Chapter 857: The Cement Factory

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation   Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Su Binglan and Su Chun had to pass through the prefecture on the way to the capital. When they revisited the prefecture, they discovered how much livelier it was.

More and more people began setting up stalls and shopping on the streets. It was no longer as deserted as before, and everyone was smiling. As the duo looked on from afar, they saw several factories on what used to be a wasteland on the eastern side of the prefecture.

Many people went in and out of the factory, and the surroundings were full of greenery. Su Binglan could tell the people had planted crops there. She looked to the west and saw a vast land of crops.

At a glance, she knew they were potatoes and sweet potatoes. In addition to

Teng Countys grain, there would be a certain amount stored in the granary. After the summer harvest, the people could use the stored crops as seeds to spread throughout Dingzhou and the border.

When the autumn harvest arrived, Dingzhou and even the border would gather plenty of grain. As for the extras, Lan Ruozhu would purchase and use them as reserves.

With the high production of potatoes and sweet potatoes, one could imagine how much food was in the granary. There were sufficient provisions and military forces in Dingzhou, so they no longer needed to fear war. Su Binglan said, “Let’s visit the Deceased Royal’s Mansion first.”

“Yes, Master.” Su Chun nodded.

Lan Ruozhu was practicing martial arts on the training grounds when his sister arrived. He was thrilled when he found out Su Binglan had arrived. He quickly put down his weapon and went to see her.

“Sister, you’re finally back. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

Su Binglan’s lips twitched when she heard that. After all, she had just visited him at the start of spring.

Lan Ruozhu was more silent in the past and would never say such things. He became more enthusiastic after recovering from his illness. Still, Su Binglan was pleased to see him so healthy.

“It’s nice to see you, too, Brother. I brought you something.”

“What is it?” Lan Ruozhu asked curiously.

Su Binglan passed a sack to Lan Ruozhu and said, “These are tomatoes. I’ll make you some tomato noodles later. I also brought you some ketchup.”

Lan Ruozhu sighed as he looked at the tomatoes and ketchup. “You found these in Yang County, didn’t you? Is that the ketchup they made?”

“l made this ketchup myself,” Su Binglan said. She always tried her best to make things for Lan Ruozhu.

The latter felt warm inside, saying, “Thank you, Sister. I cherish everything you give me, you know.”

“You don’t have to thank me.’

After exchanging pleasantries, Lan Ruozhu told his sister about the new factories he had built, “The method you showed me last time was effective. The soldiers can grow crops during their break while their families work in the factories.

“The soldiers seem enthusiastic about training in the military camp, too.

Many commoners came asking when we’ll recruit more soldiers. They want

their children to attend the camp. I never saw so many people in one place before.’

Su Binglan smiled. “l saw them on the way here. Also, the courier services you set up is perfect.”

“That was all your idea, Sister. It’s now much more convenient for people to send letters and items to their relatives. We can also deliver things to the commoners and use them as transport teams during critical moments.”

Su Binglan thought of something and asked, “By the way, how’s the water shipment services coming along?”

Lan Ruozhu became spirited when he heard the question. “It’s going swimmingly. I’ve arranged for my people to reorganize and regulate the water shipments.

“I realized that I have the rivers under my control, with tens of thousands of people at the ready. They can play a significant role in any critical moment. Here are the shipment routes for all of Chu Country.

“Dingzhou and the border’s shipment routes are entirely under our control. We just need to take our time infiltrating other places. I’ve already sent people to do these things. All water shipments will be in our control in a few months.”

Su Binglan was relieved to hear that. Soon, no one would be able to touch her brother. The siblings could restrain other forces just by controlling the shipment routes.

Su Binglan nodded with a smile. “That’s perfect. By the way, I plan to open a cement factory here.”

Lan Ruozhu had never heard of such a thing before and did not even know what cement was used for. “A cement factory?”

Su Binglan patiently explained, “We can use cement to build roads and walls. Cement is much sturdier than dirt roads and mud.’

She continued to tell Lan Ruozhu about the uses and benefits of cement. The latter excitedly stood up when he heard about it. He asked in disbelief, “Does such a thing exist, Sister?!”

“Of course it does. You’ll know what I really mean when I make it,” Su Binglan said, “Here’s a proposal I wrote.”

Lan Ruozhu excitedly took and read it, “Gray stone, clay, and iron ore powder?”

Su Binglan planned to use those materials to make cement, but Lan Ruozhu did not know what they were.

Su Binglan said, “Don’t worry, Brother. I checked out the surrounding villages the last time I visited. I discovered gray stones and clay on one of the mountains.

“There was iron ore powder in the valley nearby, too. You provided me with the Sacrificials, and I divided them into three teams. Each team is responsible for collecting one of those listed materials.

“We must keep that list a secret so we can only hire trusted personnel to work at the cement factory. We’ll strengthen the city wall first as soon as we finish making the cement.

“After that, we can use it to build other structures. You can also give some cement to other counties to rebuild their roads. 1 promised the people of Yang County that I’d send them cement to repair their roads.”

Lan Ruozhu nodded. “Of course. We must make cement as soon as possible to make it easier for the caravans to travel. It’ll be quicker to transport things if a war breaks out.’

He realized how important it was to rebuild the roads. He said thoughtfully, “Don’t worry, Sister. I’ll make arrangements as soon as possible and ensure everything goes smoothly.”

Lan Ruozhu knew what to do since his sister had provided a detailed plan. Su Binglan knew he was meticulous in his work, so she had no worries.

She stayed in a prefecture for a few days and found the materials she needed to make cement. She only needed her brother to arrange for his people to develop it, and then everything else would go smoothly..

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