The next day.
Ma Shan, who had been sent by Fang Er to fire cement, returned.
It turned out that the cement kilns had been completed early these days.
And those prisoners had already mined a lot of limestone.
However, due to the heavy snow, the kilns had not been officially opened.
Yesterday, the first firing finally began.
Ma Shan returned to invite Fang Er to inspect it.
Fang Er rode his horse and headed towards the cement kilns with him.
The location of the cement kilns.
It was in a mountain thirty li to the northeast of Fang Family Village.
The mountain was not large.
It was called Ash Mountain.
Perhaps because of the limestone?
Ash Mountain was only three to four hundred meters high.
At the foot of the mountain, five cement kilns stood side by side.
Due to the fuel, the kilns were not very large.
Each kiln could only produce about a thousand jin of cement.
Five kilns could produce two and a half tons at a time.
When Fang Er arrived, it was already close to noon.
The prisoners were lined up, getting their meals.
The person in charge of cooking here was also a prisoner.
Every day, new recruits from Fang Family Village took turns delivering ingredients here.
The fire in the cement kilns had been extinguished.
They just had to wait for the temperature inside the kilns to cool down before the cement could be taken out.
Fang Er found Li Da Niu, who was guarding the prisoners.
How has it been lately?
Greetings, General Fang. Everything is fine. These prisoners are all well-behaved, and no one has caused trouble.
That's good. But don't neglect your training.
Fang Er patted their shoulders.
He now understood why Li Shimin hadn't called these men back.
He simply wanted to use Fang Er's bullets to train them.
They probably wouldn't be staying here for long.
The Ministry of War had already started organizing the firearms corps.
Once the new recruits were assembled, these men would be recalled to serve in positions such as squad leaders or even brigade commanders.
Yes, General Fang, we will not disgrace you!
Li Da Niu said, patting his chest.
The Emperor is now organizing a firearms corps, mainly with firearms and cannons. You will likely be recalled soon, and your official positions should be further promoted.
Fang Er said his guess.
Li Da Niu was a little surprised.
Promoted again already?
But why did he feel so reluctant?
Sir, the kilns can be opened now.
At this moment, Ma Shan walked over.
Alright, let's open them.
Fang Er said to him, with his hands behind his back.
The prisoners had finished their meal.
Under the guidance of the craftsmen, the mouths of each cement kiln were opened.
A few prisoners crawled into the kilns and, after a while, emerged with a handful of still warm cement powder.
Ma Shan handed Fang Er some of the powder from one of the prisoners' hands.
He rubbed it between his fingers. It was a grayish-blue powder, very smooth.
It can be used. Take out the cement.
With Fang Er's order.
The prisoners began to bag and transport the cement powder from the kilns.
Five kilns produced five thousand jin of cement.
It was bagged and loaded onto ox carts.
Continue firing, don't stop. We don't have enough of this stuff, no matter how much we produce. Send the cement directly back to the workshop.
After instructing Ma Shan, Fang Er took his men and pulled the cement back.
With the cement in place, the road could be repaved.
Fortunately, the disaster victims had already compacted and widened the road surface before the new year.
Now, concrete could be directly paved on top.
The villagers were assembled.
According to Fang Er's requirements, they mixed cement with pebbles and sand.
Then they began the road paving project.
From the workshop to Fang Family Village.
And then from Fang Family Village all the way to Chang'an City.
Connecting to the Chunming Gate.
A total of nearly twenty li of cement road was paved, with a layer twenty centimeters thick.
It would take at least a month to complete this road.
For every section of the road repaired, villagers voluntarily stood guard to prevent anyone from stepping on the surface before it had completely hardened.
A large amount of cement was sent back from the Ash Mountain cement kilns every day.
Especially after Ma Shan learned that the cement consumption was so high, he specifically added several more cement kilns.
The output directly reached ten thousand jin per day.
Fang Er did not concern himself with these matters any further.
He went to Chang'an City.
At the Drunken Immortal Tower.
Fang Er and Changsun Chong were sitting in a private room.
Chongzi, I need iron, a lot of iron. Can't you help your brother?
Brother Fang, don't we send five hundred shi every month?
Changsun Chong was very confused.
Don't mention it. The ones sent before have all been used up.
Five hundred shi isn't enough, so can you talk to your father about selling me more?
Fang Er shrugged and said helplessly.
Brother Fang, to be honest, my father has been in a bad mood lately. Why don't you go and talk to my father yourself?
Changsun Chong said with a bitter face.
For some reason, Changsun Wuji had been looking glum since the new year.
He really didn't dare to approach his father.
He was afraid of being caught in his father's inexplicable anger.
Fang Er was speechless.
If he dared to talk to Changsun Wuji, he wouldn't need to call Changsun Chong.
But Changsun Chong couldn't help.
Even if he didn't dare, he still had to go and see him.
Fang Er thought for a moment.
He sent someone to fetch something from Fang Family Village.
After the items were brought,
He said to Changsun Chong, "Let's go to your house, and I'll talk to your father."
Changsun Residence.
Upon learning that Fang Er had arrived, Changsun Wuji's anger flared up instantly.
That son of a bitch! He's not satisfied with selling me iron ore, and he even dares to mess with my foundation!
What wind has blown General Fang to my humble abode?
Changsun Wuji looked at Fang Er unhappily.
Hahaha, Duke Zhao, what are you saying? I, Fang Er, have come to apologize to you.
Fang Er chuckled and cupped his fists at Changsun Wuji.
Apologize? Hmph! You, Fang Anzhi, are a favored official in front of the Emperor now. How could I, an old man, have the authority to punish you?
Duke Zhao, please calm your anger! I have come to bring you money this time.
After Fang Er finished speaking, he took out something from his embrace.
He opened the cloth wrapping, revealing a piece of soap inside.
This item is called soap. It is simple to make and can be used to clean the body or clothes. It is much better than saponin, and its cost is extremely low.
I am willing to do this business with Duke Zhao. What do you think? I dare to guarantee that it will not earn less than your iron ore business!
Changsun Wuji looked at the soap in Fang Er's hand with suspicion.
Can such a small thing generate profits comparable to iron ore?
He took the soap.
It was a small, very white object.
It was smooth and smelled faintly fragrant.
How is this thing used?
Changsun Wuji looked at Fang Er.
First, wet your hands with water, then rub this with your hands to create foam, and then rinse it off.
Fang Er glanced at Changsun Chong behind him.
This brat is only twelve or thirteen, but he already has a face full of acne. His endocrine system is too vigorous.
So, he said.
Why don't you let Chongzi try it for you? After he uses it, let him share his experience.
Changsun Wuji looked at his son and nodded.