Chapter 35: New Year is Coming

The concrete project will be immense in the future—where there’s concrete, there’s real estate; the construction of society relies on concrete. Even if there’s no real estate market at the moment, there are still constructions like fortifications, city walls, roads, and bridges, as well as other buildings such as residences, factories, and docks, all of which depend on concrete.  

In short, for such a massive project, Li Xian must find a reliable leader.

Eventually, Li Xian discovered a talent in the original metallurgy branch, under Song Gang—Xiang Yun, who not only has an almost obsessive study of minerals but is also a very responsible person.

Overnight, Xiang Yun was promoted from the workshop director of mineral resources research to the new branch manager. The impact of this decision on everyone was unimaginable—what a role model!

Li Xian’s saying, “A soldier who doesn’t want to be a general is not a good soldier,” has long filled the entire valley, almost revered by all as a motto.

After a busy period, only ten days remained until the New Year, and Li Xian finally summoned the senior staff together to prepare for a simple year-end summary.

Li Xian looked at everyone and suddenly smiled: “Everyone, over the past time, we have created a brilliance and a legend. The past brilliance does not need to be repeated; I just want to say that the future will be even more brilliant. One day, you will be proud of today’s choices.

Now, let’s proceed with this year’s year-end summary, and we’ll do this every year. The basic structure will be: what we accomplished this year, what we still need to do, what needs improvement, and our future goals, all of which will be summarized.

For now, our achievements are:

Colored lanterns, glass,  

engines, textile machinery, machine tools, smelting,  

electricity, wires.  

And the already initiated concrete project.  

Next, please report in order.”

Sun Ming was the first to report, “In the past, we improved the colored lanterns, produced glass, and made glass mirrors. The relevant personnel have been adequately trained, and next year we plan to increase the sales of glassware, such as crystal cups.

This year, we sold a total of 27,000 items, with a profit of 1,763 taels of gold…”

The person in charge of the engines is still Tang Rong from the research department. “This year we completed 894 engines, with the latest engine reduced to a height of 25 centimeters and a length of 85 centimeters, producing 6 horsepower.

If connected to an external gathering array, it can reach 9 horsepower.

Next year, we will prepare to create a 100-horsepower engine.”

When He Lin was about to stand up to report, Li Xian suddenly spoke, “Aunt He, please wait a moment.”

Then he looked at Tang Rong, “Teacher Tang, you underestimate the importance of wires. We are starting to see the light in our research. If the wire research succeeds, the engine is expected to break through a thousand horsepower. Moreover, the engine is the heart of the entire industry; we can’t have just one model.

Next year, we need to research various models of engines—large, medium, and small—to meet different needs.

I also plan to sell engines externally next year. The best way to control the market isn’t through technical blockades but by guiding others, keeping them always behind us, forever only able to follow in our footsteps.”

Once Li Xian nodded, He Lin stood up with a bright smile, “We have currently completed the preliminary research on the combined textile machine and plan to finish the research on a large-scale combined textile machine next year, aiming for a production of 2,000 pieces of fabric per day.

Additionally, this year we have completed 12,000 pieces of fabric, and next year we aim to reach a target of 200,000 pieces while further reducing production costs to make the fabric's cost price below 60% of the market price.

Next year, we will also expand the factory, recruit workers, and raise silkworms and hemp ourselves; we don’t plan to grow high-yield, low-demand cotton for now.”

Li Xian gently shook his head, “Aunt He, you underestimate the power of industry. You will soon see the miracles of industry. Producing 10,000 pieces of fabric a day is not just a dream.”

Then Liu Bin spoke, “We have completed the preliminary research on all supporting machine tools, but their precision and efficiency are far from meeting the factory’s current needs. Starting next year, we will produce more machine tools, focusing mainly on precise technical requirements and increasing multifunctionality. We will especially tackle machine tools related to the production of bearings and lead screws.

Additionally, regarding the weapons customized by the Sea Tribe, we have basically finished processing five tridents; only the final polishing remains, and they will be completed before the New Year.”

Li Xian spoke again, “Uncle Liu, I’m giving you a goal. The propellers and related transmission and steering mechanisms I mentioned before; especially, we need to research the gantry milling machine capable of processing steel hulls.

Moreover, you need to work with Song Gang and Tang Rong to study the welding techniques I mentioned. While magic is good, with the development of industry, magical welding is no longer sufficient in terms of speed or quality for our needs.

Also, the ‘locomotive’ I previously mentioned can now be researched as well.”

“Understood.”

Next was Song Gang from the metallurgy branch, “This year, we have completed the smelting and purification of common metals, as well as the production research of stainless steel and various types of steel, completing the identification and smelting of common metals such as chromium, manganese, aluminum, lead, tin, and zinc.”

"Next year, we plan to expand production, increase the production of non-metallic materials, and enhance the acid-base production workshop."

Li Xian spoke again, "Uncle Song, I have two additional tasks for you. One is the metal drawing process. The generator is about to be developed, which requires a large amount of metal wire. Relying solely on magic for production is time-consuming and labor-intensive, with varying quality.

I need the thinnest metal wire to have a diameter of 0.5 millimeters; the thickest should be rebar, reaching three millimeters in diameter.

Additionally, we need to focus on the metal foil process and tin plate technology.

For these two tasks, please discuss and research with Liu Bin."

Then, Tang Rong stood up again, this time to address the generator and wire project. "The prototype of the generator is now mature, stable at around one meter, and can produce an equivalent of 1,000 horsepower of electricity per hour. However, it requires an external connection to ten large spirit gathering formations for power supply."

Li Xian thought for a moment, "Uncle Tang, I have an idea. We can separate the spirit gathering formations from the generator; this will make the generator structure simpler and more reliable. Furthermore, we can build one or multiple large spirit gathering bases to supply all the spiritual energy needed by the factory.

Of course, to achieve this plan, the wire project must succeed."

"Understood."

"Also," Li Xian continued, "Teacher Tang, could you please produce 50 low-quality engines? I plan to sell them in the imperial capital."

Li Xian's decision to sell engines surprised everyone, but since he had made up his mind, no one could stop him. In research and industry, Li Xian had already established absolute authority.

Finally, it was time for the newly appointed official, Xiang Yun. "Young Master, the production steps for concrete have all been tested; we can complete the first rotary kiln within three months."

"Very good." Li Xian flipped through his notebook. "Teacher Sun Ming, have the crystal chandeliers been completed?"

"We are in the final adjustments. We only made 22, all large colorful lamps, using the best materials."

Li Xian said, "Set aside 10 large chandeliers, along with 1,000 mirrors of various sizes, and 1,000 pieces of various glassware, plus 500 ordinary colorful lamps. I plan to make a trade with the sea tribe before the New Year.

Also, please fire some transparent glass balls about one meter in size; I think the sea tribe will like these.

Additionally, please try to complete the weapons customized by the sea tribe within the next five days."

Then, Li Xian turned to He Lin. "Aunt He, work a bit harder for the next few days. I will return to the imperial capital in five days and take all the fabrics with me. I want all the commoners in the capital to have an affordable New Year."

Next, Qingyun Valley became busy as a large number of carriages rushed in; these included those from the Li family, as well as the Shangguan, Yuan, and Zhang families, along with rentals from various horse and carriage businesses. Everyone was filled with determination, ready to make a significant turnaround during the New Year—the Wang family was still quite arrogant.

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