CHAPTER 594:

TL: Rui88

“So, the conclusion you’ve reached is that this so-called [phlogiston] is the key factor causing the change in the properties of steel?”

Paul sat in his office, listening to the report from the chemistry researchers. Not far in front of him was a stand similar to an easel, on which were displayed handmade presentation slides made of cardboard. Each piece of cardboard illustrated the researchers’ experimental process and data with text and drawings. After finishing one, they would remove the top piece of cardboard to see the next.

“Yes, Lord Grayman. Phlogiston is indeed the key substance we were looking for. To prove its accuracy, we set all possible factors in steel smelting as single variables and conducted controlled experiments one by one. The results of the experiments should be reliable.”

Wells spoke eloquently to Paul, while Tennyson Fajeyev behind him anxiously observed Lord Paul Grayman’s facial expression. He keenly sensed a fleeting hint of disappointment from Paul.

Disappointment? Why would the lord show such an expression?

Paul pointed his finger at the cardboard they were using for their presentation. “But I feel that this so-called [phlogiston] is somewhat unreliable.”

“Ho ho! Lord Grayman, perhaps I should give you a detailed introduction on phlogiston alone.” Wells cleared his throat and began to introduce phlogiston to Paul.

“We believe that fire is a substance, and the basic particles that make up fire are phlogiston. But in fact, phlogiston fills the space between heaven and earth, including the air around us. Plants can absorb phlogiston from the air, and animals obtain phlogiston from plants, so both plants and animals contain a large amount of phlogiston. All chemical changes related to combustion are due to the process of objects absorbing and releasing phlogiston. For example, when wood burns, phlogiston escapes, leaving a pile of ash. Charcoal, soot, and oil all come from plants, and plants absorb phlogiston from the air, so they are all substances rich in phlogiston.”

After introducing phlogiston, Wells gave an extended explanation. “In this research, we conducted calcination experiments on metals, which then produced metallic calx. We believe that metal contains more complex components than metallic calx, and this is phlogiston. If metallic calx recombines with phlogiston, it will turn back into metal. If charcoal is burned together with metallic calx, the metallic calx can absorb the phlogiston from the charcoal, turning the metallic calx back into metal…this is the process and principle of metal smelting. By controlling the content of phlogiston in the metal…using substances with a large amount of phlogiston such as charcoal and ink sticks…one can control the properties of the metal.”

Paul turned his head to look at Ladi Sertia beside him. “You are also a scholar. What do you think?”

Ladi nodded and said, “I believe Master Wells’s deduction is correct.”

“Alright then, let me raise a small question. I believe there is indeed a [phlogiston] in metal that controls its properties, but this [phlogiston] is not the phlogiston you speak of. Or rather, your so-called description of phlogiston is wrong.”

A faint smile hung at the corner of Paul’s mouth, giving Wells a bad feeling. “You say it’s wrong?”

The lord was heard to command, “Now, find me a piece of metal, weigh it, then calcinate it, and weigh it again after it has turned into metallic calx. According to your theory, metallic calx is formed when metal loses phlogiston, so its weight should decrease, not increase, right?”

Wells nodded and said, “That is correct, Lord Grayman.”

Paul winked at him. “Let’s wait and see.”

His order was quickly carried out, and the experiment began right there in Paul’s office. However, the result greatly astonished the group of researchers. The piece of iron, which had partially turned into metallic calx, had not become lighter, but had instead become heavier.

Paul clapped his hands and said with a smile, “A very intuitive phenomenon. It seems your theory about phlogiston is wrong. Although this doesn’t overthrow the theory that [phlogiston controls the properties of steel], it at least shows that after being heated, something was added to the metal, not taken away. And based on this latter error, I also have reason to doubt the correctness of the former theory.”

The faces of Wells, Tennyson, and the other researchers turned ashen.

……

After another two hours of discussion, the alchemists walked out of Paul’s office somewhat dejectedly. Ladi Sertia, who remained, said to Paul, “Lord Grayman, I have a suggestion.”

Paul raised his eyebrows. “Oh? Let’s hear it.”

Ladi said, “From what they said just now, it seems Master Wells and the others are struggling with the inability of current technical means to achieve certain goals. For example, if alchemists want to separate an element from a certain compound, it seems the only method now is to burn it. According to them, if a certain element cannot be separated, it means the temperature is not high enough. What they meant was, they originally wanted to directly separate phlogiston from other substances, that is, to obtain the element of phlogiston, and then combine the elemental phlogiston with metal for detailed research, but they did not succeed…in their view, this was a failure caused by insufficient temperature. But if they use fire, the phlogiston will escape into the air…of course, according to your experiment just now, this may be wrong.”

Ladi still followed the old tradition of calling the chemistry researchers alchemists.

Paul looked up. “And then?”

Ladi said in a low voice, “Let’s not discuss the rights and wrongs between you and Wells for now. What I want to say is, I can use certain means to raise the temperature without flames. Perhaps I can help them.” ⱤàΝO͍βĘ𝙎

Paul asked, “Using your… special ability?”

Ladi nodded. “Yes.” Ladi’s special ability was, of course, magic.

Paul waved his hand at her without any hesitation. “Oh, I am very grateful for your suggestion, but… no.”

“Why not?” Ladi was very puzzled. Her puzzlement even carried a trace of shame and annoyance, and her brows were slightly furrowed.

“Lord Grayman, do you also hold the same prejudice against magic as ordinary people?”

Paul shook his head. “I have no prejudice against magic whatsoever. I think you have understood from our interactions over the past few years that I do not believe magic has anything to do with good or evil. It is just a tool.”

Ladi continued to ask, “Then are you afraid that if it leaks out, it will cause the Church to reprimand you?”

“Aha!” Paul smiled. “I might have been afraid four years ago! But not now. I have a hundred reasons to fend off their investigations.”

Ladi asked with great confusion, “Then what is the reason that you are stopping me from using magic to participate in the alchemists’ research? You just said that magic is only a tool. Since it is a tool, and a tool that happens to be useful, then it should be used to its full potential.”