Liu Dacheng followed Zhuzi out of the Chen residence.
After they left, Xiao Qing brought Fang Er a cup of tea.
"Young Master, Uncle Zhao also arranged for two craftsmen to come along, saying they might be useful."
"Oh? Who came?" Fang Er asked expectantly.
"It's Uncle Zhao's deputy, Tan Zong from the blacksmith workshop, and Uncle Ma's deputy from the cement workshop, Ma Tao." Xiao Qing said, standing behind Fang Er and gently rubbing his shoulders.
"What?" Fang Er exclaimed.
"Hahahaha! That's great!" Fang Er was excited. He pulled Xiao Qing from behind him and into his arms. "Mwah!" He planted a wet kiss on Xiao Qing's face. "You're all so thoughtful! Hurry, hurry and find them. This young master has important use for them!" Fang Er couldn't help but be thrilled. The deputies of Ma Shan from the cement workshop and Zhao Gang from the blacksmith workshop. The abilities of these two were top-notch! Zhao Gang sending them at this time was an immense help to Fang Er.
"Yes, Young Master." Xiao Qing's voice was soft, her face blushing. She pulled away from Fang Er's embrace and walked out.
The Yan Yun Cavalry were in the outer courtyard. Upon hearing that Fang Er wanted to see Tan Zong and Ma Tao, they went out to find them. Tan Zong and Ma Tao had come with the Tian Huo Army. They had stayed at the Armaments Department last night. However, Fang Er was drinking with Chai Shao and Cheng Yaojin, so they hadn't dared to disturb them. When Sima Wan came looking for them, saying Fang Er wanted to see them, they quickly followed.
"My Lord." The two stood before Fang Er, heads bowed, looking a bit nervous. In such a short time, he had been promoted to the Marquis of Liaodong. This unconsciously put pressure on those around him.
"Zhao Gang sending you here is an acknowledgment of your abilities. We truly need your skills now. Ma Tao, the cement kilns need to be built immediately. You have the people, you have the money, I want you to produce cement as quickly as possible, as much as you can get! Tan Zong, the same goes for steel, as much as you can get. From today onwards, you are the master craftsmen here. Can you do a good job?" Fang Er looked at the two men, stating his requirements.
"Thank you for your promotion, my Lord. Please rest assured, we will do our best!" The two nodded confidently.
"Good, then get to it!" Fang Er said to Sima Wan. "Sima Wan, go and inform Zhuzi to assign each of them one hundred Tian Huo Army soldiers as guards. Also, summon all the craftsmen in the city for them to choose from!" Fang Er instructed Sima Wan. The importance of Tan Zong and Ma Tao was undeniable. One could produce guns and ammunition, the other could produce cement. Therefore, their protection had to be strengthened.
As Tan Zong and Ma Tao walked out of the residence, they were in a daze. Craftsmen could have soldiers as guards! The Marquis treated them with too much favor! An hour later, all the blacksmiths and masons in Shenyang city were gathered. The Tian Huo Army guarded them. Tan Zong and Ma Tao began to select their subordinates. Throughout the process, the two of them were as excited as if they had been injected with adrenaline. Since the identities of the commoners had been verified when they entered the city, they could be trusted under the guard of soldiers. After selecting the craftsmen, Tan Zong and Ma Tao began to inquire about the mineral resources around Shenyang city. These craftsmen were all locals, and they knew exactly which mountains had which minerals! Under the escort of the Tian Huo Army, Tan Zong and Ma Tao, along with the craftsmen, took their tools and headed directly outside the city.
One hundred li southeast of Shenyang. The location of present-day Benxi. This was the open-pit iron mine recommended by the craftsmen. According to them, there was a mountain here that was entirely made of excellent iron ore! They didn't even need to dig; a single hammer blow would chip off iron ore! Upon arrival, Tan Zong surveyed the scene. Indeed, there was a mountain covering seven to eight li, no more than a hundred meters high. It was covered with Chinese arborvitae. Chinese arborvitae is an iron-loving plant and is commonly found around iron ore deposits. There were signs of mining at the foot of the mountain. From the cross-section, it was dark and mixed with the color of rust, undoubtedly iron ore! And it was high-grade, rich ore! Tan Zong's hands trembled with excitement! Coming from the Fang Family Village blacksmith workshop, he knew the significance of this iron mountain!
"Go! Report back to my Lord! Tell him there is an iron mountain here!" Tan Zong said to a nearby Tian Huo soldier, his voice trembling slightly. These were people from Fang Family Village, and they knew Fang Er's emphasis on steel. The soldier immediately mounted his horse and galloped towards Shenyang city.
The next day, Fang Er was also astonished by the report. He knew there were iron mines here, many iron mines! But he hadn't seen them with his own eyes. He didn't know what it would be like for an entire mountain to be made of iron ore. Setting aside his other tasks, he immediately set out for the mining area with the Yan Yun Cavalry. It took more than half a day to cover the hundred li on horseback. When Fang Er arrived, Tan Zong had already brought people to cut trees and make charcoal.
"Greetings, my Lord!" The working craftsmen stopped their tasks upon seeing Fang Er and saluted him.
"Don't mind me, carry on with your work." Dismissing everyone, Fang Er looked at the mountain before him and was stunned! The first thought that came to his mind was heavy industry! With this inexhaustible iron ore! The future was promising!