Chapter 521: Arrangements

“Lord Yan is here…!” There was a commotion among the artisans who were installing the fortress’ main door at the entrance. Many stopped in the middle of their work and glanced in Yan Liqiang’s direction. To these artisans, Yan Liqiang was something akin to the celebrities from his previous world due to his reputation.

“Good work, everyone! Once the main doors have been installed, I’ll treat everyone to a large sumptuous meal tonight…!” Yan Liqiang smiled and cupped his fist to the artisans. His words caused the artisans to cheer immediately.

“Young Lord Yan, this metal calabash you invented is really useful! It really saved a lot of our efforts. Objects that not even seven or eight people can lift together back then can now easily be lifted by just one person…” The chief artisan that was overlooking the work of the artisans at the entrance gave Yan Liqiang a thumbs-up. “Back then, I never believed it when people said that Young Lord Yan is skilled in both literary talents and martial arts, and is apprenticed to a deity. But now, I really believe them…!”

The so-called ‘metal calabash’ was none other than the pulley that Yan Liqiang had invented. When it was sent to the construction site, the workers thought it looked like a calabash. Hence, no one used its awkward-sounding name. Instead, they just called it a ‘metal calabash’, as this name was much more catchy and easier to remember.

“Hahaha, glad to hear that. The path of mechanics and the investigation of things is all about bringing convenience to people. If this metal calabash can save some efforts for everyone and make things easier, then it has served its purpose…” Yan Liqiang spoke, then walked to the fortress wall’s archway and touched the thick metal door which had been installed. He reached out to pat on the door that was about a foot thick. The door didn’t budge an inch, but a dull noise rang out instead. Yan Liqiang looked at it and nodded in approval. “Not bad! The inside should be wood, right? Feels pretty sturdy!”

“The inside of the door is black steel wood which has been soaked in tung oil for over six months. It is as hard as metal but not as heavy, making it the best material to be used inside the metal door. The metal coating is about an inch thick, rendering axes and swords ineffective on a door like this!” Lu Wenbin explained, then pointed to the base of the doors.

“The dressed stones at the base are more than six feet, each weighing several thousand jin. Behind these metal doors are metal gates that can be pulled up or down when needed with a winch. With this additional layer of protection, not even a battering ram can break open the doors so easily. The only way to storm this place is by climbing over the city walls.”

Yan Liqiang looked at Lu Wenbin’s tanned face that had slimmed down a lot and felt a little emotional. “You’ve worked hard for the past year!”

“Not at all. It’s an honor to serve you, Young Lord. I have learned a lot from working in Liuhe Town for the past year!”

Yan Liqiang nodded. He briefly examined the base of the doors, then came back. “Oh yes, what about the thing we discussed last time?”

Naturally, Lu Wenbin knew what Yan Liqiang was referring to. “I have found the brick factory as requested, Young Lord. There’s a big factory on the White Sheep Hill at Qinghe County that produces nice bricks. The manager was planning on disposing of it, so I bought it with only about three thousand taels of silver, along with the workers there. Most of the bricks used to build this fortress were produced there. As for the construction company, I have recruited a few chief artisans and had them handpick a group of capable workers. When they heard that you were the owner, everyone was very willing to join!”

“Good. Lead them in completing the fortress and the houses in Liuhe Town first. Once done, find a time to officially set up the construction company. A few days ago, I told the Old Master about you, and he was supportive of it. By the time the construction company is established, the Yan Clan will invest in it. You will manage it while the Yan Clan will own five shares, the Lu Clan will own a share, and you will own four shares. The Lu Clan and I are merely shareholders — we won’t interfere with the construction company’s affairs. You’ll assume full control in the daily operations. I’ll have more things for you all to work on later!”

Lu Wenbin couldn’t conceal his excitement as a smile broke into his face. “As you wish, Young Lord!”

“Oh right, what has my father been doing for the past two days? Based on my understanding, he’s definitely not going to stay idle now that the Aquapyro Engine has been constructed!” Yan Liqiang changed the subject.

“The Old Master is setting up a mill powered by the Aquapyro Engine in town. He’s been in there for the past two days, making adjustments to the engine…”

“Haha, that’s pretty much within my expectation!”

“The Aquapyro Engine-powered mill will officially open today in the town’s new street. Half of the townsfolk have gone there to watch!”

Yan Liqiang smiled. He could imagine how Yan Dechang looked like now even without seeing him. The Aquapyro Engine was like a huge toy to the old blacksmith. It stimulated his curiosity and passion. Yan Liqiang had noticed his father’s special interest in the Engine when they were in the manufacturing bureau. Yan Dechang was so immersed in trying to figure out some principles and manufacturing processes for certain parts that he’d even forgotten to eat or sleep. Well, it didn’t really matter as long as his father was having fun.

“What has been going on in Liuhe Town for the past few days?”

“Oh, nothing much. After you returned from the Heavenly Lake, there have been many visitors in Liuhe Town who came from afar, hoping to be apprenticed to you, Young Lord!” Lu Wenbin chuckled. “However, they were all sent away after making their way to the Yan Residence. Old Master Yan told them to go to the archery academy if they wished to learn from you. Then, the archery academy told them to go back and wait until the new intake this year…”

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Yan Liqiang chuckled too.

…

About half an hour later, the other side of the door was finally installed in the fortress’ archway and worked fine when tested. The archway was then cleared out and Yan Liqiang entered Liuhe Town along with the rest.

More than half of the townsfolk had gone to the newly-opened mill, just as Lu Wenbin mentioned earlier. When the Soul Mountain Sect delivered the Aquapyro Engine to the Yan Residence, not many people got to see it. Now that Yan Dechang was setting up a mill with the Aquapyro Engine which was open to the public, it caused quite a stir…

Before Yan Liqiang even reached the new street in town, he had already spotted a huge crowd in the distance. They surrounded a building on the street and were making noises. Countless people were gasping in amazement.

“It’s moving, it’s moving…!”

“The noodles really came out, the noodles really came out…!”

…

Yan Liqiang didn’t join the crowd. Instead, he directly returned to the Yan Residence. As soon as he did, he sent someone to call Steward Zhou over.

Steward Zhou hurriedly ran to the parlor.

“I remember there are quite a few places in Qinghe County that rear sheep, yes?” Yan Liqiang immediately asked.

Steward Zhou was slightly taken aback. He didn’t expect Yan Liqiang to take an interest in something so trivial. Since he asked, Steward Zhou had to answer. “Yes, you are right Young Lord. There are certainly many places rearing sheep in Qinghe County. In fact, many villagers are earning a living through that. We are doing it too!”

“Oh, we rear sheep too?” Yan Liqiang was totally unaware that they had started rearing sheep. It was true that he no longer kept track of these matters after his clan’s business expanded.

“Yes, we currently rear more than a hundred sheep at home. The Old Master took pity on two old and childless tenant farmers in town who couldn’t do any heavy work and had no income. He always has me send them some food. The two old men were too shy to always be accepting the Old Master’s grace. They said they knew how to tend to sheep and offered their services, so I bought some lambs for them to care for every day!”

“Oh, are we rearing sheep or goats?”

“Sheep, of course. Goats will uproot the grass while they graze. If there are many of them, all the grass on the hillside, meadows, or roadside will be gone. Then, we’d have to go through the trouble of looking for new grazing lands for them. On the other hand, sheep don’t uproot the grass while they graze. The grass will grow back again in two days’ time, so it makes things easier. Most of the people in Qinghe County rear sheep too!”

Yan Liqiang rubbed his chin. “Hm, I have a task for you. Find a capable steward from our residence and have him buy all the wool from villages or wealthy clans that keep a large number of sheep.”

“Excuse me?” Steward Zhou thought he misheard Yan Liqiang. “Do you mean buying sheepskin instead, Young Lord?”

“Not sheepskin, buy the wool!”

Steward Zhou only knew that he didn’t mishear Yan Liqiang when he repeated that. He gulped with an inconceivable expression on his face. “Young Lord, wool is useless. Sheep are killed for sheepskin and mutton. The wool will usually be discarded because no one wants it. What do you plan on using it for after buying it, Young Lord?”

If Lu Wenbin was here, he wouldn’t be asking what Yan Liqiang planned to do with the wool. That wasn’t a question that an intelligent servant would ask. However, this steward was very honest for speaking everything on his mind, so Yan Liqiang didn’t mind either. He only very patiently explained, “You’ll know when the time comes. Go get it done first. Find a specialist to take care of it and don’t be sloppy about it. The more wool we can collect, the better. We have built a new warehouse by the river right? Keep the wool in sacks and store them in there. Have someone guard the new warehouse and make sure no fires break out there. Have the steward in charge of collecting the wool check for a suitable place for rearing sheep in Pingxi Prefecture too. I’m going to invest in a few suitable pieces of land for rearing sheep in the near future!”

“Alright. Rest assured, Young Lord. I’ll make the arrangements!” Although Steward Zhou didn’t understand, he gave Yan Liqiang a serious nod without saying anything else. “Is there anything else?”

“No, that’s all. You are dismissed!”

“Alright,” Steward Zhou bowed, then turned around and left the parlor…