou, with a flushed face, continued to read further.
"Chapter Three: Zhou Family’s Explosive Method, Chapter Four: Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Method, Chapter Five: Black Gunpowder Manufacturing Method, Chapter Six: Fire Detonator Production Method..."
Slowly flipping, the more he read, the better Chen Zhou felt.
The book starts from the most basic materials like explosive components, and after the fire detonator section, introduces methods for making electric detonators, then leaps into practical weapon sections.
Grenades, landmines, incendiary device production methods, simple military demolition methods, raw material acid—sulfuric acid and nitric acid production methods...
Various chemical formulas, equipment raw materials, even precautions for manufacturing explosives, and methods for computing acid concentrations, it’s fair to say, the person who wrote this book has included all the knowledge about explosives he understood in a systematic way.
The most important thing is, seemingly to accommodate the knowledge level of the people at the time, the book doesn’t use extensive professional terminologies but explains principles and production procedures in a way that’s as comprehensible as possible, easy to understand.
This is very beneficial for Chen Zhou, who is a chemistry struggler.
...
After reading the entire book, as long as he can find the raw materials on the island and possesses suitable production equipment, Chen Zhou can manufacture these things that sound mighty enough one by one.
The amazement in his heart could no longer be described in words, Chen Zhou only knew that countless "whoa"s were racing through his mind.
Following the directory’s guidance, he delved into a few of the most valued technologies.
The first was glycerin extraction from plant (animal) oils.
It not only explained that animal fats and vegetable fats could be used to produce qualified glycerin but also mentioned a technique—saponify fats into calcium soap.
A series of reaction equations, equipment designs, detailed explanations, complete relationship tables...
Just with a quick glance, Chen Zhou felt an urge to immediately set up these facilities and start manufacturing glycerin.
He felt his head heating up and swelling, not sure if it was due to excitement or shock.
Constantly reminding himself not to faint from happiness, Chen Zhou closed the book.
...
"We can’t aim too high, with just the three of us, trying to complete the construction of this batch of production facilities would be impossible without ten or eight years.