Chapter 17: Industrial Zone Planning

Li Xian shouted with excitement after a feast of monster meat; it was incredibly satisfying. The only downside was that his sister-in-law enthusiastically wanted to introduce her younger sister to him, causing Li Xian to flee in panic.

Additionally, Li Xian understood his older brother Li Liang’s frustration. The coastal area was extremely damp, causing severe rust on swords, armor, and other weapons. Many weapons became unusable within a year.

After waking up, Li Xian was surprised to find that he had inadvertently reached the eighth layer of the Qi Refining Stage.

“So this is the eighth layer. Why don’t I feel anything?” Li Xian casually performed a spell, creating a small fireball that burned quietly in his palm. Feeling the fireball’s warmth and the rapid depletion of his true essence, Li Xian silently savored the wonders of his cultivation.

“This is interesting. Well, but starting today, we’ve got work to do.”

After breakfast, Li Xian gathered Xu Ren, Sun Ming, Tang Rong, Song Gang, He Lin, and Liu Bin to discuss.

“Building a workshop is simple; we just need to follow the previous construction plans,” Song Gang said nonchalantly.

Li Xian unfolded the map he had received from his older brother and said, “Uncle Song, if we only build according to the original scale, we wouldn’t need to leave the capital. The reason we left the capital was to find a truly suitable place where we can fully exert our abilities. And clearly, this is the most ideal place for our development.

If anyone has doubts about this, you can consult Xu Ren.”

After spreading out the map, Li Xian took out a piece of white paper. This was the plan he had been working on for the past few days. Since this was the official power distribution occasion and Li Xian’s first real attempt at establishing a foundation, he needed to present himself as the “master.”

“Everyone, please sit down. Today, we are truly going to fight for our dreams. Whether we can soar to great heights in the future depends on everyone’s efforts.

Starting today, we will make significant changes to the workshop.

First, we will abolish the term ‘workshop’ and replace it with ‘factory.’ I will be in charge as the factory director.

Different areas will be designated as ‘factories,’ and those in charge will be called ‘factory directors.’ Each factory will be further divided into ‘workshops,’ and those in charge of workshops will be called ‘workshop directors.’

Secondly, we will define the various departments, specifying their tasks and development directions. Listen carefully.

Xu Ren, I appoint you as the chief consultant for the factory. Your responsibilities include handling administrative tasks such as planning, personnel recruitment, and external relations. You may invite your friends or recommend relevant personnel; if necessary, I can personally extend invitations.

Do you have any questions?”

“No, this position suits me well,” Xu Ren gladly accepted the role.

“Tang Rong, I appoint you as the head of the Research Department. The Research Department is the core of the factory, and you have the authority to mobilize all resources to ensure the research tasks are completed.

Currently, the Research Department focuses on research in wiring, formations, and engines. You will appoint the heads of each research team. I will be monitoring closely.”

“Yes.” Tang Rong accepted the appointment letter.

“Sun Ming, I appoint you as the factory director of the Jade Workshop, responsible for all matters related to jade. This includes material procurement, lamp production, formation carving, glass, and related research. You have full authority over these tasks. How you appoint the various departments is up to you, but I will be paying attention.”

“Understood.” Sun Ming also accepted the appointment letter.

“Song Gang, you will be responsible for metallurgy, including all metal materials, alloys, general metal tools, weapons, agricultural tools, and even the research and production of mineral resources.

Materials are the foundation of technology. Your task is significant. Industrial development requires thousands, even tens of thousands of materials, so I hope you won’t let me and everyone else down.

Additionally, establish a separate workshop for weapon production, specifically to supply the military weapons for An Yang.”

“I guarantee not to let everyone down!” Song Gang was unaware of the difficulties in material research.

“Liu Bin, you will handle the design and production of various machines, as well as some precise measuring tools. Machinery is the most powerful force in technology. The most advanced machinery may even surpass the strength of cultivators and exceed your imagination.

For example, you’ve seen the mechanized textile machinery; you’ve also seen the machine tools used for forging and grinding swords.

Therefore, your task will not be easy.”

“Understood.”

Finally, Li Xian looked at He Lin.

He Lin became excited. As a woman approaching old age, she was thrilled to have this opportunity.

“Aunt He, by next spring at the latest, we will be able to establish a large textile factory. By then, the output of the textile factory in a single day might meet the entire capital’s demand for fabric.

Clothing, food, shelter, and transportation—clothing is the most crucial. The current textile industry has abundant raw materials and wide demand; it requires a certain level of technology, but the technological requirements are the lowest. Therefore, the textile industry is the only sector that can quickly amass capital at the dawn of industrialization.

It won’t be long before the textile factory becomes the most profitable department among all factories and departments. For a long time to come, the factory’s operation will rely on the profits from the textile factory.

So, Aunt He, your task is more burdensome than anyone else’s.

You will be responsible for recruiting workers, researching and improving textile machines, and refining all aspects of fabric production, including patterns, dyeing, and raw materials.

In addition, you will be in charge of acquiring raw materials and selling fabrics.

If you encounter any issues, you can always discuss them with me or Xu Ren, or with anyone present here.”

“Rest assured, my dear, what I fear most in this lifetime is not difficult tasks, but having nothing to do!” He Lin, with her indomitable spirit, felt like she had returned to her youth at the thought of the promising future of the textile industry.

“Good. Now, I will plan the construction of the factory area.” Li Xian pointed to the map. “I have my eye on a valley ten miles south of the city. This valley covers an area of about two miles, which is currently sufficient for our needs. There is a river running through the center of the valley, which will provide the necessary industrial water. Additionally, there is a small jade mine in the valley that will meet our initial needs.

I’ve decided to name our factory ‘Brilliant Stars.’ This river will be called ‘Starlight River,’ the valley will be named ‘Qingyun Valley,’ and the surrounding peaks will be called Qingyun Mountain. I hope we can soar to great heights here.”

With the basic framework of the factory settled, the rest would involve gradual development and construction.

The machinery and various items moved from the capital were organized and set up, with personnel beginning the assembly process.

Meanwhile, soldiers sent by Li Liang were assisting. With a wave of their spells, the walls, floors, bridges, and other structures of the factory began to take shape, including a large number of tiles. Li Xian was dazzled by the sight.

In just one day, the walls, pillars, and other basic structures of the factory were completed as per Li Xian’s requirements. The remaining tasks required Liu Bin and his team to work overtime, cutting trees and crafting doors, windows, and beams. Some of the factory buildings were restored, and items were moved in to get the workshop up and running.

After a busy three days, everyone managed to miraculously resume production. The first to be operational was the lantern workshop, or rather, the lantern workshop, which began working overtime due to a backlog of orders.

However, other factories, especially those involved in machinery and metallurgy, faced a major obstacle—they lacked iron ore. This was a significant problem. In the capital, iron ore could be bought with money, but there was no place to purchase it here.

Additionally, the items that Li Xian was most concerned about—such as silk from silkworms, jade silkworms, spider silk, and even sea soul silk—were urgently needed. With these materials, they could conduct in-depth research and replace inefficient manual processes like those in the jade mine.

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