Chapter 35

The appearance of the stamping machine, cutting machine, and grinding machine can indeed improve efficiency, but to fundamentally change the world, they still fall short.

After all, large-scale industrial production is still not possible at present.

The greatest credit for these three machines goes to Tang En, as the core of them all is the magic he constructed.

The constant floating spell on the ram, the gravity amplification magic array with conditional judgment, and the stable and adjustable whirlwind magic array that drives the cutting blade and the abrasive wheel...

Apart from Tang En, which mage would do these things?

Those who are willing to do it lack the ability, and those who have the ability are unwilling to do it, so these tasks can only be done by Tang En.

The true era-changing moment will come when all mages are willing to popularize the application of magic.

"These next two days, you need to produce those farming tools, and there are other tasks I need you to do."

Tang En chuckled, "Since you've decided to follow me, don't blame me for making you work too hard. I'll say it now, your tasks in the coming days will be quite heavy."

"No problem, big brother, you can count on us!"

Bryan patted his chest to guarantee, "We'll definitely complete the tasks perfectly."

What was originally a tedious and heavy task became much easier with the addition of these three machines, so Bryan and the others could easily complete it.

Edgar, of course, had nothing to say. Even if it weren't the lord's order, the value of the Adamantine ingot Tang En gave them was enough to keep them working for over a decade.

"Alright, I'll come back the day after tomorrow. I hope you can complete all the work... Oh, give me some iron ingots."

When Tang En left, Bryan and Edgar had already started their work with enthusiasm.

What was Tang En going to do? Of course, he was going back to study mint!

He still had a bet with Fiona!

Back in his bedroom, Tang En shook his head.

"Without an alchemy lab, it's really not feasible. Many experiments in the future will require an alchemy lab, so I should find time to set one up."

Although he said he would find time to set one up, when to do it was still a problem, as many tools and materials for the alchemy lab were not available in Ellington. To build it quickly, he would either have to wait for the development of Ellington and the arrival of trade caravans or consider going to other cities to buy them himself.

Putting the alchemy lab aside for now, Tang En picked up a mint leaf and pondered.

Mint, apart from its culinary use, has its value in its essential oil. To make mint economically valuable, a low-cost, fast-acting method of essential oil extraction is needed.

The only method Tang En knew was the distillation and condensation method, which fits this requirement.

Whether it's the distiller, the condenser, or the subsequent separation of water and essential oil, none of these processes are technically demanding. The main difference in distillation methods is between water distillation, steam distillation, and water-steam distillation—though for Tang En, they are all the same for now.

"Let's give it a try."

After roughly recalling the structure of the distiller and condenser, Tang En started working.

The iron ingot he brought back from Edgar was quickly stretched and twisted under the influence of magic, soon forming a hollow distiller. On the other side, the condenser tube was also successfully shaped.

"Glass would look better."

Tang En pouted. Iron distillers and condensers are not ideal on Earth, but for Tang En, it doesn't matter. With magic, both heating and condensing are simple and convenient.

He drew some water from the air and poured it into the distiller, added an appropriate amount of mint leaves, connected the condenser tube to the container, and started heating.

The magic array below the distiller steadily emitted heat, and soon the water inside began to boil. At this point, Tang En activated the magic array on the condenser tube. The ice magic array is a variant of the water magic array, and under Tang En's adjustment, it steadily and persistently lowered the temperature, making the condensation effect far superior to Earth's condensation equipment.

Under Tang En's personal operation, this rudimentary setup took only a few minutes to produce a half-finished product.

Tang En sniffed the fragrant scent in the jar and raised an eyebrow: "Such a high yield?"

The quality of the mint here was unexpectedly good. After distilling a bag of mint, removing the water, he obtained nearly three liters of hydrosol and one liter of essential oil!

Such a high yield would be unimaginable on Earth...

Looking at the separated hydrosol and essential oil, Tang En stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.

If the plants in Plandar all have such high yields, wouldn't using flowers to extract essential oils for perfumes be a gold mine? This could be a way to make money...

"Lord, what smell did you mention earlier?"

Fiona had just pushed the door open and was hit by the strong scent, causing her to feel dizzy and almost fall.

Tang En quickly moved to support her and smiled, "Mint oil, the concentration is too high, you're not used to it yet, just wait a moment."

Tang En waved his hand, and the window opened, allowing the strong mint scent to be carried out by the whirlwind.

"Phew... I almost thought I was going to die... Uh..."

Fiona patted her chest and then realized the awkwardness. She was now half-reclining in Tang En's arms, and his hand was in a rather inappropriate place...

Fiona's heart raced. Was he doing this on purpose?

Before Fiona could feel too uneasy, Tang En released her and smiled, "How do you feel now?"

Fiona felt both disappointed and angry. What's wrong with this guy!

If he doesn't mean it, don't tease a lady like that!

"Much better... You said mint oil?"

"Yes, the thing we bet on."

Tang En smiled, "This is a good thing... well, but one of its benefits you won't be able to experience."

Seeing Tang En's regretful expression, Fiona was puzzled.

One of the benefits Tang En referred to was mosquito repellent. Mint can repel mosquitoes, and it works very well. However, Tang En was both lucky and regretful that there were no mosquitoes in Plandar.

"You said this thing can make a lot of money?"

"Right, here, this jar is mint hydrosol, I'll give it to you."

Fiona was stunned, "What's it for?"

"Um... you can apply it to your body after a bath, or pat it on your face after washing. It can make your skin softer, clean your skin, remove oil, moisturize, and tighten pores. It's also very refreshing. Oh, if you have any small pimples, you can apply it there too."

Tang En only knew a little about the benefits of hydrosol. He wasn't sure if it really worked, but women, being what they are, would be willing to try anything that might make them more beautiful...

"Really!?"

Fiona was taken aback by Tang En's words and looked at the large jar of slightly green liquid in her hand with doubt.

What was it called again?

Mint hydrosol?

"Of course," Tang En smiled proudly, "Would I lie to you?"

So Fiona believed him.

"What's in this jar?"

"Mint essential oil, the thing that will make us money."

Tang En had a sudden idea and asked, "Have Tina bring some sugar over."

"Sugar? Okay..."

Fortunately, sugar in Plandar is not a luxury. There is a plant whose juice is very sweet, and when dried, it becomes coarse sugar. However, that's all it is.

Yes, sugar in Plandar is not a luxury, but it's not as diverse as on Earth, with no milk candies, fruit candies, soft candies, hard candies...

What Tang En intended to do was to open a new world for the people of Plandar...

A short while later, Fiona returned, and Tina behind her was holding a jar of coarse sugar.

"Lord, the sugar you asked for."

Tina placed the jar next to Tang En, gave him a slightly resentful look, and left.

Tang En didn't notice. He tasted a bit of the coarse sugar and frowned. The sugar in this world was more unpleasant than he imagined, as it hadn't been refined.

This was still the sugar from the lord's house. If it were the sugar used by commoners, the quality would be even worse.

Haven't they thought about dissolving and refining it with water?

Tang En found it very strange.

Fiona also found it strange as she watched Tang En's actions.

He actually poured the entire jar of sugar into the pot! What was he doing? Making soup?

Tang En, of course, wasn't making soup. Since it was coarse sugar, the first step was to remove impurities. Diluting it with water and filtering it a few times would improve its quality. Then, adding an appropriate amount of mint essential oil and boiling it until it became thick, and pouring it into molds, and voilà, mint candies were complete!

There's no need to go into the detailed steps, especially since Tang En had the convenience of magic. In just half an hour, he made the first jar of mint candies in Plandar.

Looking at the translucent, slightly green, round candies, Tang En felt a sense of rebirth. He almost shed a tear as he ate one and then handed one to Fiona, "Try it, I guarantee you'll like it."

Fiona, half-believing and half-doubting, put the mint candy in her mouth and then froze.

An indescribable shock!

It was like a lightning bolt striking her mind, making Fiona stiffen.

Despite the warm temperature, she felt a chill!

"What do you feel?"

It's sweet? That's not wrong, but the key is the flavor...

"Mint!"

Fiona finally came to her senses, her eyes shining, "So, this is your money-making plan!?"

"Exactly."

Tang En enjoyed the taste of the mint candy with a satisfied look and smiled at Fiona, "Now, tell me, can this thing make money?"

"Yes!"

Fiona was not in doubt, "Not only can it, but it can make a lot of money!"