Chapter 133: Earthen Kiln and Tiles 2

Chapter 133: Earthen Kiln and Tiles 2

Hei Wa placed the tile mold on a flat stone scattered with fine, dry soil. He pulled a fist-sized piece of well-prepared clay from the nearby pile.

After kneading it in his hands, he placed it in the mold and pressed it with his palm to fill the entire mold with clay. Next, he scraped off the excess clay using a similarly split wooden stick, making the tile look more even and symmetrical.

Hei Wa smoothed the surface further by running his hand over the stick, scraping off clay that returned to the pile, and moistening his hands from a water-filled pottery jar. He began to rub and smooth the surface, transforming the initially rough appearance into a sleek finish.

Hei Wa lifted the mold, bringing the clay tile along with it. Due to the dry soil scattered underneath, there was no issue with the clay sticking to the stone, making it easy to lift the mold.

After removing the mold, he used his hands to moisten the other side of the clay tile. Without standing up, an assistant standing by carefully took the mold with the clay tile and placed it next to a row of logs about five meters away.

After waiting a while, allowing the outer layer of water on the clay tile to dry, Hei Wa lifted the mold, tilted it, and tapped it. The clay tile would come out of the mold and fall into his waiting palm.

The resulting clay tile was a flat piece, which became individual small pottery tiles when ignored, dried, and fired in the kiln. However, these differed significantly from the curved tiles that Han Cheng needed.

Han Cheng and Hei Wa spent considerable effort experimenting and failed attempts to figure out how to turn these flat tiles into curved ones. After numerous cycles of trial and error, they finally found a solution.

The solution was relatively simple: find some tree branches with similar thickness, roughly the same length, and somewhat round, placing them not too far from the kiln. Lay the flat clay tiles on these branches horizontally, wait for half a day, and then lift them. The originally flat tiles would now have a curvature.

After applying a bit of dry mud to the branches, the assistant carefully placed the clay tiles vertically onto them. After ensuring that the previously placed clay tiles had hardened and would not deform when picked up, the assistant took them down.

The tiles were leaned against the logs, facing the sun.

After completing these tasks, Hei Wa took back the mold. To increase efficiency, ten molds were made for tile production. This way, the assistant can remove the mold with the clay tiles, and Hei Wa's time is not wasted.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Since Han Cheng had already made a ruler, there was no need to worry about different mold sizes.

However, due to manual production, the tile output was not high. Hei Wa and his assistant could only produce a little over a hundred tiles daily, including the clay preparation.

However, over time, many tiles could still be obtained.

"Divine Child."

Hei Wa casually raised his head to find that Han Cheng had come over at some point. He stood up and respectfully greeted him.

Han Cheng waved, indicating Hei Wa to take a break before continuing his work.

Hei Wa obediently walked over.

Turning around, Han Cheng looked into the distance. A tall wall was being built not too far away, with someone vigorously pounding it with a wooden stick.

Due to the distance, the person's face was unclear, but a highly aesthetic silhouette was visible.

Tie Tou cut the last batch of rapeseed with a stone sickle, placing them neatly on a pile in the rapeseed field west of the courtyard wall. With the stone sickle in one hand and the other on his waist, he stood straight, looking at the empty rapeseed field with a smile.

The setting sun dipped half the sky in red.

Returning from grazing, the Deer Lord led its herd as if stepping out of the radiance. It stretched its neck and made a melodious call, adding a serene atmosphere.

Not far away, only the remaining embers of the kiln emitted faint blue smoke.

Han Cheng placed the two clay tile blanks he held in a nearby shed, stood upright, and gazed at the tribe gradually becoming more lively, a tranquil joy enveloping his heart.