Two days later, the kiln was opened for charcoal retrieval.
Following several robust men shifting the charcoal out of the kiln, Yang Zhenshan witnessed the outcome of their first charcoal burning.
Yang Minghao, fiddling with a small stick, remarked, "Why are some only half-burnt?"
"Some have even turned to ash!"
A large pile, black all over, though significantly less than the wood that was put in.
Yang Zhenshan came forward to look, musing that charcoal-making was bound to have some loss, and moreover, it was a technical task, the consumption depending largely on the operation during the burning process.
Observing the change in the color of the smoke to determine the burning state of the wood inside, and the placement of the firewood in the kiln also required technique.
Yang Zhenshan was no expert at this, but no matter, practice makes perfect.
Yang Zhenshan estimated about half of the wood was consumed in this charcoal-making endeavor.
