Chapter 430 – Rebuilding Xiangyang (14)
After arranging everything, Jiang Pengji finally let out a sigh of relief.
However, it was still not the time to feel completely at ease.
With chaos reigning in the world, the only way to secure oneself was to strengthen their capabilities.
She still needed to get some defensive equipment to turn the entire Xiangyang into an impregnable fortress, so the Green Garment Army wouldn’t be a concern anymore.
The honest Li Yun noticed the fatigue on everyone’s faces and curiously asked a question.
Jiang Pengji sighed, “Xiangyang has gone through three major calamities; now everything is in ruins, and we are in dire need of manpower. The common people need to be properly settled, destroyed houses need rebuilding, and the barren fields outside need to be cultivated; otherwise, who knows how many will starve to death next year? More capable individuals must take on more work… Even though it’s exhausting, there’s nothing we can do. We have to double up on duties and do our best.”
Li Yun was a helpful person; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so eager to assist his comrades in resisting the Green Garment Army’s pursuit.
Moreover, he remained oblivious to Jiang Pengji’s ulterior motives in inviting him to Xiangyang.
Seeing Jiang Pengji’s earnest expression, Li Yun’s heart softened, and his warm-hearted nature couldn’t help but emerge.
His eyes filled with sincerity as he asked Jiang Pengji, “Is there still a lack of people here, Young Master? Although I’m not the most skilled thinker, I possess a fair amount of strength. If there’s anywhere you need my help, feel free to let me know.”
After speaking, he revealed a somewhat bashful smile.
He knew that the county official was not a trivial position, and his words might come off as overly eager.
Feng Jin, Xu Ke, and Meng Hunyun had yet to leave and exchanged glances with Li Yun, their expressions akin to seeing a ghost.
Which corner of the world did this clueless kid come from?
Xiangyang was akin to a hell on earth, where extended hours made people want to die.
They were stuck on this ship of thieves; why would Li Yun willingly seek torment for himself?
Jiang Pengji bluntly replied, “There is indeed work to be done, but I’m afraid such a celestial being like you isn’t suited for it.”
Li Yun felt his cheeks heat up as he said, “You don’t need to call me Young Master; just call me Han Mei.”
That “celestial being” description truly flustered him.
Yun means beauty.
Li Yun’s courtesy name was Han Mei, and it was quite fitting for his face.
“Alright then, I won’t hold back.” Jiang Pengji said with a smile, and despite the audience in the live stream throwing various insults, she continued, “There is indeed something that needs doing here. If Han Mei doesn’t mind, I’d like to trouble you with this matter.”
“No problem; I’m not afraid of hard work.”
Li Yun was quite a straightforward kid, which showed in many ways.
With his spear in hand, he was a cold, handsome warrior; put it down, and he became a fool getting bullied by Jiang Pengji.
Ultimately, Jiang Pengji assigned him the task of cultivating the barren fields.
Yes, she sent a sharpshooter, a veritable killing god, off to farm!
【Big Shot, Spare Me】: Hehe, streamer, come here, tell me your home address; I promise to send you some blades!
【Hawthorn Sticks】: Oh my gosh, I can’t even imagine Li the God of War working in the fields like a farmer.
【Don’t Want to Write More, Just Want to Die】: Asking a future military general to do farm work? You’re really something, streamer.
Why not just sit on a heavenly monkey and fly up into the sky?!
Feng Jin and the others felt exhausted and intended to take their leave, but suddenly recalled something important and spoke to Jiang Pengji.
“By the way… Lord, the brick kiln has produced bricks.”
Brick kiln?
“The brick kiln has produced bricks? What’s the outcome?”
Jiang Pengji rested her heavy head and, upon hearing Feng Jin’s words, her mind became clear.
“The craftsmen have pulled out the bricks, but… whether they can be used still requires your inspection.”
After all, it was something her own lord had put together; she had the most say in this.
“Let’s go to the brick kiln and take a look.”
Jiang Pengji dismissed any thoughts of resting and took everyone to the brick kiln.
The elderly potter, now the head of the brick kiln, hurriedly came out to welcome her upon hearing Jiang Pengji’s arrival.
“Since the lord left for battle, three batches of bricks have been fired, and we are currently firing the fourth batch.”
The head of the brick kiln showed Jiang Pengji the first three batches of finished bricks.
The surfaces of the bricks were a bluish-gray, stacked neatly into a pile, taking up considerable space.
The first batch of blue bricks showed quite a bit of damage and cracking, while the next two batches showed a notable improvement, looking much neater and sharper.
Jiang Pengji weighed a blue brick in her hand, then broke it open to inspect the internal patterns, “That’ll do…”
Overall, the quality of these batches of blue bricks was quite promising.
Having such quality on the first attempt was considerably successful.
She could also tell that the later batches were markedly better than the earlier ones.
It was evident that the brick kiln head was attentive to improving each batch, diligently seeking out flaws after each firing and implementing further refinements.
“Keep firing. Once Xiangyang takes shape, there will be generous rewards!”
The head of the brick kiln beamed with joy.
Rebuilding Xiangyang would require a significant amount of blue bricks.
To ramp up production, Jiang Pengji specifically ordered another two brick kilns to be built, firing bricks day and night.
When the coal needed for firing bricks ran low, she even sent someone to purchase more from the neighboring Chengde County at a remarkably low price.
With blue bricks at hand, constructing houses became a much easier task, and thousands of laborers joined in, accelerating progress.
“Friendly price three coins, a rare opportunity you can’t miss!”
A month later, Jiang Pengji pulled out several brand-new land contracts and laid them out in front of everyone.
Feng Jin and the others looked at them, barely managing to keep their smiles in check.
For no other reason than they were all too familiar with the locations on these land contracts.
“Three coins.”
Qi Guanrang fished out three coins from his sleeve, taking one from the lot.
Feng Jin patted his money pouch, grimacing; it was either gold or silver inside, and pulling out three copper coins proved to be quite the challenge.
Fortunately, Xu Ke had some reserves and lent him three coins.
Before long, all the contracts were snatched up clean, the last few almost turning into a brawl.
No joke; if they didn’t snag them quickly, prime locations would be gone!
Nowadays, one-story buildings were all the rage as houses were going up at lightning speed.
However, considering the land area taken up by houses, Jiang Pengji combined the architectural styles from Hejian and Shangjing, along with suggestions from friends in the live stream, and everyone cooperated to make clever and elegant two and three-entry small residences.
Not too large but exquisite, neat, and beautiful.
Even someone like Feng Jin, who had seen it all, couldn’t help but praise the small homes a couple of times.
The first batch of small homes was nearing completion, and Jiang Pengji took a private moment to reward a few subordinates who had worked until tears streaming down their faces.
Originally belonging to the county office, Jiang Pengji purchased one of the land contracts for a single coin and then resold it to her subordinates for three coins.
No choice; she was broke, and couldn’t provide her subordinates with nice rewards.
But that was fine; she had houses soon to be built!
Land contracts and housing contracts, a steal at three coins!
The viewers in the live stream were nearly moved to tears.
Streamer, please, I want countless of those houses at this price!
