Twenty cement kilns were lined up in a row.
Three to four hundred workers were busy.
Some were removing the product, others were loading raw materials.
Everything was orderly.
Fang Er pointed at the cement kilns and asked.
How much cement can we produce a day now?
Ma Tao replied without hesitation.
Reporting to Uncle, twenty kilns can be discharged twice every three days, and each kiln produces one thousand catties per discharge.
This equates to about thirteen thousand catties of cement produced daily.
Fang Er nodded.
Alright, since the road is repaired, from now on, all the cement produced daily will be delivered to the Armaments Department in the city.
Ma Tao: Yes, Uncle.
After giving instructions to Ma Tao, Fang Er returned to Shenyang City.
Upon entering the city, the Skyfire Army was led by Zhuzi to the Armaments Department.
Chen Residence.
Fang Er dismounted and walked into the courtyard.
Xiao Qing was sitting idly in the courtyard, watching the sparrows chirping incessantly in the trees.
Hearing Fang Er's footsteps, she looked towards the courtyard gate with a look of pleasant surprise.
Young Master!
Fang Er opened his arms towards Xiao Qing.
This young master is back! Did you miss me?
Seeing Fang Er's gesture, Xiao Qing blushed slightly.
But she still rushed over.
And hugged Fang Er tightly.
Her voice choked with emotion as she said.
Young Master!
You left without saying goodbye, you scared Qing'er to death!
Fang Er patted Xiao Qing on the back with a smile.
Alright, alright, I'm back now.
It was a sudden decision at the time. Seeing you sleeping so soundly, I couldn't bear to wake you up.
After speaking, he took Xiao Qing's hand and sat down on a chair.
Xiao Qing picked up the water kettle from the stone table and poured Fang Er a cup of water.
Young Master, you must be thirsty, drink some water quickly.
Fang Er was indeed thirsty. He picked up the water cup and drank it in one gulp.
Xiao Qing quickly refilled it.
Fang Er asked.
Qing'er, has anything happened in the city?
Xiao Qing blinked her eyes a couple of times.
No, everything is fine in the city.
After thinking for a moment, she continued.
Since you've been gone, many merchants have come from the Central Plains, and the city is very lively now.
It's just that the people outside the city are not doing so well. The weather is dry and it hasn't rained, and the crops in the fields are starting to wither.
Upon hearing this, Fang Er couldn't sit still.
Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and pumpkins, these are the hopes for the future.
Nothing must go wrong.
Let's go and see outside the city.
Fang Er got up from the stone bench and walked out.
Xiao Qing quickly followed.
Lu Shuang had just tied up the horse and saw Fang Er walking over.
Uncle, are you going out?
Fang Er nodded: I'm going outside the city to check on the crops.
Lu Shuang had no choice but to untie the horse again and led a horse for Fang Er and Xiao Qing each.
Then I'll accompany you.
The three of them mounted their horses and headed towards the potato fields outside the city.
Ten li outside the city.
The originally lush green potato and sweet potato vines had indeed begun to wilt.
The pumpkins were the same.
However, they were much better off than other crops nearby.
It seemed that the drought resistance of these three crops was quite good.
But they couldn't just be left unattended.
Otherwise, they would eventually be dried to death.
The potatoes had grown about a foot high.
There were sporadic white flowers blooming.
After thinking for a moment, Fang Er led the two back to the city.
The Governor's mansion was not yet completed.
Liu Dacheng stood with his hands behind his back, watching the craftsmen work.
Fang Er dismounted and handed the reins to Lu Shuang.
He walked towards Liu Dacheng.
Steward Liu, why are you here acting as a supervisor?
Liu Dacheng turned around and saw that it was Fang Er, so he hurried to greet him.
There was nothing else to do, so I came to take a look.
By the way, Lord of Liaodong, you've just returned, why not rest for a day?
Fang Er said to him with a grave expression.
Steward Liu, we need to recruit people to dig irrigation ditches, otherwise, the crops outside the city will be in trouble.
Liu Dacheng's face also looked somewhat grim.
This matter has already been discussed with others, but we haven't decided where to draw water from yet.
Fang Er was a little displeased.
For matters like this, do we still need to think?
Draw water from wherever there is water!
You go and recruit the people, and I'll have the Skyfire Army go out and look for which river still has water!
After saying that, Fang Er turned and left.
Looking at Fang Er's retreating back.
Liu Dacheng said to a small clerk beside him.
Tell them to stop working, and then go to the city to gather the people. It is the Lord of Liaodong who wants to dig ditches and divert water to irrigate the crops for the people.
Fang Er went directly to the Armaments Department.
The two soldiers at the gate saw Fang Er and quickly saluted.
Fang Er waved his hand.
Go and call the several camp commanders over.
Yes, Uncle.
One of the soldiers ran into the Armaments Department.
Fang Er sat down in the duty room of the Armaments Department.
I didn't feel it when I was on campaign.
Now that I'm back, I really don't feel like moving.
It's hot!
Zhuzi, Liu Meng, Ma Chao, and Tie Lao Ba, upon hearing that Fang Er had summoned them,
quickly put down their current tasks and hurried over.
Uncle.
Fang Er looked at them and said.
Zhuzi, Liu Meng, take your men out to find water, see which nearby river has water, and then report back.
Ma Chao and Lao Ba, take your men and go with me to the iron mine.
The drought waits for no one.
Although he didn't want to move, for the sake of the sweet potatoes, potatoes, and pumpkins in the fields.
Fang Er had to get busy.
He was now somewhat glad that he had handed over the task of attacking the city to Cheng Yaojin.
Otherwise, if those crops withered from drought.
It would not have been worth the effort!