Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 52 One Month Later

"The results have been quite good these past two days. This has attracted a lot of stream water." Lu Minggang had just arrived in the field when he saw the extra waterways and smiled. He had to admit that Bai Yan was truly a talent.

Moreover, their execution ability is impeccable.

"It is thanks to the general's support and the people's efforts that we have achieved such results," Bai Yan said modestly.

However, Lu Ming could sense an inherent arrogance emanating from the other party.

Actually, you could tell from the very first meeting.

He just hid it very well.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Lu Ming squatted down, looked at the stream in the ditch, and splashed the water with his hand. He didn't feel cold at all; his body was now immune to both heat and cold.

Just as Bai Yan was about to say no, his attendant said, "General, it's easy to draw water from this stream, and there's plenty on the mountain, but we don't have a way to store it. It's such a waste to watch this water flow away."

Bai Yan glared at his attendant before speaking.

Lu Ming nodded and said, "This is easy. We can build some wells in the riverbed, dig deep wells to store water normally, and then use waterwheels to pump the water out when there is a drought."

At this point, he started drawing on the ground on his own.

“Wells can be built at the bottom of the river, similar to water cellars, serving as a backup water source. They can be placed in places in the riverbed where there are rock crevices for water seepage. They are generally 5-20 meters long along the river, 5-8 meters wide, and ideally 4 meters deep, with an irrigation area ranging from about 5 to several tens of acres.”

If we divert the stream water and build hundreds, or even thousands, of wells, it would be enough for the entire Fenglei County.

As Lu Ming spoke, he drew up the blueprints.

This scene left Bai Yan dumbfounded.

He hadn't expected that he couldn't solve the problem himself.

Lu Ming spoke offhand in the fields.

I was truly astonished.

"General, what is that waterwheel?"

At this moment, Bai Yan became humble, his eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge, because he realized that what Lu Ming said was indeed feasible.

"You don't know what a waterwheel is?" Lu Ming looked up.

He had a very serious expression on his face.

At this moment, Bai Yan felt that if there were a crack in the ground, he would want to crawl into it immediately. In the past, he was the one who talked about others in this tone, and now it was his turn.

My heart was filled with mixed feelings.

However, he is very serious about learning new things.

"Please give me some advice, General!"

As he spoke, he actually stood up and gave Lu Ming a deep bow.

“What is Magistrate Bai doing? We are both doing this for the people of Fenglei County.”

How about this, I'll go back and draw up the blueprints today, and you can come and pick them up tomorrow, okay?

Bai Yan's face lit up with excitement.

"I will personally go to the General's residence tomorrow to retrieve the blueprints."

Then, surprisingly, he bowed again.

The arrogance of the past was gone from his body.

On the contrary, he appeared extremely humble.

Lu Ming smiled and said, "Magistrate Bai, there's really no need for this. We're all doing this for the people of Fenglei County."

As he was speaking, he waved and left.

Although waterwheels are not particularly technologically advanced, it's definitely impossible for Lu Ming to make one.

However, I saw it once in the system store.

And it's not expensive; you can redeem a blueprint with just thirty points.

After returning to his residence, Lu Ming immediately exchanged for one.

Waiting for Bai Yan to come and collect it.

By this time, it was already getting dark.

The soldiers in the courtyard also began to line up for meals and prepare for rest.

Lu Ming had just entered the courtyard.

Then I saw the blacksmith carrying a bowl of rice, walking over excitedly.

Seeing him like this, Lu Ming knew that something good must have happened.

"What's wrong? Can the Blackscale Heavy Armor be forged now?"

he smiled.

At the same time, they stopped walking.

“Nothing can be hidden from the general. I have already deciphered the scriptures you gave me. As long as I have the materials, I can forge it immediately,” the blacksmith said hurriedly.

Lu Ming nodded.

At the same time, I'm a bit troubled because I really don't have enough money right now.

Nearly 100,000 taels of silver were spent every month, even though they earned quite a lot.

However, it is also in a state of not making ends meet.

I made some money recently, and my savings have reached over 400,000 taels.

However, after expenses for medicines, salaries, and other expenditures, only 370,000 to 380,000 taels of silver remain.

And even with this, the entire mansion still needs to be kept running throughout the next winter.

Taxes, tolls, and rent alone are only enough to pay the soldiers' basic wages. Thinking of this, he said, "I understand. The materials will be prepared as soon as possible."

The blacksmith was unaware of Lu Ming's thoughts, and simply smiled and said, "I will listen to the general and start making preparations as soon as I get back. Although the armor will be a bit difficult to forge, one winter will be enough."

Lu Ming nodded.

He patted the blacksmith on the shoulder and headed towards the backyard.

When they got home and entered the house, they saw Li Xirou sitting there nervously.

"what's going on?"

"It's my second sister. She sent word that people in the prefectural city say there might be a major disaster next year, and everyone is stockpiling food. She was planning to go home and tell my father these next few days."

When a great disaster strikes, there is great chaos; everyone knows that.

Li Xirou was naturally worried.

"Don't worry, Fenglei County will be fine. The disaster problem is being resolved. Even if other places are in trouble, Fenglei County will be safe."

Lu Ming offered a soft word of comfort.

Li Xirou then nodded.

"I trust my husband."

"Alright, let's eat quickly," Lu Ming said with a smile.

His warehouse still holds 50,000 shi of grain, enough to feed the current soldiers for several years.

I'm not too worried about these things.

Moreover, with the construction of the Xijing well, the drought next year will be significantly reduced, at least in Fenglei County.

There is no problem for the people to have enough food.

"My lord, try the new dishes I made today." Li Xirou walked over with a smile.

Place the food on the table.

Lu Ming nodded and then sat down.

But just after he finished eating, the maid came over.

"Sir, the magistrate requests an audience."

This made Lu Ming slap his forehead. This Bai Yan was really interesting; he actually chased after us.

"Have him wait in the living room in the front yard."

While they were talking, he drank a cup of tea with Li Xirou before leisurely walking towards the front yard.

When I entered the living room, I saw Bai Yan with a bruised and swollen face from the cold, drinking a cup of tea that had gone cold.

The front yard living room was empty and there was no brazier. Lu Ming didn't notice anything, but he forgot that Bai Yan was an ordinary person.

Just as I was about to step forward and explain...

Unexpectedly, the other party's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward to greet him. "My lord, after hearing about the waterwheel you mentioned, I was so eager to come over that I couldn't help but run over. Please forgive me, my lord."

After he finished speaking, he bent down.

"Alas, I know Magistrate Bai is anxious, so I haven't rested since I got back. I've been working on the blueprints, which is why I've been delayed for so long. Please don't blame me, Magistrate."

After Lu Ming finished speaking, he took out the blueprints from his pocket.

Looking at the structure of the waterwheel, Bai Yan had no reason to blame Lu Ming; in fact, he even considered Lu Ming a close friend.

No, it should be said that they are both teachers and friends.

"With the general here, it is truly a blessing for the people of Fenglei County."

Bai Yan spoke from the bottom of his heart.

At this moment, Lu Ming showed a distressed expression: "Magistrate Bai, your matter has been resolved, but little do you know that my matter is even more troublesome. With a severe drought looming next year, we not only have to ensure the grain harvest."

We also need sufficient military force to protect this grain, but right now we don't have enough silver to even forge enough armor. I've been extremely worried these past few days."

Since this person is known as a great talent, Lu Ming decided to test Bai Yan to see if he was really that capable.

After a moment of contemplation, the other party spoke solemnly.

“What the general said makes sense. I know that the most famous thing in Fenglei Town is its iron mine. Right now, it’s just a small mine. I have a disciple who has studied metallurgy. If we can mine these iron ores and refine them into steel, it should increase the county’s income.”

"Give me a month, and I'll build a smelting workshop in Fenglei County. As for selling it, that's up to you, sir."

Bai Yan confidently said.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ming's face immediately broke into a smile.

The smelting technology of the Great Yu Dynasty is considered to be top-notch. After all, the rise of martial arts has greatly boosted the production of elixirs and weapons.

If we could really refine diamonds, it would save us a lot of trouble.

Therefore, he immediately said, "Alright, then I'll trouble Magistrate Bai."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Bai Yan left.

As for Lu Ming, he returned to the inner quarters.

In the days that followed, he ignored everything else and devoted himself solely to cultivation.

The busiest person was Bai Yan, who had to build waterways, wells, and waterwheels.

He even brought in his disciples to build a fine iron smelting workshop.

However, they never tired of it.

In the blink of an eye, another month has passed.

Fenglei County is undergoing visible changes, and Lu Ming's changes are equally significant.

Thank you to 20220329095731940 for the 300 coins reward, thank you to 独宠琳琳 for the 500 coins reward, thank you to all the big shots for the monthly tickets and recommendation tickets, and thank you to those who have been following and adding this book to their favorites, thank you!
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(End of this chapter)